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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sharing the National Collection: Two works return to their old home in Bowral

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Two works by Australian artists Charles Blackman and Russell Drysdale will adorn the walls of National Trust-listed estate Retford Park in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.

    The countrywoman (1946) by Drysdale and The anteroom (1963) by Blackman will be on loan from the National Gallery of Australia for two years from the beginning of November.

    Located just outside Bowral, Retford Park was built in 1887 by prominent Sydney architect Albert Bond, with the heritage house and grounds now home to an impressive collection of artworks and sculptures.

    The two paintings were originally housed in Retford Park until their generous donation to the National Gallery’s collection by the late arts patron and philanthropist, James Fairfax AC.

    The loan will bring the artworks out of storage and give visitors to Retford Park the chance to once again view them in the unique setting of their old home.

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the loan was an opportunity to highlight exceptional but lesser known works within the National Collection and share them with communities for whom they hold special significance.

    “The National Collection holds over 155,000 artworks of great beauty and cultural value, but at any one time 98 per cent of it is in storage.

    “The Sharing the National Collection initiative gives more Australians the chance to see works by artists whose names they may be familiar with but whose work they perhaps haven’t yet had a chance to see.

    “Thanks to the great legacy of James Fairfax, these two significant artworks belong to the Australian people – and it’s fantastic to see them return home to Retford Park for the next two years.”

    Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones said the two artworks will draw additional visitors to Retford Park and enrich the estate’s existing collection. 
    “I am pleased these two artworks lent by James Fairfax AC to the National Collection will now return to Retford Park for two years.

    “Mr Fairfax believed Retford Park should be preserved for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations, and I have no doubt these two artworks will attract more locals and visitors to the Portuguese Pink mansion in Bowral.”

    National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said, “A generous supporter of the National Gallery, the late James Fairfax AC’s extraordinary cultural leadership, erudition as a collector, and his deep feeling for Australian art, is demonstrated by the works he chose to gift to the national collection.

    “Fairfax donated works by renowned Australian artists Charles Blackman and Russell Drysdale which we now have the great pleasure of lending to the Southern Highlands of NSW through this partnership with Retford Park.”

    Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust said, “James Fairfax AC was a great patron of the arts and a passionate supporter of the National Gallery of Australia, so it is fitting that these works will soon hang proudly on the walls of his former home once again.
    “We thank the National Gallery for generously granting this loan through the Sharing the National Collection initiative.

    “We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy these special artworks; two fabulous additions to the incredible collection of 16th, 17th and 18th Century fine art, furniture and textiles already on display at Retford Park.” 

    Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s new national cultural policy, with $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country for extended periods.

    The Drysdale and Blackman works can be viewed via the National Gallery’s website. 

    Regional and suburban galleries can register their expressions of interest via this link.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes Exceptional Law Enforcement Work at the 2024 Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

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

    Burlington, Vermont – On October 23, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont honored a number of individuals from a variety of law enforcement agencies at the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony. Individual investigators and officers from federal, state, and local agencies were nominated by U.S. Attorney’s Office staff in a variety of categories for their outstanding work supporting the mission of this office and promoting public safety. The specific categories and individuals recognized today are as follows:

    Investigative Achievement Award: This award criteria are established for those individuals, both sworn and non-sworn who have significantly contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  

    • Special Agent Samuel Brown, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – nominated for United States v. Carl Martin.
    • Special Agent Brian Wood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – nominated for United States v. Carl Martin.
    • Special Agent Nicholas Call, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations – nominated for United States v. Paul Bateman, Samir Doshi, and Rebecca Buckley.
    • Resident Agent in Charge Derek Roy, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations – nominated for United States v. Paul Bateman, Samir Doshi, and Rebecca Buckley.
    • Special Agent Jason Tilley, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations – nominated for United States v. Paul Bateman, Samir Doshi, and Rebecca Buckley.
    • Financial Investigator Joel Garland, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations – nominated for United States v. Paul Bateman, Samir Doshi, and Rebecca Buckley.
    • Special Agent Erin Nelligan, Homeland Security Investigations – nominated for United States v. Michael Burton.
    • Special Agent Colin Simons, Federal Bureau of Investigation – nominated for United States v. Eric Colson, Gage Colson, and Antonio Vergara.
    • Detective Sergeant Karl Gardner, Vermont State Police – nominated for United States v. Eric Colson, Gage Colson, and Antonio Vergara.
    • Detective Trooper Steven Fauteux, Vermont State Police – nominated for United States v. Eric Colson, Gage Colson, and Antonio Vergara.
    • Detective Sergeant Aaron Lefebvre, St. Albans Police Department, former Detective with the Vermont Drug Task Force and the Newport Police Department – nominated for United States v. Eric Colson, Gage Colson, and Antonio Vergara.

    Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Award: This category is limited to those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies in order to meet the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    • Special Agent Brian Wood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
    • Special Agent Samuel Brown, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
    • Detective Sergeant Philip Tremblay, Burlington Police Department
    • Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer Durwin Ellerman, Burlington Police Department
    • Sergeant Chase Vivori, Burlington Police Department
    • Special Agent Erin Nelligan, Homeland Security Investigations
      • All nominated for outstanding collaborative investigation in United States v. Ronald Harris, et al.
    • Special Agent Paul Altenburg, Homeland Security Investigations
    • Special Agent Anders Ostrum, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation
    • Criminal Analyst Nancy Woods, Homeland Security Investigations
    • Resident in Charge Alex Zuchman, Homeland Security Investigations
    • Special Agent Michael DeFiore, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, former Detective Corporal with the Vermont Drug Task Force and the South Burlington Police Department
    • Detective Sergeant Dustin Robinson, Vermont State Police
    • Detective Sergeant Philip Tremblay, Burlington Police Department
    • Special Agent Aaron Dince, Homeland Security Investigations
    • Special Agent Colin Simons, Federal Bureau of Investigation
    • Postal Inspector Jonathan Dunham, U.S. Postal Inspection Service
    • Special Agent Brandon Hope, Drug Enforcement Administration
      • All nominated as their agency representatives for outstanding collaborative investigation for United States v. Dajuan Williams, et al.

    Award recipients gathered today at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by colleagues and family. Each recipient received an engraved award commemorating their outstanding efforts. U.S. Attorney Kerest stated: “This is one of the best days of the year when we have the chance to recognize law enforcement officers like today’s awardees in the presence of their families. Today’s awardees make the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office possible, and they do that work with the necessary support of their family and loved ones. We applaud their tireless work and the daily sacrifices they all make.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ACADIA HEALTHCARE SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. – ACHC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 16, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (NasdaqGS: ACHC), if they purchased the Company’s securities between February 28, 2020 and October 18, 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    Get Help

    Acadia Healthcare investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-achc-1/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

    About the Lawsuit

    Acadia and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

    On September 27, 2024, the Company disclosed the receipt of a voluntary request for information from the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as well as a grand jury subpoena from the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri “related to its admissions, length of stay and billing practices.” On this news, the price of Acadia’s shares fell by $12.38 per share, or 16.36%, to close at $63.28 on September 27, 2024. Then, on October 18, 2024, The New York Times published a report entitled “Veterans Dept. Investigating Acadia Healthcare for Insurance Fraud” that highlighted claims regarding the Company’s billing and patient holding and discharge practices. On this news, the price of Acadia’s shares fell by $7.29 per share, or 12.28%, to close at $52.03 on October 18, 2024.

    The case is Kachrodia v. Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., No. 24-cv-01238.

    About ClaimsFiler

    ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

    To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ombudsman announces investigation results on enforcement against unauthorised land developments and implementation progress of strategic focus on interdepartmental collaboration (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Ombudsman announces investigation results on enforcement against unauthorised land developments and implementation progress of strategic focus on interdepartmental collaboration (with photos)
    Ombudsman announces investigation results on enforcement against unauthorised land developments and implementation progress of strategic focus on interdepartmental collaboration (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:     The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 24) announced the completion of a direct investigation operation regarding the enforcement by the Planning Department (PlanD) and the Lands Department (LandsD) against unauthorised land developments, and made 16 major recommendations for improvement to the two departments.     In the rural New Territories, common unauthorised developments under the Town Planning Ordinance (TPO) include filling of pond or land in “Agriculture”, “Green Belt” and conservation zones for storage, workshop and parking uses. For many years, the PlanD had not been empowered to take enforcement action in rural areas not previously covered by development permission areas. The Office is pleased to note that with the amended TPO coming into effect in September 2023, the Secretary for Development may designate rural areas in the New Territories with ecological value, which are subject to development pressure and risks of environmental degradation, to be “regulated areas”, so as to plug the loophole by enabling the PlanD’s enforcement action against unauthorised developments in such areas.       From 2018 to 2023, the PlanD received an annual average of 1 680 complaints about unauthorised developments. During the same period, combining complaints, proactive inspections and referrals from other departments, the PlanD identified an annual average of 425 unauthorised development cases involving private land.     Regarding the unauthorised development cases identified, the PlanD issued an annual average of more than 3 000 statutory notices demanding rectification. The compliance rate of such notices ranged from 69 per cent to 88 per cent between 2018 and 2023, reflecting the deterrent effect of the PlanD’s existing enforcement measures against most offenders. During the same period, the PlanD instigated prosecutions in a total of 475 cases of non-compliance with statutory notices, among which 65 involved repeated prosecutions.      The Office of The Ombudsman’s investigation found that for cases involving repeated breaches of the TPO, the PlanD would, depending on whether the unauthorised development recurred within one year, shorten the timeframe for compliance with the Enforcement Notice from the normal three months to a minimum of one month.   Given that cases of repeated breaches generally involve irregularities that are easy to rectify and prone to recur (such as storage and parking uses), the existing practice of the PlanD might not have a sufficient deterrent effect on some repeated offenders. The Office recommends that, regarding cases of repeated breaches, the PlanD should explore considering more factors in setting the timeframe for compliance with statutory notices and progressively shortening the timeframe upon subsequent breaches to raise offenders’ costs of non-compliance proportionately.     As for cases that breach the TPO while concurrently involving unlawful occupation of government land, it is often difficult to confirm the identity of the occupier or responsible person. Hence, such cases are currently handled by the LandsD under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance by demolishing and taking possession of the property and structures on the land. The LandsD prioritises different types of cases under a risk-based approach. Nevertheless, the Office’s investigation revealed that for cases involving both priority and non-priority circumstances, the LandsD’s existing guidelines for staff were unclear about how each case should be classified as a whole.  There were also cases revealing the LandsD’s failure to complete priority cases in a timely manner. The Office considers that the LandsD should comprehensively review its existing guidelines, put in place a monitoring mechanism and step up training to ensure proper follow-up of cases by its staff.     Mr Chan said, “The Government is duty-bound to combat unauthorised land developments rigorously to safeguard the environment and optimise the use of valuable land resources. Overall, the Office considers that both the PlanD and the LandsD have handled unauthorised development cases according to their purview and statutory powers; however, there is still room for improvement regarding enforcement procedures and intensity. Moreover, the Office noticed that during the initial stage of this direct investigation operation, there was indeed room for enhancement in the efficiency of collaboration between the PlanD and the LandsD. The Office is pleased to note that both departments responded positively to its observations and opinions by proactively establishing a joint working group co-led by their deputy directors, and introducing a pilot scheme involving two large-scale unauthorised developments related to private agricultural land selected for joint enforcement operations. In addition to reviewing the above new initiatives in a timely manner, to further deepen collaboration, the Office recommends that the PlanD and the LandsD establish a database for unauthorised development cases to facilitate interdepartmental intelligence sharing and enforcement, as well as formulate targeted measures for high-risk sites to nip problems in the bud.     “Looking ahead, as the current-term Government actively implements various land development projects, land use in the rural New Territories will undergo vast changes. Unauthorised developments may differ in mode, scale, etc. The PlanD and the LandsD, as enforcement authorities, should conduct a systemic review after the implementation of the various improvement measures. The two departments should also adapt to the circumstances, continuously deepen reform and innovate, and improve the operational mechanisms and collaboration to strengthen their ability to prevent and handle unauthorised developments.”     The Office has made the following major improvement recommendations to the PlanD and the LandsD: 

    regarding cases involving repeated breaches of the TPO, the PlanD to explore considering more factors (including the total number of breaches committed by the offender, the gross area of the site, the nature of irregularities and the impact on environmental hygiene) in setting the timeframe for compliance with statutory notices and progressively shortening such timeframe upon subsequent breaches to raise offenders’ costs of non-compliance proportionately;

    the PlanD to draw up guidelines on the procedures and target timeframe for handling unauthorised development cases involving a change in ownership for periodic circulation to staff to avoid omission of necessary action;

    the PlanD to step up efforts to explain the basics of the Reinstatement Notice through such publicity channels as its official website to promote public awareness of its enforcement measures and avoid misunderstanding;

    the PlanD to step up education and publicity to enhance private land owners’ understanding of their obligations, the damage caused by unauthorised developments to the environment, the enforcement role of the department, the price to be paid by offenders and the essential features of the TPO to raise law-bidding awareness;

    the LandsD to comprehensively review its existing guidelines and specify clearly the various factors for determining whether a case falls within the priority category, supplemented with real cases to illustrate how to assess cases involving both priority and non-priority circumstances, for compliance by staff; 

    the LandsD to put in place a monitoring mechanism to ensure proper prioritisation of different cases by staff;

    the LandsD to step up training to ensure that staff clearly understand the enforcement role of the department and take timely action against non-compliance with the law and lease conditions according to its performance indicators;

    the PlanD and the LandsD to consider drawing up a mechanism and timetable for timely review of the joint working group’s guiding direction, thereby ensuring that the new measures can serve the purpose of enhancing interdepartmental collaboration;

    the PlanD and the LandsD to conduct timely review of the effectiveness of the pilot scheme on joint enforcement operations; 

    the PlanD and the LandsD to respectively review the data they maintained on interdepartmental unauthorised development cases and enforcement action, and discuss any need to incorporate more data items, thereby providing a more precise and comprehensive basis for monitoring and analysing enforcement work;

    the PlanD and the LandsD to consider establishing a database on unauthorised development cases with such information as the identity of offenders, subject locations, irregularities and results of follow-up action, thereby facilitating interdepartmental intelligence sharing and enforcement;

    the PlanD and the LandsD, making use of the above newly established database, to formulate targeted measures for high-risk sites having regard to such factors as the severity of breaches and whether repeated breaches are involved to nip problems in the bud;

    in light of the amended TPO, the PlanD and the LandsD to review the enforcement and case referral procedures in a timely manner and explore room for further streamlining and consolidation to optimise the use of resources for coping with an anticipated increase in enforcement work; and

    the PlanD and the LandsD to conduct a systemic review after the implementation of the various improvement measures. The two departments should also adapt to the circumstances, continuously deepen reform and innovate, and improve operational mechanisms and collaboration to strengthen their ability to prevent and handle unauthorised developments.

         Upon Mr Chan’s assumption of office, one of the strategic focuses of the Office is to make every effort to promote interdepartmental collaboration. Effective interdepartmental collaboration is indispensable to efficient and people-oriented public administration as well as good governance. A lack of co-ordination among different departments or organisations is prone to shirking responsibilities, thereby directly affecting the well-being of the public. When handling relevant cases, the Office will request all departments and organisations concerned to take follow-up action and fully collaborate with other agencies, with a view to effectively resolving the difficulties facing the public. Where unclear divisions of responsibilities involve systemic issues, the Office will firmly point out the crux of the matter and urge the departments and organisations to seriously rationalise responsibilities or, if necessary, establish high-level platforms for resolving disputes, in order to address the problem at its root.      Furthermore, as different departments and organisations have their respective professional knowledge, expertise and experience, fostering their collaboration can create a synergy effect, thereby enhancing the quality and standard of public administration. Therefore, through handling cases and organising seminars and experience-sharing sessions from time to time, the Office tirelessly encourages various departments and organisations to deepen collaboration in their daily work on all fronts, including setting up communication and collaboration platforms, optimising case referral procedures, formulating information exchange mechanisms, sharing professional skills and technology, and launching joint operations.      The above direct investigation operation is a successful example of the Office’s efforts to promote interdepartmental collaboration. In addition, in the first half of this reporting year (i.e. from April to September 2024), the Office has handled 94 cases involving interdepartmental collaboration. The Office has also progressively launched on its website and social media platforms real cases of interdepartmental collaboration to enhance public understanding of how the Office addresses their needs through promoting interdepartmental collaboration.      “In the coming years, the overriding objective of the Office is to help resolve the difficulties facing the public in order to improve people’s livelihood and foster social harmony. I encourage all government departments and public organisations to work together on the premise of ‘Improving people’s livelihood’, and jointly enhance administrative arrangements for better public services and a stronger sense of gain and happiness among members of our community.”            The full investigation report has been uploaded to the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk for public information.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 24, 2024Issued at HKT 11:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: VESEP grants announced for CFA projects

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    From L-R: ACFO John Jugam, DCO Trevor Owen, Drouin brigade members Judy Brown, Darren Fox, Mark Dryden, Captain Peter Buur, Minister Jaclyn Symes, CFA Board member Peter Shaw, Mark Fox

    CFA brigades and groups will share in almost $11.2 million funding to purchase new equipment to help protect their communities.

    The Victorian Government’s 2024/25 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) funding was announced today, by the Minister for Emergency Services Jacyln Symes.

    The announcement took place at the Drouin Fire Station who received VESEP funding in this year’s grants to purchase a new Field Command Vehicle (FCV).

    Drouin Captain Peter Burr said the Field Command Vehicle would replace the brigades existing car.

    “The FCV is a more appropriate vehicle that will benefit the Drouin community as well as the wider Baw Baw group,” Peter said.  

    “It will be a great asset for the brigade, and we welcome this announcement today.”

    The Drouin Fire Brigade fundraised $35,500 and the VESEP funding contribution was $71,000.

    The brigade was also successful in last year’s VESEP grants and recently purchased a thermal imaging camera. The camera is for the tanker and is used for fire and in urban environments to search out hotspots to efficiently contain and extinguish fires.

    The VESEP funding announced today has been spread across 167 projects that included a range of replacement vehicles for brigades including an additional 11 new ultra light tankers, 6 Bigfills and 18 Field Command Vehicles.

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said VESEP grants help provide brigades with significant funding for life-saving equipment.

    “This program provides $2 for every $1 of funding from the brigade and helps with the purchase of equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers, and can also include minor facility improvements,” CO Heffernan said.

    “The contribution from the government towards equipment means brigades like Drouin have a great incentive to fundraise in their communities and apply for a VESEP grant.

    “There are also Special Access Grants available to provide a further financial boost for brigades that face challenges with fundraising.”

    The full list of successful applicants has been published on the Emergency Management Victoria website.

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Call for information – Injuries – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are calling for information after a man suffered serious injuries in Alice Springs yesterday.

    Sometime in the late afternoon, the 67-year-old man returned home to his residence on the corner of Breaden Rd and Gap Rd, where he was later located with serious non-life-threatening injuries.

    He was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital with injuries to his head and upper body.

    Initial reports suggested the man had been assaulted. After further investigations police now believe the man has fallen, causing his injuries.

    Investigations are still ongoing, and police urge anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, or who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444 and reference NTP2400107134.

    Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Meeting of the Council of Ministers on 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Translation. Timor-Leste Portuguese to English –

    Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
    ……………………………………………. ……………………………………………. …………………….

    Press release

    Council of Ministers meeting on 24 October 2024

    The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, and by the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Dias Ximenes, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 42/2008, of 26 November, which transformed Radio and Television of Timor-Leste (RTTL, EP) into a public company.

    The proposed changes aim to adapt the Radio and Television of Timor-Leste (RTTL, EP) to the new technological and administrative requirements, with the introduction of digital terrestrial television. The new legislation allows RTTL, EP to broadcast and manage digital channels, allowing greater flexibility in the distribution of content and obtaining additional revenue. In addition to enabling the broadcast of free channels with a national and international context, it will also be possible to introduce post-paid and pre-paid services, thus strengthening its financial sustainability.

    The project also foresees the elimination of the Opinion Council, which has never been implemented since the creation of RTTL, EP, and the creation of the position of Executive Director, directly reporting to the President of the public company, who will support the administrative and financial management of the company, ensuring continuity and good governance. With these changes, the aim is to strengthen the competitiveness and quality of services provided to the public, ensuring a modern, efficient broadcaster aligned with sector standards.

    *******

    The Council of Ministers decided to grant a day off on October 31, 2024, considering that November 1 and 2 are All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, dates of great importance for the Catholic community and provided for as national holidays by Law No. 10/2005, of August 10, amended by Law No. 3/2016, of May 25. This decision aims to facilitate the movement of the population to their homelands, allowing them to participate in religious celebrations. END

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Euronet Worldwide Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (“Euronet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EEFT), a leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider, reports third quarter 2024 financial results.

    Euronet reports the following consolidated results for the third quarter 2024 compared with the same period of 2023:

    • Revenues of $1,099.3 million, a 9% increase from $1,004.0 million (9% increase on a constant currency1 basis).
    • Operating income of $182.2 million, a 9% increase from $167.0 million (9% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 of $225.7 million, a 6% increase from $212.5 million (6% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Net income attributable to Euronet of $151.5 million, or $3.21 diluted earnings per share, compared with $104.2 million, or $2.05 diluted earnings per share.
    • Adjusted earnings per share3 of $3.03, an 11% increase from $2.72.
    • Euronet’s cash and cash equivalents were $1,524.1 million and ATM cash was $805.4 million, totaling $2,329.5 million as of September 30, 2024, and availability under its revolving credit facilities was approximately $669.8 million.

    See the reconciliation of non-GAAP items in the attached financial schedules.  

    “I am pleased that we achieved a third quarter adjusted EPS of $3.03, an 11% increase over the prior year’s $2.72. I also point out that we did not include in our adjusted EPS approximately $0.28 per share related to an investment gain. Had we done so, adjusted EPS would have been $3.31. This year’s third quarter is a great reminder of how our product and geographic diversity helps to provide consistency in our earnings. Moreover, with our 17% nine months year to date adjusted EPS growth, we are well on track to be at the top end of the range with good prospects to exceed the range,” stated Michael J. Brown, Euronet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

    “Money Transfer produced strong third quarter results compared to the prior year across all financial metrics. EFT produced solid results across all metrics with double digit growth in operating income and adjusted EBITDA. epay delivered double-digit revenue and transaction growth.”

    Taking into consideration recent trends in the business and the global economy, continued double-digit quarterly earnings growth, and historical seasonal patterns, the Company remains confident in its previously announced expectations that its 2024 adjusted EPS will grow 10-15% year-over-year, consistent with its 10 and 20 year compounded annualized growth rates. Moreover, the Company expects that in 2025 it will again produce adjusted EPS growth in the 10-15% range. This outlook does not include any changes that may develop in foreign exchange rates, interest rates or other unforeseen factors.

    Segment and Other Results

    The EFT Processing Segment reports the following results for the third quarter 2024 compared with the same period or date in 2023:

    • Revenues of $373.0 million, an 8% increase from $345.8 million (7% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $117.3 million, a 12% increase from $104.8 million (12% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $142.1 million, a 10% increase from $128.7 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Transactions of 2,982 million, a 34% increase from 2,231 million.
    • Total of 55,292 installed ATMs as of September 30, 2024, a 4% increase from 53,272. We operated 54,020 active ATMs as of September 30, 2024, a 5% increase from 51,496 as of September 30, 2023.

    Constant currency revenue, operating income, and adjusted EBITDA growth in the third quarter 2024 was driven by travel, growth in the merchant services business and growth within recent market expansion. Operating margins benefited from transactions driven by continued travel recovery together with effective expense management.

    The increase in active ATMs includes the acquisition of 800 ATMs in Malaysia together with the addition of approximately 800 outsourcing ATMs, and the impact of winterizing 500 more ATMs in the prior year at September 30, 2023, compared to September 30, 2024.

    Transaction growth outpaced revenue growth due to continued growth in high-volume low-value transactions in India. 

    The epay Segment reports the following results for the third quarter 2024 compared with the same period or date in 2023:

    • Revenues of $290.3 million, a 10% increase from $264.5 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $29.1 million, a 3% increase from $28.3 million (2%  increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $31.0 million, a 3% increase from $30.1 million (3% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Transactions of 1,126 million, a 22% increase from 925 million.
    • POS terminals of approximately 766,000 as of September 30, 2024, a 5% decrease from approximately 810,000.
    • Retailer locations of approximately 348,000 as of September 30, 2024, unchanged from prior year.

    Double-digit revenue and transaction growth was driven by continued digital media and mobile growth. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA growth did not keep pace with the overall growth in revenue due to inflationary pressures in the business and expenses incurred to launch new proprietary product offerings.

    The Money Transfer Segment reports the following results for the third quarter 2024 compared with the same period or date in 2023:

    • Revenues of $438.2 million, an 11% increase from $395.9 million (10% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Operating income of $58.1 million, an 8% increase from $53.7 million (7% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $64.1 million, a 6% increase from $60.7 million (4% increase on a constant currency basis).
    • Total transactions of 45.1 million, an 11% increase from 40.6 million.
    • Network locations of approximately 595,000 as of September 30, 2024, a 10% increase from approximately 540,000.

    Constant currency revenue growth was primarily driven by near double-digit growth in cross-border transactions, offset by a decrease in intra-US transactions. Direct-to-consumer digital transactions grew by 30%, reflecting strong consumer demand for digital products, which represents 19% of total digital transactions. The constant currency operating income increase of 7% was influenced by an additional $2 million year-over-year digital customer marketing spend during the quarter versus last year. Excluding the incremental digital customer marketing spend, constant currency operating income growth would have exceeded 10%, producing operating margins consistent with prior year. Money Transfer’s revenue and gross profit per transaction were consistent with the prior year.

    Corporate and Other reports $22.3 million of expense for the third quarter 2024 compared with $19.8 million for the third quarter 2023. The increase in corporate expenses is largely from increased salaries, performance-based compensation and other management expenses.

    Balance Sheet and Financial Position
    Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand was $1,524.1 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1,271.8 million as of June 30, 2024.  The net increase in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents is the net result of the generation of cash from operations and working capital fluctuations partially offset by share repurchases.

    Total indebtedness was $2,278.8 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $2,270.2 million as of June 30, 2024. Availability under the Company’s revolving credit facilities was approximately $669.8 million as of September 30, 2024.

    The Company repurchased 1 million shares for $101.3 million during the third quarter, which will improve earnings per share by 2% for future periods.

    Non-GAAP Measures
    In addition to the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company presents non-GAAP financial measures, such as constant currency financial measures, operating income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted earnings per share. These measures should be used in addition to, and not a substitute for, revenues, operating income, net income and earnings per share computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Company’s performance and overall results of operations. These non-GAAP measures are also an integral part of the Company’s internal reporting and performance assessment for executives and senior management. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The attached schedules provide a full reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

    The Company does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking non-GAAP measures to GAAP due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for GAAP and the related GAAP and non-GAAP reconciliation, including adjustments that would be necessary for foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and other charges reflected in the Company’s reconciliation of historic numbers, the amount of which, based on historical experience, could be significant.  

    (1) Constant currency financial measures are computed as if foreign currency exchange rates did not change from the prior period. This information is provided to illustrate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s results when compared to the prior period.

    (2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding, to the extent incurred in the period, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and other non-operating or non-recurring items that are considered expenses or income under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA represents a performance measure and is not intended to represent a liquidity measure.

    (3) Adjusted earnings per share is defined as diluted U.S. GAAP earnings per share excluding, to the extent incurred in the period, the tax-effected impacts of: a) foreign currency exchange gains or losses, b) share-based compensation, c) acquired intangible asset amortization, d) non-cash income tax expense, e) non-cash investment gain f) other non-operating or non-recurring items and g) dilutive shares relate to the Company’s convertible bonds. Adjusted earnings per share represents a performance measure and is not intended to represent a liquidity measure. 

    Conference Call and Slide Presentation
    Euronet Worldwide will host an analyst conference call on October 24, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The call may also include discussion of Company developments on the Company’s operations, forward-looking information, and other material information about business and financial matters. To listen to the call via telephone please register at Euronet Worldwide Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. The conference call will also be available via webcast at http://ir.euronetworldwide.com. Participants should register at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the event. A slideshow will be included in the webcast. 

    A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the event at  http://ir.euronetworldwide.com and will remain available for one year.

    About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
    Starting in Central Europe in 1994 and growing to a global real-time digital and cash payments network with millions of touchpoints today, Euronet now moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit card processing, ATMs, POS services, branded payments, foreign currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone. 

    A leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider, Euronet has developed an extensive global payments network that includes 55,292 installed ATMs, approximately 949,000 EFT POS terminals and a growing portfolio of outsourced debit and credit card services which are under management in 113 countries; card software solutions; a prepaid processing network of approximately 766,000 POS terminals at approximately 348,000 retailer locations in 64 countries; and a global money transfer network of approximately 595,000 locations serving 205 countries and territories. Euronet serves clients from its corporate headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, USA, and 67 worldwide offices. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com.

    Statements contained in this news release that concern Euronet’s or its management’s intentions, expectations, or predictions of future performance, are forward-looking statements. Euronet’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including: conditions in world financial markets and general economic conditions, including impacts from the COVID-19 or other pandemics; inflation; the war in the Ukraine and the related economic sanctions; military conflicts in the Middle East; our ability to successfully integrate any acquired operations; economic conditions in specific countries and regions; technological developments affecting the market for our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new products and services; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; the effects of any breach of our computer systems or those of our customers or vendors, including our financial processing networks or those of other third parties; interruptions in any of our systems or those of our vendors or other third parties; our ability to renew existing contracts at profitable rates; changes in fees payable for transactions performed for cards bearing international logos or over switching networks such as card transactions on ATMs; our ability to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism, anti-bribery, consumer and data protection and privacy; changes in laws and regulations affecting our business, including tax and immigration laws and any laws regulating payments, including dynamic currency conversion transactions; changes in our relationships with, or in fees charged by, our business partners; competition; the outcome of claims and other loss contingencies affecting Euronet; the cost of borrowing (including fluctuations in interest rates), availability of credit and terms of and compliance with debt covenants; and renewal of sources of funding as they expire and the availability of replacement funding. These risks and other risks are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of these filings may be obtained via the SEC’s Edgar website or by contacting the Company. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, Euronet does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances. The Company regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website.  

     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
     (in millions)
           
      As of    
      September 30,   As of
      2024   December 31,
      (unaudited)   2023
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,524.1   $ 1,254.2
    ATM cash 805.4   525.2
    Restricted cash 18.9   15.2
    Settlement assets 1,461.0   1,681.5
    Trade accounts receivable, net 273.2   370.6
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets 303.2   316.0
    Total current assets 4,385.8   4,162.7
           
    Property and equipment, net 340.3   332.1
    Right of use lease asset, net 142.9   142.6
    Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net 1,118.9   1,015.1
    Other assets, net 301.2   241.9
    Total assets $ 6,289.1   $ 5,894.4
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Settlement obligations $ 1,461.0   $ 1,681.5
    Accounts payable and other current liabilities 877.4   816.9
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities 51.4   50.3
    Short-term debt obligations 1,081.4   151.9
    Total current liabilities 3,471.2   2,700.6
           
    Debt obligations, net of current portion 1,195.5   1,715.4
    Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 95.4   95.8
    Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 1.9   2.3
    Deferred income taxes 77.6   47.0
    Other long-term liabilities 85.5   83.6
    Total liabilities 4,927.1   4,644.7
    Equity 1,362.0   1,249.7
    Total liabilities and equity $ 6,289.1   $ 5,894.4
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
     Consolidated Statements of Operations
     (unaudited – in millions, except share and per share data)
           
      Three Months Ended
      September 30,
      2024   2023
           
    Revenues $ 1,099.3     $ 1,004.0  
           
    Operating expenses:      
    Direct operating costs 634.0     576.7  
    Salaries and benefits 169.6     153.6  
    Selling, general and administrative 80.6     73.9  
    Depreciation and amortization 32.9     32.8  
    Total operating expenses 917.1     837.0  
    Operating income 182.2     167.0  
           
    Other income (expense):      
    Interest income 6.5     4.0  
    Interest expense (24.2 )   (15.0 )
    Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) 27.4     (8.8 )
    Other income 16.5     —  
    Total other income (expense), net 26.2     (19.8 )
    Income before income taxes 208.4     147.2  
           
    Income tax expense (56.8 )   (43.0 )
           
    Net income 151.6     104.2  
    Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (0.1 )   —  
    Net income attributable to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. $ 151.5     $ 104.2  
    Add: Interest expense from assumed conversion of convertible notes, net of tax   1.1       1.1  
    Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 152.6     $ 105.3  
    Earnings per share attributable to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. stockholders – diluted $ 3.21     $ 2.05  
           
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 47,554,606     51,470,603  
           
     EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income (Expense) and Adjusted EBITDA
     (unaudited – in millions)
                       
      Three months ended September 30, 2024
                       
      EFT Processing   epay   Money Transfer   Corporate Services   Consolidated
                       
    Net income                 $ 151.6  
                       
    Add: Income tax expense                 56.8  
    Less: Total other income, net                 (26.2 )
                       
    Operating income (expense) $ 117.3     $ 29.1     $ 58.1     $ (22.3 )   $ 182.2  
    Add: Depreciation and amortization 24.8     1.9     6.0     0.2     32.9  
    Add: Share-based compensation —     —     —     10.6     10.6  
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation (Adjusted EBITDA) (1) $ 142.1     $ 31.0     $ 64.1     $ (11.5 )   $ 225.7  
                       
      Three months ended September 30, 2023
                       
      EFT Processing   epay   Money Transfer   Corporate Services   Consolidated
                       
    Net income                 $ 104.2  
                       
    Add: Income tax expense                 43.0  
    Add: Total other expense, net                 19.8  
                       
    Operating income (expense) $ 104.8     $ 28.3     $ 53.7     $ (19.8 )   $ 167.0  
    Add: Depreciation and amortization 23.9     1.8     7.0     0.1     32.8  
    Add: Share-based compensation —     —     —     12.7     12.7  
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation (Adjusted EBITDA) $ 128.7     $ 30.1     $ 60.7     $ (7.0 )   $ 212.5  
    EURONET WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share
    (unaudited – in millions, except share and per share data)
           
      Three Months Ended
      September 30,
      2024   2023
           
    Net income attributable to Euronet Worldwide, Inc. $ 151.5     $ 104.2  
           
    Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain (27.4 )   8.8  
    Intangible asset amortization(1) 5.1     5.5  
    Share-based compensation(2) 10.6     12.7  
    Income tax effect of above adjustments(3) 4.9     (4.7 )
    Non-cash investment gain(4) (16.9 )   —  
    Non-cash GAAP tax expense(5) 8.8     6.2  
           
    Adjusted earnings(6) $ 136.6     $ 132.7  
           
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted(6) $ 3.03     $ 2.72  
           
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (GAAP)   47,554,606     51,470,603  
    Effect of adjusted EPS dilution of convertible notes   (2,781,818 )     (2,781,818 )
    Effect of unrecognized share-based compensation on diluted shares outstanding   320,885     185,073  
    Adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding   45,093,673     48,873,858  
     

    (1) Intangible asset amortization of $5.1 million and $5.5 million are included in depreciation and amortization expense of $32.9 million and $32.8 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, in the consolidated statements of operations.

    (2) Share-based compensation of $10.6 million and $12.7 million are included in salaries and benefits expense of $169.6 million and $153.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations.

    (3) Adjustment is the aggregate U.S. GAAP income tax effect on the preceding adjustments determined by applying the applicable statutory U.S. federal, state and/or foreign income tax rates. 

    (4) Non-cash investment gain of $16.9 million is included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations.

    (5) Adjustment is the non-cash GAAP tax impact recognized on certain items such as the utilization of certain material net deferred tax assets and amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets.

    (6) Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures that should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income and earnings per share computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Emergency Plane Landing – Nhulunbuy

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) and Northern Territory Police (NTP) responded to an emergency landing incident at the Nhulunbuy Airport yesterday.

    Around 3:40pm, the Joint Emergency Service Communications Centre received reports that a light aircraft carrying 3 occupants, experienced landing gear issues as it was en route to Galiwinku.

    The aircraft was diverted to Nhulunbuy airport and emergency services deployed.

    At 4:35pm, 8 NTFRS personnel, with one fire truck and 2 grassfire units, arrived at the airport with NT Police and St John Ambulance personnel.

    A short time later the aircraft made an emergency landing without its front landing gear and all occupants disembarked safely, without injury.

    NTFRS crews secured the scene and removed the aircraft from the runway.

    The exact cause of the malfunction remains under investigation.

    Acting Chief Fire Officer Stephen Sewell said “ This was a fantastic outcome for everyone involved and thankfully the pilot was able to land the aircraft without any injuries.

    “I commend the efforts of all the emergency services who quickly responded and worked together to make the scene safe.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 23, 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) 578,427.56 6.69 5.10-6.95
         I. Call Money 11,484.88 6.75 5.10-6.90
         II. Triparty Repo 424,741.25 6.69 6.55-6.80
         III. Market Repo 141,021.43 6.67 6.25-6.90
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,180.00 6.86 6.85-6.95
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 130.90 6.45 6.30-6.72
         II. Term Money@@ 572.90 – 6.45-7.02
         III. Triparty Repo 315.00 6.70 6.70-6.70
         IV. Market Repo 109.43 6.80 6.80-6.80
         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# Wed, 23/10/2024 1 Thu, 24/10/2024 4,620.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 23/10/2024 1 Thu, 24/10/2024 54,112.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -49,492.00  
    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          
         (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$       8,596.70  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -7,936.30  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -57,428.30  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 23, 2024 1,018,119.33  
         (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 23, 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: 2024-2025/1361

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN joins other ministers for a Courtesy Call on the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn this morning joined AMCA Ministers and other representatives from China, Japan and Republic of Korea in a Courtesy Call on the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Malaysia Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. The courtesy call reflected the importance of strengthening partnerships in culture and the arts among ASEAN Member States and with the Plus Three countries.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN joins other ministers for a Courtesy Call on the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Missing swimmer, Onerahi

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

     Attributable to Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, Northland Police:

    The search for an 83-year-old man who went missing in the Onerahi area on the weekend is being scaled back.

    The man, who has not been seen since Saturday, is thought to have gone swimming in Whangārei Harbour on Sunday morning.

    A rāhui is in place covering the Upper Whangarei Harbour and will be in place for two weeks.

    Police would like to thank the Onerahi community for their assistance in the search, and in particular the Onerahi Yacht Club.

    We are continuing to appeal to the public, and in particular to motorists who were in the Beach Road area in Onerahi on the morning of Sunday 20 October, between 8am – 11am.

    If you have any dashcam footage or information that may assist, please update us at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.

    Police would also like to thank Northland Search and Rescue (SAR), Far North SAR, squads from Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club, Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol, volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangarei who are involved in the search.

    ENDS

    Tony Wright/NZ Police
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Researchers use AI algorithm to reveal hidden RNA viruses

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This year’s Nobel Prize results signify that artificial intelligence (AI) technology is not only leading trends in computer science, but also has a growing impact in disciplines such as biology and chemistry. It offers scientists a new research approach: using AI to unlock the secrets of nature.
    One of the latest examples comes from virology. An international research team used AI technology to discover hundreds of thousands of RNA viruses from global ecosystems, showing the immense potential of AI algorithms in virus discovery and paving new paths for virology.
    A team of researchers from Sun Yat-sen University School of Medicine, as well as Zhejiang University, Guangzhou University, the University of Sydney and other institutions carried out the study, reporting the discovery of 180 RNA virus supergroups and over 160,000 global RNA virus species.
    The study, which was published recently in the journal Cell, is the largest RNA virus study to date, significantly expanding the knowledge about global RNA viruses.
    New AI algorithm
    Viruses are an essential component of Earth’s ecosystems and closely related to human health. However, the number of known virus species is still quite limited. Scientists can use gene sequencing technology to compare the similarity of unknown viruses with known viral nucleic acid sequences, thereby identifying new viruses.
    However, this method relies on the existing knowledge of viruses. When studying RNA viruses, which are highly divergent, numerous and prone to mutation, the method of sequence homology comparison couldn’t work well anymore.
    The researchers have proposed a new solution using AI technology. According to Shi Mang from Sun Yat-sen University School of Medicine, who is also one of the corresponding authors of the research paper, the AI algorithm models can uncover viruses that were previously overlooked or not even known.
    “During epidemics, the speed and accuracy of AI technology can help scientists quickly pinpoint potential pathogens,” Shi said.
    He led the team to use a core algorithm dubbed LucaProt, a deep-learning Transformer model for the study. After extensive learning of viral and non-viral genomic sequences, it can autonomously form a set of criteria for virus identification to find viral sequences from large RNA sequencing datasets.
    New RNA virus species
    According to the study, LucaProt demonstrated high accuracy and specificity, with a false positive rate of 0.014 percent and a false negative rate of 1.72 percent.
    The team conducted viral search on 10,487 RNA sequencing data from global biological environmental samples, and discovered over 510,000 viral genomes representing more than 160,000 potential viral species and 180 supergroups of RNA viruses.
    Among them, 23 supergroups could not be identified by traditional sequence homology methods. They can be referred to as the “dark matter” of the viral community.
    The study found that these viruses are distributed across various ecological environments on Earth. The highest viral diversity is found in leaf litter, wetlands, freshwater, and wastewater environments. Considerable virus diversity and abundance are also found in extreme environments such as antarctic sediments, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, activated sludge, and saline-alkali wastelands.
    According to Hou Xin, the first author of the paper, these viruses include not only pathogens that infect humans but also those that exist in the environment and infect various organisms. They can infect a variety of animals, plants, single-celled protists, fungi and bacteria.
    “A deeper understanding of viruses in the environment can help us better study the workings of the entire ecosystem. Moreover, we can use this method to discover viruses closely related to human diseases for the surveillance and early warning of emerging diseases,” Hou said.
    “The traditional classification system has become inadequate for the new viruses, whose diversity far exceeds human imagination. What we see now is just the tip of the iceberg,” Shi said.
    New tool for more studies
    It is a model specifically designed for discovering RNA viruses, but it also integrates the ability to recognize protein sequences and implicit structural information, and can be used to identify protein functions.
    According to the study, the LucaProt model helped researchers identify genomic structures beyond previous virus knowledge, revealing the flexibility of RNA virus genomic evolution.
    It also revealed a variety of viral functional proteins, especially those related to bacteria, indicating that there are more types of RNA bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria, to be explored.
    The research team has open-sourced the model and shared it with scientists worldwide online.
    Li Zhaorong from Apsara Lab of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, another corresponding author, believed that AI is gradually changing the way scientists tackle various scientific challenges.
    “This model is becoming a cutting-edge tool in virus identification and is also being applied to other types of protein identification and discovery of functions,” Li said.
    Xu Jianguo, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that the success of LucaProt marks a breakthrough for AI algorithms in virus discovery. In the future, AI is expected to become a major tool in microbiology and can be applied to predict the pathogenicity of viruses to humans.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China thwarting satellites used to spy

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China has been handling threats from foreign intelligence agencies who use satellites to conduct espionage in their attempts to steal the country’s secrets, according to the Ministry of State Security.
    The ministry said in an article published on its WeChat account on Wednesday that some foreign spy organizations continue to use high-resolution satellites to carry out remote-sensing reconnaissance on China. They also keep trying to infiltrate China’s space companies by tempting and intimidating Chinese scientists and engineers to obtain the latest developments in their research.
    Some Western countries have been hyping up the arms race in orbit and the contest for “space hegemony”, making all-out efforts to hinder China’s capability and jeopardize its space operations, it noted.
    Space has become a new domain for economic growth, military conflicts and national security work. Protecting space-based systems and orbital operations from threats and infringement is an important part of national security work because space-based assets are significant to a nation’s security and development, the ministry said.
    In recent years, state security bodies worked with relevant departments to handle cases in which foreign spies tried to steal secrets in China’s space sector, effectively suppressing foreign intelligence agencies’ espionage attempts, the ministry said.
    State security departments will continue to use concrete measures to safeguard China’s rights, security and interests in space, it added.
    Information previously published by the ministry shows that the space sector is a focal point for Western intelligence agencies that spy on China. Their agents target scientists, designers and technicians working for State-owned contractors and have turned a handful of employees into traitors, including a senior missile designer who was exposed in 2007.
    The latest spy case involving China’s space industry that has been made public was disclosed in April 2023.
    Zhao Xuejun, a researcher at a State-owned institute, was approached by foreign spies while he was studying overseas and then was recruited. After returning to China, he continued to work for the foreign intelligence organization and delivered a large number of classified documents.
    He was arrested in June 2019 and was sentenced in August 2022 to seven years in prison.
    An industry observer who declined to be named said that foreign spies are keen to obtain information about China’s space capability and programs because analyzing such information can help to establish a comprehensive, in-depth picture about China’s strategic prowess and its scientific, technological and engineering capacities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Researchers build autonomous underwater vehicle for deep-sea microbial sampling

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Researchers from Tianjin University have made a breakthrough in marine biological research with the development of the country’s first autonomous underwater vehicle designed for deep-sea microbial sampling.
    They have conducted comprehensive tests on the performance and functionality of the vehicle at various depths of less than 1,000 meters in the South China Sea, achieving in-situ sampling and high-fidelity preservation of deep-sea microbial genes. The related project was reviewed and approved recently by experts from the Laoshan Laboratory.
    The deep sea is the largest habitat within the Earth’s system, home to a vast array of undiscovered microbial species and untapped resources. Its unique ecosystem, characterized by high salinity, high pressure, low temperatures and nutrient scarcity, has remained largely unexplored.
    In-situ sampling of deep-sea microorganisms is essential for understanding marine species diversity and exploring the mysteries of ocean habitats.
    However, traditional ship-based sampling techniques often face issues such as sample contamination, degradation and nucleic acid structural alterations. These methods are also constrained by low efficiency and high costs.
    The autonomous underwater vehicle, equipped with advanced deep-sea sampling devices and environmental sensors, transitions sampling from localized, single-point and manual-assisted operations to regional, multi-point and autonomous missions. It also offers the seamless integration of sampling, high-fidelity preservation and nucleic acid preparation for deep-sea microbes.
    Its several technical indicators have filled gaps in domestic capabilities in related fields, and the indicators such as maximum sampling depth, number of samples and maximum single filtration volume have reached the international leading level, according to the experts from the review panel.
    The achievement can not only enhance sample quality and reduce the sampling cycle, but also boost the efficiency of marine microbial habitat research.
    It can also provide decisive samples and genetic data support for the discovery and exploration of new marine microbial species, revealing the patterns and evolutionary mechanisms of marine microbial diversity, and clarifying the influence mechanisms of the microbial carbon pump and ocean carbon sequestration.
    The research team plans to further tackle the technologies for deep-sea microbial sampling and metagenomic analysis, and improve the comprehensive resource database of marine microorganisms.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Int’l forum for young space scientists held in Macao

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The International Forum for Young Space Scientists was held at the Macao Science Center from Tuesday to Friday, attracting nearly a hundred scientists from various countries and regions.
    At the forum’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, Wu Ji, president of the Chinese Society of Space Research (CSSR), expressed his hope that the forum will provide a platform for exchanges and cooperation and lay the foundation for future cooperation.
    Zong Qiugang, director of the Space Science Institute of Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), introduced the scientific output of Macao’s first space science satellite “Macao Science 1” in geomagnetic science research and space environment monitoring and expressed that MUST will continue to contribute to international exchanges and cooperation in space science.
    On Wednesday afternoon, young space scientists had in-depth exchanges and discussions on disciplinary frontiers, the new discoveries of domestic and international satellite missions, the progress of relevant modeling and technology, and future joint research.
    As part of the forum, participants will visit the related laboratories of MUST and the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
    As the first international conference for young space scientists held in Macao, the forum was co-organized by the CSSR, MUST, the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the HKU, and the International Space Science Institute – Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to kick off consumption campaign in 5 big cities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China will launch a monthlong campaign to promote consumption in November as part of its efforts to bolster consumer spending, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.

    The consumption promotion month will kick off next month in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing.

    It will feature a series of activities promoting consumption in shopping, catering, tourism, exhibitions and performances, among others, according to the ministry.

    Relevant departments and localities have been asked to refine their plans to implement the promotion month and introduce practical measures to foster the continuous recovery of the country’s consumer market.

    China introduced a large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in program in March this year to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy.

    China’s retail sales of consumer goods went up 3.3 percent year on year in the first three quarters of this year, official data showed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: CNOOC, Air Liquide pioneer long-distance liquid hydrogen transport

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A vessel carrying specialized insulated tanks containing liquid hydrogen arrived at Yantian Port in the south China metropolitan of Shenzhen on Tuesday, after a voyage of about 20,000 km from Europe.

    The pioneering long-distance transport of the liquid hydrogen was jointly carried out by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and French industrial gases giant Air Liquide, which marked a significant milestone in global energy transportation.

    The shipment covered over 20,000 km from Rotterdam to Shenzhen, emphasizing the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.

    The International Renewable Energy Agency predicted that by 2050, more than 30 percent of global hydrogen production will be used for international trade. China’s annual hydrogen production has amounted to 40 million tonnes, and long-distance offshore shipping of liquid hydrogen has been eyed as a new transport initiative to explore hydrogen energy trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese NGOs aim to make bigger intl impact

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

    China has cultivated thousands of technology-focused nongovernmental organizations in recent years to stimulate innovation and bolster its influence in global research and development governance, a Ministry of Civil Affairs official said on Wednesday.

    Zhang Lin, a deputy head of the ministry’s bureau of NGO administration, said that by the end of last year, China had over 24,000 such organizations at the forefront of technological innovation, playing a crucial role in advancing the nation’s expertise in competitive technologies.

    “At the same time, the ministry is fostering national and international social organizations to facilitate engagement in global scientific and technological governance initiatives,” she told a news conference in Beijing.

    Technology-based organizations have increasingly emerged as a pivotal force propelling China toward technological advancement.

    Authorities have recognized their crucial role in uniting and mobilizing technology professionals to serve the national interest, fostering collaboration among industries, academia and researchers, promoting exchanges and showcasing industry expertise.

    In a significant move to enhance the global influence of these groups, the ministry introduced rules in 2021 enabling Chinese NGOs to recruit renowned foreign scientists and appoint them to management positions.

    While the full text of the rules has not been publicly disclosed, a media release on the ministry’s website stated that the regulations mandated these NGOs to improve communication and engagement with foreign technology experts.

    The release emphasized that these organizations should establish a robust service system tailored to the needs of foreign technology professionals, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and integration within the community.

    The Chinese Institute of Electronics, one of over 200 national-level technology-focused organizations, plays a crucial role in advancing technological development in China.

    According to its website, the institute is responsible for a variety of tasks, including organizing international seminars, publishing influential papers and recommending talent to governmental bodies.

    With a membership exceeding 170,000 professionals with strong knowledge on subjects such as semiconductors, computer science, communication technologies and radar, the institute also manages the editing and publication of 10 esteemed academic journals covering topics in its members’ respective fields. Since 2003, it has honored outstanding scientists with its annual Science and Technology Award.

    The institute describes itself as a national academic nonprofit social organization that was voluntarily established by technology workers in the electronic information sector, related enterprises and institutions, and social groups.

    “We are an important social force in the development of China’s electronic information technology industry,” the institute said in its charter.

    International NGOs focusing on technology have significantly influenced global science governance by organizing academic conferences, publishing influential works and presenting awards.

    Last year, the Chinese government announced the establishment of 17 such NGOs.

    One notable organization among them is the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions, launched in 2018 with the objective of enhancing cooperation in science, technology and innovation among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

    Its membership includes prestigious institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye, and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New members appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today confirmed the appointment of two new members to the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as the reappointment of Kevin Prime.

    The members appointed and reappointed are:

    Hon Richard Prebble (CBE). Mr Prebble is a former Cabinet Minister where he held a broad range of portfolios. Since leaving parliament, he has provided pro bono advice to various Māori trusts, hapū, and iwi on a variety of issues. 

    Ken Williamson (KStJ). Mr Williamson is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand. He has extensive experience as a practitioner and governor in risk prevention, risk management and disaster management.

    Kevin Prime (CNZM). (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua, Tainui) has been reappointed to the Waitangi Tribunal for a second term. Mr Prime is an accomplished and experienced member of the tribunal. He is a current member of several inquiries including the Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 3300).

    “Congratulations to Richard and Ken on their appointments, and to Kevin for his reappointment,” Mr Potaka says. 

    “These appointments will ensure the tribunal continues to provide a forum to hear and report Māori Treaty claims in a timely manner. They will ultimately support the progress of the Treaty-based Crown-Māori relationship.

    “Waitangi Tribunal members bring with them a range of knowledge and skills and are appointed for their broad expertise in the matters that are likely to come before the Tribunal. 

    “Ensuring we have a range of talented appointees on tribunals and boards is absolutely key to the delivery of better public services.”

    Nō te rangi tonu nei te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, a Minita Tama Potaka, whakatūturungia ai te whakatūngia o ngā mema hōu e rua ki Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, me te whakatūngia anō o Kevin Prime.

    Ko ngā mema i whakatūngia, i whakatūngia anō hoki ko:

    Hon Richard Prebble (CBE). He Mema o mua a Mr Prebble o te Kāhui Minita, i reira ia aratakina ai ngā huihuinga kaupapa whakaehu. Nō tāna wehenga i te pāremata, kua tukuna ōna whakamāherehere utu kore ki ngā tini tiakitanga Māori, ki ngā hapū, me ngā iwi i ngā kaupapa huhua.

    Ken Williamson (KStJ). HeTuatangata Ahurei a Mr Williamson nō te Institute of Directors, he Tuatangata hoki ia nō te Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand. Kua whānui ōna wheako hei mātanga, hei kāwana hoki i te aukatinga tūrarutanga, me te whakaritenga wairuatoa.

    Kua whakatūngia anō a Kevin Prime (KStJ). (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua, Tainui) ki tāna kaupeka tuarua i Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. He mātanga, he ringa rehe hoki a Mr Prime i te taraipiunara. He mema ia nō ngā tini pakirehua, tae rā anō ki te Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 3300).

    “E papaki nei ngā tai o whakamānawa ki a Richard rāua ko Ken i te whakatūngia o rāua, ki a Kevin hoki i te whakatūngia anō ōna,” hei tā Tama Potaka. 

    “Mā ngā whakatūnga nei e pai tonu ai tā te taraipiunara whakawātea i te pae e rangonga ai, e pūrongotia ai hoki ngā kerēme Tiriti Māori hei ngā wā tika. Korekore ka tokona e rātou te anganga whakamuatanga o te patuitanga ā-Tiriti o te Karauna me te Māori.

    “Ko tā ngā mema o Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi he tari atu i ngā mātauranga me ngā pūkenga whānui, me te aha anō, ka whakatūngia rātou kei te āhua o te whānui o ngā pūkenga mō ngā kaupapa e tinga nei ka taka mai ki te aroaro o te Rōpū Whakamana.

    “Ko te iho o te tukunga pai i ngā ratonga tūmatanui ko te whānui o ngā mātanga ka noho mai ki ngā taraipiunara me ngā poari.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Windy and wet start to Labour Weekend – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thu 24 – Mon 28 October – MetService has issued a number of Severe Weather Warnings covering central and southern areas in the lead up to Labour Weekend with more severe weather likely on Saturday. Sunday and Monday broadly present the better days for a dry outdoor excursions but there will be lingering wet weather scattered around the country.

    Heavy rain is working its way up the west coast of the South Island today (Thursday) with around 345mm of rain at Milford Sound in the 24hrs to 1pm this afternoon. Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued up the West Coast and then onto the Tararua Range as we move into Friday. Severe gale northwest winds precede the rain with Strong Wind Warnings issued across the Canterbury High Country, Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa.

    While there will be a sprinkling of showers across the North Island for the second half of Friday, it’s the central parts of the country that look to be wettest for the beginning of the long weekend.

    MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris advises, “If you are traveling for the long weekend, your best bet is to get it done on Friday as Saturday brings the next bout of adverse weather.”

    Strong winds and heavy rain will be widespread around the country on Saturday as the next weather system passes over. The heavy rain looks to focus on the upper half of the South Island, while eastern parts of the North Island might not see any rain until the afternoon.

    Saturday also brings a large temperature contrast between eastern areas of the North and South Islands with Hawke’s Bay around 25°C and Oamaru maybe struggling to make double digits. This cold air spreading in from the south brings the potential for snow down to 500m for inland Canterbury and Otago. It also makes for a cooler than average run of days for the southern half of the South Island across the long weekend.

    As we move through the weekend the wet weather becomes patchier across Aotearoa and if people keep a close eye on the forecast, they might even find a dry window to enjoy the outdoors. The best bet for prolonged fine weather looks to be the eastern coastline of the North Island.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by SCS at media session

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme to elaborate on initiatives related to the civil service in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” this morning (October 24):

    Reporter: In the Policy Address that was announced last week, the Government will offer three days of childcare leave per year to civil servants with children under three years of age, and they are allowed to leave early for more festivals. Is it actually possible to add more leave for civil servants, and what are the concerns for the Government in increasing the number of leave? As well as the civil servant shortage, the figure stood at around 10 per cent as of June this year. Is the Government worried about this and why this is the case? 

    Secretary for the Civil Service: For childcare leave, we have to balance our operational need with the introduction of more family-friendly measures. I think, as a start, we have to be prudent and so we have decided that we will offer three days per year for each child under three  years of age who needs more care by their parents. We will review how this works out and see if there is room for improvement or whether it really affects our work seriously. We cannot tell at the present moment as it is a new measure but we will review this after it has implemented for some time.

         As for the vacancy rate, we are proceeding with full force our recruitment efforts. But at the same time, I would also say that we will also be very careful with the use of manpower. One of our measures, in fact this year in the Policy Address, is to see if technological solutions can be introduced to make better use of existing manpower, whether processes can be streamlined, whether priorities can be changed to make better use of existing manpower. Making better use of existing manpower, or reducing the need for manpower we involve in labour intensive jobs by applying more technological solutions, are also ways of dealing with the present vacancy rate. 

    Reporter: From the Government observation, what are the possible reasons behind the vacancy rate of around 10 per cent?

    Secretary for the Civil Service: In the past few years, we have seen a high retirement wave. It is simply because of the age of civil servants. And also the number of graduates is not as many as decades ago. So we have to really compete for talents. We have seen that Hong Kong has a very low unemployment rate. The unemployment rate is almost telling us that there is full employment in Hong Kong so we really have to compete fiercely with the private sector, with other employers, for talents. So these are all the reasons contributing to a higher vacancy rate or needing more time to recruit the manpower that we need.

    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Updated IT rules explained

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The latest version of the Government’s IT Security Guidelines aims to strengthen the security barrier of its internal information network system and does not involve a “blanket ban” on the use of relevant communication tools, the Digital Policy Office has said.

    The office made a statement in response to media enquiries concerning the use of personal webmail, public cloud storage and the web versions of instant messaging services.

    In its updated guidelines, issued in April, the office reminded all bureaus and departments that use of such utilities and services on desktop computers connected to the government internal network by their staff will, in the face of increasingly severe cyber threats, bring potential information security risks, and that these must be well managed.

    Accordingly, the office formulated security guidelines for the use of desktop computers connected to the Government’s internal network systems, whereby staff have to obtain the approval of departmental management before using personal webmail, public cloud storage and instant messaging services on desktop computers connected to internal networks.

    Based on operational needs, bureaus and departments were given the chance – during a six-month adaptation period following the promulgation of the guidelines – to implement contingencies such as providing staff with mobile devices or designated computers that are isolated from internal systems, so that they might continue using personal webmail, public cloud storage and instant messaging services, or dedicated application systems developed by the bureaus or departments concerned.

    The statement by the office said the guidelines aimed to strengthen the security of the Government’s internal information network system, and stressed that they do not restrict or affect the use of services such as WhatsApp, WeChat and other commonly used instant messaging apps by staff on mobile phones and devices, or on desktop computers that are independent of the Government’s internal network system.

    Emphasising that there is no “blanket ban” on the use of relevant communication tools, the office said the requirements do not apply to computer systems or communication devices that are not connected to the Government’s internal network, such as on-campus systems in government schools.

    Since the guidelines were promulgated in April, the office has arranged a number of sessions to brief bureaus and departments on the various requirements and technical solutions, and has provided technical advice to facilitate compliance and the formulation of implementation plans within the six-month period.

    The office said it will continue to provide support to bureaus and departments, including through arranging more briefing sessions and sharing technology solutions, and will work with them to safeguard the Government’s information system and network security.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee announced
    Appointments to Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee announced
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (October 24) the appointment of 12 individuals and two institutions as non-official members to the Arboriculture and Horticulture Industry Development Advisory Committee (AHIDAC) for a new term until May 31, 2026.      The new members are Mr Ray Ching Wai, Dr Alvin Tang Ming-chak and Ms Florence Tsui Ho-fun. The reappointed members are Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi, Mr Kingsley Choi Lim-cho, Mr Daniel Ho Tat-pui, Ms Iris Hoi, Mr Lai Ka-ming, Dr Allen Lim Miaw-shin, Mr Victor Man Kwok-hing, Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet, Dr Peter Yau as well as the representatives of the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council.     A spokesman for the DEVB said, “The AHIDAC comprises experienced academics, practitioners and vocational trainers from trade associations, unions and professional groups in the industry as well as higher education and vocational training institutions. The Committee offers multiple perspectives and valuable insights on issues related to the industry’s development.”     Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the AHIDAC advise the DEVB on issues related to the Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel, the Study Sponsorship Scheme and Trainee Programme under the Urban Forestry Support Fund, as well as the development and manpower supply and demand situation of the arboriculture and horticulture industry.           The membership of the new term of the AHIDAC is set out below:Chairperson————–Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) 1Non-official members (individuals)——————————————-Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chiMr Ray Ching Wai *Mr Kingsley Choi Lim-choMr Daniel Ho Tat-puiMs Iris HoiMr Lai Ka-mingDr Allen Lim Miaw-shinMr Victor Man Kwok-hingDr Alvin Tang Ming-chak *Ms Florence Tsui Ho-fun *Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuetDr Peter YauNon-official members (institutions)——————————————-Construction Industry CouncilVocational Training Council Official members——————-Head of Greening, Landscape, and Tree Management Section, DEVBRepresentative of Education BureauRepresentative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation DepartmentRepresentative of Highways DepartmentRepresentative of Housing DepartmentRepresentative of Leisure and Cultural Services Department* New non-official members

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 24, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Building Homes for NSW program delivers sites for another 1,600 homes

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Building Homes for NSW program delivers sites for another 1,600 homes

    Published: 24 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Housing, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver more homes through its Building Homes for NSW program, including through its statewide property audit, announcing a further 30 sites to build around 1,600 homes.

    Land audit sites

    The Government has identified 14 sites through the property audit to provide land to build around another 1,400 homes.

    Today’s announcement includes two sites at Box Hill and Riverstone to be transferred to Homes NSW for potential development of almost 50 social and affordable homes and over 35 market homes.

    A further nine sites across Sydney and three sites in regional NSW have been identified for future housing development by either Landcom or in partnership with the private sector, to allow the estimated delivery of more than 1300 market and affordable homes.

    The Sydney sites include unused government land at three sites at Rouse Hill, and sites at Edmondson Park, Stanmore, Earlwood, North Sydney, Chippendale and Fairfield. The three regional sites are located at Broadmeadow, Morisset and Orange.

    The final approach to delivering housing on these sites, including details on the quantity and types of housing, will be confirmed following further due diligence and subsequent planning and regulatory approvals.

    The announcement of these sites follows the NSW Government’s previous confirmation of 14 other sites across Sydney and regional NSW that will be transferred to housing delivery agencies.

    Homes NSW sites

    In addition to the sites identified through the property audit, the Government will also shortly commence construction of 194 new social homes on 16 further sites across the state owned by Homes NSW.

    These sites are in regions including Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Northern Rivers, and the Riverina, with construction on the first sites due to start before the end of the year.

    The Building Homes for NSW program will deliver up to 30,000 homes on government sites, including 8,400 new public homes, giving priority to women and children fleeing violence. For more information, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/homes-nsw/building-homes-for-nsw

    The property audit is part of the Building Homes for NSW program. For more information about the property audit, visit https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/our-business/advisory-and-transactions/nsw-government-property-audit-for-housing.

    Premier for New South Wales Chris Minns said:

    “We know housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of NSW and our property audit continues to focus on ensuring unused or surplus government land becomes available to deliver more housing.

    “Today’s announcement of further sites across Sydney and regional NSW is part of our commitment to provide for housing for renters, first home buyers and the most vulnerable members of our community.”

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “The Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its commitment to identify land it owns that could be better used for housing. 

    “The property audit is another part of our plan to deliver more homes and is bolstered by the reforms to the NSW planning system and investment in Landcom that allows it to deliver more homes.”

    Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

    “The property audit has been methodically assessing government land and is now in full swing delivering surplus land for more homes, with 28 sites so far announced and capable of providing more than 3,000 residential dwellings.

    “The ongoing property audit continue to deliver much needed sites to help address the housing crisis currently being faced in NSW.”

    Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

    “Delivering more social and affordable homes is critical to rebuilding our housing system,

    the two Sydney sites identified for social housing are well-located close to public transport and services so they can deliver accessible, modern housing with over 250 new homes for those most in need.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ombudsman – Banking disputes scheme gets high mark in independent review

    Source: Banking Ombudsman

    25 October 2024 – The Banking Ombudsman Scheme has scored highly in an independent evaluation of its operations, a report by the reviewer released today shows.

    Consultant Deborah Hart, who conducted the five-yearly review, found the dispute resolution scheme met its terms of reference, strategic objectives and legislative requirements, the last of which concern its accessibility, independence, fairness, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness.

    “Overall, this is very positive report card,“ said Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden. “It confirms that we are make a valued and credible contribution to a fair banking sector.”

    The review rated the scheme highly for its dispute resolution work and ability to pinpoint the causes of complaints and share insights with banks and others to improve the overall banking experience.

    It also acknowledged the scheme’s rigorous and credible approach to reaching decisions, noting that the scheme had satisfactorily implemented the recommendations of the last review, which Ms Hart also conducted.

    Ms Sladden said the review made 11 recommendations, all of which the scheme agreed with and was either already implementing or considering how to implement.

    She said the scheme was committed to continuously improving how it worked, and the report would help in that effort.

    “We know there are areas where we can improve as we grow in size and face increasingly complex cases, especially those relating to fraud and scams, which continue to make up a large share of our workload.

    “We will continue to work with government agencies, regulators, banks and consumer groups to ensure fair outcomes in a cost-effective and transparent way.”

    A copy of the review is available here: 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – New Zealand’s Blood Cancer Medicine Gap

    Source: Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand

    The Cancer Control Agency’s medicine availability report, released today, has shone a spotlight on the gap in access to critical medicines to treat New Zealanders with blood cancer. The report reveals 12 medicines funded in Australia but not New Zealand that would provide substantial clinical benefit to blood cancer patients here. Six medicines that significantly improve survival and quality of life for patients are either on Pharmac’s funding waiting list or are in the assessment process.
    Impact on Blood Cancer Patients
    Blood cancer patients are unique in that there are no prevention or screening options available to them. Their survival is primarily dependent on access to effective medicines and treatments, such as those detailed in this report. Blood cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in New Zealand, with more than 21,000 New Zealanders living with a blood cancer.
    Ministerial Commitments
    In 2023, Health Minister Shane Reti (in his previous capacity as health spokesperson) reassured blood cancer patients they would not be forgotten when it came to accessing modern medicines. At the time, when questioned on blood cancer patients, he said, ” We understand, we haven’t forgotten you… we just need that piece of work to be done by the Cancer Control Agency.” That ‘piece of work’ has today been released and the onus remains on the Government to act on its findings and ensure that blood cancer patients are not left behind.
    Call to Action
    Tim Edmonds, CEO of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, said: “We call on the Government to deliver on their promises to blood cancer patients, and to act swiftly to fund the six medicines that have been identified by the Cancer Control Agency and sit with Pharmac awaiting funding. If we fail to act, the Government is sending a devastating message that closing gaps in priority cancer medicines access is happening with blood cancer patients excluded.”
    Background
    This gap echoes the findings of a similar 2022 report, which focused on solid tumour cancer and identified medicines that would offer significant clinical benefit to New Zealander if funded. That report triggered the pre-election promise by the National Party to fund 13 cancer medicines. Pharmac subsequently received a $604 million budget uplift to provide certainty of access for solid tumour cancer patients.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Seabed mining sinks offshore wind industry

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says the decision by an offshore wind developer to cancel its plans for wind farms in New Zealand due to conflict with a seabed mining project included in the Fast Track demonstrates just how regressive the new legislation is.
    Spanish offshore wind developer BlueFloat Energy has announced it will no longer pursue its plans for wind farms off the coast of Taranaki and Waikato, citing uncertainties around seabed allocation.
    The South Taranaki Bight is the area where the Australian-owned wannabe seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources intends to gouge out tens of millions of tonnes of sand every year for 35 years, and the wind energy industry has previously said that would be incompatible with offshore wind farms.
    Greenpeace seabed campaigner Juressa Lee (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Rarotonga) says: “The offshore wind industry warned the government that seabed mining was fundamentally incompatible with offshore wind farms, but they went ahead anyway, and now we all pay the price.
    “Including Trans-Tasman Resources on the list of projects for Fast Track Approvals highlights the Luxon government’s unhealthy fixation on extractive industries and fossil fuels.
    “At the same time as the Luxon Government is closing the door on a renewable energy industry, they’re talking about opening up new oil and gas exploration and building a fossil gas importation terminal. It’s straight-out climate denial,” says Lee.
    Trans-Tasman Resources has been seeking to mine 50 million tons of sand every year in the South Taranaki Bight for 35 years. For over a decade, it has faced stiff opposition from marine experts, local iwi, community, and environmental groups.
    Since initially getting consent in 2017, TTR has had that consent quashed by three courts, with the Supreme Court finally sending it back to the EPA, requiring the company to prove it will cause no material harm.
    TTR pulled out of that EPA hearing in March this year, soon after the fast-track bill was announced and then confirmed that they had been invited by the coalition government to apply to have their seabed mining project fast-tracked.
    Seabed mining would be a significant threat to marine life, including blue whales, Māui and Hector’s dolphins, little blue penguins, and critical fishing grounds.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Waikato wetland fire update #11

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Drone crews will be in operation at the Whangamarino wetlands fire near Meremere overnight to identify and monitor hotspots.
    The fire has not grown in size throughout Thursday, with aircraft used to extinguish hotspots this afternoon.
    Mapping of the fireground will continue and may result in further refinement of the fire size.
    Incident Controller Mark Tinworth says ground crews and air operations will again be in action on Friday to monitor and extinguish hotspots.
    “Due to the nature of this fire and where it is burning, it will take some time to extinguish it completely.
    “Although the fire is still under control, there may still be some visible fire activity from the fire ground and smoke in the area, don’t be alarmed.
    “At this stage, ash and debris has been confined to the fire ground.”
    Fire investigators are continuing to work to determine the cause of the fire.
    There will be cordons in place tomorrow on Island Block Road and Falls Road between 8am and 6pm for residents’ access only.
    This is the final update for today. The next update will be around 10am tomorrow.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wine Sector – Appellation Marlborough Wine: Annual Collection 2024

    Source: Appellation Marlborough Wine

    The 2024 Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) Annual Collection has been unveiled, celebrating the pinnacle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Now in its third year, the Collection provides wine enthusiasts an opportunity to explore a diverse array of styles, each shaped by the unique sub-regions and the winemaking expertise of Marlborough.
    “AMW’s Annual Collection continues to recognise and celebrate world-class Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc,” says Michael Wentworth, CEO of AMW. “The 2024 Collection highlights our member’s dedication to quality, expression of our region’s unparalleled terroir, and to winemaking craft.”
    This year’s collection was judged by an esteemed panel, including Stephen Wong MW, Elaine Chukan Brown (Wine Enthusiast), and Paul Stringer (Moore Wilson), bringing global expertise across education, media, on-trade, and retail sectors. “We are thrilled to have worked with such a distinguished group of judges,” says Mike.
    The panel evaluated over 75 current vintage Sauvignon Blancs, selecting a top 12 that reflects the region’s unique vineyard sites and winemaking styles.
    Chair of the judging panel, Stephen Wong MW, remarked: “2024 was a solar vintage with very expressive but also beautifully balanced fruit. The wines have breezy ease and effortless drinkability, even this early on. When making the selection, the judges found it hard to ignore the charming 2024 expression even if the standard of many 2023 wines in the ‘alternative’ category were impressive. From what we tasted, producers should be proud of how complex and sensitively handled many wines were.”
    THE APPELLATION MARLBOROUGH WINE ANNUAL COLLECTION 2024:
    – Ahi Kā Blackmore Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Dillons Point, Lower Wairau Valley)
    – Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Marlborough)
    – Auntsfield Natures Path Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Ben Morven, Southern Valleys)
    – Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Southern Valleys, Wairau Valley)
    – Georges Michel Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Lower Wairau Valley)
    – Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Wairau Valley)
    – Isabel Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Wairau Valley)
    – Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Marlborough)
    – Pretty Paddock Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Lower Wairau Valley)
    – ROHE Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2024 by Rapaura Springs (Blind River)
    – Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Awatere Valley)
    – Whitehaven ‘Block 11’ Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Rapaura, Central Wairau Valley)
    Wines from the 2024 AMW Annual Collection are all current releases. Wine enthusiasts are encouraged to contact their preferred retailers or the wineries directly for availability.
    ABOUT APPELLATION MARLBOROUGH WINE (AMW):
    Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) was founded in 2018 to protect the integrity and reputation of Marlborough wines by ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, provenance, and sustainability. Only wines that meet AMW’s stringent certification process carry the AMW mark, guaranteeing 100% Marlborough origin, certified sustainable vineyards, and exclusive bottling in New Zealand.
    AMW certification assures consumers of the following:
    – Origin: Wines are made exclusively from grapes grown in Marlborough’s defined viticultural areas.
    – Authenticity: Wines are bottled only in New Zealand, preserving their pure Marlborough expression.
    – Integrity: Wines meet rigorous quality standards and pass independent blind tastings to ensure they reflect Marlborough’s unique terroir and winemaking excellence.
    – Sustainability: All vineyards are certified by recognized sustainable viticulture programs, supporting the long-term health of Marlborough’s environment and communities.
    With over 55 members, including some of Marlborough’s most iconic producers, AMW represents a commitment to protecting and enhancing the region’s global reputation for producing world-class wines. Look for the AMW mark as a guarantee of authenticity and excellence.
    For more information, visit www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –