NewzIntel.com

Blog

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Particular Lenticular Cloud

    Source: NASA

    Landsat 8’s Operational Land Imager acquired this image of an elongated lenticular cloud, locally nicknamed the “Taieri Pet,” above New Zealand’s South Island on Sept. 7, 2024. Lenticular clouds form when prevailing winds encounter a topographic barrier, such as a mountain range. Wind that is forced to flow up and over the mountains creates a kind of wave in the atmosphere. Air cools at the crest of the wave, and the water vapor it contains condenses into clouds.
    Image credit: NASA/Lauren Dauphin; USGS

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Sentenced To 75 Months In Federal Prison For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm And Ammunition

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Defendant Possessed a Loaded Firearm with Additional Ammunition while Engaging in Drug Activity

    Baltimore, Maryland – On October 28, 2024, U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Larry Benner, age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland to 75 months prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

    The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department (“BPD”).

    According to the guilty plea, BPD officers were monitoring Citiwatch cameras in Baltimore city on January 21, 2023 when they observed Benner and two codefendants engaged in drug activity.  BPD officers arrived on scene and placed the defendants under arrest.  Officers recovered various controlled dangerous substances from Benner, including approximately 87 grams of cocaine, 5 grams of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin, Alprazolam, and Buprenorphine.  Officers also recovered from Benner a Smith & Wesson 9mm Luger pistol loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition and an additional drum magazine loaded with 35 live 9mm cartridges.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane Kozik and Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. O’Donohue III, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Guns from Georgia to Connecticut

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYREE THOMAS, 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking firearms from Georgia to Connecticut.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Thomas’ criminal history includes felony convictions and he is prohibited from purchasing firearms.  Between approximately August and December 2021, Thomas traveled to Georgia multiple times where, using a family member as a straw purchaser, he acquired approximately 24 firearms.   He then transported the firearms to Connecticut where he sold or transferred them to others, including felons, gang members, and juveniles.

    Nine of the firearms that Thomas acquired in Georgia have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut, including three that were seized during traffic stops, one of which was possessed by a juvenile; one that was found in the possession of felon who was subsequently federally prosecuted for the offense; one that was used in a Bridgeport shooting incident in August 2022, that resulted in the death of one of victim and injury to two others; one that was recovered from a Bridgeport murder suspect who used it to commit suicide during a standoff with law enforcement in Tennessee in June 2022; and one that was recovered from a homicide victim in Meriden in March 2023.  Fifteen of the guns have not been located.

    Thomas was arrested on September 6, 2023.  On June 17, 2024, he pleaded guilty to crossing state lines with the intent to engage in the unlawful dealing of firearms.

    Thomas, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 7.

    This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Clark and Rahul Kale. through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/PSN.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Freddy Krueger at 40 – the ultimate horror movie monster (and Halloween costume)

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Daniel, Associate Lecturer in Communications, Western Sydney University

    IMDB/New Line Cinema

    Movie monsters have captivated audiences since the days of early cinema. They evoke fascination and terror, allowing audiences to confront their fears from the safety of the movie theatre or living room.

    Arguably one of the most enduring and captivating of these monsters is Freddy Krueger, the villain of the A Nightmare on Elm Street series who celebrates his 40th screen birthday this November.

    Memorably played by Robert Englund, Freddy quickly became a cultural icon of the 1980s and 1990s. Beyond his burned face and iconic bladed glove, Freddy’s dark humour and acidic personality set him apart from other silent, faceless killers of the era, such as Michael Myers in Halloween or Jason Vorhees in Friday the 13th.

    Written and directed by horror maven Wes Craven, 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street garnered positive reviews for its innovative concept: Freddy stalked and attacked his victims in their dreams, making him inescapable and allowing him to tap into their deepest fears. The series (seven films plus a 2010 remake and Freddy vs. Jason spin offs) blended supernatural horror and surrealism with a dark and twisted sense of humour.

    Scary … but funny

    Humour was key to Freddy’s “popularity”. Both sinister and strangely charismatic, Freddy’s psychological torture of his adolescent victims often oscillated between terrifying and amusing.

    A famous kill scene from 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors demonstrates this paradox.

    Aspiring actress Jennifer drifts off to sleep while watching a talk show on TV. In her dream, the host of the talk show suddenly transforms into Freddy, who attacks his guest before the TV blinks out. When Jennifer timidly approaches the TV set, Freddy’s head and clawed hands emerge from the device, snatching her while delivering an iconic one-liner: “This is it, Jennifer – your big break in TV!”

    Freddy turns his victims’ fears or aspirations – their dreams – against them.

    ‘Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.’

    Creating a monster

    Craven has shared how the character of Krueger came to life in Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, an oral history of the series.

    He described a childhood experience of seeing a strange mumbling man walking past his childhood home. The man stopped, he said, and looked directly at him “with a sick sense of malice”. This deeply unsettling experience helped shape Freddy’s menacing presence.

    The character’s creation also emerged from the filmmaker’s interest in numerous reports of Southeast Asian refugees dying in their sleep after experiencing vivid nightmares.

    In the film, Krueger’s origin story reveals him as a child murderer who was apprehended but released due to a technicality in his arrest. Seeking justice, the parents of his victims take matters into their own hands, and form a vigilante mob. They corner him in his boiler room and burn him alive. But Freddy’s spirit survives to haunt and kill the children of his executioners.



    Read more:
    Halloween films: the good, the bad and the truly scary

    Cultural repression, expressed on film

    Film critic and essayist Robin Wood argued horror films often bring to the surface elements society has repressed. These fears, desires, or cultural taboos are not openly acknowledged.

    But movie monsters act as manifestations of what society suppresses, such as sexuality, violence or deviant behaviour. American academic Gary Heba argues Freddy is:

    an example of America’s political unconscious violently unleashed upon itself, manifesting everything that is unspeakable and repressed in the master narrative (perversion, child abuse and murder, vigilantism, the breakdown of rationality, order, and the family, among others), but still always present in the collective unconscious of the dominant culture.

    Actor Robert Englund calls Freddy Krueger ‘the gift that keeps on giving’.

    The monster decades

    The 1970s and 1980s marked a golden era for the creation of horror film nasties like Krueger, Myers, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface and killer doll Chucky.

    Since then, the landscape of horror has shifted, with fewer singular monsters emerging. The diversification of horror sub-genres (zombie virus horror, anyone?), the rise of psychological horror (Hereditary), and an emphasis on human-driven terror (Wolf Creek) or supernatural forces all contribute to this shift.

    While modern horror continues to thrive, few characters have achieved the same iconic status as Freddy – although some would argue Art the Clown from the recent Terrifier franchise and the reinvigorated Pennywise from IT could join this exclusive group.

    ‘Five, six, grab your crucifix.’ A 2010 Nightmare on Elm St reboot failed to fire.

    Happy Halloween!

    Despite a failed reboot in 2010, the legacy of A Nightmare on Elm Street is strong, having influenced numerous filmmakers with its skilful mix of surrealism and slasher horror.

    However, it’s the orchestrator of the titular nightmares whose legacy is perhaps the strongest.

    With each Halloween, new fans choose Freddy for their costume. All it takes is a tattered striped sweater, a brown fedora hat, and a glove with sharp, finger-lengthening blades. Don’t forget makeup to re-create Krueger’s grisly facial burns. Sweet dreams!

    Adam Daniel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Freddy Krueger at 40 – the ultimate horror movie monster (and Halloween costume) – https://theconversation.com/freddy-krueger-at-40-the-ultimate-horror-movie-monster-and-halloween-costume-240905

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is necro-branding? And what’s it got to do with Elvis, Princess Diana and Taylor Swift?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Baumann, Professor in Business, Macquarie University

    bissig/Shutterstock

    Do you own any memorabilia depicting Elvis, Princess Diana, David Bowie, Prince or Michael Jackson? Perhaps a beloved t-shirt, a favourite mug, a special keyring or a novelty plate? You might not know it, but you are participating in something known as “necro-branding”.

    Necro-branding is where the image of a celebrity is sold to the public, perhaps by their estate or by their fans, long after the celebrity has died.

    These necro-branded items act almost like talismans, helping us preserve the past and remind us of an era long gone.

    Necro-branding is also shaping up to be a multibillion-dollar industry. Even the stars of today – such as Taylor Swift – will inevitably one day become the necro-brands of tomorrow.

    And with the astonishingly rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), we can expect celebrities’ images to be “reincarnated” even more in the future, and their legacies extended far beyond death.

    Necro-branding is everywhere

    As colleagues and I argued in our recent paper in the journal Celebrity Studies, the quintessential necro-branded celebrity is Elvis Presley.

    From Elvis impersonators to countless items of Elvis memorabilia, the Elvis brand has only increased after the star’s death. Elvis-themed postage stamps issued by the US Postal Service reportedly became the top-selling commemorative postage stamps of all time. He’s also appeared on stamps issued by countries all around the world, such as the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.

    As we explain in our recent paper:

    At the time of his death, Elvis was worth an estimated US$5 million dollars ($40  million in today’s terms), but by 2022, it was estimated that Elvis Presley Enterprises has a net worth of between $400 million and $500 million. The use of his image on merchandise and memorabilia contributes to the continuation of his legacy.

    And it’s not just necro-branding marketed to older fans; younger generations are also a target with Elvis marketing.

    Think, for example, of the stratospherically successful early-2000s dance track version of A Little Less Conversation, by Dutch musician Junkie XL. Or, for instance, of the way Elvis tracks are woven throughout the Disney animated movie Lilo and Stitch.

    Of course, Elvis is not the only necro-branded celebrity. David Bowie, Prince, Michael Jackson, John Lennon and Johnny Cash are other obvious examples, with countless pieces of merchandise bearing their images. Their brand value has increased once the star has passed away.

    Deceased royals – such as Princess Diana and, more recently, Queen Elizabeth – are another obvious example, especially because living royals already enjoy such massive brand values.

    Necro-branding works because of the deep connection fans feel with celebrities. One study of fans of NBA basketballer Kobe Bryant found that as fans’ grief and shock waned, other stronger emotional responses, such as love, actually increased.

    Another 2024 study analysing fans of Johnny Cash and John Lennon suggested that fans acted “religiously” in honouring the memories of these beloved musicians.

    Marilyn Monroe is another heavily necro-branded celebrity. As we argue in our recent paper

    Her brand has shown strong durability in terms of earnings and is now licensed to the same management group that owns the bulk of the Elvis brand, Authentic Brands Group (ABG). Monroe often made the top ten list of earners in the Dead Celebrities List from 2001 to 2008.

    Necro-branding and AI

    AI already plays a pivotal role in branding of celebrities, alive and dead, and will no doubt be used more in future to extend the marketability of today’s celebrities.

    Think, for instance, of the way some of the recordings from the past are imperfect. Elvis footage from the 1970s often has good sound quality, but the actual video footage reflects the technology of the time.

    While this can be partially rectified with remastering, future AI-powered technology will allow entire reproductions of shows, with all imperfections removed.

    Perhaps, many decades from now, an AI-generated version of Taylor Swift will be performing for fans of that era. Whole personas can be altered to meet the demands of different generations of fans, maintaining their legacy indefinitely.

    Brand new songs can be performed by a necro-celebrity who never actually sang them, or songs from other entertainers (dead or alive) can be performed by the avatar of a dead singer.

    AI has already been used to create a version of the song Barbie Girl sung in the “voice” of Johnny Cash, alongside a medley of other pop hits.

    A whole new frontier

    Even if you’re new to the term, you’re already part of the necro-branding market. And there is more to come once AI advances and consumers can no longer distinguish between fake and real.

    The lines will become blurry, as the branding of necro-celebrities become a whole new frontier for marketing and AI develops ever faster and better.

    Joanne Soviner, a year 12 student at North Sydney Girls High School, contributed to this article.

    Chris Baumann does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is necro-branding? And what’s it got to do with Elvis, Princess Diana and Taylor Swift? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-necro-branding-and-whats-it-got-to-do-with-elvis-princess-diana-and-taylor-swift-240989

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is my kid using a baby voice? How can I manage it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Westrupp, Associate Professor in Psychology, Deakin University

    MIA Studio/ Shutterstock

    Pweeeeese! I want cwacker!

    If you’ve ever found yourself cringing when your child suddenly starts talking in a high-pitched, baby-like voice, you’re not alone.

    Many parents and caregivers find this behaviour jarring — and yes, a little bit annoying.

    Why do older children sometimes revert to baby talk? And what can you do to manage it?

    Why do kids use a baby voice?

    Children may revert to speaking like a baby when they are seeking comfort, affection and reassurance.

    For children, being a baby reminds them of a time when they were safe, and all their needs were taken care of. When they revert to using a baby voice, they are signalling to us they’re feeling vulnerable, tired, stressed, uncertain or overwhelmed, and are wanting more connection and practical help from us.

    Most regressions are normal, and very common. In fact, healthy learning and development is never perfectly linear. This is reflected in nature, where there are cycles of rapid growth followed by periods of rest and dormancy. After a burst of development, children can be tired, or miss having the same level of support from us.

    Children are also more likely to use a baby voice when they’re managing a change or stressful life event. For example, the birth of a new baby in the family, starting school, moving house, or parents separating, are common times when children need more support.

    Using baby talk could be a sign your child is feeling stressed or vulnerable.
    Fizkes/Shutterstock

    Help! Why is a baby voice so annoying?

    As parents and carers, it can be confusing and grating when our older, capable child seems to be moving backwards in development, and using a voice they used many years ago.

    Parents might associate a baby voice with neediness, or immaturity, and feel anxious about what this means for their child’s development.

    In the past, this behaviour was viewed as a problem.

    So the advice was to ignore it and only respond when children use their normal voice. However, this can can create shame in our child and make them afraid to express their feelings and needs.

    If your child is using a baby voice, they may need more comforting and attention.
    Media_Photos/ Shutterstock

    Tips for managing baby voice

    Developmentally, there’s no problem with children occasionally using a baby voice, so we don’t need to try to stop this behaviour.

    Instead, we can be curious. What might be happening for our child?

    1. Acknowledge their feelings: we can empathise with, validate and accept our child’s underlying emotions. And then try to meet their need for safety and connection. We might say:

    Oh my love, sounds like you’re finding everything hard today, and can’t manage putting your shoes on? Are you feeling tired?

    2. Meet their needs: if they’re wanting extra help or connection, we should give it. We can think of this as a “refuelling” pit stop – they might need a little extra care as they manage their current stage of development, or cope with a change. We can say:

    I’d love to help you put your shoes on, let’s do it together. How about you do the socks, and I’ll tie your laces?

    Remember, providing extra help doesn’t mean you’ll always have to do so. Children have a natural drive towards skill development and independence. When they have the energy, they’ll want to keep practising their skills.

    3. Be kind to yourself: if your child’s baby voice is getting on your nerves, it’s understandable, and normal. Providing extra care can be taxing, and sometimes it’s hard to find that extra energy. We can remind our child that we all need rest.

    I hear you’re so tired today and want my help. The problem is I’m feeling so tired too! I wonder if we can help each other? Can we start with a big cuddle?

    4. If in doubt, seek help: if your child shows other signs of developmental regression for more than two weeks, talk to your GP.

    Depending on age, this might include lost skills related to language and communication, walking and balance, self-care (such as dressing, toileting), sleeping, or becoming more clingy, having meltdowns and losing interest in interacting or playing with others.

    Elizabeth Westrupp receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. She is affiliated with the Parenting and Family Research Alliance, and is a registered clinical psychologist.

    – ref. Why is my kid using a baby voice? How can I manage it? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-my-kid-using-a-baby-voice-how-can-i-manage-it-240436

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: You can keep your ghosts and ghouls – the ‘Cordyceps’ fungus creates real-life zombies

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    annguyen87, Shutterstock

    I have never really been interested in ghosts, mummies or zombies, not even at Halloween. But as October 31 approaches each year I am reminded of a biological tale involving all three. It’s the real-life horror story of a flesh-eating, brain-warping fungus from the genus Cordyceps, which inspired the zombie-apocalypse video game and TV series The Last of Us.

    Worldwide, there are hundreds of species of Cordyceps. Most of them prey on insects. They’re famous for hijacking the brains of some ants. Once the fungus takes over, it directs the ant to climb to a high point on a plant and then bite down on the stem or twig in a macabre death grip. The reproductive structures of this parasitic fungus will soon burst out of the ant’s head, spreading its spores to infect another unsuspecting host.

    But the species with which I am most familiar (Cordyceps gunnii) doesn’t attack ants – it parasitises insects such as rather large “ghost” caterpillars. This species doesn’t force its victims to climb, but takes control when they are buried in the soil.

    You might spot a grotesque-looking dead caterpillar pushing up through the earth as if rising from the grave, with a large fungal growth emerging from its head. Some are about the size of an adult finger, but cream and dark brown in colour. It is truly a thing that could trigger nightmares.

    ‘Zombie’ Parasite Cordyceps Fungus Takes Over Insects Through Mind Control | National Geographic.

    Consuming the ghostly host

    Unsuspecting insects become infected with Cordyceps when they eat them by mistake, or when spores attach to their bodies.

    The caterpillar of the Australian ghost moth (Abantiades labrynthicus) tends to burrow straight down into the soil to graze on roots of gum trees and some other species related to eucalypts. So it probably picks up the fungus as it burrows into the earth. The fungus then penetrates the exoskeleton or digestive tract of the insect with a thin, needle-like tube.

    Once inside the caterpillar, the fungus starts to grow rapidly. It produces very fine threads (hyphae) that spread through the body of the insect, replacing its structure. The fungus expands to fill the available space, assuming ultimate control. Exactly how the fungus takes control of the insect brain is not fully understood, but we know the fungus produces a range of chemicals that influence the brain in a way that meets the environmental and reproductive needs of the fungus.

    The caterpillar is doomed as soon as the fungus starts to grow inside it. After being taken over by another life form, the zombie caterpillar dies. All of this happens out of sight, under the soil surface.

    But Cordyceps is not done with the caterpillar just yet. It consumes all the resources the insect can offer, then pushes antler-like reproductive structures out through the caterpillar’s head. These spore-producing structures can be more than 10cm long. They’re clearly visible above ground, but can be hard to spot as they look a bit like a twig. Wind carries the spores to infect more unwary caterpillars.

    These fungus-filled caterpillars are now fully mummified. Nothing remains of the caterpillar but a brittle exoskeleton.

    As the reproductive structures dry and wither, they gently tug on the mummy to which they are still attached. If the soil is dry, the now empty exoskeleton of the caterpillar emerges from its hole. As it does so, the fungal reproductive structures are often lost and all you see remaining is the empty husk.

    The Last of Us: Could it happen? Infectious disease doctor explains cordyceps (UC Davis Health).

    Half animal, half vegetable

    Members of the genus Cordyceps boast the unusual common name of vegetable caterpillars. This strange name comes from a belief, which persisted until the 1800s, that the caterpillars had somehow transformed from insects to fungi, or from animal to plant.

    This was a much debated and widely written about example of transmutation, a theory that was not uncommon in pre-Darwinian times. It was not until the early 1900s that the true, full and gruesome nature of the relationship between Cordyceps and its insect victims was revealed.

    On the lookout for Cordyceps

    Cordyceps gunnii is the most commonly seen species of vegetable caterpillar in southeastern Australia, found in several states.

    Another less conspicuous species, the fawn vegetable caterpillar, Cordyceps hawkesii, occurs along Autralia’s east coast, often under wattles, but is even harder to see. Naturalists hunting for this vegetable caterpillar often find they have already inadvertently trampled over it before they spot it.

    Yet another species, Cordyceps taylori, can also be regularly seen emerging from large ghost moth caterpillars in Victoria. When the husks of these dead, mummified caterpillars appear to emerge from their holes in the ground, they look particularly striking.

    The classification of these vegetable caterpillar fungi is still being debated by experts. It is likely not all are closely related. Some are now placed in a new genus, Ophiocordyceps, but regardless of the name, they are all capable of making zombies and mummies of their victims.

    You can join in the process of hunting for and mapping these elusive species through citizen science projects such as he Great Aussie Fungi Hunt or iNaturalist Australia.

    Traditional medicines and the vegetable caterpillar

    As Halloween approaches, you may be wondering whether humans need worry about being zombified and mummified by Cordyceps fungi. Could the naturalists hunting the vegetable caterpillars become the hunted? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, the opposite is true – these macabre creatures have a long history in traditional medicine.

    Cordyceps sinensis, a Chinese vegetable caterpillar very similar to C. gunnii, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Modern research shows there may be benefits from its use (or extracts from it) in treatments associated with autoimmune responses. While the fungus has been cultivated for about 40 years, naturally growing, wild fungi can be very expensive as they are still relatively rare and difficult to find. A kilogram can retail for A$30,000, driving a fungal gold rush across the Himalayas.

    Members of the genus Coryceps, or more correctly the Ophiocordyceps genus, have been around for more than 45 million years. Despite their depiction in The Last of Us, humans have nothing to worry about. The fungi are quite particular about their victims. But if you are a certain species of ant or ghost moth, then Halloween may take on a whole new meaning.

    Gregory Moore does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. You can keep your ghosts and ghouls – the ‘Cordyceps’ fungus creates real-life zombies – https://theconversation.com/you-can-keep-your-ghosts-and-ghouls-the-cordyceps-fungus-creates-real-life-zombies-241901

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gender is playing a crucial role in this US election – and it’s not just about Kamala Harris

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol Johnson, Emerita Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide

    Having a female presidential candidate has made gender obvious in this US presidential election, even to many who normally neglect its role. The specific contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, along with the prominence of issues such as abortion, has resulted in a particularly large gender voting gap. Far more women have consistently indicated support for Harris and far more men for Trump.

    However, gender has always been crucial in US presidential elections, not just because of gender voting patterns but because competing performances of masculinity have always played a major role.

    Role of masculinity in 2020 election

    The last presidential election saw Joe Biden’s form of kind and caring protective masculinity being explicitly contrasted with Trump’s divisive, hyper-masculine one.

    Furthermore, strong male leaders are meant to protect the people from physical, social and economic harm. I have argued that one factor that contributed to Trump’s 2020 electoral defeat was a protective masculinity failure, especially in regard to COVID.

    For example, former President Barack Obama argued that, unlike Biden, Trump could not be counted on to protect Americans:

    Eight months into this pandemic, new cases are breaking records. Donald Trump isn’t going to suddenly protect all of us. He can’t even take the basic steps to protect himself […]. Joe understands […] that the first job of a president is to keep us safe from all threats: domestic, foreign, and microscopic.

    Trump’s re-energised protective masculinity

    However, since his 2020 electoral defeat, Trump has resurrected himself as a strong masculine protector. He claims that “our enemies” are trying to use legal charges to take away his freedom and silence him because he “will always stand” in the way of their attempt to silence the American people and take away their freedom.

    He will also be a vengeful protector, declaring:

    I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution. I will totally obliterate the deep state.

    Trump has long appealed to men who feel that traditional masculinity, and its related entitlements, are under threat.

    He is currently courting white males, the youth manosphere, “techno bros”, “crypto bros”, conservative male unionists threatened by globalisation and offshoring, and conservative black and Latino men.

    He has been explicitly mobilising misogyny, including by making lewd references to Harris. JD Vance has assisted Trump’s efforts.

    Nonetheless, Trump claims that he will be a strong male protector of women, protecting them from illegal immigrants, crime, foreign threats and other anxieties:

    You will be protected and I will be your protector. Women will be happy, healthy, confident and free.

    Trump has even promised that, as a result, women “will no longer be thinking about abortion.” This is all despite his own alleged history of sexual assault.

    Harris, gender and the women’s vote

    By 2024, Biden’s apparent physical and cognitive decline meant that he was no longer a convincing masculine protector (or viable ongoing presidential candidate).

    The choice of Harris as his replacement candidate had advantages, but it was also a gamble given the combined roles of gender and race. After all, despite the long history of US racism, it still proved easier to elect a black man (Obama) to the presidency than a white woman (Hillary Clinton).

    However, the women’s vote is particularly important this election. As well as Harris’ appeal to younger and black women, Democrats have emphasised the importance of her appeal to white women, including some who previously voted Republican. Anti-Trump Republicans such as Liz Cheney are assisting Harris in appealing to the latter.

    Issues such as abortion are crucial. The overturning of Roe v Wade abortion rights, enabled by Trump stacking the Supreme Court, also puts IVF at risk by not clarifying when life begins (with implications for frozen embryos). Senate Republicans have twice blocked a vote on a Democrat-led bill designed to protect IVF. Harris has pledged to sign a law protecting abortion rights (if Congress passes it).

    Trump claims he supports IVF, won’t bring in a national ban on abortion and believes in abortion “exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother”.

    However, Trump Republicans are courting, and influenced by, the American religious right on abortion. There aren’t such exceptions in several Republican states, as Harris’s heartrending accounts of the impact on women and their health reveals. Furthermore, Missouri, Kansas and Idaho are also trying to drastically reduce legal access to the abortion drug mifepristone.

    Harris also emphasises other issues of particular significance for women, such as affordable childcare and better pay for care workers.

    Harris and “tonic” masculinity

    Given the role of competing masculinities in US presidential elections, Harris’ campaign has intentionally appealed to a very different form of protective masculinity from Trump’s.

    Vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz’s, “America’s dad” image (of being a warm, caring but sports loving coach, national guard serving, gun owning, hunter) is used to contrast his “tonic masculinity” with Trump’s “toxic” masculinity. Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, is depicted as a supportive “wife-guy” who has “reshaped the perception of masculinity” (while strongly denying allegations he once slapped a woman).

    Despite conservative claims of men being economically left behind, the Biden/Harris administration argues it has revitalised manufacturing and male jobs along with it and Harris will continue to do so. Meanwhile, Obama has urged black men to get behind Harris and the Harris campaign has highlighted its policies benefiting black men.

    Can Harris mobilise protective femininity?

    Given the major role of gender in US presidential elections, a key issue is whether Harris can successfully evoke a caring, motherly, protective femininity that promises security and economic benefits to voters and helps to counter Trump’s protective masculinity.

    Other women politicians have been able to (for example, Germany’s Angela Merkel). Women leaders particularly mobilised protective femininity during the COVID health crisis (for example, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern). However, it always seemed likely masculinist leadership stereotypes would re-emerge once the economy needed rebuilding after the pandemic.

    Harris has pledged she will “create an opportunity economy” and “protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do”. She promises to be the kind of president “who cares about you and is not putting themselves first”. Whether such electoral pitches are successful remains to be seen.

    Why the outcome of this election is crucial for gender equality.

    A woman US president is long overdue after 46 male ones. A Trump victory would have major implications for abortion, IVF and women’s rights generally, including progress on the Biden/Harris National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. Immigrant and black women will be particularly vulnerable. A Trump victory would also have major implications for which models of masculinity are publicly endorsed.

    A Trump victory would embolden conservative so-called anti-gender ideology campaigns. The Trump campaign has recently spent US $21 million (A$31.9 million) on ads associating Harris with LGBTIQ+ equality, especially transgender rights.

    The Trump campaign asserts that “Kamala’s for they/them. President Trump is for you.” While Trump has also pledged that “we will get critical race theory and transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.”

    A Trump victory will influence the future US economy, including risking increasing gender inequality in an Elon Musk-style unregulated technopoly.

    Finally, academic commentators have drawn attention to the way in which socially conservative views on gender have been mobilised to support new forms of authoritarian regimes in Europe and elsewhere.

    In short, this presidential election is a crucial one for the American people generally, but for the female half of the population in particular.

    Carol Johnson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Gender is playing a crucial role in this US election – and it’s not just about Kamala Harris – https://theconversation.com/gender-is-playing-a-crucial-role-in-this-us-election-and-its-not-just-about-kamala-harris-242113

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: One more detainee to return to HK

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Security Bureau today said that a Hong Kong resident who had been detained for illegal work in Myanmar, but was recently rescued and safely arrived in Thailand, will return to Hong Kong on Monday with the bureau’s dedicated task force.

    Members of the task force met the Hong Kong resident at a detention centre last night after his transferral to Bangkok. He was in good mental and physical condition.

    The task force members expressed sympathy to the individual, who expressed gratitude for their visit to Thailand to follow up on his case. He was also pleased to learn that he will be able to return to Hong Kong on Monday.

    Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said he was relieved that one more Hong Kong resident was rescued and able to return to Hong Kong to reunite with his family before the Chinese New Year.

    Mr Tang thanked sincerely the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok and the relevant Thai authorities for their support and assistance as well as importance attached to the case, enabling the return of the Hong Kong resident within a short period of time as far as practicable.

    The security chief also commended the dedicated task force for the committed efforts in following up the case and assisting the Hong Kong resident’s return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

    The task force, comprising members from the bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department, has been contacting and liaising with different parties since their arrival in Thailand on January 21 to discuss the arrangements for the rescued Hong Kong resident to return home as soon as possible and follow up on the 10 remaining request-for-assistance cases.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for blood donation as stocks down to two days’ supply remaining

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

         The spokesperson of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (January 25) said the blood inventories have been depleted to a very low level, with only two days of stock remaining. The BTS is allocating blood products based on the urgency level of each patient case’s requirement to ensure the emergency blood transfusion services remain unaffected. If the situation continues, clinical blood transfusion treatments could be affected. The BTS urgently appeals to donors to come forward for blood donation, gathering the strength of Hong Kong residents to promptly replenish the blood inventories.

         The BTS is the only public institution providing blood to all hospitals, public and private, in Hong Kong. Six hundred and fifty units of blood is needed daily to meet the needs of all hospital across the city. Over the past month, the BTS collected an average of around 500 units of blood daily, with a shortfall of 150 units. In January 2025, the number of blood collection has dropped around 20 per cent as compared to the same period last year, with almost 3 000 units fewer. Due to the influenza season, many registered blood donors were unable to donate due to influenza infection. Additionally, the increase in citizens traveling abroad during the holidays has further reduced the willingness to donate blood, significantly impacting the overall number of blood donations.

         As the service surge of public hospital kick-started, daily blood usage of hospitals increased by 10 per cent as compared to last year’s figure. With the shortfall in blood collection, the BTS is allocating blood products based on the urgency level of each patient case’s requirement to ensure emergency blood transfusions remain unaffected. The Chief Executive and Medical Director of the BTS, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong said, “There’s a significant increase in the number of cases that require large amount of blood products this month. We have received 14 cases requiring a large amount of blood for transfusion and 247 units of blood were needed for the cases of lung transplant, liver transplant, post-partum hemorrhage, blood cancer, heart diseases and thalassemia major etc.”

         Most BTS donor centres will open during the Chinese New Year (see Annex 1), and the public is welcome to make an appointment for donation. Members of the public aged between 16 and 65 (donation is possible up to the age of 75 if predetermined conditions are met), weighing 41 kilograms or above and in good health are eligible to give blood. The BTS reminds donors to make an appointment via the “HK Blood” mobile app, or by calling BTS donor centres. The “HK Blood” mobile app users will receive double points to redeem rewards for successful donation from now until January 28. For details, visit: www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.

         As a token of appreciation, member of the public who donates successfully from January 29 to February 1 will receive a CAPTAIN BLOOD New Year Goodie Bag (see Annex 2), while stocks last.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock on Voting Against Hegseth Nomination to Lead the Department of Defense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on his vote against the nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth was confirmed to the position in a vote of XX-XX.

    “As a voice for Georgia’s nearly 100,000 active duty servicemembers and reservists, and as the son of a veteran, I understand the tremendous sacrifice our servicemembers and their families make to protect and serve our nation. Since coming to the Senate, I’ve always prioritized military readiness and protecting the safety of our men and women in uniform. That is why I voted against Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Department of Defense.

    “I have prayed with Georgians before they left for deployment, welcomed them home after serving our nation, and stood beside Gold Star parents to honor their children who made the ultimate sacrifice. Allowing someone to lead the Department of Defense who has repeatedly shown a poor moral compass would dishonor those who give so much to keep our nation safe. And I fear confirming a deeply unqualified nominee would unnecessarily put Georgia servicemembers in harm’s way.

    “The Secretary of Defense should embody the high standards that all other servicemembers strive toward. Georgia’s military families sacrifice too much to not have the best Secretary of Defense possible. I believe we can do better.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong rank among top 10 innovation cities globally: report

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong rank among the world’s top 10 innovation cities, alongside other cities from the United States, Britain and Japan, according to a recently released assessment report on sci-tech innovation.
    The report, published on Friday, was compiled by the Shenzhen International Science and Technology Information Center, the Center for Industrial Development and Environmental Governance of Tsinghua University, and research publishing and information analytics company Elsevier, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Saturday.
    The report is based on the collaborative development index of education, sci-tech and talent, and offers an in-depth evaluation of 30 cities around the world. It aims to provide insights into global urban innovation and development trends and highlights the strength of cities in science and technology innovation.
    The top 10 innovation cities are Boston, San Francisco, Beijing, London, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
    In terms of education, Boston, London and Hong Kong rank as the top three, while London, Beijing, Shanghai and New York are cities with relatively balanced development in both basic and higher education.
    From the perspective of innovation, San Francisco, Boston and Beijing are the top three cities. The report suggests that strengthening the innovation ecosystem, including enhancing the economic foundation, promoting the integration of industry, academia and research, boosting scientific infrastructure, and fostering cross-regional cooperation, is crucial for Chinese cities to enhance their innovation capabilities.
    In terms of talent development, five cities from the United States and five from China, which include Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, rank in the top 10.
    According to the report, Chinese cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai also demonstrate exceptional performance in talent potential, reflecting strong momentum in talent development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Disabled Persons’ Federation hosts 2025 New Year cultural exchange

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) hosted its 2025 New Year Celebration in Beijing on Jan. 22, bringing together people with and without disabilities for cultural and sports activities at the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities.
    Over 200 guests attended the event, including representatives from the embassies of more than 50 countries, such as the United States, France, Italy, Switzerland and Japan, along with U.N. agencies, international organizations, and foreign-invested enterprises.
    Zhou Changkui, vice chair and president of the Executive Board of CDPF, attended the celebration and delivered a speech. You Liang, vice president of the Executive Board, served as the host.
    In his speech, Zhou thanked both domestic and international partners for supporting people with disabilities in China. He emphasized the Chinese government’s commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, ensuring the comprehensive advancement of disability-related initiatives.
    Over the past year, CDPF has implemented practical measures to safeguard the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities, enhanced social security systems and support services, leveraged technology to empower them, and led the Chinese delegation to notable success at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Consequently, the cause of disability rights has gained momentum in China, becoming integrated into the nation’s broader social and economic development, while enhancing the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among individuals with disabilities.
    CDPF will continue actively engaging in international disability affairs, strengthening exchanges and cooperation with U.N. agencies, foreign embassies, and other organizations to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities worldwide.
    France hosted the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, and Italy will host both the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin and the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Representatives from both nations’ embassies attended the celebration.
    Cristina Carenza, deputy head of mission and minister plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Italy in China, celebrated the incredible resilience, strength and determination of persons with disabilities. She said that Italy looks forward to using these upcoming sports events to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as disability sports.
    Mr. Romain Jacquet, counselor for health, social affairs, and labor at the French Embassy in China, noted that sports embody the values of equality, respect and inclusion. He emphasized France’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international partners, including China, to build a more inclusive and united world.
    The event highlighted the artistic and athletic achievements of people with disabilities while showcasing their creative potential and equal participation in society. Kanasugi Kenji, the Japanese ambassador to China, and Jürg Burri, the Swiss ambassador to China, joined guests in experiencing traditional Chinese handicrafts and folk activities alongside artisans with disabilities. This allowed them to savor the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture. The guests joined athletes in friendly matches of wheelchair basketball, wheelchair curling and boccia, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.
    During the event, Mao Jingdian, a Chinese Paralympic champion in para table tennis, and Wang Zhidong, a member of the Chinese Para Ice Hockey Team, along with outstanding athletes with disabilities from France and Italy, shared stories of perseverance and determination in pursuit of their dreams. The guests also enjoyed a performance by the China Disabled Peoples’ Performing Art Troupe.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: People enjoy light decorations in Hohhot ahead of Spring Festival

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    People enjoy light decorations in Hohhot ahead of Spring Festival

    Updated: January 25, 2025 15:16 Xinhua
    People enjoy the view of light decorations on a riverbank in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2025. As the Spring Festival approaches, colorful light decorations were set up in Hohhot for festive atmosphere, which attracted many citizens. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People enjoy the view of light decorations at Dazhao Square in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo shows light decorations on a river in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People take photos with light decorations at Dazhao Square in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vanuatu AG condemns Trump’s Paris climate treaty exit as ‘troubling precedent’

    By Harry Pearl of BenarNews

    Vanuatu’s top lawyer has called out the United States for “bad behavior” after newly inaugurated President Donald Trump withdrew the world’s biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gasses from the Paris Agreement for a second time.

    The Pacific nation’s Attorney-General Arnold Loughman, who led Vanuatu’s landmark International Court of Justice climate case at The Hague last month, said the withdrawal represented an “undeniable setback” for international action on global warming.

    “The Paris Agreement remains key to the world’s efforts to combat climate change and respond to its effects, and the participation of major economies like the US is crucial,” he told BenarNews in a statement.

    The withdrawal could also set a “troubling precedent” regarding the accountability of rich nations that are disproportionately responsible for global warming, said Loughman.

    “At the same time, the US’ bad behavior could inspire resolve on behalf of developed countries to act more responsibly to try and safeguard the international rule of law,” he said.

    “Ultimately, the whole world stands to lose if the international legal framework is allowed to erode.”

    Vanuatu’s Attorney-General Arnold Loughman at the International Court of Justice last month . . . “The whole world stands to lose if the international legal framework is allowed to erode.” Image: ICJ-CIJ

    Trump’s announcement on Monday came less than two weeks after scientists confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record and the first in which average temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

    Agreed to ‘pursue efforts’
    Under the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, leaders agreed to “pursue efforts” to limit warming under the 1.5°C threshold or, failing that, keep rises “well below” 2°C  by the end of the century.

    Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday in a brief comment that Trump’s action would “force us to rethink our position” but the US president must do “what is in the best interest of the United States of America”.

    Other Pacific leaders and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) regional intergovernmental body have not responded to BenarNews requests for comment.

    The forum — comprising 18 Pacific states and territories — in its 2018 Boe Declaration said: “Climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and [we reaffirm] our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

    Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka speaks at the opening of the new Nabouwalu Water Treatment Plant this week . . . Trump’s action would “force us to rethink our position”. Image: Fiji govt

    Trump’s executive order sparked dismay and criticism in the Pacific, where the impacts of a warming planet are already being felt in the form of more intense storms and rising seas.

    Jacynta Fa’amau, regional Pacific campaigner with environmental group 350 Pacific, said the withdrawal would be a diplomatic setback for the US.

    “The climate crisis has for a long time now been our greatest security threat, especially to the Pacific,” she told BenarNews.

    A clear signal
    “This withdrawal from the agreement is a clear signal about how much the US values the survival of Pacific nations and all communities on the front lines.”

    New Zealand’s former Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, said that if the US withdrew from its traditional leadership roles in multilateral organisations China would fill the gap.

    “Some people may not like how China plays its role,” wrote the former Labour MP on Facebook. “But when the great USA withdraws from these global organisations . . . it just means China can now go about providing global leadership.”

    Analysts and former White House advisers told BenarNews last year that climate change could be a potential “flashpoint” between Pacific nations and a second Trump administration at a time of heightened geopolitical competition with China.

    Trump’s announcement was not unexpected. During his first term he withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, only for former President Joe Biden to promptly rejoin in 2021.

    The latest withdrawal puts the US, the world’s largest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, alongside only Iran, Libya and Yemen outside the climate pact.

    In his executive order, Trump said the US would immediately begin withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and from any other commitments made under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

    US also ending climate finance
    The US would also end its international climate finance programme to developing countries — a blow to small Pacific island states that already struggle to obtain funding for resilience and mitigation.

    Press releases by the Biden administration were removed from the White House website immediately after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Image: White House website/Screen capture on Monday

    A fact sheet published by the Biden administration on November 17, which has now been removed from the White House website, said that US international climate finance reached more than US$11 billion in 2024.

    Loughman said the cessation of climate finance payments was particularly concerning for the Pacific region.

    “These funds are essential for building resilience and supporting adaptation strategies,” he said. “Losing this support could severely hinder ongoing and future projects aimed at protecting our vulnerable ecosystems and communities.”

    George Carter, deputy head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University and member of the COP29 Scientific Council, said at the centre of the Biden administration’s re-engagement with the South Pacific was a regional programme on climate adaptation.

    “While the majority of climate finance that flows through the Pacific comes from Australia, Japan, European Union, New Zealand — then the United States — the climate networks and knowledge production from the US to the Pacific are substantial,” he said.

    Sala George Carter (third from right) hosted a panel discussion at COP29 highlighting key challenges Indigenous communities face from climate change last November. Image: Sera Sefeti/BenarNews

    Climate actions plans
    Pacific island states, like all other signatories to the Paris Agreement, will this year be submitting Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, outlining their climate action plans for the next five years.

    “All climate actions, policies and activities are conditional on international climate finance,” Carter said.

    Pacific island nations are being disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing just 0.02 percent of global emissions, according to a UN report released last year.

    Low-lying islands are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones, floods and marine heatwaves, which are projected to occur more frequently this century as a result of higher average global temperatures.

    On January 10, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed that last year for the first time the global mean temperature tipped over 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average.

    WMO experts emphasised that a single year of more than 1.5°C does not mean that the world has failed to meet long-term temperature goals, which are measured over decades, but added that “leaders must act — now” to avert negative impacts.

    Harry Pearl is a BenarNews journalist. This article was first published by BenarNews and is republished at Asia Pacific Report with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Votes to Confirm Hegseth for Defense Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Pete Hegseth to serve as the next Secretary of Defense.
    “Pete Hegseth has made it clear that he will put our men and women in uniform first as Secretary of Defense. As a combat veteran, he has seen firsthand the drain of bureaucracy in our Department of Defense that slows training and prevents us from innovating at the speed necessary to meet rising threats. In my conversations with Pete, I saw that he is committed to advancing policies that empower our warfighters and increase lethality. He has also assured me that he will focus on improving military recruitment and revitalizing our defense industrial base so that the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ can once again produce the weapon systems we need to deter our adversaries. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work closely with Pete to advance President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda and to make sure we have the world’s preeminent fighting force,” Senator Capito said.
    Senator Capito previously met with Hegseth in December of 2024 to discuss his nomination and learn more about his vision to lead the department.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has simplified the procedure for issuing veteran certificates to volunteers

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Resolution of January 24, 2025 No. 39

    Document

    Resolution of January 24, 2025 No. 39

    Volunteers will be able to receive a combat veteran certificate of a uniform type without an application. The decree on this was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    We are talking about citizens who joined volunteer formations created by decision of the authorities to assist in the fulfillment of tasks assigned to the Armed Forces of Russia during a special military operation. The certificate will serve as confirmation of the status of combat veterans and the right to benefits provided by law.

    According to the signed resolution, in order to issue certificates without an application, the military unit on the basis of which the volunteer formation was formed will send all necessary documents to the military registration and enlistment offices of the region where the volunteer is registered for military service.

    Regional military registration and enlistment offices must check their compliance with established requirements within 10 days of receiving such documents. After that, regional military registration and enlistment office commissions must make a decision on issuing a certificate.

    The completed certificate will be issued to the volunteer himself, his relatives or other persons by power of attorney, drawn up in accordance with current legislation.

    Previously, to obtain a combat veteran certificate, a volunteer had to submit an application.

    The law granting volunteers the status of combat veterans was adopted in November 2022. At the federal level, a number of benefits have been established for them, including property tax and utility bills. In addition, citizens with this status are entitled to a monthly cash payment.

    The non-declarative procedure for issuing veteran of military operations certificates to volunteers was developed at the direction of the President.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Shorten interview on ABC News Breakfast with Bridget Brennan

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    SUBJECTS: Israel restricting UNWRA; NDIS Commission reforms; disability foundational supports

    BRIDGET BRENNAN, HOST: We’re going to bring in Bill Shorten now, the Minister for the NDIS. We’ll get to the new penalties for those caught rorting the NDIS in a moment. But first Bill Shorten, welcome to News Breakfast. Can we get your reaction to Israel’s decision to cut ties with UNWRA?

    BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Well, there’s a lot of Palestinian people who are not members of Hamas who are suffering, and we’ve got to make sure they’re getting food and aid. Obviously, this is a breaking decision. I’ll find out what our foreign affairs people are saying, but there’s innocent civilians caught up in this and they’ve got to get food and aid. I think that’s just a – like, there’s no there’s no way around that. And that’s got to happen.

    BRENNAN: Well, Australia was part of a coalition of Western governments, including Canada, France, Germany calling on Israel to halt this legislation. The UK’s foreign Secretary says in his view, this is a rebuke to every friend of Israel. Why is Israel not listening to its allies, Bill Shorten?

    SHORTEN: Well, you’d have to ask Israel that. I’m aware that there were some employees of UNWRA who were connected to Hamas, but what you’ve got is you’ve got hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, and they’re the ones who are suffering, and they’re the ones who we’ve got to prioritise. And if that’s the case, I guess the international community has got to put to Israel that you’ve got to look after the civilians. You’ve got to try and help them. It’s not their fault.

    BRENNAN: No. All right. Well, let’s move to the crucial reforms of the NDIS. This is another stage of that. We know there are grifters, shonks, criminals accessing the NDIS, trying to infiltrate the NDIS. What will be the penalties now for people doing the wrong thing?

    SHORTEN: Well, I must say at the outset, the NDIS is changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with profound and severe disabilities for the better, and most service providers are doing an outstanding job. But the sad fact is that where there’s government money, some, there is opportunistic, unethical and at times illegal behaviour going on where people with disabilities are being treated as human ATMs.

    We’ve been cracking down and making a record investment to tighten up the payment system to go after the shonks, we’ve proposed yesterday, new laws, which we’ll talk to the liberals and the states about, and the disability sector, where we want to increase the penalties. We want to make the NDIS a no-go zone for crooks, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure that the social licence of the NDIS is unimpeachable.

    As I say, most people are delivering great services and participants are getting benefits, but the fact is that there is a proportion of illegal behaviour and we want to make sure that we’re emphasising the safety and quality for participants, not seeing ill-gotten profits made by a minority of sharks who are bottom dwellers and ripping off people with disability and taxpayers.

    BRENNAN: So, Bill Shorten, who’s the cop on the beat here? How does the investigation take place? Where should people refer allegations to?

    SHORTEN: Great question. We have what’s called the National Quality and Safeguards Commission, the NDIS, the agency administers the funds, and the Safeguards Commission is meant to handle complaints. Since I’ve been the Minister, we’ve tripled the number of people working at the Complaints Commission, and we’ve introduced proper modern IT so we can track, you know, criminal behaviour and inappropriate conduct. We’ve also set up a Fraud Fusion Task Force. This is 21 Commonwealth agencies for the first time talking to each other, plus state police. None of this was going on before I became the Minister. People were able to just put in invoices and just get cash transactions without an explanation. So, there were – to be honest, it was too tempting. There was a complete neglect, negligence and naivety under my predecessors about when you have a government scheme with billions of dollars, there just really was no checks and balances.

    We’ve now, over the last two and a half years been putting that in. We’ve now got 56 people before the courts, hundreds of investigations, and we’re now dealing with complaints on a much larger scale. I noticed Peter Dutton had a bit of a chip at me in his sort of trademark negativity. He said, oh, it should have happened earlier. Well, Pete, your party were in power for eight years and you did two bits of bugger all. We’re now getting on with the job of making sure the scheme has integrity.

    BRENNAN: Hey, Bill Shorten, does it worry you that there are still families of children with disabilities saying they can’t get on the NDIS?

    SHORTEN: It worries me when Australians with disability are not included in society. The NDIS wasn’t for every Australian with a disability though. I know, I was there at the before the start of it. The scheme is for people with severe and profound disabilities. What’s being – so I think there’s two points to what you say. One is I think there has been a problem that the scheme sometimes is a two-class scheme. If you live in the cities, if you know, you know lots of allied health professionals, you can get on the scheme. But if you’re in the bush, if your first language isn’t English, if you don’t have access to a whole lot of health professionals, then it’s harder to get on the scheme. So, what we’re trying to do is create a consistent entry point. We want to have needs assessments, which are consistent, done by the government so that whoever you are, whatever your circumstance, you get the same, you know, equal access to the front door of the scheme, the other thing we’re doing is that it’s been great.

    We’ve been working with the states, Peter Malinauskas in particular, has led the states on this very well, but all of them participate. We want to set up some services for people with disability who don’t require the full orchestra of the NDIS, but still need some support. We’re calling these foundational supports. In the next year we hope to get some of them established. My colleague Amanda Rishworth is working with the states, to set up services for people who don’t need the full NDIS, but still need some support. And we’re going to start with the kids.

    BRENNAN: Great to talk to you Bill Shorten. Have a good day.

    SHORTEN: Outstanding. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: TRYX Launches PANORAMA in the EU: The World’s First Curved-Screen Liquid Cooler

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — We are excited to announce the European release of the world’s first curved-screen liquid cooler, the TRYX PANORAMA. After a successful debut at Computex and a long wait, European PC enthusiasts can finally join the revolution with pre-orders starting on October 28th, 2024.

    Product Lineup for Europe

    The European release of the TRYX PANORAMA will feature three sizes—240mm, 280mm, and 360mm—in both ARGB and Performance versions, with color options of black and white.

    Features and Specifications

    As TRYX’s first flagship liquid cooler, the PANORAMA made waves globally at Computex, captivating the attention of PC DIY enthusiasts worldwide. This cooler is not only distinguished by its unique design but also by its superior cooling technology. Here’s a closer look at what makes PANORAMA exceptional:

    • 6.5-inch AMOLED L-shaped Display: Featuring a 60Hz refresh rate at 2K resolution, the screen offers full visibility from multiple angles.
    • Asetek 8th Generation Cooling Solution: Enhancing thermal performance, the Asetek solution is paired with a thicker 30mm radiator, delivering a 2°C improvement on cooling under a 100W load compared to previous Asetek generations.
    • Advanced Cooling Design: High-density fins, micro water channels, and low water resistance enable faster and more efficient heat dissipation. PANORAMA’s tubing is 40% thicker than previous Asetek generations, increasing water volume and improving the flow rate.
    • Compatibility: Supports the latest Intel 15th Gen LGA 1851 “Arrow Lake” and is also compatible with Intel LGA 1700/1200/115X and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets.
    • Pre-installed ROTA Pro Fans (non-ARGB): Equipped with LCP blades and a three-phase, six-pole motor, these fans deliver powerful airflow with minimal noise.
    • The exclusive KANALI software provides full control over every aspect of the cooler, including support for split-screen functionality. Users can also choose from up to eight preset 3D content options to achieve the most immersive 3D visuals right on their desktop.

    Pricing

    The full PANORAMA series will be available for pre-order starting October 28th, 2024, with pricing as follows:

    • PANORAMA 360mm ARGB: €379.99
    • PANORAMA 360mm: €369.99
    • PANORAMA 280mm ARGB: €359.99
    • PANORAMA 280mm: €349.99
    • PANORAMA 240mm ARGB: €339.99
    • PANORAMA 240mm: €329.99
    • ROTA PRO 120mm Performance Fan: €24.99
    • ROTA PRO 140mm Performance Fan: €26.99

    With PANORAMA, TRYX continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the PC market. Stay tuned as we bring more cutting-edge products to life and inject fresh energy into the DIY community.

    About TRYX

    TRYX was established in 2023 by a dedicated group of tech and gaming PC enthusiasts who firmly believe that, in the era of AI, imagination and creativity remain irreplaceable traits of human expression. TRYX is on a mission to empower individuals with more possibilities, enabling gamers to shape their own distinct identities.

    Contact: Lucius Liu, Global PR – TRYX Technology Inc.
    Email: lucius_liu@tryxzone.com

    Contact: Cedric Pineau, EU Sales and Marketing Director
    Email: cedric_pineau@tryxzone.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef6f1510-998b-47cc-9752-f6c10503507f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49a887ab-9eab-47fb-b31e-bce50408e296

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d419dcd5-6fcb-4a2a-866c-d3893e3a9727

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park’s Disaster Drill enhances regional joint emergency response capability.

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    To improve the safety protection capabilities of the Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park (TPTIP), the Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIPs) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) teamed up with the Chemicals Administration (CHA) of the Ministry of Environment to hold a joint “Muti-Hazard Emergency Response and Regional Cooperation Drill” on October 23. Representatives from the CHA, the CTSP Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Taichung City Government, and several industrial parks participated. The spirit of “collaborative cooperation” demonstrated in this drill is key to responding to large-scale disasters. Whether it’s adjusting water and electricity supply or supporting fire rescue resources, inter-agency collaboration between agencies is essential. Regular drills focusing on disaster reduction, response, and recovery are designed to ensure rapid resource integration during an actual disaster to effectively prevent escalation.
    The drill simulated a scenario where a strong earthquake caused an organic solvent leak, sparking a fire inside a factory, while toxic chemicals splashed onto personnel, creating a complex disaster. In addition to simulating on-site disaster reporting, personnel evacuation and headcount, emergency response division of labor, casualty rescue, and follow-up efforts, the drill also showcased the regional joint defense capability of Taichung Port and the Technology Industrial Parks. Various public and private entities worked together to adjust the power and water supply, dispatch fire trucks, and provide emergency equipment, demonstrating efficient teamwork in controlling the disaster.
    The Bureau of Industrial Parks (BIPs) emphasized that the drill focuses on the response efficiency and safety practices of various rescue support units. For example, when the Taichung Harbor Fire Brigade arrived at the disaster site, factory managers immediately provided critical rescue information, including the types, quantities, and locations of chemicals in the factory, and assigned personnel to assist. Additionally, a firefighting robot was also sent to the fire scene for extinguishing operations, reducing the need for rescue personnel to enter high-risk areas and thereby lowering rescue risk. Furthermore, the Central Taiwan technical team sent dispatched response vehicles and personnel to monitor chemical concentrations at the accident site, ensuring that rescue efforts were properly contained and that the disaster’s impact was minimized.
    This drill has once again enhanced the safety protection capabilities of the Taichung Port Technology Industrial Park, and has also strengthened the independent emergency response capabilities of companies within the park when facing complex disasters. In the future, the BIP will continue to deepen collaboration with various units, aiming to optimize the park’s joint defense and emergency response mechanism through more disaster drills to ensure that companies within the park can effectively protect personnel safety and minimize economic losses during major disasters.

    Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
    Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
    Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

    Contact Person: Liu, Chun-chuan (Environmental Safety and Labor Section, Taichung Branch)
    Contact Number: 886-4-2658-1215 ext 641
    Email: chunchuan@bip.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Nehmiah Allen-Griggs, also known as “Newski,” 23, of Dallas, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Allen-Griggs admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 1, 2023, Allen-Griggs distributed approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in a Huntington parking lot in exchange for $2,000.

    On November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Highlawn Avenue residence in Huntington and seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, a Landor Arms Canyon Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Walther P22 .22-caliber pistol equipped with a silencer, a Kel-Teck .22-caliber pistol, and various rounds of ammunition. Allen-Griggs admitted that he and others used the residence to store and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

    Allen-Griggs is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $10 million fine.

    Allen-Griggs is among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.

    Allen-Griggs is also among 22 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

    United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor are prosecuting the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harrison County Man Sentenced for Firearms Charge

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brock Corel Pearson, 42, of Meadowbrook, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 115 months in prison for the possession of a short-barreled shotgun.

    According to court documents, officers stopped Pearson’s vehicle in Harrison County, conducted a search, and found a backpack with an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Pearson is prohibited from having firearms because of prior drug convictions in West Virginia and Mississippi.

    Pearson will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 28, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 559,669.89 6.45 5.00-6.75
         I. Call Money 9,351.89 6.62 5.10-6.75
         II. Triparty Repo 407,058.50 6.43 6.11-6.60
         III. Market Repo 142,040.79 6.52 5.00-6.70
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,218.71 6.69 6.65-6.75
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 209.50 6.43 6.10-6.65
         II. Term Money@@ 489.50 – 6.50-7.05
         III. Triparty Repo 2,536.00 6.42 6.35-6.55
         IV. Market Repo 2,134.85 6.53 6.45-6.57
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Mon, 28/10/2024 1 Tue, 29/10/2024 1,648.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Mon, 28/10/2024 1 Tue, 29/10/2024 103,800.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -102,152.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 18/10/2024 13 Thu, 31/10/2024 20,073.00 6.49
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 25/10/2024 6 Thu, 31/10/2024 25,005.00 6.55
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,696.81  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     17,168.81  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -84,983.19  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 28, 2024 1,010,098.68  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending November 01, 2024 1,016,726.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 28, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on October 04, 2024 488,495.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1389

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Wenda praises PNG’s Marape over ‘brave ambush’ over West Papua

    Asia Pacific Report

    An exiled West Papuan leader has praised Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape for his “brave ambush” in questioning new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto over West Papua.

    Prabowo offered an “amnesty” for West Papuan pro-independence activists during Marape’s revent meeting with Prabowo on the fringes of the inauguration, the PNG leader revealed.

    The offer was reported by Asia Pacific Report last week.

    Wenda, a London-based officer of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), said in a statement that he wanted to thank Marape on behalf of the people of West Papua for directly raising the issue of West Papua in his meeting with President Prabowo.

    “This was a brave move on behalf of his brothers and sisters in West Papua,” Wenda said.

    “The offer of amnesty for West Papuans by Prabowo is a direct result of him being ambushed by PM Marape on West Papua.

    “But what does amnesty mean? All West Papuans support Merdeka, independence; all West Papuans want to raise the [banned flag] Morning Star; all West Papuans want to be free from colonial rule.”

    Wenda said pro-independence actions of any kind were illegal in West Papua.

    ‘Beaten, arrested or jailed’
    “If we raise our flag or call for self-determination, we are beaten, arrested or jailed. If the offer of amnesty is real, it must involve releasing all West Papuan political prisoners.

    “It must involve allowing us to peacefully struggle for our freedom without the threat of imprisonment.” 

    Wenda said that in the history of the occupation, it was very rare for Melanesian leaders to openly confront the Indonesian President about West Papua.

    “Marape can become like Moses for West Papua, going to Pharoah and demanding ‘let my people go!’.

    “West Papua and Papua New Guinea are the same people, divided only by an arbitrary colonial line. One day the border between us will fall like the Berlin Wall and we will finally be able celebrate the full liberation of New Guinea together, from Sorong to Samarai.

    “By raising West Papua at Prabowo’s inauguration, Marape is inhabiting the spirit of Melanesian brotherhood and solidarity,” Wenda said.

    Vanuatu Prime Minister and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) chair Charlot Salwai and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele were also there as a Melanesian delegation.

    “To Prabowo, I say this: A true amnesty means giving West Papua our land back by withdrawing your military, and allowing the self-determination referendum we have been denied since the 1960s.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Teams search harbour and bay for missing swimming

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    The search for a missing swimmer in Whangārei Harbour is continuing in a limited capacity.

    The 83-year-old man went swimming daily in Whangārei Harbour but failed to return from his swim on Sunday 20 October. He was reported missing on Monday 21 October and since then, Police, Coastguard, Land Search and Rescue, and Surf Life Saving New Zealand have been searching the Whangārei Harbour and Bream Bay.

    Sadly, there has been no sign of the man and Police are reassessing the search to ensure all likely places have been covered.

    Police have been in contact with the man’s family and support is being provided to them at what is an understandably difficult time.

    A rāhui remains in place for at least one more week. 

    Police would still like to hear from members of the public who may have information to help us, no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be.

    If you saw the swimmer, have any dashcam footage from the area or have any information, please update us online now or call 105, referencing file number 241021/1742.

    Police would like to thank Northland & Far North Search and Rescue, Surf Life Saving NZ, volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangarei and Whangaruru, the Northland Harbour Master and the Onerahi Yacht who have all been involved in the search.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Address to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, on whose traditional lands we meet, and pay respect to all First Nations people here today.

    Economist John Crawford started his public service career in the 1940s working under Nugget Coombs in the Department of Post‑War Reconstruction (Miller 2007, Uhr 2006).

    After taking a strong interest in agriculture, tariffs and trade in his academic studies, Crawford became the director of the Department’s rural and regional planning divisions (Powell & Macintyre 2015).

    Those planning divisions evolved into the Bureau of Agricultural Economics which would serve as the Commonwealth agency responsible for examining proposals for settling returned soldiers on productive farms.

    With Crawford as the inaugural director, the Bureau would assess ‘the suitability of climate and soil, the adequacy of the farm areas and likely economic viability of the farms’ (Powell & Macintyre 2015).

    It was a significant task because no one wanted to repeat the costly mistakes of the 1920s where nearly 12,000 soldier settlers abandoned their farms within a few years.

    But Crawford saw greater potential for the Bureau.

    He proposed broader functions such as studies on the outlook for primary industries, land use investigations and research to promote certain commodities (Powell & Macintyre 2015).

    The Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Crawford and its broader functions transferred to the Department of Commerce and Agriculture in 1946.

    Through various departmental leadership roles, Crawford went on to be one of the great public administrators of his generation.

    John Crawford is the only economist ever to be recognised as the Australian of the Year, winning the award in 1981 for his work as ‘one of the foremost architects of Australia’s post‑war growth’ (Australian of the Year n.d) (I can’t help noting in passing that we’re probably due for another economist to take the top gong).

    Meanwhile, the Bureau has broadened its economic knowledge base and has added names to its title over the years as it merged with other research agencies (ABARES n.d).

    Some 80 years and dozens of outlook conferences later, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences continues to uphold John Crawford’s best traditions.

    In his words, providing a ‘fact‑finding service’ and providing ‘the material and critical analyses of problems with which policy can be better made’ (Crawford 1952).

    Recognising the ongoing importance of your work, our government announced additional funding in last year’s Budget to help:

    • improve regional data sources
    • collect information on low‑emissions technology, and
    • examine the effect of emissions policies on agriculture and regions (DAFF 2023).

    Concentrating on competition in agriculture

    As a kid who attended an agricultural high school, I’ve always been fascinated by farming. But competition is my primary reason for being here today.

    Since at least the days of Adam Smith, economists have spruiked the virtues of competition (Leigh 2022).

    Industries with plenty of competitors tend to deliver better prices, more choices and stronger productivity growth.

    Uncompetitive markets tend to deliver higher prices, lower wages, less choice, and less innovation. A lack of competition leads to problems that can be difficult to undo.

    Today, I will talk about one problem that has only become worse in the recent decades: market concentration.

    When I took on the competition portfolio, a friend issued me a challenge: ‘How many Australian industries can you name that are not dominated by a few big firms?’ (Leigh 2024a).

    It’s a tough ask.

    Applying the rule of thumb that a market is concentrated if the largest 4 firms control one‑third or more, research by Adam Triggs and I found over half of the industries in the Australian economy are concentrated markets (Leigh & Triggs 2016).

    Indeed, many people asked to take on my friend’s challenge might well answer ‘farming’. And it turns out that for many commodities – though not all – farming is quite competitive.

    A straightforward source of market concentration data are the annual industry estimates produced by IBIS World. They estimate the market share of the top 4 firms for several hundred industries.

    A round‑up of IBIS World data on the market share of the largest 4 companies in parts of the agricultural supply chain shows farmers are often caught in the middle.

    Upstream, farmers deal with concentrated markets for their inputs.

    The largest 4 companies in fertiliser manufacturing in Australia have a combined market share of 62 per cent (IBIS World 2024a).

    The largest 4 in hardware and building supplies retailing control about 49 per cent of the market (IBIS World 2024b).

    And the market share for garden supplies retailing is about 33 per cent for the largest 4 firms (IBIS World 2024c).

    Downstream, farmers deal with concentrated markets for processing, freight and retailing.

    According to IBIS World industry reports, there is concentration in fruit and vegetable processing, with the largest 4 companies holding about 34 per cent of the market (IBIS World 2023).

    For meat processing, market share of the largest 4 companies is 44 per cent with JBS Australia, Thomas Food International and Teys Australia being the dominant players (IBIS World 2024d).

    For rail freight transport, the 4 largest including Aurizon and Pacific National have a combined 64 per cent market share (IBIS World 2024e).

    For shipping freight transport in Australia, the market share of 2 companies – ANL and Maersk – amounts to about 85 per cent (IBIS World 2024f).

    When it comes to supermarkets and grocery stores in Australia, it is well documented that Coles and Woolworths account for two‑thirds of the market (IBIS World 2024g).

    These figures show that the agricultural supply chain is highly concentrated at the national level.

    However, for many farmers, their options are even more limited than these figures suggest, as transport costs and risk of spoilage further limit the commercially viable options available to them.

    To further illustrate the point about farmers being caught in the middle, today I will draw on case studies from a series of reports where concerns have been raised about market concentration harming farmers.

    And I will finish by outlining our actions to improve competition laws, to revitalise competition policy in Australia and to make the economy more productive.

    Digging in

    First, we should never underestimate the importance and efficiency gains of farm equipment and machinery.

    Historian James Burke argues the entire modern world is the result of the plough (Harford 2017).

    Increasing farm productivity meant communities could build up a surplus of food, people could settle in one place and everyone’s job no longer had to be finding food (Leigh 2024b).

    Knowing where your next meal was coming from allowed craftspeople to specialise, it allowed trade to flourish, and it allowed people to think about improving the world around them.

    Any list of top Australian inventions typically includes Richard Bowyer Smith and his brother Clarence’s invention in 1876 of the stump‑jump plough (Dictionary of Biography n.d).

    These days, we are no longer talking about the humble plough.

    We are talking about a billion‑dollar farm machinery industry consisting of hi‑tech harvesters, tractors and seeding machinery (DAFF 2022).

    John Deere has more software development engineers than mechanical design engineers (Patel 2021).

    For farmers, machinery represents a significant capital investment involving upfront and ongoing costs (ACCC 2021).

    But many Australian farmers feel they have no genuine choice or ability to shop around.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2021 market study found farm machinery markets are concentrated at the manufacturer and dealership levels (ACCC 2021).

    Compared to car manufacturers, agricultural machinery makers have greater ability to leverage their market share in new sales to reduce competition in the market for servicing, repairs and parts.

    Warranties restrict the purchaser to a single authorised dealer for servicing and repairs.

    And tech restrictions mean independent repairers or farmers can’t access the parts, manuals and diagnostic software they need to carry out repairs.

    In short, farmers have few choices when buying machinery but even less choice when servicing or repairing that equipment.

    The Productivity Commission further examined difficulties accessing repair data as part of the right to repair inquiry (PC 2021).

    It agreed restrictions harm farmers through higher repair prices, reduced access and choice, and greater financial risks from repair delays.

    The Productivity Commission recommended the government intervene by introducing a repair supplies obligation on agricultural machinery.

    This would require manufacturers to provide access to repair information and diagnostic software tools to machinery owners and independent repairers on fair and reasonable commercial terms.

    As you may know, I have advocated for the need for access to service and repair information over many years.

    In July 2022, I launched Australia’s first right to repair law, the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme.

    The government is currently monitoring how this scheme is operating for the benefit of independent repairers and consumers.

    Extending right to repair to other sectors, such as agriculture, is a good thing for the economy, businesses and consumers.

    I am pleased there have been negotiations between Australian farmers and the farm machinery industry to consider putting in place a voluntary right to repair arrangements for the sector.

    I encourage parties to continue those negotiations as voluntary arrangements are a great opportunity to foster collaboration and flexibility and can often lead to innovative and effective outcomes.

    Seeds of doubt

    Seeds are the next input I want to cover.

    The US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service examined the seed sector as part of its paper on concentration and competition in agribusiness (MacDonald J et al. 2023).

    The 2023 paper found the seed sector ‘has become highly integrated with agricultural chemicals and more concentrated, with fewer and larger firms dominating supply’.

    Using 2021 annual report data, it said Bayer, ChemChina’s Syngenta Group, Corteva and BASF were the biggest players in global sales for seeds and agricultural chemicals.

    The Economic Research Service found seed prices rose significantly as markets became more concentrated but said the evidence was mixed on the influence of other factors.

    Between 1990 and 2020, the average seed price went up by 270 per cent and the average price for genetically modified varieties rose 463 per cent (MacDonald J et al. 2023).

    Despite the higher seed costs, the paper said it could be argued that genetically modified varieties resulted in ‘significant productivity gains to farmers’.

    It also said higher seed prices may have supported research and development with the number of patents for new crop varieties doubling compared to earlier decades.

    Still, there are not many other industries where the price of a key input has grown fivefold in thirty years.

    Mergers have changed the global seed and farm chemical industry in recent years, and questions remain about what it means for prices and innovation in the long term.

    Sour competition grapes

    Wine grapes arrived with the first fleet in 1788 as cuttings collected en route by Captain Arthur Phillip.

    They were planted at Sydney Cove but withered and died without producing any fruit.

    Which is why it’s called the Rum Rebellion, not the Chardonnay Coup.

    Nevertheless, a fledging wine industry struggled to its feet through booms and busts of the 1800s and by the turn of the century had taken root.

    In the most recent year for which statistics are available, Australia exported 621 million litres of wine (Wine Australia 2024). That figure exceeds domestic wine sales, estimated at 444 million litres.

    There are more than 2,000 wineries and approximately 6,000 grape growers across our 65 wine growing regions.

    They have over 160,000 full and part‑time employees.

    But while the terroir may be good, the vineyard not a level playing field.

    A wine grape market study completed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2019 found a highly concentrated industry (ACCC 2019).

    Issues in the supply chain included a lack of competition, potential unfair contract terms, a lack of price transparency, and imbalanced risk allocation in favour of winemakers over grape growers.

    The largest 1 per cent of winemakers accounted for over 80 per cent of wine production.

    Four retailers account for over 80 per cent of sales by value in the domestic retail liquor market.

    The 5 largest winemakers account for an estimated 87 per cent of volume in the Australian wine export market.

    And the trend has been towards even greater consolidation of large winemakers in recent years.

    Change is never easy in agricultural industries subject to boom‑and slump cycles of over production in the good times and consolidation in the bad.

    In 2021 the ACCC found that commercial practices in the wine grape industry had improved since their 2019 report but warned that regulatory action may be necessary without further reforms in payment times and transparency.

    Industry is taking steps to improve transparency but there is still work to be done to ensure a fair and functioning wine, grape and retail market.

    In August, we appointed former competition minister Craig Emerson to lead an independent impact analysis of the wine and grape sector’s regulatory options (Collins 2024).

    Dr Emerson’s report will examine fair trading, competitive relationships, contracting practices and risk allocation.

    Competition beef

    Those problems are not unique to the grape and wine industry.

    In 2023, the National Farmers Federation released an issues paper criticising the lack of transparency and competition across Australia’s agricultural supply chains (NFF 2023).

    The National Farmers Federation said reduced competition meant farmers weren’t receiving the incomes they deserved with long‑term consequences for competitiveness, economic and environmental sustainability and profitability.

    Those concerns echoed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s cattle and beef market study of 2017. That study found evidence that conflicts of interest regularly arise in saleyard transactions when buyers bid for livestock on behalf of multiple clients, and when agents represent both a cattle seller and a cattle buyer in the same transaction (ACCC 2017).

    The report pointed out that cattle auctions have characteristics that make it easier for cartels to develop, including repeated interactions with the same auctioneers, who are often linked by social networks that make it easier to ‘punish’ auctioneers who break away from agreed anti‑competitive bidding practices. Other problematic behaviours included the exclusion of rival agents, and a lack of transparency around saleyard weighing protocols.

    There is a cyclical element to many concerns about competitiveness in the market structure of the Australian cattle and beef industry.

    An ongoing concern is the impact on producers of market concentration and buyer power during tough times, such as droughts.

    Seasonal and cyclical fluctuations in supply can also affect the profitability of meat processors, dampening incentives for new entrants and reducing competition through mergers or acquisitions of incumbents.

    The 2017 report found that the top 5 Australian processors account for around 57 per cent of total cattle slaughter (ACCC 2017).

    A follow‑up report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2 years later found that the industry had taken some steps towards improving transparency in dealings between processors and farmers, but, again, there was still work to do (ACCC 2019).

    Super concentrated

    Another highly concentrated part of the agricultural supply chain in Australia are supermarkets.

    Coles and Woolworths account for about 67 per cent of national retail sales (Mulino 2024, ACCC 2024 p147).

    Only 2 OECD countries – New Zealand and Norway – have a greater market share of sales controlled by 2 supermarkets (ACCC 2024 p148).

    Earlier this year, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics handed down an excellent report on the inquiry into promoting economic dynamism, competition and business formation.

    The Committee received evidence on the high market share in the supermarket sector, profit margins, and the power imbalance in the relationship between the major supermarkets and farm‑gate producers.

    The report said: ‘Many agricultural suppliers are at risk of that power imbalance being used to negotiate outcomes that affect profitability and, therefore, the capacity and willingness to invest.’

    At the same time as the Parliamentary inquiry, our government is taking action on several fronts.

    Food and Grocery Code of Conduct

    First, we are making sure the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct is working effectively and fairly.

    The voluntary Code was introduced in 2015 to improve behaviour in the way supermarkets deal with suppliers – including growers where they supply directly to supermarkets.

    Dr Craig Emerson’s independent review found the Code is ‘needed to address persistent bargaining power imbalances between supermarkets and their smaller suppliers’ (Emerson 2024).

    Dr Emerson made 11 recommendations for improving the Code and the government announced in June that it will adopt them all (Treasury 2024a).

    The Code will be made mandatory with Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Metcash subject to million‑dollar penalties for serious breaches.

    There will be improvements to the dispute resolution mechanisms. There will be a pathway for anonymous complaints from suppliers and whistle‑blowers, and guards against retribution by supermarkets.

    We released exposure drafts for consultation in September and we aim to introduce legislation into the Parliament later this year.

    Supermarket inquiry

    Second, we understand more needs to be done to achieve a competitive and sustainable food and grocery sector.

    So, we directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to undertake a 12‑month inquiry into supermarket pricing.

    It allows the watchdog to conduct a deep dive into competition and pricing practices in the supermarket sector for the first time in more than 15 years.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s interim report released in September said, ‘Australia’s supermarket industry is changing’ but remains ‘highly concentrated’ (ACCC 2024).

    In the era of online shopping, loyalty programs and data technology, Coles and Woolworths have expanded their share of take‑home food and grocery sales by a combined 3.7 percentage points since 2006–07.

    Supermarkets have also expanded into broader ‘ecosystems’ beyond grocery retailing but in highly complementary areas such as advertising and data analytics, pet products, telco and insurance services (ACCC 2024 p161).

    As well as conducting consumer surveys as part of the inquiry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission held 7 roundtables to listen to farmers and fresh produce wholesalers.

    Although no conclusions have been made, the interim report highlighted concerns from fresh produce suppliers about information asymmetries, power imbalances and specific practices that have enabled supermarkets to transfer disproportionate risk and cost onto suppliers.

    In the next phase of the inquiry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will undertake 14 case studies to examine supermarket profit margins and how profits are distributed in the supply chain.

    And it will hand a final report to the government in February 2025.

    CHOICE retail reports

    Third, we announced funding for consumer group CHOICE to produce quarterly reports on retail grocery prices.

    The CHOICE reports will compare grocery prices at different retailers, highlighting those charging the most and the least.

    We have already seen the first 2 ‘basket of goods’ quarterly reports using data from March and June to help consumers make informed decisions about what they’re buying and where they shop (Leigh 2024c).

    Other measures

    Earlier this month, the Australian Government announced around $30 million in additional funding to the ACCC to crack down on misleading and deceptive pricing practices and unconscionable conduct in the supermarket and retail sectors.

    This will strengthen the ACCC’s ability to proactively monitor behaviour and investigate concerns about supermarkets and retailers falsely justifying higher prices.

    In addition to this crackdown, the Treasurer will work closely with states and territories through the Council on Federal Financial Relations to reform planning and zoning regulations, which will help boost competition in the supermarket sector by opening up more sites for new stores (Albanese 2024).

    Strengthening protections against unfair contract terms

    Unfair contract term protections are another area where we have already made improvements.

    Unfair contract terms are terms that are clearly lopsided – for example by allowing the more powerful party to unilaterally change prices, or cancel the contract.

    Under the former government, such terms were unenforceable, but it was not an offence to include them in a contract.

    Fertiliser

    For example, last year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigated complaints about fertiliser companies using contracts in a way that could disadvantage farmers (ACCC 2023).

    Contract terms allegedly gave larger suppliers the right to unilaterally vary the quantity delivered or to terminate the agreement and restricted buyers from raising issues about defects.

    Fertiliser suppliers co‑operated and changed the contract terms to address the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s concerns.

    Potatoes

    In another example, the Federal Court in 2019 declared Mitolo Group, Australia’s largest potato wholesaler, used unfair terms in contracts with growers (ACCC 2019).

    The court declared contract terms that allowed Mitolo to unilaterally determine or vary the price paid to growers as void.

    Terms preventing growers from selling potatoes to other purchasers and terms stopping farmers from selling their property unless the buyer entered into a contract with Mitolo were also declared void.

    Stronger laws

    More broadly, the problem is the laws weren’t stopping the use of unfair terms, which remain prevalent in standard form contracts.

    A court could declare a contract term to be unfair and therefore void and unenforceable, but until our government took office, the law didn’t allow penalties to be imposed.

    We have fixed that. In 2022, we delivered on our promise to strengthen unfair contract term laws (Leigh & Collins 2022).

    We introduced civil penalty provisions outlawing the use of, and reliance on, unfair terms in standard form contracts.

    And we extended the coverage of the protections.

    We lifted the eligibility cap from businesses with less than 20 employees to businesses with less than 100 employees, or annual turnover of less than $10 million.

    The most significant merger reforms in decades

    Merger regulation is one of the key pillars of competition law (Leigh 2024a).

    It acts as the ‘preventive medicine’ against the few mergers that substantially lessen competition.

    But feedback suggests our system isn’t as healthy as it could be.

    The Competition Taskforce found Australia’s ‘ad hoc’ merger process is unfit for a modern economy and said we lag best practice in other countries.

    In response, we have announced the most significant reforms to merger settings in almost 50 years.

    The proposed reforms will make Australia’s merger approval system faster, stronger, simpler, targeted and more transparent.

    Revitalising National Competition Policy

    The Albanese government is working with state and territories to revitalise National Competition Policy.

    There is consensus that pro‑competitive reforms are worth doing and we are aiming for agreement by the end of the year.

    The original National Competition Policy underpinned a generation of growth from the 1990s (Leigh 2024d).

    While it left us in a good position, the economy has changed, and the nation now faces new challenges that the original policy could not have anticipated.

    These include digitalisation, the growth in human services, the net zero transformation and supporting Australia’s most vulnerable (Treasury 2024b).

    Trade opportunities

    We are also looking to improve competitiveness overseas as well as at home.

    Our farmers are internationally competitive with Australia exporting around 72 per cent of the total value of agricultural, fisheries and forestry production (ABARES 2024).

    Historically, Australia’s farmers have been among the strongest advocates of trade liberalisation. The old ‘protection all round’ strategy meant that Australian farmers paid more for imported farm machinery, and faced tariffs from other countries to which they exported their produce.

    Reductions in Australia’s domestic tariffs under the Whitlam, Hawke and Keating governments made farm equipment more affordable. It also bought Australia international credibility – enabling us to spearhead reform through the creation in 1986 of the Cairns Group of Fair Trading Nations, to advocate for liberalisation of global trade in agricultural goods (cairnsgroup.org).

    Today, our government is building on that legacy. Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy said, ‘Australia is already a key partner in helping Southeast Asia meet its food security needs’, and notes that ‘there is strong potential to develop this trade relationship further towards 2040’ (DFAT 2023).

    So, trade forms a significant part of our broader economic agenda.

    And as Trade Minister Don Farrell observes, we are ‘delivering on our commitment to secure new trade and investment opportunities for Australian exporters, producers, farmers and businesses’ (Farrell 2024).

    Closing remarks

    Let me finish by saying, competitive markets matter in all parts of the Australian economy, but especially in the farm sector.

    As the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Mick Keogh crisply puts it: ‘there are many farmers, but few processors or wholesalers, and even fewer major retailers’ (Keogh 2021).

    As my analysis of IBIS World data shows, small‑scale farmers are often the meat in a market concentration sandwich.

    Upstream, there is often no choice about dealing with large‑scale providers on inputs.

    Downstream, there is often no choice about negotiating with larger processors and retailers.

    And through various examples from many reports over several years, we can see that market concentration hurts farmers.

    Higher prices for inputs.

    Less choice for repairs.

    Power imbalances in negotiating contracts.

    A lack of transparency around prices.

    And potentially unfair contract terms.

    I’m pleased to say, as outlined today, the government is focused on practical solutions to improve our competition settings.

    And we appreciate the expertise and insights of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

    Thank you.

    Note: My thanks to officials in the Australian Treasury for invaluable drafting assistance.

    References

    Albanese, A; Chalmers, J. (2024) ‘Helping Australians get fairer supermarket prices through stronger protections and greater competition’, [media release] The Treasury, accessed 1 October 2024.

    Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) n.d About ABARES – Our History, online content.

    Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) (2024) Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2024, ABARES Insights.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2024) Supermarkets inquiry interim report.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2017) Cattle and Beef Market Study – Final Report.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2019a), Transparency improving in cattle and beef industry, media release issued 20 August 2019.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2020) Perishable agricultural goods inquiry Final Report.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2021) Agricultural Machinery Market Study.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2023) Fertiliser suppliers amend unfair contract terms after ACCC investigation Accessed 21 August 2023.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (2019b) Court penalises potato wholesaler for breaching the Horticulture Code and declares unfair contract terms void, Accessed 2 August 2019.

    Australian of the Year Awards (n.d) Sir John Crawford AC CBE – In Memoriam.

    Cairns Group, The. (n.d) About The Cairns Gro…~https://www.cairnsgroup.org/Pages/Introduction.aspx

    Collins (2024) Supporting Australia’s wine industry [media release] The Treasury, accessed 23 August 2024.

    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2022) Snapshot – Australian agricultural machinery imports Accessed 4 November 2022.

    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2023) Boosting capabilities to support a sustainable agriculture sector Budget 2023–2024 fact sheet, Australian Government.

    Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2023) Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, a report for the Australian Government accessed September 2023.

    Dictionary of Biography, Australian. Richard Bowyer Smith entry, Biography – Richard …~https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/smith‑richard‑bowyer‑13201

    Emerson C (2024) Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Final Report, [final report] Treasury.

    Farrell D (2024) Press conference, Parliament House Accessed 17 September 2024.

    Harford T 27 November (2017) How the plough made the modern economy possible BBC World Service.

    IBIS World (2024a) ‘Agricultural machinery manufacturing in Australia’, Industry Report, February 2024.

    IBIS World (2024b) ‘Hardware and building supplies retailing in Australia’, Industry Report, February 2024.

    IBIS World (2024c) ‘Garden supplies retailing in Australia’, Industry Report, March 2024.

    IBIS World (2024d) ‘Meat processing in Australia’, Industry Report, June 2024.

    IBIS World (2024e) ‘Rail freight transport in Australia’, Industry Report, September 2024.

    IBIS World (2024f) ‘Water freight transport in Australia’, Industry Report, May 2024.

    IBIS World (2024g) ‘Supermarkets and grocery stores in Australia, Industry Report, August 2024.IBIS World 2023, ‘Fruit and vegetable processing in Australia’, Industry Report, August 2023.

    Keogh M (2021) Competition in Australian agriculture Speech to the National Farmers’ Federation accessed 11 June 2021.

    Leigh A 28 November (2022) Look overseas to see the virtues of more competition [opinion piece] The Australian.

    Leigh A 27 August (2024a) Why new rules in competition are sure to be game‑changing [opinion piece] The Canberra Times.

    Leigh A (2024b) The Shortest History of Economics, Black Inc.

    Leigh A (2024b) Supermarket price monitoring to help Australians make informed choices at the checkout [media release] Accessed 20 June 2024.

    Leigh A (2024c) Supermarket price monitoring to help Australians make informed choices at the checkout [media release] Accessed 20 June 2024.

    Leigh A (2024d) Competition reform will ensure flourishing future [opinion piece] The Australian.

    Leigh A and Collins J (2023) Labor delivering on promise to ban unfair contract terms [media release] Accessed 26 July 2022.

    Leigh A and Triggs A (2016), Markets, Monopolies and Moguls: The Relationship between Inequality and Competition. Australian Economic Review, 49: 389–412.

    MacDonald J, Dong X, and Fuglie K (2023) Concentration and Competition in U.S. Agribusiness United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Economic Information Bulletin No.256.

    Miller J (2007) Sir John Grenfell (Jack) Crawford (1910–1984) Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 17, 2007, ANU.

    Mulino D (2024) Better Competition, Better Prices Report on the inquiry into promoting economic dynamism, competition and business formation, House of Representatives, Standing Committee on Economics.

    National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) (2023), Issues Paper, Market Price Transparency, National Farmers’ Federation Issues Paper.

    Patel N 15 June (2021) John Deere turned tractors into computers – what’s next, The Verge.

    Powell G & Macintyre S (2015) Land of opportunity: Australia’s post‑war reconstruction, National Archives of Australia Research Guide.

    Productivity Commission (PC) (2021) Right to Repair Inquiry Report No.97, accessed 29 October 2021.

    Treasury (2024a) Government response to the Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, Treasury.

    Treasury (2024b) National Competition Policy fact sheet Treasury.

    Uhr J (2006) The Crawford Doctrine: An informal sketch Australian National University, accessed 21 June 2006.

    Whitnall T and Pitts N (2020) Meat Consumption ABARES.

    Wine Australia (2024), Market insights, Australian wine sector at a glance, Wine Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Speaks at Pacific Tech 2024

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers a keynote speech at the Pacific Tech / Pacific Defense Contracting 2024 Conference, in Honolulu, Oct. 28.

    Hosted by Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, PACTECH 2024 is a forum for government and defense industry leaders to build relationships with federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

    USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: KAMANDAG 8 Combined HA/DR Drill Increases Allied Response Capabilities

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    BURGOS, Philippines  –  

    A peaceful coastal town in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, showcases a blend of natural beauty and rural charm. Stretching along the northernmost coast of Luzon, it is bordered by the blue waters of the western Pacific Ocean. During October, Burgos became the location where the proverbial rubber met the road as three different nations trained together to accomplish one common goal.

    Members of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), trained side-by-side with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) 4th Marine Brigade (4MBDE) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), along with support from U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), elements of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), and Combined Task Force – 76 (CTF 76) to share knowledge and experiences while participating in various subject matter expert exchanges leading up to a final humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HA/DR) demonstration on Camp Cape Bojeador during the annual Philippine Marine Corps exercise, KAMANDAG 8.

    The expert exchanges included classes on Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS); medical care, triage and casualty evacuation; small boats; and operational planning, which were vital to the final execution of the HA/DR demonstration between the combined forces.

    Marines and Sailors from MRF-SEA played a key role in the planning for the HA/DR demonstration, coordinated by the JGSDF Logistics Support Brigade (LSB). U.S. Marine involvement comes on the heels of a successful bilateral response to Typhoon Krathon (Julian) in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, which occurred less than a week before the commencement of KAMANDAG. This experience provided MRF-SEA with valuable insights that enhanced the overall planning process.

    “This is one of the first major evolutions where you have a combined effort between the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the Philippine Marine Corps, and the United States Marine Corps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Demaso, the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company officer in charge for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia.

    Leading up to the execution of the HA/DR mission demonstration, leaders from the JGSDF, 4MBDE, and MRF-SEA engaged in extensive planning over four days at Camp Cape Bojeador in Burgos. The Operational Planning Team developed a comprehensive and integrated response strategy for the simulated disaster scenario. Concurrently, participating forces conducted multilateral training in key areas, including amphibious landings, search and rescue operations, medical triage and patient evacuation, engineering clearance procedures, and sUAS operations with an RQ-20 PUMA.

    The U.S. Marines manning the PUMA were able to showcase the abilities of an unmanned aerial vehicle in assisting with search and rescue missions in the event of a natural disaster.

    “The information that I’ve been sharing with their personnel is focused on search and rescue, specifically how the sUAS systems could help both the military and the civilian sector for any humanitarian aid or disaster relief mission,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Marcos Lopez, a sUAS operator with ANGLICO Detachment 1.

    Lopez served as the lead instructor for the sUAS SMEE, demonstrating how to properly launch a PUMA and showcasing the information that the unmanned aircraft can provide, such as grid location, altitude, distance, and live video footage of the surrounding area.

    Leveraging the PUMA’s reconnaissance capabilities enables combined forces to identify citizens impacted by natural disasters ahead of time, allowing rescue personnel to prepare accordingly before arriving on-site.

    While MRF-SEA Marines shared insights into the capabilities of the sUAS, medical personnel at Camp Cape Bojeador exchanged knowledge on best medical practices for responding to natural disasters as they prepared for the HA/DR demonstration. Nurses with the JGSDF, service members with the Philippine BFP, and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Doyle, a preventative medicine technician with MRF-SEA, led the majority the medical SMEE focusing on taking a mass influx of patients and triaging them promptly, monitoring vitals, and documenting injuries to ensure the best patient care during their admission to a higher echelon of medical care.

    “If we can continue to educate each other on the multitude of possible medical scenarios that can happen after a natural disaster, we will enhance our ability to assist in a real-life scenario,” said Doyle.

    As the training progressed, the collaborative efforts among the combined forces highlighted the importance of real-world preparedness in the face of potential disasters. Elements of the 15th MEU provided air support with MV-22 Ospreys to aid in transporting supplies and conducting casualty evacuations, including medical personnel from 4MBDE and JGSDF. The demonstration also featured over-the-horizon ship-to-shore movements and coordination with local agencies.

    This comprehensive approach not only facilitated skill-building in search-and-rescue tactical operations and patient triage, but also fostered a deeper understanding of each nation’s roles and capabilities, emphasizing the significance of scenario-based training.

    MRF-SEA, along with the 15th MEU and CTF 76/3, played a crucial role in the success of the HADR demonstration as it was one of the defining events of KAMANDAG 8. “We did a tabletop exercise through the humanitarian aid disaster response to walk through the plan and rehearse it, and then we were able to execute the plan for the demonstration, near flawlessly, on time, effectively, and safely,” said Demaso.

    Elements from the LSB and the 4MBDE conducted their ship-to-shore movement using two MV-22 Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced) 15th MEU, launched from the USS Miguel Keith, an expeditionary staging base assigned to CTF-76/3.

    Simultaneously, an amphibious insertion involving combined military forces and Philippine relief agencies was executed using small boats, ensuring rapid notional link-up with local government officials. This set the stage for the rapid deployment of forces and assistance in the simulated disaster response.

    In the days leading up to the demonstration, Marines and Sailors of MRF-SEA used the RQ-20 PUMA to showcase its capabilities in the search-and-rescue component of a HA/DR mission.

    Additionally, MRF-SEA’s tactical air control party conducted successful pick-up and landing zone operations, allowing for the safe and efficient unloading of relief supplies and multilateral disaster relief teams. These efforts also expedited the evacuation of casualties, who were transported to a higher echelon of medical care aboard U.S. Navy vessels.

    In a major step toward enhancing multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, MRF-SEA, in collaboration with CTF-76/3 and the 15th MEU, successfully integrated with the PMC and JGSDF, testing the readiness of the multinational forces to respond to real-world emergencies.

    “This successful execution of this HADR training and demonstration marks a significant launch of the Philippines and Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which was enacted just three months ago,” said Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with MRF-SEA.

    The Philippines and Japan RAA is a defense cooperation agreement that allows for the increased presence of Japanese troops in the Philippines and vice versa for humanitarian missions, disaster response, and other scenarios. This agreement streamlines coordination between the two nations during combined operations or mutual defense needs.

    Unified efforts between U.S., Philippine, and Japanese forces demonstrated their ability to conduct effective disaster response operations in challenging environments, further strengthening regional preparedness for real-world scenarios.

    The annual Philippine Marine Corps exercise highlighted MRF-SEA’s key role in strengthening multilateral cooperation within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and reinforced future cooperation with U.S. allies and regional partners, enhancing collective readiness against environmental and security challenges.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Enduring Partnerships: MRF-SEA Concludes KAMANDAG 8 with new experiences, knowledge

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    MANILA, Philippines  –  

    In a historic first, six nations converged on Filipino soil in the wake of a super typhoon to train, learn, and strengthen their partnership during KAMANDAG 8, reaffirming the exercise’s importance to regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    The two-week exercise, which concluded on Oct. 25, focused on enhancing defense and humanitarian capabilities through combined training events and expert exchanges. Participants engaged in a wide range of training activities, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; unmanned aerial systems use; small boat operations; logistics; civil-military operations; coastal defense; and command and control processes.

    Among the participants in KD8 was a detachment of Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, a unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force designed to provide a persistent presence in the region while conducting exercises and military expert exchanges with allies and partners. For instructors with MRF-SEA, the exchanges were invaluable to sustaining partnerships west of the International Date Line.

    “The exchanges with not just our Philippine Marine Corps partners, but all partner nations, allow us to learn and grow as a fighting force,” said Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Berthiaume, CBRN chief with MRF-SEA. “Everyone has different ways of doing the same mission. These events are a great way to alter our way of thinking and apply new procedures to our own techniques, tactics, and procedures.”

    Just days before KAMANDAG 8 kicked off, U.S. Marines, Philippine Marines and citizens concluded a real-world foreign disaster relief mission in support of Philippine citizens residing in typhoon-stricken Northern Luzon. Efforts to transport nearly 100,000 pounds of supplies and family food aid packs from Manila to Laoag International Airport and then onward to affected areas near Basco solidified a joint commitment of protecting the people of the Philippines from natural disasters across the country.

    “This [mission] enabled them to have their basic needs met and focus on rebuilding their lives and getting back to normal,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Demaso, the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company officer in charge for MRF-SEA. “It demonstrates that the United States is willing to answer the call of its allies quickly and efficiently to get them the help they need now.”

    Following the residual effects of the storm, a previously scheduled, notional HA/DR training event amongst the U.S., JGSDF, and PMC within the exercise provided another opportunity for allies to test their mettle as a proactive force in readiness. Teams took to the ocean in small boats to exercise boat use and movement to shore in order to provide necessary triage care and transportation of the injured; utilizing MV-22 Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who were already postured in the area with forces participating in the exercise on Palawan.

    This year’s KAMANDAG was the eighth iteration conducted in the Philippines and included over 2,000 participants. Service members from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps,Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps united in the Philippines to take part in the historically bilateral, Philippine and U.S. Marine lead exercise.

    The multinational collaboration of KAMANDAG 8 provided a valuable platform for participants to exchange expertise and foster working relationships across the globe. The combined environment allowed service members of all ranks and skill sets to enhance multinational cooperation, interoperability, and strengthen their collective capabilities.

    Operating in a foliage-rich environment brought new challenges and questions from young Marines participating in their first exercise; especially in utilizing communications equipment and radios in a mostly comm-degraded location such as the Philippine jungle. Cpl. Jacon McMahon, a transmissions systems operator with MRF-SEA, brought attention to the uniqueness of learning communications procedures from incredibly resourceful Filipino counterparts.

    “Through collaboration and shared expertise, the PMC demonstrated the art of crafting a jungle antenna and their communication capabilities. They showcased not just technical skills but strengthened our capabilities as Marines.”

    By combining training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts, participating nations have reinforced their commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. As the region continues to face evolving challenges, exercises like KAMANDAG remain crucial in making partners “Stronger Together.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH2 blocked, Te Hauke, Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 2 is blocked at Te Hauke near Burma Road while the road is cleaned, following a two vehicle crash this afternoon.

    Police responded to SH2 following the two vehicle crash involving a portaloo and a ute around 3:40pm.

    No injuries were reported. 

    Motorists are advised to expect delays and take an alternate route.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –