NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sovtech AU Launches in New Zealand, Working with Cure Kids to Deliver Cybersecurity Solutions with a Social Impact – NewzEngine.com

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    Auckland, New Zealand — Sovtech, a leading Australian cybersecurity firm, is proud to announce its official launch in New Zealand this October, marking a new chapter in its expansion across the Tasman.

    Known for its innovative ‘profit for purpose’ business model, Sovtech combines cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with a strong social mission, including partnerships with significant causes such as Cure Kids – a leading charity dedicated to improving child health in New Zealand.

    As part of the New Zealand launch, Sovtech’s Founder and Director, Neil Templeman, will be visiting Auckland on 15 and 16 October to meet with clients, partners, and government officials. Templeman brings a personal connection to New Zealand, having lived here for seven years. His goal is to establish a local presence, creating new jobs and building a robust team to serve New Zealand businesses.

    “Launching in New Zealand has been driven by strong demand from customers and our partners. We see a great opportunity to help businesses here enhance their cybersecurity posture while making a positive social impact and we have recently signed our first contract in NZ with a large enterprise customer,” says Templeman.

    Sovtech’s unique approach to cybersecurity sets it apart from other providers. The company offers services such as advanced email security, data protection and third-party risk management, but with a difference – profits are reinvested into causes that matter. In Australia, Sovtech has supported First Nations health and education initiatives, and with its New Zealand expansion, it has chosen to align with Cure Kids, a charity focused on funding medical research to improve the health of children.

    Cure Kids is enthusiastic about this collaboration. Brendon Pongia, Head of Engagement, commented, “We are excited to have the support of Sovtech, an organisation with a strong social mission and a shared commitment to improving the health of children in New Zealand.”

    By launching in New Zealand, Sovtech aims to create a lasting social impact while providing the country’s businesses with industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. Its goal is to offer both private and public sector organisations the tools they need to improve their cyber resilience, while simultaneously contributing to a broader societal mission.

    “We believe technology should be a force for good, creating ripple effects that transcend borders and generations,” adds Templeman. “With our Procurement for Purpose model, New Zealand businesses have a unique opportunity to strengthen their security while driving meaningful change.”

    Sovtech’s launch in New Zealand is more than just business – it’s about community, sustainability, and making a difference where it counts.

    Media Contact: Neil Templeman
    Founder & Director, Sovtech
    Neil_templeman@sovtechnz.com

    T: 00 61 419 172 445
    http://www.sovtechnz.com

    Neil Templeman will be available for interviews during his visit to New Zealand on 15-16 October. To schedule a meeting or interview, please contact him directly at the number above.

     

    About Sovtech:
    Sovtech is a cybersecurity provider offering comprehensive solutions to help businesses safeguard against modern threats. Their profit for purpose model reinvests profits into social causes, aligning technology with positive global change. https://sovtech.com.au/

    About Cure Kids:
    Cure Kids is New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research committed to finding better treatments and preventative strategies for a wide range of serious child health conditions. Cure Kids has invested more than $65 million in New Zealand research since it formed over 50 years ago, which has helped to shape and vastly improve the way children who live with serious diseases and health conditions are diagnosed and treated. Cure Kids is currently funding around $8 million in child health research across 60+ projects. Red Nose Day is their biggest annual fundraising campaign and makes a significant contribution to this work. For more information visit: http://www.curekids.org.nz

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government and sector to improve Forestry ETS Registry

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced the establishment of a Forestry Sector Reference Group to drive better outcomes from the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry.

    “We are committed to working with the forestry sector to provide greater transparency and engagement on the forestry ETS registry as we work to reduce costs.  

    “This group will help the Government to restore confidence and certainty for Forestry”, Mr McClay says.

    The establishment of the Reference Group follows an independent review of the operational costs of the forestry ETS Register announced earlier this year.

    “Forest owners have raised concerns about the excessive costs that had been imposed upon them by the previous Labour government who put a $30.25 per hectare annual levy for participation in the Registry. 

    “I agree with the sector that this cost is unreasonable – the Reference Group is part of our response to reduce costs and drive greater efficiency.

    “In response, the Government has cancelled the 2023/24 annual charge that forest owners were required to pay to participate in the ETS Registry.

    “Today I am releasing the independent report that outlines where the current system fell short of the Coalition Government and sector’s expectations.

    “The 4,000 plus forestry participants deserve to have confidence in the system designed to manage their ETS obligations. There is a cost to the register, but they shouldn’t have to pay for the last government’s mistakes,” Mr McClay says.

    “any of the issues identified in the report have now been addressed, and the Reference Group will help prioritise work that can reduce the cost and unnecessary regulatory duplication in the ETS Registry. The Government will shortly consult on a new Forestry ETS Registry Levy for the 2024/2025 financial year.

    “Forestry plays an important role in helping New Zealand meet its emissions reductions obligations and grow our economy.”

    The independent review of the Forestry ETS Operational Costs report is available HERE

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New leading cyber & digital forensics training facility for NSW jobs precinct

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional NSW

    A major state-of-the art cyber and digital forensics training facility will soon call South Jerrabomberra home following the Minns Labor Government’s $23 million investment in enabling infrastructure within the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct in southern NSW.

    CBIT Digital Forensics Services (CDFS), an Australian supplier of digital forensic tools, industry training and certification, has chosen the precinct to establish its first tactical training facility.

    Digital forensics focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing, and reporting on data stored electronically.

    CDFS anticipates it will almost double its workforce from nine to 18 over the next few years and plans to invest $11.7 million in a new building on the site, creating additional jobs for local construction and building workers.

    The construction of the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility is expected to be completed by March 2025 and aiming to have the facility ready for training and operations for the second semester.

    The company has provided hi-tech services to organisations including law enforcement and government department to help deal with digital forensic and investigative issues including electronic evidence handling.

    CDFS joins a growing number of investors setting up in the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct. Further blocks within the precinct will become available for investors in early 2025.

    The precinct is supported by a $23 million contribution by the NSW Government for essential infrastructure including roads, footpaths, upgraded electricity, natural gas, water, and access to NBN Enterprise Ethernet services.

    Strategically located on Canberra’s doorstep, the precinct’s infrastructure and proximity to universities, world-class research and development facilities and a skilled workforce makes it a highly attractive opportunity for investors.

    With the wider region already home to more than 90 companies specialising in technology, cybersecurity and defence, the precinct development will help nurture high-tech careers in engineering, programming and science, specialising in cyber, space, AI, and defence.

    The site’s proximity to government agencies and the nation’s decision-makers, an international airport and major road networks puts new and emerging businesses in a prime position to thrive.

    To activate this investment-ready precinct in regional NSW, the NSW Government is working closely with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, the ACT Government and federal agencies.

    CDFS was supported by $3 million in Australian Government funding to establish the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility.

    Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

    “It is important that we empower regional people and communities to prosper through a boost in skills, wages and opportunities. Through Regional Job Precincts like South Jerrabomberra, the NSW Government is providing this opportunity.

    “This precinct gives investors access to a highly skilled and educated local workforce. It aims to build a sustainable business hub offering fast-tracked planning approvals.

    “This investor-ready precinct has the advantage of proximity to key decision-makers in Canberra, and I am really proud that the NSW Government is giving businesses this opportunity to establish and grow in regional NSW.”

    Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said

    “With the rapid growth of areas like Jerrabomberra, Tralee, and Googong, precincts like this are ensuring we can keep highly qualified and skilled workers in their local area, and not lose their talents to the ACT or other major cities.

    “The investment in modern and specialised industries like cyber security, space, AI, and research is creating a sustainable and competitive workforce for regional NSW which will attract new people to our area.

    “I look forward to touring the precinct and learning about the work being done there.”

    CDFS CEO Zoran Iliev said:

    “The Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the lands where the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility will stand, have recognised that these lands have always been places of teaching and learning. We deeply respect their traditions and are grateful to have NANGU in this beautiful area with a unique position near Queanbeyan, the Canberra airport, and our nation’s capital.

    Our facility, the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility, will not only be a hub for technology and science but also a preserver of traditions. The forensic scientists trained here will not only be guardians of the truth but also guardians of the rich traditions of the Ngunnawal people.

    “As an independent RTO, we are proud to bring this training facility to South Jerrabomberra and offer young Australians a unique chance to get the qualifications to help them get not just a job but a career to be proud of.

    “The CDFS team and I are very proud and grateful for the opportunity to help this region by providing top-notch Cyber Forensics training and creating the much-needed new workforce in Cyber.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BusinessNZ – Welcoming investment

    Source: BusinessNZ

    BusinessNZ has welcomed the Government’s pledge to improve the policies holding back overseas investment.
    The Government has indicated it will change the Overseas Investment Act and the policy settings for foreign investment, within the next year.
    BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said the current rules make it difficult and uncertain for overseas investors to consider investing here.
    “As a result we are missing out on investment that is going to other economies.
    “BusinessNZ has long advocated for new policy settings to allow us to gain the benefits of overseas capital – to grow businesses and assets and grow New Zealanders’ incomes.
    “Business will be heartened by the move.
    “The Prime Minister’s suggestion of a service similar to Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency – to provide information, help and a courteous welcome to potential investors – is also encouraging.
    “New Zealand needs to make it clear that we welcome investment.” 
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Barnwell, Lexington Counties

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Barnwell, Lexington Counties

    Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Barnwell, Lexington Counties

    Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Barnwell and Lexington counties to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. These locations join the center previously opened in Greenville County. 

    Center location: Barnwell County 
    Barnwell Regional Airport
    155 State Road S-6-398
    Barnwell, S.C. 29812 

    Hours of Operation: Open Oct. 13–15 from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.  

    Center location: Lexington County 
    Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station 
    537 W. Church St.  
    Batesburg, SC 29006 

    Hours of Operation: Open Oct. 13–16 from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.   

    Center location: Greenville County 
    Freetown Community Center 
    200 Alice Ave. 
    Greenville, SC 29611 

    Hours of Operation: Open daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. 

    Additional Disaster Recovery Centers will open soon in other affected areas. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. To find other center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. 

    Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and tribal members of the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.

    The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.  

    FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. 

    kwei.nwaogu

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4331-4333: Today’s Rover ABC – Aurora, Backwards Driving, and Chemistry, with a Side of Images

    Source: NASA

    4 min read

    Earth planning date: Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

    This blogger is in the United Kingdom, just north of London, where we yesterday had beautiful night skies with a red aurora that was even visible with the unaided eye, and looked stunning on photographs. That reminded me of the solar storm that made it all the way to Mars earlier this year. Here is my colleague Deborah’s blog about it: “Aurora Watch on Mars.” And, of course, that was a great opportunity to do atmospheric science and prepare for future crewed missions, to assess radiation that future astronauts might encounter. You can read about it in the article, “NASA Watches Mars Light Up During Epic Solar Storm.” But now, back from shiny red night skies north of London, and auroras on Mars six months ago, to today’s planning!

    Power — always a negotiation! Today, I was the Science Operations Working Group chair, the one who has to watch for the more technical side of things, such as the question if all the activities will fit into the plan. Today there were many imaging ideas to capture the stunning landscape in detail with Mastcam and very close close-ups with the long-distance imaging capability of ChemCam (RMI). Overall, we have two long-distance RMIs in the plan to capture the details of the ridge we are investigating. You can see in the accompanying image an example from last sol of just how many stunning details we can see. I so want to go and pick up that smooth white-ish looking rock to find out if it is just the light that makes it so bright, or if the surface is different from the underside… but that’s just me, a mineralogist by training, used to wandering around a field site! Do you notice the different patterns — textures as we call them in geology — on the rocks to the left of that white-ish rock and the right of it? So much stunning detail, and we are getting two more RMI observations of 10 frames each in today’s plan! In addition there are more than 80 Mastcam frames planned. Lots of images to learn from!

    Chemistry is also featuring in the plan. The rover is stable on its wheels, which means we can get the arm out and do an APXS measurement on the target “Midnight Lake,” which MAHLI also images. The LIBS investigations are seconding the APXS investigation on Midnight Lake, and add another target to the plan, “Pyramidal Pinnacle.” On the third sol there is an AEGIS, the LIBS measurement where the rover picks its own target before we here on Earth even see where it is! Power was especially tight today, because the CheMin team does some housekeeping, in particular looking at empty cells in preparation for the next drill. The atmosphere team adds many investigations to look out for dust devils and the dustiness of the atmosphere, and APXS measures the argon content of the atmosphere. This is a measure for the seasonal changes of the atmosphere, as argon is an inert gas that does not react with other components of the atmosphere. It is only controlled by the temperature in various places of the planet — mainly the poles. DAN continues to monitor water in the subsurface, and RAD — prominently featured during the solar storm I was talking about earlier — continues to collect data on the radiation environment.

    Let’s close with a fun fact from planning today: During one of the meetings, the rover drivers were asked, “Are you driving backwards again?” … and the answer was yes! The reason: We need to make sure that in this rugged terrain, with its many interesting walls (interesting for the geologists!), the antenna can still see Earth when we want to send the plan. So the drive on sol 4332 is all backwards. I am glad we have hazard cameras on the front and the back of the vehicle!

    Written by Susanne Schwenzer, Planetary Geologist at The Open University

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Major investment deals set to be announced at government’s inaugural International Investment Summit as PM vows to ‘remove needless regulation’ declaring Britain open for business

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Billions worth of investments in emerging growth sectors including AI and life sciences, and infrastructure are set to be unveiled by businesses and ministers at the government’s inaugural International Investment Summit today.

    • Ministers set to unveil billions worth of major investment deals in AI, life sciences and infrastructure
    • Follows investment of £24 billion in clean energy from business leaders hailing the UK’s “clear policy direction”
    • Comes as leading investors, CEOs, and politicians convene for inaugural International Investment Summit
    • PM vows to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth” as he pledges to “get rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment”

    Billions worth of investments in emerging growth sectors including AI and life sciences, and infrastructure are set to be unveiled by businesses and ministers at the government’s inaugural International Investment Summit today (Monday 14th October).

    World leading CEO’s and investors from across the globe will meet with ministers, First Ministers, and local leaders at the Guildhall – a historic landmark which has served as the ceremonial heart of the City of London for centuries. 

    Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.  

    The government has already secured tens of billions worth of investments within 100 days of being in office. The International Investment Summit will provide an opportunity to build on this progress and showcase the UK’s economic strengths. The event will demonstrate that through serious, stable governance, the UK can establish enduring partnerships with businesses to boost investment and give investors the confidence they need to choose Britain. 

    In a sign of intent to deliver on its central promise, this government has immediately made a series of major interventions to restore economic stability and create the right conditions for growth and investment. Business leaders this week hailed the UK’s “clear policy direction” as they announced over £24 billion worth of investment in clean energy projects.

    The government’s policy platform – including bolstering the Office for Investment, a robust Industrial Strategy, major planning reforms to unlock infrastructure and housing, and founding a National Wealth Fund to catalyse private money – will attract investment, kickstart growth, and unlock Britain’s potential. 

    In his keynote speech opening the summit, the Prime Minister will outline how the government will build on this work, with a vow to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth including getting rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment.” 

    He is expected to say not enough has been done to make sure the UK is keeping pace with emerging industries. He will pledge to “upgrade the regulatory regime to make it fit for the modern age, making Britain fit to harness all opportunities.”

    In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister will make his ‘pitch for Britain’. On the value of stability, the Prime Minister is expected to say: 

    “It’s not just that stability leads to growth – though we all recognise that. It’s also that growth leads to stability. Growth leads to a country that is better equipped to come together and get its future back. That’s why it’s always been so critical to my project.

    “We have a golden opportunity to use our mandate, to end chop and change, policy churn and sticking plasters that make it so hard for investors to assess the value of any proposition. 

    “We have the determination, the focus on clear long-term ends, a mission-led mindset that thinks in years, not the days or hours of the news grid, needed to unlock that potential. Do not doubt that. 

    “We are focusing on investment because the mission of growth, in this country especially, demands it. Private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country and pay our way in the world. This is a great moment to back Britain. This is great moment to back England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.”

    On regulation, he is expected to say: 

    “We’ve got to look at regulation where it is needlessly holding back the investment, to take our country forward.

    “Where it is stopping us building the homes, the data centres, warehouses, grid connectors, roads, trainlines, you name it then mark my words – we will get rid of it.

    “We will rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment and we will make sure that every regulator in this country take growth as seriously as this room does.”

    The government will ask the CMA to prioritise growth, investment, and innovation through their work as a priority and it will also be reviewing the focus of other major regulators. 

    The regulatory review is just one part of the government’s work ensuring Britain is at the front of the queue for emerging opportunities. It builds on the recent creation of the Regulatory Innovation Office, which will curb red tape for cutting-edge emerging technologies, speed up approvals, and allow them to be rolled out to the public safely and quickly. 

    These changes come at the same time as the government delivers on a key manifesto promise to establish a modern Industrial Strategy. Long called for by business, the strategy hardwires long-term stability for investors and plays to the UK’s strengths by focusing on eight growth-driving sectors. 

    The summit will involve sessions with ministers and business leaders to discuss how together we can ensure the UK capitalises on emerging growth sectors including health tech and AI, clean energy and creative industries, for the good of working people. Confirmed speakers including Ruth Porat President & Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet, David A. Ricks Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, Alex Kendall CEO of Wayve and Pushmeet Kohli Vice President of Research at Google DeepMind. 

    The Prime Minister will take part in an “in conversation” event with former CEO and chairman of Google Eric Schmidt, moderated by CEO of GSK Dame Emma Walmsley to discuss how the UK can seize the opportunities of AI to drive growth and productivity, and it’s potential to improve public services such as health and education.

    The Chancellor will close the summit and take part in a panel event discussing investment opportunities in the UK with Group Chief Executive of USS Carol Young, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink and CEO of Brookfield Asset Management Bruce Flatt.

    Attendees will then be invited to an exclusive reception at St Paul’s Cathedral attended by His Majesty The King. 

    Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson OBE said: 

    “It’s never been a better time to invest in Britain. This summit is a hugely significant moment to showcase the UK’s economic strengths on the world stage and I’m delighted to be part of the government’s important work to drive growth and investment across the UK.”

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: 

    “I’m delighted to be attending the International Investment Summit. With a new government, we are reclaiming Britain’s reputation as a magnet for global investment – bringing with it new technology, new ways of thinking and, crucially, new jobs across our country, meaning higher living standards.  

    “London and the UK are open for business, trade and investment. I will continue working with the Government to forge new partnerships, reset relationships and seize the opportunity to secure long-term investment so that we can build a better London for everyone and deliver the change Britain needs.”

    Alex Kendall, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayve, said: 

    “I’m delighted to join the inaugural International Investment Summit. The UK has a strong opportunity to lead in Embodied AI, especially in automated vehicles. 

    “We appreciate the Government’s proactive collaboration with industry on intelligent legislation like the AV Act 2024. Their sector-specific approach to AI regulation is the right way to encourage both investment and innovation. 

    “As we advance our Embodied AI technology into safe, reliable, production-ready software for global automakers, we look forward to continuing to work with the Government to harmonise global regulations and scale UK innovation internationally.”

    Ruth Porat Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc said:

    “Google is proud of our long history of meaningful investments in local talent, infrastructure and digital skilling in the UK which help everyone participate in the benefits of the digital economy. With the UK’s rich academic heritage, particularly in the sciences, it is well-positioned to capture the many opportunities that AI can deliver. 

    “The Investment Summit is an important moment to reflect on the progress to date, and how to best position the UK as a global leader in AI, with the economic and societal benefits this transformative technology can deliver today, and in the years ahead.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kamala Harris dips in key states, making US election contest a toss-up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    The United States presidential election will be held on November 5. In analyst Nate Silver’s aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump by 49.3–46.5, a slight gain for Trump since last Monday, when Harris led by 49.3–46.2.

    Joe Biden’s final position before his withdrawal as Democratic candidate on July 21 was a national poll deficit against Trump of 45.2–41.2.

    The US president isn’t elected by the national popular vote, but by the Electoral College, in which each state receives electoral votes equal to its federal House seats (population based) and senators (always two). Almost all states award their electoral votes as winner-takes-all, and it takes 270 electoral votes to win (out of 538 total).

    Relative to the national popular vote, the Electoral College is biased to Trump, with Harris needing at least a two-point popular vote win to be the Electoral College favourite in Silver’s model.

    Last Monday, Harris led by one to two points in Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes), Michigan (15), Wisconsin (ten) and Nevada (six). In the last week, Trump has gained in all these states in Silver’s aggregates, reducing Harris’ lead to about one point in these states.

    If Harris wins these four states, she probably wins the Electoral College by at least a 276–262 margin. Trump leads by less than one point in Georgia and North Carolina, which both have 16 electoral votes.

    While Harris is still barely ahead in the Electoral College, her margins have been reduced in the states where she’s leading. As a result, Silver’s model now gives Harris a 52% chance to win the Electoral College, down from 56% last Monday.

    This means the presidential election is effectively a 50–50 toss-up. There’s a 23% chance that Harris wins the popular vote but loses the Electoral College. The FiveThirtyEight model
    is giving similar results to Silver’s model, with Harris a 53% favourite.

    There’s still over three weeks until the election, and polls could change in that time. The polls could also be biased against either Trump or Harris, and in this case that candidate could win easily. With the polls across the swing states so close, either candidate could sweep all these states.

    I wrote about the US election for The Poll Bludger last Thursday, and also covered the UK Conservative leadership election, the far-right winning the most seats at the September 29 Austrian election and Japan’s October 27 election.

    Favourability ratings and economic data

    Harris’ net favourability peaked about two weeks ago at +1.4 in the FiveThirtyEight national poll aggregate, but it has now dropped back to net zero, with 46.8% favourable and 46.8% unfavourable. Harris’ net favourability had surged from about -16 after becoming the Democratic nominee, and she gained further ground after the September 10 debate with Trump.

    Trump’s net favourability has been steady in the last two months, and he’s now at -9.4, with 52.6% unfavourable and 43.2% favourable. Harris’ running mate Tim Walz is at +4.2 net favourable and Trump’s running mate JD Vance is at -9.6 net favourable. Biden’s net approval remains poor at -14.0.

    US headline inflation rose 0.2% in September, the same increase as in August. In the 12 months to September, inflation was up 2.4%, the smallest increase since 2021. Core inflation increased 0.3% in September, the same as in August, and is up 3.3% in the 12 months to September.

    Real (inflation-adjusted) hourly earnings were up 0.2% in September after a 0.3% increase in August, while real weekly earnings slid 0.1% after a 0.6% increase in August owing to changes in hours worked. In the 12 months to September, real hourly earnings were up 1.5% and weekly earnings up 0.9%.

    Congressional elections

    I wrote about the elections for the House of Representatives and Senate that will be held concurrently with the presidential election three weeks ago. The House has 435 single-member seats that are apportioned to states on a population basis, while there are two senators for each of the 50 states.

    The House only has a two-year term, so the last House election was at the 2022 midterm elections, when Republicans won the House by 222–213 over Democrats. The FiveThirtyEight aggregate of polls of the national House race gives Democrats a 47.1–45.9 lead over Republicans, a gain for Republican from a 46.7–44.5 Democratic lead three weeks ago.

    Senators have six-year terms, with one-third up for election every two years. Democrats and aligned independents currently have a 51–49 Senate majority, but they are defending 23 of the 33 regular seats up, including seats in three states Trump won easily in both 2016 and 2020: West Virginia, Montana and Ohio.

    West Virginia is a certain Republican gain after the retirement of former Democratic (now independent) Senator Joe Manchin at this election. Republicans have taken a 5.4-point lead in Montana in the FiveThirtyEight poll aggregate, while Democrats are just 2.3 points ahead in Ohio.

    Republicans are being challenged by independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, and he trails Republican Deb Fischer by just 1.5 points. Democrats did not contest to avoid splitting the vote. In other Senate contests, the incumbent party is at least four points ahead.

    If Republicans gain West Virginia and Montana, but lose Nebraska to Osborn, and no other seats change hands, Republicans would have a 50–49 lead in the Senate. If Harris wins the presidency, Osborn would be the decisive vote as a Senate tie can be broken by the vice president, who would be Walz. This is the rosiest plausible scenario for Democrats.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Kamala Harris dips in key states, making US election contest a toss-up – https://theconversation.com/kamala-harris-dips-in-key-states-making-us-election-contest-a-toss-up-241216

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Nexif Ratch Energy Secures Financial Close for Its 145MWp Bacolod Solar Power Project in the Philippines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    METRO MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nexif Ratch Energy, a leading independent power producer focused on renewable energy solutions, is thrilled to announce the financial close of its 145MWp Bacolod Solar Power Project, its second solar power project in the Philippines.

    The Bacolod Solar Power Project, developed by Negros PH Solar Inc, is located across Bacolod City and Bago City in the Negros Occidental province. It is a 145 MWp ground-mounted solar photovoltaic project that will connect to NGCP’s Bacolod Substation and can potentially power to up to 52,600 households. Majority of its output will be sold through a 10-year Power Supply Agreement to a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, with the remainder to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

    The project investment of more than US$100m is funded by equity from Nexif Ratch Energy and project finance facilities from Security Bank Corporation and Philippine National Bank on a limited recourse basis, with SB Capital Investment Corporation acting as the Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner and PNB Capital and Investment Corporation acting as Arranger.

    Construction is set to begin in October 2024, with the goal of achieving commercial operations by Q4 2025. Focus is now on an expansion on the existing site, through increased solar PV capacity of up to 20 MW and a Battery Energy Storage System.

    Beyond its Calabanga and Bacolod solar projects, Nexif Ratch Energy is developing wind energy projects including the San Miguel Bay Project, a nearshore wind project with a capacity of up to 500 MW and the Lucena Project, an offshore wind project with a capacity of up to 475 MW.

    Mr Surender Singh, Chairman of Nexif Ratch Energy, said “The successful financial close of our 145MWp Bacolod Solar Farm highlights the exceptional collaboration with our partners and the dedication of our local development team. We are excited to bring this project into construction. This Financial Close, in quick succession to start of commercial operations of Calabanga Solar project and rapid progress that more than 900 MW of the wind projects, showcase our commitment to Philippine renewable energy.”

    Mr. Sakarin Tangkavachiranon, Director of Nexif Ratch Energy, added: “Reaching financial close for the 145 MWp NPSI solar project is a key milestone in our growth in the Philippines. This achievement, along with the start of commercial operations for our CARE solar project, lays a strong foundation for accelerating the development of our offshore wind projects in the country.”

    For more information, please visit http://www.nexifratch.com.

    About Nexif Ratch Energy:

    Nexif Ratch Energy is a renewable energy company that originates, acquires, develops, constructs, and operates power projects in the Asia Pacific region. Headquartered in Singapore with regional offices across Southeast Asia, the Company has a 298 MW portfolio of operating and under construction hydro, solar and wind assets and a development pipeline of wind, solar, and energy storage projects totaling 3.5 GW.

    Nexif Ratch Energy is owned 51% by Nexif Energy (Singapore) and 49% by RATCH Group (Thailand).

    Media Contact:
    Chariya Poopisit
    Nexif Ratch Energy
    Communications@nexifratch.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Coalition seizes Newspoll lead, but other polls have Labor improving

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    A national Newspoll, conducted October 7–11 from a sample of 1,258, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the previous Newspoll, three weeks ago. After three 50–50 ties in a row, this is the first time this term the Coalition has led in Newspoll.

    Primary votes were 38% Coalition (steady), 31% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (down one), 7% One Nation (up one) and 12% for all Others (steady). By 2022 election preference flows, these primary votes would normally give a 50–50 tie, so rounding probably contributed to the Coalition’s lead.

    Anthony Albanese’s net approval slumped six points to -14, his worst this term in Newspoll, with 54% dissatisfied and 40% satisfied. Peter Dutton’s net approval improved one point to -14. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 45–37 (46–37 previously).

    The graph below shows Albanese’s Newspoll net approval ratings this term. The data points are marked with plus signs and a smoothed line has been fitted. Albanese’s net approval has been below -10 in two of the last three Newspolls, causing the trend line to turn down.

    Other federal polls last week had improvements for Labor, and Essential and Resolve last week both suggest the Middle East conflict has had virtually no impact on Australian party support. It’s possible this Newspoll is a pro-Coalition outlier.

    Labor’s primary improves in Resolve poll

    A national Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted October 1–5 from a sample of 1,606, gave the Coalition 38% of the primary vote (up one since September), Labor 30% (up two), the Greens 12% (down one), One Nation 5% (down one), independents 12% (steady) and others 3% (down one).

    Resolve doesn’t usually give a two-party estimate, but applying 2022 preference flows to the primary votes would give Labor about a 51–49 lead, unchanged from September.

    Albanese’s net approval was unchanged at -18, with 53% giving him a poor rating and 35% a good rating. Dutton’s net approval improved one point to -1. Albanese led Dutton by 38–35 as preferred PM, a slight increase from 35–34 in September.

    The Liberals led Labor by 38–26 on economic management (37–26 in September). On keeping the cost of living low, the Liberals led by 31–24 (32–25 previously).

    By 58–29, respondents said they would struggle to afford an expense of a few thousand dollars (57–31 in May). This is the highest “struggle to afford” since Resolve started tracking this question in February 2023, but Labor can take some comfort from the little change since May.

    Asked who was most responsible for rising living costs, 36% selected the federal government, 13% global factors, 13% businesses, 12% the Reserve Bank and 8% state and territory governments. Labor incumbent Jim Chalmers led the Liberals’ Angus Taylor as preferred treasurer by 24–18.

    If Australians could vote in the US presidential election, Kamala Harris would lead Donald Trump by 52–21 (50–25 in September). Before Joe Biden’s withdrawal in July, he led Trump by just 26–22 with Australians with 31% for “someone else”. Harris’ net likeability is +24, Trump’s is -47 and Biden’s is -25.

    Labor gains lead in Essential poll

    A national Essential poll, conducted October 2–6 from a sample of 1,139, gave Labor a 49–47 lead including undecided (48–47 to the Coalition in late September). Primary votes were 34% Coalition (down one), 32% Labor (up three), 12% Greens (steady), 8% One Nation (steady), 1% UAP (down one), 9% for all Others (steady) and 5% undecided (steady).

    On Israel’s military action, 32% said Israel should permanently withdraw from Gaza (down seven since August), 19% said Israel is justified (up two), 18% said Israel should agree to a temporary ceasefire (down three) and 32% were unsure (up eight).

    On the Australian government’s response, 56% were satisfied (up five since August), 30% thought the government too supportive of Israel (down two) and 14% too harsh on Israel (down two).

    By 40–27, voters would support a road user tax for electric vehicle drivers. Just 2% thought the gap between the rich and poor was decreasing, 71% thought it was increasing and 27% staying the same. On Australia’s political system, 48% thought it needs reform but is fundamentally sound, 40% said it needs fundamental change and just 12% said it’s working well.

    Morgan poll tied

    A national Morgan poll, conducted September 30 to October 6 from a sample of 1,697, had a 50–50 tie, a one-point gain for Labor since the September 23–29 poll.

    Primary votes were 37.5% Coalition (down 0.5), 31.5% Labor (up 1.5), 12.5% Greens (down one), 5.5% One Nation (up one), 9% independents (down 0.5) and 4% others (down 0.5).

    The headline figure uses respondent preferences. By 2022 election preference flows, Labor led by 52–48, a 0.5-point gain for Labor.

    ACT election and NSW byelections this Saturday

    The ACT uses the Hare Clark proportional method with five five-member electorates to elect its 25-member parliament, so a quota for election is one-sixth of the vote or 16.7%. The ACT is easily Australia’s most left-wing jurisdiction, and Labor has governed since 2001, often in coalition with the Greens. In 2020, Labor won ten seats, the Liberals nine and the Greens six.

    There will also be three NSW state byelections this Saturday in the Liberal-held seats of Epping, Hornsby and Pittwater. Labor won’t be contesting any of these byelections. In Pittwater, Liberal Rory Amon defeated independent Jacqui Scruby by 50.7–49.3 at the 2023 state election. Amon resigned after being charged with child sex offences and Scruby will contest the byelection.

    NSW and Victorian state polls

    A NSW state Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald, conducted with the federal September and October Resolve polls from a sample of 1,111, gave the Coalition 37% of the primary vote (down one since August), Labor 32% (up two), the Greens 11% (down one), independents 14% (steady) and others 6% (steady).

    The Poll Bludger said the primary votes suggested a “slight two-party advantage to Labor”. Labor incumbent Chris Minns led the Liberals’ Mark Speakman as preferred premier by 37–14 (38–13 in August).

    By 61–23, voters thought the NSW government is not doing enough to help renters. By 53–19, they thought the government should put aside money towards future metro rail projects.

    A Victorian state Redbridge poll, conducted September 26 to October 3 from a sample of 1,516, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since a late July Redbridge poll. Primary votes were 40% Coalition (steady), 30% Labor (down one), 12% Greens (steady) and 18% for all Others (up one).

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Coalition seizes Newspoll lead, but other polls have Labor improving – https://theconversation.com/coalition-seizes-newspoll-lead-but-other-polls-have-labor-improving-240785

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major investment deals set to be announced at government’s inaugural International Investment Summit as PM vows to ‘remove needless regulation’ declaring Britain open for business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Billions worth of investments in emerging growth sectors including AI and life sciences, and infrastructure are set to be unveiled by businesses and ministers at the government’s inaugural International Investment Summit today.

    • Ministers set to unveil billions worth of major investment deals in AI, life sciences and infrastructure
    • Follows investment of £24 billion in clean energy from business leaders hailing the UK’s “clear policy direction”
    • Comes as leading investors, CEOs, and politicians convene for inaugural International Investment Summit
    • PM vows to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth” as he pledges to “get rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment”

    Billions worth of investments in emerging growth sectors including AI and life sciences, and infrastructure are set to be unveiled by businesses and ministers at the government’s inaugural International Investment Summit today (Monday 14th October).

    World leading CEO’s and investors from across the globe will meet with ministers, First Ministers, and local leaders at the Guildhall – a historic landmark which has served as the ceremonial heart of the City of London for centuries. 

    Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.  

    The government has already secured tens of billions worth of investments within 100 days of being in office. The International Investment Summit will provide an opportunity to build on this progress and showcase the UK’s economic strengths. The event will demonstrate that through serious, stable governance, the UK can establish enduring partnerships with businesses to boost investment and give investors the confidence they need to choose Britain. 

    In a sign of intent to deliver on its central promise, this government has immediately made a series of major interventions to restore economic stability and create the right conditions for growth and investment. Business leaders this week hailed the UK’s “clear policy direction” as they announced over £24 billion worth of investment in clean energy projects.

    The government’s policy platform – including bolstering the Office for Investment, a robust Industrial Strategy, major planning reforms to unlock infrastructure and housing, and founding a National Wealth Fund to catalyse private money – will attract investment, kickstart growth, and unlock Britain’s potential. 

    In his keynote speech opening the summit, the Prime Minister will outline how the government will build on this work, with a vow to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth including getting rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment.” 

    He is expected to say not enough has been done to make sure the UK is keeping pace with emerging industries. He will pledge to “upgrade the regulatory regime to make it fit for the modern age, making Britain fit to harness all opportunities.”

    In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister will make his ‘pitch for Britain’. On the value of stability, the Prime Minister is expected to say: 

    “It’s not just that stability leads to growth – though we all recognise that. It’s also that growth leads to stability. Growth leads to a country that is better equipped to come together and get its future back. That’s why it’s always been so critical to my project.

    “We have a golden opportunity to use our mandate, to end chop and change, policy churn and sticking plasters that make it so hard for investors to assess the value of any proposition. 

    “We have the determination, the focus on clear long-term ends, a mission-led mindset that thinks in years, not the days or hours of the news grid, needed to unlock that potential. Do not doubt that. 

    “We are focusing on investment because the mission of growth, in this country especially, demands it. Private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country and pay our way in the world. This is a great moment to back Britain. This is great moment to back England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.”

    On regulation, he is expected to say: 

    “We’ve got to look at regulation where it is needlessly holding back the investment, to take our country forward.

    “Where it is stopping us building the homes, the data centres, warehouses, grid connectors, roads, trainlines, you name it then mark my words – we will get rid of it.

    “We will rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment and we will make sure that every regulator in this country take growth as seriously as this room does.”

    The government will ask the CMA to prioritise growth, investment, and innovation through their work as a priority and it will also be reviewing the focus of other major regulators. 

    The regulatory review is just one part of the government’s work ensuring Britain is at the front of the queue for emerging opportunities. It builds on the recent creation of the Regulatory Innovation Office, which will curb red tape for cutting-edge emerging technologies, speed up approvals, and allow them to be rolled out to the public safely and quickly. 

    These changes come at the same time as the government delivers on a key manifesto promise to establish a modern Industrial Strategy. Long called for by business, the strategy hardwires long-term stability for investors and plays to the UK’s strengths by focusing on eight growth-driving sectors. 

    The summit will involve sessions with ministers and business leaders to discuss how together we can ensure the UK capitalises on emerging growth sectors including health tech and AI, clean energy and creative industries, for the good of working people. Confirmed speakers including Ruth Porat President & Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet, David A. Ricks Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, Alex Kendall CEO of Wayve and Pushmeet Kohli Vice President of Research at Google DeepMind. 

    The Prime Minister will take part in an “in conversation” event with former CEO and chairman of Google Eric Schmidt, moderated by CEO of GSK Dame Emma Walmsley to discuss how the UK can seize the opportunities of AI to drive growth and productivity, and it’s potential to improve public services such as health and education.

    The Chancellor will close the summit and take part in a panel event discussing investment opportunities in the UK with Group Chief Executive of USS Carol Young, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink and CEO of Brookfield Asset Management Bruce Flatt.

    Attendees will then be invited to an exclusive reception at St Paul’s Cathedral attended by His Majesty The King. 

    Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson OBE said: 

    “It’s never been a better time to invest in Britain. This summit is a hugely significant moment to showcase the UK’s economic strengths on the world stage and I’m delighted to be part of the government’s important work to drive growth and investment across the UK.”

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: 

    “I’m delighted to be attending the International Investment Summit. With a new government, we are reclaiming Britain’s reputation as a magnet for global investment – bringing with it new technology, new ways of thinking and, crucially, new jobs across our country, meaning higher living standards.  

    “London and the UK are open for business, trade and investment. I will continue working with the Government to forge new partnerships, reset relationships and seize the opportunity to secure long-term investment so that we can build a better London for everyone and deliver the change Britain needs.”

    Alex Kendall, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayve, said: 

    “I’m delighted to join the inaugural International Investment Summit. The UK has a strong opportunity to lead in Embodied AI, especially in automated vehicles. 

    “We appreciate the Government’s proactive collaboration with industry on intelligent legislation like the AV Act 2024. Their sector-specific approach to AI regulation is the right way to encourage both investment and innovation. 

    “As we advance our Embodied AI technology into safe, reliable, production-ready software for global automakers, we look forward to continuing to work with the Government to harmonise global regulations and scale UK innovation internationally.”

    Ruth Porat Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc said:

    “Google is proud of our long history of meaningful investments in local talent, infrastructure and digital skilling in the UK which help everyone participate in the benefits of the digital economy. With the UK’s rich academic heritage, particularly in the sciences, it is well-positioned to capture the many opportunities that AI can deliver. 

    “The Investment Summit is an important moment to reflect on the progress to date, and how to best position the UK as a global leader in AI, with the economic and societal benefits this transformative technology can deliver today, and in the years ahead.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Train timetable adjustments are coming on October 20

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    These adjustments to the timetable are being made so that train services are more reliable and so that passengers have shorter wait times, faster journeys and so the network can quickly recover when disruption occurs.

    The Sydney Trains Review found that since 2017 timetable was introduced, the resilience of the train network significantly deteriorated. These adjustments are designed to make the system more resilient and to implement the lessons learned since the introduction of the 2017 timetable.

    Commuter travel patterns have changed significantly following the COVID pandemic and the opening of the Sydney Metro, and while in some instances, services to particular train stations will shift from peak times to inter-peak times, this is to accommodate for changing travel patterns at these stations.

    Sydney is a global city and requires a reliable fit for purpose timetable.

    The upcoming timetable adjustments will also support the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line to make sure there are train services from Bankstown to Lidcombe and so passengers get the best and most efficient service to take them where they need to go.

    Making timetable adjustments will also help prepare the rest of the train network for the introduction of the Mariyung Fleet and help connect the new Sydney City Metro with the rest of Sydney’s public transport network.

    It is especially important for year 12 students and parents to plan their trips as soon as possible on the Trip Planner at transportnsw.info and allow for extra travel time.

    Most of the adjustments to the timetable will occur on the following lines:

    T1 Western Line

    Stopping patterns on the T1 Western Line will be simplified to improve reliability and increase train services for some stations west of Parramatta. Some services for some stations west of Parramatta have been moved from the earlier AM peak to operate between 9am and 10am to provide passengers with more travel options outside the busiest time. Rooty Hill and Doonside will receive additional services during the busiest morning peak hour.

    Services on the T1 Western Line will continue to operate frequently during peak periods.

    T1 North Shore Line

    With the new M1 North West & Bankstown Line services operating every 4 minutes in the peak between Chatswood and Sydenham, there is reduced demand for passengers interchanging at Chatswood. Train services are being adjusted to rebalance service levels in the morning and off-peak periods.

    Passengers on the T1 North Shore Line will still receive a train every 3 to 5 minutes .

    Stopping patterns on the line will also be adjusted to deliver more reliable train services for passengers.

    T2 Leppington & Inner West Line

    The T2 Leppington & Inner West Line (formerly T2 Inner West & Leppington) will continue to connect passengers from Leppington and Parramatta to the Sydney CBD.

    The Inner West corridor will be expanded to include the new T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services, connecting Inner West passengers, between Redfern and Lidcombe, to Liverpool via Regents Park and to the Sydney CBD.

    Leppington and Edmondson Park passengers who interchange for T8 Airport & South services at Glenfield, will benefit from additional trains in the AM peak hour on both the T5 Cumberland Line and T8 Airport & South Line.

    T5 Cumberland Line

    Passengers travelling between Leppington and Parramatta on the T5 Cumberland Line in the busiest morning peak hour will benefit from a 15-minute service frequency.

    T8 Airport & South Line

    The T8 Airport & South Line will see an overall increase in services during the morning peak, increasing from 14 trains per hour to 16 trains per hour benefitting Revesby and stations between Holsworthy and Macarthur.

    To ensure passengers at St Peters and Erskineville continue to get the train services they need, more T8 train services will operate via Sydenham, while during the busiest morning peak hour, two fewer services will operate via the Airport Tunnel.

    Other lines

    There will be some minor timing changes across other lines on the train network to support the adjusted timetable.

    Blue Mountains Line passengers will benefit from an increase in services across the week for stations between Medlow Bath and Lithgow.

    A reminder that some Sydney Trains changes have already come into effect for passengers west of Bankstown, these include:

    • New T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services operating between Liverpool and the Sydney CBD via Regents Park and Lidcombe
    • New T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line services will be coming soon, currently you can hop on a rail replacement service operating between Lidcombe and Bankstown.

    For more information on your route visit 2024 train timetable changes | transportnsw.info Regional rail passengers can find more information on the changes impacting them here.

    We encourage passengers to plan their trip via Transport’s Trip Planner at transportnsw.info/trip.

    Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

    “These adjustments to the timetable are focused on making our trains more reliable and resilient so passengers have shorter wait times, faster journeys and so our train network will be able to recover sooner when there’s a critical incident.”

    “We know that when there’s an incident on one part of the train network it can often affect other train services too. Making our timetable simpler means there’s less chance of that happening.”

    “Since 2017, the way that people travel on our transport network has changed a lot. The work commute has changed and there’s greater demand for trains outside the traditional peak hour. That’s why we are making sure there are more trains running at the times when passengers need them most, particularly in the mornings between nine and ten AM.”

    Quotes attributable to Sydney Trains A/Chief Executive Hayden Donoghue:

    “A simpler timetable makes the network more reliable allowing it to recover from incidents faster. We’ll be monitoring the new timetable closely and identifying where we can make further improvements.

    “As with any change, we know it takes time to adjust to new ways of travelling, so we’re asking passengers to please jump online and plan their trip.

    “This is especially important for students and parents, as your trip may have changed slightly over the school holidays.

    “Our staff will be ready at stations to provide our customers with assistance as they navigate these changes.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 7 dead, 4 injured in east China gas poisoning

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Seven people have died and four others were injured during a gas poisoning at a biotech company in east China’s Shandong Province on Saturday afternoon, local authorities said on Sunday.
    Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a team to aid rescue work and investigations. It has ordered that no cost be spared in saving those who have sustained injuries, and that the number of casualties should be determined as soon as possible.
    The accident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Weifang Jinshi biotech company, according to the emergency management bureau of Shouguang City.
    Those who sustained injuries are currently in stable conditions, the bureau said, noting that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Tour Damage in St. Petersburg Post Hurricanes

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Tour Damage in St. Petersburg Post Hurricanes

    President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Tour Damage in St. Petersburg Post Hurricanes

    Today, President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with federal, state and local officials as well as survivors to receive a briefing on the recovery efforts and tour the damage in areas of Florida impacted by two hurricanes less than a week apart.

    Throughout the Southeast, over 9,600 total federal personnel are deployed, including 4,100 FEMA personnel on the ground in Florida, working closely with state officials to ensure survivors receive the support they need.

    On Friday, Oct. 11, the President approved a major disaster declaration for 34 counties in Florida following Hurricane Milton. President Biden previously approved federal disaster assistance in six states affected by Helene. This opens up federal help for survivors in designated areas in Florida, Georgia North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. FEMA reported a record-breaking day on Oct. 12 with more than 250,000 applications received for disaster assistance. 

    Those affected by Hurricane Milton can now start to register for disaster assistance. In addition, Hurricane Helene survivors—who to date have been approved for over $474 million in federal disaster assistance—can also continue to apply for assistance. 

    FEMA encourages individuals to apply online as this remains the best way to apply for disaster assistance. The three ways to apply include visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA App. Survivors may receive funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. 

    These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across states impacted by Helene and Milton.

    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56331″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/1adfdc1ae08d66d832526d602202b69e.jpg?itok=V6aB1lMJ” alt=”Caption:

    St. Petersburgh, Fla – President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with community members, local, state, federal officials and disaster survivors to talk about the ongoing Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. 

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    St. Petersburgh, Fla – President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with community members, local, state, federal officials and disaster survivors to talk about the ongoing Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. 
    LAKEPORT, Florida – Florida Army National Guard members assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment load food, water and tarps into a vehicle at a point-of-distribution site. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Guard)
    STARKE, Florida – Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing, arrive at the National Guard Camp Blanding Joint Training Center to restock supplies for their continued missions in support for Hurricane Milton relief. (Photo credit: U.S. Army Guard) 
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56311″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/deebdbe219b8e886e70979f83d19e7dc.jpg?itok=TqaqbOxl” alt=”Caption: Tampa, FL – After Hurricane Milton, U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell makes a visit to Tampa and talks with Chris Whitler of Task Force 8, a Florida search and rescue team that primarily focuses on water-based rescues.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Tampa, FL – After Hurricane Milton, U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell visited Urban Search and Rescue and emergency workers primarily focused on water-based rescues.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56268″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/4f066b8ad59fa36135e4ab194c997003.jpg?itok=igLEwDnk” alt=”Caption: Greenville, SC (Oct. 11, 2024) – FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center is open to those affected by Hurricane Helene.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Greenville, SC (Oct. 11, 2024) – FEMA continues to open Disaster Recovery Centers in the states impacted by Hurricane Helene. View this online resource for an update on locations for the Disaster Recovery Centers.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56291″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/30761d701e1ad8455bab482d304acb1a.jpg?itok=aQih8k7D” alt=”Caption: Fort Pierce, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2024) – Volunteers with a faith-based organization support survivors of Hurricane Milton.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Fort Pierce, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2024) – Volunteers with a faith-based organization support survivors of Hurricane Milton.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56302″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/74649b5a2cbeca184114d315e25946ad.jpg?itok=KQpymVeI” alt=”Caption: Tampa, FL – FEMA’s federal partner Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from Alabama to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The 37 team members are supporting St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, as three of the local hospitals are closed due to the hurricane. The DMAT team members assemble their own emergency room and are doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychiatrists, paramedics, logistics, and security personnel and will stay until the mission is complete.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Tampa, FL – As part of the federal response, Health and Human Services (HHS) ASPR reassigned a NDMS Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from Alabama to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. This team is supporting St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. The 37-person DMAT team consisting of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychiatrists, paramedics, logistics, and security personnel are augmenting the hospital staff and providing medical care to the community.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56325″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/81375e36d113f3799509b6f384e99cc0.jpg?itok=ArKAEY6d” alt=”Caption: Elizabethton, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) – Salvation Army has joined the River’s Edge Fellowship to provide meals for the evening to local survivors affected by Hurricane Helene.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Elizabethton, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) – Salvation Army has
    joined the River’s Edge Fellowship to provide meals for the
    evening to local survivors affected by Hurricane Helene.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56308″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/eec42c5018f150321910c3b8d147069c.jpg?itok=fryygDUN” alt=”Caption: Jonesborough, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) – FEMA and Red Cross representatives speak with a survivor at the state-initiated Multi-Agency Resource Center which includes the Small Business Administration and several local and state organizations to provide assistance to survivors of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Jonesborough, Tenn. (Oct. 11, 2024) – FEMA and Red Cross representatives speak with a survivor at the state-initiated Multi-Agency Resource Center which includes the Small Business Administration and several local and state organizations to provide assistance to survivors of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56202″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/f7fb86176346e14cbc56c8a24998d9ef.jpg?itok=HZuKFXDX” alt=”Caption:

    Smyth County, Va. (Oct. 10, 2024) – A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist leaves a flyer with information on applying for disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene at a home in Smyth County, Va., on Oct. 10.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Smyth County, Va. (Oct. 10, 2024) – A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist leaves a flyer with information on applying for disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene at a home in Smyth County, Va., on Oct. 10.

    FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit page provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor control web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Rumor Response.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Exchange traded funds

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    How ETFs work

    An ETF is a managed fund that lets you buy or sell units on a registered exchange such as the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

    When you invest in an ETF, you purchase units in a trust that owns investments, rather than owning the assets personally.

    Many online trading platforms allow you to purchase ETF units yourself, or you can use a broker or financial adviser to buy units in an ETF.

    Example: investing in an ETF

    Mary wants to build her investment portfolio to include shares in ASX listed companies and commercial properties. Mary isn’t confident she has the time to manage these herself but doesn’t want to miss the investment opportunity.

    While researching the market, Mary finds Blue ETF, which holds shares of companies she would like to invest in, as well as commercial properties.

    By purchasing units in this ETF, Mary receives regular distributions of income earned by Blue’s ETF investments without having to manage a portfolio herself.

    End of example

    What types of investments can be held by an ETF

    There are many types of assets that can be held by an ETF, including:

    • Australian and international shares
    • property
    • bonds
    • precious metals and commodities
    • foreign currency
    • digital assets; for example, non-fungible tokens and crypto assets
    • units in other exchange traded funds.

    What to include in your tax return

    Find out what you need to declare and what you can claim in your tax return.

    What to declare

    You need to declare:

    What you can claim

    You can claim franking credits if your ETF invests in companies that have already paid tax in Australia. Any statements you receive will show franking credit amounts.

    Where to find information for your tax return

    When you use myTax, we pre-fill your tax return with information provided by the ETF.

    If the information isn’t pre-filled, you need your statement from the ETF. Your statement will indicate where to show the amounts in your tax return.

    ETFs usually provide an ETF tax statement, also known as a:

    • year-end or annual statement
    • member statement
    • Standard Distribution Statement (SDS), or
    • Attribution MIT Member Annual (AMMA) statement.

    An ETF tax statement provides the amounts you need to report and shows where to include your income in your tax return. This may include interest, dividends, franking credits and capital gains distributed by the ETF. Most ETFs also provide a guide, in addition to your statement, to help you prepare your tax return.

    If you don’t receive a statement, you can:

    • contact your ETF and ask them to send it to you and any guides
    • use your records to include amounts in your tax return.

    Most Australian ETFs supply data to pre-fill your tax return. It’s important to check this against your SDS or records and include anything that may be missing.

    For more information on how to complete your tax return, see:

    Income from a foreign ETF

    Foreign-owned ETFs generally don’t provide a statement. This means you need to use your records to include income from foreign ETFs in your tax return.

    When you invest in overseas ETFs, consider distributed income as foreign income and report it under ‘Foreign income’ in your tax return.

    Foreign income may be subject to withholding tax. This varies depending on the country the ETF originates from and the tax agreements with Australia.

    You may be able to claim a foreign income tax offset (FITO) for any tax withheld. If this applies to you, see Claiming a foreign income tax offset.

    Distribution reinvestment plans

    Sometimes ETFs offer an option to reinvest your distributions through a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP). This means, instead of receiving a cash distribution, the ETF uses the distribution amounts to buy extra units on your behalf.

    As ETFs fall under trust income rules, a distribution is assessable in the financial year it relates to, not the financial year it was paid to you. Your statement will show the year the distribution relates to and the year it is assessable.

    Any units you receive from a DRP are subject to CGT when sold or disposed of. Include the distribution amounts as part of the cost base when calculating your capital gain or loss.

    Selling or disposing of ETF units

    When you invest in an ETF, the units are subject to CGT when you sell or dispose of them. This is when you need to calculate CGT and report the capital gain or loss in your tax return.

    Disposals can include:

    • selling
    • giving them away (gifting)
    • transferring them to a spouse because of a breakdown in your marriage or relationship
    • buy-backs, mergers, takeovers and demergers
    • where an ETF goes into liquidation.

    Calculating CGT on ETF unit disposals

    Before calculating CGT on the disposal of ETF units, you must:

    It’s important to include any capital losses in your tax return. Losses can be used to reduce current or future capital gains.

    Keep good records

    Generally, you need to keep records of investments for 5 years after we process your tax return. The fund or your broker will give you most of the records you need. Most ETF issuers provide a guide to your tax statement to help you prepare your tax return.

    You need to keep records relating to your units (some ETFs may supply a statement that shows this) showing:

    • the date and price of purchase or reinvestment
    • the date of sale and sale price (if you sell them)
    • brokerage costs or commissions paid to brokers when you buy or sell
    • other expenses you incurred to purchase them, such as loan interest
    • the date and amounts of any distributions you received
    • details of any non-assessable payments to you
    • details of other CGT events such as unit splits, unit consolidations, returns of capital, takeovers, mergers, demergers and bonus unit issues
    • details of capital losses made in previous years – you may be able to offset these losses against future capital gains.

    For more information on records to keep, see Keeping good investment records.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shift in policy to strengthen nation’s growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Employees work at an assembly line of Chinese vehicle manufacturer Seres Group in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, April 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s economic growth is expected to strengthen on a sequential basis amid the latest stimulus package and with more incremental policies in the pipeline, translating into over 5 percent year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter, analysts and economists said on Sunday.

    They said a long-awaited policy shift is unfolding for China’s economy and markets, as policymakers have pledged to strengthen countercyclical adjustment and step up fiscal policy support. This will include the largest debt resolution support in recent years, with a particular focus on addressing pressing challenges such as the prolonged housing downturn, debt issues and sluggish domestic demand.

    Their comments came as data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Sunday that China’s consumer prices rose at a slower pace in September, while the decline in factory gate prices continued, pointing to pressures on the world’s second-largest economy and intensifying the need to roll out more incremental policies.

    The country’s consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, rose 0.4 percent year-on-year in September, compared with a 0.6 percent increase in August. The producer price index, which gauges factory gate prices, dropped 2.8 percent last month, widening from a 1.8 percent fall in August, the NBS said.

    “The slower CPI growth in September was mainly due to still-weak domestic demand, seasonal factors and the high comparison base in the previous year, while the deeper PPI drop was influenced by falling commodity prices, especially in the energy sector,” said Zhou Maohua, a researcher at China Everbright Bank.

    Shen Bing, director-general and a senior research fellow at the market and price research institute of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said the growth in CPI is expected to register a mild recovery while maintaining overall stability in the fourth quarter of the year.

    This is because consumer demand has shown signs of pickup, with the sales of passenger vehicles and home appliances having improved, a trend that would be consolidated upon the implementation of incremental policies to expand domestic demand, Shen said.

    On Saturday, the Ministry of Finance announced plans to soon introduce a comprehensive package of new targeted policy measures, with a key focus on improving the financial situations of local governments, facilitating the stabilization of a bottomed out property market, and enhancing the risk resilience and credit allocation capabilities of major banks, among other things.

    The ministry said there is still ample room for the central government to borrow and increase its deficit. It plans to enhance the large-scale debt limit at once, replace the hidden debt of local governments, and increase support for local governments to resolve debt risks.

    Chang Haizhong, executive director of corporates at rating agency Fitch Bohua, said this policy is the largest supportive debt measure introduced in recent years and will greatly alleviate the pressure on local governments.

    “It is expected that the hidden debt of local governments may be replaced in large part by increasing the issuance of treasury bonds in the future,” he said.

    According to Chang, the current economic growth is under pressure and fiscal revenue is lower than expected, making some local governments more stretched financially.

    “Once implemented, this policy will substantially reduce local fiscal pressure, unleashing fiscal funds for economic development and ensuring people’s livelihoods. At the same time, the balance sheets of local government financing vehicles will also be strengthened,” he said.

    Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said his team estimates that the size of the announced fiscal stimulus package will be at least 4 trillion yuan ($566 billion), surpassing market expectations.

    “It will directly drive GDP growth in the fourth quarter to rise above 5 percent, thereby helping achieve the annual growth target of around 5 percent this year,” he added.

    Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura, said he believes that much of the incoming fiscal stimulus will likely be used to fill the fiscal gap faced by local governments.

    “In addition to the 200 billion yuan for strategic projects announced by the National Development and Reform Commission, we expect the country to increase fiscal transfers to local governments and give them a large quota for borrowing,” he said.

    Lu added that policymakers might consider an increase in spending on social security to help those with lower incomes and to encourage childbirth, and they will likely provide funding to those presold residential projects that have been delayed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s consumer prices hold steady in September

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A customer shops at a supermarket in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, March 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s consumer prices steadied in September amid a sustained recovery of domestic demand, official data showed Sunday.

    The consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, was up 0.4 percent year on year in September, lower from a 0.6-percent rise in August, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

    The 0.4 percent growth in September was lower than the previous month mainly because of the higher base logged in the same period last year, said NBS statistician Dong Lijuan.

    On a monthly basis, the CPI remained unchanged compared to the previous month.

    In breakdown, food prices rose 3.3 percent year on year in September, an increase of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous month. Non-food prices were down 0.2 percent, reversing a 0.2-percent uptick in August.

    Among non-food items, the decline in energy prices deepened, and tourism prices shifted to decrease from an increase with widening declines in airfares and hotel accommodation.

    NBS data showed the producer price index (PPI), which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, went down 2.8 percent year on year in September.

    On a monthly basis, the PPI edged down 0.6 percent, narrowing from a 0.7-percent decrease a month earlier, the data showed.

    Dong attributed the monthly PPI performances to fluctuations in international commodity prices and insufficient effective demand in the domestic market.

    From January to September, the average PPI decreased 2 percent from a year ago.

    China unveiled an action plan in March this year to implement a program of large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods to expand domestic demand, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.4 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    Under the program, factories are encouraged to replace old machines with advanced new ones, and individual consumers can enjoy subsidies on automobiles and home appliances, among others.

    China will apply a set of fiscal policy tools including local government special-purpose bonds, special funds and taxation policies to help stabilize the property market, Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an told a press conference Saturday. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NGV’s Reko Rennie retrospective asks whether he should be considered Australia’s Keith Haring

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Grishin, Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University

    Installation view of
    OA_RR, 2016-2017 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia     Photo Kate Shanasy

    Is Reko Rennie Australia’s equivalent of Keith Haring? Both Rennie, a Melbourne-based Aboriginal artist who celebrates the heritage the Kamilaroi people of northern New South Wales, and Haring, the American pop art great, emerged out of an urban graffiti culture.

    Both create a widely recognisable visual language that has a striking vitality, sense of authenticity and a pulsating vibrancy. Both are deeply autobiographical artists who created a visual code through which to share their personal histories.

    Rennie is an interdisciplinary artist who seamlessly moves between video, printmaking, sculpture, painting and neon art. With more than a hundred works on display, drawn from the artist’s two-decade-long career, this is the first significant retrospective of his art.

    Rennie possesses the gift of creating memorable images that are simultaneously puzzling, intriguing and entertaining. On entering the gallery, you encounter a 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche decorated with the strange camouflage colours that reoccur throughout Rennie’s art. The physical car is accompanied by a three-channel video work with a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds soundtrack.

    Installation view of REKOSPECTIVE: The Art of Reko Rennie at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
    Photo Kate Shanasy/NGV

    Beginnings

    Although born in Footscray in Melbourne, the artist’s grandmother Julia, who belonged to the Stolen Generation in the 1920s and was enslaved on a pastoral station, raised him and imparted to him his Kamilaroi heritage. In his youth, Rennie saw a photograph of a pastoralist and his wife dressed up for Sunday church and seated in their luxury Rolls-Royce car. At the time, he reflected on the poverty his grandmother would have experienced while working on a pastoral station.

    The markings he made on the car, that are layered with a traditional diamond pattern of the Kamilaroi people, claim ownership over the vehicle. Inside it is a photograph of his grandmother. In the video, with a setting sun as a backdrop, Rennie drives the car down dirt tracks to his home country and, in something resembling burnouts, he makes traditional sand engravings with the tyres of the car. The work is poignant, evocative and becomes quickly embedded in your memory.

    The piece references an earlier one, with a pink 1973 Holden Monaro. In that video, the car performs a series of burnouts and doughnuts, the traditional initiation ceremony with Westie drag-racing culture of suburbia into which the artist was born. This is in contrast with the initiation practices and traditional sand engravings of the Kamilaroi people. The video is accompanied with an operatic score from Yorta Yorta woman, composer and soprano, Deborah Cheetham, performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Again, the video becomes a haunting and somewhat surreal experience.

    Street spaces

    Rennie is an artist who looks best when he operates in a public environment.

    His early street art, accompanied by break dancing and hip hop, thrives in the accidental lighting of urban spaces. He loves the way street art can ambush the viewer and employ strategies that catch and hold the gaze of the casual passerby. Keith Haring and Howard Arkley were two of the artists who pointed a way for Rennie to move from the street and onto the gallery wall. Although they may have suggested some of the formal strategies, Aboriginal culture provided the content that would consummate the work and give it a narrative.

    When in 2020 there was a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Lieutenant James Cook’s first landfall at Botany Bay and the HMB Endeavour’s charting of the East Coast of Australia, the Carriageworks in Sydney commissioned Rennie to make a piece for the occasion.

    Reko Rennie, REMEMBER ME 2020, LEDs, plastic, aluminium, electrical components, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Gift of the Eva, Mila and Reko Collection through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023.
    2023.229
    © Reko Rennie

    His monumental text work is made up of LED neon lettering held up in an aluminium armature. It measures over two-and-a-half metres in height and almost 19 metres in length. The simple message, one anchored in a tradition of street art, reads: “REMEMBER ME”. Cook’s landing marked the beginning of a process of invasion and dispossession, Rennie’s text affirms an opposition to the invasion and stresses that First Nations people survived. Sovereignty was never ceded.

    This message has been at the core of much of Rennie’s art, for instance, in the two neon pieces, OA Warrior I (pink) and OA Warrior I (blue), both from 2020. They are based on an 1800s photograph of a defiant Kamilaroi warrior with his raised club. The message is that the OA (Original Aboriginal) will never cede sovereignty.

    Reko Rennie, Kamilaroi born in 1974, Initiation 2013, synthetic polymer paint on plywood, Collection of the artist.
    Supported by Esther and David Frenkiel
    © Reko Rennie, courtesy blackartprojects, Melbourne

    In a much earlier piece from 2016, that has always been one of my favourites in Rennie’s art, a ten-metre-long banner bears the inscription, “I was always here”. It is made of hand-pressed metallic foil on satin where he employs the geometric diamond patterning of the Kamilaroi people as a background to the words.

    The work commemorates all of the Frontier Wars, massacres and oppression suffered by First Nation peoples in this country and in many other countries in a powerful way.

    ‘We’re not a monoculture.’ Artist Reno Rennie introduces his works.

    Impressive and consistent

    Rennie, who turns 50 this year, exhibited at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015 and with the 2016 XIII Bienale de Cuenca in Ecuador and has held numerous exhibitions across Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe.

    His star is in the ascendancy and he is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most distinctive and versatile artists, who is attracting international acclaim.

    Beautifully curated by Myles Russel-Cook as his final show at the NGV before he takes up the directorship of ACCA, Rekospective is impressive in scope, consistent in content but not repetitive.

    While Keith Haring died at the age of 31, I feel Reko Rennie will be viewed, in retrospect, as an artist at least as significant as Haring and one of growing importance in Australian art.

    REKOSPECTIVE: The Art of Reko Rennie is at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia until 27 January 2025. Free admission.

    Sasha Grishin 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. NGV’s Reko Rennie retrospective asks whether he should be considered Australia’s Keith Haring – https://theconversation.com/ngvs-reko-rennie-retrospective-asks-whether-he-should-be-considered-australias-keith-haring-238881

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China refines financial aid for students

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

    China has rolled out enhancements to its student financial aid policies aimed at rewarding outstanding students and supporting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, according to officials from the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission.

    During a news conference in Beijing on Saturday, Vice-Minister of Finance Guo Tingting outlined a dual approach to refining the policies: incentivizing excellence while providing necessary assistance to those in need.

    To promote academic achievement, the number of recipients of the National Scholarship doubled at the beginning of the fall semester this year. The number of undergraduate recipients has increased from 60,000 to 120,000 per year. Additionally, the annual figure for master’s recipients has risen from 35,000 to 70,000, and for doctoral winners from 10,000 to 20,000.

    The National Scholarship amount for undergraduates has increased from 8,000 yuan ($1,132) to 10,000 yuan per year, while the National Inspirational Scholarship has grown from 5,000 to 6,000 yuan annually.

    To further assist students from low-income families, the average national grant for undergraduates increased from 3,300 yuan to 3,700 yuan per year, effective this fall semester.

    The government will also enhance its student loan program, raising the maximum loan amount for undergraduates from 16,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan per year and for graduate students from 20,000 yuan to 25,000 yuan. Additionally, interest rates on these loans will be reduced.

    Guo noted that further updates regarding graduate scholarship standards are expected in 2025, alongside increased grants for high school and vocational students, thereby expanding the scope of financial support.

    China currently has a comprehensive financial assistance system led by the government, with contributions from educational institutions and society. The system includes national scholarships, grants, student loan offerings, tuition reduction funds, living allowances and work-study opportunities.

    Last year, the government allocated 93.2 billion yuan to support over 31 million students in higher education. Furthermore, financial subsidies enabled banks to issue 70 billion yuan in student loans.

    The new initiatives are part of a broader economic strategy aimed at boosting domestic demand, said Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, during a recent news conference. The policies are designed to increase the income of low- and middle-income groups and stimulate consumer spending.

    Recently, China rolled out a series of incremental policies to stabilize the economy and achieve its annual socioeconomic development targets, with the student financial aid program being a component. Minister of Finance Lan Foan emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing targeted policies to support key demographics, particularly college students, in order to enhance overall consumer capacity and stabilize economic growth.

    China’s comprehensive financial aid policies aim to ensure that all students have access to higher education, regardless of their economic backgrounds.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kellie Toohey, Associate Professor Clinical Exercise Physiology, Southern Cross University

    Ivan Samkov/Pexels

    When you think of lung cancer treatment, what comes to mind – chemotherapy, radiation, surgery? While these can be crucial, there’s another powerful tool that’s often overlooked: exercise.

    Our recent study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, challenges the common belief that people with lung cancer are too sick to be physically active.

    In fact, we found exercise can play a vital role in improving life for those battling this disease.

    What we did and what we found

    Our review involved analysing 26 high quality studies on how best to incorporate exercise into treatment for lung cancer.

    We found the overwhelming weight of evidence shows exercise offers benefits at every stage of the lung cancer journey. This includes:

    • before surgery (being more fit can lead to faster recovery and potentially fewer complications)
    • after surgery (gentle exercise helps regain strength and makes daily tasks easier)
    • during other treatments (physical activity can ease side effects like fatigue and muscle weakness)
    • at advanced stages of disease (even for late-stage patients, evidence shows exercise can improve quality of life and maintain independence)
    • patients experiencing muscle wasting (evidence shows exercise, especially strength training, helps preserve muscle and keeps patients stronger).

    What does exercise look like?

    When we say “exercise,” we’re not talking about running marathons. For someone with lung cancer, it might mean:

    • taking a short walk around the block
    • doing some gentle cycling on a stationary bike
    • swimming or doing some movement in the water
    • lifting light weights or doing banded exercises
    • doing yoga or tai chi for more mobile, flexible joints, as well as stress and pain reduction.

    The key is to start slowly and listen to your body. What works for one person might not work for another.

    Getting started safely

    If you or a loved one has lung cancer and wants to be more active, start by talking with your doctor. They can advise on any precautions you should take and send you to an exercise specialist if needed.

    You might also consider working with an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist who can design a safe, personalised program.

    It’s OK to start small – even five to ten minutes of activity is beneficial, according to the Cancer Council Australia .

    Try to be consistent, if you can. Regular, gentle exercise is better than occasional intense bursts.

    It can help to keep track of your progress and how you feel after each session. You might also try looking for support groups or exercise classes specifically for cancer patients at local hospitals or community centres.

    The Cancer Council Australia website offers inspiration and ideas on exercises to start with, even in the home.

    The real-world benefits

    Research shows regular physical activity can significantly improve quality of life for lung cancer patients. These can include:

    • reduced fatigue, even though that might seem counterintuitive
    • less breathlessness, as exercise can improve lung function
    • less muscle weakness, which makes daily tasks easier
    • better mood, as physical exercise can help fight depression and anxiety
    • better sleep; many patients report sleeping more easily after starting an exercise routine.
    Exercise can improve lung function and may reduce breathlessness.
    Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

    Ditch the stigma, and get the exercise support you deserve

    Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. It’s a devastating illness that affects not just the body, but also a person’s mental health and quality of life.

    Unfortunately, there’s often a stigma attached to lung cancer. Many patients feel judged, or that they must have done something – such as smoking – to “deserve” their diagnosis.

    This shame can prevent people from seeking help or joining support programs.

    But here’s an important truth: anyone can get lung cancer, even if they’ve never smoked.

    And regardless of how someone developed the disease, they deserve compassion and the best possible care – including support for physical activity.

    Never too late to start

    It’s important to note exercise can be beneficial even for those receiving palliative care.

    In palliative care, the goals shift from fighting the cancer to enhancing comfort and quality of life, and physical activity can play a significant role in this.

    Even palliative care patients may benefit from exercise.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    A lung cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly daunting. But we’re learning patients have more tools to improve their wellbeing than we once thought.

    Exercise isn’t a cure, but it can be a powerful complement to traditional treatments and medications.

    If you or someone you know is facing lung cancer, don’t be afraid to discuss incorporating exercise into the treatment plan with your health-care team. Start small, be patient and consistent, and remember that every bit of movement counts.

    By challenging old assumptions and embracing exercise as part of lung cancer care, we can empower patients to take a more active role in their treatment.

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

    – ref. For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things – https://theconversation.com/for-people-with-lung-cancer-exercise-can-be-gruelling-its-also-among-the-most-important-things-240216

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Gender Equality and Water Security: A Conceptual Framework and Practical Strategies to Accelerate Progress

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Highlighting how women are underrepresented in the management and delivery of water, the report recommends setting targets, monitoring progress toward gender equality, and promoting gender-inclusive practices in water security initiatives. It shows how water-related organizations alongside governance and management institutions can take measures to boost women’s water access, reduce vulnerability, and increase employment to drive transformational change.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A year later, Kiwis already see ACT’s real change

    Source: ACT Party

    A year after the 2023 election, ACT is celebrating the long list of actions already taken to empower New Zealanders.

    “In Opposition, we spent six years listening to New Zealanders,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “This resulted in a comprehensive election platform with a commitment not just to change the Government, but to deliver real change.

    “Thanks to New Zealanders’ support, on October 14 we were put in a position to deliver, and less than 11 months after signing the coalition agreement, we’ve made serious progress.

    “The breadth and intensity of our action in Government speaks for itself. Even our critics complain at how we’re punching above our weight for a small team. We call it value for your vote.

    “Below is a list of actions ACT has taken that reflect ideas we campaigned on, and on which Kiwis elected us to deliver. Together, these actions break down barriers for Kiwis working to succeed on their own terms. We’re addressing challenges in the economy, law and order, democracy, education, health and more.”

    THE ECONOMY:

    • Cut wasteful Government spending to get inflation under control.
    • Delivered tax cuts to ease the cost of living.
    • Restored the Reserve Bank’s focused on tackling inflation.
    • Restored the option of 90-day trials for all businesses.
    • Established the Ministry for Regulation to cut red tape to make doing business simpler.
    • Commenced two regulatory reviews for early childhood education and agricultural products.
    • Repealed the Auckland Fuel Tax.
    • Repealed the Ute Tax.
    • Repealed “Fair Pay” Agreements
    • Repealed Labour’s resource management regime.
    • Agreed on core design features for a replacement of the Resource Management Act centred on property rights.
    • Sped up timeframes for overseas investment applications.
    • Increased the use of sanctions for beneficiaries who can work but refuse to take steps to find a job.
    • Eased restrictions to accessing credit under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
    • Scrapped EECA’s “decarbonising industry” (GIDI) fund.
    • Scrapped Auckland Light Rail, the Lake Onslow hydro scheme, and funding for Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
    • Started phasing back in interest deductibility.
    • Suspended the requirement for new Significant Natural Areas.
    • Unveiled a new contracting gateway test to provide certainty to workers and businesses.
    • Began delivering regulatory relief for businesses dealing with anti-money laundering rules.
    • Launched consultation to improve the Holidays Act.
    • Launched a nationwide roadshow to inform improvements to health and safety law.
    • Launched a framework for Regional Deals between central and local government to deliver infrastructure.
    • Stopped blanket speed limit reductions and enabled faster speed limits on our safest roads.
    • Introduced legislation to reverse the oil and gas ban and promote the use of Crown minerals.
    • Introduced tenancy legislation to enable Pet Bonds, restore 90-day ‘no cause’ terminations, and restore tenants’ and landlords’ notice periods to 21 and 42 days.
    • Introduced legislation to improve access to building products available overseas.
    • Introduced a member’s bill to liberalise Easter Trading.

    LAW AND ORDER:

    • Increased funding for Corrections to lift prison capacity.
    • Abolished Labour’s prisoner reduction target.
    • Defunded Section 27 “cultural reports”.
    • Commenced a review of the Firearms Registry.
    • Strengthened consequences for Kāinga Ora tenants who engage in repeated antisocial behaviour.
    • Strengthened Firearms Prohibition Orders.
    • Made gang membership an aggravating factor at sentencing.
    • Introduced legislation to reinstate Three Strikes.
    • Introduced a member’s bill to make rehabilitation or education a condition of parole.
    • Introduced legislation to toughen sentences for attacks on workers and give weight to the victim’s circumstances at sentencing.
    • Introduced legislation to amend Part 6 of the Arms Act affecting clubs and ranges.

    STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY:

    • Directed the public service to deliver services based on need, not race, and end “progressive procurement” quotas.
    • Abolished the Māori Health Authority.
    • Advanced the Treaty Principles Bill.
    • Restored local referendums on Māori Wards.
    • Scrapped Labour’s law to give 16-year-olds votes in local elections.
    • Broadened the terms of reference of the Covid-19 Royal Commission with a second phase.
    • Defunded the Christchurch Call.
    • Halted work on hate speech laws.
    • Introduced legislation to remove Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
    • Seen Otago University adopt a free speech policy in response to ACT’s coalition agreement.

    EDUCATION:

    • Restored charter schools, now with the option of state school conversion, with the first schools to open next year.
    • Streamlined early childhood education regulations.
    • Delivered an action plan to improve school attendance and started publishing attendance data weekly.
    • Improved the school lunch programme to feed more kids for less money.
    • Switched fees-free university from first year to third.

    HEALTH:

    • Delivered Pharmac its largest-ever budget, which has now funded life-saving medicines.
    • Repealed the Therapeutic Products Act.
    • Restored the sale of medicine containing pseudoephedrine.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Smith Releases Statement Regarding Boeing Layoffs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith releases a statement regarding Boeing’s employee layoff announcement.
     
    “I am disappointed by Boeing’s decision to lay off 10 percent of its 170,000-employee workforce over the coming months. This is a hard day for Boeing employees across the world and many of whom reside in King County, Washington. My heart is with those employees and their families who will find themselves out of work.
     
    “Employees are being forced to absorb the consequences of poor corporate management and oversight. In recent years, the company has prioritized profits and stakeholders over the integrity of their product and the well-being of their employees. This strategy is clearly not working. From production delays, faulty parts, stranded astronauts, ongoing litigation, and investigations, Boeing has struggled to produce high quality products.
     
    “This failure has a rippling impact on the nation and the strength of American aerospace. Boeing is a giant legacy aerospace company and the way that they do business impacts not only folks in King County, but also people across the world. Our transportation sector and our national defense rely on the strength of Boeing, but any company is only as strong as its workforce.
     
    “Boeing’s success relies on its dedicated employees, and investing in them is essential for long-term recovery. Boeing employees have put up with a lot for a long time, from cut pensions to insufficient wage increases. Now more than ever, a fair resolution to the machinists’ strike is essential to restore trust and show commitment to those who drive Boeing’s future. I sincerely hope that the parties reach an agreement that respects all employees and ensures the strength of the company as a whole.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mavenir Innovates with Intel to Integrate AI in Mavenir’s Commercial Open RAN Software

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW DELHI, India, Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, is working with Intel to pioneer innovative AI/ML Open RAN solutions to improve challenging cell edge problems that impact user Quality of Experience.

    Mavenir has made a significant breakthrough in Open RAN technology by collaborating with Intel to demonstrate an AI-enabled TDD 32TRX massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) solution. The company has successfully integrated Intel’s RAN AI model for beam management and FlexRAN™ reference software with Mavenir’s commercial mMIMO vDU software to deliver enhanced network performance and user experience. Intel’s RAN AI model – trained on 3GPP channel model datasets – optimizes beam weights, direction, and number of layers to maximize UE throughput. The combined Mavenir and Intel solution is designed to improve performance in challenging radio environments – such as cell edges and high-rise building scenarios – and is applicable for both TDD and FDD deployments.

    Bejoy Pankajakshan, Mavenir’s Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, emphasized the significance of this technology integration, stating: “This latest collaboration between Mavenir and Intel highlights the compelling potential of AI/ML for enhancing Open RAN capabilities, promising greater network efficiency and an enhanced user experience. The integration of third-party innovative AI/ML algorithms with Mavenir’s leading-edge commercial RAN software suite opens many exciting possibilities ahead to usher in faster innovation and advance the 5G Open RAN ecosystem. Our leadership in the Open RAN industry is enabling transformative partnerships such as our collaboration with Intel, which are paving the way for unique solutions to optimize network capabilities for the benefit of operators and end-users.”

    “Intel Xeon processors’ integrated AI acceleration, combined with the Intel vRAN AI Development Kit, enables operators to run a variety of RAN AI workloads using the CPU-based equipment they already have,” said Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager of the Comms Solutions Group at Intel. “Our collaboration and demonstration with Mavenir highlight AI’s significant potential to enrich customers’ user experience and provide mobile operators with a competitive differentiator.”

    This AI-enabled beam management solution will be demonstrated at the upcoming India Mobile Congress (#IMC2024) 15-18 October on Intel’s stand, booth no. 3.3 in Hall 3.

    *Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.

    About Mavenir:

    Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit http://www.mavenir.com.

    Mavenir PR Contact:
    Emmanuela Spiteri
    PR@mavenir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 11, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,28,791.33 6.27 5.00-6.50
         I. Call Money 7,782.39 6.43 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,67,217.50 6.25 5.50-6.39
         III. Market Repo 1,52,769.44 6.32 5.00-6.45
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,022.00 6.41 6.40-6.45
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 15.60 6.34 6.20-6.35
         II. Term Money@@ 56.00 – 6.80-6.85
         III. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 11/10/2024 3 Mon, 14/10/2024 45,260.00 6.49
    3. MSF# Fri, 11/10/2024 1 Sat, 12/10/2024 47.00 6.75
      Fri, 11/10/2024 2 Sun, 13/10/2024 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 11/10/2024 3 Mon, 14/10/2024 1,256.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 11/10/2024 1 Sat, 12/10/2024 79,778.00 6.25
      Fri, 11/10/2024 2 Sun, 13/10/2024 53.00 6.25
      Fri, 11/10/2024 3 Mon, 14/10/2024 22,855.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,46,643.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 04/10/2024 14 Fri, 18/10/2024 44,275.00 6.49
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,217.52  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -33,517.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,80,160.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 11, 2024 9,90,369.35  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 18, 2024 10,01,756.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 11, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 20, 2024 4,18,318.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad            
     Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1279

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How do heat protectants for hair work? A chemistry expert explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Eldridge, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Swinburne University of Technology

    Dmitrii Pridannikov/Shutterstock

    Heat can do amazing things to change your hairstyle. Whether you’re using a curling wand to get ringlets, a flat iron to straighten or a hair dryer to style, it’s primarily the heat from these tools that delivers results.

    This comes with casualties. While your hair is surprisingly tolerant to heat compared with many other parts of your body, it can still only withstand so much. Heat treatment hair appliances frequently operate at over 150°C, with some reportedly reaching over 200°C. At these temperatures, your hair can end up fried.

    Many people use heat protectants, often in the form of sprays, to minimise the damage. So how do these protectants work? To answer that, I first have to explain exactly what heat does to your tresses on the molecular level.

    Heating tools can do amazing things – but this often comes at a price.
    Engin Akyurt/Pexels

    What heat does to your hair

    A large proportion of your hair is made up of proteins. There are attractive forces between these proteins, known as hydrogen bonds. These bonds play a big role in dictating the shape of your locks.

    When you heat up your hair, the total attraction of these hydrogen bonds become weaker, allowing you to more easily re-shape your hair. Then, when it cools back down, these attractions between the proteins are re-established, helping your hair hold its new look until the proteins rediscover their normal structure.

    The cuticle – the outermost protective layer of your hair – contains overlapping layers of cells that lose integrity when they’re heated, damaging this outer protective layer.

    Inside that outer layer is the cortex, which is rich in a protein called keratin.

    Many proteins don’t hold up structurally after intense heating. Think of cooking an egg – the change you see is a result of the heat altering the proteins in that egg, unravelling them into different shapes and sizes.

    It’s a similar story when it comes to heating your hair. The proteins in your hair are also susceptible to heat damage, reducing the overall strength and integrity of the hair.

    Heat can also affect substances called melanin and tryptophan in your hair, resulting in a change in pigmentation. Heat-damaged hair is harder to brush.

    The damage is even more devastating if you use heat styling tools such as curling irons or straighteners to heat wet hair, as at the high treatment temperatures, the water soaked up by the fibres can violently evaporate.

    The result of this is succinctly described by science educator and cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong, also known as Lab Muffin. She notes if you heat wet hair this way, “steam will blast through your hair’s structure”.

    This steam bubbling or bursting through the hair can cause substantial damage.

    It’s worth noting hair dryers don’t concentrate heat in the same way as styling tools such as flat irons or curling wands, but you still need to move the hair dryer around constantly to avoid heat building up in one spot and causing damage.

    Once heat damage is done, regardless of whether it is severe or mild, the best remaining options are symptom management or a haircut.

    For all of these reasons, when you’re planning to heat treat your hair, protection is a good idea.

    If you’re heating up hair, protection is a good idea.
    Bucsa Nicolae/Shutterstock

    How hair protectants work

    When you spray on a hair protectant, many possible key ingredients can go to work.

    They can have daunting-looking names like polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methacrylates, polyquaterniums, silicones and more.

    These materials are chosen because they readily stick onto your hair, creating a coating, a bit like this:

    Hair protectant applies a coating to your hair.
    Author provided

    This coating is a protective layer; it’s like putting an oven mitt on your hands before you handle a hot tray from the oven.

    To demonstrate, I created these by examining hair under a microscope before and after heat protectant was applied:

    These high magnification images of untreated hair, and hair sprayed with a heat treatment spray, show how the product coats your hair strands.
    Author provided

    Just like an oven mitt, a hair protectant delays the heat penetration, results in less heat getting through, and helps spread out the effect of the heat, a bit like in this image:

    Hair protectant can help spread out the effects of the heat.
    Author provided

    This helps prevent moisture loss and damage to both the protective surface cell layer (the cuticle) and the protein structure of the hair cortex.

    For these barriers to work at their best, these heat-protecting layers need to remain bound to your hair. In other words, they stick on really well.

    For this reason, continued use can sometimes cause a buildup which can change the feel and weight of your hair.

    This buildup is not permanent and can be removed with washing.

    One final and important note: just like when you use a mitt for the oven, heat does still get through. The only way to prevent heat damage to your hair altogether is to not use heated styling tools.

    Daniel Eldridge 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. How do heat protectants for hair work? A chemistry expert explains – https://theconversation.com/how-do-heat-protectants-for-hair-work-a-chemistry-expert-explains-233206

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economic growth on the Fast-track

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The one-stop-shop Fast-track Approvals Bill, and the 149 projects listed in the Bill, will help rebuild our struggling economy and kick-start economic growth across the country, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop says.

    “Since 2022, New Zealand has battled anaemic levels of economic growth. If we want Kiwi kids to stop moving overseas, better public services, and a lower cost of living: economic growth is the only answer.

    “Our status as a first-world country isn’t guaranteed, and we should never take it for granted. If we want to build a brighter future for New Zealand, we must stop saying no to growth-enhancing projects.

    “For too long, our planning system’s default position has been ’no’. You want to build a housing development? No. You want to build a road? No. You want to build a wind farm? No.

    “We must start saying yes. It is critical to New Zealand’s future.

    “The Fast-track Approvals Bill will help cut through the obstruction-economy, with the 149 projects announced on Sunday demonstrating our commitment to supercharge growth. Commentary from across New Zealand this week has shown just how important this Bill is for our country’s future.

    “Forsyth Barr said that the Fast-track Approvals Bill ‘has the potential to give a much needed injection of energy into the downbeat NZ economy.

    “Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of BusinessNZ said that ‘these projects listed as part of the Fast-track Bill will stimulate job creation and economic activity at a time when we need it most.’

    “James Smith from the National Road Carriers Association said that the projects announced were ‘balanced and achievable’, with ‘a strong emphasis on road and rail developments that will enable productivity to get the country moving again’. 

    “Bridget Abernethy from the Electricity Retailers Association has said that the fast-tracking of renewable projects will  ‘…help provide confidence to build and deliver affordable clean electricity for our low-emissions future.’

    “Finn McDonald from the Employers and Manufacturers Association said that ‘given the recent issues caused by higher energy prices and the demands on generation capacity to further electrify the economy, these new fast-tracked projects have increasing significance’

    “Nick Leggett from Infrastructure NZ said that the list of projects was ‘balanced’, and that ‘it really speaks to the need this country has to get its act together and build some infrastructure’. 

    “Even Gary Taylor, Chairman and Executive Director of the Environmental Defence Society, has conceded that ‘while I come from an environmental perspective, I am also a Kiwi interested in economic welfare of our nation, and a lot of the infrastructure projects look good to go to me, subject to environmental assessment… a lot of the renewable projects, a lot of the housing projects, although there are obviously important questions about impacts from them… a lot of them are all good to go…’

    “The 149 projects chosen by Cabinet to be listed in the Bill will be listed in Schedule 2 of the Bill once the Bill is reported back from the Environment Committee in mid-October. Once the Bill is passed, they will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess the project and apply relevant conditions.

    “New Zealanders can expect economic growth to be at the heart of what this government does. Fast-track is just one part – albeit an important part – of our drive to grow the economy for all Kiwis.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ADB, Partners Open Renewable Based Minigrid to Deliver Clean Electricity to Niuafo’ou

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    NIUAFO’OU, TONGA (14 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the governments of Tonga and Australia commissioned the Niuafo’ou hybrid minigrid as part of the cofinanced Tonga Renewable Energy Project. The new grid will provide clean, reliable, and efficient electricity supply up to 24 hours per day to the people and businesses of Niuafo’ou.

    Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho led the commissioning ceremony. They were joined by ADB Senior Country Officer Balwyn Fa’otusia, Australian High Commissioner for Tonga Brek Batley and Tonga Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Risk Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication Fekita ‘Utoikamanu.

    “Tonga is obviously preparing for a renewable energy future by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and initiating projects like the Tonga Renewable Energy Project,” said the Director of ADB’s Energy Sector Group Keiju Mitsuhashi. “ADB will continue to support Tonga’s energy transition ambition through accelerating renewable energy investment, and strengthening the transmission and distribution network.”

    The Tonga Renewable Energy Project funded the successful installation of battery energy storage system and modernized Tonga Power Limited’s (TPL) central control center on Tongatapu, as well as the installation of solar photovoltaic plants and battery energy storage systems on ‘Eua and Vava’u. The project is also constructing hybrid minigrid systems on eight outer islands in the Ha’apai and Vava’u Groups, as well as supporting TPL prepare a power purchase agreement for private sector funded investment to help achieve the government’s target of 70% renewable energy penetration by 2025.

    The Tonga Renewable Energy Project is cofinanced by ADB, Green Climate Fund, the governments of Tonga and Australia, and TPL. The $12.2 million ADB financing is sourced from the Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries. Total project cost is $53.2 million.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: Q3 2024 Trading Update and Invitation to Earnings Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 14 October 2024 – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, will publish its Q3 2024 operating and interim financial results on 7 November at 07:00 (CET). A videoconference call with executive management will follow at 14:00 (CET). Today the Company provides an update on production, sales volumes and other key information for the quarter.

    Volumes (boepd)

    Gross operated production Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023
    Kurdistan 84,212 79,783 25,984
    North Sea – – –
           
    Net entitlement production Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023
    Kurdistan 17,607 17,167 9,897
    North Sea 11,236 16,321 14,288
           
    Sales Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023
    Kurdistan 17,607 17,167 9,897
    North Sea 15,306 12,871 15,749
           
    Equity accounted production (net) Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023
          Côte d’Ivoire         2,843 3,256 3,373

    Selected cash flow items

    DNO’s share of crude oil from the Tawke license during the quarter has been sold to local buyers as the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline remained closed. Payments are deposited directly into DNO’s international bank accounts in advance of loadings.

    In the third quarter, DNO paid a dividend of NOK 0.3125 per share (totaling USD 29 million), which was up 25 percent from prior quarterly distributions. The Company had no tax payments or refunds during the quarter.

    The acquisition of stakes in five oil and gas fields in the Norne area in the Norwegian Sea announced in May was completed on 30 August. Net cash consideration paid by DNO was approximately USD 24 million. The transfer of DNO’s 22.6 percent interest in Ringhorne East to Vår Energi, the other element of the swap, was completed on the same date.

    Other items and information

    DNO participated in two exploration wells in the Norwegian North Sea in the quarter. The Heisenberg/Angel well in PL827SB (49 percent interest) was spudded on 18 August and completed on 16 September. The well delineated the play-opening 2023 Heisenberg oil and gas discovery and confirmed the volume estimate of 24 to 56 MMboe but the deeper Angel exploration target was found to be mainly water wet. The operated Falstaff well (50 percent interest) was spudded on 20 September and drilling was ongoing as of end of Q3 2024.

    Other drilling activities during the quarter included the B-3 well in Kurdistan at the DNO-operated Baeshiqa license (64 percent interest), which was spudded on 21 February, completed on 26 July and was ongoing a testing program as of end of Q3 2024.

    Earnings call login details

    Please visit http://www.dno.no for login details ahead of the call.

    Disclaimer

    The information contained in this release is based on a preliminary assessment of the Company’s Q3 2024 operating and interim financial results and may be subject to change.

    –

    For further information, please contact:
    Media: media@dno.no
    Investors: investor.relations@dno.no

    –

    DNO ASA is a Norwegian oil and gas operator active in the Middle East, the North Sea and West Africa. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands and Yemen.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –