NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai addresses 2024 Concordia Annual Summit
    2024-09-25

    On the morning of September 25 (afternoon of September 24 EDT), President Lai Ching-te addressed the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit via video at the invitation of the New York-based non-profit organization Concordia, speaking on Taiwan’s key priorities in the current international security environment and vision for the future.
    In his remarks, President Lai said that democracy around the world is facing serious threats, citing as examples Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s intensifying military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. The president indicated that through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability. He said that China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power, an example being its distortion of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. The president thanked the United States and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations.
    President Lai reiterated that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other, and that we will maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and other democratic nations will jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development. President Lai expressed that a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world, and that we welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    A transcript of President Lai’s speech follows:
    I want to begin by thanking Concordia for the opportunity to address the Annual Summit. Since my inauguration in May, I have been sharing Taiwan’s roadmap for development at various international venues. I’m honored to speak on our key priorities in the current international security environment, as well as our vision for the future.
    Our goal is to make Taiwan stronger, because a stronger Taiwan is better able to promote democracy, peace, and prosperity around the world.
    Our sincere hope is for Taiwan and other democratic nations to jointly support the democratic umbrella and counter authoritarian aggression as we navigate a new era in global democratic development, echoing the theme of this summit.
    Democracy around the world is facing serious threats. We have seen the growth of authoritarianism and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has exceeded two years. And we have seen China intensifying its military intimidation in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. Through its use of gray-zone tactics such as economic coercion and cognitive warfare, China poses serious threats to global peace and stability.
    China often uses lawfare and distorts history to expand its power. I want to emphasize that democratic Taiwan and authoritarian China are not subordinate to each other. This is a fact with a long-established, global consensus. Regardless of that, China has distorted UNGA Resolution 2758 in support of its “one China principle,” falsely claiming that Taiwan is a part of the People’s Republic of China and that we have no right to participate in the UN system and other international fora.
    I would like to thank the US and IPAC for taking concrete actions to oppose China’s misinterpretations. We welcome more countries to join in support of democratic Taiwan and a stronger democracy worldwide.
    China’s threat to Taiwan is a threat to the entire international community. China doesn’t just want to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It intends to change the rules-based international order and achieve international hegemony.
    In this situation, our top priority is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by promoting our Four Pillars of Peace action plan.
    First, we will strengthen our national defense. We will strengthen our capabilities and show our resolve for self-defense.
    Second, we will build economic security. We will continue to reduce economic dependence on China. We also aim to sign trade agreements with other democratic countries, participate more in the regional economy, and mutually enhance our economic resilience.
    Third, we will strengthen our partnerships with democratic countries. Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded partners on “democracy chips.” We will also strengthen cooperation with other countries in national defense so that the democratic community can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace.
    The final pillar is stable and principled cross-strait leadership. Taiwan will neither yield nor provoke, and will maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We will remain committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
    The road ahead may be difficult, but as long as we follow it together, I am confident that we can further strengthen democracy and sustain peace. Together, let’s forge ahead on the path to greater prosperity. Thank you.
    Concordia organizes its annual summit outside the UN headquarters during each year’s General Debate of the UNGA, inviting world leaders and top private sector representatives to seek solutions to global and regional challenges that are highly valued by the UN community. Among those who addressed this year’s summit were President Santiago Peña Palacios of the Republic of Paraguay, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, former Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, former President Iván Duque of the Republic of Colombia, former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović of the Republic of Croatia, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Coons, US House Representative Chrissy Houlahan, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements, Governor of New York State Kathy Hochul, President of Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer, and President of The Rockefeller Foundation Rajiv J. Shah.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fluffy, super snuggly and loves people!

    Source: Waikato District Health Board

    L-R Waikato ED staff enjoying a visit from Amethyst – Kneeling – Tanya Suthers, Amethyst, Back – Rushi Jeyakumar, Lillian Pan, Lynne Kemp, Rhi Buckley and Collene Pacis

    According to registered nurse Lynne Kemp, these are just some of the qualities needed for being a successful therapy dog. Lynne is talking about Amethyst, her 17-month-old Border Collie, who visits Waikato Hospital’s emergency department (ED) once a week.

    Amethyst and Lynne are registered with Canine Friends Pet Therapy, a New Zealand-wide network of owners who bring their dogs to visit people in hospitals and residential care facilities.

    “I started working with Canine Friends about four years ago, with Sapphire, my six-year-old long-haired Weimaraner,” says Lynne. “I love doing things with my dogs, and I loved the idea of being able to bring my dog to work. When I heard the ED was considering a canine therapy programme, I jumped at the chance to be involved.”

    At Waikato Hospital, therapy dogs already visit the Critical Care Unit, Paediatric wards and others, but Emergency Medicine Consultant Dr Lillian Pan could see the positive impact they would have in the ED.

    “The benefits of pet therapy are well established,” says Lillian. “But there are only a handful of studies done in emergency departments.

    “A 2022 Canadian study demonstrated a significant reduction in pain, anxiety and depression after a 10-minute therapy dog visit, and an American study from 2019 noted that patients who interacted with therapy dogs needed less opioid pain medication during their ED stay.

    “We wanted to gauge how people would feel if we brought dogs into our ED. We surveyed a total of 126 staff, patients and whānau and the response was overwhelmingly positive, with 93% in favour.

    “The comments ranged from ‘People would love this, especially the kids’ and ‘When people see dogs in an unusual setting, it makes them focus less on their pain or trauma’, to ‘Just pure unconditional love – what’s not to love?’” says Lillian.

    “It’s often a scary experience coming into the ED, with lots of people and plenty of activity going on,” adds Lynne. “Interacting with a dog is a great distraction, and it seems to have a calming effect on patients and whānau.”

    That initial proposal was put forward over a year ago and, since July, Lynne and Amethyst have been visiting Waikato ED once a week to spend time with paediatric and short-stay patients. A staff volunteer acts as a ‘doggie chaperone’ and pre-screens patients for suitability, while care is taken for infection control and hygiene.

    Just last week, they had a special encounter with a 10-year-old girl.

    “I entered the room and Amethyst went over to her. Her whole face lit up with the biggest smile,” says Lynne.  “Her mum said that was the first time she had seen her smile since their arrival the day before.

    “It was so heartwarming to see, and reinforced the reason for my visits,” she says.

    The visits are not just for patients, either. Both Lynne and Lillian are quick to emphasise how beneficial canine therapy is for the ED’s kaimahi.

    “Amethyst’s visits brighten everyone’s day. It’s good for staff, especially when it’s busy and they have upsetting cases to deal with,” says Lynne.

    So, what makes a paw-fect therapy dog?

    L-R Lyn Kemp and Amethyst spent some time with patient Jan who thought Amethsyt was just lovely

    “My dog Frankie, an eight-year-old Bichon Frise, is ideally suited to being a therapy dog and regularly visits a local nursing home. He’s calm, loves everyone and is happiest when he’s the centre of attention – especially if there are treats involved,” says Lillian.

    “When I first visited a rest home with Sapphire, it didn’t go so well. There was a cat that Sapphire spent all her time trying to find! So being calm and not easily distracted is important,” explains Lynne.

    Lillian agrees: “Dougal, my other dog, is a little scamp and would cause chaos if he ever went on a visit!” she laughs.

    There has been tremendous support from staff to get the project off the ground. The Critical Care Team shared information about their therapy dog mahi, and Lillian had two ED trainees, Rushi Jeyakumar and Julie Taylor, to support the ED programme with her. ED leadership staff Liz Courtney and Simon Ainsworth were instrumental in pushing the project ahead.

    Lillian says the benefits of pet therapy in emergency departments is a topic that needs further exploration within the medical community. “Implementing this programme gives Waikato Hospital ED a unique opportunity to contribute to further research in the area,” she says.

    “I love coming in with Amethyst. Even though we are only there for an hour, seeing the happiness she brings is lovely,” adds Lynne.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fostering a love of stories in a child’s first years is key to lifelong reading

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elaine Reese, Professor of Psychology, University of Otago

    Children’s literacy rates are falling around the globe. In response, a number of governments, including New Zealand’s, are overhauling the way reading is taught in primary school.

    One key change is a renewed focus on phonics (mapping sounds to letters).

    But an overemphasis on phonics could dampen children’s motivation to read for enjoyment and understanding.

    In my new book, I show how important it is to foster a love of books and stories in young children if they are to become lifelong readers.

    The science of reading

    Reading isn’t natural for humans. Instead, it is a recent skill in our evolutionary history.

    Today, children’s lifelong academic and occupational success depends on becoming literate.

    Learning to read in English is devilishly difficult. Many words that sound the same are spelled differently (team and teem, for example) and the same group of letters can be pronounced differently (dough versus through).

    Most reading scientists and teachers agree direct instruction in letter-sound relationships (phonics) is necessary for children to become readers. Skilled reading also involves comprehending the meaning of words.

    But because reading is difficult and requires practice, children must also want to put in the time and effort needed to become a fluent reader.

    This motivation to read begins much earlier than the first day of school.

    Reading instruction needs to connect with the ingrained human love of oral stories if it is to turn into a love of reading.

    Growing a love of books

    Children’s love of the sounds, melodies and emotions in stories is innate and has existed throughout human history. Hunter-gatherer tribes with a higher per capita rate of storytellers were more likely to thrive.

    In my book, I drew on findings from Growing Up in New Zealand, Aotearoa’s largest longitudinal study of child health and wellbeing. I also included the latest data from Origins of Language and Memory of New Zealand children – the longest-running study in the world of children’s story development.

    My findings highlight the critical role that families play in turning a love of oral stories into a love of books.

    Although a love of stories starts in the womb, most parents wait until their babies are born to start reading books to them.

    To successfully share a picture book with a baby, the adult needs to follow the infant’s gaze and react to what is on the page, then wait to let the baby take a turn – whether through a coo, a look or a smack of the book.

    At this tender age, the goal is to establish a book-sharing routine and enjoy back-and-forth “stories” rather than to get through a whole book.

    In the toddler years, stories begin to flow more fluidly. Toddlers who have experienced stories from books and conversations will initiate stories readily with an adult, either by talking about a recent event or by bringing their favourite book to read together.

    If these conversations are responsive, both types of stories strengthen children’s language, literacy, and social and emotional development.

    In the preschool years, children with consistent book-sharing and reminiscing routines will acquire advanced skills including abstract vocabulary, print concepts, awareness of the sounds of words and understanding of characters’ emotions and actions. They are also able to link stories from books to their own lives.

    All these skills are critical for their later reading success.

    Time to read

    Even children with this solid foundation may find it challenging to learn to read in the first year of school.

    The goal is to help them “crack the code” (mapping sounds to letters) as quickly as possible. Only then will a child be able to integrate their knowledge and love of stories with the sounds of words on a page.

    For this leap to happen, a child must want to read on their own. Children with a rich story bank will be able to push past the difficulty of decoding to reading for understanding and enjoyment.

    Phonics is a necessary step in the lifelong timescale of literacy development. Yet, according to reading expert Sebastian Suggate, early reading instruction with a child who doesn’t love stories or books is like sowing seeds on parched earth.

    For children to become successful readers, we need to enrich the soil by instilling a love of stories and books in the first five years of life and beyond — long after the phonics work is finished.

    Elaine Reese has received funding from the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

    – ref. Fostering a love of stories in a child’s first years is key to lifelong reading – https://theconversation.com/fostering-a-love-of-stories-in-a-childs-first-years-is-key-to-lifelong-reading-239495

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nollamara sports building refurbishment complete

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Labor Government continues to partner with the City of Stirling to deliver high-impact local priority projects – with construction of the Robertsbridge Reserve sporting clubrooms at Nollamara now complete.

    Officially opened today by Federal Member for Cowan, the Hon Dr Anne Aly, alongside City of Stirling Mayor, Mark Irwin, the new fit-for-purpose facility can now be enjoyed by local sporting clubs and the broader community year-round.

    The $900,000 project was supported by $125,000 from Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and $775,000 from the City of Stirling, and brings the clubrooms in line with community expectations.

    Supporting 15 jobs during construction, the project upgraded the old change rooms to cater for growing participation, and also included the installation of a Universal Accessible Toilet to enhance safety and accessibility, ceiling improvements, a new office and commercial grade kitchen.

    The modern facility will suit the needs of the local community for years to come, with the refurbishment also including the addition of double doors and changes to the carpark, to ensure accessibility standards are met.

    Construction began in January 2024 and was completed in June 2024, with the upgrades expected to drive female participation in sport.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

    “It’s fantastic to see work complete on the Robertsbridge Reserve sporting clubrooms, because I know how important having modern, fit-for-purpose facilities is to ensuring the success of local sporting activities.

    “Sport is the centre of so many community events, which is why we’ve partnered with the City of Stirling to get this local priority project off the ground – one of many projects supported as part of over $1.4 million in Phase 4 LRCI funding from the Albanese Government.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cowan, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP:

    “Upgrading the Robertsbridge Reserve sports facility is something our local community has long called for, which is why I’m proud that the Albanese Labor government is co-funding this much-needed project.

    “With these upgrades now complete, all members of our community have access to enhanced facilities, which will play a key role in boosting female sports participation in Cowan.”

    Quotes attributable to City of Stirling Mayor, Cr Mark Irwin:

    “The new universal changerooms and public amenities at Robertsbridge Reserve are a vital step towards supporting increased female participation in sport, while also providing modern, inclusive facilities for the whole community.

    “The City of Stirling is proud to invest in this district-level reserve.

    “With the help of a $125,000 contribution from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program towards the $900,000 project, the upgrades will improve safety, functionality, and the overall experience for everyone who uses the reserve, whether for sport, dog walking, or simply enjoying the outdoors.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic Energy Releases “Integrated Report 2024”

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic Energy Releases “Integrated Report 2024”

    Osaka, Japan – September 25, 2024 – Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, has released Integrated Report 2024 on the Sustainability page of the Panasonic Energy corporate website.

    This report is intended to help our various stakeholders deepen their understanding of Panasonic Energy by disseminating financial and non-financial information, including details of the growth strategy, performance and financial status, and environmental, social and governance initiatives. Notably, this report explains Panasonic Energy’s competitive advantages and strengths and contains more non-financial information than before, such as disclosure based on the TCFD(*1) recommendations. 
    Panasonic Energy will continuously endeavor to upgrade the report and deepen communication with its stakeholders as a member of the Panasonic Group.
    *1: Abbreviation for “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greater investment in FASD support and prevention

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a $4.85 million package of initiatives aimed at understanding the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), promoting better education and supporting women to stay alcohol free during pregnancy.

    “People with FASD can experience lifelong physical, behavioural, learning, and mental health problems. Those impacts are shared by families, caregivers, and communities,” says Dr Reti. 

    “In April, I announced five initiatives that will benefit hundreds of New Zealand families affected by FASD. I am pleased to report we are already seeing progress.  

    “Following the publication of New Zealand’s first tailored FASD diagnostic guidelines, 30 healthcare professionals will be trained to better recognise and diagnose FASD end of the year. 

    “The community support pilot is well underway and the FASD prevention campaign will launch in October. Health agencies are collaborating with the FASD community on the refreshed FASD Strategic Action Plan, which is on track to be published in 2025. 

    “However, with an estimated three to five Kiwi kids born with FASD every day, we simply cannot wait for a long-term plan to take meaningful action. We have listened to the best community and expert advice and have already made a start.”

    The three initiatives announced today are: 

    • Undertaking an FASD prevalence study, to understand the true nature of the challenge FASD presents in New Zealand, rather than relying on extrapolated overseas data. 
    • Providing structured education for clinical and community settings to grow FASD awareness and capacity in communities and across health, disability and social services.
    • Supporting initiatives that promote alcohol-free pregnancies and reduce the stigma of FASD.

    “FASD has significant economic and social costs to New Zealand. It’s a condition which significantly challenges lifelong learning and development and makes things very difficult for families,” says Dr Reti. 

    “We want people to thrive, leading lives they aspire to and contributing to society and the economy. 

    “There’s strong evidence that prevention, early detection and intervention are the most effective ways to improve the health and wellbeing for people with FASD.

    “Evidence-based outcomes is a key principle of this Government’s investments – every initiative must provide clear, demonstrable value to communities. I expect to see real progress through these programmes, significantly shifting the dial on FASD. 

    “We want New Zealand to be a country where people are supported to have alcohol-free pregnancies, where the prevalence of FASD is well understood, where health and disability services have the training they need to diagnose FASD, and people living with FASD and their families are well supported.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS promotes Hong Kong’s dual advantages in financial services and innovation and technology in Madrid, Spain (with photos/videos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, continued his visit to Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 24, Madrid time).

         During a business luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Mr Chan delivered a keynote speech to about 150 leaders from the business, financial and innovation and technology sectors from Spain, and engaged in discussions with participants. He pointed out that Hong Kong has restored its global connections after the pandemic and with the singular advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, is further solidifying its role as a super connector. He said Hong Kong welcomes Spanish enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to tap into the vast markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Mainland, and broader Asia.

         Mr Chan further noted that Hong Kong offers a full spectrum of fund-raising and financial services. Combined with the mutual access schemes with the capital markets of the Mainland, Hong Kong provides the channel where Spanish companies can conveniently attract funds from both the Mainland and international markets. Additionally, Hong Kong is a leader in green finance in Asia, and its green standards are compatible with those of the European Union, green projects from Europe can fully leverage Hong Kong as a fund-raising platform. At the same time, Hong Kong is making great strides to become an international innovation and technology centre, with a burgeoning innovation and technology ecosystem that can collaborate with Spain’s tech ecosystem across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, new energy and new materials.

         In conclusion, Mr Chan expressed hope for strengthening co-operation with Spain in finance, innovation and technology, culture, and creative industries to deepen co-operation and achieve mutually rewarding success.

         During the discussion session of the luncheon, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Mr Albert Wong, and the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan, shared insights on Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development and advantages, the ecosystems of the two institutions, and the multi-faceted support offered to start-ups.

         In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with the Secretary of State for Trade of Spain, Ms Amparo López Senovilla and briefed her on Hong Kong’s latest economic development. They engaged in in-depth exchanges on further promoting economic and trade co-operation and mutual investments between the two economies. HKTDC Chairman, Dr Peter Lam, and its Executive Director, Ms Margaret Fong, also participated in the meeting.

         In the morning, Mr Chan led a delegation of tech start-ups to visit start-up accelerator IMPACT and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica respectively. IMPACT, co-founded by the renowned digital business school ISDI, is one of Europe’s leading start-up accelerators, helping start-ups in and out of Europe build networks, and providing financial support, mentoring and training. The start-up representatives of the delegation interacted with IMPACT leaders, sharing their entrepreneurial ideas and business developments. The delegation then visited Telefónica to learn about the company’s operations and its development strategies in 5G telecommunications, the Internet of Things, Web3.0 and etc.; as well as its experience in incubating and investing in innovation and technology firms. 

         Mr Chan will continue his visit in Madrid today (September 25, Madrid time) and will travel to London in the afternoon.                           

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Biggest infrastructure project in Western NSW taking shape

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    Work on the once-in-a-generation New Dubbo Bridge continues to progress with one third of the concrete deck, which will eventually support traffic crossing, now in place.

    The Australian and NSW governments are investing $263.2 million to deliver this region-shaping piece of infrastructure on the Newell Highway in Dubbo.

    The Australian Government has committed $210.6 million towards the project, with the NSW Government committing the remaining $52.6 million.

    The decking along the 660-metre bridge structure is being built in sections, with each section involving the pouring of about 105 cubic metres of concrete to provide a deck slab of up to 25 centimetres in depth.

    The deck pours will be carried out progressively while the rest of the bridge takes shape, with the final deck pour expected in mid-2025.

    Once the concrete deck is completed, the final step in building the bridge surface will be to add an eight-centimetre thick layer of asphalt.

    Pile driving was recently completed along the entire length of the new structure which crosses the Macquarie River and a section of the floodplain east of the river.

    Construction is also underway for the network of roads that will link the bridge to the Dubbo road network, including road widening work at the intersections of Whylandra and Thompson streets and River and Bourke streets.

    The New Dubbo Bridge project is due to be completed in late 2026, weather permitting.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “It is exciting to see the new bridge rapidly taking shape and I’m proud to see the Australian and NSW governments’ investments delivering for regional communities.

    “New infrastructure like this is critical for the growth of regional communities and it will set Dubbo and western NSW up for the future.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

    “This bridge will provide vital flood resilience and unlock more housing in Dubbo – providing essential infrastructure for an estimated 5,500 homes.

    “The Minns Labor Government is proud to be partnering with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver this project, supporting nearly 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in western NSW.

    “On my recent visit to see the bridge I saw how transformative this bridge will be to Dubbo and I thank the workers who have given so much to this project and I thank the people of Dubbo for their patience.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill:

    “Once completed, the New Dubbo Bridge will transform the way western NSW residents, tourists and freight operators travel through Dubbo.

    “The Bridge will reduce travel times in the city centre and improve access across the Macquarie River, particularly during flood events.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence MLC:

    “The Minns and Albanese governments are delivering transformative regional road infrastructure for Dubbo. It’s been wonderful to see the progress of the new Dubbo Bridge construction.

    “I’m pleased to see more than half of all people working on this project are from my local area, including many local apprentices and aspiring tradies through innovative employment programs. Many Dubbo businesses are benefiting from the economic activity being generated.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Maintains PRC Growth Forecast at 4.8% this Year

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 September 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its forecast of 4.8% economic growth in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this year, according to the latest ADB report.

    The growth outlook remains balanced amid a prolonged correction in the property market and weak investor and consumer confidence, according to Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024, released today. Economic activity in the PRC is expected to moderate to 4.5% growth next year, consistent with ADB’s projection in April.

    “ADB’s research indicates that investment will support domestic demand while the property market correction continues,” said ADB Country Director for the PRC Safdar Parvez. “Global demand and the domestic cost advantage in manufacturing should also bolster exports.”

    Inflation for 2024 is now forecast at 0.5%, lower than April’s 1.1% projection as the overall downtrend in food price persists. Strong global demand and increased credit availability for certain industries—including semiconductors; artificial intelligence; and low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and renewables—will drive growth this year and next.

    Infrastructure investment should regain momentum with the expected acceleration of the local government special bond issuance in the second half of this year. However, the ongoing property sector correction is expected to slow growth. The contraction in real estate investment will likely continue into next year.

    Risks to the outlook include the deterioration in the property market, global fragmentation due to geopolitical issues, and the escalation of trade tensions. On the upside, acceleration and effective implementation of policy measures, including policies announced in the Third Plenum, could raise consumer and investor confidence faster than expected, resulting in higher growth and inflation than forecast.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Training programs to plug jobs gap in the visitor economy

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Jobs, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Minister for Tourism

    The Minns Labor Government is boosting NSW’s visitor economy workforce, delivering subsidised training programs for a sector that is expected to need up to 150,000 more workers over the next decade.

    TAFE NSW is partnering with Destination NSW to develop and deliver training programs jointly funded by the Federal Government’s NSW Choose Tourism Program.

    The subsidised courses are designed to address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue a career in the visitor economy, helping operators to attract, retain and upskill staff. 

    A key recommendation of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 Review, to be released in coming weeks, is to encourage school leavers and other jobseekers into the tourism workforce, with the aim of growing the sector in NSW to 450,000 workers. 

    The Review finds that currently school leavers are spurning visitor economy careers, with leakage of workers into mining, agriculture and trades due to “perceived better career paths, industry confidence and better pay”. 

    Having reached a record $52.9 billion of annual visitor expenditure in the year to June, the NSW visitor economy is Australia’s biggest. 

    The growth in the NSW visitor economy over the coming decade will coincide with the opening of the Western Sydney Airport in 2026 and a new emphasis on visitor experiences that show off the best of our food and wine, coastal and aquatic environments, nature-based, cultural, heritage, arts, First Nations, adventure and wellness experiences. 

    The new training programs include:

    • An ‘Introduction to the Visitor Economy’ microskill: a short self-directed online course, designed to provide foundational knowledge and explore careers in the visitor economy industry. The microskill will be offered free to the public for the first six weeks of release, with fully subsidised access available for NSW high school students.
    • Five one-hour video masterclasses: fully subsidised pre-recorded masterclasses will be available on the TAFE NSW website, featuring industry experts such as Scenic World, Cupitt’s Estate, Merlin Entertainments, Sydney Opera House, and W Hotels.  
    • Modernised Certificate III in Tourism: set for delivery in 2025, this updated qualification will include new visitor economy skills. Updates will also incorporate contemporary case studies and assessments based on industry feedback to ensure the qualification meets the current needs of the sector. 

    The ‘Introduction to Visitor Economy’ microskill is launching today and masterclasses will be available from late October 2024. To find out more, visit tafensw.edu.au/visitoreconomy

    Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said:

    “Through the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 review, we discovered that we need more school leavers to pursue careers in the visitor economy.

    “A career in the visitor economy offers not just an incredible professional pathway but also the opportunity for some of the best life experiences available anywhere in the world.  

    “These new training programs will be invaluable to attracting more people to the visitor economy workforce and will alleviate pressure from the countless small businesses who are feeling the pinch as they look for skilled workers to fill jobs.”

    Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

    “TAFE NSW is working closely with industry to deliver relevant, modern training to build a pipeline of workers needed to support a thriving visitor economy.

    “High schools across NSW, as well as the public, will have access to fee-free places in the Introduction to Visitor Economy microskill, opening doors for people to discover opportunities in this dynamic sector.

    “These exciting new training opportunities will be available online, so people across the state can access the skills and expertise needed to excel in the visitor economy, helping regional businesses attract and retain talent.”

    Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said:

    “A strong, sustainable, skilled workforce is critically important to Australia’s tourism industry.

    “It is a great industry to work in with a diverse range of exciting career opportunities.

    “That is why the Albanese Government is supporting New South Wales, and all states and territories, to build their tourism workforce through our Choose Tourism grants program.

    “My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand what an amazing opportunity this industry provides, I commend NSW on these initiatives.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Slower Inflation, Higher Investment and Consumption to Support Philippine Growth through 2024, 2025 — ADB

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 September 2024) — Moderating inflation, monetary easing, and sustained public spending particularly on major infrastructure projects, will support Philippine economic growth this year and the next, according to a report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today.

    In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024 report, ADB maintained its growth forecast for the Philippine economy at 6.0% for 2024 and 6.2% in 2025. The expansion in gross domestic product (GDP) will be driven by broad-based domestic demand, supported by lower inflation and interest rates, the report said.

    ADB lowered its inflation forecast to 3.6% in 2024 from its April estimate of 3.8%, reflecting the sustained deceleration in food prices partly due to lower tariffs on rice imports. Inflation is expected to ease further to 3.2% in 2025 compared to the previous estimate of 3.4%.

    “Most of the ingredients for the Philippines’ sustained economic growth are in place—rising government revenues are boosting public expenditures on infrastructure and social services, increasing employment is driving consumption, and reforms to open the economy to more investments are underway. With inflation slowing, the country is in a strong position to lead growth in Southeast Asia,” said ADB Philippines Country Director Pavit Ramachandran.

    However, risks remain from potential severe weather events which could drive inflation higher. External factors such as a sharper slowdown in major advanced economies and the People’s Republic of China, financial volatility due to US monetary policy decisions, geopolitical tensions, and rising global commodity prices also pose threats to growth, the report said.

    The Philippine government expects public infrastructure spending to range between 5.0%–6.0% of GDP annually from 2024 to 2028, after hitting 5.8% of GDP in 2023. The government’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program includes 66 ongoing projects and another 31 approved for implementation as of August 2024.

    The infrastructure program aims to enhance physical connectivity through railways, bridges, and airports, or strengthen water management through irrigation, water supply, and flood control. Climate change mitigation and adaptation, digital connectivity, energy, and agriculture projects, are also prioritized under this program.

    ADB is financing key infrastructure projects, such as the Malolos Clark Railway Project and the South Commuter Railway Project which will link Metro Manila to northern and southern provinces in the Luzon region. It is also supporting the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, and the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project which aims to enhance flood and climate change resilience in three major river basins in the country.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Raises Economic Growth Forecast for Developing Asia and the Pacific

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 September 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its economic growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific this year, amid solid domestic demand and continued strength in exports. ADB has also lowered its forecast for regional inflation.

    The region is forecast to grow by 5.0% this year, compared with a projection of 4.9% in April, according to Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024, released today. The forecast for next year is maintained at 4.9%. Inflation in developing Asia and the Pacific is expected to ease further to 2.8% in 2024, compared with a previous forecast of 3.2%.

    The improved economic outlook reflects stronger-than-expected expansions in East Asia, Caucasus and Central Asia, and the Pacific. Rising global demand for semiconductors, driven in part by the artificial intelligence boom, is boosting exports, while easing global food prices and the lagged effects of monetary policy tightening have brought inflation down to near pre-pandemic levels.

    “Strong economic fundamentals will continue to underpin expansion this year and next,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park. “Financial conditions are expected to improve as inflation moderates further and the US eases its monetary policy, and this will support the positive outlook for the region.”

    Risks to the outlook include a worsening of trade tensions between the United States (US) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC); further deterioration in the PRC property market; worsening geopolitical tensions; and the effects of climate change and adverse weather on commodity prices and food and energy security.

    The growth forecast for the PRC, the largest economy in developing Asia and the Pacific, remains at 4.8% this year and 4.5% next year. Lingering weakness in the PRC’s property sector has negatively affected household spending during 2024. This has been partially offset by higher investment, underpinned by stimulatory monetary and fiscal policies, and higher exports.

    India’s economy—the region’s second largest—is forecast to grow 7.0% in 2024, unchanged from April, amid strong domestic demand including an increase in government spending.

    The growth forecast for the Caucasus and Central Asia has been raised to 4.7% this year, compared with a 4.3% projection in April, thanks to improved domestic demand bolstered by remittances in some economies. The growth forecast for the Pacific is revised upward to 3.4%, from 3.3% in April, driven by the increase in tourist arrivals. The forecast for Southeast Asia has been lowered by 0.1 percentage points to 4.5%, due to a decline in public investments and slower-than-expected export recovery.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Maintains Cambodia’s Growth Forecast for 2024-2025

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (25 September 2024) —The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its growth forecast for Cambodia at 5.8% for 2024 and 6.0% for 2025. It has revised down its earlier inflation projection for 2024 from 2.0% to 0.5%, reflecting the slow increase in food prices and decline in fuel prices in the first half of 2024, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024.

    “The rebound in the manufacturing sector— especially garments, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) — is powering the country’s economic growth,” said ADB Country Director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma. “Agriculture and tourism are steadily gaining ground, while continued inflows of foreign direct investment are fueling the country’s economic momentum. Together, these forces are setting the stage for a promising 2024 and positioning Cambodia for robust growth in 2025 and beyond.”

    The lowering of inflation forecasts reflects reduced prices of fuel-related goods and services, along with decreased costs of fertilizers, providing support to agricultural production. This will provide much-needed relief for people, especially the most vulnerable, who have faced challenges in recent years due to rising food and fuel prices.

    The report highlighted that GFT exports rose by 16.9% year on year in the first half of 2024, rebounding from an 18.6% decline during the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, growth in exports of non-GFT products slowed to 1.3% year on year from 21.2%. Imports of construction materials and equipment surged by 23.3% year on year in the first half of 2024, driven by public infrastructure investment.

    Agriculture is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2024 and 1.3% in 2025. Services are forecast to grow by 5.4% in 2024 before tapering to 5.2% in 2025. This forecast is supported by a 22.7% year on year increase in tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024, reaching 94.8% of the pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2019.

    Foreign investment inflows continued although they decelerated somewhat to $2 billion by mid-2024, from $2.1 billion during the same period last year. This was supported by growth in nonfinancial sectors. However, investment in the financial sector slowed appreciably due to lower banking profits.

    Potential risks to Cambodia’s economic outlook include weaker growth in major economies like the People’s Republic of China, Europe, and the United States, high private debt, volatile global fuel prices, and severe impact from extreme weather events.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Forecasts 3.1% Economic Growth for Timor-Leste in 2024

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    DILI, TIMOR-LESTE (25 September 2024) — Timor-Leste’s economic growth momentum will continue in 2024–2025, though at a more modest pace than forecast in April 2024 due to lower government expenditure and weaker investment spending than previously expected, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  

    The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024 reports that robust private consumption, fueled by consumer credits, government transfers, personal remittances, and tourist arrivals should drive growth. However, the forecast has been revised down to 3.1% for 2024 and 3.9% for 2025 from the 3.4% and 4.1% projected in ADO April 2024, respectively, due to slower-than-expected budget spending.

    “Ensuring investment project readiness, improving public procurement practices, and strengthening institutional capacity are essential for maximizing the positive impact of public capital investments on economic growth,” said ADB Country Director for Timor-Leste Stefania Dina. “To sustain robust economic growth beyond 2024, we must embrace public financial management reforms and strategic policy shifts. By optimizing development finance opportunities and protecting government resources, such as the Petroleum Fund, we can build a brighter future for Timor-Leste.”

    Due to lower inflation in staple products and consumer durables and persistently low inflation in nontradables, average inflation will moderate to 3.4% in 2024, revised down slightly from the previous 3.5% forecast. The report’s  2.9% inflation forecast for 2025 remains unchanged from ADO April 2024. The current account deficits will remain large but slightly less than the previous forecasts due to lower imports of goods and services in line with slower budget spending.

    Risks to Timor-Leste’s growth outlook stem from lower public capital spending, climate-related disasters, and the impact of external shocks and spillovers mainly associated with prolonged global geopolitical tensions on trade conditions and inflation.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Experienced People Leader Programme

    Source: Leadership Development Centre

    LDC has launched a new leadership development programme for experienced people leaders in the Public Service.  This programme has been developed in partnership with Public Service agencies, in response to a need identified across the system.

    The programme supports the development of experienced people leaders who want to develop their leadership skills and move their practice from good to great. 

    The programme focuses on:  

    • Core people leadership skills  

    • Content-light, conversation-rich learning 

    • Use of experiments and peer learning to hone leadership practice

    The Experienced People Leader Programme has been designed for LDC member agencies to run internally. If you are interested in learning more about how your agency could benefit from the programme, please contact ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SOUTH KOREA  –  

    Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary concluded more than a month of training in South Korea Aug. 6 to Sept. 7, including participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 24, which featured the first amphibious assault using Amphibious Combat Vehicles during their inaugural deployment.

    The Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU arrived in South Korea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during the first week of August. Partnered with the ROK Marine Corps 7th Brigade, the combined force of Marines conducted two weeks of live-fire training ranges and unit-level training at ROKMC bases near Pohang.

    Battalion Landing Team 1/5, the ground combat element of the 15th MEU, employed ACVs at ROKMC training areas surrounding Pohang, South Korea, exercising the vehicles’ off-road mobility and automated crew-served weapons. Alpha Company, BLT 1/5’s designated mechanized company, and its ACV Platoon also provided ROK Marines opportunities to tour and familiarize themselves with the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest ship-to-shore connector Aug. 20 and 22.

    Units from across the 15th MEU also conducted partnered non-live fire events, including: tactical planning, mountain warfare training, fast rope inserts from an MV-22B Osprey, unmanned aerial and waterborne systems familiarization, small boat operations and reconnaissance, operations in urban terrain, communications integration, chemical attack response, and other training. This training strengthened and improved the interoperability between ROK and U.S forces in defense of the Korean Peninsula.

    The culminating event in South Korea for 15th MEU and its ACVs was the amphibious assault Sept. 2 as part of Ssang Yong. Alpha Company Marines and Sailors, under the cover of the combined force’s air and surface fire support, landed at Hwajin-ri Beach near Pohang alongside nearly 40 Korean amphibious assault vehicles. Using their ACVs’ stabilized weapon systems, the company identified and reduced simulated enemy positions as they approached the shoreline, then dismounted to secure the beach prior to continuing the attack inland.

    This marked the first time Marine Corps ACVs with embarked infantry demonstrated their beach assault capabilities with a host nation’s forces during a major exercise.

    “Seventy-four years after our landing at Inchon, I can’t think of a better place and partner with whom to showcase the Marine Corps’ latest, most lethal amphibious assault capability,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, commanding officer of BLT 1/5. “Any amphibious assault is a complex operation, and that’s especially true with a combined force featuring new equipment. Today, we benefitted from decades of steadfast commitment between our countries, years of development and testing by our service, many months of hard work by this first-of-its-kind mechanized company, and several weeks of excellent training and integration with our allies. It’s gratifying and inspiring to be here to see the impressive result of all these efforts.”

    The Marine Corps expects this first deployment of ACVs to continue to provide insights for platform embarkation and maintenance requirements, logistics, and integration with our allies and partners. These insights are vital for the service to ensure we continue to provide our Marines with the most operationally ready and capable platforms.

    “As the U.S. Marine Corps’ new generation of amphibious assault vehicle, it was special and meaningful to have ACVs deployed to the Korea Theater of Operations for the first time. Especially, during the decisive action, the most complex and sophisticated phase of the amphibious operation, the ACVs not only revealed its strength and capabilities but also the firm commitment to ROK-U.S. Alliance,” said ROKMC Lt. Col. Chol-Uk Kang, lead SY24 exercise planner, 1st ROK Marine Division. “Going forward, I sincerely hope that the ROK and the U.S. can further develop on combined amphibious operational method and concept with its new capability.”

    After the completion of Ssang Yong, the 15th MEU’s forces reembarked Boxer and Harpers Ferry at ROK Naval Base Busan, South Korea, to resume their deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of operations.

    The ACV Platoon, Alpha Company, and other elements of the 15th MEU began their deployment in late March 2024, departing San Diego aboard Harpers Ferry.

    Since then, ACVs were first employed overseas May 4 during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Oyster Bay in the Philippines. During the exercise, the ACV Platoon launched from Harpers Ferry, made movement in the water toward an objective, and attacked targets from offshore using the vehicles’ stabilized heavy machine guns before reembarking.

    The ACV Platoon’s first time ashore in a foreign country was June 24 after a ship-to-shore movement from Harpers Ferry to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. During that event, the mechanized company rehearsed troop egress procedures and shared best practices with leaders from III Marine Expeditionary Force, which received its first ACVs in July.

    Elements of the 15th MEU are under the command and control of Commander, Task Force 76, which the U.S. 7th Fleet employs to cooperate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    As the U.S. 7th Fleet’s primary Navy advisor on amphibious matters in the 7th Fleet area of operations, CTF 76 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations to support a full range of theater contingencies, ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to full combat operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 25 September 2024 Kāinga Ora streamlines delivery teams Kāinga Ora is proposing to reshape its housing delivery and construction teams as it streamlines its approach to delivering and renewing state housing.

    Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

    Change processes proposed today may see a net reduction of 321 roles across the organisation’s urban planning and design; commercial; construction and innovation; and investment management office teams.

    Kāinga Ora Chief Executive Matt Crockett says the proposed changes are aimed at ensuring Kāinga Ora can deliver on the Government’s housing delivery expectations in the most efficient way possible in the coming years.

    “Kāinga Ora has scaled up over the last five years to deliver a successful and extensive build programme,” he says.

    “We are now moving into a different phase where our focus is on creating a steadier state of social housing builds, alongside work to upgrade and replace thousands of homes in our portfolio.

    “We need to make sure we have the right level of resourcing to match our delivery programme while maintaining focus on achieving our targets.”

    The proposed changes would support an accelerated move to new construction methods, enabling state houses to be built more quickly and efficiently through the Kāinga Ora Housing Delivery System. Kāinga Ora will also continue to work with private developers to deliver homes.

    “Today’s announcement starts a period of consultation where potentially impacted teams have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal,” says Mr. Crockett.

    “These proposed changes will be unsettling for our people. We are committed to supporting them through the process as best we can, and to considering all feedback they provide.

    “At this stage we plan to confirm final decisions in mid-November.”

    Read more on Kāinga Ora workforce changes

    Page updated: 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Demands Biden Administration Protect Farmers Amid Historic Inflation, Rising Input Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke on the Senate floor about the how the Biden administration’s inflationary policies are hurting American farmers. He stressed the importance of passing a Farm Bill that puts American farmers first.

    Read Senator Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    “Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the dire state of our American farm economy and our farmers. American farmers and producers are the backbone of our nation’s agriculture economy and food security.

    Despite their critical role in our lives to feed, clothe, and fuel not only the United States, but the entire world, our farmers are struggling to survive—and that’s an understatement. The current state of the agriculture economy is bleak and on the verge of collapse. We have problems all over the world. We have problems in our country. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more important that we should be addressing than our food supply here in this country.

    Costs for farmers are rising. Commodity prices are falling. Our farmers cannot break even—much less, make a profit. According to the USDA, net farm income this year is projected to decline 4.4% from 2023 […]. That is a disaster. This follows a shocking—listen to this—a shocking 19.5% decline in 2022.

    Not one business in this country can survive with this kind of decline. And our farmers and our farms are no different. This means producer’s income has plummeted 23% in just two years. 23%. These figures represent over $40 billion in lost revenue for America’s hardworking producers. This is the largest two-year decline ever in our farm income, ever in the history of this country.

    Right now, our row croppers, especially, are facing considerable financial hardship. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, row croppers had a $27.7 billion decline in cash receipts since last year. In Alabama, my state, our producers are yielding bumper crops of cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and yet they can’t profit due to [the] rising cost of production. Our catfish producers are in the same boat. Rising input costs and falling fish prices are threatening to put them out of business. A multitude of factors that producers have no control over are impacting their bottom lines.

    And I wanna talk about one of them. This miraculous, this ‘world saving’ Inflation Reduction Act that we passed a few years ago, was supposed to ‘save our economy.’ It was supposed to save a lot of workers. You know what it’s done to our farmers? It’s almost put us out of business. The Inflation Reduction Act started a tax credit for imports and exports.

    Unfortunately, all the tax credits are going to people, and countries, and farmers from overseas—Brazil and China. [The tax credit] is supposed to go to our farmers, [but] no it’s not gonna do that. For some reason, this Administration [has] given all the tax credits to the farmers from other countries, and our farmers are struggling.

    The Biden administration has control, has total control, over our farm economy, but you hadn’t heard a peep out of them, not one peep about our farmers. And this is a disastrous year coming up. And right now, we are harvesting our crops and they’re bumper crops. The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies, as I just said, from the Biden-Harris administration.

    This includes the lack of domestic energy production, skyrocketing inflation, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, and endless environmental hurdles. Let me say something about conservation and all the things that happen in our environment. There’s nobody, and I mean nobody on the face of the earth, that takes care and is more conscious of environmental problems than our farmers, because they make a living off our land. But we’re putting so many regulations on them. We’re closing our farms down and running them overseas, and we’re gonna have a national security threat because all of our food is gonna come from foreign countries.

    Farmers are experiencing rising high costs of labor [and an] increase [in the] price of feeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it. America’s agriculture producers are facing a very tough road ahead. And it’s something nobody, the media, this building, […] The House of Representatives—nobody’s even talking about. Folks, if we can’t eat. If we don’t have food to eat, we’re done.

    Many farmers fear that their farm loans this year will not be renewed. They have to have farm loans to put a crop in the ground. They fear cash flow is drying up and interest rates continuing to rise create an uncertain future for farming operations. Although Congress only has a few legislative days left to act, we must stop adding fuel to the Biden-Harris administration’s fire. We’ve got to quit adding fuel. We’ve got to help the farmers.

    We need to pass a Farm Bill that helps our farmers. Democrats are [in] control of that. […] A farm bill is for five years. […] Five years ago, the Farm Bill was $870 billion for [a] five-year period. It runs in a five-year period. So, this past year, we’re supposed to be working on a Farm Bill. I’m on the Ag Committee. We go by the control of the Democratic Party. Our Democratic Chairwoman has decided we won’t do a Farm Bill this year.

    We’re just throwing farmers underneath the bus. They need help. You would think by looking at everything going on, that my colleagues on the Left would rather our food come from other countries, take over our farmland, control it, and do something else with it. 

    Producers need a strong safety net—we’ve got to have a safety net for our farmers. Considering no farmer’s risks are the same, we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Remember, we have a Farm Bill that covers livestock, hogs, row croppers, forest, fish. There’s a lot of things involved.

    Farmers across the country have fluctuating levels of risk impacted by land and equipment costs, access to irrigation, and variable input requirements. Southern row croppers rely heavily, heavily upon Title I Commodity Programs in the Farm Bill, particularly the Price Loss [Coverage] program and the Agricultural Risk [Coverage] program. Yet Midwest producers heavily utilize crop insurance.

    Where there may be an overlap across regions among these programs, we must fix the entire farm safety net, not just parts of it. Take the reference prices and commodity programs, for example. Reference prices are how much prices are in their commodity sells for. Our farmers […] are today operating on 2012 reference prices, 2012. Fourteen years later, the costs of production are 22-31% higher today than they were at that time a decade ago—making current reference prices completely inadequate for our farmers.

    We don’t have time to waste. Our farmers are facing an uphill battle to remain in business. […] The American people going to the grocery store are gonna find out pretty quick what it is to be hungry if we don’t wake up and smell the roses.

    Even if a Farm Bill is passed today, producers wouldn’t receive any commodity program support from this Farm Bill until 2026. Game, set, match before 2026 for our farmers in this country.

    That’s help our farmers need now to survive, not two years late. Senate Republicans stand ready to act on a solid bipartisan bill the House Agriculture Committee passed earlier this year. Yet, Senate Democrats and the Biden administration refused, they refused, to come to the table to find practical, bipartisan solutions to the many problems our farmers are facing today.

    ‘Let’s don’t worry about our farmers. Let’s worry about Ukraine. Let’s worry about people overseas. Eight hundred bases we have around the world. Let’s don’t worry about eating. We can without eating.’ That’s what this Administration’s saying. 

    This forces us to look to supplemental appropriation packages to help our producers, if we’re not gonna do a Farm Bill, to renew their farm loans and plan for next year’s crops. If they don’t get help this year, we’re gonna have huge problems. They won’t be pocketing this money. If we come up with some money to help the farmers get along, they’ll just be planting another crop.

    Without immediate action to assist producers, our nation’s agriculture industry may never, ever, make it back from the damage that we’re doing to them today. America has lost—listen to this—America has lost 150,000 farms and 25,000 farmers in our country over the last few years. What? 150,000 farms closed up. Why? They can’t make a profit. You’ve owned a farm for 100 years, you and your family. But you get to the point where you say, ‘you know, I’m not passing something down to our kids that really wanna farm, we’re not gonna put them in harm’s way. We’re gonna sell. We’re gonna get out of the business. And we’re gonna let somebody else worry about it. Let’s let the Federal Government worry about it.’ […]

    We can’t afford any more losses to our farms. Our farmers are hurting. They’re hurting real bad. But have you heard anybody talk about it, no.

    You’re gonna hear a lot of people complaining about it and there’s gonna be an uproar in the next few years when prices double and triple as what they are today because we’re not gonna have any food. And it’s gonna come from Brazil, it’s gonna come from China, it’s gonna come from Vietnam. 

    We are doing severe damage to the farmers across this country and nobody cares. I’ll continue to be the voice of our Southern agriculture producers in the Senate and ensure that we have a seat at the table on this Farm Bill upcoming. But as I just said a while ago, [even] if we do a Farm Bill today, we’re gonna lose at least half of our farmers in this country this year, this year if they don’t get some help.

    Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How do women with disability and LGBTQIA+ people experience menopause?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate O’Reilly, Director International (Programs & Engagement) | Lecturer School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University

    pikselstock/Shutterstock

    After hearing about the experiences of the diverse spectrum of people across Australia, the Senate inquiry into issues relating to menopause and perimenopause has released its final report with 25 recommendations.

    The first recommendation is to establish a comprehensive evidence base to better understand the experiences of under-served groups, including LGBTQIA+ people and women with disability.

    Gaps in knowledge of menopause can be significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment. More than 85% of people with distressing menopause symptoms do not receive appropriate care. These barriers can be compounded for people, women and those presumed female at birth who have a disability and/or are LGBTQIA+.

    Here’s what we know so far about how people from diverse groups experience menopause and the health-care gaps they face.

    Remind me, what is menopause?

    Generally menopause is experienced across three phases.

    Perimenopause (meaning around menopause) starts when hormones, particularly oestrogen, fluctuate.

    Menopause occurs when a person has their final menstrual period. These stop because the person’s ovaries no longer release eggs. This definition reflects the different ways menopause can occur (natural menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, surgery or cancer treatment).

    Post-menopause is the stage after menopause marking the end of the reproductive stage.

    We experience it differently

    Everyone’s experience of menopause is different. People living with disability can experience unique symptoms and challenges.

    Autistic people, for example, may describe the experience of menopause as turbulent or catastrophic. Symptoms for this group include intensified sensory stimuli and increased difficulty with:

    • executive functioning (planning, concentrating and multitasking)
    • recognising or regulating emotions and internal body cues
    • communication
    • socialising.

    As one research participant explained:

    [O]ur society doesn’t talk about, address, understand women our age (menopausal onset) in general very well. And so when you have the added dimension of autism […] there’s no resource […] to tell me how to handle that. And there’s no room in society for it either […] we don’t talk about menopause, let alone autistic menopause.

    LGBTQIA+ experiences of menopause and ageing are diverse and are often absent in media, health care and research.

    For some trans and gender diverse people, menopause can be positive and affirming. For others, the distress can be profound. As one research participant explained:

    Personally I was fine (gender-identity-wise) with experiencing periods and pregnancy/childbirth, but I have found menopause much more conceptually difficult. I think in large part because the social narrative is so much about ‘menopausal women’ and also often denigratory or shame-laden.

    Barriers to menopause diagnosis and care

    LGBTQIA+ people and people with a disability can face assumptions about their gender, sexuality or anatomy which interfere with the care they require.

    When people have had prior negative experiences of health care, and have experienced stigmatisation and pathologising of their disability, intersex variations, diverse gender or their sexuality, they may delay accessing care for menopause. Such a delay can result in poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

    People with disability can experience earlier menopause with more profound symptoms. And as Women with Disabilities Australia highlighted, when there are pre-existing health concerns, impairments, or other support needs, as is the case with disability, menopause symptom management can be particularly complex.

    Women living with a disability in Australia are far less likely to access health care due to stigma and lack of specialist care. They are not always screened for or routinely asked about their reproductive or menopausal health experiences.

    Lack of clinician education and provider bias can result in a tendency to either ignore menopausal symptoms or attribute them to mental health concerns. This can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment or a complete denial of care for cisgender women and people who live with disability, and LGBTQIA+ folk.

    The absence of inclusive, accurate language in health promotion information that does not recognise the diversity of experiences of menopause for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ or live with disability can make them more vulnerable to misinformation and contribute to increased health-care disparities.

    What can we do about it?

    Policy responses to reducing health-care disparities must be led by those with lived experience, and focus on:

    Inclusive and accurate language

    Language around menopause should reflect the diverse populations who experience it. Terms such as women and those presumed female at birth can be used to acknowledge trans and gender diverse folk, however all identities should be listed where possible.

    Education

    Undergraduate and postgraduate university and clinical education on menopause and perimenopause is lacking and should include the lived experience of menopause among diverse groups. This may reduce provider bias and prevent assumptions that could result in missed care and poor health outcomes.

    At the individual level, content on menopause should be included in sexual health education programs in schools. This education should reflect the diverse experiences of menopause and use age-appropriate language.

    Affirming and specific care

    Welcoming clinical environments for LGBTQIA+ people who may have had prior negative experiences can ease past concerns. Peer-led credentialed online support networks can provide alternative and complementary safe spaces to seek care.

    For people living with disability specific information for support workers and family carers can help facilitate ongoing affirming care.

    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. How do women with disability and LGBTQIA+ people experience menopause? – https://theconversation.com/how-do-women-with-disability-and-lgbtqia-people-experience-menopause-239485

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll from floods in Myanmar rises to 419

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2024 shows a flooded area in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. [Photo/Str/Xinhua]

    Severe floods in Myanmar have caused significant devastation with a death toll of 419 as of Tuesday morning, according to the State Administration Council.

    Over 140,000 people were affected by the floods, which have devastated over 750,000 acres of paddy fields and killed over 100,000 animals.

    Additionally, the floods have destroyed 253 religious buildings, 926 roads and bridges, lamp posts and communication towers.

    In response, Myanmar authorities have allocated 30 billion kyats (about 14.2 million U.S. dollars) for rescue operations and rehabilitation efforts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai’s Rockbund Art Museum to launch exhibition exploring Pacific Ocean

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai opened “Rindon Johnson: Best Synthetic Answer,” an exhibition exploring geographies of the Pacific Ocean using artificial intelligence, on Friday and running through April 2025.

    At the exhibition’s heart is a video installation depicting the artist Johnson’s digital avatar “swimming” from his birthplace of San Francisco to Shanghai over the exhibition’s seven-month duration.

    Each day, viewers can watch the virtual swimmer cut through AI-generated seascapes that shift in real-time based on actual oceanic and weather data from the Pacific.

    “How does a Black American, raised on the edge of the Pacific, move through the ocean to reach Shanghai?” Johnson pondered. His answer is to “swim” there using artificial intelligence.

    The “best synthetic answer” in this exhibition refers to the simulated outputs created by large language models such as ChatGPT. Johnson’s works blend text, video, animation, and other media to meditate on themes of time, space, ownership, freedom, autonomy, and humanity’s environmental impact.

    “During the seven months, we’ll explore flows, folds, waves, and depth — all relating to the ocean,” said X Zhu-Nowell, the Rockbund’s artistic director. “We need a new narrative of time to contemplate where we are situated.”

    Alongside the video installation, the exhibition will present works made of ephemeral materials such as stained glass, luminous plants, and cowhide scraps, in a bid to discuss concepts of ownership, freedom, autonomy, exploitation, value, and waste.

    In parallel, the museum will launch a complementary public program inspired by Fijian-Tongan scholar Epeli Hau’ofa. It encourages re-evaluating Shanghai through an oceanic worldview with performances, lectures, workshops, and more by scholars, artists, and cultural figures from the Pacific region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Experts hope cultural exhibit inspires youth

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Hong Kong Palace Museum has opened an exhibition featuring over 100 precious artifacts that span 5,800 years of history, marking one of the most comprehensive displays of the origins and early development of Chinese civilization.

    The exhibition is one of several events being held in the city to celebrate the upcoming National Day on Oct 1.

    Cultural experts in Hong Kong expressed their hope that the exhibition will encourage young residents to delve into the roots and evolution of Chinese culture and help them foster a deeper appreciation for traditional values.

    Considered one of the most comprehensive overviews of the formation and early development of Chinese civilization in recent years, the exhibition will run from Wednesday to Feb 7.

    It will showcase nearly 110 precious objects from 14 major cultural institutions on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong. The artifacts span from the Neolithic period to the Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC), reflecting the lives of ancestors from over 5,800 years ago. Nearly all the treasures are to be displayed in Hong Kong for the first time.

    Sixteen of the exhibits are grade-one national treasures, including a jade dragon from the Hongshan culture between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago, which is considered the original representation of the image of a dragon in China.

    Other notable objects include a jade tortoise and a seated human figure, both unearthed from the Niuheliang site during the same Hongshan period, reflecting the unique customs of burying the deceased with jade.

    Describing the traditional culture as the “root” and soul of the Chinese nation, Louis Ng Chi-wa, the director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, said he hopes that the exhibition will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about Chinese culture and history.

    He said he hopes residents will enhance their cultural confidence through understanding the origins and development of Chinese civilization and witnessing its continuity, innovation and inclusiveness.

    Henry Tang Ying-yen, chairman of the board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said the exhibition will offer a compelling glimpse into the lives of Chinese ancestors, who laid the foundation for the enduring Chinese lineage that continues to this day.

    Tan Ping, director of Art Exhibition China and co-organizer of the exhibition, said it also showcases precious cultural relics unearthed in Hong Kong.

    To better display the precious cultural relics, the exhibition uses a wealth of multimedia technology. For instance, the exhibition brings the ancient Shimao site to life through a 270-degree panoramic multimedia project, with acclaimed Hong Kong singer and actor Julian Cheung Chi-lam narrating the audio guide and leading visitors through the ancient site with his voice.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Address by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio at the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) [Speeches and Statements]

    Source: Government of Japan – Prime Minister

    [Provisional translation]

    [Opening Remarks]

    Distinguished high-level representatives,

    Let me start with thanking all of you for gathering here today. As a native of Hiroshima, the city that was devastated by atomic bombing, I am delighted to launch today the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) with the representatives of the participating countries. This launch is literally to wrap up my efforts to advance nuclear disarmament diplomacy that I have been working on since my time as Minister for Foreign Affairs and since becoming Prime Minister.

    Next year, we will mark 80 years since we witnessed the first nuclear test in human history and the subsequent devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In my hometown of Hiroshima, the “Flame of Peace,” which symbolizes the resolve and hope of the Hibakusha–atomic bombing survivors–for a world without nuclear weapons, continues to burn without being extinguished for a moment until the day when all such weapons have disappeared from the earth.

    About 60 years ago, at the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Kennedy stated that humanity lived under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, and appealed for the abolition of those weapons. Later, in 1993, at the same UN General Assembly, President Clinton stated that his country was working with Russia and others to take that sword down, to lock it away in a secure vault where we hope and pray it will remain forever.

    And now, the era we call “the post-Cold War” has already passed, and we are facing the most severe and complex international security environment since the end of the World War II, where the international community is becoming increasingly divided and confrontational. This nuclear sword, hanging by the slenderest of threads over the heads of every human being, is swinging wildly again.

    We are on the brink of a possible reversal of the downward trend in the number of nuclear weapons since the Cold War. The rapid buildup of nuclear capabilities by some countries in an untransparent manner could ignite an arms race that would draw other countries in.

    UN Secretary-General Guterres, pointed out the deadlock of some existing disarmament institutions and the need to revitalize them in his “New Agenda for Peace.” I too am concerned that if this stalemate continues, the world will become even more divided.

    The NPT regime, the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, is a common asset of humanity that is too precious to lose. We, the political leaders, must now take the lead to maintain confidence in this regime.

    With this in mind, I myself as the Prime Minister of Japan, attended the NPT Review Conference in 2022 and announced the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” Following that, I worked on the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision for Nuclear Disarmament issued last May that called on all countries to refocus political attention on the FMCT.

    The FMCT is a framework for maintaining the trend of a global decline in the number of nuclear weapons by limiting the quantitative increase in nuclear weapons. Thirty years have passed since President Clinton proposed the concept, and experts have continued discussion over technical aspects of the FMCT.

    Now is the time for strong political will to begin negotiations that materialize those experts’ discussions. I am convinced that creating momentum for an early start of FMCT negotiations will lead to the maintenance and strengthening of the NPT regime in the run -up to the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

    About 80 years ago, the Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced firsthand the horror of nuclear weapons, which robbed people of their “human dignity.” These people are already advanced in years. Along with their wish for a world without nuclear weapons, we need to promote the understanding of the realities of the atomic bombings to the world and to future generations.

    Next year, which will mark 80th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan will work on conveying the realities of the atomic bombings, focusing on three areas: sending Hibakushas and the youth overseas, promoting visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and strengthening communication with the world. On that basis, we, the political leaders of the world, must recognize that we have the responsibility to one day lock the nuclear sword of Damocles away in a secure vault where we hope and pray it will remain forever.

    As a native of Hiroshima, the city that was devasted by atomic bombing, and as a responsible politician of Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during war, I pledge to continue to support realistic steps toward a world without nuclear weapons. And above all, I would like to advance efforts toward nuclear disarmament so that the day will finally come when the “Flame of Peace” be extinguished after the resolve and hope of the Hibakusha fulfilled.

    Japan will promote this FMCT Friends initiative in cooperation with the founding members of the group, who are gathered here. Let’s work harder together.

    Thank you for your attention.

    [Closing Remarks]

    I thank all the high-level representatives of the FMCT Friends founding members for attending the launch meeting today. I am very encouraged to hear directly from you all about your country’s enthusiasm to expand support for the start of FMCT negotiations.

    My staff always warns me to keep my remarks short, but when it comes to nuclear disarmament, I can’t help but be greedy to say more.

    Looking ahead to next year, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and toward the 2026 NPT Review Conference, we need to demonstrate through our actions that the NPT regime is the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Now that the international security environment is becoming increasingly severe, we must advance nuclear disarmament under this NPT regime.

    The FMCT Friends are, let’s say, three C’s in this regard—a “core” of the dialogues between the relevant countries, a “communicator” between countries with different interests, and a “catalyst” to accelerate dialogues—toward the start of the stalled FMCT negotiations.

    As a citizen of Hiroshima, the city that was devasted by atomic bombing, I have a strong desire for nuclear abolition. At the same time, as a responsible politician from Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, I am fully aware that Japan has a mission to advance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons.

    The NPT regime is the only universal framework for a world without nuclear weapons, with broad participation from both nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states. Under this regime, it is now more than ever that we must advance realistic efforts, step by step. Among these, I am convinced that a FMCT is truly indispensable.

    To all founding members of the FMCT Friends, let us continue to work together toward our common goal so that we can absolutely commence the FMCT negotiations.

    Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: TWO-THIRDS OF CHILDREN INTERACT DAILY ONLINE WITH PEOPLE THEY DON’T KNOW DESPITE GROOMING FEARS – REPORT

    Source: Save The Children

    SYDNEY, 25 Sept 2024 – Over six in 10 children with access to the internet interact with “unknown others” daily despite concerns about online grooming, according to new research released by Save the Children and Western Sydney University that highlighted children’s demands for better online protection.  

    The research team held in-depth consultations with about 600 children and young people aged 8 to 18 from Australia, Finland, the Philippines, Cambodia, Colombia, Kenya, and South Africa, who shared their views and experiences of facing inappropriate requests online for personal information or images. 

    The report, ‘Protecting Children from Online Grooming’, was written by the Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and funded by the global child online safety investment vehicle Safe Online as part of the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund. 

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of online grooming and child sexual and financial exploitation have reached an all-time high [1], with an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children reported in that period [2]. Online grooming practices have also transformed, with the fastest growing form of online grooming targeting young men for financial extortion [3]. 

    The report revealed children were more inclined to connect with strangers – or “unknown others” – online as they matured and became more social, motivated by a desire for friendship, fun and play, followed by a wish to stay informed about trends and events, and to connect over shared interests.  

    The findings also showed that while children across all cultures and age groups were more suspicious of people they didn’t know online than people they knew in person, most (66%) of the study participants still interacted with “unknown others” daily online.  

    Children in high-income settings were twice as likely to use privacy settings to protect themselves from unwanted contacts, compared to children from some low-income settings, but the potential to derive financial benefits was an incentive for children in middle-income countries to connect with strangers online, potentially compromising their safety.  

    While children have come up with numerous ways to protect themselves, they are calling for widespread, accessible and targeted online safety education for themselves and their caregivers. In the discussions the children also made concrete suggestions about how technology platforms and governments can implement changes that will keep them safer online.  

    Sonisay*, a girl aged 11-12 from rural Cambodia, said: 

    “Adults should know that children interact with strangers, monitor them, and read their chats.”  

    Angel* aged 15-17 from a city in the Philippines said: 

    “Adults need to know about the children of today who are highly computer-savvy… To be able to support and protect the children, adults need to understand that children are comfortable with using the internet which pushes to interact with strangers.” 

    Charlie* aged 14 from Australia emphasised the need to start online safety education earlier: 

     “Having young children educated about the safety of technology and the dangers … adults only start this education for older kids on social media when the problem can be on video games played by young kids.” 

    Children reported that it was very difficult to ascertain the intentions of strangers online. Children were also particularly worried about being asked for personal information or nude pictures, being drawn into inappropriate sexually-oriented exchanges, or exposure to criminal activities. 

    The report found that children want and need better online protection, with children primarily using intuition and background checks rather than seeking help from trusted adults to manage their online interactions with people they don’t know.  

    The data also showed that children distinguish people they know well both online and in person from those they only know online, with 86% approaching the latter with caution. Yet despite this wariness, children were still three times more likely to ignore or decline an inappropriate or unwanted request than they are to report or block it. 

    Steve Miller, Save the Children’s Global Director of Child Protection, said: 

    “Children deserve to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment – both online and offline. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges and threats, including the threat of online grooming and exploitation. We need to foster a digital environment that is not only safe but also enriching, allowing children to explore, learn, and grow without fear. Policymakers need to listen to the voices and experiences of children when developing policies that protect them.” 

    Professor Amanda Third, Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University, said:  

    “Keeping children safe from online grooming requires a whole-of-community approach. Governments, NGOs, technology platforms, teachers, parents, caregivers, and children themselves all have an important role to play. However, to most effectively address this issue it is crucial that we listen to the views and experiences of children and young people and engage them as active partners in the research and policy design process. Children and young people are finding their own ways to tackle this issue and devise solutions but they are also calling on us to help equip them and their caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to be able to safely navigate these rapidly evolving digital environments.” 

    Save the Children has launched a major global effort to support digital inclusion and empower the next generation of resilient digital citizens. Save the Children’s Safe Digital Childhood initiative is includes partnering with schools, communities and tech leaders to break down barriers to digital inclusion by making sure the children with the fewest resources can access devices and connectivity; offering targeted digital literacy and citizenship programs; helping technology industry partners embed child-centric safeguards into their platforms; and empowering children to advocate for their rights in the digital world. 

    The Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University is an Australian-based, international research centre that unites young people with researchers, practitioners, innovators, and policymakers to explore the role of technology in children’s and young people’s lives and how it can be used to improve individual and community resilience across generations.  

    Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. Through investing in innovation and bringing key actors together, Safe Online helps shape a digital world that is safe and empowering for all children and young people, everywhere. The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, which funded the research, is a groundbreaking collaboration fuelling actionable research and bringing together the tech industry with academia and civil society in a bold alliance to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

    *Names have been changed to protect identities 

    [1] WeProtect Global Threat Assessment Data 2023 

    [2] NSPCC. (2023, August 15). 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last 5 years.

    [3] WeProtect’s Global Threat Assessment Data 2023  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: With The Puzzle, David Williamson shows his continual capacity to satirise the middle-class

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Russell Fewster, Lecturer in Performing Arts, University of South Australia

    Matt Byrne/State Theatre Company South Australia

    Fun, sex, Renoir and a reckoning might be a succinct way to introduce the new play by David Williamson, The Puzzle. As Williamson noted to me in the foyer, “life would be pretty boring without sex”. However, he writes, in the production program that this comes with a proviso that licentiousness without any moral grounding can lead to human beings inadvertently “upending their lives”.

    In other words: be grateful for what you’re got.

    Just last month New Wave Australian playwright Jack Hibberd passed away. Hibberd, in writing one of his best-known works, Dimboola (that Williamson directed for the Pram Factory in 1973), spoke of needing to find a human ritual by putting two competing families together in his rural comedy.

    Williamson, of the same generation of playwrights, similarly has pointed out “the essence of drama – [is] you put people in a room that should never be in a room together and things happen”.

    While Hibberd found this in a country wedding, Williamson has found it, in this instance, in a holiday cruise that appeals as a “lifestyle” change.

    Post-COVID has seen an increase in holiday cruises. Though there are comparatively small offerings of adult only cruises euphemistically titled “lifestyle cruises” (or, to be blunter, swingers cruises), they are subject to increasing demand from both young and old.

    A lively production

    The play’s title is taken from the large Renoir jigsaw puzzle found in the games room of a cruise ship that brings together those wanting to shake up their monotonous lives.

    Of course, this becomes a metaphor for how the middle-aged negotiate themes of sexual boredom, polygamy and parenthood. With shades of Williamson’s earlier satirical get-together Don’s Party (1971), the ensemble expertly navigate the promises that “swinging” might do to enliven their character’s sex lives, trapped as they are in close proximity to each other.

    This is a lively production with uniformly good performances.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    This is a lively production with uniformly good performances. Erik Thomson plays Drew, the father trying to improve his relationship with his daughter and provides a solid anchor for the promiscuousness that occurs around him. Ahunim Abebe brings rhythmic physicality to his daughter Cassie as she shocks the father with her own sexual adventures.

    The two would-be swinging couples bring verve and vivacity to their performances. Chris Asimos delights as Brian who flips from depression to reinforced post coital vitality. Anna Lindner brings a refreshing groove as she sashays around the cruise ship as Brian’s wife, Michele.

    Williamson has found the drama in a holiday cruise that appeals as a ‘lifestyle’ change.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    Ansuya Nathan’s Mandy provides a moral counterpoint as her character struggles with the concept of swinging, while her onstage partner Craig, played by Nathan O’Keefe, provides both earnestness and excellent comic timing. At one point during the night O’Keefe toasts his glass too hard and loses his slice of lemon on the floor – which he promptly sucks on to the great amusement of the audience. Clearly an accident, but perhaps worth keeping.

    Steady chuckles

    Shannon Rush directs with panache, providing some excellent moments of physical vignettes interlaced with the increasing sexual frisson, accompanied by brisk and sharp lighting from Mark Shelton. This in turn is ably supported by the 70s-style guitar soundtrack from composer Andrew Howard and sound designer Patrick Pages-Oliver.

    Williamson alludes to the garish décor found aboard cruise ships and Ailsa Paterson’s design doesn’t disappoint. She makes spectacular use of colour and proportion that beckons with promises of a new adventure.

    The multi-layered set features tables and chairs with retro 70s/80s feel. The backdrop is a stylised view of the horizon changing with time passing – this is in the form of the Renoir style of brush stroke, neatly linking it to the jigsaw we see being slowly completed.

    Williamson alludes to the garish décor of cruise ships, and Paterson’s design doesn’t disappoint.
    Matt Byrne/STCSA

    The play draws steady chuckles and the occasional guffaw as Williamson builds the expectations of the passengers. In the second half, naturalism gives way to farce as the characters experience both comic and life changing reversals. This comes with the moral reckoning of the unintended consequences intercouple sex may bring.

    Williamson’s capacity to introduce ideas and return to them in new ways in the dialogue demonstrates his expert craft in constructing witty and challenging dialogue.

    This grand old man of Australian theatre shows his continual insight and capacity to satirise the middle-class.

    Kudos should also go to outgoing artistic director Mitchell Butel who had the foresight to see the potential in the finished script submitted by Williamson, followed by further development between playwright and company to bring the play to the stage.

    The playwright, actors and director gain much from being able to work together over a period of time.

    Like the new wave of the 1970s, artists don’t grow in isolation but blossom within a supportive community. In this instance a community Butel has fostered, evident in another fine offering.

    The Puzzle is at the State Theatre Company South Australia, Adelaide, until October 12.

    Russell Fewster co-ordinates the 2nd year course: State Theatre Masterclass in the Performing Arts Major at the University of South Australia. This is a collaboration between the State Theatre of SA and the University of South Australia.

    – ref. With The Puzzle, David Williamson shows his continual capacity to satirise the middle-class – https://theconversation.com/with-the-puzzle-david-williamson-shows-his-continual-capacity-to-satirise-the-middle-class-239195

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Underlying inflation lowest in more than 30 months

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    New figures today show that underlying inflation has moderated substantially to its lowest level in more than thirty months and headline monthly inflation moderated substantially by 0.8 percentage points in August, returning to the RBA’s target band for first time since October 2021.

    These are very welcome and encouraging numbers.

    They show our policies are helping in the fight against inflation, but we’re not complacent because we know people are still under pressure.

    Monthly inflation was 2.7 per cent in the year to August 2024, down from 3.5 per cent in July 2024. It’s now less than half the 6.1 per cent we inherited and less than a third of its peak.

    Underlying inflation moderated to its lowest rate in more than 30 months. Annual trimmed mean inflation moderated to 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to August 2024, down from 3.8 per cent in July 2024 and 4.3 per cent at the election.

    Excluding volatile items and holiday travel, monthly inflation moderated to 3.0 per cent in August, down from 3.7 per cent in July.

    Non‑tradable inflation was 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to August 2024, down from 4.5 per cent in July 2024 and much lower than the 5.3 per cent we inherited.

    This shows we’ve made welcome and encouraging progress on inflation but we want it to moderate further and faster in quarterly terms as well.

    Our policies are making a positive difference, but they aren’t the only factor that led to this result with underlying price measures also moderating in today’s figures.

    This is a good result that shows we’re getting inflation under control but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves because we know it doesn’t moderate in a straight line.

    The monthly figures can jump around which is why the quarterly data is the official measure of inflation, but the moderation in today’s figures is very heartening.

    The quarterly data also confirms we’ve made welcome progress, with inflation half its peak and annual trimmed mean inflation having moderated for six consecutive quarters.

    It’s encouraging to see the progress in today’s figures, particularly as we saw core inflation rise in multiple G7 countries just last week.

    We recognise people are under pressure and we’re doing something about it.

    We’ve delivered the first back‑to‑back surpluses in almost two decades which the RBA Governor has said are helping in the fight against inflation.

    ABS data today again shows that inflation would be higher without our responsible cost‑of‑living relief.

    Rents increased 6.8 per cent in the year to August but without our largest increase to Rent Assistance in 30 years, they would have increased 8.6 per cent.

    Electricity prices fell 17.9 per cent in the year to August but without the energy rebates we are rolling out with the states, they would have decreased 2.7 per cent.

    Our economic plan is all about easing the cost of living and fighting inflation without crunching the economy and today’s data confirms our policies are making a meaningful difference.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Last chance to have your say on 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review has seen a record number of Australians from across the country share their views and experiences on telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia.
     
    Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, on Tuesday met with the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee to hear detailed feedback on stakeholder consultations ahead of the Review’s online sessions next week.
     
    The Review plays a key role in reducing the digital divide between cities and regional Australia, including in First Nations communities, by taking on community feedback and delivering an independent report and recommendations to the Government.
     
    Undertaken every three years, the Review is a chance for regional, remote and rural Australians to share their experiences and expectations when using telecommunications services. The Review is also working with the telecommunications industry to address issues raised during consultations.
     
    The online consultations are the last opportunity for people who live and work in remote, rural and regional Australia to contribute to the 2024 Review, which received more than 300 written submissions and 3,000 survey responses.
     
    They follow 17 face to face consultation sessions undertaken across each state and the Northern Territory at locations from Thursday Island to Geraldton, and from Katherine to Benalla – attended by more than 600 people.
     
    In total, more than 3,900 stakeholders have participated in the 2024 Review to date representing a four-fold increase in participation compared to 2021 and underlining the importance of conducting regular reviews to capture the experience across the nation.
     
    Feedback from the public in previous reviews has informed important Australian Government initiatives to improve regional connectivity such as the Mobile Black Spot Program, the National Audit of Mobile Coverage and the First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan.
     
    Regional, remote and rural Australians who were unable to attend face to face session are encouraged to attend an online session on 1 October 2024.

    To register go to: https://www.rtirc.gov.au/consultation#upcoming
     
    The Committee is due to deliver its report to Government by 31 December 2024.
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “We have seen an enormous level of engagement right across the country for the 2024 review so far – highlighting the importance of this issue to regional Australians.
     
    “I’m particularly pleased by the representation across First Nations communities, and proud that the independent review committee made special focus on travelling to some of Australia’s more remote and isolated communities like Mornington Island and Thursday Island to hear what the locals have to say.
     
    “Every Australian needs reliable and affordable connectivity. It’s no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity to keep our communities safe, businesses running and Australia moving.
     
    “I’m encouraged by the progress the independent review committee is making, and I look forward to receiving the final report later this year.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 15th MEU concludes month of training in S. Korea, first ACV amphibious assault during Ex Ssang Yong

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SOUTH KOREA  –  

    Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary concluded more than a month of training in South Korea Aug. 6 to Sept. 7, including participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 24, which featured the first amphibious assault using Amphibious Combat Vehicles during their inaugural deployment.

    The Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU arrived in South Korea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during the first week of August. Partnered with the ROK Marine Corps 7th Brigade, the combined force of Marines conducted two weeks of live-fire training ranges and unit-level training at ROKMC bases near Pohang.

    Battalion Landing Team 1/5, the ground combat element of the 15th MEU, employed ACVs at ROKMC training areas surrounding Pohang, South Korea, exercising the vehicles’ off-road mobility and automated crew-served weapons. Alpha Company, BLT 1/5’s designated mechanized company, and its ACV Platoon also provided ROK Marines opportunities to tour and familiarize themselves with the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest ship-to-shore connector Aug. 20 and 22.

    Units from across the 15th MEU also conducted partnered non-live fire events, including: tactical planning, mountain warfare training, fast rope inserts from an MV-22B Osprey, unmanned aerial and waterborne systems familiarization, small boat operations and reconnaissance, operations in urban terrain, communications integration, chemical attack response, and other training. This training strengthened and improved the interoperability between ROK and U.S forces in defense of the Korean Peninsula.

    The culminating event in South Korea for 15th MEU and its ACVs was the amphibious assault Sept. 2 as part of Ssang Yong. Alpha Company Marines and Sailors, under the cover of the combined force’s air and surface fire support, landed at Hwajin-ri Beach near Pohang alongside nearly 40 Korean amphibious assault vehicles. Using their ACVs’ stabilized weapon systems, the company identified and reduced simulated enemy positions as they approached the shoreline, then dismounted to secure the beach prior to continuing the attack inland.

    This marked the first time Marine Corps ACVs with embarked infantry demonstrated their beach assault capabilities with a host nation’s forces during a major exercise.

    “Seventy-four years after our landing at Inchon, I can’t think of a better place and partner with whom to showcase the Marine Corps’ latest, most lethal amphibious assault capability,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, commanding officer of BLT 1/5. “Any amphibious assault is a complex operation, and that’s especially true with a combined force featuring new equipment. Today, we benefitted from decades of steadfast commitment between our countries, years of development and testing by our service, many months of hard work by this first-of-its-kind mechanized company, and several weeks of excellent training and integration with our allies. It’s gratifying and inspiring to be here to see the impressive result of all these efforts.”

    The Marine Corps expects this first deployment of ACVs to continue to provide insights for platform embarkation and maintenance requirements, logistics, and integration with our allies and partners. These insights are vital for the service to ensure we continue to provide our Marines with the most operationally ready and capable platforms.

    “As the U.S. Marine Corps’ new generation of amphibious assault vehicle, it was special and meaningful to have ACVs deployed to the Korea Theater of Operations for the first time. Especially, during the decisive action, the most complex and sophisticated phase of the amphibious operation, the ACVs not only revealed its strength and capabilities but also the firm commitment to ROK-U.S. Alliance,” said ROKMC Lt. Col. Chol-Uk Kang, lead SY24 exercise planner, 1st ROK Marine Division. “Going forward, I sincerely hope that the ROK and the U.S. can further develop on combined amphibious operational method and concept with its new capability.”

    After the completion of Ssang Yong, the 15th MEU’s forces reembarked Boxer and Harpers Ferry at ROK Naval Base Busan, South Korea, to resume their deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of operations.

    The ACV Platoon, Alpha Company, and other elements of the 15th MEU began their deployment in late March 2024, departing San Diego aboard Harpers Ferry.

    Since then, ACVs were first employed overseas May 4 during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Oyster Bay in the Philippines. During the exercise, the ACV Platoon launched from Harpers Ferry, made movement in the water toward an objective, and attacked targets from offshore using the vehicles’ stabilized heavy machine guns before reembarking.

    The ACV Platoon’s first time ashore in a foreign country was June 24 after a ship-to-shore movement from Harpers Ferry to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. During that event, the mechanized company rehearsed troop egress procedures and shared best practices with leaders from III Marine Expeditionary Force, which received its first ACVs in July.

    Elements of the 15th MEU are under the command and control of Commander, Task Force 76, which the U.S. 7th Fleet employs to cooperate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    As the U.S. 7th Fleet’s primary Navy advisor on amphibious matters in the 7th Fleet area of operations, CTF 76 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations to support a full range of theater contingencies, ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to full combat operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Intelligence Leaders Travel to Japan for Engagements with Allies and Partners

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    TOKYO, Japan  –  

    Vice Adm. Karl Thomas visited Japan September 9–14 during his first official international trip as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, N2N6/Director of Naval Intelligence. Thomas was accompanied on the trip by Rear Adm. Rebecca Ore, Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, United States Coast Guard, and Mr. Steve Parode, Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, U.S. Navy.

    The international trip began in Tokyo where Thomas and the U.S. delegation met with Admiral Akira Saito, Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two navies and agreed that information sharing among allies and partners is essential to maintaining maritime security in the region.

    While in Tokyo, Thomas, Ore, and Parode met with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan to discuss the strength of the U.S.- Japan alliance and the importance of the Navy-to-Navy relationship in facing the challenges to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    Thomas and Parode then traveled to Yokosuka for various engagements with elements of the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet. This was Thomas’ first return trip to Yokosuka since serving as SEVENTH Fleet’s 54th commander. While on base, Thomas and Parode spoke at the SEVENTH Fleet Information Warfare Waterfront Conference and received a briefing at the U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Far East.

    The trip concluded with a visit to U.S. Army Japan, Camp Zama, where Thomas, Ore, and Parode received a briefing from the Asian Studies Detachment team on Open-Source Intelligence capabilities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Truck into tree crash: truck retrieval midday to 4 pm SH6 into Westport

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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    A truck crash in the Buller Gorge, between Inangahua Junction and the entrance to Westport (SH67) briefly closed SH6 this morning between 9 and 10 am.

    The truck will be removed from the site this afternoon from midday, so SH6 will be closed potentially up till 4 pm, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

    People travelling to Westport via the Buller Gorge need to delay their journeys this afternoon or take the long way via Greymouth and up the Coast Road via Punakaiki.

    Journey Planner – West coast closures(external link)

    SH6 will be closed potentially up till 4 pm

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –