NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have you seen Teyha?

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are appealing for assistance from the public to help locate 13-year-old Teyha, who has been reported missing.

    Teyha was last seen at her home in Glen Innes last Thursday 19 September.

    She is described as having brown, straight hair and a nose ring in her left nostril. She was last seen wearing dark clothing.

    It’s believed Teyha could be somewhere in the Albany area. She also has ties to the Whakatāne region.

    Police and her family have concerns for Teyha’s wellbeing and we ask anyone who sights her to please contact Police as soon as possible on 111.

    Additionally, anyone who has further information on her whereabouts should contact Police on 105, quoting file number 240921/4334.

    ENDS

    Tony Wright/Police Media

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Am I The Asshole? How judging other people’s dirty laundry became the internet’s favourite pastime

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melanie Myers, Sessional Academic, Creative and Professional Writing, The University of Queensland

    Shutterstock

    You don’t have to be an avid Reddit user to know about r/AITA, or Am I the Asshole? This subreddit’s digital afterlife reaches endlessly across the vast plains of social media – particularly on Facebook, where spin-off pages abound. There are dedicated AITA podcasts, X accounts and copycat columns – even a YouTube series.

    The original forum serves up neatly packaged snippets of other people’s personal dramas. Narcissistic exploits and gobsmacking tales of entitlement dominate the space, alongside run-of-the-mill social quandaries.

    While other subreddits have accumulated larger followings than AITA’s 20 million or so members, it remains one of the most popular and prolific. What makes it such a fertile content mine?

    From social gaffes to workplace spats

    The subreddit has become a place where thousands of users crowd-source “moral clarity” on all manner of grievances.

    It describes itself as “a catharsis for the frustrated moral philosopher in all of us” and “a place to finally find out if you were wrong in an argument that’s been bothering you”.

    The instructions encourage contributors to post about “any non-violent conflict” they’ve experienced. “Give us both sides of the story”, the blurb continues, “to find out if you’re right, or you’re the asshole”.

    Readers vote with the acronyms NTA/NAH (not the asshole/not an asshole), YTA (you’re the asshole) or ESH (everyone sucks here) and explain how they came to their decision.

    AITA posts and responses will often amass thousands of votes within hours.
    Reddit

    Why do we love the drama?

    When VICE’s Amelia Tate surveyed AITA readers in 2019, they reported a range of motivations for engaging with the content:

    Some readers turn to the sub to genuinely ask for advice, others prefer to offer their opinions, while still more tend to lurk silently, judging posts from afar.

    One data-scraping exercise revealed most AITA scenarios centre on relational obligations and uncertainty about what we owe others.

    In other words, the forum taps into our enduring concern with what it means to be “good” or “right”. For active participants, “being right on the internet” is an addictive pursuit indeed.

    But even for the casual reader, AITA serves up boundless material to ponder during lunch breaks, or to litigate with friends and family.

    One reader has described it as the “Jerry Springer for the digital age”. Another calls it a proxy to “eviscerate, trash, shame, and hate people”. Others again are drawn to the forum for a sense of connection.

    Beyond these innately human foibles, though, one blogger has observed how “almost all of these posts are a short story in themselves.”

    A winning storytelling formula

    Most AITA posts follow a recognisable formula. This reliable recipe has served not just the forum, but the internet as a whole, by producing digestible dilemmas for the masses to adjudicate.

    Each post must begin with the shortened form “AITA” or “WITBA” (would I be the asshole), followed by a question that encapsulates their situation. Savvy posters will pose their questions in a way that creates a hook for readers, much like the opening sentence of a gripping novel.

    The parties involved are usually introduced by a relational title with age and gender in parentheses. (For example, “I (23F) have been married to my husband (24M) for three years”.)

    The parties involved are usually introduced by a relational title (such as ‘best friend’ or ‘fiancé’), with age and gender in parenthesis.
    Reddit

    The OPs (original posters) can respond to comments by offering clarification or more information. They may also post an update on their dilemma, subject to moderator approval, to satisfy curious readers keen to know the outcome.

    Shaped through these formal rules and informal conventions, AITA has evolved into a collaborative form of first-person storytelling uniquely suited to online consumption.

    The content’s structure delivers drama in a familiar format that’s simple to repackage via social media, where clicks are currency and attention is fleeting. It also invites the reader, via its offer of moral arbitration, to play a central role in how the “narrative” develops and resolves.

    Cogs in the content-churning machine

    The AITA phenomenon speaks to a broader trend in digital media where user-generated content becomes the raw material for a vast ecosystem of derivative works and discussion.

    As a content mill that churns out close to a thousand posts a day, the subreddit ensures a steady stream of fresh material for other sites to trawl. And the more that other platforms repurpose this content, the more exposure the subreddit gets.

    Political theorist Jodi Dean has described ecosystems like AITA as examples of “communicative capitalism”, where communication itself becomes a commodity or source of profit. Within this system, user-generated content – such as AITA posts and replies – dissolves the line between producers and consumers.

    As a rich and vast source of capital, AITA begs closer inspection. If the value of a story is measured largely in quantitative terms (such as the number of upvotes, comments or shares it generates), does this flatten complex ideas and encourage users to chase engagement, rather than meaningful exchange?

    As we remain attuned to the self-perpetuating nature of digital storytelling, we’re sure to find fascinating – but perhaps uncomfortable – truths about the way human concerns are now reconfigured as cogs in the insatiable digital content machine.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Am I The Asshole? How judging other people’s dirty laundry became the internet’s favourite pastime – https://theconversation.com/am-i-the-asshole-how-judging-other-peoples-dirty-laundry-became-the-internets-favourite-pastime-234475

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath glows with kindness this Art Week

    Source: Auckland Council

    In an algorithm-meets-art collaboration, artist Shannon Novak and iion have programmed Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath to deliver happiness for Art Week.

    See below for more about Art Week 2024.

    This innovative artwork, commissioned by Auckland Council, is called Random Acts. It will shine in movement, colour and light from 7.30pm to 6.30am every day from 4 to 13 October.

    Shannon Novak says it began with the Art Week theme of ‘happiness’. His practice focuses on growing positive mental health outcomes for LGBTQI+ communities which aligns well with the Art Week theme.

    “For this commission, I wanted to connect with the wider population – beyond LGBTQI+ communities. We explored how the essence of random acts of kindness could be expressed through this interactive lightwork. The algorithm sees the palette of lighting lift as people pass and connect with each other,” he says.

    Hayley Wolters of Auckland Council Public Art encourages you to experience Random Acts on Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath on your way to and from the city centre for Art Week from 4 until 13 October.

    “As someone moves along the Lightpath, the lights change from magenta to a colourful display in response to their movement, and as people pass each other the colours merge and intensify expressing positivity as people connect,” she says.

    Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson explains that the lights on The Lightpath are similar to those on the Auckland Harbour Bridge in that they can be programmable to change colour but they can also increase their effect for different experiences like this.

    “This time, our programmed lights will respond positively to people as they pass by. This is a much-loved pathway and I’m pleased to see it included in Art Week. It’s always great to be part of something that makes you smile and this extraordinary public space and artwork will do just that,” she says.

    Art Week 2024

    Art Week is delivered by Heart of the City, and proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.

    There are over 70 pop up exhibitions, events, music, galleries, art and light installations, free art walks, artist talks, workshops and more between Friday 4 and Sunday 13 October 2024.

    Late Night Art is happening on Thursday 10 October 2024 between 5pm and 9pm. It will feature over 40 exhibitions, events, installations, markets, performances, workshops and activations across the city centre.

    To celebrate the gathering of people in the city centre during Late Night Art, Random Acts will be activated in two ways – in light effects on The Lightpath and also in person. Actual random acts of kindness will be shared with people along Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath and in city centre streets and spaces in an evening of art and mindfulness.

    See the full Art Week line-up here: heartofthecity.co.nz/artweek 

    Photos by Jasper Johnstone Auckland Council.

    Q & A: Shannon Novak

    Can you explain how Random Acts came about?

    My work focuses on growing positive mental health outcomes for queer communities in Aotearoa, so the Art Week theme of ‘Happiness’ directly linked into research and work I’ve been doing for many years. I decided to extend this beyond queer communities, to growing positive mental health outcomes for all people. Research shows that engaging in random acts of kindness not only helps brighten someone’s day, but also boosts your own happiness.

    Have you worked with light as a medium before in your practice?

    Yes, from day one. I initially used sunlight at school where I created miniature greenhouses using different coloured glass. I then began experimenting with transparent coloured vinyl on various surfaces with sunlight and artificial light, then later interactive sculpture using LED’s.

    Can you explain how you and your collaborator David Hayes have used technology to express this idea of ‘random acts’?

    This pattern for Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath is designed to make use of the interactivity of the lights. When movement on the pathway is captured by motion sensors it causes the lights around them to flare up in a certain hue, saturation and speed. The lighting design then takes on a life of its own as people cross each other on the path, almost like creating a call and response.

    You have included a performative aspect to this work. What is it and why have you done this?

    A team of people will be distributing badges with an image of the lights on the pathway during Late Night Art. The idea was to take the work from the abstract into the literal, to reinforce and increase opportunities for happiness and kindness. This activity also highlights The Lightpath as an integral, influential, connective artery into the heart of the city.

    How will it make people feel? What will people experience?

    Random Acts aims to make kindness the norm. In this case, people will experience a direct connection with someone they may not know in a safe and non-threatening way. Hopefully, this will make both people smile and feel positive. If people are feeling alone or unhappy this small act of a smile may cheer them up and they may feel less alone and appreciate that people show care for others.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Share your ideas for a Takapuna community hub

    Source: Auckland Council

    Would you like to book a sewing machine when returning your library books? How about a sound recording studio or a puzzle corner with a view of the sea? The North Shore community are being asked to share their ideas on what they want for a new community hub destined for the heart of Takapuna.

    The Takapuna Community Hub consultation is open until Monday 7 October 2024 and is part of a project by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to renovate the Takapuna Library into a combined library and community hub to meet the needs of the North Shore’s growing and changing population.

    The board is considering options to either renovate the existing two-level building, or to renovate the existing two-levels while adding an additional third smaller level. Both options will provide parking.

    In this consultation the board is asking:

    Feedback from this consultation will help to develop a proposed design for the new community hub. Once initial designs are complete, a second consultation will be held for the community to give feedback on the designs.

    Local Board Chair Toni van Tonder is keen for all residents in Takapuna and nearby areas to think about the kinds of things they would like to see in the new space.

    “Our vision is to create a space where everyone in our community feels welcome and safe. A place where events could be held, public meetings can take place, where people can create, study, read or simply enjoy the company of others.

    “Te Manawa in Westgate has sound recording studios, and quiet puzzling corners while in Takanini they have bookable sewing machines and a slide that goes from the top level to the bottom in the children’s area. Why do they have these things? Because their communities asked for them. So, what does Takapuna want?

    “We’re designing this hub for you, and with you. So, we need all of your great ideas, aspirations and dreams for this space. So have your say this month and together we’ll build something amazing for the residents of today and tomorrow.”

    How to have your say

    To have your say online, fill out our online feedback form.

    You can also complete a paper copy of the form at the Takapuna Library, or come to our drop in session at the Takapuna Market on Sunday 22 September, 9.30am-12.30pm.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech for National Commemoration of Service in Timor-Leste

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A warm welcome to you all as we gather to acknowledge the New Zealanders who were involved in peace support operations in Timor-Leste, and to remember those who lost their lives as a result of their service.

    I acknowledge the many military and civilian veterans present, and I am pleased this national commemoration provides the recognition your service so greatly deserves. 

    Welcome to all the families and friends here among us, and to the members of the Timorese community. 

    I especially want to acknowledge the families and friends of the five New Zealand soldiers who so tragically lost their lives in Timor-Leste:

    • Private Leonard William Manning
    • Warrant Officer Class Two Tony Michael Walser
    • Staff Sergeant William Edward White
    • Private Boyd Regan Henare Atkins
    • Private Dean Russell Johnston. 

    I also want to pay tribute to the three personnel from Fiji, Ireland and Nepal who were serving under New Zealand command who lost their lives.

    Every death in service is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to the families, friends and comrades who will be feeling the impact to this day. Our thoughts are with you today.

    I acknowledge His Excellency Alfredo Pérez Bravo Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Mexico, Her Excellency Felicidade de Sousa Guterres Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and all the members of the Diplomatic Corps who are here representing the many countries who served in Timor-Leste.

    I acknowledge Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, here representing the Chief of Defence Force, all the representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and the National President of the Returned and Services’ Association Sir Wayne Shelford.

    I also acknowledge Greg O’Connor, Labour spokesperson for Veterans.

    Yesterday, the 20th of September, marked the 25th anniversary of the arrival of New Zealand troops in Timor-Leste to contribute to peace operations led by Interfet, the International Force East Timor. 

    The troops came to the aid of the Timorese people at a time of extreme violence and destruction, in the aftermath of a referendum which had confirmed overwhelming support for independence.

    New Zealanders served from 1999 to 2002 to support East Timor’s transition to a sovereign state, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. After further violence broke out in 2006, New Zealand personnel were again deployed and continued to serve there until 2012.

    Approximately 7000 New Zealand personnel were deployed over these years.  

    In fact, New Zealand was one of the largest contributors to international efforts. The Special Air Service, air transport and helicopter support, three naval ships, and an infantry battalion which included sub-units from Canada, Ireland, Nepal, Fiji and Singapore, along with members of the Territorial Force, were all deployed at times throughout the conflict.

    Today is also a time to recognise the diplomats, members of the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs, prison officers, legal staff, medical professionals and other New Zealand civilians who served alongside Defence Force personnel.

    On the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, our national place of remembrance, the names of the New Zealanders lost in Timor-Leste are commemorated among those of all who have died serving our country. I am pleased we have the Timor-Leste Roll on display here in the Cathedral today as we honour the deceased.

    Today, let us also give thought to the suffering of the people of Timor-Leste and the impact of violence on their lives, homes and communities. Let us honour, too, their enormous courage in supporting independence despite the brutal repercussions from the militia.

    It is the nature of service in times of conflict that strong bonds are forged – between service personnel, with local communities, and nation to nation.

    We cherish our strong relationships with the Timorese people and the Timor-Leste government, relationships we owe to the contribution of our personnel and the trust they earned. 

    I understand Inspector Ray Sutton, former Commander of the first contingent of New Zealand Police to serve in the new nation, is with us today. I hope he doesn’t mind if I quote him about the importance of relationships:

    We had to think on our feet — everything we did was through diplomacy. Probably our best asset was our ability to get on with people.

    Ours is a relationship founded on shared values that are all the more important in today’s uncertain world – decency and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, equality and fairness, and guardianship and protection of our environment.

    The New Zealand Defence Force still maintains a presence in Timor-Leste, supporting the professional development of the Timor-Leste military.

    Because the peace support operations were relatively recent, many of those who served in Timor-Leste remain employed in the New Zealand Defence Force today. For all who were involved, the experiences in Timor-Leste must still be very close and vivid, and I know too that your experiences will have had lasting impacts on your lives.

    I am glad that we have this opportunity as a nation to say thank you on this important anniversary.

    We can be very proud of the contribution of New Zealand service personnel and civilians in Timor-Leste, standing alongside the local people and helping to provide a more secure and stable life during their country’s journey as the first new sovereign state of the millennium.

    Twenty-five years after New Zealand’s involvement began, your deeds are enshrined in our nation’s memory, and your achievements, and the bonds you helped forge, will live on as a testament to your service.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Correction: Have you seen Teyha?

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)


    Location:

    Auckland City

    A previous release mis-spelt the name of the girl missing from her Glen Innes home.

    Her name is spelled Teyha, not Tyrha as previously stated.

    We apologise for the error and any confusion caused.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Ministers oblivious to cuts’ effect on families

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The National Government is oblivious to the impact cuts to services will have on New Zealanders who are doing the hard yards caring for mentally ill family members.

    Labour mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary said that the fact Health Minister Shane Reti and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey weren’t aware respite services for 120 families of mentally ill kids were being cut was an example of this Government being missing in action.

    “They put downward pressure on services to do more with less, then wash their hands of it and walk away.

    “This is a failure by Matt Doocey to advocate around cuts impacting frontline mental health services. He needs to step up and fight to stop cuts that are impacting the frontline in his portfolio area.

    “This Mental Health Awareness week, what we’re seeing from the Government is penny pinching and meanness. Parents and other family members need support and an occasional day off when they are caring for mentally unwell children.

    “Matt Doocey is missing in action when it comes to sweeping cuts across social services that are impacting mental health and he should stop blaming his officials. It’s his job to know this stuff,” said Ingrid Leary.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s digital publishing industry grows rapidly

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The scale of China’s digital publishing industry reached 1.618 trillion yuan (about 228.89 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 19.08 percent year on year, according to an annual report.

    The report, issued by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP), was released during the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo that kicked off Saturday in the city of Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province.

    By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record high of 537 million. The overseas market scale for Chinese online literature exceeded 4 billion yuan, covering more than 200 countries and regions.

    Traditional culture has become a significant theme element in various Chinese online culture forms, including literature, animation and games, noted Wei Yushan, head of CAPP, at the expo.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on September 20, 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) 7,728.83 6.48 5.75-7.00
         I. Call Money 1,164.20 6.22 5.75-6.55
         II. Triparty Repo 5,257.05 6.48 6.10-7.00
         III. Market Repo 199.58 6.75 6.75-6.75
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,108.00 6.74 6.71-6.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 11,389.50 6.69 5.10-6.80
         II. Term Money@@ 300.00 – 6.70-7.42
         III. Triparty Repo 379,998.10 6.59 6.47-6.91
         IV. Market Repo 167,874.30 6.68 5.50-6.90
         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 Fri, 20/09/2024 14 Fri, 04/10/2024 25,002.00 6.52
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 20/09/2024 1 Sat, 21/09/2024 16,671.00 6.75
      Fri, 20/09/2024 2 Sun, 22/09/2024 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 20/09/2024 3 Mon, 23/09/2024 5,060.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 20/09/2024 1 Sat, 21/09/2024 80,399.00 6.25
      Fri, 20/09/2024 2 Sun, 22/09/2024 0.00 6.25
      Fri, 20/09/2024 3 Mon, 23/09/2024 5,464.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -39,130.00  
    II. Outstanding 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#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 27/09/2021 1095 Thu, 26/09/2024 600.00 4.00
    Mon, 04/10/2021 1095 Thu, 03/10/2024 350.00 4.00
    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$       8,547.26  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*    

    13,037.26

    		  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -26,092.74  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on September 20, 2024 963,311.59  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending September 20, 2024 990,362.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ September 20, 2024 25,002.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 06, 2024 427,689.00  
    @ 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.
    Shweta Sharma 
     General Manager
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1145

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Joint Media Statement of the 3rd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting

    Source: ASEAN

    ASEAN alongside Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand gathered in Vientiane on 22 September 2024 for the Third RCEP Ministers’ Meeting. The Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Director General of International Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia and H.E. Li Fei, Vice Minister of Commerce of China.The Meeting reaffirmed their commitment to actively promote the RCEP Agreement so it can be effectively utilised by businesses in the region and contribute to further deepening regional economic integration.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Joint Media Statement of the 3rd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 27th AEM-Plus Three Consultation in Vientiane, Lao PDR

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, along with other Ministers or representatives from the ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea attended the 27th AEM-Plus Three (APT) Consultation, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

    The Meeting reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the APT Economic Cooperation Work Plan 2023-2024 and welcomed the forthcoming APT Economic Cooperation Work Plan 2025-2026. The APT countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the APT cooperation framework, promoting regional cooperation and addressing emerging issues and challenges.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 27th AEM-Plus Three Consultation in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The Albanese Government invests in future psychologists fast tracking workforce expansion

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The Albanese Government will increase the number of postgraduate psychology places at universities and provide more psychology internships and supervisors so Australians can access a psychologist when needed.  

    This will help remove barriers to studying and working in mental health, which is sorely needed while Australia faces a critical shortage of mental health workers. 

    The Albanese Government will support Australia’s leading universities to provide up to an additional 500 student places and grow postgraduate psychology courses over a four-year period. 

    Despite strong demand and interest from students, currently only 10 per cent will complete the required postgraduate course to become a registered psychologist due to the limited number of university places.   

    The following universities successfully applied for funding through the 2023–24 Postgraduate Psychology Incentive Program Grant Round and will provide 146 additional student places this year: 

    •    Australian National University 
    •    Central Queensland University 
    •    Charles Darwin University 
    •    Curtin University 
    •    Deakin University 
    •    Federation University 
    •    La Trobe University 
    •    Murdoch University 
    •    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 
    •    University of Adelaide 
    •    University of Canberra 
    •    University of Melbourne 
    •    University of New England 
    •    University of Queensland 
    •    University of South Australia 
    •    University of Southern Queensland 
    •    University of Sydney 
    •    University of Tasmania 
    •    University of the Sunshine Coast 
    •    University of Western Australia 
    •    University of Wollongong 
    •    Western Sydney University 

    To address bottlenecks in the psychology training pipeline, the Albanese Government will also provide Supporting Provisional Psychologists to Practice grants to increase the availability of psychology internships and supervisor training. 

    This initiative will support provisional psychologists by funding 681 one-year internships over a four-year period and up to 2860 Psychology Board of Australia endorsed supervisor training places. 

    To prioritise areas of greatest need, half the internships and supervisor training will be offered to people in First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people living in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. 

    The following organisations will deliver the internships and supervisor training: 
    •    Stream 1 – psychology internships: 
    o    Western Sydney University (NSW) – 84 places 
    o    Grand Pacific Health (NSW and ACT) – 30 places 
    o    Marathon Health (NSW) – 36 places 
    o    Therapy Pro (QLD) – 85 places 
    o    Flinders University (SA and NT) – 100 places 
    o    CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania (VIC and TAS) – 98 places 
    o    Autism Association of Western Australia (WA) – 48 places 
    o    The Cairnmillar Institute (National) – 200 places 

    •    Stream 2 – supervisor training: 
    o    James Cook University – 380 places 
    o    Deakin University – 480 places  
    o    The Australian Psychological Society – 1000 places 
    o    The Cairnmillar Institute – 1000 places 

    The Albanese Government has also committed to work with the Psychology Board of Australia to reform and redesign the psychology higher education and registration pathway to make it simpler for students to complete their studies and work in the mental health system.  

    The redesign will consider opportunities to streamline psychology training, embed a focus on practical learning, and address access and equity challenges with consultations due to commence early in 2025. 

    Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:  

    “Many students want to become registered psychologists but are unable to due to a lack of internships, supervisors and university places. Given the significant community need for this workforce it critical we expand training pathways. 

    “We are committed to ensuring Australians can access the mental health services they need when they need it and this investment into the psychology workforce will be essential to improving access.  

    “Our commitment will address the shortage of registered psychologists and help develop the next generation of registered psychologists.” 

    Quotes attributable to Minister Clare: 

    “We need more young Australians studying and working in mental health services. 

    “This is an important investment which will help support more Australians study psychology.” 

    Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride: 

    “The Albanese Labor Government is building the mental health workforce, so that everyone can access the mental health care they need close to home.  

    “We are providing even more opportunities for students to become registered psychologists by investing in additional psychology internships, supervisors and postgraduate places. 

    “This investment will support people in regional, rural and remote communities to get the care and support they need from registered psychologists.” 
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New work-from-home guidance for public service

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government wants to see more public servants come into their place of work each day and is taking steps to make this expectation clear to chief executives, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. 

    “Updated guidance for the public service will make clear that working from home is not an entitlement and must be agreed and monitored,” Nicola Willis says.

    “While carefully defined working from home arrangements can benefit workers and employers, if the pendulum swings too far in favour of working from home, there are downsides for employers and employees. That’s even before we consider the effects for the CBD retailers, restaurants and cafes.

    “There are good reasons why employees have traditionally been physically brought together for work. It allows for face-to-face conversation, the sharing of skills and experience and relationship building. It supports younger and newer employees to observe, learn from and form connections with their more experienced colleagues.

    “Many good employers have been taking active steps to ensure their working from home policies are fit for purpose. It’s time the Government did the same.

    “I have asked the Public Service Commissioner to immediately communicate the Government’s expectations to public service chief executives and to issue revised guidance about working from home arrangements.

    “These guidelines will reinforce our expectation that:

    1. working from home arrangements are not an entitlement and should be by agreement between the employee and the employer;
    2. working from home arrangements should only be agreed to where they will not compromise the performance of employees and agency objectives, and; 
    3. agencies must actively monitor the prevalence and impact of working from home agreements, and be able to regularly report to the Public Service Commission about the number and nature of the agreements they have in place.

    “Data is not currently being centrally collected by the Public Service Commission regarding the prevalence of working from home arrangements.

    “I have asked the Public Service Commission to support agencies to implement the Government’s expectations, including ensuring information about working from home arrangements is captured in a way that allows for easy comparison between agencies.

    “I intend to then make this information public in a user-friendly way early next year,” Nicola Willis says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Session of the Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today delivered pre-recorded remarks at the Opening Session of the Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation (FCATTCI). The Forum is held in Nanning, China, on 23-24 September 2024, and is organised by the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center, Department of Science and Technology of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN joins Chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting 2024 in a Press Conference

    Source: ASEAN

    Together with the Chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting 2024 and Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, H.E. Malaithong Kommasith, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon concluded his engagements in a series of meetings in Vientiane, Lao PDR, by attending the Press Conference of the 56th AEM Meeting and Related Meetings.

    During the Press Conference, Minister Malaithong Kommasith and SG Dr. Kao provided key takeaway points on the discussions at the various meetings, which saw many constructive exchanges by both ASEAN Ministers and that of its Dialogue Partners, on how to strengthen economic integration in the region and beyond.

    Download the full remarks here.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN joins Chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting 2024 in a Press Conference appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 3rd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn,  this afternoon attended the 3rd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministers’ Meeting, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

    The Meeting discussed the implementation of the RCEP Agreement and the RCEP Accession Procedures. The Meeting also welcomed the establishment of the RCEP Support Unit, which will provide institutional support for the implementation of the RCEP Agreement.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 3rd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hongkong Post to issue “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” commemorative stamp (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hongkong Post to issue “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” commemorative stamp (with photos)
    Hongkong Post to issue “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” commemorative stamp (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Hongkong Post announced today (September 23) that a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products on the theme of “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” will be released for sale on October 9 (Wednesday).      In 1874, 22 countries gathered to sign the Treaty of Bern, establishing the General Postal Union, which was renamed as the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1878. This initiative realised the vision of establishing a single postal territory to serve people everywhere. Today, the UPU has evolved into a postal network of 192 member countries that fosters co-operation and communication among postal administrations worldwide, and provides latest updates to ensure a universal network of postal products and services. It also fulfils a number of other functions, such as providing advisories, mediation services and liaisons.      The year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the UPU. Hongkong Post, as a member of the China Delegation, will issue a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products with the theme of “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” to commemorate this occasion.      The stamp sheetlet features a carrier pigeon, composed of various triangular shapes, delivering mail around the world. This represents the UPU’s efforts to strengthen connections, communication and co-operation among postal administrations worldwide. The stamp sheetlet also displays the theme logo for the 150th anniversary of the UPU.      Official first day covers for “The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from September 24 (Tuesday). The stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from October 9, while serviced first day covers affixed with the stamp sheetlet will be available at philatelic offices only.      A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on October 9 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.     Information about the stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).

     
    Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: [Interview] Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 Joins the Journey of Creating ‘The First Descendant’ With Nexon Developers

    Source: Samsung

    “Playing The First Descendant on the Odyssey monitor with HDR10+ GAMING allows you to experience the game’s vivid, high-quality graphics at their best”
    – Junhwan Kim, Lead programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games
     
    Game development is an art, and like any masterpiece, it requires the right tools. Nexon’s upcoming title, The First Descendant, is set to redefine the looter-shooter genre with its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. At the heart of this development process is Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 — a monitor that not only displays these graphics but elevates them to a new level of realism.
     
    Join us as we dive into the behind-the-scenes journey with the developers at Nexon Games, who reveal how this cutting-edge display technology has helped bring their ambitious vision to life. From the precision of color to the speed of response, discover why the Odyssey OLED G8 is more than just a monitor — it’s a game-changer in the industry.
     

     
    Founded in 1994, Nexon has become a global leader in online gaming. Known for creating popular titles like MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter and KartRider, Nexon continues to push boundaries in the gaming world. This year, the company introduced The First Descendant, a looter-shooter that attracted 260,000 concurrent players at launch. Nexon is focused on expanding its global reach and adapting to the fast-changing gaming industry. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.
     
    ▲ (From left) Lead Engine Programmer Junhwan Kim from the Engine Program team and Lead World Concept Artist Sinwook Wi, from the Environmental Concept Design team at Nexon Games, sat down with Samsung to talk about their latest project, The First Descendant and how the Odyssey OLED G8 played a role in its development.
     
     
    Q. Can you tell us about your role in developing The First Descendant and how you contributed to the game’s creation?
     
    Kim: I’m responsible for the game engine. I develop the software that integrates essential elements like graphics, sound and physics engines, make them work seamlessly together.
     
    Wi: I handle the environmental concept design. My role involves creating the overall concept of the game and designing the backgrounds and characters to fit within that environment.
     
    ▲ (From left) Gley, Blair and Enzo, key characters from Nexon’s looter-shooter game ‘The First Descendant’ (Image courtesy of Nexon)
     
     
    Q. What sets The First Descendant apart? What were some of the key innovations and design choices that defined your approach?
     
    Kim: The First Descendant is a looter shooter that blends third-person shooter (TPS) mechanics with role-playing game (RPG) elements. It features spectacular combat scenes, high-quality graphics and a rich loot system filled with powerful guns and gear. The core of the game lies in its storytelling, character development and the pursuit of the best weapons and equipment.
     
    A major focus for us was bringing the open world of The First Descendant to life through cutting-edge graphics. Using Unreal Engine 5, we leveraged Nanite to achieve highly detailed environments, allowing us to render complex landscapes and objects with incredible precision. This was crucial for creating an immersive open-world experience where players can explore vast and visually stunning environments. Lumen played a significant role as well, enabling real-time lighting that reacts dynamically to the game’s world and characters, further enhancing the realism of the gameplay.
    * Open World: A game design element that allows players to freely explore most areas with minimal restrictions.
    * Unreal Engine 5: A game engine developed by Epic Games, known for key features like Nanite, which efficiently handles high-capacity graphics, and Lumen, which enhances lighting effects.
     
    ▲ Junhwan works on the development of ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 delivers superb graphics with its high resolution and color accuracy.
     
    Wi: The game is set in an apocalyptic world where factions — each with their own traditions — battle for survival. The story follows humanity’s fight against the Vulgus, invaders who nearly wiped out the human race. Players take on the role of descendants, embarking on a quest to find the Iron Heart, the ultimate weapon to end the war.
     
    On the design front, our goal was to create an apocalyptic world that felt rich and immersive while avoiding the overly dark and futuristic look often seen in similar settings. The environment itself is a key part of the storytelling. So, we integrated colorful, future-oriented designs for city of Albion to balance the grim atmosphere with a sense of hope. This approach doesn’t just end at the visual appeal but also helps the game engage players on an emotional level, too.
     

     
    ▲ Sinwook works on the design for the city of Albion, a key area in ‘The First Descendant,’ using the Odyssey OLED G8. The monitor’s consistent colors and detailed contrast has helped bring out the intricate design elements.
     
     
    Q. As a game developer, what do you consider the most important factors in creating a visually immersive gaming experience?
     
    Kim: A high-quality display is crucial to accurately present the game’s graphics and visuals. Today’s gaming standards demand seamless gameplay with vibrant graphics, high frame rates, detailed resolutions and minimal input lag. To fully experience these advancements, it’s crucial to use a gaming monitor with high resolution, a wide color gamut and fast response times.
     
    As part of our collaboration with Samsung, I received the Odyssey OLED G8 during the development of The First Descendant, and what stood out to me was the monitor’s awesome display quality — color accuracy, expressions and its quick response time. The monitor delivers colors and contrast with a high level of precision, which was crucial for developing the game. The 0.03ms (GTG) response time made a noticeable difference during our demonstrations as well.1
     
    “[With the Odyssey OLED G8,] You get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor—16:9 for working and 21:9 for playing”
    – Wi Sinwook, Lead World Concept Artist, Environmental Concept Design team, Nexon Games
     
    Wi: As a World Concept Artist, I constantly ask myself, “How can I best convey the immersive universe to players?” I want players to experience every detail of the environments and even the subtle expressions of the characters as they were intended. For that, a display accurately reproduces colors and fine details is crucial. When players can see the subtle nuances in shading and the vibrant colors, it significantly enhances their immersion in the game.
     
    ▲ Sinwook builds out the background concept designs for ‘The First Descendant’ using the Odyssey OLED G8.
     
    Q. Other than picture quality, were there any other the Odyssey OLED G8 features that stood out when you were working on and demonstrating the game?
     
    Kim: The First Descendant is a multi-platform game, available on PC (Steam) and consoles. The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs,2 was especially helpful when we were testing across the different platforms. The sleek, metal design also saved space and complemented the game’s sci-fi aesthetic.

     
    ▲ Junhwan demonstrates the console version of ‘The First Descendant’ on the Odyssey OLED G8. The Odyssey OLED G8 offers enhanced convenience with 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 1 DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB hub.
     
    Wi: Working on the design and demonstrating the game on the Odyssey OLED G8, I found the gameplay smoother and more comfortable compared to my previous monitor. The colors and contrast were balanced and accurate, even on the big screen.
     
    I also really appreciated the ability to switch the screen ratio between 16:9 and 21:9 with just a single setting change. Normally, I avoid wide monitors due to the viewing angle, but the Odyssey OLED G8 made it convenient to switch between ratios for different tasks — 16:9 for working and 21:9 for demonstrating the game. The big advantage is that you get two distinct display experiences with a single monitor.
     
    ▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s Game Bar allows users to switch between 21:9 and 16:9 screen ratios, enabling them to enjoy games in their preferred ratio.
     
    “The fact that the Odyssey OLED G8 supports up to three external inputs, was especially helpful when we were testing across platforms like PCs and different consoles”
    – Junhwan Kim, Lead Programmer, Engine Program team, Nexon Games
     
     
    Q. What features of the Odyssey OLED G8 do you think will elevate the experience for The First Descendant players?
     
    Kim: The First Descendant is the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title. We collaborated with Samsung to implement this technology in our game, optimizing peak brightness of the monitor and supporting standard HDR without the need for manual adjustments.3 Playing The First Descendant on the Odyssey monitor with HDR10+ GAMING allows you to experience the game’s vivid, high-quality graphics at their best.
    * HDR10+ GAMING: A gaming technology that enhances image quality by analyzing game content to enhance the depth of graphics and supporting features like response time and Auto HDR.
     
    ▲ The Odyssey OLED G8 supports HDR10+ GAMING, allowing gamers to enjoy an optimized HDR gaming experience without manual adjustments in supported titles. ‘The First Descendant’ is the first game to feature HDR10+ GAMING technology.
     
    Wi: Unlike my previous monitor, where colors near the edges tended to darken, the Odyssey OLED G8 maintained consistent brightness across the entire screen. The thin frame and bezel also made it easier to focus on the game.
     

     
    ▲ The Odyssey OLED G8’s slim metal design and Core Lighting+ on the back enhance user immersion and create a stylish gaming space.
     
    Kim: I also found the Game Bar feature to be helpful. When the Odyssey OLED G8 is connected to a PC or console, it automatically calls up the Game Bar. Selecting FPS mode in the Game Bar brightens dark areas in the game, giving you an advantage over hidden enemies. Also, the sound becomes richer, further enhancing the immersion.
     
    ▲ (Left) Default Game Bar settings without a selected genre, (Right) FPS genre selected in Game Bar.
     
     
    Q. Any final words for The First Descendant players?
     
    Kim: If you’re a fan of The First Descendant, or any third-person shooter (TPS) game with high-quality graphics, the Odyssey OLED G8 is an excellent choice. It has high refresh rate, wide color gamut and fast response time, which really enhance the gaming experience.
     
    Wi: I’ve always debated between choosing a monitor with high resolution and refresh rate for gameplay versus one with accurate colors and contrast for development. The Odyssey OLED G8 meets both needs perfectly, so I can confidently recommend it to any gamer…or developer!
     

     
     
    1 Based on GtG measured under internal test conditions. Results may vary by content, monitor settings and the performance of the input source.2 Supports 2 HDMI 2.1 cables, one Display Port 1.4 and three USB 3.0 ports (1 Up, 2 Down)3 To use HDR10+ GAMING, the content must be HDR10+ GAMING compatible, and additional settings may need to be adjusted depending on the content.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stellar line up for Broken Hill NSW Seniors Christmas Concerts

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Seniors

    Broken Hill seniors will be ringing in the festive season this November with singing sensations Amy Lehpamer from the musical & Juliet, Arlo Sims, Liz Player and Emily Kate, from The Voice, and Will Skarpona from the Conservatorium of Music.

    The stars will feature in two free concerts as part of the NSW Seniors Christmas Concerts taking place at the Broken Hill Civic Centre on Thursday 28 November 2024 at 10am and 1pm.

    The regional concerts are an annual highlight of the Christmas period and an opportunity for seniors to get together to enjoy a spectacular show and sing along to festive favourites.

    Broken Hill is one of three regional centres this year to host the NSW Seniors Christmas Concerts, with other shows taking place in Cessnock and Moree.

    The concerts are part of the NSW Government’s wider celebration of seniors and their contributions, that include the annual Seniors Festival, Gala Concerts and Expo. Our vision is that all people in NSW experience the benefits of living longer and enjoy opportunities to participate in, contribute to and be included in their communities.

    Free tickets to the NSW Seniors Concerts will be available from Tuesday 15 October 2024. For further information go to: seniorsfestival.info/christmasconcerts

    Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

    “The annual Seniors Christmas Concerts bring the spirit of the festive season to regional NSW, featuring some of our best talent and fresh new faces.

    “The NSW Government is proud to deliver these free shows to seniors which are sure to put them in the mood to celebrate the season.

    “It’s our thank you for all your contributions, so mark the date in your diaries and get your friends and family together for an entertaining show.”

    Performer Will Skarpona said:

    “I can’t wait to bring some seasonal cheer to Broken Hill with the Seniors Christmas Concerts.

    “We have a solid line up of talent performing all the songs seniors know and love in a show that is sure to thrill and delight. The theme of this year’s show is ‘Time to shine’. We cannot wait to see you there.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Road upgrades pave the way for safer journeys for Glen Innes motorists

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    Safer and more reliable journeys are on the way for motorists and freight operators in the Glen Innes region, with road upgrade works starting soon thanks to $13.5 million from the Albanese and Minns Governments.

    Glen Innes Severn Council has been approved to receive 2 packages of disaster funding under the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.

    The DRFA will allow Glen Innes Severn Council to complete improvement works on 9 local roads across the region including sections of Strathbogie Road, Rangers Valley Road, Furracabad Road, Glen Leigh Road, Pinkett Road, Shannon Vale Road, Haymarket Road, Maybole Road and Golf Links Road. The Shannon Vale Road upgrade was completed in February 2024.

    The Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package will help Glen Innes Severn Council carry out improvement work on regional roads including sections of Emmaville Road and Wellington Vale Road.

    The work includes strengthening through cement stabilisation of the base pavement and resealing to make the roads better able to withstand prolonged periods of wet weather and flooding.

    Geotechnical and design investigations are underway for both packages, with work expected to start later this year.

    Quotes attributed to Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for Emergency Management:

    “The Albanese Government is working with the NSW Government and local councils to ensure communities have resilient infrastructure they can rely on every day. We are working to ensure all road users are connected and make it home safely to their loved ones every day.

    “The Albanese Government is delivering reliable infrastructure and assets that keep regional communities in NSW connected and safe, especially during times of severe weather.”

    Quotes attributed to Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads:

    “This is great news for Glen Innes, in particular, for the villages of Emmaville and Deepwater.

    “Emmaville Road and Wellington Vale Road provide a critical link for residents and businesses to the major centre of Glen Innes.

    “These improvements being funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, will improve safety significantly while also ensuring reliable roads for residents in all types of weather.”

    Quotes attributed to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose MLC:

    “It’s great to see all levels of government working collaboratively to improve regional roads across NSW.

    “This important work is ensuring our rural and regional communities remain connected throughout natural disasters and can bounce back quicker.”

    Quotes attributed to Bernard Smith, Glen Innes Severn General Manager:

    “We’re assessing all our local roads and preparing to start major repairs on Pinkett Road, Rangers Valley Road, Glen Legh Road, and Emmaville Road segments by September. Construction will begin in summer 2024/2025, with additional roadworks on Maybole Road, Golf Links Road, and others continuing through early 2026. These improvements are essential for better travel and safety in our region.

    “The design phase for our regional roads is progressing well, with Emmaville Road set for delivery in December 2024. These upgrades, including the remaining segments of Emmaville Road and Wellington Vale Road planned for the 2025/26 financial year, are crucial for enhancing transport links and supporting regional development across our towns.

    “This grant allows our council to fortify essential infrastructure, making it more disaster resilient. By upgrading our roads and transport networks, we’re ensuring they serve our community effectively, now and in the future.

    “The support and resources provided by Transport for NSW are invaluable. Their expertise and commitment to enhancing regional transport infrastructure align perfectly with our goals for Glen Innes Severn.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Woolworths and Coles sued by ACCC for allegedly misleading shoppers over the price of more than 500 products

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne

    At a time most people are trying to cut their weekly grocery bills, Australia’s supermarket giants have been hit with legal action for allegedly misleading shoppers over the price of hundreds of products.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Monday announced it was launching separate actions in the Federal Court against the largest and second-largest grocery chains, Woolworths and Coles.

    The ACCC alleges the two have systematically misled consumers over price discounts on hundreds of everyday products. The ACCC chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, said the alleged wrongdoing involved the sales of “tens of millions” of products, reaping “significant” extra revenue for the businesses.

    Woolworths’ list of 266 items included Arnott’s Tim Tams, Dolmio sauces, Doritos salsa, Friskies cat food, Kellogg’s cereal and Stayfree pads, while the 245 products allegedly targeted by Coles included Arnott’s Shapes biscuits, Band-Aids, Bega cheese, Cadbury chocolates and Libra tampons.

    These were not one-off pricing errors. The ACCC alleges the misleading conduct took place over 20 months as part of the Woolworths “Prices Dropped” and the Coles “Down, Down” promotional campaigns.

    How shoppers were allegedly misled

    The ACCC alleges on repeated occasions the supermarkets’ strategy was to temporarily raise the price of goods before applying the so-called discount.

    The approach meant that although the boldly placed, coloured discount tickets showed a reduction from the previous “regular” price of the products, the discounted price was still higher than the price before the temporary price rise.

    The ACCC gave the example of how consumers were allegedly misled over savings on a 370-gram family pack of Oreo original biscuits.

    From at least January 1 2021 until November 27 2022, Woolworths offered the Oreos for sale at a regular price of $3.50 on a pre-existing “Prices Dropped” promotion. Then, on November 28 2022, the price was increased to $5.00 for 22 days.

    On December 20 2022, the product was placed on a “Prices Dropped” promotion with the tickets showing a “Prices Dropped” price of $4.50 and a “was” price of $5.00. The “Prices Dropped” price of $4.50 was in fact 29% higher than the product’s previous regular price of $3.50.

    What is the legal claim?

    The ACCC does not regulate prices. Instead, it acts on breaches of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, including making false or misleading claims about the prices of goods and services.

    While it was true that Woolworths and Coles reduced the shelf price of the products, the ACCC alleges they didn’t reveal that the starting price had recently been increased. It is this conduct of promoting a discount from a recently inflated price that the ACCC says would mislead consumers.

    The ACCC’s argument is the “ordinary and reasonable” consumer expects a discount to be genuine, not coming off a recently inflated price. The net effect of that strategy is just an increased price.

    Other cases

    This is not the first time the ACCC has pursued such a claim. In 2020, the commission successfully went after online retailer Kogan for engaging in a similar strategy.

    Kogan ran an online promotion advertising to consumers that they could use the code TAXTIME to reduce prices by 10% at the checkout. The court found the ads conveyed false or misleading representations because Kogan had increased the prices of more than 600 of its products immediately before the promotion by at least 10% per cent.

    A similar strategy of offering discounts that were not genuinely delivered has also been raised against insurer IAG. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) alleges IAG did not deliver promised loyalty discounts to customers because their premiums were increased before the discount was applied by more than the amount of the discount.

    IAG is now facing action for civil penalties from the regulator (ASIC) and a class action by affected customers.

    Potential penalties Woolies and Coles might face

    The ACCC is seeking fines (civil penalties) which could be significant. In the Kogan case, the Federal Court awarded penalties of $350,000.

    But since November 2022, potential penalties have risen. These increases are designed to ensure companies do not treat the possibility of being penalised as a cost of doing business that is outweighed (and disregarded) by the benefits that might come from contraventions of the law.

    These new penalty amounts work on a sliding scale: they start at $50 million but can go up to potentially 30% of a company’s turnover during the period of the contravening conduct.

    This amount is per contravention. This means, if the ACCC’s allegations of misleading conduct are established, each time the supermarkets misled consumers, they would technically be liable to pay the full penalty amount.

    That said, in such a case, a court would likely take a more holistic approach in setting the penalty, taking several matters into account including: the extent of the conduct, its impact on consumers, the gain to the business and whether the conduct was deliberate.

    Fittingly, the ACCC is also asking the supermarkets to make a contribution to charities that provide food to people in need.

    Notably, in May Qantas agreed with the ACCC to pay a penalty of $100 million, subject to court approval and in addition to compensating customers, for misleading conduct in selling tickets for flights it had already cancelled.

    Jeannie Marie Paterson receives funding from the Australian Research Council and DFAT.

    – ref. Woolworths and Coles sued by ACCC for allegedly misleading shoppers over the price of more than 500 products – https://theconversation.com/woolworths-and-coles-sued-by-accc-for-allegedly-misleading-shoppers-over-the-price-of-more-than-500-products-239585

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The night shift: 24-hour economy strategy puts needs of night-time workers first

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Workers on the night shift represent one in five, or 21% of workers in NSW – or more than 870,000 people.

    The refreshed NSW 24-Hour Economy Strategy, A New State of Night, outlines the work and programs of the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner as it expands its remit to support night-time economies across the state, rather than just in Greater Sydney.

    The strategy will move beyond a focus on the hospitality and entertainment economy to one that supports a myriad of night workers – such as nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, drivers, retailers, cleaners, security guards and workers in manufacturing and construction across the state.

    Despite the essential nature of their roles, these people are often in less secure work, are often paid less and have fewer transport options, fewer childcare options, reduced safety and less retail and food options. Improving their experience requires a whole-of-government effort.

    Recent research has revealed people in NSW working between the hours of 6pm and 6am is forecast to grow by between 5% and 13% by 2031, implying a structural shift in the way the NSW economy operates, with a larger proportion of people working during the night.

    The NSW Government has been working to support the state’s night-time economy and improve vibrancy by changing regulation and legislation that constrains businesses. The second tranche of the Government’s vibrancy reforms coming later this year will propose to remove more red tape and provide greater support for special events and hospitality and live music venues.

    This strategy places a strong emphasis on data collection to inform policy development to ensure the NSW Government, local councils and private sector partners can effectively balance the night-time revival, safety and public amenity.

    An example of how the strategy will work in action is how the NSW Government supporting workers in the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct, one of the state’s most concentrated night workforce areas, with 4500 night-time workers. The precinct is open around the clock and home to three hospitals, a major university and five medical research centres.

    Workers across the precinct and the wider community will benefit from a raft of programs designed to enhance safety and activation including:

    • $600,000 for Spot On, through the Permit/Plug/Play and Open Streets programs, to support collaboration across local businesses to unlock the potential of public streets and spaces
    • $400,000 in Community Improvement District funding backing businesses to get organised, with government, and make the most of their public spaces and local character to draw more visitors and more life to their district.
    • $200,000 for Heart of Randwick in the Uptown program, to support greater collaboration between the health and education campuses, businesses and the council to amplify its night-time offerings
    • The precinct also recently received $500,000 in Safer Cities funding, to improve lighting and safety particularly for workers going to and from work after dark.

    Other night-time worker centres include Port Kembla, a manufacturing hub with over 3,500 night-time workers.

    In Liverpool, the Health and Academic Precinct employs around 4,500 night-time workers.

    Another focus will be the new Western Sydney Airport precinct which will run 24/7 and will grow to employ around 200,000 people.

    As part of the strategy, the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner will consult across industry to identify the pain points and bring a whole-of-government approach to solving these issues.

    For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/24-hour-economy/24-hour-economy-strategy.

    Minister for Roads, Music and the Night-time Economy and Minister for Jobs, John Graham said:

    “Night-time workers make up 21% of the NSW workforce. They play an important role in our communities and economies. They are nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, drivers, retailers, cleaners, security guards and workers in manufacturing and construction. They are often paid less and have less secure work.

    “This growing group of essential workers deserves safe environments and adequate services. They should be able to get a coffee before they start work or a decent meal when they finish.

    “Meeting their needs represents an enormous opportunity for the night-time economy. But this requires us to plan as well for the night as we do for the day.”

    “This strategy has an emphasis on data to both measure results as well as design better policy interventions.

    “We will continue to work alongside industry, businesses, councils and communities across NSW to ensure our state’s night-time economy reaches its true potential.

    “Our goal is to highlight our state as a safe and exciting night-time destination – not just for people looking for a great night out but for the people working hard to keep our state running at night.”

    24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said:

    “The Strategy we have developed is purposefully ambitious, but it is also full of practical ideas, solutions and strategic opportunities to bring our vision to life.

    “We know that people, especially night workers, want more amenity and safety at night – especially with the industry expected to grow by 5% to 13% by 2031. This includes activating outdoor spaces, diversity of offerings and safe, accessible transport.

    “We know that positive outcomes are possible when State Government, local councils and industry line up behind one plan. And with our work now extending across the State, it’s appropriate we have a strategy that continues to unite stakeholders to ensure NSW is as vibrant at night, as it is during the day.”

    Member for Coogee, Marjorie O’Neill said:

    “The Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct operates 24/7, with staff across emergency, wards, portering, catering, and support services always ready to serve.

    “We are working with the Precinct partners and district to improve our streetscapes and make better connection to our local communities. We are grateful for the Community Improvement District and Uptown Programs that enable us to make the Precinct safer and more vibrant for our workforce, students and local communities.”

    South Eastern Sydney Local Health District CEO Tobi Wilson said:

    “At the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct, there are staff onsite 24 hours a day 365 days a year from those ready for us in the emergency departments to ward staff, porters, catering and support staff.

    “We are working with the Precinct partners and district to improve our streetscapes and make better connection to our local communities. We are grateful for the Community Improvement District and Uptown Programs that enable us to make the Precinct more vibrant for our workforce, students and local communities.”

    Background

    Research conducted in 2024 by SGS Economics & Planning on behalf of the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner found:

    • The top industry by the number of night-time employees is Health Care and Social Assistance, with approximately 166,000, followed by
    • Accommodation and Food Services and Arts and Recreation Services, with around 155,200.
    • The Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector employs approximately 90,500 people during night-time hours, closely followed by
    • Retail Trade with 87,100 workers.
    • The Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner will consult with industry to understand the key challenges and barriers with government to develop appropriate policy measures and initiatives to sustainably develop night-workforce participation.

    The 24-hour Economy Strategy will serve as the NSW Government’s new blueprint to cement NSW as a safe, worldclass nightlife destination for visitors, locals and workers alike.

    The refreshed strategy’s five key pillars are:

    • An Enabling Regulatory Framework – Regulatory and legislative amendments aimed at bringing back vibrancy to enable diverse, sustainable and safe night-time economies across NSW.
    • Vibrant Coordinated Precincts and Places – Fostering collaboration among businesses, councils and other stakeholders to support precinct building and place-based economies.
    • Night-time workers, culture and industry collaboration – Collaborate across government and industry to support night-time workers, businesses, and cultural entrepreneurs to thrive in the 24-hour economy.
    • Safety, Mobility, Access and Inclusion – Enabling ease of movement to and from precincts while championing the wellbeing and safety of all within the night-time economy.
    • Authentic Storytelling – Celebrating the unique stories of our districts and promoting the experiences they offer to locals, visitors and workers.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Improved access to complex menopause care in Wagga Wagga

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Health

    Women who experience severe or complex menopause symptoms will benefit from enhanced support, with the opening of a new menopause referral site in the Murrumbidgee at Wagga Wagga.

    The Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) Menopause Service is part of NSW Health’s extensive menopause network, which includes four health hubs and multiple referral sites throughout the state.

    As a part of this network, the Wagga Wagga-based service is designed to assist women whose menopause symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or who face additional complications from other medical conditions.

    MLHD’s Menopause Service is linked to the South Western Sydney LHD Menopause Hub, which means women can access a comprehensive approach to managing severe menopausal symptoms through a multi-disciplinary team of medical specialists and allied health professionals, including women’s health nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, and clinical psychologists.

    General practitioners, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care, they are also welcome to make contact with the service directly by emailing MLHD-menopauseservice@health.nsw.gov.au.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

    “Up to one in four women endure severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.

    “The opening of MLHD Menopause Service means improved access to care for those women in this part of regional NSW who need it.

    “This service has the potential to be lifechanging for women in the community who require access.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr:

    “I’m glad to see this service is now available in Wagga Wagga and the wider Murrumbidgee region. It will make a big difference to the lives of many women in the region experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms.

    “To have access to the care right here in Wagga Wagga is potentially life-changing for many women in our community who may otherwise have to travel long distances to receive care.”

    Quotes attributable to MLHD Menopause Coordinator Mary Bartusek:

    “The Murrumbidgee service will help to ensure women of all backgrounds and diversity are able to access the specialised services they need to address their menopause symptoms.

    “This is an inclusive service which includes all women who may experience health inequities.  For example, women who identify as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander, women from a non-English speaking background, women with a disability, women who are victims of family and/or domestic violence and women living in rural and remote areas of the local health district.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins on new rehoming facility to save Sydney Dogs & Cats Home

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 23 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Local Government

    Construction of a new rehoming centre that will care for lost and vulnerable pets is about to begin thanks to the Minns Labor Government making a $12 million contribution to deliver on an election commitment to save the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.

    For nearly 80 years Sydney Dogs & Cats Home has been providing shelter and veterinary care for lost and abandoned pets, rehoming 200,000 animals in their forever homes since the home began.

    While the former NSW Liberal Government provided the home with a peppercorn lease for a new site, funding to build a new shelter was not provided, putting them at risk of closure.

    The rehoming organisation also provides contracted pound services for several Sydney councils including Inner West, Randwick, Bayside, Georges River, North Sydney and Waverley.

    The new facility located on Crown land will more than double the organisation’s current capacity and will help cater for an increase in the number of pets being given up or abandoned, often due to cost of living pressures.

    The construction of the facility is being led by NSW Public Works which has extensive experience delivering projects for the NSW Government. The shelter is expected to be completed and handed over to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home by mid-2025.

    The $12 million in government funding will support the development of the first stage of the facility, with a second stage planned by Sydney Dogs & Cats Home in the future.

    The rehoming centre in Kurnell is part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to ensuring best practice in companion animal management and the responsible reuniting and rehoming of pets.

    Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

    “I’m a great supporter of the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home and the wonderful work they do helping to care for and rehome lost and injured pets.

    “When we heard that this Sydney institution was at risk of closure, we knew it had to be saved.

    “Hundreds of thousands of animals have been rehomed thanks to the incredible work of the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home and we’re proud to now be providing them with a new home too.

    “Our goal is to minimise the number of animals entering pounds and shelters in the first place, but for those that do end up there we need to give them the best outcomes possible.

    “We know rehoming organisations are under pressure right now and this significant investment will provide much-needed assistance so that more pets can find their forever homes.

    “This new facility will make a huge difference for thousands of animals and for the councils which rely on the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home to provide their pound services.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Investigation – Disability Service referred to Director of Proceedings 21HDC00035

    Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

    A disability service provider has been referred to the Director of Proceedings to investigate if further legal action should be taken. The Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner said there was public interest in holding the service to account for its failures, in a decision released today.
    Rose Wall said the service, and one of its care workers, breached multiple rights of a resident under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. She found several significant departures from accepted practice.
    The resident – a man in his thirties at the time – and the care worker, had known each other for around 20 years. Their relationship was characterised as ‘brotherly’ by the care worker.
    The breaches relate to multiple incidents involving the care worker, including the resident allegedly being supplied with marijuana and alcohol, physical violence, a strangulation event, sharing recordings of embarrassing acts, being injured by a piece of wood and unsafe driving.
    Ms Wall said, while she was unable to make findings on some aspects of the resident’s complaint, there was enough evidence to conclude the care worker acted inappropriately.
    “There was a clear power imbalance and Mr B failed to maintain the professional boundaries required of him in his role as a carer,” she said. She found that “by consuming alcohol with Mr A, being violent towards him, and driving in a way that made him feel unsafe, Mr B failed to provide services with reasonable care and skill.”
    Rose Wall was critical of the way the service managed the resident – and another care worker’s – complaints, noting it was important that vulnerable consumers, especially those in residential settings, are supported appropriately to complain about the services provided to them.
    “They have a right to expect that their complaints and concerns will be taken seriously and managed appropriately. Mr A raised several concerns about Mr B’s behaviour with the disability service over time… Despite this, the disability service largely dismissed these concerns and failed to manage them as complaints.”
    Ms Wall noted the service had failed to act on, or resolve, the man’s concerns about the care worker and had denied his right to efficient resolution of his complaints. No evidence was found of training or guidance on clear professional boundaries, nor were there adequate policies and procedures to manage professional boundaries and personal relationships between caregivers and residents in general, she found.
    Ms Wall also found that the service did not have a structure that provided safe and appropriate services in place for Mr A for his care planning and needs assessment.
    She noted there was a failure to provide services with reasonable care and skill, or comply with professional standards, which was in breach of the Code. The Ministry of Health also audited the facility and did not renew its contract with the service as a result.
    The service is no longer operating. Because of this, Rose Wall recommended a trustee, or senior staff member employed at the time of the events, formally apologise to the man.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Prescribed hazard reduction burns in Nicholls and Ngunnawal

    Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory

    On 13 September 2024, the ACT Government assumed a caretaker role, with an election to be held 19 October 2024. Information on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the election and conclusion of the caretaker period.

    Released 23/09/2024

    A prescribed hazard reduction burn in Nicholls will commence this evening, and another hazard reduction burn will commence at Hill Reserve in Ngunnawal tomorrow, subject to suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions.

    The prescribed hazard reduction burns are being conducted to reduce the ground cover of exotic grasses and reduce the fire hazard in the area.

    See the location map of the burn sites.

    Experienced ACT Parks and Conservation Service fire managers will conduct and oversee the burning operations alongside the Ginninderry Conservation Trust and local First Nations community members.

    Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke, but temporary smoke cover is possible and may be visible across parts of Canberra.

    Fire crews will be on the ground monitoring and patrolling the prescribed burn to its conclusion.

    Smoke, flame, and glowing embers may be seen at these sites, which is normal for these types of operations. The public are asked not to call emergency triple-zero unless they see any unattended fire.

    Prescribed burns are an important part of the ACT’s annual Bushfire Operations Plan to enhance ecological quality, reduce the risk of bushfires and help keep Canberrans safe.

    More information about prescribed hazard reduction burns is available on the ACT Environment website.

    – Statement ends –

    ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

    Media Contacts

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UpLink: Investing in Water Innovation

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Water is crucial for human life and the economy, with its economic use value estimated at 60% of global GDP. However, investment in water solutions remains significantly low.

    This is the full audio from a studio session on 12 September, 2024 with leading investors and innovators discussing the untapped potential in water solutions and exploring the findings of the recently launched community paper ‘Investing in Water: A Practical Guide.’
    Panelists:

    Kelven Lam, Investment Manager, Emerald Technology Ventures Romeo Bütler, Principal, Verve Ventures Catalina Pfenniger, Strategy Director, Kran Nanobubble Anna Huber, UpLink Project Lead, Innovation Ecosystems, World Economic Forum (moderator)

    You can watch the session here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/investinginwaterinnovation7237072505000067072/theater/
    Links:

    Investing in Water: A Practical Guide: https (https://wef.ch/4d6u9GA) ://wef.ch/4d6u9GA (https://wef.ch/4d6u9GA)

    Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) :

    YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

    Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164

    Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/1534915560

    Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552

    Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNKPHdqwupQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Earth is getting a tiny new mini-moon. It won’t be the first (or the last)

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral researcher in radio astronomy, University of Sydney

    The minimoon 2020 CD3 orbited Earth between 2018 and 2020. International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/G. Fedorets, CC BY

    Earth is going to have its very own mini-moon from September 29 until November 25. The regular Moon’s new, temporary friend is 2024 PT₅, an asteroid captured from the Arjuna asteroid group (called the “Arjunas”).

    Our new mini-moon is approximately 10 metres in diameter and will be captured by Earth’s gravity for 57 days. It’s small and faint, so it won’t be visible by the eye or with small telescopes, but will be visible to larger telescopes.

    What is a mini-moon?

    NASA defines “moons” as “naturally formed bodies that orbit planets”. Intuitively, we think of moons as big rocks that stick around for a while, like our very own Moon.

    Astronomers have defined mini-moons as asteroids or comets that are gravitationally captured by a planet for a temporary amount of time. Small mini-moons are very common, but ones big enough to spot are more rare.

    2024 PT₅ is only the fifth ever detected mini-moon captured by Earth.

    Orbiting or just flying by?

    A mini-moon is a “temporarily captured orbiter” if it completes at least one full orbit of the Earth before returning to its usual orbit around the Sun.

    If a mini-moon is captured by Earth’s gravity but doesn’t make it around for a full orbit, it’s a “temporarily captured flyby” instead.

    Two of Earth’s mini-moons were “temporarily captured orbiters”, while the other three (including 2024 PT₅) fall into the “temporarily captured flybys” category.

    Where do mini-moons come from?

    Mini-moons are asteroids from the large population of near-Earth objects (or NEOs) that are temporarily grabbed from their orbit around the Sun.

    Near-Earth objects are defined as natural physical objects floating in space, such as asteroids (space rocks) or comets (dirty space snowballs made of rock and ice), that are orbiting the Sun and approach to within 1.3 times Earth’s distance from the Sun at some point in their orbit.

    Because these objects are around the same distance from the Sun as the Earth, they can sometimes be captured by Earth’s gravity.

    2024 PT₅ and and a previous mini-moon called 2022 NX₁ were both captured from a group of asteroids orbiting the Sun at a similar distance from Earth, called the Arjunas. Arjuna is one of the main characters of the Hindu epic, Mahābhārata.

    The first mini-moon – and a fake one

    The first known mini-moon was called 1991 VG. It arrived in late 1991 and left in early 1992, and like 2024 PT₅ it was around 10 metres in diameter.

    The mini-moon 1991 VG (marked with green lines). This image was made by combining seven images from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT). All images were taken on May 30 2017. The images were taken by tracking the asteroid position, so background stars appear as streaks.
    Hainaut/Micheli/Koschny via Wikipedia, CC BY

    In 2002, amateur astronomer Bill Yeung found what he thought was a second mini-moon: J002E3.

    However, on closer inspection the object displayed a spectrum of light suggesting it was coated in white paint containing titanium oxide. Then, a study of how the object’s brightness changed over time found its shape resembled something like the upper stage of a rocket.

    Astronomers now believe J002E3 is the third stage of the Apollo Saturn V rocket (S-IVB) instead of a natural mini-moon.

    Images of the false mini-moon J002E3 taken by amateur Bill Yeung on September 3 2002.
    Bill Yeung / Bob Denny via Wikipedia, CC BY

    More discoveries – with a note of caution

    The plot twist of J002E3 made astronomers a bit more cautious. When another mini-moon (2006 RH₁₂₀) was spotted on September 14 2006, it was first classified as artificial. However, after more observations it turned out to be a natural mini-moon about 2–7 metres in diameter. 2006 RH₁₂₀ stuck around from July 2006 until July 2007.

    Animation of 2006 RH120’s orbit around Earth. The animation runs from April 1 2006 until November 1 2007. Earth is shown in blue, the Moon is shown in yellow and 2006 RH120 is shown in magenta.
    Phoenix7777/Wikipedia, CC BY

    The next mini-moon, 2020 CD₃, was gravitationally captured by Earth for more than two years, making it the longest-captured mini-moon observed to date. It escaped Earth’s orbit in May of 2020. This mini-moon was around 1–2 metres in diameter.

    Amateur astronomers Grzegorz  Duszanowicz and Jordi  Camarasa discovered 2022 NX₁ using the Moonbase South Observatory in Namibia. Similar to 2006 RH₁₂₀, it was initially thought to be an artificial object from a past space mission.

    It was later determined to originate from the Arjunas, just like 2024 PT₅. While it was discovered in 2022, it was temporarily captured by Earth’s gravity in January 1981 and June 2022. It’ll be captured again in December 2051.

    2022 NX₁ was later found to be a natural mini-moon 5–15 metres in diameter.

    Will we find more mini-moons?

    Modelling suggests that, at any given time, Earth has at least one captured mini-moon less than 1 metre in diameter.

    Even though astronomers think we always have a mini-moon, these bodies are challenging to detect. This is because they’re small and faint. They are usually found by projects specifically looking for asteroids near Earth.

    2024 PT₅ was discovered using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), which is an ongoing project specifically designed to search for asteroids. 2006 RH₁₂₀ and 2020 CD₃ were discovered using the ongoing Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) for Near Earth Asteroids. 1991 VG was discovered by the SPACEWATCH group using the Spacewatch Telescope.

    These projects will continue to search for asteroids, including mini-moons. We can also look forward to new discoveries and investigations when the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) starts observing in the next couple of years.

    This enormous project will take images of the entire sky every few days for a period of ten years. First light of the Vera C. Rubin observatory is expected in mid-2025.

    Laura Nicole Driessen is a brand ambassador for the Rise & Shine Education Orbit Centre of Imagination.

    – ref. Earth is getting a tiny new mini-moon. It won’t be the first (or the last) – https://theconversation.com/earth-is-getting-a-tiny-new-mini-moon-it-wont-be-the-first-or-the-last-239507

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: What’s at stake for Latin America and the Caribbean at COP16 in Cali?

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    At a time when the planet faces the most severe environmental challenges in its history, caused by the existing economic model, COP16 on Biodiversity will be the ideal stage for Latin America and the Caribbean to reaffirm their role as a region of solutions and raise their voice in the global debate on the accelerated loss of biodiversity. The region must advocate for a vision that considers people and communities whose survival is closely tied to unique and endangered ecosystems. The measures taken to preserve the region’s biodiversity have the potential to set a global example, advancing towards a harmonious and respectful coexistence with nature.

    All countries in the region have ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a 1993 agreement aimed at conserving biodiversity, sustainably using its components, and ensuring fairness in the use of genetic resources. However, few have presented action plans to advance biodiversity protection by 2030. These plans are among the historic milestones achieved at COP15 in Kunming-Montreal in 2022, where 23 key targets were set to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and four goals to achieve positive biodiversity by 2050. In Cali, progress on these action plans will be reviewed, and two critical issues for the world’s most megadiverse region will be addressed: establishing a fair and equitable framework for access to the benefits of genetic resources and creating a new framework for tracking the committed mobilization of 200 billion dollars by 2030.

    COP16 is also expected to bring together initiatives that conserve and sustainably use biodiversity through innovative financial instruments, such as debt-for-nature swaps, green bonds, and biodiversity certificates. Additionally, there will be active participation from the private sector and philanthropy, which are increasingly focused on ecosystems and the risks posed by biodiversity loss. Special attention will be given to the key role played by local communities and indigenous peoples, promoting ways to incorporate ancestral knowledge into climate, sustainability, and biodiversity agendas. On all these fronts, the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean will be crucial.

    The region’s leading role is primarily due to its rich biodiversity: it hosts 60% of the world’s biodiversity, and six of its countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela) are classified as megadiverse. These figures also make biodiversity a factor for regional integration, with ecosystem connectivity being key to conservation, and a crucial tool for positioning Latin America and the Caribbean in global sustainability discussions.

    The strategic ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean are essential for maintaining the planet’s environmental balance. They span across the region, are interconnected with each other and with other hemispheric ecosystems, and provide key services that ensure the livelihoods of local populations. Among these ecosystems are the páramos, Patagonia, the Caribbean, the Tumbes forests in the Chocó and Magdalena, the Atlantic Forest, the Mesoamerican biological corridor, the mangroves, the Amazon, the Humboldt Current, the Gran Chaco, and Pantanal, among others. Thus, COP16 will be a historic moment to introduce new narratives into the global debate on biodiversity.

    CAF at COP16

    With the Latin America and Caribbean Pavilion, CAF will bring the region’s voice to COP16 to highlight its leading role in preserving global biodiversity. CAF aims to generate discussions on the value of strategic ecosystems, the importance of the blue economy, the role of science and youth, the need for innovative financing systems, and the communities and territories on the front lines of biodiversity preservation.

    CAF will address biodiversity loss and the use of financial resources with a fresh perspective, placing communities that have direct relationships with the natural environment at the center of decision-making. These communities are best positioned to design actions that lead to ecosystem regeneration in ways that are consistent with the social and environmental context.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CAF promotes a global network of scientists to protect the biodiversity of Latin America and the Caribbean

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    CAF is fostering dialogue with scientific institutions to ensure the voice of science is heard ahead of COP16 and the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. This effort aims to help promote and implement science-based solutions in its operations and in dialogue with countries.

    In this context, CAF, which will host a Latin America and Caribbean Pavilion open to all countries in the region at COP16, convened over twenty international scientific institutions to raise awareness about the importance of data, science, regional collaboration, and the application of scientific methods to solve problems related to biodiversity loss and restoration. The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker, closed the event, highlighting the importance of science. The conclusions of the meeting, along with CAF’s proposals to address the identified challenges, will be presented in Cali.

    “We are engaging with scientists to identify what we can do to be more effective in preserving biodiversity. We need to understand how scientific recommendations can be translated into efficient public policies and explore new ideas and proposals that help us find solutions to the dilemmas modern societies are facing due to climate change,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, CAF’s Executive President.

    CAF’s work with international scientists aims to strengthen multilateralism by connecting scientific advances and generating new lines of work being carried out in various countries to stop and reverse biodiversity loss.

    “To halt biodiversity loss, it is essential to develop robust scientific knowledge and, most importantly, put it into practice. This requires creating communication channels that accelerate the implementation of science-based policies and integrate them into national development agendas and business strategies,” said Alicia Montalvo, CAF’s Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity.

    In this regard, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) plays a fundamental role by fostering closer ties between the scientific community and decision-makers to build capacity and strengthen the use of science in public policy development. CAF aims to reinforce this work by bringing science closer to public and private financial institutions, promoting investment in biodiversity.

    CAF’s commitment to an ecosystem and science-based approach

    Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the richest regions in terrestrial and marine biodiversity. IPBES values the region’s terrestrial and coastal ecosystem services at $24.3 trillion per year. The region is home to six of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela) and contains between 60% and 70% of all known species, approximately 25% of tropical forests, and the most biodiverse habitat on the planet: the Amazon rainforest.

    In this context, CAF has adopted an ecosystem approach in its operations, addressing not only the needs of countries for the integrated management of land, water, and living resources but also the needs of ecosystems for sustainable and equitable conservation and resource use.

    Examples of this new approach include the Program for Integrated and Sustainable Management of Sargassum in the Greater Caribbean, which will benefit Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela through the promotion of sustainable sargassum management. Other examples include the coral reef restoration project in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Costa Rica; The Americas Flyways Initiative (AFI), which aims to identify and conserve more than 30 critical landscapes along migratory routes in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean; and projects to strengthen the management of protected natural areas in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.

    MIL OSI Economics –