Latest news with #MWS
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
200-mile-long Gobi Wall in Mongolia had a function far beyond defense: Study
A new study investigated the Gobi Wall, the least understood section of the Medieval Wall System. Built by a nomadic empire, researchers discovered an architectural achievement that reflected its dynamism. Study authors described the Medieval Wall System (MWS) as 'one of the most extensive and enigmatic architectural features in East Asia. " The MWS is a network of walls, trenches, and enclosures. Stretching over 2,485 miles across China, Mongolia, and Russia, the Gobi Wall is a 200-mile section in Mongolia's arid highland deserts. The latest research published in Land is part of The Wall Project, funded by the European Research Council. Archaeologists have explored different sections of this wall that different empires built between the 10th and 13th centuries CE. The Gobi Wall was the most notable architectural achievement. An international team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yale University used remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations to determine the Gobi Wall's origins, maker, and function. "The main goals of this research are to better understand the construction techniques used in building the walls, garrisons, and fortifications; to date their construction and periods of use; and to determine the purposes for which they were built. We also aim to situate this particular section within its broader environmental context and in relation to medieval Inner Asian political and economic dynamics," study authors explained. The Xi Xia primarily constructed it with rammed earth, stone, and timber. The materials alone communicate the sophisticated planning and logistical systems in place, as the location was so remote. The Xi Xia capitalized on the topography when building this complex wall of watchtowers, forts, trenches, and garrisons. Due to their proximity to water and wood, they were situated on elevated platforms such as mountain passes and sand dunes. At Garrisons G05 and G10, archaeologists unearthed ceramics, coins, and animal remains, indicating a much earlier occupation of the site 2,000 years ago. Most significantly, however, the Gobi Wall held a function beyond defense, challenging commonly held assumptions about nomadic populations. 'This settlement stability, despite harsh desert conditions, challenges prevailing assumptions that nomadic populations in this region were highly mobile, lacked permanent structures, and did not invest in fixed territorial markers or infrastructure. Instead, the evidence suggests substantial investment in territorial control,' study authors said. Though the Gobi Wall was a permanent structure, it was far from a static wall. It played a multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. The Xi Xia was a Tangut-led empire, a Sino-Tibetan people who ruled Western China and Southern Mongolia. They extended the wall during a geopolitical shift, when they had to strengthen their defenses and better manage their territory. According to Archaeology Mag, they hadn't anticipated the wall's greater complexity. The wall was so much more than a line of defense. Researchers described it as zones of control and interaction with dynamic infrastructures that could shift according to their needs. The Gobi Wall has risen to become one of the premier examples of its kind in China, offering 'substantial new insight into medieval frontier management strategies and architectural practices in Inner Asia,' the study authors concluded. Read the study in Land.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Methodist Welfare Services launches platform to match volunteers with suitable opportunities
A demonstration of The Healing Nation digital portal at the launch of the initiative held at the Methodist Welfare Services Nursing Home on May 29. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – Individuals, businesses and community groups can now be matched to suitable volunteer opportunities on a new volunteer portal called The Healing Nation. Launched by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to mark SG60 and the 140th year of the Methodist Church in Singapore, the platform hopes to boost volunteerism here. There are 143 volunteer opportunities with more than 100 charities that cater to different interests, needs and availability. These include facilitating workshops for children, offering seniors barber services, befriending rough sleepers and supporting persons with intellectual disability in water play. The charities work with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's 24 SG Cares Volunteer Centres, which are community-based organisations in each town appointed to coordinate volunteer efforts and resources to meet community needs. The charity shared its plans at a media briefing at the MWS Nursing Home in Eunos on May 29. MWS hopes to get people to pledge a total of 1.4 million hours of volunteer service in 2025. Close to 180,000 volunteer hours have been pledged by Methodist schools, churches and individuals since the platform was piloted within Singapore's Methodist community in April. The platform is now open to everyone in Singapore. Built by fund-raising platform the volunteer platform's algorithm uses artificial intelligence to learn users' preferences and improve matches over time. The platform can also track the hours of community service clocked by the individual or organisation. (From left) Kampong Kapor Community Services executive director Lee Yean Wun, Methodist Welfare Services board of governance chairman Eugene Toh, Bishop Philip Lim, Methodist Welfare Services CEO Calvin Ngo, and founder and CEO Pong Yu Ming at the launch of The Healing Nation initiative at the Methodist Welfare Services Nursing Home on May 29. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Separately, MWS also aims to raise $1.4 million to fund social and healthcare services beyond its own services. It will hold an open call for charities to receive funds to help 1,000 families. About $600,000 has been raised so far. Mr Eugene Toh, chairman of the MWS board of governance, said many charities here have been building their own volunteer bases, but MWS hopes to help spur greater partnership in the care sector with shared resources and mutual support. 'In a world where things are interconnected, whether it's ageing, chronic illness or isolation, our response must also be interconnected,' he said. The Healing Nation platform will run until February 2027. Speaking at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) Community Care Work Plan Seminar 2025 on May 28, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had highlighted the growing demand for community care to meet the needs of Singapore's ageing population. He said the 'centre of gravity' of care will shift from hospitals to communities, helping seniors who are healthy to stay healthy, and those with chronic diseases to manage them well. MWS started in 1981 as a small nursing home, and has since grown to 23 centres, with programmes serving more than 16,700 families and individuals who experience poor health and financial distress. The charity provides services such as casework, counselling, medical and rehabilitative care, home-based, community-based and residential care, as well as a debt clearance and asset building scheme. Madam Li Chang, 50, was recommended by The Healing Nation platform to volunteer at the charity Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore in April. The housewife volunteers for 2½ hours on Wednesday mornings, helping to facilitate equine therapy programmes for people with special needs. Madam Li, who has previously volunteered at the MWS Nursing Home in Yew Tee offering pastoral care to residents, said she had wanted to try something new. 'I grew up in the city, so I'm fascinated by horses,' she said in Mandarin. She also hopes to take her 18-year-old son, who has autism, to an equine therapy session. Those interested can sign up for volunteer opportunities at The Healing Nation website at while organisations that wish to upload their volunteer opportunities can e-mail mcs140thn@ Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ABL to provide warranty survey services for Libya's Bouri gas project
ABL, a global energy and marine consultancy, has secured a contract to deliver marine warranty survey (MWS) services to Saipem for the Bouri Gas Utilisation Project (BGUP) in Libya. This collaboration will support the marine transportation and installation activities being conducted by Saipem at the BGUP. Under the terms of the agreement, ABL will carry out technical assessments and provide approvals for all project documentation, drawings and calculations pertaining to warranted marine operations. The company's responsibilities also include suitability surveys and other marine assurance deliverables for the proposed fleet. ABL's scope of work may extend to dynamic positioning trials if required. The consultancy will provide on-site attendance to review and approve warranted marine operations. Saipem 7000, a semi-submersible crane vessel developed by Saipem, will be deployed for the main heavy lift operations. ABL MWS project manager and business development manager Sergio Leone said: 'We are really pleased to be appointed to support Saipem on this project – following a long history of successful collaboration with the company. 'The BGUP project seeks to improve delivery and production of natural gas to Libya, with potential to supply further in North Africa. It is an important energy infrastructure project for North Africa as a whole.' The BGUP will enhance infrastructure such as offshore platforms and facilities at the Bouri gas field, located 120km north-west of Tripoli in water depths of 145–183m. This upgrade is set to reduce the field's CO₂ emissions, thereby improving its overall carbon footprint. ABL managing director for energy services Europe and West Africa Shai Tzucker said: 'Whilst the project will be managed from our operational HQ in London, on-site attendances and vessel surveys will be supported by our extensive marine surveyor footprint across Europe and North Africa. 'We also benefit from an established market presence and MWS track record in neighbouring Egypt.' The engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning contract for a 5000-tonne gas recovery model on the existing DP4 offshore facility was awarded to Saipem in August 2023. The contract also involves laying 28km of pipelines that will connect the DP3, DP4 and Sabratha platforms. "ABL to provide warranty survey services for Libya's Bouri gas project" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
