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  • MIL-OSI USA: Gallego Calls on Administration to Approve Major Disaster Declaration for Havasupai Tribe

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)

    September 23, 2024

    PHOENIX – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to President Biden calling on his administration to approve the Havasupai Tribe’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the recent severe flooding on their reservation.  

    On August 22nd, severe flash flooding at Havasu Creek inundated Supai Village on the Havasupai reservation, requiring the rescue and evacuation of over one hundred tribal members and tourists. The flooding resulted in significant damage to bridges, homes, roads, campgrounds, and trails as well as challenges to emergency response due to limited trail access to the reservation, and the Tribe has declared a state of emergency.

    “I appreciate your administration’s quick response, as FEMA staff were on the ground in a matter of days to begin assessing the damage, and the National Park Service immediately assisted with search and rescue efforts,” Rep. Gallego wrote. “Further providing the resources unlocked through a major disaster declaration will be crucial in rebuilding homes, fortifying tribal resources, and ensuring the resilience of Havasupai communities after this devastating flood.”

    Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

    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: Angelica Mesiti’s The Rites of When finally makes sense of the Art Gallery of NSW’s Tank. It is worth the plane flight

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication. Editor in chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne

    Installation view of Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024, 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Nelson Packer Tank, 2024
     © Angelica Mesiti, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter

    The Nelson Packer Tank, that cavernous space at the very bottom of the Art Gallery of NSW’s Naala Badu building, has been waiting for art like this.

    The former World War II oil storage tank is huge, held together by rows of structural columns. Their dominance means it is just not possible for viewers to have an unimpeded fields of vision for any art on display. Then there are the acoustics. Every sound resonates, but few carry far.

    This is a room of echoes, embedded in the dark.

    In this space Angelica Mesiti, an Australian living in France, has created The Rites of When: an event that rethinks ancient rituals of seasonal celebrations, while also marking the terrible changes wrought on our heating planet. Her tools are video, performers, music and song – all modified by the unique whispering echoes of the Tank.

    The sky, and the snow

    As the title implies, Mesiti has used the structure of Stravinski’s The rite of spring as one of the elements in her great design. But she shows a world far removed from mythical Russian peasants.

    Each of the two movements are preceded by “Celestial Nebula”, where abstract forms of light dissolve into a vision of the night sky, presented on seven giant video screens.

    This is not the sky as seen by city dwellers, where artificial light eliminates the stars, but rather the Milky Way in all its glory, with its hero stars which we call the Seven Sisters, but people in the northern hemisphere call the Pleiades.

    Installation view of Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024, 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Nelson Packer Tank, 2024.
    © Angelica Mesiti, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter

    Mesiti has said one of her inspirations was that, when COVID came, she and her partner began to spend time away from Paris in rural France. Here she came to know the night sky, and to see both the rhythms and the realities of rural life.

    In the first movement, a dazzling starscape is gradually bleached by artificial light, which transforms into sunlight, and the viewer is looking at drone footage of a snow-capped pine forest which we then zoom through.

    The dominant columns of The Tank combine with the straight tree trunks of this plantation forest give a sense of visual ambiguity. With the all surrounding sound, it is hard to work out where the screened image ends and where the columns begin.

    Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024 (video still), 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Nelson Packer Tank, 2024.
    © Angelica Mesiti

    A sudden shift of mood in the music, and the viewers are plunged into the middle of a Brueghel-like celebration of people dancing in the winter solstice. The colours are warm, the rustic dancers are wearing decorations made of the fruits of the field. They dance around a bonfire made from wooden planks, they form a procession with an effigy of a horned beast, stuffed with fireworks.

    The fireworks and the dancers become a frenzy of ever increasing movement of rhythmic sound which explodes into dazzling white silence.

    Capturing the summer solstice

    When she was discussing The Rites of When at the media preview, Mesiti casually mentioned how hard it had been to film the snowy forest as, for the first time ever, winter was so mild it hardly snowed at all on the pine plantations of the Jura Mountains.

    Global heating added an extra element when filming the summer solstice.

    At first the viewer sees the seven screens as giant patterns of gold, marked by elegant patterns of vertical lines. Perspective changes when a tiny toy moving up one of the screens is revealed to be a harvester. This is a drone’s eye view of a wheat harvest in modern industrial scale farming. As the fields are slowly stripped of their crop, a puff of smoke appears, then a line of fire, and the gold is steadily eaten away to become charcoal.

    Installation view of Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024, 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Nelson Packer Tank, 2024.
    © Angelica Mesiti, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter

    This was not planned. Europe was so hot and dry last June that a single spark from a harvester grinding a stray stone turned the wheat to ash. Monoculture, so effectively described by those endless flat golden fields, has no defence against nature.

    The mood of the music changes and golden smoke covering the wheat dissolves into golden light. A small, solemn procession appears and moves across each screen in turn. They elevate each member in turn, in a quiet ritual performance.

    The colours of the background change with their movement– from gold, to red, to purple, to blue. As they reach the last screen the blue fades to grey, to rain.

    In the silence, a single hand on a single screen snaps fingers. On the other side of the room, another responds. Now there is a rhythmic orchestra clicking, clapping and slapping – ever faster, ever louder. The hands become dancers, moving in a wild ecstatic dance of increasing intensity, as the bodies are caught up with the music and the light.

    Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024 (video still), 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Nelson Packer Tank, 2024.
    © Angelica Mesiti

    In her notes, Mesiti calls this section “Ecstatic Collectivity”. It seems an apt description.

    At the very end, Mesiti returns us to the pure colours of the Celestial Nebula. Perhaps she is saying the folly of humanity may change the moods of the earth, but the stars will endure forever.

    The Rites of When lasts just over 30 minutes. Because it is so dependent on its location, this is a piece that cannot travel. It is worth the price of an air fare.

    The Rites of When is at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, until May 11 2025.

    Joanna Mendelssohn has in the past received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Angelica Mesiti’s The Rites of When finally makes sense of the Art Gallery of NSW’s Tank. It is worth the plane flight – https://theconversation.com/angelica-mesitis-the-rites-of-when-finally-makes-sense-of-the-art-gallery-of-nsws-tank-it-is-worth-the-plane-flight-239599

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The ‘publish or perish’ mentality is fuelling research paper retractions – and undermining science

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nham Tran, Associate Professor and MTP Connect REDI Industry Fellow, University of Technology Sydney

    zefart/Shutterstock

    When scientists make important discoveries, both big and small, they typically publish their findings in scientific journals for others to read. This sharing of knowledge helps to advance science: it can, in turn, lead to more important discoveries.

    But published research papers can be retracted if there is an issue with their accuracy or integrity. And in recent years, the number of retractions has been rising sharply. For example, in 2023 more than 10,000 research papers were retracted globally. This marked a new record.

    The huge number of retractions indicates a lot of government research funding is being wasted. More importantly, the publication of so much flawed research also misleads other researchers and undermines scientific integrity.

    Fuelling this troubling trend is a mentality known in academia as “publish or perish” which has existed for decades. The publication of research papers drives university rankings and career progression, yet the relentless pressure to publish has contributed to an increase in fraudulent data. Unless this changes, the entire research landscape may shift toward a less rigorous standard, hindering vital progress in fields such as medicine, technology and climate science.

    A ‘publish or perish’ environment

    Universities and research institutes commonly use the rate of publications as a key indicator of research productivity and reputation.

    The Times Higher Education Index, which ranks these institutions, assigns 60% of its score to research, and publications are fundamental to this score.

    Additionally, publications are closely tied to individual career advancement. They influence decisions on tenure, promotions and securing funding.

    These factors create a “publish or perish” environment, a term first coined in 1942 by sociologist Logan Wilson.

    A growing trend

    Recent evidence indicates the constant pressure to generate data and publish papers may be affecting the quality of research and fuelling retractions of research papers.

    Retraction Watch is one of the largest databases to monitor scientific retractions. Launched in 2010, it reveals a growing trend in the number of publications being retracted.

    In the past decade, there have been more than 39,000 retractions, and the annual number of retractions is growing by around 23% each year.

    Nearly half the retractions were due to issues related to the authenticity of the data. For example, in August the United States Office of Research Integrity found that Richard Eckert, a senior biochemist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, faked data in 13 published papers. Four of these papers have been corrected, one has been retracted and the remainder are still awaiting action.

    Plagiarism was the second most common reason research papers were retracted, accounting for 16% of retractions.

    Fake peer review was another reason why research papers were retracted.

    Typically, when a publication is submitted to a journal, it undergoes peer review by experts in the same field. These experts provide feedback to improve the quality of the work.

    However, the use of fake peer reviewers has increased tenfold over the past decade. There has also been an eightfold rise in publications linked to so-called “paper mills”, which are businesses that provide fake papers for a fee.

    In 2022, up to 2% of all publications were from paper mills.

    Genuine mistakes in the scientific process accounted for only roughly 6% of all retractions in the last decade.

    More pressure, more mistakes

    One reason for the surge in retractions over the last decade may be that we are getting better at finding and detecting suspicious data.

    Digital publishing has made it easier to detect potential fabrication, and more scientists are making a brave stand against these dubious practices. No doubt, the current number of retractions is an underestimate of a much larger pool.

    But the intensification of the “publish or perish” culture within universities also plays a major role.

    Nearly all academic staff are required to meet specific publication quotas for performance evaluations, while institutions themselves use publication output to boost their rankings. High publication counts and citations enhance a university’s position in global rankings, attracting more students and generating income from teaching.

    The prevailing reward system in academia often prioritises publication quantity over quality. When promotions, funding, and recognition are tied to the number of papers published, scientists may feel pressured to cut corners, rush experiments, or even fabricate data to meet these metrics.

    Changing the model

    Initiatives such as the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment are pushing for change. This initiative advocates for evaluating research based on its quality and societal impact rather than journal-based metrics such as impact factors or citation counts.

    A shift in journal policies to prioritise the sharing of all experimental data would enhance scientific integrity. It would ensure researchers could replicate experiments to verify others’ results.

    Academics face increasing pressure to publish journal articles to advance their careers.
    Protasov AN/Shutterstock

    Also, universities, research institutions and funding agencies need to improve their due diligence and hold those responsible for misconduct accountable.

    Including a simple question such as, “Have you ever had or been involved in a retracted paper?” on grant applications or academic promotions would improve the integrity of research by deterring unethical behaviour. Dishonest answers could be easily detected, thanks to the availability of online tools and databases such as Retraction Watch.

    Over the past 20 years, scientific research has significantly improved our quality of life. Career scientists must shoulder the responsibility of ensuring researchers uphold the values of truth and integrity that are fundamental to our profession. Protecting the integrity of our work is foremost to our mission, and we must remain vigilant in safeguarding these principles.

    Nham Tran receives funding from the Australian Research Council

    – ref. The ‘publish or perish’ mentality is fuelling research paper retractions – and undermining science – https://theconversation.com/the-publish-or-perish-mentality-is-fuelling-research-paper-retractions-and-undermining-science-238983

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • 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 United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola. The Secretary-General congratulated Angola for its commitment to peace and security and its efforts to promote peace and stability in Africa. The Secretary-General and the President discussed the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola’s mediation efforts, through the Luanda process. 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shift toward new engines of growth underway

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Robots work on an assembly line of a factory of a private enterprise in Zouping City, east China’s Shandong Province, Sept. 13, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A sustained focus on supporting innovation in strategic emerging sectors, future industries and traditional industries will be high on the agenda as China advances its economic structural reforms, which are aimed at fostering new quality productive forces and driving a shift from old growth drivers to new ones, economists and entrepreneurs said.

    Economists said the new quality productive forces will serve as a key driver for boosting the country’s economic growth in the coming years, which will help offset the real estate downturn, accelerate the building of a modern industrial system and promote high-quality development in the long run.

    Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said that fostering new quality productive forces is of vital importance in promoting high-quality economic growth, boosting total factor productivity and realizing Chinese modernization.

    “Various regions and departments across China have embraced this approach to drive economic progress, which will significantly accelerate technological innovation, enhance industrial application and facilitate the shift of growth drivers from old to new ones,” Huang said.

    A new report says that despite geopolitical headwinds that are having an impact on China’s economic growth trajectory and momentum, the nation is achieving success by boosting investment in science and technology, as well as by refocusing its efforts to enhance capabilities in emerging industries including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles, and this is key to reinvigorating China’s growth engine.

    According to the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities China Index, cities that were home to a significant number of tech hubs displayed a high level of economic resilience. According to the report, Chinese cities that have strategically invested in emerging technologies will continue to thrive, even as the broader economy faces challenges at home and abroad.

    Highlighting that sci-tech innovation is a key element in the development of new quality productive forces, Huang from the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research called for more efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies by investing more in fundamental research and tackling choke points, and by stepping up reforms in the science and technology, education and talent systems.

    More efforts should also be made to advance reforms in the market-based allocation of production factors, allowing factors such as land, labor, capital and technology to flow freely and efficiently to fields of new quality productive forces, he said.

    Looking ahead, Huang said the country should foster new pillar industries, including next-generation information technology, new energy vehicles, new energy and new materials, to offset the impact of the decline in real estate on China’s economy and create new growth drivers.

    Huang’s remarks came after a resolution adopted in July at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China placed great emphasis on improving the institutions and mechanisms for fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions.

    Justin Yifu Lin, dean of Peking University’s Institute of New Structural Economics, said that regions with development gaps should measure their progress compared with their own past rather than shifting their focus to the pursuit of success in frontier activities, which could result in haphazard or uneven development.

    There are two types of new quality productive forces — one that invents new technologies and one that applies them, Lin said. Therefore, applying new technologies in traditional sectors should be treated as part of the drive to harness new quality productive forces, he added.

    “Regions with gaps in development should use new technologies to improve productivity. It’s essential to follow the principle of seeking truth from facts and develop according to competitive advantages,” Lin said.

    China must better leverage the role of the market and tap the opportunity of technological innovation to enhance productivity, especially as it stands at the same starting line with other countries for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is an opportunity that China “cannot afford to miss”, he said.

    The nation, which recently released a guideline to improve its market access system, is taking solid steps to optimize its business environment and foster new quality productive forces. This marks the country’s key push to implement the resolution adopted at the third plenary session.

    The guideline details 10 measures, including improving the negative list management model, strengthening the coordination of policies for domestic and foreign-funded enterprises, and optimizing the market access environment for new forms of business and new sectors.

    Liu Qiao, dean of Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, said that high-standard opening-up and deeper institutional reforms will create immense room for improvement in resource allocation efficiency, leading to an increase in the growth rate of total factor productivity.

    Liu noted that the path to new quality productive forces involves expanding into industries and fields that can enhance total factor productivity and form new quality productive forces, adding that there are two paths to achieving this objective.

    “The first route involves leveraging revolutionary technological changes to foster strategic emerging industries and future endeavors, including sectors associated with energy transition and digital transformation, as well as future-oriented industries like quantum computing and AI-driven big data. These will create new momentum, aiding in the acceleration of total factor productivity growth.

    “The second path involves opportunities brought about by China’s transformation and upgrade of traditional industries. Currently, the productivity in China’s agricultural and services sectors, for example, is relatively low, offering significant potential for increasing total factor productivity,” he said.

    Global executives hailed China’s reform initiatives aimed at fostering new quality productive forces, saying that they present opportunities for global stakeholders.

    Nancy Wang, country manager at LinkedIn China, said that China’s vigorous pursuit of new quality productive forces aims to foster an innovation-driven economic growth model centered on technological advancement, sending a signal of China’s readiness to face the challenges of globalization and technological revolution with greater openness, inclusivity and innovation.

    Victor Tsao, vice-president of open-source solutions provider Red Hat and general manager of Red Hat Greater China, said, “We believe that through further deepening reform and opening-up, and optimizing the business environment, China will continue to attract more foreign enterprises.”

    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 New Zealand: Drainage improvements – maintenance work planned for SH2, north of Dannevirke

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Important road renewal work is planned for a stretch of State Highway 2 (SH2) at Matamau while crews carry out maintenance and drainage improvements.

    Work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday 1 October on SH2 just north of Factory Road, and finish on 30 October (weather permitting).

    As crews work on either side of the road, between 6am and 6pm each day, this stretch of road will be reduced to one lane, with stop/go traffic management in place. Outside of these work hours, a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place.

    Please expect this to add delays of up to 10 minutes to your journey.

    Crews will be back in approximately 12 months to add the second coat of seal. A second coat further waterproofs and strengthens the road over the long term.

    From Sunday 6 October, night-time asphalt resurfacing works are also planned for SH2 near the Mangatera Stream Bridge, north of Dannevirke. Over 6 nights, crews will work from 6pm to 6am, with works expected to be complete on Saturday 12 October.

    Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place during these night works, with expected delays of about 5 minutes.

    These drainage and resurfacing works are crucial for making this a more resilient and reliable route and will help improve journeys for all road users. We know that a well-maintained state highway network promotes safety and improves options for moving people and freight. 

    Thank you for your patience and understanding while we complete this important road renewal work.

    MIL OSI New Zealand 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 New Zealand: Daily progress for Tuesday, 24 September 2024

    Source: New Zealand Parliament

    Order Paper for Tuesday, 24 September 2024

    2.00pm

    Government motion

    A motion welcoming the release from captivity of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was agreed to.

    Introduction of bills

    The following bills were introduced:

    Oral questions

    Question Time is in progress.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PBN23505 [2024] NZPrivCmr1 – Ultimate Care Group Limited

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    Resources available

    MIL OSI New Zealand 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: Beijing boosts Central Axis protection with digital tech

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo taken on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the Drum Tower seen from the Jingshan Hill on the Beijing Central Axis on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

    At the recently concluded 2024 Beijing Culture Forum on Sept. 21, Beijing Central Axis garnered widespread attention as a prime example of how digital technologies can revitalize and preserve cultural heritage.

    The forum, themed “Deepening Cultural Exchange to Achieve Common Progress,” saw over 800 guests from China and abroad gather in Beijing. With over 700 years of history, Beijing Central Axis embodies the city’s memory and its rich civilization. Its heritage value and preservation efforts have become focal points of discussion during the forum.

    Stretching 7.8 km from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the Beijing Central Axis was constructed based on ancient architectural philosophies to create an ideal layout for a capital city. In July, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

    Cultural heritage preservation requires both reverence for history and a spirit of innovation. The cultural essence of the heritage sites should be integrated into everyday life, enhancing the public’s spiritual well-being, said Sun Xinjun, Party secretary of the Dongcheng District of Beijing.

    Whether it is the digital bell at the Bell and Drum Towers that uses light and shadow to capture the passage of time, or the contemporary interpretations of traditional opera in Qianmen Street, Beijing has brought its historical legacy to the public in more dynamic forms in recent years. This has allowed people to experience the charm of cultural heritage through immersive interactions.

    The inscription of Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List has opened up new perspectives on urban heritage. Beijing Central Axis demonstrated the lasting vitality of traditional urban planning while urban heritage protection policies must consider the dynamic evolution of cities in response to changing needs, according to Jad Tabet, president of the Association of Architects and Engineers of Arab Countries.

    The participants at the forum agreed that digitization is an effective way to revitalize cultural heritage. Beijing’s status as a global leader in the digital economy can be leveraged by applying technologies like artificial intelligence and digital twins to enhance the preservation and transmission of Beijing Central Axis.

    Chinese tech giant Tencent recreated the core heritage area of the central axis with a digital microcosm encompassing approximately 300,000 plants and 2.2 million buildings. Through a mobile mini-program called “Digital Central Axis,” users can embark on an immersive journey of the region, guided by virtual characters.

    Notably, the mini program also provides a platform for the Digital Watchman project, an innovative crowdsourced conservation initiative launched in December 2023. By simply scanning QR codes, taking photos and uploading inspection reports through the mini program, locals and visitors can become citizen stewards, logging signs of deterioration or damage.

    The rapid development of digital technology has brought new opportunities for cultural inheritance. Tencent’s “Digital Central Axis” project has played a key role in Beijing’s application for World Heritage status, with digitization becoming an essential innovation and hallmark of the application, said Chen Juhong, vice president of Tencent.

    While in the view of Roman Jeannaeu, chairman of the organizing committee of the Sunny Side of the Doc, audiovisual media are a powerful means of promoting cultural heritage. China’s vast and diverse cultural heritage holds tremendous potential for global exposure. It is hoped that there will be more international documentaries focusing on Beijing Central Axis in the years to come. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mid-autumn concert celebrates China-Greece ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Thirty-six Chinese and Greek musicians came together Sunday evening to perform classical and contemporary music in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating a new bridge of communication between the two countries.

    “The Moon” was the theme of the event featuring musical pieces by composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, alongside works by 20th-century Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis.

    The event was co-organized by the Athens Conservatoire and the Athens State Orchestra.

    This was not the first time the Athens State Orchestra has collaborated with Chinese artists in recent years. However, each occasion brings additional steps toward deepening bilateral understanding through art, members of the orchestra told Xinhua.

    This time, the Athens State Orchestra was conducted by Chinese maestro Qian Junping. The audience was captivated by their surprise performance of the traditional Chinese song “Green Willow” at the closing.

    “We had a wonderful collaboration, and we hope to meet again. I also hope the Chinese audience appreciated our effort to perform the Chinese song,” said Manos Gouvelis, who played the viola.

    “We had limited time to practice together, but we all gave our best, and I believe the outcome was positive,” said violinist Faidon Miliadis.

    “The audience responded very positively, and I enjoyed it immensely,” conductor Qian Junping told Xinhua. This marked his third visit to Greece since 2016 to perform and collaborate with Greek musicians.

    For Chinese violinist Weng Qingzhu, this was his first visit to Greece. He performed the “Polonaise in D Major” by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by Chinese pianist Yu Hanwen.

    “It was a wonderful atmosphere. The audience was very welcoming, and I felt that they enjoyed the piece, which features Chinese elements,” Weng said.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI China: Manufacturing convention drives future industry innovations

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Qijiang-2 humanoid robot hands an orange to a visitor at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 2024 World Manufacturing Convention concluded Monday with a showcase of cutting-edge technologies and pivotal agreements that are set to drive the evolution of future industries.

    The convention, which brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the globe, highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping the next generation of manufacturing.

    Throughout the four-day convention held in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, a total of 718 investment projects worth 369.2 billion yuan (about 52 billion U.S. dollars) have been signed, underscoring strong collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, green technology and advanced manufacturing.

    Among the most notable was a partnership agreement between Hefei and Chinese drone maker EHang, which focused on the operations and sales of the company’s passenger-carrying autonomous aerial vehicles in east China.

    In addition, a cooperation agreement on the production of high efficiency cadmium telluride thin film solar cells was also inked at the convention.

    This type of cell has a much lower production cost compared to crystalline silicon and other solar cells. Additionally, their spectrum is the most consistent with sunlight, allowing them to absorb some 95 percent of sunlight.

    A highlight of the event was the display of several groundbreaking products and technologies that are poised to reshape the manufacturing landscape. Humanoid robots that can mimic human movements with remarkable precision were prominently featured.

    One of the standout presentations came from the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Humanoid Robots, which introduced the Qijiang-2 humanoid robot capable of performing delicate tasks such as folding clothes, opening bottles, wiping dishes and navigating uneven terrain.

    “In the future, these humanoid robots will be able to adapt to both industrial production and elderly care scenarios, serving as robot workers and caregivers,” said Liu Houde, director of the laboratory.

    The convention not only served as a platform for technological advancements but also offered an immersive experience.

    At the convention’s outdoor exhibition area, visitors were enthralled by an unmanned sightseeing bus equipped with Shine Auto’s self-developed autonomous driving technology.

    They can either scan a QR code to board or reserve a ride through a WeChat mini program, with the option to disembark at multiple sightseeing stops.

    “The future of automobiles will undoubtedly enter the era of autonomous driving. Cars are no longer just a means of transportation, they have also become intelligent mobile terminals, transforming into mobile spaces that make life better,” said Zhou Ji, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kashgar transforms into unique tourist destination blending history, modernity

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

    Kashgar transforms into unique tourist destination blending history, modernity

    Updated: September 24, 2024 10:00 Xinhua
    Tourists select leather bags in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. The ancient city of Kashgar, located in southwestern Xinjiang, served as a vital transportation hub connecting China with Central Asia and South Asia in ancient times. The confluence of diverse ethnic cultures in this region has given rise to a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. Today, Kashgar has harnessed its cultural and geographical advantages, transforming into a unique tourist destination that blends history and modernity. In the first eight months of 2024, Kashgar received over 19.5 million domestic tourists, an increase of 29.46 percent year-on-year, and generated tourism revenue of nearly 15.35 billion yuan (about 2.18 billion U.S. dollars), up 38.83 percent. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist poses for a photo in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Local residents enjoy their leisure time in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist tries a headdress in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An ice cream maker gives a tourist her ice cream through magic tricks in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit a local residential building with more than 300 years of history in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist buys local snacks in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Copper wares are pictured in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist buys pomegranate juice in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist selects wool carpets in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A local cook introduces his food to tourists in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

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

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — 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.

    Depending on the liquidity situation in the market, RRR may be further lowered by 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points within the year, Pan told a press conference.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NHRC Extreme Weather Research Features on NPR Podcast

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    SAN DIEGO – Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) was featured in the latest episode of National Public Radio’s (NPR) Marketplace podcast series, “How We Survive,” released on September 11.

    The series, which focuses on climate change, featured interviews with command staff on NHRC’s research efforts with warfighter readiness in extreme weather conditions.

    Podcast host, Kai Ryssdal, a former Navy pilot, visited NHRC’s Warfighter Performance Lab in April, where he worked with Dr. Doug Jones and his thermal physiology team to understand how the lab conducts physiological and cognitive studies on Marines to optimize their performance and increase their resilience in extreme weather conditions.


    “We know that heat stress and cold stress undermine warfighter performance, and therefore their readiness” Jones explained on the podcast episode, “We do research to figure out what can we do about that, how we can prevent it, and if it’s occurring, how can we mitigate it? How can we prepare our warfighters for these types of environments?”

    The episode of “How We Survive” featuring NHRC, titled “The Changing Threat,” is the first episode of the series’ sixth season.

    NHRC’s mission is to optimize military operational readiness through research on warfighter, veteran and family health. NHRC supports military mission readiness with research and development that delivers solutions to the health and readiness challenges our military population faces on the battlefield, at sea, abroad and at home. NHRC’s team of scientists and researchers consists of active-duty service members, federal civil service employees and contractors, whose expertise includes physiology, microbiology, psychology, epidemiology and biomedical engineering.

    Story originally posted on DVIDS: NHRC Extreme Weather Research Features on NPR Podcast 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST visits Sichuan

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCST visits Sichuan
    SCST visits Sichuan
    *******************

         ​The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, is on his way to Chengdu, Sichuan, this morning (September 24), where he has been invited by the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to attend the ceremony seeing off the two giant pandas “An An” and “Ke Ke”. The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, and representatives from Ocean Park Hong Kong are also joining the visit.           During his stay in Sichuan, Mr Yeung will visit the heritage sites and arts and cultural facilities in Chengdu to learn about the integrated development of culture and tourism, as well as the promotion of tourism development.           Mr Yeung will depart from Sichuan for Hong Kong on the evening of September 25. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 10:22

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Registration to activities at Maritime Carnival in celebration of National Day begins today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Registration to activities at Maritime Carnival in celebration of National Day begins today
    Registration to activities at Maritime Carnival in celebration of National Day begins today
    ******************************************************************************************

         To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Marine Department (MD) will organise a Maritime Carnival at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) at Central Pier No. 8 on October 6 (Sunday). Through a series of family-friendly activities and display panels, the carnival aims to enrich public’s understanding about the development of maritime industry as well as to promote patriotic education.     The carnival will be held from 10.30am to 7pm and highlights will include two demonstrations of marine refuse and oil cleansing at 11.30am and 4pm, as well as shipboard visits to the MD’s newly launched vessels, patrol launch “MARINE 1” and hydrographic survey vessel “HYDRO 2”. The vessel visits will provide members of the public with a rare opportunity to view the equipment of the operation vessels up close. In addition, ship-handling simulator will also be set up at the HKMM to provide citizens with an immersive opportunity to navigate a virtual boat journey through Hong Kong waters.     Persons interested in participating either the shipboard visits to the MD’s vessels or trying out the ship-handling simulator can register at the respective website starting from today (September 24) till 11.59pm on September 29 (Sunday). The registration form for shipboard visits can be found at the website forms.gle/GAFcfk3Sdmynbiw66, and for the ship-handling simulator at forms.gle/X6gcLwfVFFs5syDw8. Registration is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email on or before October 4.     Other interesting activities of the carnival include demonstrations of unmanned underwater system challenge, marine movie screenings, tattoo sticker experience, maritime-themed talks, game booths and guided tours to the HKMM.      All activities of the Maritime Carnival are free of charge. For more information about the carnival, please visit the website: www.hkmaritimemuseum.org/event-details/celebrating-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-founding-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china-maritime-carnival. For enquiries, please contact the HKMM at 3713 2500 during office hours.     Should there be adverse weather, for example, the Standby Signal No.1 or Red Rainstorm Signal to be issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 8am on the event day, or the relevant signal is still in force at 8am on the event day, the Maritime Carnival will be rescheduled to October 13 for safety reason. Visitors should regularly check the HKMM’s website www.hkmaritimemuseum.org/ for the latest information. 

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 10:18

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

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

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Deputy Chief Officer Bill Johnstone AFSM, Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Kyabram recipients Ashley Corrin, Wayne Peterson, Amana Roberts, Jodie Elvey, Brooke Giddings, Renae Flemming, CFA Board Member Peter Shaw AFSM

    140 local volunteer firefighters and CFA staff members have been honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire crisis.

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

    At ceremonies across two weekends, on Sunday, 15 September and Friday, 20 September, from across the Campaspe, Gannawarra and Loddon catchments became the latest of more than 5,500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-2020 fires.

    CFA Board Member Peter Shaw AFSM presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.

    “The National Emergency Medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis,” Peter said.

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

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

    “The 2019/2020 fires devastated East Gippsland and the North East of Victoria,” Jason said.

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

    “Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am extremely proud of all of them.

    “Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an Incident Control Centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable made a real difference.”

    Darrell Phillips, recipient and Captain of Echuca Village, said it was an honour to be formally recognised.

    “The 2019-2020 bushfires marked the beginning of a series of challenging events. In a short time, we faced fires, the COVID-19 pandemic, and then floods,” Darrell said.

    “Those fires remain etched in my memory.

    “As a recipient of the National Emergency Medal, I know this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible team effort of our volunteers and families.”

    • DCO Bill Johnstone, Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Rochester Captain Luke Warren, Cade Kindness, Vaughan Thomas, Brent Sweeney, Board Member Peter Shaw AFSM. Front row: Heidi Warren, Hayley Ettershank, Tania Barkby, Raymond Liddicoat
    • DCO Bill Johnstone, Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Christian Barkby , Board Member Peter Shaw AFSM
    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NMRC Leadership Provides Guidance on Marine Health to the Health Services Operational Advisory Group

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    BETHESDA, Md. – Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) leadership and staff attended a meeting of the Health Services Operational Advisory Group (HSOAG) on September 11.

    The meeting, which occurred over four days from September 9-12, brought together subject matter experts, leadership, and stakeholders to discuss the state of Marine healthcare and the organizational structures that support it.

    NMRC staff presented ongoing research and development work to other HSOAG attendees. Capt. Franca Jones, NMRC commander, spoke to the assembled stakeholders on the role of Research and Development in Marine health.

    “The Health Services OAG is an opportunity for Navy Medicine leaders who support the Fleet Marine Force to come together and, aligning with the Commandant’s guidance, focus on shaping the future of operational health service support,” said Rear Adm. Pam Miller, The Medical Officer (TMO) of the Marine Corps. “Research and development are critical for the Marine Corps to keep pace with the rapidly changing field of military medicine.”

    In between sessions, HSOAG members engaged with NMRC researchers during a meet-and-greet session, with research posters and a display on the command’s advanced medical development program. Posters on display showed recent research projects and capabilities in the areas of blast exposure; biological defense; vaccines and therapeutics; infectious diseases and NMRC’s diagnostic laboratory; and current clinical trials, all of which support Marine health and readiness.

    “NMRC’s participation in the Health Services Operational Advisory Group is a critical conduit for bilateral communications and collaborations to align Navy Medicine research and development efforts to address the medical capability gaps and requirements of the US Marine Corps,” said Cmdr. Mark Simons, NMRC’s deputy science director.

    Marine Corps Health Services, led by TMO, advises the Commandant and Marines Headquarters staff on all healthcare matters. TMO serves as the functional expert in working with the appropriate Headquarters agencies for determining medical requirements and makes recommendations on all medical matters relevant to supporting the Marine Corps.

    In support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters, NMRC researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 24 September 2024 – Volume 778 – 001410

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    Question No. 2—Public Service

    2. NANCY LU (National) to the Minister for the Public Service: What recent announcements has she made on Public Service working arrangements?

    Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister for the Public Service): Yesterday, the Prime Minister and I announced that the Government wants to see more public servants come into their place of work each day, and we are taking steps to make our expectations clear. Guidance to the Public Service will be updated to make clear that working from home is not an entitlement and must be agreed and monitored. While I acknowledge carefully defined working from home arrangements can benefit workers and employers, there are significant downsides that need to be recognised as well. Many good employers have been taking active steps to ensure their working from home policies are fit for purpose and it’s time the Government did the same.

    Nancy Lu: What are the specific expectations she announced yesterday?

    Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Updated guidelines will reinforce the Government’s expectation that (1) working from home arrangements are not an entitlement and should be by agreement; (2) working from home arrangements should only be agreed to where they will not compromise the performance of employees and agency objectives; and (3) importantly, where arrangements are agreed to, there must be comprehensive oversight arrangements in place so that managers can be clear the arrangements are working as expected and productivity is not being compromised.

    Nancy Lu: Why did she make yesterday’s announcement about working from home?

    Hon NICOLA WILLIS: There are good reasons why employees have traditionally been physically brought together for work, as members in this House know. It allows for face-to-face conversation, the sharing of skills and experiences, and relationship building. I think about the new grad who is starting out in an organisation. They need to observe, learn from, and form connections with their more experienced colleagues. Zoom and Microsoft Teams have significant limitations. Getting people back into the office will support those younger employees and mean managers can monitor team dynamics, including whether people are disengaged, struggling, or at odds with their colleagues.

    Nancy Lu: What does this announcement mean for public servants?

    Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Public servants can still work from home if arrangements are agreed and expectations around productivity and performance are met. Having some flexibility in working arrangements can be beneficial for employees and for employers; however, the Government is making its expectation clear that working from home is not an entitlement and that safeguards need to be in place.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Motions — Release from Captivity—New Zealand Pilot Phillip Mehrtens – 001408

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    MOTIONS

    Release from Captivity—New Zealand Pilot Phillip Mehrtens

    Hon TODD McCLAY (Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs): I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate on the successful release from captivity of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens.

    SPEAKER: Very good. Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

    Hon TODD McCLAY: I move, That this House welcome the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens on Saturday after being held hostage for 592 days in Papua, Indonesia; convey best wishes to Mr Mehrtens and his family and friends, as they recover from this deeply difficult experience; express deep gratitude to the Indonesian Government, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, together with community leaders, for the careful and patient approach taken to secure this peaceful outcome; commend the considerable effort of the wide range of New Zealand Government agencies, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which worked in cooperation and coordination with Indonesian authorities towards securing Mr Mehrtens’ release; acknowledge the New Zealand Government staff who have worked on the case in Jakarta and Papua, led by Ambassador Kevin Burnett; and note the cooperation and restraint shown by the New Zealand media in relation to this case.

    Motion agreed to.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Plateau care center offers homely comfort to orphans, elderly

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Tsechok Dorje (1st L) and Tsering Drolma (2nd R) pose for a photo at a care center in Ngari Prefecture, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Seeing Tsechok Dorje’s scar on the right side of his face, Tsering Drolma couldn’t help but feel heartbroken, with tears welling up in her eyes.
    Several days ago, the eighth grader accidentally fell onto a heater and injured his face at school. When a teacher called Tsering Drolma about the accident, she was so panicked that she immediately asked her husband to drive her to the hospital to check on Tsechok Dorje’s condition.
    “I dared not be present while he was receiving treatment,” said Tsering Drolma, 36. “Luckily, his eyes are fine. Otherwise, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life.”
    Tsering Drolma is not Tsechok Dorje’s biological mother, but a Tibetan worker at a care center in Ngari Prefecture, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. She serves as a custodian-like “mother” of 12 orphans, including Tsechok Dorje.
    Sheltering 81 children and 54 elderly people without any family members or living with disabilities, the care center combines the functions of an orphanage and a nursing home, with workers serving like family members and creating an atmosphere like a big family.
    Tsering Drolma still remembers when Tsechok Dorje first arrived there two years ago. “Back then, he was still immersed in the sorrow of losing his loved ones. He would often sit alone in the corner without uttering a word,” Tsering Drolma recalled.
    To help him embrace the new environment, the workers in the care center often took him out to play, made his favorite meals for him and helped him study. These acts of affection and care have gradually transformed him, turning his quiet and reserved persona into a sociable and outgoing one.
    In addition to helping his “mother” take care of the younger children, Tsechok Dorje also shares what happened in school as well as his observations during a museum visit with his “siblings.” Over the two years, his academic performance has also significantly improved.
    To better take care of the children, Tsering Drolma often attends various training sessions, including caring for the orphaned and children living with disabilities, performing first aid and preparing nutritious meals. “Our only wish is for these children to grow up healthy and happy,” she said.
    The care center was established in 2015 under the support of central and regional governments and the donation of an insurance company, with a total spending of more than 58 million yuan (about 8.2 million U.S. dollars). The center has facilities including a massage therapy room, a dining hall and a laundry room. It also gives allowance to elderly people and children every month.
    Compared with the traditional charity institutions that separate children and elderly people, the two-in-one care center offers space as well as an atmosphere for social interactions like a big family, said Jampel, the legal representative of the center, adding that they also organize galas during festivals such as the Tibetan New Year.
    After a cup of buttered tea in the morning, Tseten, 83, likes to go to the sunlight hall during the weekends, with children surrounding him to hear his stories about his misery in the past when he was a serf.
    “I used to be whipped hard by the master for losing a yak. I had no time to wait for my wounds to heal and had to stand on my feet the next day to herd cattle,” said Tseten, who has been living in the center since 2016.
    Tseten was in a wheelchair due to his bad knees when he first arrived there. Now, with years of meticulous care and treatment from doctors from a Tibetan medicinal hospital and nurse assistants in the care center, he is able to walk without a cane.
    Lhadro, a nursing assistant, is responsible for caring for Tseten and five other elderly people. In addition to bringing buttered tea, doing the laundry and changing sheets regularly for them, she conducts massage therapies and applies Tibetan medicine for external use on them based on doctors’ prescriptions.
    “Seeing the elderly gradually regain their health, I have a great sense of achievement,” said Lhadro.
    In recent years, a total of 80 nursing homes for elderly people with extreme financial difficulties have been built in Xizang. By the end of 2022, more than 5,800 elderly people in extreme financial difficulty had been cared for at nursing homes with government support, according to government figures.
    A soccer player at school, Tsechok Dorje likes wearing his training vest even at “home” and dreams of becoming a professional soccer player when he grows up. On a wall in his room, where four children live in bunk beds, is a poster of the Brazilian soccer player Neymar.
    “I hope I can play soccer as well as Neymar someday,” Tsechok Dorje said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Scientific and Educational Center “Evolution of the Earth” invites everyone to take excursions

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Scientific and Educational Center “Evolution of the Earth” NSU — is a modern complex of exhibition halls, exhibits and interactive systems. The center was created to support scientific, educational and popularizing activities in the field of Earth sciences among the widest audience.

    The exhibition of the center consists of four thematic halls. The first is dedicated to the planet Earth, its structure and cosmic environment – here the guides will tell about the methods by which our planet is studied. In the second hall you will learn about the processes occurring in the depths of the Earth, you will be able to touch pieces of real lava from Mongolia, Iceland and Kamchatka, and also see and hear the process of a volcanic eruption. The evolution of life from the appearance of the first cells to dinosaurs will be told in the third hall. In the fourth hall you can see real native gold and oil, as well as look at the model of the deep-sea bathyscaphe “Mir-1”, with the help of which the bottom of the World Ocean was studied.

    The center currently operates in the format of excursions for organized and group tours. You can sign up for an excursion with a group of friends, the guides will take you through all four thematic halls, tell you many facts and answer any questions. Excursions for NSU students and employees are free.

    You can sign up for a tour by calling (383) 363-42-25 or by email ee@nsu.ru.

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

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

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/atmosphere/scientific-educational-center-evolution-of-the-earth-invites-everyone-on-excursions-/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –