NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: An AUKUS First, Seven Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate Nuclear Power School

    Source: United States Navy

    GOOSE CREEK, South Carolina – Demonstrating another significant milestone for the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership, 12 Royal Australian Navy uniformed personnel, including the first seven enlisted sailors, graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School at Joint Base Charleston-Naval Weapons Station, Oct. 11.

    The enlisted Royal Australian Navy sailors, who trained alongside U.S. sailors, began the naval nuclear power training pipeline in October 2023. Since then, they have been learning their specific rates, as well as the fundamentals of design, operation and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plans. These sailors are the vanguard of Australia establishing a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered, submarine (SSN) fleet in the early 2030s.

    “Naval Nuclear Power training is exceptionally rigorous and to have seven Australian sailors and five officers complete the program and move on to the Nuclear Power Training Unit takes us one step closer to operating our own SSNs,” said Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond.

    “Two days after assuming command of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, I presided over the graduation of the first three Royal Australian Navy officers from Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston,” shared Adm. Bill Houston, Director, Naval Reactors. “I have been nothing but impressed by the quality of Australian sailors and officers in our training pipeline and serving aboard our nuclear-powered submarine.”

    Following graduation, the Royal Australian Navy sailors will report to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston for training focused on shipboard nuclear power plant operation and maintenance of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet.

    Making Australia Sovereign-Ready

    Training and education opportunities are critical to ensure Australia is ready to operate its sovereign Virginia-class SSNs early next decade.

    “The Australian sailors are receiving the same training as their American counterparts,” shared Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea. “They are held to the same high standards required to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines so that when they report to their boat, they’re ready to put their training to the test, integrate with the crew, and become Australia’s future front-line warriors aboard their own sovereign SSNs.”

    Currently, there are six Royal Australian Navy officers serving aboard or assigned to U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines, 12 officers and 28 enlisted sailors within the naval nuclear power training pipeline with an additional 19 enlisted sailors completing Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. Additionally, 39 personnel from ASC Pty Ltd. (formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation) are training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to prepare them for future roles in maintaining nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

    Full Speed Ahead, ‘Well on our Way’

    The first three Australian-flagged SSNs will be Virginia-class submarines that are typically crewed by 15 officers and 117 enlisted submariners. Australian submariners will be joining U.S. SSN crews to gain practical experience and build their crews ahead of taking possession of their first sovereign SSN in the early 2030s.

    “The training at Goose Creek and Groton are preparing our Australian allies to operate Virginia-class submarines,” said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, Director, AUKUS Integration and Acquisition. “Over the coming months, we will see that number grow significantly across both the uniformed and civilian training pipelines so we can make sure, come 2032, Australia can fully crew its first, sovereign, conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine.”

    The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavor aimed at strengthening the security and defense capabilities of each partner nation. The U.S. remains committed to peace and prosperity in order to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific. This alliance helps sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, benefits each country’s national security and prosperity, and uplifts all three industrial bases.

    “Thirty-seven months after AUKUS’ inception, we are well on our way to developing Australia’s SSN capability,” said Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency. “Last month, Australian sailors conducted the first maintenance period on a U.S. SSN in Australia. Today we graduate the first enlisted personnel from an exceptionally rigorous school, already we have Australian officers serving aboard both U.S. and UK SSNs.”

    AUKUS Pillar 1 will deliver a conventionally armed SSN capability to the Royal Australian Navy by the early 2030s. The Department of the Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Office is the U.S. lead responsible for executing the trilateral partnership for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines at the earliest possible date while maintaining the highest nuclear stewardship standards and setting the highest standards for nuclear non-proliferation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia and House Democrats Call on Fortune 1000 CEOs to Reject Division and Uphold Workplace Equality Initiatives

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) led a group of 49 colleagues to call on the CEOs of Fortune 1,000 companies to affirm their commitment to workplace equality and stand against coordinated conservative efforts to dismantle programs and policies that foster inclusive workplaces. The letter comes in response to at least three Fortune 75 companies succumbing to a conservative media campaign aimed at scaling back critical diversity initiatives and gutting employee resource groups. To read the full letter, click here.

    “Employees deserve to work in environments that are free from discrimination and that are welcoming to Americans from all backgrounds,” said Congressman Garcia. “Corporations must stand up to groups that aim to bring our country backward. Supporting programs that foster inclusivity in the workplace is good for business and benefits employees, customers, and the bottom line.”

    Studies have shown that creating corporate environments where everyone is welcome improves business revenue, strengthens workplace morale, increases employee retention, and encourages innovation. The letter reminds corporations that decisions to end these programs not only jeopardizes the well-being of workers, but strips away overwhelming benefits for businesses. 

    Co-signers of the letter include: Congresswoman Alma Adams, Congresswoman Becca Balint, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congressman André Carson, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman James E. Clyburn, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Congressman Danny Davis, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congresswoman Pramila Jaypal, Congressman Henry Johnson, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Congressman Daniel Kildee, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Summer Lee, Congressman Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congresswoman Eleanor Norton, Congressman Scott Peters, Congressman Mark Pocan, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Congressman Mark Takano, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Paul Tonko, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congresswoman Susan Wild, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, and Congressman Jimmy Gomez.

    As the first gay immigrant in Congress, Congressmember Garcia has always fought to protect marginalized communities in the workplace and beyond. In June, Congressman Garcia sent a letter to federal officials asking them to help protect LGBTQ+ people from violence during Pride month in response to threats from anti-Pride extremists. In January, Congressman Garcia demanded that the Pentagon resolve cases of LGBTQ+ people dishonorably expelled from the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Last year, Congressman Garcia introduced the International Human Rights Defense Act with Senator Markey to enshrine global protections for LGBTQ+ people in US law and foreign policy, reaffirming the U.S.’s role in protecting and promoting LGBTQ+ rights. As former Mayor of the City of Long Beach, Congressman Garcia worked to ensure the city achieved a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index every year he served in office. During his tenure, the city ensured that gender-affirming care was made available to all city employees.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Navy Demonstrates First At-sea Reloading of Vertical Launching System

    Source: United States Navy

    SAN DIEGO—The U.S. Navy achieved a breakthrough in combat readiness today as it successfully demonstrated the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) on an underway warship in open ocean for the first time.

    Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) used the hydraulically-powered TRAM device to load an empty missile canister into the ship’s MK 41 vertical launching system (VLS) while off the coast of San Diego on Oct. 11.

    The successful demonstration marks a critical step in the capability to rearm warships at sea—a top priority outlined by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.

    “Today, we proved just how game-changing TRAM truly is—and what a powerful deterrent it will be to our competitors,” said Del Toro, who witnessed the demonstration. “This demonstration marks a key milestone on the path to perfecting this capability and fielding it for sustained operations at sea.”

    “This was an outstanding effort by the sailors and civilians involved in demonstrating this game-changing capability for the Navy,” said Capt. James “Mike” Williams, commanding officer of Chosin.

    The groundbreaking at-sea test follows a successful land-based demonstration in July at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) in California.

    Engineers at NSWC PHD developed the TRAM prototype as a way to rearm warships during the underway replenishment (UNREP) process—when a supply ship connects to a combatant at sea to transfer vital material such as fuel and food.

    “The combatant can stay near the fight to be rearmed, refueled and resupplied all at the same time,” said Rich Hadley, UNREP division manager at NSWC PHD. “As Capt. Arleigh Burke said, ‘All time spent in replenishing was time lost in combat.’ TRAM improves operational effectiveness by reducing the amount of time the warfighter must spend away from the fight replenishing.”

    For the at-sea demonstration, Chosin connected to USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), a Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship, which transferred the missile canister across cables to the cruiser. The sailors then used TRAM to move the missile canister along rails attached to the cruiser’s VLS modules, tilt it into a vertical position, and lower it into a VLS cell with TRAM’s built-in cable and pulley system.

    “Deploying TRAM into the Military Sealift Command logistics fleet,” said Tim Barnard, director of the NAVSEA technology office (05T), “would enable combatants to remain in theater while reloading their VLS missile launchers instead of having to travel long distances to a port, greatly expanding the volume and tempo of long-range fires—and the U.S. Navy’s advantage over adversaries.”

    MK 41 VLS provides rapid-fire missile launch capability for the U.S. Navy’s destroyers, cruisers and future Constellation-class frigates.

    Del Toro said the Navy is on track to begin fielding TRAM in two to three years.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Cape Breton Regional Municipality

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia October 15, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria; Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso; and Amanda McDougall-Merrill, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

    Date:
    Wednesday, October 16, 2024

    Time:
    1:00 p.m. ADT

    Location:
    Transit Cape Breton
    227 Welton Street
    Sydney, NS B1P 5R9

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Communications Advisor
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Rob MacNamara 
    Communications Advisor – Mayor’s Office
    Cape Breton Regional Municipality
    902-563-5297   
    rjmacnamara@cbrm.ns.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who really holds the purse strings? Why it matters which partner decides where the money goes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ran Gu, Lecturer in Economics, University of Essex

    Kmpzzz/Shutterstock

    In an era of increasing financial complexity, who really calls the shots when it comes to investing your household’s savings? This question has significant implications for financial health and overall wellbeing.

    As economists, we specifically wanted to understand how “bargaining power” is distributed between men and women in a mixed-sex household when it comes to finances. This bargaining power refers to the ability of one partner to influence decisions that affect the household – the partner with more bargaining power has a greater say.

    To investigate this, my research partners and I analysed household investment decisions in Australia, Germany and the US. Our recent research reveals a persistent gender gap in household investment decisions, with men often wielding greater influence, even when their female partners may be more risk-averse.

    This isn’t just a matter of who manages the online brokerage account – it has real consequences for families. In many households, partners have different levels of risk tolerance.

    In Australia, this was the case for 43% of households, increasing to 57% in Germany and 65% in the US. This suggests that disagreements over investment decisions are common.

    For example, a man might prefer high-risk, high-reward stocks, while his female partner prioritises safer, long-term investments. If the man dominates the decision-making, the family portfolio might be exposed to a level of risk the woman finds uncomfortable, potentially jeopardising their financial security.

    But how do we measure this “bargaining power” within households? We developed an approach that goes beyond simply asking couples who makes the decisions. Instead, we looked at actual investment choices and combined this with data on individual risk tolerances. This allowed us to estimate how much each partner’s preferences influenced the final investment decisions.

    Across all three countries, men tend to have more control over investment decisions than their female partners. In an average Australian household, the man’s bargaining power is 60%, compared to 40% for the woman.

    In the US and Germany, men hold even greater sway, with their bargaining power rising to 61% and 69% respectively. While men’s greater bargaining power could be justified if they were better traders, evidence suggests they tend to trade more frequently and underperform compared to women.

    This power imbalance stems from two main sources.

    The first of these is individual characteristics. In our study, male partners are often older, more likely to be employed, and have higher incomes – factors that tend to increase their influence in financial decision-making. These characteristics can give male partners a sense of authority and control over financial matters, leading to an unequal balance of power in investment decisions.

    Our study found that personality traits also play a part, with individuals who are less agreeable and less extroverted – typically more likely to be men – tending to have more bargaining power.

    And the second is traditional gender norms. Typically, men tend to have extra bargaining power – this can be due to deeply rooted societal expectations about them being the primary breadwinners and financial decision-makers. This effect is amplified when women also adhere to these norms.

    Of the two, we found that gender norms are a far more powerful force than individual characteristics in explaining the gender gap in bargaining power.

    Why this matters

    This gender gap in investment decision-making is closely linked to other household money matters, such as day-to-day spending and large purchases. Household investment and consumption decisions are highly correlated and usually made by the same person, with male partners often appearing to have the upper hand.

    This imbalance can have significant implications for women’s financial wellbeing. Being exposed to higher investment risk than they are comfortable with can leave female partners feeling vulnerable and undermine their sense of financial security.

    The gender patterns spill over into other financial decisions too.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Our research provides evidence that supports the idea that gender inequality is not just a public issue but one that exists in private spaces as well. By showing that men often hold more bargaining power in discussions around investments, it underscores the need for policies that address gender disparities at home, not just in the workplace.

    So, what can be done? Promoting gender equality in financial decision-making starts with open communication and recognising that both partners’ perspectives are valuable. Couples should discuss their financial goals, risk tolerance and investment strategies together, ensuring that both partners feel heard and understood.

    Beyond individual households, challenging traditional gender norms is a crucial step towards creating a more equitable financial future for everyone. This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about ensuring that families make sound financial decisions that reflect the needs and preferences of all members. By empowering women to take an active role in investment decisions, we can help to create a more secure and equitable financial future for families everywhere.

    Ran Gu receives funding from the British Academy, award reference RG1920101488, and the Keynes Fund at Cambridge. He is affiliated with the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

    – ref. Who really holds the purse strings? Why it matters which partner decides where the money goes – https://theconversation.com/who-really-holds-the-purse-strings-why-it-matters-which-partner-decides-where-the-money-goes-241089

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Everything Liz Saville Roberts said in her speech to annual conference

    Source: Party of Wales

    Our Westminster parliamentary leader, Liz Saville Roberts, gave the closing speech to the annual conference.

    Diolch yn fawr, Gynhadledd.

    Mae’n bleser siarad efo chi ar derfyn deuddydd gwych o sgwrsio, o drafod syniadau, a chwrdd â ffrindiau hen a newydd.

    Dwi’n falch o’r cysylltiadau sydd ganddon ni fel plaid. Ro’n i’n falch o glywed Stephen Gethins ddoe o’r SNP – wrth gwrs mae hir draddodiad ganddon ni o gael rhywun o’n chwaer blaid yr SNP i’n cynhadledd.

    Ro’n i’n falch iawn o glywed John Finucane o Sinn Fein. Mae’n gysylltiad gweddol newydd rydyn ni’n ei gryfhau wrth ei gael yma yn siarad heddiw.

    A dwi’n meddwl ‘mod i’n siarad dros bawb pan dwi’n dweud bod yr anerchiad gan Lysgennad Palesteina, Husam Zomlot, yn un o’r pethau mwyaf grymus dwi erioed wedi ei glywed mewn cynhadledd Plaid Cymru.

    A dwi’n falch hefyd o’ch annerch heddiw fel arweinydd y Grŵp cryfaf sydd gan Plaid Cymru erioed wedi bod yn San Steffan.

    Dani wedi cael cyfnod prysur a dweud y lleia.

    Er bod nifer ohonom wedi bod yn hir aros yr etholiad, roedd amseriad yr Etholiad Cyffredinol yn syndod i bron bob un ohonom – gan gynnwys Rishi Sunak yn hynny o beth!

    Ond, fe wnaethom ateb yr alwad fel plaid.

    Dwi’n hynod falch bod Plaid Cymru wedi sicrhau’r gyfran uchaf o’r bleidlais mewn Etholiad San Steffan yn hanes ein plaid!

    Mae’n rhaid i mi ddiolch i’r gwirfoddolwyr ar draws Cymru gyfan a’n helpodd i gnocio ar ddrysau a gyrru’r ymgyrch i lwyddiant.

    Rhaid i mi roi diolch arbennig i griw Dwyfor Meirionnydd, ac yn arbennig, arbennig, i fy asiant Arwyn Herald gyda’r gwaith arwrol, amyneddgar, lliwgar, ieithgar weithiau! A’r holl luniau yn ystod yr ymgyrch yn yr etholaeth newydd sbon – sydd gyda llaw yn fwy na Luxembourg!

    Ar y nodyn cychwynol yma hefyd – yn drist iawn, mi gollon ni un o’n cefnogwyr mwyaf brwd yn ddiweddar. Roedd Dewi Pws yn arwr cenedlaethol, ond i mi hefyd yn gymydog, yn ffrind ac yn ymgyrchydd brwd. Yr hyn roedd Dewi yn ei wneud yn unigryw oedd gyrru yr achos cenedlaethol, nid ag och a gwae ond â gwên ar ei wyneb.

    Daeth Dewi a Rhiannon lond trol o hapusrwydd i Nefyn.

    Roedd o’n genedlaethwr i’r carn, ac yn enghraifft i ni gyd.

    Diolch am bopeth, Dewi Pws.

    Roedden ni’n gwybod ein bod ni’n wynebu cyd-destun anodd wrth fynd i mewn i’r etholiad cyffredinol.

    Ond gyda’ch gwaith caled chi a’ch ymroddiad chi, mae gennym dîm cryf a phenderfynol newydd yn San Steffan.

    A dwi eisiau troi atyn nhw fesul un rwan.

    Mae’r ymryddawn Ben Lake wedi’i ddychwelyd gyda chyfran uwch o’r bleidlais – supermajority bron – yng Ngheredigion Preseli newydd.

    Arweiniodd Ann Davies ymgyrch gampus yng Nghaerfyrddin a phwy all anghofio’r ddelwedd eiconig o Ann yn cael ei chanu oddi ar y platfform i gyfeiliant Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ar ei thrên cyntaf i Lundain?

    Mae etholiad Llinos Medi yn Ynys Môn yn profi bod pobl yn ysu am wleidyddion sy’n cael eu gyrru gan angerdd dros eu cymunedau ac ysfa i wella bywydau pobl.

    Y gair i ddisgrifio Llinos? Ysbrydoledig. Mae Ynys Môn yn mor lwcus o dy gael di.

    Nid yn unig enillon ni ein seddi targed ond cawsom ganlyniadau gwych ar hyd a lled Cymru – Caerdydd, Llanelli, Bangor Aberconwy. Diolch yn fawr i ymgeiswyr ar draws Gymru am ymgyrch ragorol.

    Rhan allweddol o’n llwyddiant yn yr etholiad oedd perfformiad ein harweinydd Rhun ap Iorwerth. Roedd o’n bwerdy yn y cyfryngau. Oherwydd Rhun, roedd llais Cymru i’w glywed yn yr etholiad. Mae o wedi codi proffil Plaid Cymru. Felly diolch yn fawr iti, Rhun.

    We have every reason therefore to be hopeful for the future.

    Another reason to be hopeful is that we played our part in kicking out the Tories out of Wales.

    They may still be the second largest party in Westminster, but they are a spent force in Wales.  

    Let us be clear:

    Plaid is the official opposition for Wales in Westminster. Not the Conservatives.

    We will do what the opposition are supposed to do – hold the Government of the day to account.

    As I speak with you today, it is UK Labour’s 100th day in office – and what have we seen so far?

    They have maintained the cruel two child benefit cap.

    Cut winter fuel payments for over half a million pensioners in Wales, just as energy prices have increased by 10%.

    Overseen the end of steelmaking in Wales despite claiming they had a plan to save it.

    Continued to give Israel a carte blanche for its actions in the Middle East in defiance of international law.

    From ‘Change’ to 100 days of continuity.

    We were promised the sunlit uplands of a UK Labour Government supposedly working in partnership with the Labour Government in Cardiff.

    The reality is much different, with Wales continuing to have a child-parent, supplicant-master, relationship with Westminster, with Labour in Wales following orders.

    Sue Gray has recently been appointed an ‘envoy for the nations and regions’ – a backwards term for an outdated way of governing.

    But she didn’t even bother to turn up to her first meeting in Edinburgh.

    Non-job. Non-starter. Labour have no understanding of Wales.

    Let me give you two examples.

     

    This month marks 5 years since the Thomas Commission report recommended the full-scale devolution of justice and policing to Wales.

    This isn’t a nice to have – this is fundamental if we want to make a fairer and healthier society.

    Due to the crisis in our prisons, prisoners are being released early, and yet some are re-offending to avoid being homeless.

    With a devolved system we could divert people away from prison ending Wales’ status as having the highest imprisonment rate in Western Europe.

    It would also be a way of ensuring that those who are released are fully supported by housing and health services – reducing the reoffending rate in the process.

    Yet UK Labour is not interested in allowing Wales to do this, despite a fully devolved justice system being the policy of the Welsh Labour Government.

    Labour in Wales also nominally want the Crown Estate devolved, yet Eluned Morgan isn’t even asking her boss Keir Starmer for these powers.

    It is left to Plaid Cymru to lead where Labour fail.

    We are campaigning to ensure that it is the people of Wales who benefit from the use of Welsh natural resources – not the Monarchy.

    The millions of pounds that could be generated from a devolved Crown Estate could be transformative for our communities.   

    Profit from the Scottish Crown Estate is directly transferred to Scottish councils to support community benefit projects.

    Last year £11.2 million was transferred to councils, with those in deprived areas such as the Highlands prioritised for funding.

    Conference. Let’s say it clearly: if Scotland can, so – can – Wales.

    UK Labour have brushed aside the idea of devolving the Crown Estate instead promising that GB Energy will solve Wales’ energy needs.

    But where is the evidence of HOW it will reduce bills?

    We can do so much better than this.

    Plaid Cymru’s plan for cheaper energy bills starts right here, in our communities. We would expand community energy projects – where the power generated locally is used locally, and it’s sold to our people at affordable prices.

    Just yesterday, Llinos Medi MP on this stage called for regional pricing – a bold idea that energy prices should reflect where it’s produced.

    Wales is an energy powerhouse, yet we’re paying the most!

    We in the north pay the highest standing charges in all of Britain.

    It’s outrageous. Plaid Cymru will scrap these unjust standing charges once and for all.

    Imagine the difference that would make in an energy-rich nation like ours.

    For our low-income families, we would also introduce a social tariff to protect them from skyrocketing prices. And we would fund it by making sure those with vast, unearned wealth finally pay their fair share.

    This is more than just lowering bills – this is about fairness, about justice, and about Wales taking charge of our future.

    No more empty promises – it’s time our communities see the REAL benefits of the energy we produce.

    Labour is tired and letting us down.

    They are continuing the failed status quo which people in Wales know isn’t working.

    Wales needs a fresh start, and Plaid Cymru are the Government in waiting ready to provide the bold change and vision our nation needs.

    In rural areas where young people are often forced to leave their communities to look for opportunities further afield.

    Plaid Cymru have already acted to address the problem of second homes but must do more to increase access to housing and jobs.

    Wales could draw on international examples where other countries are already acting such as in Western Australia where they run successful promotional campaign to draw workers to fill roles in public services, and regions of Spain which use their tax systems to incentivise people to stay in their communities.

    These are examples of creative ideas that Wales could emulate with the right powers and the right ambition.

    If we look at industrial areas, we see the managed decline of historic industries such as steel in Port Talbot.

    Whilst this is a complete economic misstep, there is an opportunity through the development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea for places like Port Talbot to thrive once again if we maximise the benefit by ensuring local supply chains are used.

    If we look at our valleys, there is a strong community spirit that is untapped.  We want to change that with an economic vision centred on community wealth building.

    Plaid Cymru is offering the bold ambitious vision for the whole of Wales – we are ready to be the change that Wales needs.

    As we look to the future, there are many challenges, but I am increasingly hopeful for the future of Wales.

    Plaid Cymru is offering the bold ambitious vision for the whole of Wales – we are ready to be the change that Wales needs.

    We will take this positive message forward into 2026.

    Conference lets go forward together, let’s bring about the change we want to see and bring the people of Wales on the journey with us.

    Ymlaen!

    Diolch yn fawr.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Austerity and recession: 3 simple graphs that explain New Zealand’s economic crisis

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Bertram, Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    Getty Images

    Economists working on macroeconomic policy – things like taxes and spending, interest rates and border controls on flows of trade and money – often refer to a set of key relationships governments can influence. In the textbooks, each of those relationships is drawn as a curve in a graph.

    First is the IS (“investment–saving”) curve. This says that if everything else stays the same, the Reserve Bank can increase economic output and employment by lowering the interest rate. Or it can cause a recession by raising the interest rate. (For simplicity’s sake, the curves here are depicted as straight lines.)

    Second comes the Phillips Curve, which is usually drawn sloping upwards to suggest that if everything else stays the same, inflation will rise during economic booms and fall in recessions. In other words, the Reserve Bank or the government can apparently bring inflation down by causing a recession.

    Third comes the trade balance – the current account of the balance of payments (investment income and traded goods and services between New Zealand and the rest of the world).

    If everything else stays the same here, as the exchange rate of the dollar falls, the current account strengthens by moving towards or expanding a surplus. If the exchange rate rises, the current account weakens: exports fall and imports increase.

    However, it’s a mistake to suppose each of these relationships will stay where it is while the government and Reserve Bank each tinker with their own policy settings. So, what could go wrong?

    The effect of austerity

    Start with the IS curve – the way output and employment are affected by interest rates, assuming the government makes no big budgetary changes. But what if the government embarks on an austerity program, slashing its spending and cancelling projects, which shrinks the economy?

    At any given interest rate, output and employment will be lower, shifting the whole curve “leftwards” towards lower economic activity (see above).

    Even if the Reserve Bank lowers the interest rate, that won’t expand the economy because the government’s fiscal policy is killing off its expansionary effect. The recession created by the austerity program rolls on.

    Along the way, it increases costs to government from unemployment, paying other benefits, and lower tax revenue. If the government responds with further austerity, we enter a downward self-reinforcing spiral.

    Wages and inflation

    Second, take the Phillips Curve and ask what happens if inflation isn’t, in fact, sensitive to how the economy is doing.

    In this case, driving the economy into recession has no effect on the inflation rate. When the Reserve Bank changes the interest rate, inflation just stays where it is because the Phillips Curve is flat, not upward-sloping. Reducing inflation requires completely different policy interventions.

    Back when the Phillips Curve was invented, it was reasonable to think inflation fell during recessions because workers could get higher wage increases in booms than in slumps.

    Bringing on a recession would reduce the bargaining power of workers, result in slower wage growth, and thereby tame inflation (given that wages are an important part of the costs of production).

    But workers today have lost the bargaining power they used to have when unions were strong and welfare-state thinking prevailed.

    In a paper fellow economist Bill Rosenberg and I published this year, we show the bargaining power of labour was killed off in 1991 by the Employment Contracts Act and has not recovered since. Wages no longer drive inflation in contemporary New Zealand.

    Interest rates and inflation

    Could the Phillips Curve work because producers of goods and services push up prices and profits faster in booms and cut their margins in recessions?

    It’s possible: there’s plenty of evidence of big companies using their market power to price-gouge consumers. But it’s not clear this exercise of market power is greater in booms and lesser in slumps.

    In fact, the opposite could be true. Small businesses are most likely to be driven out of the market in recessions, leaving big companies with increased market share and less competitive pressure on their margins.

    Forces both locally and in international markets have clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down, producing lower inflation. Local forces include the current government’s abrupt cancellation of major construction activities, dismissal of public servants, the constant negative messaging on the state of the economy, and rising outward migration as a consequence of all these.

    International markets, including falling prices for imports such as oil, have also clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down. While the Reserve Bank will claim credit, it’s not at all clear the bank’s interest rate policy has made that much difference.

    Finally, what about the international balance of payments? One thing the Reserve Bank can do by changing the interest rate is change the exchange rate between the New Zealand dollar and other currencies.

    If New Zealand’s interest rates increase relative to elsewhere in the world, short-term money flows in to take advantage of the higher rates. This raises the exchange rate, and in turn weakens the external balance by cutting the return on exports and increasing the volume of cheaper imports.

    Producers of goods and services that face international competition are squeezed. Meanwhile, what used to be called the “sheltered” or “non-tradeable” industries – including the big banks, insurance companies, electricity suppliers, supermarkets, consultancies – are unscathed.

    Deeper recession

    The Reserve Bank may not have much effect on inflation, but it can certainly affect the structure of the economy. Using the interest rate as the weapon against inflation squeezes manufacturers, tourism and farmers, but leaves non-tradables largely untouched.

    Right now in New Zealand, the IS curve is remorselessly shifting left as the economy plunges into a deeper recession exacerbated by government austerity – an ideologically driven quest for instant fiscal surpluses, low public debt and a shrinking public sector relative to GDP.

    Falling interest rates will struggle to make expansionary headway against that austerity.

    Meanwhile, corporate profiteering and rising government charges continue to put upward pressure on the Phillips Curve, and the balance of payments is weakening. This means the country as a whole is piling up increasing debts to the rest of the world (largely through the Australian-owned banks).

    The question is, does the current government understand where its policies are taking us?

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

    – ref. Austerity and recession: 3 simple graphs that explain New Zealand’s economic crisis – https://theconversation.com/austerity-and-recession-3-simple-graphs-that-explain-new-zealands-economic-crisis-241259

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC and Wind River Expand Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Development and Deployment of Mission-Critical Systems

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC) and Wind River® have announced an expanded strategic partnership to deliver industry-leading technologies to government customers by easing mission-oriented integration, speeding development and enhancing functionality in systems, for the U.S. Army and other government entities, including Cabinet-level departments and independent agencies.

    As part of the partnership, SAIC and Wind River will collaborate on product integration and joint go-to-market plans across the Wind River software portfolio, including digital engineering and digital twin, DevSecOps, Linux, safety certifiable products and certification services and cloud-based command and control operations.

    For more than a decade, Wind River has been a trusted SAIC partner supporting U.S. Army embedded software development at Redstone Arsenal. The expanded strategic partnership will enable acceleration of mission solutions and provide secure, safe and reliable mission-critical systems across a range of applications. Those include lifecycle systems, engineering and computer resource engineering support to systems, and activities necessary to define concepts and requirements, while also plan, manage, develop, sustain, modify, improve, test, train, field and retire systems and system computer resources in a time frame necessary to meet customer needs.

    “We are excited to expand our partnership with Wind River, which enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that accelerate the design and mission-oriented integration of complex weapons systems,” said Josh Jackson, executive vice president and manager, Army Business Group. “Together, we are poised to leverage a suite of cloud based digital engineering tools purposely designed to address the requirements in building the Army of 2030.”

    SAIC is uniquely focused on offering prebuilt, commercially integrated and configured products and services to customers, accelerating time to value for all parties. As a market leader, SAIC is helping accelerate Army modernization by empowering the Army with trusted services and cutting-edge technology-agnostic integrated solutions that provide accelerated Operational Outcomes for Multi-Domain Operations.

    “Wind River’s strategic partnership with SAIC represents a pivotal moment for our government customers, driving a transformational shift toward delivering comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that advance the software-defined future of mission-critical, AI-driven applications at the intelligent edge,” said Avijit Sinha, Wind River President. “Together, we will introduce innovative, highly capable joint solutions that provide transformative value across defense, space, civilian, and intelligence sectors, and beyond.”

    Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical systems. With technology proven in over 750 safety programs and in more than 120 civilian and military aircraft, Wind River has over three decades of experience helping to build safe, secure, and reliable computing systems for demanding commercial aircraft, space exploration, and military operations. It is a leading supplier of real-time operating systems, Linux offerings, hypervisors, and simulation technology to the aerospace, government, and defense industries with its portfolio of product, including VxWorks®, Wind River Helix™ Virtualization Platform, Wind River Linux, Wind River Studio Developer, and the recently launched eLxr Pro.

    About SAIC
    SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.4 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    About Wind River
    Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for the intelligent edge. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at http://www.windriver.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    Media Contact:
    Greg Hicks
    619.961.0075 | gregory.l.hicks@saic.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: China’s government is about to spend big on stimulus – can it turn around the country’s sluggish economy?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wenting He, PhD candidate of International Relations, Australian National University

    Sanga Park/Shutterstock

    China’s relentless economic growth used to be the marvel of the world. Oh, what a memory.

    The past couple of years have seen China contend with an economic slowdown amid colliding crises, many of which make it internationally unique. Consumer prices have been approaching deflationary territory, there’s an oversupply of housing, and youth unemployment has soared.

    Mounting pressure has forced the Chinese government to step in. Over the past month, Beijing has put forward a set of significant economic stimulus measures aimed at reviving China’s faltering economy.

    According to a research note by Deutsche Bank, this stimulus could potentially become “the largest in history” in nominal terms. But there’s still a lot we don’t know. So what kinds of measures that are in this package so far, and has China been here before?

    What’s in the package?

    On September 24, Pan Gongsheng, governor of China’s central bank, unveiled the country’s boldest intervention to boost its economy since the pandemic.

    The initiatives included reducing mortgage rates for existing homes and reducing the amount of cash commercial banks are required to hold in reserves. The latter is expected to inject about 1 trillion yuan (A$210 billion) into the financial market by letting the banks lend out more.

    China has been grappling with an oversupply of housing and a property sector crisis.
    Charles Bowman/Shutterstock

    On top of this, 800 billion yuan (A$168 billion) was announced to strengthen China’s capital market.

    This comprised a new 500 billion yuan (A$105 billion) monetary policy facility to help institutions more easily access funds to buy stocks, and a 300 billion yuan (A$63 billion) re-lending facility to help speed up sales of unsold housing.

    Further signs of economic revitalisation became evident at a Politburo meeting of China’s top government officials, two days after this announcement.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the urgency of economic revival. Xi even encouraged officials to “go bold in helping the economy” without having to fear the consequences.

    That same day, seven government departments released a joint policy package to stabilise China’s 500 billion yuan (A$105 billion) dairy industry, which has been severely impacted by declining milk and beef prices since 2023.

    A market rollercoaster

    Initially, the market’s response was overwhelmingly positive. Perhaps too positive. In the last week of September, stock markets in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong saw their biggest weekly rise in 16 years.

    On October 8, following China’s National Day holiday, turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges hit an unprecedented 3.43 trillion yuan (A$718 billion). However, expectations for further stimulus measures were met with disappointment.

    China’s National Development and Reform Commission brought forward 100 billion yuan (A$21 billion) in spending from the 2025 budget. That wasn’t enough to sustain market optimism. On October 9, Chinese stocks saw their most severe drop in 27 years.

    This downturn only worsened a few days later, when China’s Ministry of Finance hinted there was “ample room” to raise debts but did not specify any new stimulus measures.

    Still thin on the details

    The market remains deeply uncertain about the future direction of China’s economic policies and what they might mean for the world. Hopes that more details might be released over the weekend were largely dashed.

    Back in July, Chinese authorities asserted in their Third Plenary Session communique that China “must remain firmly committed” to achieving this year’s economic growth target of 5%. Compared to the country’s reform-era economic performance, that’s a modest goal.

    But facing a persistently sluggish economic outlook, Xi later seemed to subtly shift the tone, changing the language from “remain firmly committed” to “strive to fulfill” in September.

    Over the past decades, China has frequently employed massive-scale stimulus measures to revive its economy during downturns. These policies have been able to significantly rejuvenate the economy, though occasionally with some worrying side effects.

    In response to the 2008 global financial crisis, China’s State Council released a 4 trillion yuan (A$837 billion) stimulus package. This successfully helped China stand firm through the crisis and was credited as a key stabiliser of the global economy.

    But it also accumulated trillions of yuan in debt through local government financing and accelerated the rise of “shadow banking” – unregulated financial activities.

    China also spent big on stimulating its economy in 2015, following stock market turbulence, and then again in the wake of the pandemic.

    What should we expect?

    What should we expect this time? How balanced or sustainable will any ensuing growth be?

    We are still waiting on many of the details about the size and scope of the package, but any big increase in Chinese economic demand will likely have “spillover” effects.

    As we’ve discussed, many of the measures announced to date will have their most immediate effect on borrowing, lending and liquidity in China’s stock markets.

    That suggests we should watch for what’s called the “wealth effect” in economics. This is the theory that rising asset prices – such as for housing or shares – make people feel wealthier and therefore spend more.

    If China’s big stimulus spend causes sustained increases in asset values, it could give rise to economic optimism. Chinese consumers – and investors – may become less anxious about the future.

    From Australia’s point of view, that could see increases in demand in areas where our economies are interlinked – iron ore, tourism, education and manufactured food exports.

    More broadly, Chinese demand could contribute to growth in other global economies, with a self-reinforcing effect on the world as a whole.

    Beware financialisation

    On the other hand, China’s shift to depending more on volatile asset price rises in its capital markets to sustain growth could have destabilising effects. Where asset price increases benefit those at the “top end of town,” they can breed inequities and imbalances of their own.

    China’s “Black Monday” stock market crash in 2015 raised alarm in Beijing. Partly reflecting a wariness of excess financialisation, Xi cautioned at the time that “housing is for living in, not for speculation”.

    So far, China is still navigating its path towards a more sustainable development model, striving to strike a balance between sustaining economic growth and stabilising its domestic markets and political landscape. As for the outcome, it remains a profound uncertainty for us all – perhaps China itself included.

    Wesley Widmaier receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

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

    – ref. China’s government is about to spend big on stimulus – can it turn around the country’s sluggish economy? – https://theconversation.com/chinas-government-is-about-to-spend-big-on-stimulus-can-it-turn-around-the-countrys-sluggish-economy-241260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Has Kamala Harris reached the ceiling of her ability to make gains against Trump?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, the polling at this point is clear: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are effectively tied.

    Harris has led the Democratic ticket for less than three months, but in that short time she has galvanised Democratic voters and significantly increased the popularity of the Democratic ticket. Yet, current levels of US political polarisation and, perhaps more notably, calcification, make one wonder just how much more support she could win.

    In other words, few Americans are undecided in their views of Donald Trump – he galvanises both his base and his opponents alike – so there are simply not many American voters remaining for Harris to try to win over.

    Initial momentum has plateaued

    When 81-year-old Joe Biden led the Democratic ticket in early 2024, only 55% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters were enthusiastic about the election.

    While the 2020 presidential election between Biden and Trump broke records for US voter turnout, the 2024 redux was looking like it would break the opposite sort of records – for voter disinterest.

    That is, at least, until Harris assumed the top of the Democratic ticket on 21 July 2024. Within a month of Biden stepping down as the party’s nominee, Democratic enthusiasm for their significantly younger candidate jumped 23 points to 78%. This eclipsed not only levels of enthusiasm that Democrats had for Barack Obama in 2008, but also the levels of enthusiasm that Republicans currently have for Donald Trump.

    Harris’ momentum saw the race quickly move on from deep analysis of the “double haters” – the record 25% US voters who disliked both Trump and Biden and were simply deciding which they hated less. With a much closer contest now likely, attention shifted to key swing states such as Pennsylvania, where Harris closed Trump’s five-point lead over Biden to now be around even.

    Small changes can make a big difference

    Harris’ ability to make the Democratic ticket competitive should not be undervalued. After all, as recently as June 2024, she was one of the few Democratic politicians who actually had a lower national approval rating than Joe Biden.

    With that said, the momentum for Harris should not be seen as a sea change across the country. As much as she energised a previously lacklustre Democratic ticket, approval of Harris among self-described Independent voters only increased from 36% to 43% in the same timeframe. Republican approval of Harris decreased slightly from 6% to 4% over the same period.

    Ultimately, even the slightest of changes can completely shift the nature of the race, particularly given how slim the margins have been in the last two presidential elections. In the 2016 presidential election, for example, Trump’s margin of victory was some 75,000 votes across three swing states. In 2020, Biden’s margin of victory was about 45,000 votes across three swing states.

    Harris or Trump’s 2024 margin of victory very well may be less than 0.03% of the US electorate, making this potentially the closest US election in decades.

    Has support for Harris peaked?

    For the first half of 2024, Trump polled considerably ahead of Biden in the key swing states that will most likely decide the US election. Then, within weeks of Harris becoming the presidential nominee in July, the difference in the swing states between Trump and his opponent shrank to around 1-2 percentage points.

    Now, nearly three months later, the polling is essentially unchanged – remaining well within the standard margin of error of around ±3%.

    As much as Harris has eclipsed Biden in the race against Trump, there is no denying the statistical reality that Harris is no longer gaining ground on Trump in the way that she was in the early weeks of her candidacy.

    Some have argued that Harris’ liabilities – and perhaps the reason she has stalled in the polls – are that Americans remain fairly negative on the economy, she is in the incumbent administration instead of on an outsider ticket, and that many view her as simply too progressive.

    Yet judging by the fact that Harris appears to be polling better than “a generic Democrat” – who generally are more popular than any other Democrats because they are not real people with real positions – it’s perhaps more likely that in these polarised and calcified times, Harris very well may have simply peaked as high as any other Democratic candidate possibly could.

    With American voter intentions barely shifting after an insurrection, pandemic and assassination attempts, it’s hard to imagine Harris can do much better than she already is doing.

    Harris’ best strategy for success on November 5 may therefore need to be less focused on winning over more of the very few undecided voters remaining, and instead more focused on simply getting her energised supporters to turn up on Election Day.

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

    – ref. Has Kamala Harris reached the ceiling of her ability to make gains against Trump? – https://theconversation.com/has-kamala-harris-reached-the-ceiling-of-her-ability-to-make-gains-against-trump-240902

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: An immediate ban has been issued for the herbicide dacthal. What are the health risks?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide

    Last week the Australian government cancelled the registration of all products containing chlorthal dimethyl, a weedkiller commonly known as dacthal.

    No phase out period applies. The cancellation is immediate, due to the risks it poses to human health – primarily unborn babies.

    This means using dacthal as a chemical agricultural product “is now illegal”, according the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

    So what has changed? What are the health risks of being exposed to dacthal – and how long have we known about them?

    What is dacthal?

    Dacthal and chlorthal dimethyl are alternative names for dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA. This is a herbicide registered to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.

    Dacthal works by inhibiting auxin, a growth hormone in plants which promotes the development of buds, roots and lengthening cells.

    It is used to selectively kill annual grasses and many other common weeds, without killing turf grasses, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Dacthal is applied before weeds emerge, often when still in their seed stage.

    In Australia it is used in twelve herbicide products. All have been cancelled as of October 10 2024.

    Farmers and retailers are allowed to hold products until they’re recalled, but must not use them. The government says it will provide information about product recall shortly.

    What are the health risks?

    As dacthal targets a hormone found only in plants, for adult humans and mammals the chemical has limited acute and subchronic toxicity. This means brief exposure to high levels of dacthal, or longer-term exposure to modestly high levels, have no effect.

    However there is a health risk for unborn babies whose mothers have been directly exposed. This could be through mixing the chemical, loading and applying it, or from residue on treated crops – for up to five days after first applied.

    The chemical has been linked to low birth weight, and life-long impacts, which can include impaired brain development and motor skills.

    The government has advised pregnant agricultural workers who are concerned to speak to their clinician.

    What changed?

    Safety data for chemicals such as pesticides are periodically reevaluated. This is to see if any new risks have become apparent with advances in technology and our understanding of biology.

    In 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency called for fresh safety data to look at effects of dacthal on thyroid hormones.

    Fast forward to 2022. In that time, the company producing dacthal had failed to produce the required study. So the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice it would suspend technical-grade products containing dacthal.

    In response, the company submitted a thyroid study performed in rats. This study showed dacthal could affect thyroid function at doses lower than previously known.

    The US government determined this did not change recommendations for adults. However dacthal may affect thyroid function of a fetus at lower doses than those those that harm adults.

    What did the study in rats find?

    Dacthal was found to inhibit two thyroid hormones in rat pups whose mother had been exposed while pregnant.

    There was a 35-53% decrease in the hormone triiodothyronine, known as T3. And for thyroxine (T4), rat pups experienced a 29-66% decrease after their mother’s exposure.

    Decreases in these two hormones are associated with risks to unborn children including low birth weight and impaired brain development, IQ and motor skills.

    Of particular concern was the effects occurred at much lower levels than previously thought. The decreases in T3 and T4 occurred in rat pups exposed to levels of dacthal ten times lower than the safe threshold for their mothers. This means pregnant rats exposed to dacthal at those levels had no adverse effects, but their unborn babies did.

    Exactly how the chemical caused decreases in T3 and T4 in rat pups is not clear.

    However the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority considers this study relevant to humans. The changes in regulation are based on the potential harms if unborn babies are exposed via their mothers.

    The health risk is to the development of an unborn baby exposed to dachtal via their mother.
    Fox_Ana/Shutterstock

    What exposure is safe?

    The rat study was used to calculate maximum levels of exposure for pregnant workers. This maximum – 0.001 mg dachtal/kg body weight/day – was considered appropriate to reduce risk to the unborn child (and was not expected to harm adults).

    However, the maximum acceptable level was exceeded in all estimates of exposure to dachtal. This was the case even when the person was wearing protective clothing, gloves, and using a respirator.

    Even under stringent safety conditions, potential harms to an unborn child could not be ruled out. For this reason the US stopped sale of dacthal via an Emergency Order on 6 August 2024. Australia has since followed suit with its own ban.

    How long have we known about this?

    The US government only received the thyroid information in 2022. It then had to determine whether the levels of exposure under real world conditions would equate to risk in humans.

    This is not straightforward, as the pesticide is used under a variety of conditions, including:

    • mixing and preparing the pesticide using personal protective equipment
    • downstream spay drift
    • treatment of lawns and exposure to the lawn after treatment.

    Each of these scenarios requires careful analysis of potential risks.

    In addition, exposure can be through inhalation and/or skin contact. All this must be taken into account and these calculations take time.

    Should I be worried?

    If you were not pregnant and using personal protective clothing while using or applying dacthal herbicides, this is little cause for worry. Your exposure is below the maximum limit.

    But if you were pregnant when using dacthal pesticides, please consider consulting your child’s paediatrician.

    Ian Musgrave has received funding from the National health and Medical Research Council to study contaminants in herbal medicines. He has received ARC funding for studying Alzheimer’s disease in the recent past. He is a member of the Science Communicators South Australian Branch.

    – ref. An immediate ban has been issued for the herbicide dacthal. What are the health risks? – https://theconversation.com/an-immediate-ban-has-been-issued-for-the-herbicide-dacthal-what-are-the-health-risks-241257

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australian schools need to address racism. Here are 4 ways they can do this

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Teo, Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Southern Queensland

    The Australian Human Rights Commission wants to see schools address racism, as part of a broader push to address the problem across Australian society.

    As it says in a recent report,

    People are not born with racist attitudes or beliefs […] Addressing racism in schools is crucial to ensure that victims do not leave education facing lifelong disadvantage, and perpetrators do not enter adulthood believing racist behaviours are acceptable […].

    But racism is hardly mentioned in the Australian Curriculum – for example, it is noted in passing in the health and physical education curriculum for years 5 to 8. However, there is no consistent approach across subject areas, or at the state level.

    This means teaching about racism is largely left up to individual schools and teachers.

    Yet research shows they can be reluctant to speak about these issues with students. This is for a range of reasons, such as worrying they will say the wrong thing.

    How should school systems, schools and teachers address racism? Here are four ways.

    1. Teach racial literacy

    We know children demonstrate stereotyping and prejudice from an early age and students from racial minorities are frequently targets of racism and discrimination at school.

    In Australia, racism debates can also involve dangerous and ill-informed opinions.

    So we need to start teaching children and young people about racial literacy skills from the first year of schooling. This means they grow up to have the knowledge and language to talk about and confront racism.

    Some of these skills include:

    • being able to identify how racism appears in everyday interactions, the media and society more broadly

    • debunking common myths about racism, such as it is a “thing of the past”. Or “everyone has equal access to the same opportunities and outcomes if they work hard enough”

    • understanding the impacts of racism, including on people’s opportunities, education and their health and wellbeing

    • understanding how our own backgrounds, privilege and bias can influence how we confront or don’t confront racism.

    Students also need to learn how racism can be structural, systemic and institutional. This means racism is not just about an individuals’ beliefs or actions. Laws, policies, the way organisations are run and cultural norms can all result in inequitable treatment, opportunities and outcomes.

    2. Teach students how to react

    We also need to teach children how to react when they witness racism with age-appropriate tools.

    For both primary and secondary students, the first question should always be, “Is it safe for me to act?”, followed by “Am I the best person to act in this situation?”. Depending on their answers, they could:

    • report the incident to an appropriate adult or person in authority

    • show solidarity with the victim by comforting them and letting them know what happened was not OK

    • interrupt, distract or redirect the perpetrator

    • seek help from friends, a passerby or teacher.

    3. Create safe classrooms and playgrounds

    Teachers need to ensure classrooms and schools are safe spaces to discuss racism.

    This can include:

    • acknowledging how our own experiences, biases and privileges shape our world views

    • clearly defining the purpose of a discussion and the ground rules

    • using inclusive language.

    In particular, schools have a unique duty of care for minority students, who need to know they can talk openly about these issues with their peers and teachers without fear or judgement.

    This includes addressing sensitive topics like how they might experience or witness racism, the effect it can have on their health and wellbeing and those around them, and the consequences of talking about or reporting racism.

    4. Develop teachers’ skills

    As part of creating safe classrooms, teachers need to be able to confidently discuss tricky topics in an age-appropriate way.

    Our work has shown some teachers deny racism or perpetuate racist stereotypes. Others may avoid the topic, worrying they will say or do the wrong thing.

    Our current (as yet unpublished) research on anti-racism training with classroom teachers suggests they can increase their confidence to talk and teach about racism if given appropriate, and sustained training.

    What needs to happen now?

    We need anti-racism education to be an official part of school curricula. To accompany this, we need genuine commitments and modelling from policymakers, school leaders, teachers, parents and carers to address racism in schools.

    We need to talk openly about racism in schools. That means explicitly naming it, calling it out, and not getting defensive when it is identified and action is required.

    Aaron Teo is Convenor for the Australian Association for Research in Education Social Justice Special Interest Group, Queensland Convenor for the Asian Australian Alliance, member of the Challenging Racism Project, and member of the Advisory Committee for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s study into racism in Australian universities

    Rachel Sharples has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the NSW Department of Education. She is a member of the Challenging Racism Project (CRP) and the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Communities (CRIS).

    – ref. Australian schools need to address racism. Here are 4 ways they can do this – https://theconversation.com/australian-schools-need-to-address-racism-here-are-4-ways-they-can-do-this-239823

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Camden Men Sentenced to Prison for String of Armed Robberies and Carjackings

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

    CAMDEN, N.J. – Two Camden men have been sentenced to prison for their respective roles in conspiracies that involved committing armed carjackings and robbing multiple gas stations in southern New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

    Kamau Bradshaw, 22, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison; Paul Rogers, 30, was sentenced on Aug. 7, 2024, to 188 months in prison. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to informations charging them with one count of conspiring to commit armed robberies, one count of committing an armed robbery, and one count of conspiring to commit armed carjackings. Judge Bumb imposed the sentences in Camden federal court.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On Sept. 14, 2021, two masked individuals carrying an AR-style rifle robbed a gas station in Pennsauken, New Jersey. One of the robbers wore a gray Nike hooded sweatshirt and scuffed tan work boots. The second robber wore a tan hooded sweatshirt with “REACTIVE” printed on the sleeves and striped boxer shorts. They obtained cash and cigarettes while brandishing the firearm. Shortly after the robbery, two individuals were seen returning to a residence in Camden with a large duffle bag. On Sept. 17, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at the Camden residence and recovered, among other items, a duffle bag, an AR-style rifle, a gray Nike sweatshirt, scuffed tan work boots, and a tan hooded sweatshirt with “REACTIVE” printed on the sleeves. Bradshaw and Rogers were present when law enforcement agents executed the search warrant, at which time Bradshaw was wearing striped boxer shorts consistent with those worn by one of the robbers during the robbery.

    Rogers and Bradshaw each admitted their role in eight gas station robberies or attempted robberies in addition to the Sept. 14, 2021, robbery in Pennsauken, including robberies in Haddon Township on Aug. 30, 2021; Pennsauken on Aug. 30, 2021; Bridgeton on Aug. 31, 2021; Brooklawn on Aug. 31, 2021; Vineland on Aug. 31, 2021; Pennsauken on Sept. 1, 2021; Haddon Township on Sept. 1, 2021; and Haddon Township on Sept. 16, 2021. Two of the gas stations were victimized more than once. At each gas station, at least one member of the conspiracy brandished what appeared to be an assault weapon in order to threaten the gas station attendant.

    For several of the robberies, Bradshaw and Rogers used a car they obtained by committing an armed carjacking in Philadelphia. Members of the carjacking conspiracy traveled from Camden to Philadelphia and brandished what appeared to be an assault weapon in order to force a driver and passenger from an automobile. They returned to Camden with the victims’ car, which they proceeded to use to drive to and from some of their gas stations robberies.

    In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge Bumb sentenced Rogers and Bradshaw each to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti, with the investigation leading to the sentencings. He also thanked the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Bridgeton City Police Department, Brooklawn Borough Police Department, Camden County Police Department, Haddon Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Oaklyn Police Department, Pennsauken Township Police Department, Vineland Police Department, and the Philadelphia Police Department.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Latest Canada-India diplomatic tensions are another serious obstacle to an improved relationship

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Saira Bano, Assistant Professor in Political Science, Thompson Rivers University

    Canada-India relations have suffered a major setback after Canadian law enforcement authorities accused Indian agents of involvement in “homicides, extortion, and violent acts” on Canadian soil.

    In response, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma.

    In a tit-for-tat move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, rejecting Canada’s allegations as “preposterous” and politically motivated, particularly given the Sikh diaspora’s political significance as a key voting bloc for Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.

    India has consistently denied the accusations and refused to co-operate with the Canadian investigation, which ultimately compelled the federal government to make these allegations public.

    Trudeau has acknowledged the importance of maintaining strong relations with India, but condemned India’s actions targeting pro-Khalistan leaders as “unacceptable.”

    But without a shared understanding of the pro-Khalistan issue, the relationship between the two countries is likely to remain strained. Both nations continue to approach the situation from fundamentally different perspectives.



    Read more:
    The fraught history of India and the Khalistan movement

    Nijjar’s assassination fallout

    Canada-India relations have been strained since Trudeau’s bombshell statement in September 2023, when he accused India of being involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader based in Canada.

    The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that aims to establish an independent Sikh state in northern India.

    The assassination led to the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat linked to the case and a rapid deterioration of bilateral ties, with India expelling Canadian diplomats and suspending visa services. India later demanded the repatriation of 41 Canadian diplomats, citing the principle of diplomatic parity.



    Read more:
    Alleged assassination plots in the U.S. and Canada signal a more assertive Indian foreign policy

    India has long accused Canada of being too lenient on the Khalistan movement, which it views as a serious threat to its national security and territorial integrity.

    The Sikh diaspora in Canada, the largest in the world, includes elements that have supported the pro-Khalistan cause, fuelling India’s concerns. Canada, however, emphasizes the right to freedom of expression, including peaceful protests, as a core tenet of its democratic values.

    In a related incident, the United States revealed in November 2023 that it had thwarted an alleged Indian plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York. This development, coupled with Trudeau’s statement in 2023 that there was “credible evidence” linking India to Nijjar’s slaying, has further substantiated concerns over India’s alleged covert actions targeting pro-Khalistan activists.

    India’s strategic calculations

    India’s strategic significance, particularly in counterbalancing China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, adds complexity to its diplomatic relations.



    Read more:
    Justin Trudeau’s India accusation complicates western efforts to rein in China

    India views its alliance with the United States as essential for safeguarding its interests, given the power imbalance with China. The U.S., in turn, sees India as a cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy, with initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). It includes the U.S., India, Japan and Australia and is designed to promote the region as an “arc of democracy.”

    Bipartisan support in the U.S. for deepening ties with India has led to expanding defence and economic partnerships, with a growing emphasis on technology transfer as a critical pillar of this relationship.

    During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, D.C. in June 2023, President Joe Biden’s administration finalized an agreement for the joint production of General Electric (GE) F-414 jet engines.

    At present, only four nations — the U.S., U.K., Russia and France — have the capability to manufacture jet engines, with China still lacking this advanced technology. The GE F-414 collaboration is intended to strengthen U.S.-India defence co-operation and improve their collective ability to counter China’s advancements in defence technology.

    India also plays a central role in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, unveiled in 2022. In the official document outlining the strategy, Ottawa described China as a “disruptive power” and emphasized the need to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations, particularly India.

    The strategy highlights “India’s growing strategic, economic, and demographic importance” as key to achieving Canada’s geo-strategic objectives. As part of this approach, Canada committed to negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India. But due to the diplomatic tensions sparked by Canada’s allegations, these negotiations have been suspended.

    The West’s disapproval

    The Modi government may have calculated that India’s strategic value to the West would shield it from criticism over its handling of pro-Khalistani activists abroad. However, the unequivocal response from both the U.S. and Canada suggests otherwise, with the West making it clear that such actions are unacceptable, regardless of India’s strategic significance.

    India will probably continue to deny Canada’s accusations and further sever diplomatic ties in an enduring dispute that will affect all aspects of the bilateral relationship.

    From Canada’s perspective, Indian actions on Canadian soil represent a blatant violation of sovereignty. Ottawa expects co-operation and assurances from India that such transnational repression will not occur in the future. From India’s point of view, it’s a matter of national security issue as Canada appeases pro-Khalistan elements.

    While the Indian diaspora has generally been an asset for the Modi government in fostering relations with western countries, the Sikh diaspora in Canada has been a significant hurdle in improving ties.

    Without a common denominator to reconcile these differing perspectives, the relationship between the two countries is likely to remain strained, despite broader strategic factors that would otherwise encourage closer ties.

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

    – ref. Latest Canada-India diplomatic tensions are another serious obstacle to an improved relationship – https://theconversation.com/latest-canada-india-diplomatic-tensions-are-another-serious-obstacle-to-an-improved-relationship-241406

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BIRD IN HAND – Shapiro Administration to Announce $3.4 Million for Stream and Watershed Restoration Projects

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 16, 2024 – Bird in Hand, PA

    ADVISORY – BIRD IN HAND – Shapiro Administration to Announce $3.4 Million for Stream and Watershed Restoration Projects

    The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will announce more than $3.4 million in grants to projects to improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat throughout Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other watersheds.

    DEP will be joined by EPA Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and representatives from the Lancaster County Conservation District.

    WHAT:
    DEP announcing $3.4 million in watershed restoration grants

    WHEN:
    Wednesday October 16; 1:00 PM

    WHERE:
    2557 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505

    For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.

    MEDIA CONTACT: DEP Newsroom, RA-EPNEWS@pa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SEA PHASE OF MALABAR 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 5:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Sea Phase of Exercise MALABAR 2024 commenced on 14 Oct 24 off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

    Naval warships, embarked integral helicopters and long-range maritime patrol aircraft from Australia, India, Japan and USA are now exercising in unison in the Bay of Bengal, demonstrating a high level of collaboration and operational synergy.

    As part of this phase, the participating navies will engage in a wide range of maritime warfare operations, covering the surface, sub-surface, and air warfare domains. These advanced and complex exercises are designed to enhance mutual understanding and coordination, with the aim of operating seamlessly as a Combined Task Force at sea. In sub-surface warfare exercises, Indian Naval submarines would be participating and combined drills of Special Forces from participating nations will also be featured in this phase.

    This Sea Phase will further strengthen interoperability between the participating nations and contribute towards enhancing regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The sea phase will culminate on 18 Oct 24 with the closing ceremony for MALABAR 2024.

    _______________________________________________________________

    VM/SKY  

    (Release ID: 2065011) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Colombia sign Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement to boost film co-production and cultural ties

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 7:18PM by PIB Delhi

    India and Columbia have signed the Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement which will enable Indian and Colombian film producers to utilize a platform for collaboration on various facets of film making. The agreement is expected to deepen the engagement between the critical sectors of the film industries of both countries thereby, unfolding a new chapter of collaboration. The agreement was signed by the Honourable Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan and His Excellency Mr. Jorge Enrique Rojas Rodriguez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia to India.

    Colombia – 17th Country to sign Audio Visual co-production Agreement with India

    The agreement between India and Columbia is expected to benefit producers from both the countries in pooling their creative, artistic, technical, financial and marketing resources for the co-production. It will also lead to exchange of art and culture and create goodwill among the people of both the countries thereby boosting cultural ties.

    The agreement will also provide an opportunity to create and showcase India’s ‘Soft Power’ and lead to employment generation among artistic, technical and non-technical human resources engaged in film production including post-production and marketing.

    The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan, highlighted the strengthening cultural and cooperative ties between India and Colombia. Speaking on the long-standing relationship, the Minister emphasized India’s diverse and multi-dimensional collaboration with Colombia.

    “India has enjoyed a rich cultural exchange with Colombia over the years. We have cooperation in various fields, including science and technology, defence, IIT, health, and culture. The Government of India acknowledges the importance of co-production agreements, a significant step towards fostering international partnerships. Our first co-production agreement was a landmark moment, and we have consistently built on that foundation,” said the Minister.

    The agreement is expected to boost the utilization of Indian locales for shooting. It will increase the visibility/prospects of India as a preferred film shooting destination across the globe and will lead to the inflow of foreign exchange into the country. The agreement will also lead to the transparent funding of Film Production and will boost export of Indian Films into the Columbian Market.

    Audio-visual co-production agreements with various countries

    Earlier, the Government of India had signed similar agreements with the Government of Italian Republic and Government of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2005, Federal Republic of Germany in 2007, Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil in 2007, Republic of France in 2010, Republic of New Zealand in 2011, Republic of Poland and Republic of Spain in 2012.  More recent agreements were signed with Canada and China in 2014, Republic of Korea in 2015, Bangladesh in 2016, Portugal in 2017, Israel in 2018, Russia in 2019 and Australia in 2023.

    Agreements unlock Government financial aid and support

    The Co-production agreements signed so far seek to achieve economic, cultural and diplomatic goals. For filmmakers, the key attraction of a treaty co-production is that it qualifies as a national production in each of the partner nations and can avail benefits that are available to the local film and television industry in each country. Benefits accruing from such agreements include government financial assistance, tax concessions and inclusion in domestic television broadcast quotas.

    Enhanced financial support for official co productions and foreign productions in India

    India has increased the incentives for film production in India including for coproductions 12 times with the maximum incentive possible being 300 Million Rupees. The incentives scheme for official co-productions offers reimbursement of up to 30% of costs incurred in India, with a maximum of ₹300 Million. Services undertaken in India for Foreign Productions can claim an additional bonus of 5% for showcasing Significant Indian Content subject to a maximum of INR 300 Million. A further 5% can be claimed for employing 15% or more Indian manpower raising the reimbursement to 40% of the expenses.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, announced about India’s upcoming role as a global platform for the best in cinema, media, and entertainment. “Starting from the 20th of November, India will be hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa which will showcase the best cinema from across the world and within India. ” said the Secretary.

    The Secretary also highlighted that in February 2025, India will also be hosting the much-anticipated World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) which will witness the convergence of traditional broadcasting, films, and new forms of media and entertainment, marking a pivotal moment in the future of the industry.

    Participants from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India –

    I.          Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting

    II.        Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary (I&B)

    III.       Ms. Neerja Shekhar, Additional Secretary(I&B)

    IV.       Ms. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Joint Secretary (Films)

    V.        Ms. Shilpa Rao Tanugula, Director, (IIS, IIMC, CRS)

    Participants from Republic of Colombia

    I.          H.E. Mr. Jorge Enrique Rojas Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia (Head of Delegation)

    II.        H.E. Dr. Victor H. Echeverri Jaramillo, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to India

    III.       Mr. Juan Carlos Rojas, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Colombia to India

    IV.       Ms. Laura Montejo Espitia, First Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia

    V.        Ms. Alejandra María Rodríguez, Second Secretary, Embassy of Colombia to India

    VI.       Mrs. Minni Sawhney, Resource person.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tiwari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2065093) Visitor Counter : 9

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australia’s new Humanitarian Policy

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    The Australian Government has launched a landmark new Humanitarian Policy to set the long-term direction and focus for Australia’s humanitarian action to ensure it saves lives, alleviates human suffering, and builds resilient communities.

    Right now, there is more conflict than any time since the Second World War and the worsening impacts of climate change mean Australia’s humanitarian action must be fit for our times and the future.

    The Policy outlines the role Australia will play when need is outstripping the world’s capacity to respond, and disregard for international humanitarian law is increasing.

    The new Humanitarian Policy focuses on three priorities:

    • Building readiness and preparedness to anticipate shocks before they occur and working with our international partners to lessen their impact;
    • Responding to crises and disasters by delivering support that meets the needs of crisis-affected populations and protects the most vulnerable immediately and in the long-term; and
    • Reinforcing the international humanitarian system and taking principled and practical steps to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law.

    The Policy maintains Australia’s focus on the Indo-Pacific, where Australia can make the greatest impact, drawing on our strengths and deep relationships.

    Australia will also provide $5 million to support a newly-established Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Fund to rapidly respond to escalation in humanitarian needs in complex crises and disasters in our region.

    The launch of the Policy complements the Albanese Government’s global initiative to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones, announced at the United Nations last month.

    Australia brought together ministers from Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom who agreed to pursue a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

    “Australia has a proud history of supporting those in need during conflict and crises, but a changing world requires a new approach.

    “The new Humanitarian Policy is not just about saving lives and meeting humanitarian needs. It is also about protecting the peace, stability and prosperity that we want for Australia, our region and the world.

    “It is ultimately about shaping a world where humanitarian assistance is needed far less often.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

    “When Australia’s friends and neighbours need help, we respond – just as they have consistently helped Australia in our own times of need.

    “Our new Humanitarian Policy builds on the relationships and partnerships we have forged over time, enabling even stronger support when disaster strikes.

    “It continues our tradition of leadership and principled humanitarian action as a partner of choice, while better positioning us for the challenges of the future.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mercury Systems to Report First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results on November 5, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mercury Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, http://www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, will release its first quarter fiscal year 2025 financial results after the market close on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

    Management will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast at 5:00 p.m. ET on the same day to discuss Mercury’s quarterly financial results, business highlights, and outlook. In addition, Company representatives may answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends, the Company’s view on earnings forecasts, and other business and financial matters affecting the Company, the responses to which may contain information that has not been previously disclosed.

    To attend the conference call or webcast, participants should register online at ir.mrcy.com/events-presentations. Participants are requested to register a day in advance or at a minimum 15 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available two hours after the call and archived on the same web page for six months.

    Mercury Systems – Innovation that matters®
    Mercury Systems is a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, making advanced technologies profoundly more accessible for today’s most challenging aerospace and defense missions. The Mercury Processing Platform allows customers to tap into innovative capabilities from silicon to system scale, turning data into decisions on timelines that matter. Mercury’s products and solutions are deployed in more than 300 programs and across 35 countries, enabling a broad range of applications in mission computing, sensor processing, command and control, and communications. Mercury is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and has 23 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com. (Nasdaq: MRCY)

    CONTACT
    David E. Farnsworth
    Chief Financial Officer
    David.Farnsworth@mrcy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales Alenia Space signs a contract with OHB to develop two radar instruments for ESA’s 10th exciting new Earth Explorer Harmony mission

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales Alenia Space signs a contract with OHB to develop two radar instruments for ESA’s 10th exciting new Earth Explorer Harmony mission

    • Leveraging its longstanding experience in radar-based Earth observation satellites, Thales Alenia Space will lead a wide European industrial consortium
    • Together with data from Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, for which Thales Alenia Space is prime contractor, the two-satellite Harmony constellation will provide a wealth of new information about our oceans, ice, earthquakes and volcanoes – which will make significant contributions to climate research and risk monitoring.

    Milan, October 15th, 2024  – Thales Alenia Space, a Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with OHB to develop the two Earth observation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments to be embarked on the two-satellite Harmony constellation – ESA’s 10th Earth Explorer mission expected to be launched aboard a Vega-C launch vehicle by 2029.

    Harmony ©ESA

    Thales Alenia Space will lead a diverse European industrial consortium to design, develop and validate the C-Band SAR instruments and will also be responsible of the C-Band digital electronic and antenna tiles to be embarked on both Harmony satellites.

    “This contract confirms Thales Alenia Space’s longstanding and recognized experience in manufacturing Earth observation satellites based on radar technology,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Senior Vice President Observation, Exploration, and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “The development of the two radar instruments will allow Thales Alenia Space to make a significant technological and architectural step forward improving the competitiveness of SAR products both in the institutional and commercial Earth observation markets”.

    Thales Alenia Space has played a key role as industry during the Harmony preparatory phase, supporting ESA in the definition of a high-performing solution capable of fully meeting the mission scientific objectives, developing in parallel all the relevant SAR enabling technologies.

    About the 10th Earth Explorer Harmony mission

    Earth Explorer missions form the science and research element of ESA’s Earth Observation FutureEO Programme. By returning critical data to understand the planet and predict what lies in store, the Earth Explorers are fundamental to advance science and, subsequently, to restore environmental balance for a sustainable future. Each of these extraordinary missions carries innovative space technology, demonstrating how new techniques can return an astonishing wealth of scientific findings about our planet.

    Together with Sentinel-1, Harmony promises to provide a wealth of unique data on ocean–ice–atmosphere interactions at unprecedented resolution for more insight into upper-ocean heat exchanges, drivers of extreme weather and the long-term impacts of climate change.

    The mission will also shed new light on deformation and flow dynamics at the rapidly changing edges of ice sheets for a better understanding of sea-level rise. In addition, Harmony will measure small shifts in the shape of the land caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity, thereby contributing to risk monitoring.

    The Harmony mission consists of two bistatic passive Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) receive-only satellites, enhanced by a Thermal Infrared (TIR) optical payload, flying in a loose formation with Sentinel-1. Using Sentinel-1 as an illuminator of opportunity and augmenting its observations with a multi-static configuration for direct measurements of surface velocities will make a highly innovative contribution to Earth Observation capabilities.

    ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE

    Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately €2.2 billion in 2023. Thales Alenia Space has around 8,600 employees in 9 countries, with 16 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.

    http://www.thalesaleniaspace.com

    THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS

    Tarik Lahlou
    Tel: +33 (0)6 87 95 89 56
    tarik.lahlou@thalesaleniaspace.com

    Catherine des Arcis
    Tel: +33 (0)6 78 64 63 97
    catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com

    Cinzia Marcanio

    Tel.: +39 (0)6 415 126 85
    cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nadler and McGovern Introduce Legislation to Ban Atrazine, Pesticide Liked to Cancer and Reproductive Harm

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.

    Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.

    The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.

    “Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”

    “This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”

    The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.

    “Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”

    “Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”

    “Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”

    In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).

    The bill text can be found here.

    ###

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2024

    CONTACT: Matt Jansen (202) 494-1278

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.

    Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.

    The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.

    “Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”

    “This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”

    The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.

    “Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”

    “Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”

    “Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”

    In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).

    The bill text can be found here.

    ###

     

    U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2024

    CONTACT: Matt Jansen (202) 494-1278

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.

    Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.

    The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.

    “Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”

    “This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”

    The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.

    “Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”

    “Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”

    “Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”

    In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).

    The bill text can be found here.

    ###

     

    U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: North-west firefighters awarded National Emergency Medals

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Recipient group photo

    More than 90 local volunteer firefighters and six CFA staff members have been honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-20 Australian bushfire crisis.

    The National Emergency Medal (NEM) is part of Australia’s Honours and Awards system and recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.

    At ceremonies on 11 and 13 October, firefighters from across Buloke, Mildura, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack became the latest of more than 5,500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-20 fires.

    CFA Board Members Beth Davidson and Rosemary Martin presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.

    “The National Emergency Medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-20 bushfire crisis,” she said.

    “It is a great honour to receive this medal, and I hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service.

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan spoke of his pride for the CFA members’ efforts.

    “The 2019-20 fires devastated East Gippsland and the north-east of Victoria,” he said.

    “But from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and ‘lending a hand’.

    “Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

    “Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an incident control centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable and made a real difference.

    Swan Hill Fire Brigade Captain and NEM recipient Harold Jochs, who was deployed to Port Macquarie and Batemans Bay said events such as these are special and recognise the time that everyday Victorians gave up to lend a hand.

    “Giving up work or taking leave to go out to help is what we do as volunteer firefighters, whether that was going to New South Wales or Gippsland, it didn’t matter. To receive thanks is really appreciated,” Harold said.

    “There were fellow Australians who needed us, and we have people who were prepared to go.

    “The experience itself was very different from our fires here. When you were driving down the street or going somewhere, we had people just walking up to us and thanking us for our service.

    “When they realise where you’re from and that you’ve come all this way they were so grateful that we gave the time. So it’s bittersweet to now come together again and reflect.”

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Inglewood celebrates momentous 160th anniversary

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Joe Watts and CFA board member Beth Davidson OAM reveal the Inglewood tanker’s new name

    Inglewood Fire Brigade marked a significant milestone over the weekend, celebrating its 160th anniversary with a special dinner to honour its long-serving members.

    The event, held at Inglewood Golf Club, featured the naming of the brigade’s two trucks. They were dedicated to Joe Watts, who served for 55 years, and former Captain Brian Rodwell. 

    Inglewood Fire Brigade Captain Andrew Smith said the event was a fitting tribute to all past and present members who have served the community since 1864. 

    “It’s hard to put into words what the 160th anniversary means to the town, and the celebrations certainly lived up to expectations,” Andrew said.  

    “Recognising the contributions of Joe and Brian was a highlight for us all.” 

    A particularly poignant moment came when the family of former member David Dowler accepted his CFA life membership on his behalf.  

    David, who dedicated a combined 32 years of service to the Inglewood and Maldon fire brigades, sadly passed away shortly before the event. 

    “Dave was always first to the station when the pager went, and first to put up his hand for strike team duties,” Andrew said. 

    “He has been an integral part of the Inglewood brigade for several years and his sudden passing has affected the entire team. 

    “Dave’s guidance and sense of humour will be sadly missed. 

    “We were privileged to have members of Dave’s family attend our 160th celebration.” 

    Additional recognition included CFA life memberships for John Little (35 years) and David Patterson (30 years). Service awards, ranging from five-year certificates to 50-year medals, were also presented. 

    Andrew, who has been with the brigade for 18 years and served as captain for eight, expressed his pride in leading the brigade through such a significant occasion. 

    “It’s an honour to lead the brigade at such an important time in its history,” he said.  

    “Living in a small country town and being part of the CFA is about giving back to the community.” 

    Established in 1864, following a meeting of 150 locals at the Royal Hotel in Inglewood, the brigade operated from its Grant Street station for 154 years before moving to a new station on Southey Street in 2019. 

    “We’ve been fortunate to move into a brand new station, and we’ve recently added a new heavy tanker,” Andrew said.  

    “The old station, designed for horse-drawn vehicles, will always be part of our history, but the new facility is a huge boost.” 

    Inglewood itself was devastated by a fire in 1862, two years before the brigade was formed. The townspeople managed to stop the fire by tearing down buildings and ferrying water from a nearby dam. More recently, the brigade responded to a major shop fire on the town’s main street in late August this year. 

    With 30 members currently on the roster, Inglewood Fire Brigade is well positioned for its next 160 years, although Andrew said there is always room for more recruits. 

    “We’re always on the lookout for people willing to help protect their local community. If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you.” 

    If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a CFA volunteers, you can find out more here. 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Energy-thirsty indoor vertical gardens ripe for improvement

    Source: University of South Australia

    16 October 2024

    Indoor vertical gardens are gaining popularity among homeowners and restaurants, allowing them to grow microgreens year-round, but new research has identified a major drawback: their demands on energy.

    A study by researchers from the Marche Polytechnic University and University of South Australia shows that while domestic vertical garden appliances can provide fresh, local produce under controlled conditions and with zero food miles, they do chew up energy.

    Artificial lighting – essential for plant growth – accounted for more than 50% of the total energy costs in growing a crop of red lettuce, which is five times higher than professional vertical farming setups.

    The ventilation and irrigation systems also accounted for a significant share of the overall energy usage, consuming 18% and 9% of the power costs respectively.

    The study, published in the 2024 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Living Environment (MetroLivEn), investigated the electricity consumption of a commercial home cultivator – or indoor garden – using smart meters to provide real-time information on electricity usage and peak demands.

    Lead author Dr Gianluca Brunetti says the findings highlight opportunities to improve the technology used in domestic indoor vertical gardens to overcome energy inefficiencies.

    “Indoor vertical farming has significant potential to contribute to urban agriculture by growing crops year-round in compact spaces,” Dr Brunetti says.

    “However, energy consumption, particularly from artificial lighting and ventilation systems, must be carefully managed to ensure these systems are not only viable but also sustainable in the long term.

    The researchers say that while indoor vertical gardens are still in their infancy, they anticipate the market will grow substantially over the next decade, in line with a move towards more sustainable cities.

    Vertical farming is seen as a potentially resource-efficient technology that can save water, nutrients, labour and space. It could also produce crops out of season and protect them from pests.

    Like any rapid innovation, it does come with drawbacks (initial capital cost and high energy usage) which manufacturers do not disclose, while exaggerating the benefits, the researchers say.

    Co-author UniSA Professor Enzo Lombi says switching to LED lighting, enhancing ventilation efficiency, and improving the design of the appliance could significantly reduce energy consumption.

    “As these systems become more mainstream, improvements in design and energy management will make them more sustainable. Transitioning to renewable energy sources would further enhance their environmental benefits,” Prof Lombi says.

    The study also proposes the adoption of energy labelling, similar to that used for other household appliances, to help consumers make informed decisions about the sustainability of these devices.

    Notes to editors

    About the study: The research is part of the VITALITY project (ECS00000041 – CUP I33C22001330007) funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), aimed at promoting innovation in sustainability across Central Italy.

    “Sustainable Domestic Vertical Farming: Energy Consumption of an Indoor Farming Appliance” is authored by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Marche and the Future Industries Institute at the University of South Australia. DOI: 10.1109/MetroLivEnv60384.2024.10615743

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    Researcher contacts:
    Marche Polytechnic University: Dr Gianluca Brunetti E: g.brunetti@staff.univpm.it
    University of South Australia: Professor Enzo Lombi E: enzo.lombi@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Negotiations to begin for an Australia-Mongolia Social Security Agreement

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Joint with:

    The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
    Minister for Social Services 
    Member for Kingston
     

    Senator the Hon Penny Wong
    Leader of the Government in the Senate
    Minister for Foreign Affairs 
    Senator for South Australia

    The Albanese Labor Government is entering into negotiations with the Mongolian Government on a bilateral social security agreement.

    An agreement would enhance access to certain Australian and Mongolian social security benefits for eligible people who have lived and/or worked in both countries.

    Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said an agreement would not only help strengthen ties with Mongolia, but would also offer greater freedom and choice for eligible people on how and where they spend their retirement.

    “Generally, agreements allow people to maximise their income by helping them claim payments from both Australia and other countries, where they have spent part of their life making a living for themselves,” Minister Rishworth said.

    “An agreement also has the potential to benefit businesses as well as individuals in both countries.

    Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, said the commencement of negotiations is an important step in growing the Australia-Mongolia relationship

    “Australia and Mongolia are working together to deepen our cooperation across a range of areas including our people-to-people ties, economic and education linkages.

    “This agreement to commence negotiations will benefit both Mongolians and Australians and encourage trade and investment between our two countries.”  

    An agreement between Australia and Mongolia would build on Australia’s existing portfolio of 32 international social security agreements, following the recent commencement of the Social Security Agreement between Australia and Serbia.

    Mongolian Ambassador, Davaasuren Damdinsuren said he values the agreement as an essential milestone for strengthening the relationship between Mongolia and Australia.

    “It demonstrates both Governments’ commitment to protect and ensure the rights and interests of its citizens residing overseas,” Ambassador Davaasuren said.

    Ambassador Davaasuren acknowledges the importance of the agreement for strengthening bilateral relations in people-to-people ties and to encourage trade and investments between two countries.

    “This agreement will enormously benefit to the peoples of both countries residing each other’s territory.”

    In addition to improving bilateral relations, international social security agreements:

    • assist eligible people who have moved between Australia and an agreement country to access pensions from both countries they may not otherwise be able to access,
    • provide increased flexibility and choice to eligible individuals upon retirement, and
    • reduce business costs, promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

    More information on Australia’s current international social security agreements and what they do is available on the Department of Social Services website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Inflation Expectations – Why They Matter and How They Are Formed

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    Introduction

    I would first like to pay respect to the traditional and original owners of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, to pay respect to those who have passed before us and to acknowledge today’s custodians of this land. I also extend that respect to any First Nations people joining us here today.

    A low and stable inflation rate is critical to preserving macroeconomic stability. Having a good idea of what’s going to happen to prices allows businesses to plan for investment and expansion. It also makes things like budgeting and financial planning easier for households. This is particularly true for those on low incomes, who typically have smaller financial buffers than others and spend more of their income on essentials. And with more stable household and business balance sheets, the financial system is more stable.

    The experience of the last few years has clearly highlighted this. Everyone across the economy has felt the increased cost of living. This is very clear in the data we monitor, such as household spending, but it’s perhaps more apparent in survey metrics such as consumer confidence, which remains much lower than its pre-pandemic average (Graph 1). So there are a number of good reasons to bring inflation down and keep it at a low and stable rate.

    In addition to the tangible impact of elevated inflation today, central bankers often note that they want to make sure that inflation expectations remain anchored. But why is this the case? And what impact do current inflation outcomes have on expectations?

    Why do inflation expectations matter?

    Macroeconomists generally think that a prerequisite for consistently achieving low and stable inflation over time is well-anchored inflation expectations. That is, people across the economy believe inflation will generally average a low rate (in Australia’s case, 2–3 per cent), and they make decisions based on this underlying belief that becomes self-reinforcing. Indeed, this is a key lesson from economic history; there are multiple episodes that demonstrate the damage de-anchored expectations can cause, and the policy effort and welfare costs associated with re-anchoring them. Türkiye’s current experience is just one example (Graph 2).

    So why do expectations matter at all when it comes to economic outcomes? We think they matter because people don’t just make decisions based on what is happening today, they also factor in what they think will happen tomorrow. In other words, inflation expectations are at least partly self-fulfilling.

    For example, our decision over how much to save for retirement today is determined by how much income we think we’ll need once we stop working, and this is partly influenced by what we think will happen to prices between now and then.

    In addition to changing the behaviour of households, inflation expectations also directly feed into all of the decisions firms make – for example, over capital investment, pricing and staffing. One way this occurs is through the wage-setting process (Graph 3). This could be workers, or their union representatives, bargaining for higher wages if they think inflation will be higher. Or it could be firms’ expectations of higher future prices giving them the confidence to offer higher wages today to attract workers.

    And given that this is an investment conference, I’d be remiss not to mention how important inflation expectations are to the domestic and international portfolio allocation decisions made by financial market participants. These expectations then feed into long-term interest rates, exchange rates, and the prices of assets in our superannuation funds and all other investment portfolios. In short, inflation expectations are a factor in pretty much every economic decision that’s made every day.

    The fact that expectations feed into actual inflation outcomes means de-anchored expectations typically leads to greater inflation volatility (Graph 4). Volatility breeds uncertainty, and uncertainty makes decisions harder for everyone. As a business, how do you decide when it’s right to invest if you’re less sure of the financial returns? And to go back to the example of households deciding how much to save for retirement or to buy a home, a bout of unexpectedly high inflation is very hard to plan for. Both the effort required to make decisions with uncertainty, and that some otherwise good decisions will not be made, makes us all worse off.

    Tracking inflation expectations

    Given the enormous damage that such de-anchoring can cause, and that policy can be enacted more flexibly while expectations remain anchored, the RBA Board is constantly alert for signs that this risk might emerge here in Australia. It does that by tracking a range of inflation expectations measures, including multiple financial market measures, and surveys of households, unions and professional forecasters. That analysis indicates that inflation expectations have not become de-anchored through the current high-inflation experience (Graph 5).

    So we’re not currently concerned that expectations could become de-anchored in the near term. But we do think it’s important that we track how they’re evolving and that we understand how expectations are formed, so we can monitor whether there are any signs of this risk materialising in the future.

    As I’ve already alluded to, there are a number of different groups across the economy, and each plays a part in determining aggregate macroeconomic outcomes. To understand what’s happening to expectations, we therefore need to understand how different groups form their inflation expectations, as they each play critical roles in determining how the economy evolves over time.

    For consumption/savings decisions, households’ own expectations matter the most. For wage bargaining and competition for labour, unions’ and firms’ expectations likely matter most. And when it comes to how inflation expectations feed into long-term interest rates, it’s the financial markets’ expectations that matter.

    In short, given the importance of inflation expectations as a driving force of many economic decisions, we need to understand how all of the different groups across the economy form their inflation expectations so that we can do our best to keep them anchored.

    So today I’m going to discuss some of the latest research in this area, which we have conducted ourselves and in partnership with our colleagues in academia. This includes a Research Discussion Paper that has been released in parallel with this event, which explores some of the points below in more detail – I encourage you all to have a look at my colleagues’ work.

    The presentation I am giving today draws heavily on a presentation at one of the first ‘Policy Issues Meetings’ with RBA Board members earlier this year. As previously highlighted by Governor Bullock, these meetings:

    … assemble a group of staff with the right experience and expertise to give the members insights and diversity of perspectives on the key issues relevant for policy. It will provide analysis of issues that are relevant to a few upcoming [Board] meetings, not just the immediate one.

    These new meetings have been very well received by Board members. They have appreciated the opportunity to explore policy-relevant topics in more depth and to meet with more of the staff that are engaged in the work. In turn, staff have valued the additional engagement with their work, so it’s been a clear win-win.

    For most of this speech, I’ll be focusing on household and union expectations, and mostly on short-term expectations. In the past, how these groups form expectations has been less well-understood, and this is why we’ve focused our latest research here.

    But before turning to unions and households, it is worth mentioning that we have a reasonable understanding of how financial markets form expectations. Financial markets efficiently incorporate signals about the likely future direction of inflation into market prices; by taking active positions that are contingent on economic outcomes, it’s no surprise that market participants keep themselves very well-informed about what’s happening. From these prices, we can discern whether their short- and long-term expectations remain anchored to the RBA’s inflation target.

    To understand how households and unions form their expectations, we’ve collaborated with academic colleagues to develop a very general model approach that we’ve then applied to different data series. The model assumes that some people form their expectations by extrapolating from their previous experience. That is, they assume that their experience of price increases in the past are a good guide for what they’ll experience in the future. The model also assumes that some people build on this and take account of forward-looking information as well. For example, they might expect to see a sharp increase in grocery prices in the future if it’s reported that the harvest has been poor.

    The first iteration of the model was run through to around the middle of the pandemic. The graph shows the fit of the model to actual data. In the grey lines are unions’ one- and two-year-ahead expectations, and households’ one-year-ahead expectations (Graph 6). And then the blue lines are the model estimates of each of these.

    We think the model did a reasonable job over the historical period. Especially for unions, where the model pretty much captured every major wiggle in their expectations.

    We’ve learned a lot from this process, but there are three key insights that I want to highlight:

    1. We estimate that around three-quarters of households and unions form their expectations by extrapolating from their lived experience. That is, they observe what inflation was yesterday and compare it to what they expected. Every time inflation turns out higher than what these people expected, they partially adjust their expectations up.
    2. This extrapolation process happens a lot slower for households than it does for unions. That is, households only adjust their expectations a small amount each time they are surprised. As a result, inflation has to be persistently higher or lower than previously expected for expectations to change significantly.
    3. The remaining one-quarter of unions and households don’t just extrapolate, they incorporate a lot more of the broader economic information available to them (beyond inflation outcomes themselves) to make forward-looking judgements about where inflation is likely to go. In principle, this is similar to the RBA’s forecasting process – we look at past outcomes and forward-looking indicators to assess how we think inflation will evolve from today.

    Of the roughly 25 per cent who take on board additional information, this could come from a number of different sources. To carry on my groceries example from earlier, in 2011 this group might have expected that banana prices would shoot up in the months after Tropical Cyclone Yasi struck northern Queensland, given the reporting of the damage to that year’s crop. Or this group could be looking at economic forecasts – including the RBA’s – to get a sense of where inflation may be heading.

    With this better understanding of how people form their inflation expectations, we can now assess how they have evolved recently, relative to what the models expected they would do.

    Less extrapolation recently could reflect greater attention to inflation or recognition that the recent episode is temporary

    The orange line is the model’s prediction for how inflation expectations would evolve during the recent high-inflation period (Graph 7). While inflation was rising, expectations were evolving in-line with the model’s output. But the model suggested that the turning point in expectations would come later. So expectations are currently lower than our models thought would be the case.

    As best we can tell, the models missed the turning point because unions and households have been extrapolating less from the recent high inflation outcomes. The model attributes part of this to an increase in the share of people who take on board forward-looking information, from around one-quarter to over two-thirds for unions.

    This finding is consistent with a theory known as the ‘rational inattention’ hypothesis. The idea being that when inflation is low and stable, extrapolation from the past provides a reasonably accurate expectation of the future, so it is not worth paying more ‘attention’. Conversely, when inflation does not fit this pattern – for example, in the recent past when it was much higher – extrapolation might provide a poor forecast. So it is ‘rational’ for people to put more effort into thinking about where inflation will head next.

    Another finding from the model is that those who use previous inflation to form their expectations, that is they use yesterday’s experience to guide today, have been adjusting their view more slowly in recent years. A possible reason for this is that some people have seen the recent experience as atypical and so don’t expect it to continue – given the nature of the shocks (the pandemic and then the conflict in Ukraine), it’s easy to understand this. So while this group only use previous inflation outcomes to form their expectations, they do appear to adjust how much weight they put on specific outcomes to take account of broader economic conditions.

    Unfortunately, these are just plausible hypotheses at this point, we don’t have enough evidence to be definitive. If once inflation sustainably returns to the target band expectation formation reverts to how it was before the recent episode, that would provide further evidence in favour of these hypotheses. But more importantly, it would give us comfort that in future inflationary episodes, expectation formation might similarly change in a way that mutes the increase in expectations.

    Another possible explanation is that some more ‘salient’ prices have evolved differently to average prices

    In everything I’ve shown so far, we assume that the price increases that matter most are the ones that people spend most of their money on. Which is exactly how the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, is constructed.

    But that might not be how people extrapolate from what they have previously observed to form their expectations. Our lived experience is that we ‘see’ some prices much more frequently than others, and that some price changes are more noticeable than others.

    Prices that change regularly or that people pay often may be particularly influential when people form their expectations – they’re more visible, and they could be seen as a proxy for what’s happening to all prices across the economy. These are known as salient prices.

    While there are some obvious candidates for prices that may be salient – such as fuel, groceries, rent, and energy prices – determining how salient they are has unfortunately proven difficult.

    The strongest result we have obtained is with respect to petrol and diesel prices – that is, the prices you see changing every day when you drive past a petrol station or fill your car up. For other potentially salient prices, whether or not our models identify them as salient depends on the various other modelling decisions that are made. But for fuel prices, it doesn’t seem to matter what you do to the model, these prices almost always show up as salient.

    Having said all that, allowing for fuel to be a salient price in the model does not significantly change the model’s estimate of inflation expectations most of the time. This occurs because fuel prices are volatile and households learn slowly. So it actually takes an extended period of fuel prices evolving differently to other prices before there would be a meaningful impact on expectations (according to the model).

    But that’s exactly what we have seen in the past few years (Graph 8). From the beginning of 2021 until mid-2022, fuel price inflation was much higher than average price inflation, increasing 61 per cent over this period. But for most of the period since then, fuel price inflation has been around its historical average, while much of the broader consumption basket has continued to experience above-target price inflation.

    So, for household’s expectations, accounting for the salience of fuel prices can at least partially explain why the simpler inflation expectations model presented earlier predicted that short-term inflation expectations would remain higher for longer.

    Conclusion

    To conclude, recent research has improved our understanding of how people form inflation expectations. As a result, we have been able to better analyse how expectations have evolved during the recent high-inflation period. And it’s a good news story with respect to expectations:

    • Short-term expectations appear to be converging towards long-term expectations, and these have remained anchored through the recent past.
    • There’s no evidence of expectations being more persistent than normal.
    • And there’s even some evidence of households and unions extrapolating less from recent inflation, at least during the period of higher inflation.
    • We need to be mindful of certain prices that may be particularly ‘salient’ for households. But such prices work in both directions, and recently have been working to bring expectations down faster.

    References

    Afrouzi H and C Yang (2021), ‘Dynamic Rational Inattention and the Phillips Curve’, CESifo Working Paper No 8840.

    Ampudia M, MJ Lombardi and T Renault (2024), ‘The Wage-price Pass-through Across Sectors: Evidence from the Euro Area’, BIS Working Paper No 1192.

    Anesti N, V Esady and M Naylor (2024), ‘Food Prices Matter Most: Sensitive Household Inflation Expectations’, CFM Discussion Paper Series CFM-DP2024-34.

    Bazzoni E, M Jacob, S Land, M Mijer, J Moulton and S Welchering (2022), ‘European Consumer Pessimism Intensifies in the Face of Rising Prices’, McKinsey & Company, October.

    Beckers B and A Brassil (2022), ‘Inflation Expectations in Australia’, The Australian Economic Review, 55.

    Beckers B, A Clarke, A Gao, M James and R Morgan (2024), ‘Developments in Income and Consumption Across Household Groups’, RBA Bulletin, January.

    Bernanke B (2013), ‘A Century of US Central Banking: Goals, Frameworks, Accountability’, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 27(4).

    Binder CC (2017), ‘Measuring Uncertainty Based on Rounding: New Method and Application to Inflation Expectations’, Journal of Monetary Economics, 90.

    Binder CC (2018), ‘Inflation Expectations and the Price at the Pump’, Journal of Macroeconomics, 58.

    Blinder AS (1982), ‘The Anatomy of Double-Digit Inflation in the 1970s’, in Hall RE (ed), Inflation: Causes and Effects, University of Chicago Press, pp 261–282.

    Borio C, M Lombardi, J Yetman and E Zakrajšek (2023), ‘The Two-regime View of Inflation’, BIS Papers No 113.

    Brassil A, C Gibbs and C Ryan (forthcoming), ‘Boundedly Rational Expectations and the Optimality of Flexible Average Inflation Targeting’, RBA Research Discussion Paper.

    Brassil A, Y Haidari, J Hambur, G Nolan and C Ryan (2024), ‘How Do Households Form Inflation and Wage Expectations?’, RBA Research Discussion Paper No 2024-07.

    Bullock M (2023), ‘A Monetary Policy Fit for the Future’, Australian Business Economists Annual Dinner, Sydney, 22 November.

    Bullock M (2024), ‘The Costs of High Inflation’, Keynote Address to the Anika Foundation Fundraising Lunch, Sydney, 5 September.

    Charm T, JR Saavedra, K Robinson and T Skiles (2022), ‘The Great Uncertainty: US Consumer Confidence and Behavior during Inflationary Times’, McKinsey & Company, August.

    Chin M and L Lin (2023), ‘The Pass-through of Wages to Consumer Prices in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Sectoral Data in the U.S.’, IMF Working Paper No 2023/233.

    Chua CL and S Tsiaplias (2024), ‘The Influence of Supermarket Prices on Consumer Inflation Expectations’, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 219.

    Coibion O, Y Gorodnichenko, S Kumar and M Pedemonte (2020), ‘Inflation Expectations as a Policy Tool?’, Journal of International Economics, 124.

    D’Acunto F, U Malmendier, J Ospina and M Weber (2019), ‘Salient Price Changes, Inflation Expectations, and Household Behavior’, June.

    De Fiore F, T Goel, D Igan and R Moessner (2022), ‘Rising Household Inflation Expectations: What are the Communication Challenges for Central Banks?’, BIS Bulletin, No 55.

    Haidari Y and G Nolan (2022), ‘Sentiment, Uncertainty and Households’ Inflation Expectations’, RBA Bulletin, September.

    Hambur J and R Finlay (2018), ‘Affine Endeavour: Estimating a Joint Model of the Nominal and Real Term Structures of Interest Rates in Australia’, RBA Research Discussion Paper No 2018-02.

    Kilian L and X Zhou (2022), ‘Oil Prices, Gasoline Prices, and Inflation Expectations’, Journal of Applied Econometrics, 37(5).

    Maćkowiak B, F Matějka and M Wiederholt (2023), ‘Rational Inattention: A Review’, Journal of Economic Literature, 61(1).

    Moore A (2016), ‘Measures of Inflation Expectations in Australia’, RBA Bulletin, December.

    RBA (2024), ‘Box A: Are Inflation Expectations Anchored?’, Statement on Monetary Policy, August.

    Reiche L and A Meyler (2022), ‘Making Sense of Consumer Inflation Expectations: The Role of Uncertainty’, ECB Working Paper Series No 2642.

    Sims C (2003), ‘Implications of Rational Inattention’, Journal of Monetary Economics, 50(3).

    Suthaharan N and J Bleakley (2022), ‘Wage-price Dynamics in a High-inflation Environment: The International Evidence’, RBA Bulletin, September.

    Wood D, I Chan and B Coates (2023), ‘Inflation and Inequality: How High Inflation Is Affecting Different Australian Households’, Working paper prepared for the RBA Annual Conference, Sydney, 25–26 September.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: How Do Households Form Inflation and Wage Expectations?

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    Tags

    asset quality, balance sheet, banking, banknotes, bonds, business, business cycle, capital, cash rate, central clearing, China, climate change, commercial property, commodities, consumption, COVID-19, credit, cryptocurrency, currency, digital currency, debt, education, emerging markets, exchange rate, export, fees, finance, financial markets, financial stability, First Nations, fiscal policy, forecasting, funding, global economy, global financial crisis, history, households, housing, income and wealth, inflation, insolvency, insurance, interest rates, international, investment, labour market, lending standards, liquidity, machine learning, macroprudential policy, mining, modelling, monetary policy, money, open economy, payments, productivity, rba survey, regulation, resources sector, retail, risk and uncertainty, saving, securities, services sector, technology, terms of trade, trade, wages

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Airservices Australia collaborates with Wisk for airspace of the future

    Source: Airservices Australia

    Airservices Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with global aerospace manufacturer Wisk Aero which will help both organisations gain insights into the future airspace management needs of Advanced Air Mobility operations, such as air taxis. 

    Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is the next generation of aviation technology and is set to transform transportation with aircraft designed for urban and regional travel. Offering faster, cleaner, and more efficient ways to move people and goods, they have the potential to reduce congestion, cut emissions, and provide rapid, point-to-point journeys. 

    The arrangement will enable Wisk, which has developed all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to be operated as air taxis, and Australia’s air navigation service provider to share expertise which will pave the way for safe advanced air travel in the coming decades. 

    In Australia it’s predicted there’ll be approximately 1-million air taxi flights each year by 2043. Providers such as Wisk are planning to have air taxi services available for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. 

    As part of this MOU, we will be conducting a series of workshops and simulations aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of how Advanced Air Mobility systems will seamlessly integrate with Airservices systems into the national airspace.  

    Airservices Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer Rob Sharp said this partnership signified an important step towards fostering industry collaboration that would identify future requirements and ensure the successful incorporation of AAM into Australia’s airspace infrastructure. 

    “Airservices will share its air navigation technical engineering and air traffic management expertise to support design, development, and validation of air taxi operations concepts in Australia,” Mr Sharp said. 

    “The mutual benefit of this knowledge-sharing arrangement is it will help both organisations better understand industry needs and challenges and collaborate on strategies to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Australian airspace. 

    “This non-exclusive MOU is an example of Airservices’ commitment to working with industry to develop solutions that will enable emerging technologies to transform connectivity over short distances for a range of applications, including travel and emergency response.” 

    About Airservices
    Airservices Australia is the Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry and are investing in technologies to position Australia at the forefront of innovation in the global aviation industry.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – One week until Meet the Buyer: Facilitating business deals for WA’s food and beverage sector

    Source: ProntoPR.com.au

    There’s one week to go before the Buy West Eat Best trade show, ‘Meet the Buyer,’, which will be held at Crown on 22 October.

    Now in its fourth year, ‘Meet the Buyer’ is Western Australia’s largest and most diverse showcase of WA food and beverage businesses.

    Buy West Eat Best program manager Melissa Worthington said exhibitor space sold out in record time and there are delegate tickets still available.

    “The growth of ‘Meet the Buyer’ has been driven by the state’s agrifood business community and it’s always gratifying to hear the positive outcomes for suppliers and buyers,” Ms Worthington said.

    “It’s WA’s most important food and beverage trade show, and it’s the only event of its kind that brings together buyers, importers, chefs, sommeliers, media and educators under one roof for one day,” she said.

    Almost 70 percent of respondents to the 2023 ‘Meet the Buyer’ survey said their attendance had resulted in a positive commercial outcome, whether it was finding new stockists or simply gaining more knowledge about how to improve their chances of getting their products into the market or business to business connections.

    Chef Paul Lange, from Smokey Q rubs and sauces, connected with a Woolworths buyer at the inaugural ‘Meet the Buyer’ and went on to pursue opportunities with a Coles representative.

    “It’s really exciting for a smaller business to get that recognition from the larger players,” Mr Lange says.

    More than 80 percent of respondents said the trade show had enabled them to meet buyers or business contacts they had not met previously.

    Sweeter Banana Co-operative’s Doriana Mangili said Meet the Buyer has helped build relationships, opening up opportunities outside the event.

    “Over the years with one retailer we would just have a bit of a yarn and then this year we were invited to attend one of their trade shows. This wouldn’t have happened without us attending ‘Meet the Buyer’ each year and getting to know them,” Ms Mangili said.

    The inclusive atmosphere at ‘Meet the Buyer’ enables attendees to get to know one another in an informal setting, including at the sundowner event after the show. Many attendees have commented on the positive engagement with others and the joys of meeting new people and building their networks.

    For chefs like Blair Allen, from Amelia Park Restaurant in Wilyabrup in WA’s south west, ‘Meet the Buyer’ is also a great way to catch up with suppliers who he might only otherwise deal with over the phone or email.

    “Just putting faces to names was great – it just makes the whole ordering process easier,” Mr Allen said.

    ‘Meet the Buyer’ is also an ideas incubator, with so many people in the know at hand to offer suggestions and advice.

    Almost 40 percent of respondents to the 2023 survey said they had changed their business strategy, product range or packaging as a result of ‘Meet the Buyer’.

    One said they had introduced a couple of new lines, while another said they were customising products for WA companies.

    Chef Rob Nixon, from That Plant Café, said it’s great to see producers take suggestions on board.

    “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever been to,” Mr Nixon said.

    “As chefs, we’re so busy running our own restaurant that we would have a hard time going to see one or two small-batch producers, let alone 100 or so. Here, they are all under the one roof.”

    More than 92 percent of attendees said they would be returning to ‘Meet the Buyer’ in 2024.

    ‘Meet the Buyer’ will host more than 80 food and beverage exhibitors showcasing in excess of 550 products and is set to attract local, interstate and international visitors.

    For more information about Meet the Buyer, visit meetthebuyer.com.au.

    About Buy West Eat Best

    The Buy West Eat Best program is a voluntary food labelling and marketing initiative developed by the Western Australian Government to assist local food and beverage producers to promote their products to grocery shoppers and those that dine out.

    Buy West Eat Best works with members to support and promote the buy local message, highlight the importance of seasonality and champion delicious, fresh ranges of fruits and vegetables that grocery shoppers can seek out, particularly as new seasons commence.

    The program works across the supply chain, from producers, processors, retail, and foodservice businesses; providing a critical conduit to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of businesses and identify source of origin for consumers. There is a vast and diverse range of local businesses and brands that are members of the Buy West Eat Best community.

    When you see the distinctive Buy West Eat Best bite mark logo you can be assured that you are buying premium food that has been grown, farmed, fished, processed, prepared and served right here in WA.

    The program has matured, and it is vitally important to the State from an economic and employment perspective – the food and drink industry or agrifood sector is the second largest export sector to mining and resources and critical to the diversification and sustainability of local communities across the State.

    The Buy West Eat Best logo is a registered trademark owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), administered by government and championed by business and industry.

    http://www.buywesteatbest.org.au

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash – Wickham Point

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Wickham Point overnight.

    Just before 5am, the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received a report of a single vehicle rollover on Channel Island Road.

    Police and St John Ambulance responded to the scene, where they found a deceased female, aged 29, inside the vehicle. She was the sole occupant.

    Major Crash Detectives have arrived at the scene and are currently investigating. A crime scene has been established, and one lane of the road is open, although traffic delays are likely.

    The time and circumstances surrounding the crash remain under examination.

    The number of lives lost on NT roads this year has reached 51, compared to 21 at the same time last year.

    MIL OSI News –