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  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey’s Major Alzheimer’s Legislation Passes Through House, Moves to President Biden’s Desk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Then-Representative Markey authored the National Alzheimer’s Project Act in 2011 and the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act in 2014
    Washington (September 23, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security and founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s, applauded passage by the House of Representatives of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, legislation that would cement and build on the important progress that has been made to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA) now head to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.  
    “Since my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1985, I have fought to ensure the federal government has the funding, resources, and coordination necessary to find a cure for this disease,” said Senator Markey. “The National Alzheimer’s Plan Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act have transformed our understanding of the disease and its risk factors for more than a decade. But our work is not yet done. Today’s extension of these bills until 2035 is a commitment from Congress that we will not stop fighting until Alzheimer’s is a disease only found in history books. I thank Senator Collins and my colleagues for their support in delivering hope to millions of families just like mine across the country as these two bills head to the President’s desk.”
    “We have made tremendous progress in recent years to boost funding for Alzheimer’s research, which holds great promise to end this disease that has had a devastating effect on millions of Americans and their families,” said Senator Susan Collins, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “These two bills will maintain our momentum and make sure that we do not take our foot off the pedal just as our investments in basic research are beginning to translate into potential new treatments. We must not let Alzheimer’s to be one of the defining diseases of our children’s generation as it has ours.”
    “I know from firsthand experience what a devastating illness Alzheimer’s disease is, as I watched my mother battle with it for a decade before her passing,” said Senator Mark Warner, co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “While we’ve made great strides in research, there is still so much work to be done to find effective ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s. On behalf of the millions of American families who have been touched by Alzheimer’s, I’m glad to see these two bills head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.”
    The NAPA Reauthorization Act — co-led by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Collins (R-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.),  Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) — would reauthorize NAPA through 2035 and modernize the legislation to reflect strides that have been made to understand the disease, such as including a new focus on promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors. The bill also includes updated language to reduce health disparities for underserved communities, including Black, Brown and disabled communities, who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s as they age.
    The NAPA Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, National Down Syndrobe Society, National Down Syndrome Congress, and LuMind IDSC Foundation.
    The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act — authored by Senators Markey, Collins, Capito, Warner, Moran, Menendez, Murkowski, and Stabenow — would continue through 2035 a requirement that the Director of the National Institutes of Health submit an annual budget to Congress estimating the funding necessary to fully implement NAPA’s research goals. Only two other areas of biomedical research – cancer and HIV/AIDS – have been the subject of special budget development aimed at speeding discovery.
    The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
    Senator Markey is a leader in the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and to support family caregivers. In July 2024, Senator Markey applauded the HELP Committee’s passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, which included provisions based on his Respite Care And Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act and Convenient Care for Caregivers Act to expand respite care for family caregivers of older adults that need long-term care, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Earlier that month, Senator Markey unveiled his “Caring for Caregivers” family caregiving agenda, which included his Convenient Care for Caregivers Act to support family caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s receiving health care services at the same time and location to improve health outcomes. As a member of the House of Representatives, Senator Markey founded the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s to develop a whole-of-government approach to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. He created the Independence at Home program to provide seniors, including individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, the option to receive primary care in their home. Senator Markey authored the bipartisan Spending Reductions Through Innovations in Therapies (SPRINT) Act, which would encourage drug development for high-cost, chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) Act to improve early detection and diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and support caregivers, and the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act, which would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) work to improve treatment outcomes and engage federal agencies in the effort to combat Alzheimer’s.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Markey, Warren Send Letter to IRS Commissioner, Urging Action on Payment of Employee Retention Tax Credits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Letter Text (PDF)

    Washington (September 23, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel urging the IRS to expedite payment of Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) claims, prioritizing low-risk claims from taxpayers experiencing financial hardship. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ERC was an important lifeline that kept workers employed during the difficult economic downturn.

    The lawmakers wrote, “On September 14, 2023, the IRS imposed a moratorium on processing new claims. On August 8, 2024, the agency announced that, going forward, it would start processing claims filed between September 14, 2023, and January 31, 2024. It also disclosed that it had identified 50,000 valid ERC claims, would expedite those payments, and would pay another large block of low-risk claims this fall. Although we support the agency’s effort to prevent improper payments, both the slow pace of review and the moratorium have caused significant delays and hardship for those with legitimate claims. During the moratorium, the IRS backlog doubled to around 1.4 million claims. The long delay and backlog have put many nonprofits and businesses in jeopardy of shutting down before the IRS even considers their ERC claim.”

    The lawmakers continued, “The agency’s recent announcements are a positive step towards providing the relief Congress intended for taxpayer employers. But there are a significant number of claims that the IRS has identified as low risk, which the IRS is not currently processing. This means that many claimants likely will have to wait several more months to receive the benefit to which they are entitled. We believe that, as soon as possible, the IRS should approve and pay low-risk ERC claims from struggling nonprofits and small businesses. Immediately approving and paying low-risk ERC claims would greatly benefit the hundreds of thousands who are still operating in a challenging economic environment.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government’s desperate decree to stop public servants working from home won’t work

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    “The Minister of Public Service Nicola Willis is expecting public servants to stop working from home to help bolster the flagging local economy is micromanaging gone mad and counterproductive.” NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff said.

    “This Government has already tried to control staffing ratios in terms of ‘front line’ and ‘back office, and now it is trying to control where people should work.”

    “Minister Willis should concentrate on the big picture issues confronting Aotearoa New Zealand, instead of trying to manage the day-to-day operations of the public service.”

    “Though flexible hours and working from home options vary across organisations, it’s understood that people are more productive and happier with flexible arrangements. In a cost-of-living crisis it also reduces the financial and environmental impact of transport and parking. This is an operational matter, one the minister shouldn’t be involved in.” Wagstaff said.

    “Working from home practices have benefited from new technology, making it easier to connect remotely. The advent of COVID speed up the adoption of these tools and practices, demonstrating value to employers and employees alike.”

    “Employers offering a hybrid model of working from home for part of the week has become very attractive for some workplaces, both in terms of convenience and productivity.”

    “It’s crucial that the public service offers good work that attracts and retains the workers we need. This decision will just make that goal much harder in an already difficult environment.”

    “Despite the Government doing its best to portray itself as modern, innovative thinkers, this decree demonstrates that in reality they don’t understand the value of a modern, positive, high-trust workplace culture. Micromanaging and stopping staff from working some of their time at home is all about an old-fashioned command and control mentality.”

    “The Minister of Finance is fooling herself if she thinks forcing people to stop working from home will correct the damage done to the economy by the massive job cuts.” Wagstaff said.

    “Public servants only have so much money to spend. Now they will have to spend more on public transport and less on their local communities. It is a zero-sum game,” said Wagstaff. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Two Bills to Combat Alzheimer’s Head to President’s Desk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins applauded the passage by the House of Representatives of two bipartisan bills she authored that would cement and build on the important progress that has been made to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA) now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
    “We have made tremendous progress in recent years to boost funding for Alzheimer’s research, which holds great promise to end this disease that has had a devastating effect on millions of Americans and their families,” said Senator Collins, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “These two bills will maintain our momentum and make sure that we do not take our foot off the pedal just as our investments in basic research are beginning to translate into potential new treatments. We must not let Alzheimer’s to be one of the defining diseases of our children’s generation as it has ours.”
    More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s costs our nation an astonishing $360 billion per year, including $231 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. If we continue along this trajectory, Alzheimer’s is projected to claim the minds of 13.8 million seniors by 2060 and nearly surpass $1 trillion in annual costs by 2050. In 2022, family caregivers provided 18 billion hours of unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.
    In 2011, Senator Susan Collins authored the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) with then-Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN).  NAPA convened a panel of experts, who created a coordinated strategic national plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. The law is set to expire soon and must be reauthorized to ensure that research investments remain coordinated, and their impact is maximized.
    The NAPA Reauthorization Act would:
    Reauthorize NAPA through 2035 and modernize the legislation to reflect strides that have been made to understand the disease, such as including a new focus on promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors.
    Update language in recognition of the need to include underserved populations, including individuals with Down syndrome, who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s as they age.
    This bill is now endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and LuMind IDSC Foundation.
    The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act would:
    Continue through 2035 a requirement that the Director of the National Institutes of Health submit an annual budget to Congress estimating the funding necessary to fully implement NAPA’s research goals.
    Only two other areas of biomedical research – cancer and HIV/AIDS – have been the subject of special budget development aimed at speeding discovery.

    Senator Collins authored the NAPA Reauthorization Act with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). Both bills are cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
    The NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act are endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Faircourt Asset Management Inc. Announces September Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Faircourt Asset Management Inc., as Manager of the Faircourt Fund (NEO:FGX), is pleased to announce the monthly distribution payable on the Shares of the below listed Fund.

    Faircourt Funds Trading Symbol Distribution Amount (per share/unit) Ex-Dividend Date Record Date Payable Date
    Faircourt Gold Income Corp. FGX $0.024 September 27, 2024 September 30, 2024 October 15, 2024

    Faircourt Asset Management Inc. is the Investment Advisor for Faircourt Gold Income Corp.

    This press release is not for distribution in the United States or over United States wire services.

    For further information on the Faircourt Funds, please visit www.faircourtassetmgt.com or
    please contact 1-800-831-0304.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Shares of the Fund on the NEO Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the Shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Shares of the Fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Announces September Grant Workshop Locations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced that his team will be setting up satellite offices across the state from September 24-27, 2024, to assist with grants, casework, and listen to constituents’ concerns. 

    The purpose of these temporary locations is to provide accessibility for constituents who might not live near one of Senator Tuberville’s permanent office locations. Members of Senator Tuberville’s team will be on site and no appointment is required for these meetings.

    A complete list of times, dates, and locations for each satellite office can be found here or below.

    Tuesday, September 24
    ALICEVILLE (Pickens County)
    10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT
    Aliceville City Hall Auditorium
    419 Memorial Parkway
    Aliceville, AL 35442

    Tuesday, September 24
    MONTGOMERY (Montgomery County)
    2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT
    Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
    600 S Court Street, Suite 215
    Montgomery, AL 36104

    Thursday, September 26
    GREENVILLE (Butler County)
    10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT
    Greenville City Hall
    119 E Commerce Street
    Greenville, AL 36037

    Friday, September 27
    GUNTERSVILLE (Marshall County)
    8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CT
    Marshall County Economic Development office
    524 Gunter Ave
    Guntersville, AL 35976

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Pettersen Bill to Enhance Online Dating Safety

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    WASHINGTON— Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Online Dating Safety Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and David G. Valadao (R-CA) to make online dating safer and crack down on scammers. The legislation would require dating apps and services to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with a person removed from the app for fraudulent or inappropriate behavior. In 2023 alone, the Federal Trade Commission reported that romance scams resulted in victims losing $1.14 billion. 

    “Online dating services are being used as a platform for bad actors to target and exploit individuals, yet protections continue to lag behind,” said Pettersen. “Notifying users if they have been in contact with a potential scammer is a basic security feature that every online dating service should provide. This bipartisan bill will help reduce online crime and keep people safe from online scammers. I’m grateful this legislation has passed the House with bipartisan support, and I will keep working to see it signed into law.”

    “With more and more people using online dating services, there are a number of bad actors who use these platforms to commit fraud,” said Valadao.  “These apps have been around for over 10 years, but still there are little safeguards in place to protect users. The Online Dating Safety Act is an important step to enhance online safety, combat fraud, and help people make more informed decisions. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get this bill across the finish line.”

    Following the introduction of the Online Dating Safety Act, Pettersen met with a victim of an online scam, Coloradan Debbie Fox. 

    “As a victim of intentional fraud, I’ve experienced firsthand how transnational cybercriminals manipulate weaknesses in financial institutions and social media platforms, leaving victims like me financially gutted and emotionally devastated. This isn’t just about individual loss—it’s about a system urgently needing to keep pace with modern criminal tactics. These criminals operate without borders and without fear of accountability, exploiting loopholes that remain unchecked. We applaud stronger laws to protect citizens, hold institutions accountable, and ensure that victims receive real, timely support, restitution and justice. The passage of H.R. 6124 moves us closer to stop transnational criminals in their tracks and prevent further harm.” – Debbie Fox.

    Earlier this month, Pettersen spoke in support of the bill in a Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions hearing. Click here to watch her remarks. 

    The bill passed the House by voice vote and now moves to the Senate.

    Background: 

    As Americans continue to go online to find meaningful relationships, scammers are following suit. The Federal Trade Commission reported that romance scams resulted in victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 alone. When an online dating service provider becomes aware of a user committing fraudulent activity, such as illegally obtaining money, the online dating service provider often immediately deactivates the fraudulent user’s account. However, individuals who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms, so even when a fraudulent account is removed, an individual might not know they are still communicating with someone who has been removed from the dating platform. The Online Dating Safety Act seeks to fill this communication gap by requiring these platforms to send a fraud ban notification to anyone who has communicated with someone with a fraudulent account.

    Bill text can be found HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect American Assets From Unlawful Seizure by AMLO’s Mexico

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    In violation of USMCA, the Mexican President has repeatedly threatened to declare an American company’s property as a “Protected Natural Area” to unjustifiably seize their assets

    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led his colleagues in introducing the Defending American Property Abroad Act, legislation to impose retaliatory prohibitions that deter and punish any Western Hemisphere nation that unlawfully seizes American assets. This legislation responds to ongoing efforts by the Government of Mexico to seize a deep-water port owned by U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company, which is a flagrant violation of the United Sates-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) governing trade between our two nations.

    Specifically, this legislation would prohibit vessels from entering a U.S. port if they had previously used a port, land, or infrastructure that had been illegally seized from a U.S. entity by a foreign nation in the Western Hemisphere. It also requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and ban illegally seized ports from U.S. trade and requires the United States Trade Representative to report to Congress on how such expropriations would be addressed during the upcoming review of the United Sates-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), scheduled for 2026. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

    “I strongly condemn AMLO’s threats against Vulcan Materials Company and am pleased to see this bipartisan rebuke from the United States Senate,” said Senator Hagerty. “No nation or president, and especially one of our largest trade partners, should be allowed to bully an American firm without consequences. Our legislation will help to undermine any attempt by AMLO to profit from his illegal actions and, in the event of a seizure, would strengthen our nation’s position in trade negotiations with Mexico.”

    “Mexico seizing American-owned property is outrageous and unacceptable,” said Senator Barrasso. “The United States will always defend American business assets from illegal seizures. Senator Hagerty’s bill will ensure foreign countries cannot profit off of stealing from American companies abroad.”

    “Make no mistake–President López Obrador’s scheme to seize Vulcan’s deep-water port would represent a flagrant expropriation of a lawfully permitted, U.S.-owned operation, and his administration’s assault on the rule of law is putting America’s and Alabama’s economic and national security interests in jeopardy,” said Senator Britt. “We have repeatedly warned him that there will be substantial ramifications if his administration crossed this line. Our bipartisan Defending American Property Abroad Act makes it clear that we will keep our promises. The United States is prepared to meet President López Obrador’s illegal actions, which violate both Mexican and international law, with crushing consequences.” 

    “The United States and Mexico have an important trade and economic relationship,” said Senator Budd. “The illegal seizure of American property and infrastructure in Mexico is unacceptable and undermines that relationship. I am proud to partner with Senator Hagerty to stand up for American’s right to engage in international commerce without being extorted.” 

    “In recent years, Mexican President López Obrador has unfairly targeted Vulcan Materials Company, a U.S.-based company that employs over 1,000 people in Virginia,” said Senator Kaine, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. “That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to deter Mexico and any country in our hemisphere from illegally seizing U.S. assets. We must make it clear that this behavior will not be tolerated. On the heels of Mexico’s controversial judicial reforms, this behavior only further harms the economic relationship between our two countries, as well as global investor confidence in Mexico.” 

    “For more than a year, Mexican President López Obrador has continued to show undue aggression toward American businesses, primarily Alabama’s Vulcan Materials,” said Senator Tuberville. “The continued escalation against Vulcan’s operation in Mexico is a disgrace to the longstanding trade agreement between our two countries for the last 30 years. The Biden-Harris administration has refused to stand up to President López Obrador’s threats, which is why it’s time for Congress to take action and urgently move this legislation to ensure this doesn’t happen to more American companies under a new Mexican president.”

    Background:

    In May 2022, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) abruptly shut down Vulcan’s operations with false claims that the firm was violating its contract, and since then the Mexican Government, under AMLO’s direction, has waged an unceasing pressure campaign against Vulcan, including multiple lawsuits and at times sending military and law enforcement to its facilities. Last month, AMLO announced that he is pushing to designate the port and mine a “Protected Natural Area”.

    In May 2022, Hagerty urged President Joe Biden to take action against the Mexican government’s moves to expropriate the property of U.S. companies with investments and operations in Mexico.

    In March 2023, Hagerty pressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the seizure by Mexican military troops and civilian authorities of U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company’s assets in Mexico.

    In December 2023, Hagerty and Kaine spoke on the Senate floor imploring President López Obrador to halt harmful actions against American companies’ lawfully owned assets in Mexico, noting that these unlawful actions violate agreements made between the two countries under the USMCA and jeopardize a key U.S. trade relationship.

    In May 2024, Hagerty, Tuberville, Britt, and Kaine sent a letter to Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Alicia Bárcena urging her to take action regarding the Mexican government’s mistreatment of Vulcan Materials Company.

    Full text of the Defending American Property Abroad Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Applauds New Biden Administration Rule Banning Chinese Vehicle Software and Technologies to Protect National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s new rule banning key Chinese and Russian-controlled software and hardware in vehicles. The proposal would help safeguard American consumers and companies against the national security threat posed by allowing certain vehicles and technologies made by Chinese Community Party-backed (CCP) companies to be imported or sold in the United States:

    “I applaud the Administration for taking this needed step to protect American citizens and critical infrastructure from the serious national security threats posed by Chinese and Russian vehicle components. We simply cannot allow technologies controlled by foreign entities of concern on our roads that are capable of storing and sharing Americans’ personal data, committing espionage, and even manipulating our cars.

    “Vehicle technologies made by Chinese Communist Party-backed companies, assisted by China’s unfair trade practices, also present a real threat to U.S. economic competitiveness, intellectual property, and automotive manufacturing. This rule would help improve the security of the U.S. automotive supply chain and keep Michigan at the forefront of global mobility innovation and the creation more good-paying, union jobs here at home.”

    Peters has consistently worked to combat the national security and economic threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles. Peters recently sent a letter to several Chinese automakers pressing for more transparency into their ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The letter highlighted the significant national security concerns associated with importing vehicles made by companies with CCP ties into the U.S, such as allowing the CCP to access Americans’ sensitive personal data and gathering information about our critical infrastructure by leveraging certain connected vehicle technologies. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing earlier this year, Peters urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to ensure the Commerce Department takes further action to combat threats posed by vehicles and high-risk technologies controlled by Chinese Communist Party-backed companies. In March, Peters also wrote a letter to Secretary Raimondo and the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai highlighting the need for continued application of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and supporting the Department of Commerce’s announcement of an investigation into the national security concerns posed by Chinese-made vehicles which led to this proposed rule. Peters then applauded the Commerce Department’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other goods across numerous key sectors, including steel and aluminum imports, lithium batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, semiconductors, and medical equipment. 

    Peters has also consistently worked to boost American development of connected vehicles and other critical roadway safety technologies to support Michigan’s auto industry and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. Last year, Peters – who Chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports – called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the deployment of safe, secure Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) technology in order to accelerate the use of this lifesaving mobility safety technology and ensure the U.S. does not fall behind other countries in its development and adoption. Following this bipartisan call from Peters, the FCC approved the deployment of C-V2X technology – which is an intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology that enables data sharing between vehicles, the infrastructure they operate on, and nearby road users – improving roadway safety and efficiency. In 2022, Peters welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s $52.2 million investment in the Global Epicenter of Mobility to drive and advance mobility innovation across Michigan’s automotive sector. Peters secured this funding through the American Rescue Plan he helped enact. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Allred Legislation to Streamline Federal Permitting for Microchip Projects Passes House With Bipartisan Support

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32)

    Building Chips in America Act would support billions in domestic manufacturing investments by streamlining federal reviews 

    Washington, D.C. – Today, a bill co-led by Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX-32), the Building Chips in America Actpassed the House with bipartisan support. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) also helped lead the House bill along with a bipartisan coalition of 5 total members who introduced the legislation together. It ensures federal environmental reviews are completed in a timely manner for microchip projects supported by the CHIPS and Science Act by streamlining approval for projects currently under construction and others that could be delayed. The bill also adds tools to more effectively and efficiently carry out reviews. This will maximize the opportunity to bring microchip manufacturing back to America while ensuring we maintain protections for clean air and water. 

    “The CHIPS Act is a huge opportunity for Texas and the nation to invest in microchip manufacturing and grow the semiconductor industry, but to do that we must ensure these projects can get approved quickly,” said Allred. “The CHIPS Act is already creating thousands of jobs across our great state. I am proud our legislation passed the House and is now on track to become law. We can do big things if we work together, and I look forward to this legislation continuing to create jobs and deliver for Texas.” 

    The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk. It was also led in the House by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50), and Congressman Brandon Williams (R-NY-22). The Building Chips in America Act was led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). 

    Allred championed the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, and now, following the passage of the landmark bill, the Department of Commerce has announced billions in federal investments to support domestic manufacturing projects in Texas. Including  $6.4 billion for Samsung in Taylor, $1.6 billion for Texas Instruments in North Texas and $400 million for GlobalWafers in Sherman, TX and Missouri. 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Kenya: High Court to decide jurisdiction status in landmark Meta case 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The Kenyan High Court is today hearing a case in which two Ethiopian citizens, Abrham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle, and Kenyan civil society organization The Katiba Institute are accusing Facebook’s parent company Meta of promoting content that led to ethnic violence and killings during the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia from November 2020 to November 2022. 

    The petitioners argue that the Facebook platform’s algorithmic recommendation systems prioritized and promoted inciteful, hateful and dangerous content on its platform during the conflict, contributing to significant human rights violations. The Kenyan court will decide if it has jurisdiction to hear the case. 

    Meta’s legal team has argued that the case should not be heard in Kenya because the company is registered in the US and that Meta’s terms of service require such claims to be filed in the US.  

    They also argue that the alleged human rights violations occurred in Ethiopia and therefore cannot be heard in Kenya. 

    Today’s hearing is focused on two critical procedural aspects: the petitioners’ application to have no fewer than three judges appointed to hear the case as it raises important substantial questions of law and whether Kenyan courts have jurisdiction to hear the case as challenged by Meta.

    Mandi Mudarikwa, the Head of Strategic Litigation at Amnesty International. 

    “Communities and individuals impacted by corporate human rights abuses committed by multi-nationals often struggle to access justice and effective remedies because of jurisdictional, practical and other legal challenges. As a result, Amnesty International is advocating for an approach to both cases that is informed by human rights obligations and corporate responsibilities that ensure justice and accountability.” 

    In Kenya, a single Judge presides over a case, but petitioners can request their cases to be heard by not less than three judges if it raises significant constitutional issues. 

    The petitioners, represented by Nzili and Sumbi Advocates and supported by the tech-justice organization Foxglove, argue, among other reasons, that because the content moderation operation reviewing Facebook content from Ethiopia was located in Kenya, the case can be brought to the Kenyan High Court.  

    Other reasons cited for considering the case under Kenyan jurisdiction are Fisseha Tekle’s current residence in Kenya and safety concerns preventing him from returning to Ethiopia, the fact that The Katiba Institute is a Kenyan organization and the existence of a significant Facebook user base in the country.  

    Amnesty International is one of seven human rights and legal organizations involved as interested parties to the case. The organization submitted written responses in support of the petition and opposing the application challenging jurisdiction by Meta. 

    Background 

    Abrham Meareg is the son of Meareg Amare, a University Professor at Bahir Dar University in northern Ethiopia, who was hunted down and killed in November 2021, just weeks after posts inciting hatred and violence against him were posted on Facebook.  

    He claims that Facebook only responded to reports about the posts eight days after Professor Meareg’s death, more than three weeks after his family had first alerted the company. 

    The second petitioner, Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International employee, has faced extensive online hate due to his human rights work in Ethiopia. Now living in Kenya, Tekle fears for his safety, underscoring the transnational impact of the content spread through Facebook’s channels. 

    Katiba Institute, the third petitioner, has brought the case in the public interest given the unchecked viral hate and violence on Meta’s Facebook platform and Kenya’s constitutional obligations. 

    The petition seeks to stop Facebook’s algorithms from recommending such content to Facebook users, to change Meta’s content moderation practices, and to compel Meta to create a 200 billion shilling ($1.6 billion USD) victims’ fund.  

    The case will proceed to deal with the substantive questions relating to the extent, if any, to which Meta is accountable for the human rights violations and human suffering caused as a result of the content promoted on Facebook. 

    In October 2023, Amnesty International published the report, A death sentence for my father: Meta’s contribution to human rights abuses in northern Ethiopia, which shows how Meta contributed to human rights abuses suffered by the Tigrayan community during the conflict in northern Ethiopia two years ago. 

    Notes to Editors: 

    We expect this hearing to be heard in person and will provide further details before the court session on 24 September, 2024 once they become available. 

    Mercy Mutemi of Nzili and Sumbi Advocates represents the two individual petitioners and was Africa Legal’s Tech Lawyer of the Year for 2022. Foxglove, the tech-justice organization behind several cases against tech companies, are supporting the case. Backing the case as interested parties are a long list of major human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Global Witness, Article 19, Kenyan Human Rights Commission, Kenya’s National Integration and Cohesion Commission among others. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Competition Bureau wins deceptive marketing case against Cineplex

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Today, the Competition Tribunal ruled in favour of the Competition Bureau and found that Cineplex engaged in drip pricing by adding a mandatory $1.50 online booking fee.

    Cineplex ordered to pay a record penalty of nearly $39 million dollars

    September 23, 2024 – GATINEAU, QC – Competition Bureau

    Today, the Competition Tribunal ruled in favour of the Competition Bureau and found that Cineplex engaged in drip pricing by adding a mandatory $1.50 online booking fee.

    The Tribunal determined that the representations on Cineplex’s website and mobile application constituted drip pricing and that consumers were deceived by contradictory and incomplete information on Cineplex’s tickets page.

    As part of its ruling, the Tribunal ordered Cineplex to pay a financial penalty of over $38.9 million dollars and legal costs. The penalty is equivalent to the amount Cineplex collected from consumers from the introduction of the online booking fee in June 2022 until December 2023.

    Consumers are entitled to clear information, and should never be surprised by hidden or additional fees. When businesses engage in false or misleading practices, it harms competition and businesses who comply with the law. 

    • The Tribunal ordered Cineplex not to engage in the conduct or similar conduct for a period of 10 years.

    • Following an investigation, the Bureau filed an application with the Competition Tribunal, on May 18, 2023, seeking, among other things, for Cineplex to stop its deceptive advertising.

    • Amendments to the Competition Act came into force on June 24, 2022, which explicitly recognize drip pricing as a harmful business practice.

    • Drip pricing involves offering low prices to attract consumers, but then adding mandatory fees so that the prices are unattainable. This practice is against the Act, unless the additional fixed charges or fees are imposed by the government on purchasers, such as sales tax.

    • The Bureau has taken action against drip pricing for many years under the Deceptive Marketing Practices provisions of the Competition Act, notably in the car rental, satellite radio subscriptions, online sporting and entertainment ticketing industries.

    • The Bureau recently issued a consumer alert to raise awareness and reporting of drip pricing.

    • We strongly encourage anyone who suspects that a company or individual is making false or misleading price claims to report it by using the Bureau’s online complaint form.

    The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fuelling economic growth.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Privacy Commissioner issues first compliance notice to Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    The Privacy Commissioner has today issued a compliance notice to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, triggered by a cyber-attack in December 2020. This is the first time the Privacy Commissioner has issued a compliance notice since receiving these new powers in the Privacy Act 2020. Privacy Commissioner John Edwards says, The cyber-attack was a significant breach of one of the Banks security systems and raised the possibility of systemic weakness in the Banks systems and processes for protecting personal information.

    As part of the investigation into the breach the Bank engaged KPMG to undertake an independent review of its systems and processes. The review revealed multiple areas of non-compliance with Privacy Principle 5. Mr Edwards says, We are heartened by the speed and thoroughness of the Banks response.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Joins Partnership for a Lead-Free Future

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (24 September 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced a set of actions to mainstream lead exposure mitigation into its operations, as part of its participation in the newly formed Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, a global initiative led by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership aims to eliminate childhood lead exposure by 2040.

    The initiative, launched at the United Nations General Assembly today, will target high-risk countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, and Nepal, among others throughout Asia and the Pacific.

    ADB’s participation in the partnership underscores its ongoing commitment to addressing health and environmental challenges in developing Asia and the Pacific. Lead contamination, particularly from informal used lead-acid battery recycling sites, presents a major health crisis. Toxic lead exposure is affecting at least 400 million children in the region, leading to cognitive impairments, health complications, and major economic losses. The global economic cost of lead-related cognitive underdevelopment is estimated at about $1 trillion annually.

    “Lead exposure doesn’t just affect children’s health—it holds back entire economies,” said ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Scott Morris. “The Partnership for a Lead-Free Future is an important step in addressing this environmental, health, and economic issue. We will dedicate ADB’s expertise and resources to help ensure that countries across Asia and the Pacific can mitigate lead exposure, enhance public health, and secure a healthier, more productive future for all.”

    ADB is embedding lead management into its broader environmental safeguards and technical assistance programs, and has already begun engaging with governments in Indonesia, India, and the Philippines to tackle lead contamination. The bank will co-host a technical side event on lead pollution at the 12th Asia Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment in Jakarta on 25 September, which will serve as a platform to advance the lead elimination agenda. Co-organized with the governments of Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, USAID, and the World Bank, the forum will highlight cutting-edge research on lead exposure and showcase effective strategies for reducing lead poisoning. 

    In collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, ADB is also developing the Chemical and Wastes Financing Partnership Facility, the first of its kind. This facility will scale chemical management, including lead mitigation, across the region. The initiative complements ADB’s work in managing hazardous waste, providing governments with the resources to regulate industries, replace hazardous materials, and enforce environmental standards.

    ADB plans to integrate lead elimination into its universal health care support programs, starting in the Philippines. Through these programs, ADB has been working to ensure equitable access to health services, address gender-specific health needs, and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.

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

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Launches Country Partnership Strategy for Fiji for 2024-2028

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (24 September 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) with Fiji for 2024–2028, which will support Fiji’s resilience to economic and climate-related shocks.

    “This new CPS will build on ADB’s ongoing assistance to support more resilient public finances, quality infrastructure and services, and a greener and more diversified private sector,” said ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez. “The strategic partnership will tailor ADB support towards Fiji’s recently launched National Development Plan 2025-2029.”

    The new strategy will prioritize assistance for public sector management, improving access to climate-resilient transport infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban water and wastewater services. The CPS emphasizes emerging areas of engagement in coastal protection for vulnerable communities, upgrading national health care facilities, and accelerating Fiji’s renewable energy transition. It focuses on promoting private sector investment, accelerating progress in gender equality, and fostering regional cooperation and integration.  

    “The strategy reflects the close partnership between the Government of Fiji and ADB, aligning future support with Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025–2029,” said Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Prasad.

    The 5-year strategy will assist Fiji’s efforts to bolster climate and disaster resilience through innovative financial solutions, upgrading critical infrastructure, reinforcing climate policy reforms, and improving access to concessional climate finance.    

    ADB has been supporting Fiji since 1970, and has committed 117 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $991 million to Fiji.

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

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Develops Industry’s First Automotive SSD Based on 8th-Generation V-NAND

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced it has successfully developed the industry’s first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD based on eighth-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). With industry-leading speeds and enhanced reliability, the new auto SSD, AM9C1 is an optimal solution for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications.
     
    With about 50% improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor, the AM991, the new 256GB auto SSD will deliver sequential read and write speeds of up to 4,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and 400MB/s, respectively.
     
    “We are collaborating with global autonomous vehicle makers and providing high-performance, high-capacity automotive products,” said Hyunduk Cho, Vice President and Head of Automotive Group at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business. “Samsung will continue to lead the Physical AI1 memory market that encompasses applications from autonomous driving to robotics technologies.”
     
    Built on Samsung’s 5-nanometer (nm) controller and providing a single-level cell (SLC) Namespace2 feature, the auto SSD AM9C1 demonstrates high performance for easier access to large files. By switching from its original triple-level cell (TLC) state to SLC mode, users can enjoy boosted read and write speeds of up to 4,700MB/s and 1,400MB/s, respectively, while also benefiting from the added reliability of SLC SSDs.
     

     
    The 256GB AM9C1 is currently being sampled by key partners and is expected to begin mass production by the end of this year. Samsung plans to offer multiple storage capacities for the AM9C1 ranging from 128GB to 2 terabytes (TB) to address the growing demand for high-capacity automotive SSDs. The 2TB model, which is set to offer the industry’s largest capacity in this product category, is scheduled to start mass production early next year.
     
    Through intensified board-level tests, Samsung’s new auto SSD satisfies the automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q1003 Grade 2, ensuring stable performance over a wide temperature range of -40°C to 105°C.
     

    To further meet the high standards of the automotive industry in terms of durability and stability, Samsung also conducts various quality assurance processes. The company received ASPICE CL3 authentication4 for its UFS 3.1 product in March this year.
     

    In an effort to obtain CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434,5 Samsung will continue to actively enhance the technological reliability and stability of its automotive solutions.
     

    “ASPICE and ISO/SAE 21434 certifications are milestones that affirm the reliability and stability of our technology,” said Hwaseok Oh, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business. “Beyond these achievements, Samsung will continue to elevate its product stability and quality by consistently providing the best solution to key partners.”
     
     
    1 AI such as robots and autonomous vehicles that perceives and interacts with the physical world through sensors.2 Provides SLC partition with better performance and reliability than TLC, allowing users to configure it in accordance to data type. However, when switched to SLC mode capacity decreases to 1/3 of the TLC.3 Global standard that Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has established for the reliability evaluation procedures and criteria for automotive electronic components.4 Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination (ASPICE) is a software development standard developed and distributed by the German Automotive Association (VDA) that evaluates the reliability and competence of automotive component manufacturers’ software development processes. It is divided into Capability Level (CL) stages 0 to 5, with CL3 meaning that an organization has established a systematic process and can effectively execute it.5 Cyber Security Management System certification is an international standard designed to enhance cybersecurity in the automotive industry based on ISO/SAE 21434, covering cybersecurity processes and requirements from design to development, evaluation and mass production.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CAF and UNOPS Join Forces to Boost Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

    Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

    CAF- development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    The agreement, signed by CAF’s Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados and UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira Da Silva, outlines key areas of cooperation. These include technical assistance and implementation of infrastructure projects, conducting feasibility studies and project structuring, development of joint training activities in project management and procurement, resource mobilization to support regional countries, as well as information exchange and capacity building initiatives.

    This agreement strengthens the relationship between the two organizations, as since 2017, CAF and UNOPS have worked together in Latin America on technical assistance projects in Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.

    By combining CAF’s financial strength with UNOPS’ technical expertise, we are better positioned to address the complex challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean

    Sergio Díaz-Granados

    Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF, stated: “This partnership with UNOPS represents a significant step towards enhancing our capacity to deliver impactful projects across the region. By combining CAF’s financial strength with UNOPS’ technical expertise, we are better positioned to address the complex challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of our member countries.”

    We’re consolidating the efforts we have made together with CAF to continue to improve the lives of millions of people across the Latin America and Caribbean region

    Jorge Moreira Da Silva

    “In a world facing multiple global crises, partnerships like this are instrumental. We’re consolidating the efforts we have made together with CAF to continue to improve the lives of millions of people across the Latin America and Caribbean region”, said Jorge Moreira Da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director.

    The MOU provides a foundation for future specific agreements between the two organizations. It emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing, joint communication efforts, and the potential for collaborative resource mobilization.

    This collaboration between CAF and UNOPS is expected to bring valuable synergies to development efforts in the region, leveraging the strengths of both institutions to promote sustainable growth and improved quality of life for Latin American and Caribbean communities.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: ADB approves $500M loan to support Indonesia’s energy transition

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 500 million U.S. dollars loan for Indonesia to help the Southeast Asian country accelerate its energy transition agenda, the bank’s official said on Saturday.

    ADB Country Director for Indonesia Jiro Tominaga said in a statement that the loan would support the development of Indonesia’s basic and collaborative policy that would be formulated to identify and address the complex challenges it faces in speeding up the transition into sustainable and clean energy.

    “Indonesia is at a very important junction in its energy transition journey. It has rapid growth of power generation capacity that helps it overcome most of its electricity supply constraints. However, it has also made the country heavily dependent on fossil fuel-based power sources such as coal, gas and diesel,” Tominaga said.

    Therefore, he said, the loan would be mainly used in efforts to build a strong policy and regulatory framework to facilitate the transition to clean energy, strengthen sector governance and financial sustainability, and ensure an equitable and inclusive transition.

    Indonesia, one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of coal, is currently pursuing a reduction of carbon emissions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: All-green electricity smart energy service station opens in Xinjiang

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

    An all-green electricity smart energy service station has recently opened in Bole city of Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. This station marks a significant achievement in new green comprehensive energy generation, consumption, display, and experience in the prefecture.

    The station features an advanced smart integrated energy production and display system, incorporating a small, intelligent, and comprehensive energy network that integrates power generation, storage, charging, and consumption.

    The station is divided into indoor and outdoor sections, with four functional zones: a green energy production display area, a green energy consumption display and experience area, a smart energy display and interaction area, and a customer service area.

    All the electricity for the station is generated using a combined electricity power generation method, which includes roof photovoltaic panels, photovoltaic curtain walls, and photovoltaic sunflowers. This method achieves zero carbon emissions, providing pure green electricity.

    Wang Yongli, an executive at State Grid Bortala Electric Power Supply Co, mentioned that the data display platform at the station allows customers to clearly see the entire process of electricity generation, storage, and consumption. This enables customers to monitor their electricity usage while charging, making consumption transparent.

    The station not only facilitates new green comprehensive energy production, consumption, and display, but also provides green electricity-related consulting services. Additionally, it offers warm volunteer services for resting, drinking, and charging.

    The company aims to leverage the station’s advantages to enhance green electricity smart energy services and provide high-quality and efficient services to electricity customers, contributing to local economic development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: STL to visit Beijing and Tianjin

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    STL to visit Beijing and Tianjin
    STL to visit Beijing and Tianjin
    ********************************

         The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, will leave for a visit to Beijing and Tianjin this evening (September 24).     Mr Lam will attend the Global Sustainable Transport Forum (2024) hosted by the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing tomorrow (September 25), where he will speak at a thematic session. During his visit in Beijing, Mr Lam will also meet with officials of the Ministry of Transport.     Mr Lam will then visit Tianjin to attend the 11th China Air Finance Development (DFTP) Summit and deliver a speech at the opening ceremony on September 26.     He will return to Hong Kong on the evening of September 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, will be the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 10:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From waste to power: how floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could help solve NZ’s electricity security crisis

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faith Jeremiah, Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand

    Getty Images

    Wastewater ponds may seem an unlikely place to look for solutions to New Zealand’s electricity security crisis. But their underutilised surfaces could help tackle two problems at once – high power prices and algal growth.

    Floating solar panels on wastewater ponds offer a multifaceted answer. They generate renewable energy, improve water quality in the treatment ponds and reduce costs.

    Leading this approach is the 2020 installation of New Zealand’s first floating solar array at the Rosedale wastewater treatment plant in Auckland. This project demonstrates how New Zealand could double the country’s power supply without requiring additional land. It serves as a test for future deployments on other reservoirs and dams.

    The project comprises 2,700 solar panels and 4,000 floating pontoons. It covers one hectare of the treatment pond, making excellent use of a marginal land asset in a dense urban environment.

    The floating solar array generates 1,040 kilowatts of electricity and reduces 145 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. It also saves NZ$4.5 million in electricity costs per year. The electricity it generates, alongside biogas co-generation, meets 25% of the plant’s energy needs.

    The floating solar panel array, together with biogas generation, meets a quarter of the Rosedale wastewater treatment plant’s energy needs.
    Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images

    The project represents the first use of floating solar and the first megawatt-sized solar project in the country. As energy prices soar and environmental pressures mount, it is time to start exploring innovative solutions with the resources we already have.

    Wastewater ponds provide underused surface

    New Zealand is currently grappling with an electricity crisis, marked by increasing demand, aging infrastructure and a challenging transition to renewable energy sources.

    The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power. This makes it particularly vulnerable during periods of low water levels in hydro lakes, especially in winter. This in turn leads to frequent supply shortfalls and, combined with diminishing gas supplies, to rising electricity prices.

    As New Zealand intensifies its efforts to integrate more renewable energy, we need innovative solutions to stabilise the grid and meet growing energy demands.

    One underutilised resource lies in wastewater treatment ponds. New Zealand has more than 200 wastewater ponds, chosen for their simplicity and low operational costs. They remain the most common form of wastewater treatment because they are robust, require low energy, cope with high water and waste loads and provide buffer storage to avoid applying agricultural effluent to wet soils.

    However, because of the high surface area and nutrient-rich environment, algal growth is one of the biggest issues with waste stabilisation ponds. This is exacerbated on days with high sunshine levels and warmer water temperatures. It complicates the treatment process and necessitates costly chemical interventions.

    An opportunity for New Zealand

    My background is in entrepreneurship and innovation and the idea of floating solar panels on New Zealand’s expansive wastewater ponds represents an untapped opportunity.

    Apart from generating power and preventing algal growth, the solar panels provide shade that keeps the water cooler and reduces evaporation. This is critical for maintaining effective wastewater treatment.

    Utility-scale solar panels are now recognised as the cheapest form of energy, with rapidly declining costs over the past five years.

    While relatively new to New Zealand, floating solar panels have shown significant advantages in other parts of the world. New Zealand may be held back by a misconception that solar panels work best in hot and sunny climates. In fact, solar panels harness the sun’s energy – not its temperature – making New Zealand’s cooler climate an ideal environment for efficient solar energy generation.

    Given New Zealand uses more energy per capita than 17 of our 30 OECD peers, floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could set an example for how we tackle energy and environmental challenges.

    By turning underutilised spaces into power-generating assets, we not only address immediate needs but also pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future.

    Faith Jeremiah 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. From waste to power: how floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could help solve NZ’s electricity security crisis – https://theconversation.com/from-waste-to-power-how-floating-solar-panels-on-wastewater-ponds-could-help-solve-nzs-electricity-security-crisis-237455

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Open Business Recovery Centers in Gonzales and Donaldsonville to Help Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Francine

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the opening of its SBA Business Recovery Centers in Gonzales on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Donaldsonville on Wednesday, Sept. 25, to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Francine that occurred Sept. 9 – 12.

    “Due to the severe property damage and economic losses inflicted on Louisiana businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “The centers will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The centers will open as indicated below.

    ASCENSION PARISH
    Business Recovery Center
    Ascension Credit Union
    Small Business Center
    2430 S. Burnside Ave.
    Gonzales, LA  70737

    Opens at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24

    Mondays – Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

     

    ASCENSION PARISH
    Business Recovery Center
    Ascension Credit Union
    2256 LA-70
    Donaldsonville, LA  70346

    Opens at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25

    Wednesdays – Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    According to Louisiana’s Small Business Development Center’s State Director Bryan Greenwood, SBDC business advisors will provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation.

    Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.

    In addition, applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to apply for property damage is Nov. 18, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is June 16, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lower recent petrol prices welcome after prices moved higher in the June quarter

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    Average retail petrol prices were higher in the June quarter but have since reduced, according to the ACCC’s latest quarterly petrol monitoring report.

    In the June quarter 2024, average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) were 196.5 cents per litre (cpl). This was an increase of 3.3 cpl from the March quarter 2024 (193.2 cpl). 

    Click to enlarge

    “The lower prices since the end of the quarter have provided some relief to many motorists around the country,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    Average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities decreased in July and August 2024, following lower international refined petrol benchmark prices. On a monthly basis, average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were 193.6 cpl in June 2024, and decreased by around 10 cpl to 183.7 cpl in August 2024.

    The following chart shows 7-day rolling average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities from July 2022 to August 2024.

    Seven-day rolling average retail petrol prices across the 5 largest cities in nominal terms

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from FUELtrac and Informed Sources. 
    Notes: The grey shaded area in the chart represents the June quarter 2024. 
    The blue shaded area in the chart represents July and August 2024. 
    A 7-day rolling average price is the average of the current day’s price and prices on the 6 previous day.
     

    Among the five largest cities in the June quarter 2024, average petrol prices increased the most in Sydney (by 5.7 cpl), with average Adelaide prices decreasing by 0.7 cpl, while Brisbane’s average retail petrol prices were the highest of the five largest cities (204.8 cpl).

    Quarterly average retail petrol prices increased in Canberra, Hobart and Darwin. Average prices in Darwin were the third lowest among all eight capital cities, behind Adelaide and Perth. Quarterly average prices in Canberra were 205.1 cpl, the highest among the eight capital cities.

    The ACCC’s latest report also gives results for the financial year 2023-24. Annual average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were 195.1 cpl in 2023-24. This was the highest on record in nominal terms and the highest in 10 years in real (inflation adjusted) terms. After adjusting for inflation, annual average prices in 2013-14 were 196.6 cpl.

    The ACCC encourages motorists to make the most of fuel price apps and websites

    In August 2024, the ACCC released a report on fuel price apps and websites and petrol price cycles in Australia, illustrating the benefits of using one of the many free fuel price apps and websites to shop around for lower fuel prices. There are more than 40 free to use fuel price apps and websites available.

    “In the current economic climate, making savings is important to many motorists. It can always be worth using a fuel price app or website to quickly check for a lower priced retailer near you before filling up,” Ms Brakey said.

    The following chart shows a range of average petrol prices by major brand in Brisbane during a petrol price cycle in the June quarter 2024. The chart also shows the levels of terminal gate prices (or indicative wholesale prices), represented by the grey shaded area.

    “There is often a range of petrol prices available across retail sites and using a fuel price app or website to find a lower priced site can result in large savings,” Ms Brakey said.

    From April to early June 2024 in Brisbane, the range of retail petrol prices between the highest and lowest priced brands was around 19 cpl on average. The range varied from as high as 42 cpl (when retail prices were increasing in the cycle) to around 9 cpl (when prices were decreasing).

    Daily average retail regular unleaded petrol prices by major brand and daily average terminal gate prices (lagged 7 days) in Brisbane

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from the Queensland Government open data portal – Fuel price reporting 2024. 
    Notes: The grey shaded area in the chart represents average terminal gate prices in Brisbane (lagged by 7 days). 
    Retail prices are averaged across sites on a brand basis using data from the Queensland Government fuel price transparency scheme. Major retail brand means a retail brand with at least 7 retail sites under one brand that sold regular unleaded petrol. The ‘Independent’ category represents a collection of other branded and unbranded sites. Daily average retail prices are calculated from price observations at 6 hour intervals.
     

    Observing petrol price cycles in the five largest cities can also be a useful way for motorists to save on petrol. The ACCC web page – Petrol price cycles in major cities – includes up to date price charts, buying tips, and information on petrol price cycles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 

    “We know that because of longer petrol price cycles, motorists in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can’t always wait for the price cycle to reach the next low point,” Ms Brakey said.

    “Where possible though, taking advantage of the low points of the cycle, and topping up or filling up before prices increase, can save money.”  

    Retail petrol price components

    The following chart shows changes in the components of average retail petrol prices in the five largest cities between the March quarter 2024 and the June quarter 2024.

    The largest components include the international price of refined petrol (Mogas 95) and excise and wholesale goods and services tax. The Australian/US dollar exchange rate can impact retail prices because international refined petrol is bought and sold in US dollars in global markets – although in the June quarter the exchange rate was relatively stable and had minimal impact on changes in average Mogas 95 prices in Australian dollar terms. 

    Other components include wholesale costs and margins (including international shipping costs and other import costs, and wholesale costs and margins) and retail costs and margins (represented by gross indicative retail differences).

    Changes in the components of average retail petrol prices across the 5 largest cities – cents per litre (cpl)

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from Informed Sources, Argus Media, Ampol, bp, Mobil, Viva Energy, FuelWatch, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Taxation Office. 
    Notes: cents per litre change from the previous quarter. 
    The excise and wholesale goods and services tax component in this chart (65.9 cpl) is different to the excise and goods and services tax (wholesale and retail) component in the bowser, shown in the ‘June quarter 2024 – Petrol snapshot’. This is because a small amount of retail goods and services tax (1.6 cpl) is included in the gross indicative retail differences component in the above chart, for consistency in reporting gross indicative retail difference figures throughout this report. 
    Total excise and goods and services tax was 67.5 cpl in the June quarter 2024, an increase of 0.6 cpl from the previous quarter.

    Gross indicative retail differences increased to slightly above pre-pandemic levels 

    Average gross indicative retail differences across the five largest cities (in aggregate) were 17.2 cpl in the June quarter 2024. This was 1.8 cpl higher than the previous quarter (15.4 cpl). Gross indicative retail differences are a broad indicator of gross retail margins (including both retail operating costs and profits).

    In the 2023-24 financial year, annual average gross indicative retail differences across the five largest cities were 16.3 cpl, slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels on a real terms (inflation-adjusted) basis. 

    The level of gross indicative retail differences is not uniform across each of the five largest cities. In the June quarter 2024, quarterly gross indicative retail differences were lowest in Adelaide (9.2 cpl) and highest in Brisbane (25.6 cpl). In 2023–24, annual average gross indicative retail differences were lowest in Perth (10.7 cpl) and highest in Brisbane (22.0 cpl).

    The ACCC will continue to closely monitor the levels of gross indicative retail differences, including the differences between cities.

    Quarterly average regional retail petrol prices were marginally higher than prices across the five largest cities

    The ACCC monitors fuel prices in all capital cities and over 190 regional locations across Australia. In the June quarter 2024, average regional retail petrol prices (regional prices) were 197.4 cpl, an increase of 3.7 cpl from the March quarter 2024. 

    Regional prices were 0.9 cpl higher than average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities (196.5 cpl).

    Diesel prices were lower in many capital cities

    Quarterly average retail diesel prices across the five largest cities were 194.5 cpl in the June quarter 2024, a decrease of 1.2 cpl from the March quarter 2024 (195.7 cpl).

    Quarterly average retail diesel prices decreased in each of the capital cities except Canberra, where prices increased by 0.8 cpl. Retail diesel prices generally followed lower international diesel benchmark prices, which accounted for the largest component of retail diesel prices.

    Petrol sales continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels 

    The volumes of regular unleaded petrol sales reduced by 2.8 per cent in the June quarter (to 2,196 million litres) and continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels.

    “As consumers are increasingly switching from combustion engine vehicles to hybrid and electric vehicles, demand for fuel has reduced. Other factors would also be influencing demand such as working from home arrangements, vehicles becoming more fuel efficient, and changes in driving habits quite possibly due to cost of living pressures,” Ms Brakey said.

    Note to editors

    ‘Petrol’ means regular unleaded petrol unless otherwise specified.

    Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded (Mogas 95) is the relevant international benchmark for the wholesale price of petrol in Australia. Singapore Gasoil with 10 parts per million sulphur content (Gasoil 10 ppm) is the international benchmark for the wholesale price of diesel.

    Background

    The ACCC has been monitoring retail prices in all capital cities and over 190 regional locations across Australia since 2007.

    On 14 December 2022, the Treasurer issued a new direction to the ACCC to monitor the prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of petroleum products in the petroleum industry in Australia and produce a report every quarter for a further three years.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Who looks after me?’ More than 40% of disability carers have disability themselves – and they need more support

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Collings, Senior Research Fellow, Transforming early Education and Child Health Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    Yiistocking/Shutterstock

    Caring for someone with disability is a complex and demanding task. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show this role is increasingly being undertaken by people who have disability themselves. There were 1.2 million primary carers in Australia in 2022, and of these, 43.8% have disability (up from 32.1% in 2018).

    Disability support and aged care are critical issues for the federal government right now. The new Aged Care Act will take effect in July next year and amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act roll out from early October.

    A National Carers Strategy, recognising the demands placed on informal carers and the need for better supports, is also being developed.

    What do this group of carers need? And are they getting the right kind of support?

    Invisible labour

    Three million Australians currently provide informal care for loved ones with disability, medical conditions, mental illness or frailty from ageing.

    In line with our ageing population, one in six carers are over 65 and most older Australians want to age “in place” at home. This means informal care needs are set to rise exponentially.

    Improved diagnosis, more disclosure of disability status and higher prevalence of health conditions leading to disability are increasing the numbers of and demands on informal carers.

    Who is doing the caring and why?

    While both women (12.8% of the population) and men (11.1%) provide informal care, women are more likely to be primary carers (6.1% are women, 3% are men.

    Primary carers are less likely to be in paid employment than non-carers (64.6% to 82%), and fewer than half of those caring for 40 hours or more a week are employed. Informal carers are more likely to have a disability or chronic health condition (38.6%) than the general population (21.4%), with even higher rates among primary carers (43.8%).

    The main reasons for becoming a carer are a sense of family responsibility and emotional obligation. Over a third of those caring for their child say they have no other choice.

    We analysed qualitative data from the 2022 National Carer Survey conducted by Carers NSW.

    Of 6,825 respondents from across Australia, over 80% were women and almost half (47.6%) identified as having disability or long-term health conditions, which the survey combines. Disability and poor health among carers are associated with higher levels of emotional distress and greater difficulty in accessing services.

    Most carers are women and their caring load may prevent them doing paid work.
    Desizned/Shutterstock

    ‘My prospect of earning an income and saving is bleak’

    Statistics tell us only part of the story. The voices of informal carers who report living with disability or chronic health conditions shed light on the layered demands they face. They reported that care is often invisible, undervalued and ceaseless. One woman, aged 73, described informal care as “hard and unappreciated work”.

    A lack of government support and financial uncertainty left many despairing. As one carer, aged 56, said:

    No government recognises us and in the end we are saving them billions/trillions of dollars […] I have been a carer for over 13 years and it will go on for many years, so my prospect of earning an income and saving is bleak.

    Caring can have profound health and wellbeing effects. As another woman, aged 56, said:

    Being close to retirement myself, and having elderly parents, puts so much strain on my own health, mentally and physically. I have had to deal with breast cancer and its treatments and ongoing side effects. This is really stressful. I oversee all the services, and manage ongoing issues. My care role is endless. I only work minimal hours myself due to my care role. Who looks after me?

    Caring for carers

    Carers with disability or chronic health conditions report a lack of appropriate, accessible and timely services. This makes it hard to meet their own health-care needs. Many struggle with arranging support across mainstream and NDIS providers on behalf of the person they care for and themselves.

    Our research about the needs of a specific group of disabled Australians with care-giving responsibilities – parents with intellectual disability – find they can fall between system gaps when mainstream services are not accessible or the NDIS fails to take a family-centred approach.

    A parent with intellectual disability may struggle to understand complex and shifting eligibility rules and might be able to use their NDIS funding to assist with meal preparation for themselves but not for their child. As one mother with intellectual disability said:

    No one explained to me, ‘Oh, the NDIS package can help you with a lot of different things’, like helping with my parenting capacity.

    Changes and opportunity

    A cornerstone of the NDIS reforms is the creation of foundational supports. That’s good news for the 86% of disabled Australians without an NDIS plan and their informal carers, who rely on mainstream services like schools, health services and public transport.

    Likewise, the National Carers Strategy is an opportunity to ease some of the burden shouldered by many informal carers. By consulting with carers directly, services designed to meet their diverse needs and circumstances can be made available. In the immediate term, often carers reach crisis point before receiving support. Early interventions in the form of practical, everyday, orientated supports – including respite together with peer support – can help.

    Proper support for carer wellbeing and economic and social participation, from all levels of government, recognises the complex role carers play and their own support and health-care needs. These are only going to increase in the future.

    The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Sarah Judd-Lam and Lukas Hofstaetter from Carers NSW for their data and analysis contributions to this piece.

    Gabrielle Weidemann receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Defence. This funding is not for research on disability and/or care for those with disability.

    Elisabeth Duursma, Michelle O’Shea, and Susan Collings do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. ‘Who looks after me?’ More than 40% of disability carers have disability themselves – and they need more support – https://theconversation.com/who-looks-after-me-more-than-40-of-disability-carers-have-disability-themselves-and-they-need-more-support-236786

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to cut mortgage rates for existing home loans

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This aerial photo taken on July 4, 2023 shows the construction site of a residential housing project in the start-up area in Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China will lower mortgage rates on existing home loans to a level similar to those of newly issued housing loans, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said on Tuesday.

    The average reduction in mortgage rates for existing home loans is expected to be around 0.5 percentage points, he told a press conference.

    The minimum down payment ratio for both first and second homes will be unified, with the nationwide minimum down payment ratio for second homes to be reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent, Pan said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Number of China’s manufacturing firms tops 6M

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Workers assemble parts at a children wheels factory in Pingxiang County, north China’s Hebei Province, Aug. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China had 6.03 million enterprises in the manufacturing sector as of the end of August, surging 5.53 percent from the end of last year, data showed.

    Among them, 515,300 were related to the strategic emerging industries, accounting for 8.55 percent of the total, according to statistics from the China Organization Data Service.

    The number of manufacturing companies in China’s eastern region totaled 3.87 million, accounting for 64.21 percent of the total. The central region had 1.13 million manufacturing companies, followed by 755,900 and 268,300 in the western and northeastern regions, respectively, by the end of August, the data showed.

    In the first eight months of this year, the number of manufacturing companies in China showed a steady growth trend, with the central region having recorded the fastest growth of 6.55 percent compared to the end of 2023.

    The scale and quality of China’s manufacturing enterprises have gradually improved as policies to promote the optimization and upgrading of economic structure have begun to take effect, it said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes notable progress via equipment, consumer goods renewal program

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a new energy vehicle (NEV) assembly line of BYD, China’s leading NEV manufacturer, at the plant of BYD in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has made noteworthy progress in promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year, an official said on Monday.

    China unveiled an action plan to implement the renewal program in March 2024 in an effort to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.53 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, cited a string of positive results achieved by the program, highlighting increased equipment manufacturing investment and robust sales of automobiles and home appliances, when addressing a press conference on Monday.

    In the first eight months of 2024, China’s investment in equipment and tool purchases had increased by 16.8 percent year on year — well above the 3.4 percent increase in total fixed-asset investment.

    Retail sales of passenger vehicles in August rose by 10.8 percent compared with the previous month, while new energy vehicle (NEVs) sales increased by 17 percent month on month in August. The market share of NEVs remained above 50 percent for a second consecutive month. Sales of home appliances and audio and video products returned to growth last month, up 3.4 percent year on year.

    Thanks to the renewal program, many enterprises are optimistic about the prospects of sectors related to equipment and consumer goods, leading to brisk investment, Zhao said.

    The program, riding on the great potential of green and digital transition, will provide more impetus to economic sustainability and transformation efforts, Zhao added.

    China’s drive to promote equipment upgrades covers a wide range of areas including industrial equipment, environmental infrastructure, operating vessels, new energy buses and agricultural machinery, while consumer goods trade-ins involve products ranging from automobiles to home appliances and electric bicycles.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to cut reserve requirement ratio in near future

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China will cut the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points in the near future, providing about 1 trillion yuan (about 141.78 billion U.S. dollars) in long-term liquidity to the financial market, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said Tuesday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New index to help cultivate new quality productive forces

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The China Securities Index Co., Ltd. (CSI) officially launched a new stock index, CSI A500, on Monday.

    The index tracks 500 securities with large market values to reflect the overall stock performance of the listed companies most representative of China’s various industries, according to the company.

    With a sample selection including leading companies in emerging industries such as information technology and biomedicine, the index is expected to help channel funds toward the cultivation of new quality productive forces.

    Screening criteria, including connectivity and ESG (environmental, social and governance), have been included when compiling the index to facilitate medium- and long-term domestic and foreign capital allocation to A-share assets, according to the company.

    The first batch of 10 exchange-traded funds tracking the index were launched on Sept. 10.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Switzerland begin free trade upgrade talks

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This aerial photo shows a cargo ship at a smart container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin, July 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China and Switzerland on Monday began negotiations on an upgrade of the Sino-Swiss free trade agreement (FTA), with both sides agreeing to intensify consultations and reach a high-level upgrade agreement as soon as possible on the basis of mutual benefits.

    The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Guy Parmelin, Swiss federal councilor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, announced the launch of talks through a livestream.

    Wang said that since it came into effect 10 years ago, the Sino-Swiss FTA has played a positive role in promoting the growth of bilateral trade, and enterprises in both countries have truly benefited.

    Upgrading the FTA will help expand bilateral trade and boost two-way investment, and promote the upgrading of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, Wang said, adding that it will also showcase the two countries’ support for free trade and openness to the outside world at a time when economic globalization is encountering headwinds.

    Parmelin said that with trade protectionism on the rise globally, it is of great significance that China and Switzerland have launched their FTA upgrade negotiations. It shows that the two countries are always committed to building an open, standardized environment for international economic and trade cooperation, and it has sent a positive signal to the outside world that the two countries will deepen cooperation, he added.

    The Sino-Swiss FTA was signed in July 2013 and came into effect in July 2014.

    MIL OSI China News –