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  • MIL-Evening Report: As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel continues its assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran appears increasingly backed into a corner.

    Israel’s efforts to weaken Iran’s proxy network have focused on a number of objectives: eliminating key Hezbollah leaders, destroying their weapons and other military sites, and targeting large numbers of fighters and sympathisers.

    Hezbollah has undoubtedly been weakened over the past few weeks, which presents a dilemma for Iran. Could this sustained pressure on its main militant proxy group push Iran towards finally acquiring a nuclear weapon?

    Iran’s deterrence strategy

    The use of armed proxy networks as a deterrence strategy is a well-known approach employed by countries worldwide.

    Iran has successfully adopted this strategy for decades, starting with Hezbollah in Lebanon and extending to Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, various Iraqi militant factions, and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

    This strategy has allowed Iran to project power in the region and counter pressure from the United States, Israel and their allies, while deterring any direct military confrontation from its adversaries.

    Both Iran and Israel have until recently appeared reluctant to engage in a full-scale war. Instead, they have adhered to certain rules of engagement in which they apply pressure on each other without escalating to all-out conflict. This is something neither side can afford.

    Iran has long avoided direct confrontation with Israel, even when Israel has targeted its groups in Syria and assassinated several Iranian nuclear scientists over the past few decades.

    Recently, however, this strategy has shifted. Feeling the impact of Israel’s prolonged assaults on its proxy network, Iran has responded by launching two direct missile attacks against Israel in the past six months.

    This indicates that as pressure on Iran’s proxies intensifies, Tehran may increasingly resort to alternative strategies to reestablish effective deterrence against Israel and its Western allies.

    Some analysts believe Israel may now be gaining what is called “escalation dominance” over Iran. As one group of experts has explained, this happens when one combatant escalates a conflict

    in ways that will be disadvantageous or costly to the adversary while the adversary cannot do the same in return, either because it has no escalation options or because the available options would not improve the adversary’s situation.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a “harsh response” to Iran’s latest missile attack against Israel in early October. This could push Iran further towards changing its deterrence strategy, particularly if Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Calls for a new nuclear strategy

    With pressure growing on Iran’s leaders, the regime is now openly discussing whether to declare a military nuclear program.

    This would represent a major shift in Iranian policy. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, with no intention of developing a military component. The US and its allies have contested this assertion.

    On October 8, the Iranian parliament announced it had received draft legislation for the “expansion of Iran’s nuclear industry”, which will be discussed in parliament. The nature of this expansion is not yet known – it’s unclear whether it will include a military program. However, recent statements by Iranian officials suggest such an agenda.

    Kamal Kharrazi, a senior politician and member of the Expediency Discernment Council, a high-ranking administrative assembly appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, forewarned of a reconsideration of Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview in May, he said:

    Iran’s level of deterrence will be different if the existence of Iran is threatened. We have no decision to produce a nuclear bomb, but we will have to change our nuclear doctrine if such threat occurs.

    Calls in Iran for a revision of the country’s defence doctrine are growing louder. This week, nearly 40 lawmakers wrote a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, which decides on Iran’s general security policy. They demanded the council reconsider the current nuclear policy, noting that Khamenei’s fatwa forbidding the production of a nuclear bomb could be subject to change due to current developments.

    In the same vein, Ayatollah Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic revolution and former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, called last week for “enhancing the level of deterrence” against Israel. Iranian media interpreted this as referring to nuclear weapons.

    There have also been reports speculating that an earthquake in Iran last week could actually have been a nuclear bomb test.

    However, the US has said there is no evidence yet that Iran is moving towards building a nuclear weapon.

    Revived nuclear deal increasingly unlikely

    In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany and the European Union. This deal allowed it to pursue a civilian nuclear program with certain restrictions on its critical nuclear facilities. In exchange, the US and its allies agreed to lift sanctions on Iran.

    However, the US withdrew from the deal under then president Donald Trump in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Since then, Iran has barred several international inspectors from monitoring some of its nuclear sites.

    It is now believed to be just weeks away from producing enough weapons-grade material to build a bomb.

    Efforts to revive the nuclear negotiations have not gone far in recent years, though Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has suggested his government would be willing to engage again with the West and resume the talks.

    Yet, if Israel carries out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in retaliation for last week’s missile attack, as has been speculated, Iran may deem it necessary to opt for the weaponisation of its nuclear program instead.

    If Iran declares a military nuclear program, it would do so with the expressed intention of restoring a deterrence balance with Israel that could prevent a full-scale war. Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has never confirmed it.

    However, such a decision is likely to have dire implications for both Iran and the region.

    It would undoubtedly lead to more international pressure and US sanctions on Iran, making it even more isolated. And it could spark a nuclear arms race in the region, as Saudi Arabia has already pledged to pursue a nuclear arsenal if Iran develops one.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with Middle east Council on Global Affairs (Doha).

    Ali Mamouri 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. As the conflicts in the Middle East dramatically escalate, could Iran acquire a nuclear bomb? – https://theconversation.com/as-the-conflicts-in-the-middle-east-dramatically-escalate-could-iran-acquire-a-nuclear-bomb-240893

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tenth Annual 43North Startup Competition Winners

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the winners of the tenth annual 43North Finals, New York State’s $5 million startup competition held in Buffalo, in which five innovative startup companies were each awarded a $1 million investment and the opportunity to grow their business in Buffalo. This year’s applicant pool spanned 36 countries and five continents, eventually narrowing to eight finalists who traveled to Buffalo to pitch their business to a panel of esteemed judges and a captive audience at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

    “New York remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering the growth of innovative and forward-thinking startups, and our 43North competition is a key part of the State’s efforts to drive revolutionary solutions to today’s challenges,” Governor Hochul said. “I was pleased to present the awards and to congratulate our five dynamic winners who will bring their transformative businesses to Western New York, creating jobs, attracting capital, and investing in our community. With New York’s unprecedented support of 43North, we are continuing to strengthen Buffalo’s reputation as one of the nation’s fastest-growing startup hubs.”

    In January 2025, the five winning companies will relocate to Buffalo, establishing their operations at 43North’s headquarters in Seneca One Tower. This move will create new jobs and further strengthen Buffalo’s thriving innovation ecosystem, reinforcing New York State’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth and driving economic development across the region.

    This year’s high-energy event marked a decade of 43North’s commitment to furthering innovation and entrepreneurship in the City of Good Neighbors. The program’s remarkable success since its inception in 2014 has brought over 69 companies to Western New York, raising over $965 million and creating over 3,000 jobs globally and nearly 1,000 in Buffalo.

    The Winners of the 2024 43North Competition are:

    CoverRight – Brooklyn, NY
    CoverRight is on a mission to improve the lives of older adults by guiding them through health, finance and lifestyle options that benefit them.

    FoodNerd – Buffalo, NY
    FoodNerd is a food technology platform redefining the processing of shelf-stable foods. Its patent-pending technology produces nutraceutical-grade food with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients preserved intact.

    HeronAI – Cambridge, MA
    HeronAI has created the only Growth Opportunity Tool designed for accounting firms to streamline month-end advisory reporting. HeronAI helps reduce reporting time from weeks to under 5 minutes.

    Rarebird – San Francisco, CA
    Rarebird makes Px (paraxanthine) coffee, a patented coffee with the world’s first caffeine replacement.

    Spiky.ai – Brookline, MAv
    Spiky empowers revenue teams with real-time AI-driven customer insights for enhanced selling effectiveness.
    You can watch the 43North Finals live online at 43North.org starting at 6:00 p.m tomorrow, Oct. 10.

    43North’s winners were selected by the following Finals Judges:

    Over the last decade, 43North has invested in a diverse, industry-agnostic portfolio of 69 companies, over 50 percent of which have a continued presence in Buffalo, 46 percent of which have founders of color and 26 percent having female founders. This year’s applicants made up 43North’s most diverse candidate pool to date: 78 percent of CEOs were females or came from underrepresented backgrounds, and 30.6 percent of applicant founders were black, making up the largest ethnicity represented. This year’s semifinalists come from various industries, including AI, edtech, fintech, food tech, health tech and more.

    For the second year in a row, one winner received the $25,000 People’s Choice Award, funded by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. This year’s prize went to FoodNerd, selected by the live audience.

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Empire State Development is honored to lead 43North’s efforts to bring high-quality startups and nearly a thousand jobs to Buffalo. This new class of winners represents the next generation of entrepreneurship in Western New York and we look forward to watching their successes as they plant their business roots in Seneca One.”

    43North Chairman Mike Wisler said, “This year’s cohort represents the next wave of innovation and talent that Buffalo is proud to attract. Over the past decade, 43North has thrived on a community-first approach, and I’m excited to see how these exceptional teams will contribute to Buffalo’s dynamic and growing startup ecosystem.”

    43North President Colleen Heidinger said, “This year’s applicant pool was one of the most competitive and diverse I’ve seen in my decade with 43North. We’re excited to welcome these five standout companies into our dynamic portfolio and help them make Buffalo their new home. Their arrival strengthens the momentum we’ve built in growing Buffalo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we can’t wait to see them thrive and succeed in the City of Good Neighbors.”

    43North’s success and its portfolio companies have played a major role in establishing Buffalo as one of the fastest-growing startup cities. New York State funds the accelerator program, with direct support coming from Empire State Development, to continue operating high-intensity competitions year after year.

    About 43North
    43North is an accelerator program that hosts an annual startup competition, investing $5 million per year to attract and cultivate high-growth companies in Buffalo, NY. 43North portfolio companies also receive free incubator space in Buffalo for one year, guidance from mentors in related fields, and access to other business incentive programs such as START-UP NY. 43North operates through the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, the M&T Foundation, and several other sponsors. For more information about 43North, visit http://www.43north.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Another poll finds Treaty Principles Bill support 2:1

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming a new scientific poll that shows almost twice as many New Zealanders support the Treaty Principles Bill as oppose it.

    The Curia poll, published by pollster David Farrar this morning, shows 46% in support of the Bill’s proposed principles as agreed by Cabinet, versus just 25% opposed and 29% unsure.

    “A prior poll from the same company last October showed higher support. At that time Green and Labour supporters agreed with the principles, however they have swung against the Bill as their parties have entered Opposition,” says Seymour.

    “Even as opposition groups rally their supporters against the Bill, the promise of equal rights for all New Zealanders proves to be popular.

    “A ratio of two-to-one support for the proposed principles suggests the Bill could easily pass if put to New Zealanders at a referendum, as ACT would like to see. That is why other parties are so keen to shut down the debate – they know they’re on the wrong side of public opinion.

    “The modern ‘partnership’ interpretation of the Treaty, which divides us into two groups with different rights based on ancestry, is an invention of the unelected judiciary and would not have passed any democratic process. That’s where the Treaty Principles Bill comes in. We’re giving everyone the chance to participate in a meaningful debate on the purpose of the Treaty in a modern, multi-ethnic democracy.

    “ACT’s challenge to the Bill’s opponents is to explain why they want to deny New Zealanders a say on something so fundamental to our future.

    “Tuesday’s widely watched debate between myself and Ngāti Toa’s Helmut Modlik proved it is possible to have civil, substantive debate on the Treaty. With the Bill set for introduction to Parliament next month, followed by a six-month select committee process, I look forward to many more such constructive discussions about our future.”

    The Curia poll of 958 New Zealanders was taken from Thursday 3 October to Monday 7 October.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Hassan, Pappas Deliver Remarks at New Hampshire Life Sciences Inaugural Event and Celebrate Granite State Innovation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Salem, NH) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01), delivered remarks at the inaugural celebration of New Hampshire Life Sciences. This statewide life sciences association fosters economic growth and awareness of the life sciences industry in New Hampshire, bringing world-class talent and innovation to the state. You can find photos from today’s event here.
    “Fueling local economies and growing industries, including New Hampshire’s innovative life sciences industry, requires collaboration,” said Senator Shaheen. “That’s why I’m glad to see so many companies and organizations in this association developing cutting-edge therapies right here in the Granite State that will save lives in the state and beyond. The formation of New Hampshire Life Sciences will help improve lives, all while growing our state’s economy and creating good-paying jobs.” 
    “Today’s Live Free Life Science celebration reaffirms that anyone who wants to innovate, research, or create should come to the Live Free or Die State,” said Senator Hassan. “Life sciences companies are advancing cutting-edge science while creating good paying jobs and are an example of the many innovative businesses that choose to make New Hampshire home.”   
    “New Hampshire has always been a place that has driven innovation and technology, and today’s inaugural Live Free Life Science Event and Celebration further proves that,” said Congressman Pappas. “Our life science industry is driving economic growth, employing thousands, and accomplishing innovative work that is saving lives. I want to thank New Hampshire Life Sciences for convening this summit to connect businesses, share information and resources, and plan for the future of life sciences here in the Granite State.” 
    “The strength of New Hampshire’s life sciences industry was on full display at our Live Free Life Science event, and we are thrilled by the engagement from industry and elected leaders from across the state,” said Andrea Hechavarria, President & CEO of NHLS. “There has been incredible momentum generated over our first year in operation, creating a springboard for our work to help grow the Granite State’s cutting-edge life sciences companies.”
    As Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen leads efforts to promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. Last month, Shaheen, Hassan and Pappas celebrated the grand-opening of Novocure’s North American flagship facility located in downtown Portsmouth which will house a world-class training and development center, bringing physicians and scientists from around the world to New Hampshire and creating hundreds of high paying jobs in the state.
    In July, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation welcomed $44 million in federal funding awarded to the ReGen Valley Tech Hub through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to accelerate Southern New Hampshire’s growth into a global epicenter for the production and distribution of regenerative cells, tissues and organs. Last year, Shaheen, Hassan and Pappas visited the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) to celebrate the ReGen Valley Consortium’s Tech Hub designation.  
    Prior to that, Shaheen and Hassan hosted Commerce Secretary Raimondo at ARMI following Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) selection of Southern New Hampshire’s BioFabrication Cluster as a Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) awardee. This separate $44 million award– which Shaheen, Hassan, and Pappas also advocated for – is being used as a down payment to establish Southern New Hampshire’s leading role in regenerative tissue and organ production.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace Statement – Fast track ministers’ effort to avoid conflict of interest like a sordid game of Twister

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace says the information released by the Government today shows how deeply compromised the whole fast track process is and that environmental protection is totally overridden.
    Russel Norman says, “It’s like a sordid game of Twister between Shane Jones, Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop as they try to avoid all their conflicts of interest in approving fast track projects.
    “With National, Act and New Zealand First parties having received half a million dollars in campaign donations from fast track project companies and shareholders, it is no surprise that managing the conflicts of interest was such a mess.
    “In fact, it was so complicated that they seem to have failed because Shane Jones said he would recuse himself from decisions related to Trans Tasman Resources seabed mining, but there’s no mention of that.”
    Earlier in the year, Greenpeace recorded Shane Jones saying that he was the minister of fisheries as well as mining and natural resources and so had stood aside from the seabed mining project so there could be no allegation that he favoured mining or favoured fisheries.
    “New Zealanders will be appalled that the Advisory Panel report is clear that they did not consider the environmental consequences of the projects they were sending for rubber stamping. This reflects the priorities of the fast track legislation itself.
    The full Advisory Group report has now been published by the Ministry for the Environment. It provides the full list of the 384 projects that applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and the Advisory Group’s recommendation for each project.
    Greenpeace occupied the Straterra building last month in a protest against the possibility of its client’s Trans-Tasman Resources seabed mining project being included. The action resulted in several arrests, but Greenpeace says it was a sign of things to come and “a demonstration of the resistance promised” in the recently published open letter to all companies considering using the Fast Track Approvals process, which has since increased from 7,500 signatories to over 14,000.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 10th, 2024 Heinrich Unveils N.M. Minority Business Development Center’s New Office in Albuquerque

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    Heinrich was instrumental in establishing and standing up the Minority Business Development Center in New Mexico
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, joined Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, community leaders, and small business owners to unveil a new, larger office space for the New Mexico Minority Business Development Center (Business Center) as part of a new Business Resource Center that will also house the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office.
    Heinrich wrote the legislative provision that established and funded the New Mexico Business Center in 2020, securing more than $2.5 million in federal resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency for its staffing and programming.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participates in a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the newly expanded office space for the New Mexico MBDC in Albuquerque, October 10, 2024.
    “Local businesses are the beating hearts of our communities and backbone of our economy. That’s why, four years ago, I wrote the federal legislative provision that re-opened New Mexico’s Minority Business Development Center and fought to fund its operations. And it’s why I am so pleased to celebrate this expanded Center in Albuquerque and the locations now open in Las Vegas and Las Cruces,” said Heinrich. “With the $2.5 million-plus in federal resources I’ve been able to deliver, we are expanding support for local businesses across our state as they create the types of careers New Mexicans can build their families around, in their home communities.”  
    Background:
    The federal Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission is to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential. The MBDA supports a national network of Business Centers and technical assistance programs that help entrepreneurs and small business owners overcome obstacles and grow their businesses.
    In 2018, New Mexico’s previous Minority Business Development Center closed. In 2020, Heinrich authored report language in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Appropriations Bills that required the U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency to re-open a new Business Center in New Mexico. 
    Heinrich then worked closely with the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce to secure an initial $300,000 in federal funding to help establish the new Business Center, along with delivering $1.875 million in federal funding to support the first five years of its operations. 
    In subsequent funding cycles, Heinrich has secured additional federal resources to expand the staffing and services offered by the Minority Business Development Agency in New Mexico. 
    In the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured $200,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to help the Business Center hire two more business advisors based in Las Cruces and expand the reach of their services throughout New Mexico. 
    In the FY2024 Appropriations Bills, Heinrich secured an additional $200,000 CDS to help the Business Center launch a new technical assistance project that will provide professional business development services to support and promote the growth and success of minority-owned businesses across the state. 
    Earlier this year, Heinrich included $300,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending within the FY2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, which advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in August, to help the Business Center create a Food and Beverage “New to Export” Cohort that will provide comprehensive support to business enterprises looking to export their products.
    Heinrich recently welcomed the opening of a new Minority Business Development Centerin Las Cruces, thanks to the federal funding he secured in the FY2023 Appropriations Bills, and an additional $183,000 award from the MBDA and $20,000 from the City of Albuquerque to open a new Rural Minority Business Development Center in Las Vegas.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 136th Canton Fair to gather over 30,000 enterprises offline

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 10 — Over 30,000 enterprises from home and abroad will be in physical attendance at the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

    The fair will be held in Guangzhou in three phases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4, and is set to include 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters.

    Approximately 390,000 digital and smart products will be showcased at this session, skyrocketing 300 percent from the 135th Canton Fair, and the number of green and low carbon products will be up 130 percent from the previous session, according to ministry official Xiao Lu.

    As of Wednesday, about 125,000 overseas buyers from 203 countries and regions have expressed their willingness to attend the 136th fair.

    A record high of over 750 trade promotion activities will be held this session, alongside approximately 400 activities to launch new products, with that number up by over 30 percent from the previous fair.

    The functions of the online platform for the 136th Canton Fair have been optimized further, the ministry said, noting that 48,000 enterprises have uploaded 3.75 million products to the platform, with both of those figures reaching historic highs.

    Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China’s foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Yongnian fastener procurement conference kicks off in Handan, N China

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

    Yongnian fastener procurement conference kicks off in Handan, N China

    Updated: October 11, 2024 09:24 Xinhua
    A purchaser (2nd R) learns about the fastener products at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. The 3-day conference kicked off here on Thursday and has attracted purchasers from more than twenty countries. Yongnian is a major fastener production and distribution hub in China. In 2023, the output value of fastener companies there amounted to 42 billion yuan (about 5.94 billion U.S. dollars), and the goods made here have found markets in over 110 countries and regions. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A purchaser (C) learns about the fastener products at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Purchasers learn about the fastener products at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Purchasers choose the fastener products at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A purchaser (L, front) learns about the fastener products at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A purchaser picks up a fastener product at the Yongnian fastener procurement conference in Yongnian District of Handan City, north China’s Hebei Province, Oct. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Releases Discussion Draft of Comprehensive Stablecoin Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today released a discussion draft of legislation that establishes a clear regulatory framework for the regulation and supervision of stablecoin issuers.
    “Stablecoins have the potential not only to enhance transactions and payment systems, but also to help create new demand for U.S. Treasuries as we work to address our unsustainable deficit,” said Senator Hagerty. “For too long, these benefits and the broader promise of stablecoins have been hindered by the lack of clear regulations. My draft legislation provides much-needed clarity, putting in place the legal framework necessary to unlock this technology’s full potential for the benefit of Americans.”
    Senator Hagerty’s discussion draft builds upon the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act, introduced by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry. Senator Hagerty’s bill exempts issuers of less than $10 billion in total stablecoin from federal regulation, allowing them to remain under the oversight of state regulators. Issuers exceeding the $10 billion threshold may seek a waiver from their applicable federal regulator to stay under state regulation. Additionally, the legislation designates the Federal Reserve as the supervisor of issuers that are depository institutions and makes the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency the supervisor of federally qualified nonbank issuers.
    These key provisions and other technical modifications strengthen the state pathway to stablecoin issuance, establishing a tailored regulatory regime that most effectively facilitates innovation and protects consumers.
    Please submit feedback on the discussion draft to matt_venoit@hagerty.senate.gov by November 1.
    Read the full text of the draft legislation here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada gathered in Vientiane, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic on 10 October 2024, at the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience, in support of the priorities of the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024; 

    Recalling the establishment of an ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership on 6 September 2023 and REAFFIRMING our shared commitment to jointly address new challenges, including through cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); 

    Emphasising the importance of adhering to key principles, shared values and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 

    Recognising the long history of cooperation between ASEAN and Canada since the establishment of Dialogue Relations in 1977; 

    Noting that both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy share relevant fundamental principles in promoting an ASEAN-centred, open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law; 

    Acknowledging Canada’s support for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, which underscores Canada’s commitment to regional peace, security and prosperity and to ASEAN integration and ASEAN Community-building process; 

    Supporting this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”; 

    Noting that Canada, as G7 president in 2025, is keenly interested in ensuring that its presidency is informed by the views of ASEAN Member States; 

    We hereby declare our intention to:

    1. Expand collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership which will include a special focus in 2024-2025 on ASEAN-Canada digital cooperation, and an expanded Canadian commercial engagement in the ASEAN region. 
    2. Build on the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) and support the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans as well as the implementation of the AOIP.

    Connectivity 

    Cooperation on Transforming for the Digital Future 

    1. Strengthen digital cooperation between ASEAN and Canada, noting Canada’s interest in becoming a Dialogue/Development Partner of the ADGSOM. 

    Cooperation on Integrating and Connecting Economies 

    1. Strengthen economic ties by increasing ASEAN-Canada trade and investment, including through Team Canada Trade Missions to the ASEAN region. 
    2. Promote greater regional economic integration, development, and resilience, including through the timely conclusion of an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) and underscore our shared commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system; and achieve fair, open and free markets, as well as sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development. 
    3. Welcome the establishment of the Export Development Canada office in Jakarta, and planned expansion to other countries in Southeast Asia, striving to support Canadian companies doing business in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets through direct financing to Canadian exporters and investors and support local buyers involved in projects with Canadian content. 
    4. Welcome the establishment of FinDev Canada’s office in Singapore, which will accelerate the deployment of the corporation’s equity, financing, blended financing and technical assistance solutions in the region, enabling sustainable development and inclusive growth through the private sector. 

    Resilience 

    Environmental Cooperation 

    1. Support ASEAN’s objectives to enhance sustainable development, including strengthening resilience against climate risks, extreme floods and droughts, including through relevant ASEAN regional mechanisms, ASEAN centres, and institutions. 
    2. Advance ocean management initiatives in the region, in line with the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action, including by supporting ocean and climate scientific research, promoting biodiversity protection and conservation initiatives, and monitoring and enforcement capacity. 

    Food Security 

    1. Advance technical cooperation by sharing best practices and capacity building in research and development on agricultural product and agri-food innovation in the agricultural sector to support long-term, reliable trade relationships and a stronger supply chain as outlined in the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises. 
    2. Welcome the establishment of Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila which aims to strengthen ASEAN-Canada cooperation on food security and promote mutual trade objectives in the agriculture sector. 
    3. Explore possible cooperation to promote responsible fishing practices and to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

    Cooperation on ASEAN Centrality 

    1. Promote maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded commerce, mutual trust and confidence, the exercise of self-restraint, the non-use of force or the threat to use force, and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the relevant instruments and conventions of the International Maritime Organisation. 
    2. Enhance cooperation in maintaining peace, security and stability, and addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, including maritime security; transnational crime such as trafficking in persons, people smuggling, illicit precursor and drug trafficking; non-proliferation and disarmament; cyber security and cybercrime; international terrorism and violent extremism, with support from Canada’s capacity building efforts, including through the Anti-Crime and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programs, and in alignment with the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime. 

    Cooperation on Women’s Empowerment and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) 

    1. Commit to strengthen efforts in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda globally, including through sharing of information and best practices, enhancing security related cooperation in the context of WPS within the ASEAN-led mechanisms, launching of a regional WPS initiative; advancing the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations and regionally, the ‘Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace’ initiative and cooperation with UN Women involving CAD8.5 million to support ASEAN-led efforts to advance the WPS agenda in ASEAN including support for the implementation and localisation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS. 

    Cooperation on Health Security Initiatives 

    1. Further promote health security and health system resilience through ongoing support for the ASEAN-Canada Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) in the ASEAN Region Program, including supporting the development and operationalisation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Biosafety and Biosecurity and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and other collaboration to enhance regional preparedness and response to future health crisis. 
    2. Further strengthen collaboration through the ASEAN-Canada MBT in the ASEAN Region Program to enhance capacities to prevent, detect and respond to all manner of biological threats, whether natural, accidental or deliberate in origin. 

    Cooperation on Disaster Management 

    1. Enhance cooperation between ASEAN and Canada to support the implementation of ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme (2021-2025) and the next AADMER Work Programme, as well as strengthen collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). 

    Cross-Cutting Issues 

    1. Commit to consolidate the ASEAN-Canada partnership and strategic engagement through more frequent and meaningful dialogues at various levels. We welcome Canada’s support for ASEAN-led mechanisms and note its interest in joining the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), subject to these mechanisms’ respective enlargement processes. 
    2. Strengthen Canada’s support for ASEAN’s increased engagement with international and multilateral fora, including the UN, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20, and in Canada’s role as G7 president in 2025 to explore synergies and collaboration with ASEAN as it adopts the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans. 
    3. Support ASEAN’s efforts in narrowing the development gaps, including through the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025) and its successor documents as well as sub-regional frameworks in the ASEAN region, which would contribute to promoting sustainable and equitable development and inclusive growth across the ASEAN Community by aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive development of ASEAN. 
    4. Recognise the importance of further enhancing regional connectivity, including through support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document and the ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda, as well as promoting links and synergies with other relevant connectivity initiatives through ASEAN’s Connecting the Connectivities approach. 
    5. As we adopt this Joint Statement, we task our relevant officials to implement the above initiatives to complement the programmes and goals identified in the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2021-2025) as well as the Joint Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit. We reaffirm our commitment to our relationship, as ASEAN and Canada commence negotiations of the next iteration of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2026 – 2030). 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hope returns to Kashmir after elections, but the ultimate power still belongs to Narendra Modi’s government

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leoni Connah, Lecturer in International Relations, Flinders University

    This year’s local elections in India’s northernmost territory of Jammu and Kashmir were the first since the national government controversially stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status in 2019. It’s also the first local election in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2014.

    It was a significant moment for the region. The election will restore, at least partially, some degree of self-rule five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took it away.

    Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) was delivered a resounding defeat when the official results were released this week. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and Congress alliance won 48 seats in the 90-seat regional legislature. The BJP won 29, mostly in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.

    The former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, was also reinstated as leader. This was a surprising turn given he lost his race for a seat in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, in the national elections a few months ago.

    What’s changed?

    Elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been affected in the past by boycotts and low voter turnout, due largely to public mistrust of the government.

    There was also a sense of betrayal after Modi’s government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. This had granted special privileges to local residents and gave the region its own constitution and ability to make its own laws.

    However, voter turnout in this year’s election reached 64%. And the participation of separatists and independent candidates suggested a change in attitude toward the political process.

    For the BJP, the elections are evidence that normalcy has returned to Kashmir after years of ongoing violence. Modi said in a tweet: “Many people claimed that the Jammu and Kashmir would burn if Article 370 was abrogated. However, it didn’t burn, it blossomed.”

    Modi had promised during the campaign that “statehood” would be restored, though he suggested this would be realised only if the BJP was victorious.

    With Modi’s opposition winning, some believed the election to be a de-facto referendum on the territory’s special status.

    The JKNC has always opposed the revocation of Article 370 and the stripping of Kashmir’s autonomy. The party has promised to work towards restoring that special status, as well as repealing the draconian Public Safety Act, which allows for the detention of people for up to two years without charge, and seeking amnesty for prisoners.

    In reality, however, the result won’t undo the revocation of Article 370. The new local assembly will have the power to make and amend laws, debate local issues and approve decisions for the territory, particularly in education and culture. But Abdullah will still need to seek the federally appointed lieutenant governor’s approval on any major decisions.

    Even if many Kashmiris would like to prevent the BJP from extending its reach into the region, the party still maintains some control from New Delhi.

    The BJP expanded the lieutenant governor’s powers over public order and policing. The lieutenant governor also has control over the regional anti-corruption bureau and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

    These powers were heavily criticised by the opposition parties in the region.

    Future of democracy?

    In recent years, Indian security forces have cracked down on the news media, social media and other forms of communication throughout the region, particularly any forms of Kashmiri solidarity with Palestine.

    Human rights advocates say abuses and repression continue in the region, and the climate of fear has had a detrimental impact on Kashmiri life.

    Statehood remains one of the biggest grievances for Kashmiri residents. Abdullah said himself that “restoration of full, undiluted statehood for [Jammu and Kashmir] is a prerequisite for these elections”.

    Only time will tell if these demands can be addressed, but there is hope a new local government might begin to change the bleak situation in Kashmir.

    As I spoke about in a recent podcast, there is optimism the new government will go a long way towards restoring some level of autonomy in Kashmir, as long as it is not obstructed by the lieutenant governor’s new powers.

    Leoni Connah 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. Hope returns to Kashmir after elections, but the ultimate power still belongs to Narendra Modi’s government – https://theconversation.com/hope-returns-to-kashmir-after-elections-but-the-ultimate-power-still-belongs-to-narendra-modis-government-240990

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB, Papua New Guinea Agree on Action Plan to Accelerate Project Implementation

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (11 October 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) today agreed on a timebound action plan to accelerate the implementation and improve the performance of ADB-financed projects at the 2024 Country Portfolio Review Mission Roundtable Meeting.

    Co-chaired by ADB Country Director for PNG Said Zaidansyah and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring Acting First Assistant Secretary Reichert Thanda and attended by government officials—including Department of Works and Highways Acting Secretary Gibson Holemba and Department of Treasury Deputy Secretary John Uware—project directors, and ADB staff, the hybrid meeting discussed the overall performance of the portfolio, reviewed projects, and delegated responsibilities with executing agencies and implementing agencies.

    “As the biggest multilateral development partner of PNG, ADB will continue to support diversified, sustained, and inclusive growth in the country,” said Mr. Zaidansyah. “The development impact and effectiveness of ADB’s support depend on the quality of the portfolio performance and we will continue to collaborate with the government to improve the portfolio performance and build the capacity of the relevant government agencies.”  

    ADB’s active program in PNG includes 15 loans and 6 grants with 10 projects amounting to $1.38 billion. The largest sectors ADB is supporting are transport (roads and civil aviation)—comprising 60% of the total active portfolio—and energy (20%) in response to the large infrastructure gap in the country. The human and social development sector, building resilience to climate and supporting gender equity, are also integral parts of ADB’s active portfolio. ADB is also actively working on public sector management, including state-owned enterprise reform.

    The action plan designed to improve the portfolio performance focuses on contract and project management, procurement, financial management, social and environmental safeguards, and gender equality. ADB and the government will closely monitor the progress of the agreed actions.  

    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 Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s services trade reports rapid growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A robot poses during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s services trade saw rapid growth in the first eight months of the year, including a steep increase in the trade of travel-related services, official data showed on Thursday.

    The country’s services trade totaled nearly 4.89 trillion yuan (691.24 billion U.S. dollars) between January and August, up 14.3 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    Services exports exceeded 2 trillion yuan, up 13.3 percent, and services imports jumped 15.1 percent to over 2.88 trillion yuan, resulting in a deficit of 874.88 billion yuan.

    Trade in travel-related services skyrocketed 45 percent to surpass 1.33 trillion yuan, and trade in knowledge-intensive services rose 4.4 percent to nearly 1.9 trillion yuan.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Booth debuts at 2024 IMEX America

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China presented a fresh image in the global MICE tourism market, business insiders told Xinhua Thursday when IMEX America 2024 concluded in Las Vegas.

    MICE, meaning Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, is a type of business travel that involves large groups of people gathering for meetings, conferences, incentives, and exhibitions.

    According to a report released by the Fortune Business Insights in September, the global MICE market was valued at 904.30 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and is projected to grow from 970.76 billion dollars in 2024 to 1,932.73 billion dollars by 2032.

    It’s the reason why China prompted its MICE tourism resource in the most important annual exhibition of the industry by debuting a booth for the first time, Wu Dawei, the China National Tourist Office Los Angeles Director, explained to Xinhua.

    China aims at showing the country’s new look in the global MICE travel market and providing global buyers with a rich variety of MICE travel options, he noted.

    “During the exhibition, the Chinese delegation held several rounds of meetings with hundreds of international buyers to discuss in-depth cooperation in conference planning, product design and event organization in the future, which is expected to inject new vitality into China’s MICE market,” he said.

    Debra Brown from SmartBird World Travel in Atlanta, visited the China Booth on the first day of the exhibition. She planned to discuss with the China National Tourist Office Los Angeles about a conference she is organizing in Nanjing next year.

    The China Booth was joined by the cultural and tourism departments of Beijing, Shanghai, Shaanxi, and Chongqing, along with several MICE service providers from China, and Air China that provides flexible and efficient transportation solutions for international MICE groups by leveraging its extensive route network and convenient transfer services.

    They held multiple rounds of meetings with buyers from across the globe, showcasing China’s rich historical and cultural resources, its modern conference facilities and international business environment while exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

    “These discussions are expected to inject new vitality into China’s MICE tourism market,” Wu said.

    Lu Jiangtao, representative from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said that the largest city of China is positioning itself as the primary entry point for inbound tourism to the country.

    “Participating in the exhibition allows Shanghai to gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends and market demands in the global MICE industry,” he said.

    Guan Ting from Beijing BTG Tourism Development Co. told Xinhua that he had engaged with several professional counterparts worldwide at the three-day show to explore new markets and opportunities.

    “It will positively impact our group’s future development in the international market,” he said. BTG is a subsidiary of Beijing Capital Tourism Group.

    IMEX America is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry. This year’s show, kicked off Tuesday, attracted thousands of buyers and participants.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dozens killed as Israel continues offensives in Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Two kids stand on the rubble of destroyed buildings in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 6, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israel continued to pursue offensives in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip on Thursday, pressing forward with its military objectives on the two fronts.

    On Thursday evening, Israel launched heavy airstrikes on central Beirut, targeting Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit. The strike has resulted in at least 22 deaths and 117 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

    A huge fire erupted, and heavy smoke billowed from a building in al-Noueiri, a densely populated area of central Beirut, following the airstrike. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and crowds gathered near the targeted site, TV footage of Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed showed.

    In addition, Lebanese sources reported that during the afternoon and evening hours, Israeli warplanes launched 16 raids in southern Lebanon and nine more in eastern Lebanon, leaving 21 dead and 41 injured.

    Among the attacked individuals were six Lebanese soldiers who were wounded in an Israeli drone attack on a military checkpoint at the Hosh al-Sayyed Ali crossing in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria.

    Also on Thursday, Hezbollah members hit an Israeli tank with guided missiles in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese armed group said, adding that the attack occurred as an Israeli infantry force backed by five tanks was advancing toward the Ras al-Naqoura axis.

    Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement that two UN peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired on a watchtower in UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

    Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said at a news conference that the tank fire “was not a mistake and not an accident,” adding that the attack “could constitute a war crime and represented a very serious violation of international military law.”

    In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces accused Hezbollah of operating “from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near UNIFIL posts.”

    On their southern front, Israeli forces launched Thursday a deadly airstrike on Rafida School near the headquarters of the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, killing at least 28 Palestinians and injuring more than 54 others.

    The Israeli military said in a statement that it carried out a “precise strike” targeting militants inside “a command and control center” within the school compound.

    The strike took place as fighting between Hamas and Israeli soldiers continued in Gaza. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, claimed Thursday that its fighters ambushed an Israeli army mechanized infantry company east of the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, inflicting casualties among Israeli soldiers.

    According to the brigades, the company comprised 12 vehicles and trucks loaded with soldiers. “We detonated explosive devices in the Israeli vehicles before our fighters finished off the soldiers from zero distance,” it said.

    In a statement, Israel’s military confirmed three Israeli reserve troops were killed when an explosive device detonated, saying they “fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip.” Enditem

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Public data potential set to be unleashed

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s latest push to accelerate the development and utilization of public data resources is expected to fully unleash the potential of public data elements, help cultivate new competitive advantages and inject fresh impetus into high-quality economic growth, officials and experts said.

    Their comments came following a guideline released jointly by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Wednesday.

    The country will take steps to expand the supply of public data resources and promote the opening of public data in an orderly manner, while encouraging and exploring the authorization and operation of public data, according to the guideline.

    The guideline focuses on removing institutional barriers that affect the development and utilization of data resources, and serves as a significant link in building the basic systems for data, said Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration, at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

    Liu emphasized that it will give full play to the role of data in empowering the real economy, expanding consumer demand and investment space, as well as improving governance capacity.

    Meanwhile, the guideline is conducive to bolstering the utilization of public data resources, facilitating the development of a digital economy and giving a strong boost to the data industry, Liu added.

    He said the administration will soon roll out supportive documents regarding the registration, authorization, operation and pricing mechanism of public data resources.

    Looking ahead, more efforts will be made to deepen reforms related to the market-oriented allocation of data elements and improve the basic systems for data, Liu said.

    By 2025, the system and rules for the development and utilization of public data resources will be initially established, the supply quantity and quality of data resources will be significantly improved, and a number of data elements enterprises will be cultivated, according to the guideline.

    By 2030, a comprehensive system for the development and utilization of public data resources will be set up, with compliant and efficient data circulation and use. The guideline also encourages innovative application to promote the healthy development of the data industry.

    “The launch of the guideline marks an important step in propelling the development and utilization of public data resources in China,” said Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy.

    The move, Zhu said, will help improve the supply scale and quality of data, enrich data products and services, and promote the efficient utilization of public data resources in key industries and regions.

    Zhu noted that the country’s accelerated layout in the data element market will provide solid support for the sustainable and healthy development of the digital economy, generate new business forms, models and services that are based on data, create more job opportunities and inject new momentum into economic growth.

    Statistics from the National Data Administration showed that China’s total data output reached 32.85 zettabytes in 2023, up 22.4 percent year-on-year, while the added value of core digital economy industries accounted for 10 percent of GDP.

    Ouyang Rihui, assistant dean of the China Center for Internet Economy Research at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said unleashing the value of public data resources is conducive to propelling the digital transformation and high-quality development, as well as speeding up the establishment of a national unified data elements market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Draft law seen as key to boost private sector

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Workers operate at a workshop of a lithium battery company in Zaozhuang, east China’s Shandong Province, Jan. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s long-awaited legislation on promoting the private economy made decisive progress on Thursday as authorities started soliciting public opinions on a draft law, marking a major step forward in reinvigorating a sector key to the growth of the nation, experts said.

    They said the move reflects the government’s emphasis on and support for the private economy, which will not only provide legal protection for private enterprises, but also clarify the government’s responsibilities in promoting the healthy development of the private sector.

    The draft law, jointly released by the Ministry of Justice and the National Development and Reform Commission, will be open for public comments until Nov 8.

    “The draft law not only confirms the key role of the private economy, but also provides institutional guarantees and support through legislation,” said Liu Dian, a researcher at Fudan University’s China Institute.

    “It marks the country’s latest push for improving the market economy system. Once implemented, it will effectively stimulate the vitality of private enterprises and encourage them to participate in competition and cooperation across a broader range of sectors, thereby promoting overall economic growth in the long run,” he added.

    According to experts, the draft law marks China’s very first basic legislation regarding the development of the private economy, and it aims to create a better environment that fosters fair competition, facilitates private investment, supports technological innovation, and protects the legal rights and interests of private businesses.

    In a statement posted on its official website on Thursday, the NDRC said the move will help stabilize market expectations and boost business confidence, reflecting China’s commitment to ensuring long-term, high-quality growth of the private economy.

    Comprising 77 articles across nine chapters, the draft law seeks to codify into a legal framework key policies and practices aimed at fostering the development of the private economy. It underscores equal treatment and protection for private enterprises while promoting their regulated and healthy growth.

    According to the draft law, in areas outside the negative list, all types of market entities including private enterprises are legally allowed equal market access. It also calls for the promotion of fair participation by private enterprises in market competition and their equal access to production factors.

    Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the draft law highlights comprehensive coverage of all aspects related to promoting the development of the private economy.

    There are “clear provisions” in the draft law, “from ensuring the correct direction of development to specific implementation measures”, he said.

    Citing specific measures to improve the investment and financing environment for private businesses and support their technological innovations, Hong said that such steps will help reduce operational costs and encourage these enterprises to participate in technological advancements and industrial upgrades.

    Under provisions included in the draft law, China will encourage private enterprises to play an active role in the development of new quality productive forces, ensure their legal involvement in setting standards as well as in the development and use of public data resources, and strengthen the protection of their intellectual property rights.

    Shen Bing, director-general and a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research’s market and price research institute, said that implementing a private economy promotion law is essential for ensuring fair competition among enterprises of different ownership structures, as it helps provide an enabling business environment.

    Efforts to implement the law will work with other ongoing policy moves, such as improving relevant regulations to guarantee payments to small and medium-sized enterprises, in easing the burden on enterprises, improving their operational conditions and vitalizing the broader economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X

    [Paris, France, October 11, 2024] The 5G New Calling solution, a groundbreaking joint innovation from China Mobile and Huawei, was recognized with the prestigious Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at the Network X annual award ceremony. This achievement is a testament to the solution’s outstanding technical innovation and far-reaching market influence, underscoring the strength of the partnership between the two industry leaders. By pushing the boundaries of 5G voice services, this joint innovation will advance the intelligent transformation of voice communications in the global 5G era.
    A marquee annual event in the global communications industry, Network X gathers top-tier telecom operators, pioneering technology innovators, and influential decision makers from around the world. The awards presented at the event represent a badge of honor, recognizing and celebrating outstanding innovations in a wide range of communications sectors. By acknowledging and showcasing such innovations, these awards not only inspire further innovation, but also drive the growth and prosperity of the global communications industry as a whole.
    China Mobile and Huawei win Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at Network X

    As 5G technologies continue to gather momentum, the traditional landscape of voice services is giving way to a more intelligent and diverse range of communication experiences. The 5G New Calling solution is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to establish a comprehensive multimodal communications platform. This innovative platform seamlessly integrates various communication modes, including voice, text, images, and gestures, and takes things to the next level by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as Real-Time Translation, Visualized Voice Calling, and Real-Time Voice Driven Avatar. The end result is unparalleled calling experiences for users.
    One of the standards set out in 3GPP’s Release 18, 5G New Calling redefines operators’ basic communication services with three revolutionary features: ultra-high-definition clarity, intelligence, and interactivity. New Calling is a major breakthrough in the voice industry, marking a leap forward in service intelligence for the 5G era. China Mobile has been blazing a trail in taking advantages of New Calling’s new market opportunities. Notably, by September 2024, the carrier had over 20 million subscribers to their New Calling services. This not only underscore the vast market potential of the 5G New Calling industry, but also highlight the technological prowess and market leadership of the partnership between Huawei and China Mobile.
    As Feng Shaorui, Head of China Mobile International France, accepted the award, he underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation-driven development, with a specific focus on integrating intelligence into its products. Emphasizing the significance of industry collaboration, Mr. Feng highlighted China Mobile’s strong partnerships with leading companies like Huawei, with whom they will continue to collaborate to develop New Calling as a platform-like product that seamlessly integrates with users’ dialing pads. By harnessing the power of intelligence, China Mobile is poised to elevate its products to all-new heights.
    Chen Haiyong, President of the CS&IMS Domain of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line, pointed to the significance of the groundbreaking achievement by Huawei and China Mobile in building the world’s first commercial 5G New Calling network. As well as significantly enhancing the calling experiences and communication efficiency for users, this pioneering effort also leaves a lasting impact on the global market. Looking ahead, Huawei plans to build upon this success by creating intelligent service entry points based on users’ dialing pads, with the goal of empowering operators to unlock new business opportunities and drive success.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Social Media Summit address

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    Good afternoon,
     
    Thank you, Premier Peter Malinauskas for inviting me to speak on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese.
     
    It is wonderful to be in Adelaide for this joint Summit focussed on a very important discussion taking place nationally, and around the world.
     
    I acknowledge the Traditional Owners – the Kaurna people – and pay respect to Elders past and present. I extend this to First Nations people attending.
     
    Thank you to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns for hosting Day One of the Social Media Summit in Sydney.
     
    And thanks to you – the experts, academics, policy makers and young people – who have come together to share your insights and experiences in this space.
     
    A space that has evolved exponentially over decades.
     
    Australia’s first Minister for Communications was known as the Postmaster General.
     
    Established at Federation, the Minister’s responsibilities were the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia.
     
    It wasn’t until 1975, when its Department’s name changed to reflect the rise in electronic media.
     
    Fast forward to today, and the internet continues to undergo significant change; as do the challenges faced by governments and regulators.
     
    We are now raising the second generation of digital natives.
     
    Social media is ubiquitous and a normal part of life for many young people.
     
    It can be a source of entertainment, education and connection with the world – and each other.
     
    But we are also seeing social harms affecting young people.
     
    And it is for this reason that we are here today.
      
    The Albanese Government understands parents and communities are concerned about the harmful impacts of social media and want action.
     
    Social media has a social responsibility. We know they can – and should – do better to address harms on their platforms.
     
    Governments around the world are grappling with this.
     
    No government, no regulator and no law can protect every child from every threat, every day.
     
    But we must work together to support our children to be happy, healthy and safe.
     
    The number one priority of the Albanese Government is the safety of Australians, including online.
     
    Australia is a world-leader when it comes to online safety, and I want to acknowledge the terrific work of our eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant.
     
    Online safety has traditionally been an area of bipartisanship in Australia, and that has served us well.
     
    Our Government is taking action on a number of fronts.
     
    Today, I will step out the Commonwealth’s approach to legislating a national minimum age for social media access – our latest effort to address online safety.
     
    This is significant reform.
     
    And we will work with State and Territory governments, regulators, experts, industry and the community.
     
    Today, I will cover three things:

    • The pragmatic approach we are taking to social media age limits;
    • The design principles that will underpin our reforms;
    • And, finally, how this aligns to our whole-of-government approach to improving online safety.

    As a mother of two young daughters, I understand that parents worry about the amount of time their children spend on social media.
     
    Research released by eSafety yesterday explored children’s use of online services, including social media, in 2024.
     
    The Social Media Pulse Survey found a significant number of children aged 8-12 are spending time on digital platforms.
     
    84 per cent reported using at least one online service, including social media or messaging services, since the start of this year.
     
    While the proportion of overall users increased with age, a significant majority – three quarters – have accessed an online service by 8 years old.
     
    More than two-thirds of children aged 12 have their own accounts.
     
    As parents, we also worry our children may unintentionally access harmful, distressing and age-inappropriate content on their feeds.
     
    We know that almost two-thirds of 14 to 17 year-olds have viewed extremely harmful content online including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as violent and gory material.
     
    A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits.
     
    This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
     
    As Communications Minister, I have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in this space – and I have learned a lot.
     
    Young people tell me social media allows them to connect and feel socially included.
     
    It can be an entry point to health and mental health support, a creative outlet, or a platform for legitimate children’s programming.
     
    But young people also understand the need for protection.
     
    Survey data released by the Minns Government in the lead-up to the Summit highlighted widespread community concern. 87 per cent of survey respondents said they support age limits for social media.
     
    The national conversation has seen a range of ages proposed. We welcome this input.
     
    Let me also take the opportunity to acknowledge the extensive work of former High Court Chief Justice Robert French.
     
    Our age assurance trial is evaluating technologies that could be effective to age-limit access to social media platforms from 13 up to 16 years.
     
    And preventing people under 18 from accessing online pornography.
     
    The trial includes targeted stakeholder consultation and consumer-focussed research looking into attitudes towards different technologies, and issues of privacy, security and accessibility.
     
    The Albanese Government has also brought forward the independent review of Australia’s Online Safety Act by a year.
     
    This critical and comprehensive body of work is looking at how to ensure our regulatory settings keep pace with emerging online harms and are fit for purpose.
     
    I look forward to receiving the final report in coming weeks.
     
    The Albanese Government has asked the States and Territories for their views on what the age for social media access should be, including evidence from a youth development perspective.
     
    The Prime Minister wrote to the Premiers and Chief Ministers last week seeking views on this, and a range of related matters, including:

    • Community appetite on the role for parental consent as a factor for age limits and permissions;
    • On grandfathering arrangements for existing account holders;
    • The need for a safety net or exemption for support services like mental health and education;
    • And what state-based supports they have available for children – particularly those who are vulnerable or isolated – to connect and access services away from social media.

     
    No solution will be perfect, and consensus on the ‘right’ age is unlikely.
     
    Young people are digitally savvy and will find ways to circumvent controls.
     
    But we can’t let the ‘perfect’ be the enemy of good – we need to make progress to ensure our safeguards keep improving.
     
    This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them or their parents.
     
    It is letting parents know that we are in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing.
     
    I am conscious of the pressure on parents in trying to oversee when and how their children use social media.
     
    Establishing an age limit for social media will help signal a set of normative values that support parents, teachers, and society more broadly.

    For this reason, a key design principle of the Commonwealth’s legislative approach is to place the onus on platforms, not parents or young people.
     
    Penalties for users will not feature in our legislative design.
     
    Instead, it will be incumbent on the platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place at the source.
     
    Our approach will ensure the eSafety regulator provides oversight and enforcement.
     
    We are also considering an exemption framework to accommodate access for social media services that demonstrate a low risk of harm to children.
     
    The aim of an exemption is to create positive incentives for digital platforms to develop age-appropriate versions of their apps, and embed safe and healthy experiences by design.  
     
    We are conscious of the harmful features in the design of platforms that drive addictive behaviours.
     
    This is why we will set parameters to guide platforms in designing social media that allows connections, but not harms, to flourish.
     
    We will set a 12-month implementation timeframe to provide industry and the regulator time to implement systems and processes.
     
    And we will review these measures to ensure they are effective and delivering the outcomes Australians want.

    Our strategic objective is clear: social media must exercise a social responsibility.
     
    This is the approach we are taking across government.
     
    As Communications Minister, I am working to curb seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation from being spread at speed and at scale on social media. An issue I know was raised by young people at the Summit yesterday. 

    Efforts to improve online safety for all Australians are being taken across the Albanese Government. 
     
    The Minister for Industry and Science is supporting businesses and organisations to safely and responsibly use and innovate with AI.
     
    The Attorney General has criminalised the non-consensual sharing of deep-fake material and he is seeking to criminalise ‘doxxing’ – that is when a victim’s identity, private information or personal details is shared without consent.
     
    Myself and the Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, are making dating apps safer through a world-leading voluntary code developed by industry to better protect their users.
     
    I am progressing Classification Scheme reforms to address violent and misogynistic adult content that reinforces unacceptable attitudes towards women.
     
    And, finally, I amended the Basic Online Safety Expectations determination to ensure the best interest of the child is a primary consideration in service design.
     
    These changes also go to the systems that power content delivered by algorithms that influence what Australians see.
      
    The Albanese Labor Government is a reformist government.
     
    We are not afraid to tackle difficult reforms or hold big tech to account.
     
    Platforms are not above the laws of this land.
     
    In legislating a minimum age to access social media, we are laying the challenge at the front door of social media companies to do better.
     
    We will work with you: the experts, academics, industry, premiers, parents and young people to progress these important reforms.
     
    And support young Australians to be safe and to thrive, now and into the future.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit convenes in Vientiane, Lao PDR

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended the 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, this morning. The Summit noted with satisfaction the robust progress made under ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Recognising the significant potential for Artificial Intelligence to improve the lives of the peoples, including through the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Leaders of ASEAN and the US adopted the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, with a view to unlocking the significant potential of Artificial Intelligence, while also mitigating its risks.

    The post 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit convenes in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X Oct 11, 2024

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: China Mobile and Huawei Scoop Best 5G Voice Innovation Award for 5G New Calling at Network X
    Oct 11, 2024

    [Paris, France, October 11, 2024] The 5G New Calling solution, a groundbreaking joint innovation from China Mobile and Huawei, was recognized with the prestigious Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at the Network X annual award ceremony. This achievement is a testament to the solution’s outstanding technical innovation and far-reaching market influence, underscoring the strength of the partnership between the two industry leaders. By pushing the boundaries of 5G voice services, this joint innovation will advance the intelligent transformation of voice communications in the global 5G era.
    A marquee annual event in the global communications industry, Network X gathers top-tier telecom operators, pioneering technology innovators, and influential decision makers from around the world. The awards presented at the event represent a badge of honor, recognizing and celebrating outstanding innovations in a wide range of communications sectors. By acknowledging and showcasing such innovations, these awards not only inspire further innovation, but also drive the growth and prosperity of the global communications industry as a whole.
    China Mobile and Huawei win Best 5G Voice Innovation Award at Network X

    As 5G technologies continue to gather momentum, the traditional landscape of voice services is giving way to a more intelligent and diverse range of communication experiences. The 5G New Calling solution is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to establish a comprehensive multimodal communications platform. This innovative platform seamlessly integrates various communication modes, including voice, text, images, and gestures, and takes things to the next level by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as Real-Time Translation, Visualized Voice Calling, and Real-Time Voice Driven Avatar. The end result is unparalleled calling experiences for users.
    One of the standards set out in 3GPP’s Release 18, 5G New Calling redefines operators’ basic communication services with three revolutionary features: ultra-high-definition clarity, intelligence, and interactivity. New Calling is a major breakthrough in the voice industry, marking a leap forward in service intelligence for the 5G era. China Mobile has been blazing a trail in taking advantages of New Calling’s new market opportunities. Notably, by September 2024, the carrier had over 20 million subscribers to their New Calling services. This not only underscore the vast market potential of the 5G New Calling industry, but also highlight the technological prowess and market leadership of the partnership between Huawei and China Mobile.
    As Feng Shaorui, Head of China Mobile International France, accepted the award, he underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation-driven development, with a specific focus on integrating intelligence into its products. Emphasizing the significance of industry collaboration, Mr. Feng highlighted China Mobile’s strong partnerships with leading companies like Huawei, with whom they will continue to collaborate to develop New Calling as a platform-like product that seamlessly integrates with users’ dialing pads. By harnessing the power of intelligence, China Mobile is poised to elevate its products to all-new heights.
    Chen Haiyong, President of the CS&IMS Domain of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line, pointed to the significance of the groundbreaking achievement by Huawei and China Mobile in building the world’s first commercial 5G New Calling network. As well as significantly enhancing the calling experiences and communication efficiency for users, this pioneering effort also leaves a lasting impact on the global market. Looking ahead, Huawei plans to build upon this success by creating intelligent service entry points based on users’ dialing pads, with the goal of empowering operators to unlock new business opportunities and drive success.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 10, 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) 5,26,221.95 6.31 0.01-6.55
         I. Call Money 8,605.93 6.43 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,70,072.45 6.30 6.20-6.45
         III. Market Repo 1,46,549.57 6.30 0.01-6.47
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 994.00 6.40 6.40-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 2,034.10 6.44 5.85-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 386.00 – 6.60-6.90
         III. Triparty Repo 879.10 6.34 6.25-6.45
         IV. Market Repo 1,642.29 6.55 6.55-6.55
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 10/10/2024 1 Fri, 11/10/2024 2,180.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 10/10/2024 1 Fri, 11/10/2024 56,656.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -54,476.00  
    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 Tue, 08/10/2024 3 Fri, 11/10/2024 9,398.00 6.49
      Mon, 07/10/2024 4 Fri, 11/10/2024 36,825.00 6.49
    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$       6,942.52  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -80,015.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,34,491.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 10, 2024 10,09,424.38  
         (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 10, 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: 2024-2025/1267

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China gets most orders for green ships

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

    China captured over 70 percent of global orders for green vessels and achieved full coverage across all mainstream ship types during the first three quarters of 2024, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Thursday.

    Propelled by advancements in green technologies and innovation, Chinese shipyards saw new orders surge 51.9 percent year-on-year to 87.11 million deadweight tons between January and September, accounting for 74.7 percent of the global total, the MIIT data showed.

    Meanwhile, the country’s shipbuilding output reached 36.34 million dwt, up 18.2 percent on a yearly basis, making up 55.1 percent of the world’s total.

    Hu Tieniu, a researcher at the Marine Design & Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said that the notable growth underscores China’s commitment to advancing sustainable shipbuilding practices, catering to an increasing global demand for eco-friendly vessels.

    Chinese shipbuilders have made significant strides in incorporating green technologies, enhancing the industry’s competitiveness and solidifying the nation’s position as a leading shipbuilding powerhouse on the world stage, said Yu Mengsa, a researcher at China Ship Scientific Research Center in Wuxi, East China’s Jiangsu province.

    The latest data also revealed that among 18 major ship types, such as container ships and oil tankers, China ranked first in new orders with 14 of them during the nine-month period. Shipyards across the country have already surpassed their business targets for the year, driven by a surge in market demand.

    For example, Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, or CSSC, delivered 17 commercial vessels from January to September, with a record-breaking delivery of eight liquefied natural gas carriers anticipated by the end of this year.

    “With 34 new ship orders secured, we have reached 200 percent of the annual target for this year, and our production schedules are now projected to extend through to around 2030,” said Weng Hongbing, the group’s president.

    Cao Bo, deputy director at the statistics and information department of the Beijing-based China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, said that in response to changes in the new supply and demand environment, green transformation has become a core trend in the global shipbuilding industry.

    “Confronted with new requirements for emission reductions, shipping companies, leading shipyards and major energy companies have begun to lead, provide, or invest in a variety of solutions,” said Cao.

    Energy-efficient, environmentally friendly vessel designs and a range of power options, including methanol, ammonia and hybrid systems, are gradually maturing or rapidly progressing toward commercialization, he added.

    China’s shipbuilding industry accelerated its green transformation in 2023. Orders for LNG- and methanol-powered green vessels have grown rapidly, with breakthroughs also achieved in zero-carbon vessel orders, including ships equipped with electric and hybrid systems or powered by hydrogen fuel. New orders for green-powered ships accounted for 57 percent of the global market share, data from the MIIT showed.

    Fueled by green technologies and high value-added vessels, Jiangsu province exported a diverse range of vessels valued at 69.27 billion yuan ($9.78 billion) in the first eight months of this year, achieving a 75.1 percent year-on-year increase, data from Nanjing Customs shows.

    Early this week, models of five 40,000-metric ton self-unloading bulk carriers were unveiled at the research and development unit of CSSC Chengxi Shipyard Co Ltd in Jiangyin, Jiangsu province, providing a design and manufacturing foundation for upcoming new builds.

    Huang Gang, a manager of the company’s sales unit, said that self-unloading bulk carriers differ from conventional bulk carriers as they are high-value, customized vessels that offer exceptional unloading efficiency and adaptability to various ports and sea conditions. Equipped with built-in unloading arms, these ships can extend and unload autonomously.

    For instance, a single unloading system can achieve a discharge rate of over 5,500 tons per hour, meaning a 26,000-ton self-unloading bulk carrier can be unloaded within five hours, while a standard bulk carrier would typically require two to three days to complete the same task.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – Adelaide, South Australia

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Look it is just fantastic to be here at Ferguson Australia. Can I thank Andrew and Kate and all of the staff here for taking us around and talking us through the whole process of lobsters and lobster exports. And it’s wonderful to be here with Don, my wonderful colleague, the Trade Minister, and also with Joe Szakacs, the State Minister for Trade and Investments.

    We’re here the morning after the Prime Minister has announced we have agreed a timetable with China to allow the full resumption of Australian live rock lobster exports by the end of this year. And what does that mean for Australians, for Australian jobs and Australian workers? It means that in businesses like Ferguson Australia, for workers like the team we’ve seen here today, we have been able to open up an export market which is so important to the industry, to profits, and also to jobs and wages for Australians. I know from our discussions that the Fergusons have been involved in the fishing industry here in South Australia since the 1960s, but obviously, when under the previous government, the businesses were effectively blocked from entering the Chinese market, that a lot of businesses like this one here in South Australia took a really big hit. A $700 million market was shut down overnight. But as a result of the excellent work by the Albanese Government, the Prime Minister and obviously the Trade Minister as well, we’re able to start exporting this first-rate Australian product back into the Chinese market.

    Obviously, this has occurred in the context of the stabilisation of our relationship with China. I said before the election and what we have delivered on is that we would look to stabilise the relationship with China without compromising on things which are important to Australians. When we came to government we inherited some $20 billion worth of trade impediments. $20 billion worth of trade impediments under Peter Dutton. Now, less than $500 million of those impediments remain.

    Obviously, we will continue, as we have over the last two and a bit years, to press for those trade impediments to be removed. The approach we have taken to China has been patient, it has been calibrated, it has been deliberate. And our approach has paid dividends for Australians, for Australian businesses and for Australian workers. Very pleased that we have seen this announcement overnight by the Prime Minister. Very pleased that we’ll see Australian rock lobster in the Chinese market again. And again, I thank the Ferguson’s for their hospitality today and I’ll hand over to the Trade Minister.

    Don Farrell, Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, thank you, Penny, and thank you for the really good work that you’ve done with the Prime Minister to stabilise our relationship with China that has resulted in this decision yesterday to lift the final impediment on the final product back into China. We lost more than $700 million worth of trade with rock lobster going into China. By the end of the year, of course, Chinese consumers will have the advantage of the wonderful Australian product. The best rock lobster in the world comes from Australia and particularly from South Australia. And we are so pleased that the stabilisation process that you, as Foreign Minister, undertook has resulted in now the final removal of all the products.

    As you said, two and a half years ago, we started with $20 billion worth of trade impediments. They have now been removed. And of course, what that’s meant is greater prosperity for Australian producers, and more jobs for Australian workers. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels, as you will have seen in the last week or two, we’ve negotiated new free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and we’re encouraging companies like Fergusons to expand, to look at other markets so that we diversify our trading relationships. That’s the best way we can increase our prosperity and increase the number of jobs in this country.

    I want to thank the Fergusons. I was here only a couple of months ago where we said we’d be back with some good news, and that’s today. We’ve got that good news. And I want to thank the industry for sticking with us, it’s been a tough four years for this industry and all the way along the line I’ve wanted to give them some hope to make sure that they understood that if they stick with it, we would eventually get this sort of result. And I’m so pleased that the industry have toughed it out. They’ve diversified, but now the opportunity exists for them to go back into China. We’ve got a wonderful product here. We’ve got a clean and green image in China. We know from all of the other products that we’ve got back into the Chinese market over the last two and a half years, we actually go back with a greater volume than when we started. So, I’ve got the greatest of confidence that we’re not just going to stay where we are in terms of our exports, we’re actually going to increase those exports into the Chinese markets, and that’s very good news for this country. Thank you very much. And I want to thank my state colleagues, they’ve been working really hard with us – Joe and Claire. We’ve never given up hope. We’ve kept persisting and that persistence has now paid off. Thank you very much.

    Joe Szakacs, SA Minister for Trade and Investment: Thank you, everyone. Can I start by acknowledging the incredible work of the Commonwealth Government, particularly led by Senator Wong and Senator Farrell. The stabilisation of the China relationship has meant that important trade matters for South Australia have been able to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Government, the Albanese Government, and thanks to their hard work and the support provided by our State Government here, we’ve seen these materialise today. Just yesterday, I announced that the trade numbers, the exports to China from South Australia, have hit another all-time high at $4.27 billion. To give some context for the impact that this announcement today or yesterday will have on the local industry in lobster, this was an over $70 million industry for South Australia that flatlined overnight. So, the resumption of the full exports of South Australian lobster into China will have a material impact for local jobs and local economic prosperity.

    Can I also say that the South Australian Government has been planning for this day for some time. Just a couple of months ago, I was actually just down here with Senator Farrell and Andrew to announce the $475,000 Seafood Support Package that our government implemented. That package is now ready to go. It supports one of two things. It supports the immediate re-engagement with China of our seafood industry, and particularly our lobster industry. It also supports and builds on the important diversification work that has been occurring to other markets, like Hong Kong, like Vietnam, like Korea and Japan. And we were in there inside today and we saw fresh live lobster being packed to head over to Hong Kong. That’s exactly the work that our State Government has been undertaking to diversify.

    Also, I just want to note that with the resumption of China Southern Airlines into South Australia, into Adelaide in December, we will see 15 tonnes of air freight every flight open up. Why is that critical? Well, it’s critical for lobster. We can’t put lobster on a boat. We can’t move lobster through ports of other states or territories. We need the best South Australian lobster to be in a plane, in the belly of a plane, into market in one day. With 15 tonne of air freight every single day being opened up from Adelaide to Guangzhou, that means direct air freight route for companies like Ferguson and other local producers. So, I just, again want to say thank you and particularly pay note to the Commonwealth Government for their extraordinary efforts in this regard.

    Clare Scriven, SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development: So, this is a wonderful announcement, but particularly for our regional economies. The rock lobster industry is worth $158 million to South Australia overall, and a significant amount of that has been in terms of China and the market there. So, it’s been a really difficult time for the lobster fishermen and also for the economies in our regional areas who rely on that lobster fishing industry. So, this is a great announcement. We are really pleased that the Federal Government and State Government has worked so hard to be able to achieve this and we look forward to an uplift for our regional economies as well as our lobster fishermen.

    Foreign Minister: Thanks, Clare. Okay, happy to take questions.

    Journalist: Minister Wong, when will the first lobsters hit China? Is this an immediate thing?

    Foreign Minister: Well, the announcement is by the end of the year that the trade impediments will be removed. Obviously, we’re hoping a little bit earlier than that. I was speaking to Andrew before about how that might be operationalised by the industry. I know with wine we started with a few shipments and then obviously month by month those, those exports grew. But the announcement is by the end of the year, but we’re hoping for earlier.

    Journalist: Now, do you trust China as a trading partner after the past four years? And what lessons have you learnt here?

    Foreign Minister: Well, we learnt a few lessons as a country, didn’t we? The first is that Peter Dutton talking tough isn’t the same as being tough. And that Mister Dutton and his colleagues really took an approach to the relationship with China which ultimately didn’t end up with a relationship that was stable, where we could agree, disagree, cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in the national interest. We saw that the Opposition continues to seek to politicise the China relationship. Now, I’ve been very clear: China has a set of interests. Some of those are very different to Australia’s. There are going to be areas where we disagree and Australia has been very clear about standing up for those issues which are important to Australians. But we also know that its important to engage and we will continue to do that in a mature, calibrated and deliberate way.

    Journalist: And will you pull back on other issues you might have with China to try and keep these trade deals going?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I think you’ve seen that we have been very clear about those areas where we disagree. And the whole point about trying to stabilise a relationship is to recognise there will be areas where you disagree and those will continue. There will be areas where you can cooperate and you want to work on them. And perhaps most importantly, you have to engage. You have to keep engaging in dialogue, in visits, in discussion, and we will continue to do that. And I was very pleased, for example, last night at the airport I saw a number of the Australian parliamentarians who are going to Beijing for the first parliamentarian trip for some time. So, we will have areas where we continue to have different views. Your Government will continue to articulate Australia’s position on them in accordance with our national interests. But we also recognise that it is important for us to seek to work with China to open up these markets. The reason is what you saw in there. This is about Australian jobs.

    Journalist: I just have some questions from Canberra about the Middle East. So, the Opposition says Australians fleeing from Lebanon should be made to pay for Government-supported flights back home if they’ve ignored Government warnings. What’s your response to that?

    Foreign Minister: Look, we’re taking the same approach on this as we talk to people who had to flee in the earlier part of the conflict after the horrific events of October 7. But I would say this; we have a flight scheduled for Sunday, that’s October 13, there are no further flights scheduled beyond that. So, I’d say to Australians, there is a flight scheduled on October 13. There are no further flights scheduled and any further flights would obviously, as I said, flights are not going to be scheduled indefinitely and are subject to operational and security constraints. You should leave now if you wish to leave.

    Journalist: And did the government go too far with its wording on the October 7 motion in Parliament? Should you have ensured it was wording the Coalition would support?

    Foreign Minister: Well, you know who’s gone too far in this and that’s Mr Dutton. Mr Dutton is out of step with the majority of the international community, including allies such as the US, the United Kingdom, members of the G7. He refused to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Can I remind everybody that a ceasefire in Gaza has been called for, led by the United States and backed in by every single member of the United Nations Security Council.

    So, the United States and every member of the UN Security Council have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but Mr Dutton does not want to vote for it. I’d also make the point that we had a debate in the Senate yesterday – the Coalition there was prepared to support a broader motion, including some of the issues that Mr Dutton refused to support in the House. Mr Dutton is doing what he always does, which is to seek to divide, to seek to inflame. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, you can always count on Peter Dutton to look to divide Australians. Whenever there is a moment where we need Australians to come together, Mister Dutton will always work to divide them.

    Journalist: Thank you, Ministers. I just wanted to ask about biosecurity testing requirements. Is that something we’ve agreed to?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Thanks, Dominic. So, we have been in discussions, of course, for some months now with the Chinese authorities in order to deal with all of the biosecurity issues that have been raised by the Chinese Government in the past. We have now got a way forward to resolve all of those biosecurity issues in a way that meets all of the Chinese requirements. So, what you’ll see, I think, between now and Christmas when there’s a full resumption, is a gradual resumption of exports of Australian rock lobster into China that will meet all of the requirements of the Chinese Government.

    Journalist: And what does that mean for Australian companies? Do they have to do anything extra or is that onus on the government when it comes to testing?

    Trade and Tourism Minister: Well, every government imposes its regulations on products coming into their country. China is no different from that. But I’m very confident, as a result of all of the discussions that have taken place, particularly the good work of the Agriculture Minister, Minister Collins, and before that, Minister Watt, we will ensure that we satisfy all of the requirements that the Chinese Government require about all of the products that we export into China.

    Journalist: Thank you. And just one for the Foreign Minister, if that’s all right. Yesterday you met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar and he put forward some suggestions about how Australia could act in terms of responding to the junta’s rule. I’m just wondering if there’s any particular ideas that you were receptive to or if we’re considering any further measures that he suggested?

    Foreign Minister: We are very concerned about the situation in Myanmar. We’re concerned because, as a decent country, the loss of life and the disrespect for human rights concerns us all. We’re also concerned because Myanmar is critical to regional stability. If you look at the history of Southeast Asia, the history of ASEAN, stability in Myanmar has been a central part of the stability of the region. So, that matters to Australia. We are very concerned about the situation. We are very concerned about the behaviour of the regime. You would have seen previously that we have put sanctions on particular members of the regime. And recently I also put sanctions on particular companies, including those supplying jet fuel, given that the regime was in engaging in attacks on its own people.

    I was very pleased to meet with the Rapporteur. We discussed the situation in Myanmar. We discussed the need to focus more on the humanitarian crisis. People might recall I visited Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh some time ago. I made the point that that is Australia’s largest single humanitarian contribution, under both governments. We have put very substantial amounts of humanitarian support there because it is a humanitarian crisis in our region. And we’ll continue to work with both the international community, regional partners, to try and contribute to finding stability in Myanmar and certainly averting or dealing with the humanitarian crisis which is on our doorstep.

    Thanks very much, everybody.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Family Education Assistance Center to be Renovated in Novo-Peredelkino

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    One of the branches of the family education assistance center “Bereg Nadezhdy” will undergo major repairs. The design documentation for the work was approved by Moscow City Committee on Pricing Policy in Construction and State Expertise of ProjectsThe head of the department reported this. Ivan Shcherbakov.

    Repairs are planned for the building at the address: Sholokhova Street, Building 6, Block 3.

    “Moskomexpertiza has approved a major overhaul project for a three-story building in the Novo-Peredelkino district. It houses the Bereg Nadezhdy (Bank of Hope) family education assistance center, which helps orphans. The renovation will affect the first floor of the building,” said Ivan Shcherbakov.

    During the work, specialists will renew the exterior and interior finishes, replace door and window units in one of the center’s departments. Various materials are used to repair the walls, depending on the functional purpose of the premises.

    In addition, the department’s utility lines will be replaced.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145096073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Heading for your own business: how the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Find an idea for a business, register your business, learn the basics of marketing and develop a strategy for promoting your personal brand – these and other important knowledge for entrepreneurs can be obtained in“MBM Business School”Any Muscovite who wants to open their own business and run it successfully can become a participant in free classes.

    In October, the MBM Business School celebrated its seventh anniversary. During this time, more than 16 thousand people have completed their studies there. Every second graduate opens your own business. Read about how experts help aspiring entrepreneurs to identify their target audience, study the market and modern trends, and work through legal and accounting issues in the mos.ru article.

    Come up with an idea and create your own brand

    Many people dream of switching from a paid job to their own business in order to freely manage their time, gain financial independence, set goals and achieve results. But starting a business and achieving success is not so easy: it requires not only courage and organizational skills, but also certain knowledge and skills. During the five-day free course at the MBM Business School, students will be helped to find an entrepreneurial idea, taught how to prepare effective presentations, “package” a product or service, analyze the market and promote a brand on social networks.

    “Every day, different speakers address the participants of the classes with specific topics. I talk about the importance of social networks for expanding the audience, attracting customers and increasing brand awareness. At the same time, it is better to limit yourself to two or three social networks at first, because you may not have enough time and energy for more. The next important point is to choose a social network that is used more often by the target audience. For example, Odnoklassniki is preferred by older people than users of the social network VKontakte. In addition, during the class, we have time to create a Telegram channel, come up with a name for it and invite the first subscribers,” says Alexandra Lynova, an expert in visual communication in digital and social media at the MBM Business School.

    To register for the school, you don’t necessarily have to have a ready-made entrepreneurial idea: anyone who wants to start their own business can join. For the convenience of participants, classes are held in person or online.

    “Everyone has entrepreneurial skills, and it’s never too late to change your life. For example, a man over 60 years old became a participant in the last cohort of the MBM Business School. He had worked in journalism all his life, and now he is thinking about his own publishing business. We also had a mother of many children who was inspired by the idea of creating a network of fitness clubs for women with small children. Experts help aspiring entrepreneurs in all matters,” continues Alexandra Lynova.

    Sobyanin: Entrepreneurs can receive educational support from the cityThe country’s first youth entrepreneurship hub has been created in Moscow — Sobyanin

    Set goals and find mentors

    The training at the MBM Business School is structured in such a way that students not only receive theoretical knowledge, but also complete practical tasks and adopt the experience of experts. Thus, the founder and director of the online educational center Diana Ipkeeva came to the MBM Business School a year ago with an already working project, but without a specific understanding of where to move next. Experts helped her refine the concept, formulate the mission and values.

    “I always wanted to work for myself, and after moving to Moscow, my husband and I started tutoring Russian and mathematics. As a result, there were so many students that we decided to open our own educational center and attract other teachers. But I didn’t know where to get them, how to train them and employ them. At the MBM Business School, I became convinced that people needed my idea, received tremendous support from teachers and other entrepreneurs, mastered accounting and legal aspects, and learned the rules of marketing,” says Diana Ipkeeva.

    After training, the entrepreneur added English to the list of subjects at her educational center, tripled the number of teachers, and the number of students increased several times.

    “On this course I found two mentors who still support me. New plans appeared, an understanding of where to grow further, we already have goals planned for two years in advance. I recommend the MBM Business School to anyone who wants to start their own business. These five days are enough to understand whether a person is ready to become an entrepreneur or if it is better for them to work for hire. For those who are not ready, this will help to avoid mistakes and disappointments, and if after the classes a person is strengthened in their desire, they will be informed enough to boldly follow this path,” the mos.ru interlocutor believes.

    From maternity leave to entrepreneurship

    Participants of the MBM Business School take various industry streams: courses for the self-employed, social business, education, restaurant business, beauty industry, marketplace business and women’s entrepreneurship. The latter is in demand among young mothers.

    “My target audience is aspiring female entrepreneurs who dream of being successful in their favorite business. And most of them are mothers who have two, three or even four children. It is important for me to show how a woman can achieve success at a comfortable pace and attract grateful clients, relying on her personal qualities,” says Oksana Sharaya, entrepreneur, coach and women’s trainer at the MBM Business School.

    One of her students, working as a marketer at a bank, decided to start her own jewelry business during the coronavirus pandemic. After completing the course, the aspiring entrepreneur created a business project, registered as self-employed, and today is the owner of a successful jewelry brand.

    “The main thing in training is the search for meaning. A female entrepreneur must understand what she can bring to this world and who will benefit from it. In classical business, it is absolutely unimportant for an entrepreneur and his target audience to have similar values, but for women’s self-realization it is important. In addition, women, as a rule, have good organizational skills and can be unobtrusive leaders, and they implement these qualities in business, inspiring and supporting their employees,” Oksana Sharaya is sure.

    Women entrepreneurs are invited to take part in the MBM mini-intensive

    Overcome the crisis and expand your business

    Participation in the MBM Business School helps aspiring entrepreneurs to work out an idea, form a concept for their brand, and strengthen their business and personal qualities. Offline stream participants prepare projects that they present at the end of the program — a business plan or strategy for developing their company. For example, fashion designer and head of a shoe fashion house Daria Detkina, studying at the business school in 2018 helped her get out of the crisis and find a new direction in her favorite business.

    “Working in one company, I grew from a designer to a creative director. At the same time, private orders began to come in, and I became more and more immersed in the world of entrepreneurship. And after 2014, I finally decided to go into my own business. Fortunately, I quickly found clients, and then a business partner. However, three years later, I realized that I needed to change somehow. Then I learned about the MBM Business School,” says Daria Detkina.

    After participating in the program, the fashion designer decided to create not only custom-made shoes, but also limited collections, and provide services to entrepreneurs who want to produce shoes under their own brand. Darya Detkina has a workshop, a production facility with 3D equipment, and a photo studio, and she recently rented another space, where she is currently renovating.

    “At business school, they told us how to analyze the target audience, create unique offers, explained accounting and legal subtleties. I save all these lectures and often review them. But the most valuable thing for me in my studies was networking. When you communicate with similarly charged, motivated people, it is very inspiring,” says the mos.ru interlocutor.

    The next stream of the MBM Business School will begin offline classes on October 14. You can register for participation by link.

    State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” also holds free forums, seminars, trainings, conferences for entrepreneurs, which help to improve professional competencies and find like-minded people. You can get advice on opening and running your own business and learn more about measures to support entrepreneurs on the website “Small Business of Moscow”, in person at business service centers and by phone: 7 495 225-14-14.

    Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    Starting with coffee: entrepreneurs are invited to join the new MBM training projectInvent, produce and sell: what entrepreneurs are taught in the courses of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow”The number of small and medium entrepreneurs in the education sector has grown by 27 percent in three years

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144990073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Mahjong Portal for Seniors. SharpMind Games, a gaming company from Christchurch, is announcing the launch of a new gaming portal.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Oct. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Christchurch gaming industry news

    New Zealand has its own online gaming portal for seniors with this new Mahjong portal designed primarily for elderly players aged 65+. The goal of this project was to create the best Mahjong game tailored to the specific needs of our senior audience, helping them easily interact with the game elements.

    According to the latest studies, Mahjong solitaire and other similar puzzle games, when played regularly, can help prevent neurological conditions associated with cognitive decline and may even enhance cognitive function. For instance, a study published in Frontiers in Neurology by the National Institute of Health demonstrated that playing Mahjong for 12 weeks improved executive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (Zhang et al., 2020).

    The senior audience can significantly benefit from playing online puzzle games like Mahjong. However, many seniors find it difficult, or even impossible, to play modern browser games due to various challenges such as vision problems and limited hand or finger mobility. For example, vision problems can make it hard to distinguish game elements on the screen. Or it can be difficult, and sometimes even painful, to click mouse buttons due to limited finger mobility. In response, SharpMind created a web-site to allow the largest number of senior players to enjoy the game comfortably.

    The main factors considered during the development of the new product were the following:

    • Availability of special high-contrast modes for people with vision impairments,
    • Ability to scale elements and customize the interface to personal preferences,
    • Brightness and contrast adjustment options for UI and game board elements,
    • High-quality customer support, recognizing that elderly users may be less familiar with modern technical environments and may need patient, friendly assistance,
    • Additional features such as special tile layouts, relaxing music, and more.

    As a result, TheMahjong.com addresses all these needs, providing senior players with a highly comfortable Mahjong online gaming experience.

    TheMahjong.com is another great game for seniors joining alongside TheJigsawPuzzles.com in its home of New Zealand.

    According to Quantcast, their site TheJigsawPuzzles.com is the most popular entertainment website in the U.S. for people aged 65+, and it ranks among the top five overall websites in the U.S. for a senior audience.

    Contact information: yurilukas@shaprmind.com or call +64 21 157 6470

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4def66fc-5c87-43eb-aedd-7940440d03d5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. What does that mean?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University

    BAZA Production/Shutterstock

    In a speech to the New South Wales and South Australian government social media summit today, Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced more details of how the federal government’s proposed social media ban would actually work.

    The government first announced the ban last month, shortly after SA said it will ban children under 14 from social media. But experts have heavily criticised the idea, and this week more than 120 experts from Australia and overseas wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state and territory premiers urging a rethink.

    Despite this, the government appears to be ploughing ahead with the proposed ban. The details Rowland announced today do not meaningfully address many of the criticisms made over the past few weeks.

    In fact, they actually raise new problems.

    What are the details of the social media ban?

    In her speech, Rowland said the government will amend the Online Safety Act to “place the onus on platforms, not parents or young people” to enforce the proposed social media ban.

    The changes will be implemented over 12 months to give industry and the regulator time to implement key processes.

    The government says it “will set parameters to guide platforms in designing social media that allows connections, but not harms, to flourish”. These parameters could address some of the “addictive” features of these platforms, for instance by limiting potential harms by prioritising content feeds from accounts people follow, or making age-appropriate versions of their apps.

    The government is also considering an:

    exemption framework to accommodate access for social media services that demonstrate a low risk of harm to children.

    The problem with “low risk”

    But allowing young people to access social media platforms that have a demonstrated “low risk of harm” is fraught with issues.

    Risk is difficult to define – especially when it comes to social media.

    As I explained earlier this year around potential harms of artificial intelligence, risk “sits on a spectrum and is not absolute”. Risk cannot be determined simply by considering a social media platform itself, or by knowing the age of the person using it. What’s risky for one person may not be risky for someone else.

    How, then, will the government determine which social media platforms have a “low risk of harm”?

    Simply focusing on technical changes to social media platform design in determining what constitutes “low risk” will not address key areas of potential harm. This may give parents a false sense of security when it comes to the “low-risk” solutions technology companies offer.

    Let’s assume for a moment that Meta’s new “teen-friendly” Instagram accounts qualify as having a “low risk of harm” and young people would still be allowed to use them.

    The teen version of Instagram will be set to private by default and have stronger content restrictions in place than regular accounts. It will also allow parents to see the categories of content children are accessing, and the accounts they follow, but will still require parental oversight.

    But this doesn’t solve the risk problem.

    There will still be harmful content on social media. And young people will still be exposed to it when they are old enough to have an unrestricted account, potentially without the support and guidance they need to safely engage with it. If children don’t gain necessary skills for navigating social media at an early age, potential harms may be deferred, rather than addressed and safely negotiated with parental support.

    A better approach

    The harmful content on social media platforms doesn’t just pose a risk to young people. It poses a risk to everybody – adults included. For this reason, the government’s heavy focus on encouraging platforms to demonstrate a “low risk of harm” only to young people seems a little misguided.

    A better approach would be to strive to ensure social media platforms are safe for all users, regardless of their age. Ensuring platforms have mechanisms for users to report potentially harmful content – and for platforms to remove inappropriate content – is crucial for keeping people safe.

    Platforms should also ensure users can block accounts, such as when a person is being bullied or harassed, with consequences for account holders found to engage in such harmful behaviour.

    It is important that government requirements for “low-risk” accounts include these and other mechanisms to identify and limit harmful content at source. Tough penalties for tech companies that fail to comply with legislation are also needed.

    The federal government could also provide extra resources for parents and children, to help them to navigate social media content safely.

    A report released this week by the New South Wales government showed 91% of parents with children aged 5–17 believe “more should be done to teach young people and their parents about the possible harms of social media”.

    The SA government appears to be heeding this message. Today it also announced a plan for more social media education in schools.

    Providing more proactive support like this, rather than pursuing social media bans, would go a long way to protecting young Australians while also ensuring they have access to helpful and supportive social media content.

    Lisa M. Given receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and a former President of the Association of Information Science and Technology.

    – ref. The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. What does that mean? – https://theconversation.com/the-governments-social-media-ban-for-kids-will-exempt-low-risk-platforms-what-does-that-mean-241120

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland Council appoints Watercare board chair

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council’s Performance and Appointments Committee today appointed Geoff Hunt to be the chair of the Watercare Services Limited Board with effect from 12 October 2024.

    A ‘revisited’ appointment

    The council revisited its process to appoint the chair following a judicial review of the process undertaken for the appointment earlier this year. The outcome of that process was that the High Court set aside the appointment of the chair made on 25 June 2024.

    The judgment did not direct concern toward the appointment itself, but rather the process that was followed to complete the appointment.

    “Ensuring the appropriate appointment practices are in place, and carried out, to deliver well-governed council-controlled organisations is a priority for us and we have adjusted our processes accordingly,” says Alastair Cameron, the council’s Manager CCO/External Partnerships team.

    The Performance and Appointments Committee is responsible for all appointments to the boards of council-controlled organisations, in accordance with the council’s Appointment and Remuneration Policy for Board Members and the Local Government Act.

    About Geoff Hunt

    Geoff’s career has been mainly in construction, operation, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Over a 27-year period he has been CEO of four successful New Zealand-based companies operating in these areas. He has worked in the UK and the USA and has been involved in project delivery and infrastructure maintenance services in Australia, the Pacific, Melanesia, and SE Asia.

    Geoff has worked in and held governance roles in both the government and private sectors and in industry bodies. He is currently a New Zealand Infrastructure Commission board member and director of two privately owned business providing materials to the construction sector. Through Geoff Hunt Consulting Ltd he advises on business performance improvement, staff relations and development, construction project delivery, and construction sector dispute resolution.

    Geoff has a master’s degree in engineering, is an Engineering New Zealand Distinguished Fellow and a member of the Institute of Directors.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: School Closures, Shelter Use, and Learning Outcomes in the Philippines: Evidence from 2019 TIMSS

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    In many parts of the world, schools are often used as temporary shelters before, during, and after disasters that may prolong calamity-induced school closures. We combined student assessment data from the Philippine round of the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study with school administrative records and area-level typhoon warnings to assess the impact of short school closures on learning outcomes. Results show that one school closure day induced by school-as-shelter use reduces student achievement by 12% to 14% of a standard deviation, equivalent to roughly half to a full year’s worth of learning. This is likely driven by a decline in student interest, rather than by a contraction in the breadth of topics covered in class or by poorer teaching quality. These findings highlight potential hidden disasters from seemingly benign but frequent hazards. 

    WORKING PAPER 1487

    MIL OSI Economics –