Category: housing

MIL-OSI Australia: Prepare now for Australia’s severe weather season
Source: Weather Warnings – Australia

08/10/2024

The Bureau of Meteorology is urging communities to get ready and prepare for Australia’s severe weather season.

While severe weather can happen at any time, every year between October and April is Australia’s peak time for:
- tropical cyclones
- severe thunderstorms
- flooding
- heatwaves
- bushfires.
National Community Information Manager Andrea Peace said that the Bureau issues regular forecasts and warnings about the likely severity and impacts of severe weather and the impact of severe weather can be reduced by getting ready before it happens.

“Tropical cyclone activity varies from year to year but an average of 4 tropical cyclones cross Australia’s coast each year. Based on historical patterns alone, a near average number of tropical cyclones in the Australian region could be expected this season, with a higher proportion likely to be more severe,” Ms. Peace said.

“Any tropical cyclone can be dangerous, and it only takes one to significantly impact communities. Last year we had 8 tropical cyclones across northern Australia waters. Four crossed our coast bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to flooding.”

During the warmer months severe thunderstorms are more common, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hail and the risk of flooding anywhere in Australia.

The highest risk for severe thunderstorms is usually along the east coast including northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. There’s also a significant risk through inland Western Australia and across the tropical north during the wet season.

Flash flooding and riverine flooding are more common during severe weather season, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the country.

Australia also has an increased risk of severe and extreme heatwaves over the warmer months.

The Bureau issues heatwave warnings when a severe or extreme heatwave is forecast within the following 4 days.

This can lead to dangerous and destructive fires throughout Australia.

“The Bureau works closely with fire authorities to monitor weather conditions, issue fire danger ratings and warnings to keep the community informed ,” Ms. Peace said.

“Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and south-east South Australia.

“They also advise a potential early start to the fire season in parts of South Australia and Victoria, and extending to Tasmania if there are warm and dry conditions leading into summer.”

Severe weather can develop quickly and threaten lives and property. Now is the time to prepare your home and property, review and update your emergency plans and create your emergency kits. The local emergency authority in each state and territory provides advice on how to prepare.

Stay up to date with the Bureau’s forecasts and warnings. Download the BOM Weather app and set up warning notifications.

Further resources:

MIL OSI News –
January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: A Review of the RBA’s Term Funding Facility

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

Thank you for coming to the Reserve Bank’s offices today. I will talk about a review we have published on the Term Funding Facility (TFF). This is the fourth instalment of the series of reviews of unconventional policy tools the RBA used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2020, the economic outlook was bleak and highly uncertain (Graph 1), financial markets were in turmoil, and there was limited scope to lower the cash rate further. In that environment, the RBA pursued a package of policies to support the economy. The TFF review considers how that element of the package worked, whether it achieved its aims, and lessons for the future. I will cover the key points but there is a lot of detail in the review itself.

What was the TFF intended to do?

The TFF aimed to:

lower the cost of borrowing for businesses and households, by lowering lenders’ funding costs, and to reinforce the benefits to the economy of the lower cash rate
encourage banks to lend to businesses – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – given that business credit tends to fall in downturns.

How did it work?

The TFF provided low-cost three-year funding to banks, which also indirectly helped to lower the cost of borrowing from wholesale markets.

Under the TFF, banks had access to cheap funding up to an amount that was based on the initial size and subsequent growth of their loan book. The interest rate was initially fixed at 0.25 per cent. This was lowered to 0.1 per cent in step with the reduction in the cash rate target in November 2020. A bank was able to secure additional TFF allowances if it increased its overall lending to businesses, particularly smaller businesses. For each dollar of additional credit extended to large businesses, a bank was eligible for another dollar of TFF funding. For each additional dollar extended to SMEs, a bank had five more dollars added to its TFF allowance.

Banks could access their allowances up to the end of September 2020. However, by the time of the September Board meeting, the economy was still far from the RBA’s goals, and considerable downside risks remained. The Board decided to extend the facility and increase banks’ allowances; banks could access their new allowances for three-year fixed-rate loans until mid-2021.

TFF funding was much cheaper than other sources of term funding. Unsurprisingly, banks took up most of their TFF allowances (Table 1). The TFF ultimately provided $188 billion of funding, which was equivalent to 6 per cent of the stock of credit outstanding at the peak of the TFF’s use. Banks repaid all TFF funds as scheduled by mid-2024 without incident.

Table 1: TFF Usage Across Banks
	Amount drawn $ billion	Share of total allowances Per cent
Major banks	133	100.0
Mid-sized banks	24	99.6
Small banks	9	58.3
Foreign banks	22	54.2
Total across all banks	188	88.3
Sources: APRA; RBA.

To summarise its effect on funding costs for banks and others with access to wholesale funding markets:

The TFF lowered banks’ funding costs directly. For the major banks, the TFF was around 60 basis points cheaper than issuing bonds during the TFF drawdown phase (Graph 2). It lowered their average cost of funds by around 5 basis points.

Together with other parts of the policy package, the TFF also indirectly helped to lower the cost of wholesale funding. With the TFF in place, banks had little need to issue bonds but investor demand for those and other similar securities remained strong. Strong demand coupled with a sharp fall in supply contributed to a decline in yields on a range of existing and newly issued securities. This included securities issued by non-major banks (which continued to issue bonds). Non-bank lenders also benefited significantly; their issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) – a key source of their funding – picked up significantly as the cost of issuance dropped sharply (Graph 3).

Did the TFF achieve its aims?

Banks passed lower funding costs through to retail lending rates for both households and businesses, on both new and outstanding loans. On average, outstanding lending rates fell by almost 100 basis points – a little more than the 84 basis point decline in banks’ overall cost of funding (Table 2). The fall in business rates was comparable across variable- and fixed-rate loans, with larger reductions for SMEs than was the case for larger businesses. But the fall in mortgage rates was much more pronounced for fixed-rate loans; the decline in fixed rates was also large relative to the reduction in the cash rate compared with earlier episodes of monetary policy easing. Banks’ decisions to provide fixed-rate mortgages at very attractive rates was consistent with the low fixed-rate TFF loans as well as banks choosing to focus their competitive efforts in the fixed-rate mortgage market.

Table 2: Changes in Funding Costs and Outstanding Lending Rates

February 2020 – February 2022
	Change Basis points
Cash rate target	−65
Funding costs^(a)	−84
Overall mortgage rates	−97
– Variable mortgage rates	−68
– Fixed mortgage rates	−152
Overall business lending rates	−105
– Variable business lending rates	−103
– Fixed business lending rates	−89
(a) Major banks. Sources: APRA; ASX; Bloomberg; LSEG; major bank liaison; RBA.

Households and businesses that took out fixed-rate loans benefited from the particularly low fixed rates on offer at the time. The share of new housing lending at fixed rates rose from around 15 per cent at the start of the pandemic to a historical high of over 45 per cent by mid-2021. Not only were existing borrowers switching from variable to fixed rates, but new mortgage lending also picked up noticeably through 2020 and into 2021 (Graph 4). In addition, lower rates contributed to a pick-up in disposable incomes of debtors. In these ways the TFF (together with other parts of the policy package) helped to support dwelling investment, the housing market more broadly, and other elements of aggregate demand.

The TFF was also intended to support the availability of credit. We were particularly concerned that banks might have been reluctant to continue to extend credit to businesses during such difficult times. The TFF is likely to have played a role in underpinning business credit. It encouraged demand by contributing to lower rates for borrowers. It also encouraged banks to expand lending to businesses to obtain additional low-cost TFF loans. Indeed, business credit held up better during the pandemic than in the global financial crisis (GFC) (Graph 5); such declines had also been evident in earlier downturns. Despite the supporting role of the TFF, total business credit may not have increased through 2020 and 2021 for several reasons, including a lack of business confidence and the reduced need for business credit given the sizeable government support to businesses’ cashflows. And despite the considerable incentives in the TFF to expand SME lending, staff estimates found no statistically significant effect on total SME lending compared with large businesses.

While not an explicit goal, one other benefit of the TFF was the indirect support it provided to the public sector balance sheet. By supporting stronger economic outcomes, the TFF – together with other monetary policy measures – contributed to higher tax revenues and lower support payments to households and businesses than would otherwise have been the case.

How much did the TFF cost?

The TFF was part of the insurance the RBA took out against a catastrophic economic outcome. While some of the TFF’s design features underpinned its significant use by the banks – and hence its economic benefits more broadly – these were also associated with financial costs for the RBA. The total cost to the RBA is estimated to have been $9 billion. There were several reasons for this cost.

First, the choice to supply funds at a fixed rate was intended to give banks and their borrowers certainty, thereby reinforcing the other elements of the policy package: notably the RBA’s three-year yield target, and its forward guidance. But the economic recovery and increase in inflation turned out to be much stronger, and started much earlier, than the initial upside scenarios considered by most economists and the RBA. As a result, the Board ended up raising the cash rate target by much more and much sooner than had been expected (Graph 6). While the TFF was profitable for the RBA until May 2022, once the cash rate increased, the RBA was paying banks more interest for the balances that they kept at the RBA than the low fixed rate the banks were paying on the TFF. Because the banks passed these lower funding costs in full, household and business borrowers who had locked in low fixed rates were the ultimate beneficiaries as interest rates rose.

Second, around $4 billion of this cost was the result of the Board’s decision to extend the TFF in early September 2020. At that time, the banks had taken up just 60 per cent of their initial TFF allowances, with almost half of that occurring as late as August (Graph 7). This suggested that the banks did not need TFF funding to compete for, or satisfy, the demand for borrowing from households and businesses. Rather, the banks waited until as late as practical to draw down TFF funds because doing so extended the time the TFF would contribute to meeting regulatory liquidity requirements on the banks. A similar pattern of late take-up was later observed with the second tranche of the TFF.

Some lessons for the future

The TFF delivered on its goals. It lowered borrowing costs for a range of borrowers, kept credit flowing to the economy, and supported aggregate demand. In addition, along with other measures – including the purchase of bonds in the early weeks of the pandemic – it helped to restore confidence in financial markets, which were significantly disrupted in the early days of the pandemic.

Based on the findings of the review, the Board judged that a term lending tool of this kind would be worth considering again if warranted by extreme circumstances. But there were valuable lessons we learnt along the way that could help to shape any future program of this type.

Degree of support for the economy versus flexibility

Central banks can choose between fixed- or variable-rate facilities. The fixed-rate option was chosen for the TFF in part to reinforce other policies: the yield target and forward guidance. Such policy packages can be particularly valuable when the standard interest rate lever is already near zero and significant downside risks to the economy remain. But the flipside to a fixed-rate facility is that it lacked flexibility. And given the large take up of the TFF at a very low fixed rate, it incurred a material financial cost to the RBA when the economic recovery and pick-up in inflation turned out to be much stronger, and started much earlier, than had been expected.

Indirect effects

Many non-bank lenders were concerned that the TFF would undermine their competitive position vis-à-vis the banks. We had expected the TFF to help lower rates in wholesale funding markets to a degree. But this effect was much stronger and more pervasive than we had anticipated. The TFF helped to lower funding costs significantly for a range of lenders and corporations that had no access to TFF funds. It is hard to identify the specific contribution of the TFF to these lower funding costs separately from the effects of the wider policy package. But staff estimates suggest that these indirect effects caused yields on RMBS to be around 50 basis points lower than they would otherwise have been.

Open lines of communication between the RBA, other government agencies and industry

Another lesson is the importance of collaboration with other government agencies, and regular contact with industry participants. Collectively, this helped financial stability risks associated with the TFF to be well managed. This included monitoring and managing banks’ refinancing and liquidity needs well ahead of the repayment of their TFF loans, although that task could have been more challenging under less favourable market conditions.

Similarly, for household and business borrowers, the RBA, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the banks’ close monitoring (and banks’ prudent lending standards) helped to reduce the risks associated with the rise in borrowers’ mortgage payments when their very low fixed rates rolled over to much higher variable rates. Only a very small share of borrowers struggled to meet the increase in their mortgage obligations when their low fixed rates expired.

Importance of contingency planning, risk mangement and governance

One of the important lessons is the value of planning ahead and being ready for a wide range of operational contingencies. We got the TFF up and running quickly in part by relying on existing, well-understood practices. But the speed with which the RBA designed and implemented the TFF also limited our ability to fully consider and manage the associated risks.

Forward planning can expand the options available, help us to better weigh up the costs and benefits of each, and prioritise any pre-emptive operational work. On this latter point, for example, floating-rate term-lending would have been challenging for both the RBA and the commercial banks to adopt in early 2020, because neither the RBA nor the banks were readily able to undertake floating-rate repos. The RBA and the banks have since upgraded systems and now have the capacity to easily undertake either floating- or fixed-rate repos.
Design features could have competition implications. While RBA staff liaised with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission during the TFF’s setup, it would be helpful to consider competitive implications ahead of time for any future facilities.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Board has agreed to strengthen the way it considers risks, including by examining a wide range of economic scenarios when making policy decisions involving unconventional tools, and how to judge appropriate exit paths from such tools. In retrospect, a greater focus on potential upside economic outcomes could have led to a different calibration of the TFF, including deciding not to extend it in September 2020.

Summing up

The TFF met the objectives we set out for it at the start of the pandemic. It helped prevent dire economic outcomes at a time when the outlook was bleak and highly uncertain, and there was limited scope for further cuts to the cash rate. The TFF contributed to materially lower lending rates for households and businesses by reducing funding costs directly for banks, and indirectly for other institutions that borrow from wholesale funding markets. It kept credit flowing to households and businesses at a time when banks might have otherwise curtailed lending. In helping to prevent a much more severe economic downturn, the TFF also contributed to stronger public sector balance sheets than otherwise.

Would the RBA use a term-lending tool again in the future? The Board would consider such a tool in extreme circumstances when the cash rate target had been lowered to the full extent possible. But it would do so only after consideration of a wide range of scenarios and the associated risks, and with a broader range of operational options than were available at the time of the pandemic.

What’s next?

In line with recommendations from the Review of the RBA, we will be publishing a framework for additional monetary policy tools next year. The broader set of lessons learned from the combined use of a range of unconventional monetary policies will be considered as part of that framework.

MIL OSI News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “Nature is the national wealth service”: Natural England Chair calls for new approach in major report
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper says benefits provided by nature make it vital to national prosperity
The River Lune on a sunny day

Natural England’s State of Natural Capital Report highlights vital link between nature and our health, wealth and security

Report points the way for decision makers to ensure nature and economic growth can work hand-in-hand

A new approach is needed if we are to save nature that is the stark warning to be issued today (Wednesday 9 October) by the Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper, as he launches a major new report on the state of our natural world.

The State of Natural Capital Report, published by Natural England, will provide a unique insight into the vital role that healthy nature plays in underpinning our economic health.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of our ecosystem assets, such as wetlands and forests, and the important role they play in sustaining us and the risks to society and the economy if the status quo is maintained.

The report makes clear the significant place nature has on the balance sheet with changes being felt in the economy now due to nature depletion, and the consequences already being seen in the reduction in access to nature. For example, pollination represents around £500 million of benefits in the agricultural industry with a decline in insect life threatening food supply. Elsewhere, the degradation of soils globally is causing carbon emissions to rise – equivalent to 36% of the annual global carbon emissions from fossil fuels – while more frequent extreme weather events are causing significant economic damage.

The report comes alongside a new risk register, which investigates the threats nature faces, and how they could impact on a range of policy areas, such as the push for net zero, climate adaptation, food security, water security and health, and setting out the actions that need to be taken to address these risks to nature and the benefits it provides.

Speaking at an event to launch the report, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, will say:

“Nature isn’t different from growth – it’s at the heart of it, you cannot grow the economy if we don’t grow nature. According to recent estimates the current value of the UK’s natural wealth was just over £1.5 trillion.

“Nature is our national wealth service: our natural assets provide a steady stream of essential goods and benefits on which our economy and our population rely.

“It gives us life’s essentials of fresh water, air and food, it provides places to relax, resources to build with and mitigation of our impact on the planet.”

On the state of nature and the case for change, Tony will go onto to say:

“If we look after Nature, Nature will look after us; but the truth is we haven’t been. Nature is in critical decline. Ninety percent of the UK’s wetlands have been lost in the modern era and over 97% of lowland semi-natural grasslands in the last century, taking with them countless birds, butterflies and bumblebees. Nature is being wiped off the face of our supposedly green and pleasant land, but we continue to act is of we are oblivious to the warning signs from a planet that is struggling badly.

“For years now we have taken more from Nature than it can supply sustainably. We are in effect running down our assets as we strip away nature’s ability to provide clean water and carbon storage by degrading soils, which increases water pollution and sends harmful emissions into the atmosphere, affecting human health and adding to consumer bills – be it your weekly shop or household bills.

“It’s time we treasured this national wealth service as much as we do the National Health Service. We must move beyond just seeing the health of our economy and our country in terms of pure GDP, we have to incorporate the health of our natural capital and its ability to sustain our economy into our understanding of the condition of our nation.”

On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:

“Nature provides huge social benefits. Green spaces provide £25.6 billion of ‘welfare value’ every year and a range of studies have found that the presence of green spaces, including parks and trees, improves mental health and can lead to a reduction in crime in urban areas.

“However around 1 in 5 people do not live within 15 minutes of a green space, and they tend to be from more deprived communities. This link between green space, social inequalities and differences in health outcomes remains strong and persistent. This has to change, we to have think differently.”

On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:

“What I hope people will understand from this report is that Nature isn’t some rather quaint, distant notion to be inevitably trampled by progress – or to occasionally hold it up. Nature is a dynamic, vigorous, multi-layered force that can provide so many of our essential needs today and into the future, if we take this opportunity to understand it better and treat it with respect.”

“Nature recovery is a long-term investment. This report will offer an important resource for policymakers by making the invisible visible and providing the missing evidence needed, and guide the action needed to achieve sustainable use of our natural assets.“

The State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024 will be published at 10am on Wednesday 9 October. The report is being launched at an event in The Wellcome Collection in London.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024: Risks to nature and why it matters can be found here from 10am on Wednesday 9th October 2024: https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6683489974616064

The report is being launched at an event in The Wellcome Collection in London, starting at 10 am, which will feature speeches from Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain and Chair Tony Juniper. Registration for the livestream is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1010300675517?aff=oddtdtcreator

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 9 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Everybody wants this – what makes a great TV kiss?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology

Netflix/IMDB

There is a lot of talk about the hot onscreen chemistry between actors Kristin Bell and Adam Brody in the hit new Netflix series, Nobody Wants This. Based loosely on series creator Erin Foster’s own romance with husband Simon Tikhman, the irreverent romcom follows a sex podcasters’ whirlwind love affair with a rabbi.

Notably, the sensual first kiss between the couple on a Los Angeles sidewalk one evening two episodes in has tongues wagging. But this is not the first case of opposites attract on TV nor, arguably, the steamiest small-screen smooch.

The onscreen kiss has a long and storied history. Many viewers form strong connections with characters they enjoy and consider them friends – called parasocial relationships – more so when story lines lean towards love.

Seeing caresses on screen can trigger the same neurons that fire when we lock lips in real life, making certain scenes very memorable and oh-so-marketable. Here are some of the best and the ingredients that make them great.

From friends to lovers

What fan of Friends could forget the classic first kiss when Rachel watches an old prom video and finally realises the depth of Ross’ feelings for her? Or when Jim on The Office (US) confesses his unrequited love for Pam, leading to an impassioned embrace? Both are preceded by a long, slow burn that heightens anticipation.

More than colleagues then.

Other kisses are more technically or narratively ambitious. Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow and Ygritte (real-life married couple Kit Harington and Rose Leslie) share a sizzling embrace in the geothermal springs of Grjótagjá, an Icelandic lava cave –although the actual location is only used in the establishing shots.

‘You know nothing Jon Snow.’

On New Girl, Jess and Nick share an unpredicted pash at the end of an episode called Cooler. Jess (Zooey Deschanel) has been left out of her male housemates’ night of carousing because Nick believes she ruins his chances of scoring. It turns out he has a willing kissing partner closer to home.

A sudden New Girl make-out sesh.

Challenging the script

Unexpected televisual trysts confront cultural scripts about romance. They can challenge viewer expectations about sex and relationships more generally. As such, some kisses have longstanding impact.

Take for example Star Trek’s interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura in 1968, for which actor Nichelle Nichols recalled receiving an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

‘I’m not afraid. I am not … afraid.’

Dawson’s Creek characters Jake and Ethan were celebrated for being the first men to kiss on prime-time American television in 2000 (two women had already kissed on L.A. Law in 1991).

Australian television set the standard for gay men and women kissing in the 1970s and, more recently, Franky and Bridget found a lusty forbidden bond in the prison drama Wentworth.

‘You’ve got tickets on yourself.’

Future connections

How we might connect in the future have also been a part of televisual treatments of intimacy.

In Black Mirror’s San Junipero the creators explore the possibility of elderly bodies inhabiting their younger sexual selves via simulated reality. And then there’s the time The Doctor saved Rose’s life by absorbing a power vortex in her body via his lips in The Parting of the Ways episode of Doctor Who.

‘I think you need a doctor.’

Extreme close up

From the lighting and framing to the perfect music, there is a lot that goes into a kissing scene. All this can add up to a moment that prompts audiences to think about highlights from their own kissing histories – or their desired futures.

Typically screen kisses last longer than in real life, and research suggests some audience expectations of their own sex lives are unrealistically influenced by what they see on TV. In other words, if you’re expecting the same intensity or duration as Joanne and Noah on Nobody Wants This on your next first date, you should probably modify your expectations.

Today, filming kisses can be challenging and consent is an important part of the production process both onscreen and off. The role of an intimacy coordinator behind the scenes is still relatively new (and we don’t know if this Netflix production had one). But it’s clear when watching the hyped Nobody Wants This scene that both characters are willing kissers.

There apparently wasn’t much detailed planning involved, other than an objective to capture the “best kiss ever”. Their job well done adds to a pantheon of pashes that will be remembered (and replayed) fondly.

Phoebe Hart 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. Everybody wants this – what makes a great TV kiss? – https://theconversation.com/everybody-wants-this-what-makes-a-great-tv-kiss-240792

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Afghan National Arrested for Plotting an Election Day Terrorist Attack in the Name of ISIS

Source: US State of Vermont

Note: View the unsealed criminal complaint here.

The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

According to a criminal complaint filed today, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS and obtained firearms and ammunition to conduct a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS. As part of the plot, the defendant allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle members of his family overseas, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and commit a terrorist attack in the United States.

“As charged, the Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”

“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism is still the FBI’s number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.”

“Thanks to the relentless efforts of the FBI, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in my office, the alleged plan to commit an attack on Election Day was disrupted and Mr. Tawhedi was arrested,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Fighting terrorism remains the top priority of the Justice Department. We will continue to pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who plot to commit acts of terrorism against our country and our people.”

According to the criminal complaint, as part of the investigation into Tawhedi, the FBI searched Tawhedi’s phone and obtained communications between Tawhedi and a person who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination of persons who expressed interest in terrorist activity and who Tawhedi understood to be affiliated with ISIS. Tawhedi was also seen in a video recorded on July 20 reading to two children text that describes the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife. Tawhedi also allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda on his iCloud and Google account, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and contributed to a charity which fronts for and funnels money to ISIS.

The complaint alleges that while liquidating their family’s assets prior to the attack, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, who is a juvenile, advertised the sale of the family’s personal property on Facebook. At the FBI’s direction, a confidential human source responded to inquire if a computer was still for sale. The FBI source noted that he needed the computer for a new gun business he was starting, which ultimately led Tawhedi and the juvenile to meet with the source and other FBI assets at a rural location to test firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition from the source.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 7, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with the FBI assets at a rural location in the Western District of Oklahoma and purchased, received, and took possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition. Upon receipt of the rifles and ammunition, Tawhedi and the juvenile were arrested.

In his seized communications, Tawhedi allegedly indicated that his attack was planned for Election Day, and in a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed the attack was planned for Election Day targeting large gatherings of people, during which he and the juvenile were expected to die as martyrs.

Tawhedi was charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, if convicted.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Moore, Oklahoma Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry, Matt Dillon, and Mark Stoneman for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorneys George C. Kraehe and Everett McMillian of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Cramer Lead Bicameral Amicus Brief to Overturn FHWA’s Unlawful Emissions Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, led 28 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The focus of the brief is a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule.
The brief argues that Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The brief also argues the rulemaking is not consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back Executive Branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda.
“Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.”
“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” the members continued.
In addition to Ranking Member Capito and Senator Cramer, the amicus brief is cosigned by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Ind.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-Mo.-6), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-Ark.-1), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
Full text of the amicus brief is available here.
BACKGROUND:
In April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The measure was co-sponsored by Ranking Member Capito and sponsored by Senator Cramer.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Statement on Arrest of Individual Plotting Terrorist Attack in United States

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

October 8, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after it was reported that an individual was arrested in Oklahoma for plotting a terrorist attack:
“The charges brought against Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi in Oklahoma for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on U.S. soil is a stark reminder that our nation continues to face threats from those who hate our freedom and want to do us harm. I’m grateful to the FBI, especially the Oklahoma FBI Field Office, and our local law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and dedication to protect our communities. Their swift action prevented what could have been a devastating attack.
“Tawhedi is Afghan refugee with ties to ISIS. With the escalating conflict in Israel and across the Middle East, we must remain vigilant against terrorism here at home. Oklahomans know well that many of the Afghan refugees in our communities fought side by side with American troops against the terrorism that attacked our nation on 9/11 and destroyed the nation of Afghanistan.
“I have been in direct contact with the FBI about this case for a while and I will remain engaged as Tawhedi is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I will continue to work closely with Federal prosecutors to ensure we are taking every step necessary to keep Americans safe.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Building companies feel they must sacrifice quality for profits, but it doesn’t have to be this way
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerry London, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Torrens University Australia

The Australian construction industry has long been facing a crisis of serious defects in apartment buildings. In the past, alarming incidents such as the Sydney Opal Tower evacuation and the Melbourne Lacrosse fire signalled systemic problems in construction.

The same problem persists today. One recent report shows serious defects in apartment buildings in New South Wales have more than doubled between 2021 and 2023.

As the Albanese government fast-tracks its five-year plan to build 1.2 million dwellings, this number will likely worsen.

We’ve researched the pressures the construction industry feels and how that can result in unsafe apartments, and what can be done to make housing like this better for everyone.

Why are we in this situation?

Serious defects endanger lives, cost building and insurance firms millions of dollars, and put pressure on regulators. Typical responses involve increased regulation, but the lack of change in apartment quality shows increased regulation is not enough. Behavioural and cultural changes are needed.

We found the poor quality of apartment buildings is often the result of deeply entrenched patterns of unprofessional behaviour across the industry. These often arise as professionals face pressures to cut costs in an industry notorious for its low profit margin.

We also found this pressure is exacerbated by aggressive competition, work overload, exploitation and a toxic culture.

As pressures mount, professionals’ decision-making becomes increasingly fraught. For example, many professionals we interviewed largely believe they must choose between profit and quality.

There are no simple answers to this age-old conundrum. However, our study shows a way forward.

What did we find?

Our three-year study funded by the Australian Research Council is the first in Australia to extensively investigate 12 building professions struggling to navigate and resolve this perceived dilemma.

Teams from four Australian universities conducted desktop reviews, analysed professional codes of conduct, interviewed 53 professionals and conducted six focus group discussions. After two years of analysis and model development, we published our industry technical report and presented our findings to practitioners in NSW and Queensland.

We have empirical evidence that shows profitability and quality do not have to be mutually exclusive. We have uncovered powerful, innovative but ad hoc strategies showing businesses can reconcile both.

One builder we profiled, a multinational company and a market leader in apartment construction, took a pioneering approach to this dilemma.

For many years, the company’s strategy was to build as quickly and cheaply as possible to save money. However, these savings were ultimately lost because they found they had “[…] made some money at the time, but we basically spent it all fixing things that we didn’t build that well”.

The company re-examined its business model and developed a new strategy that reconciled profitability, quality and professional behaviours.

The company analysed where the majority of their defects arose from and there were five key areas including:
- balcony waterproofing
- shower construction and waterproofing
- fire wall installations
- penetrations through fire walls
- brick masonry construction.
They then built prototypes of high quality construction for each of these typical building elements. They found their prototypes addressed defects while also integrating different technical standards.

The company then informed their clients, subcontractors and suppliers that “this is how we will build from now on”. Over time, it became apparent their strategy supported skills training while also improving long-term financial sustainability.

These prototypes are now showcased at a centre in NSW. Subcontractors, architects, engineers, designers, professional associations and other supply-chain actors regularly visit.

The company now conducts training for quality based on these prototypes and reports that since the establishment of this strategy, defects have been reduced by 85%.

Our empirical evidence shows these strategies drive quality and long-term financial sustainability.

Safer homes nationwide

This strategy does not have to be limited to a few large companies.

In our report, we provide a plan to ensure safer, more financially sustainable building practices can be rolled out across the industry. It relies on collaboration across sectors.

Best-practice companies in each state, like the one in NSW, would come under a national umbrella. Commonwealth and state governments would initiate the effort by identifying the best examples in different states. Together, they could focus on design, construction quality and on innovative materials, standards and ways to build safely and cost-effectively.

Having best-practice example companies would help weed out apartment defects.
Shutterstock

With positive role models to follow, other companies can improve. This would instil a mindset and culture of leadership, accountability and responsibility across the sector. More coherent standards would be embedded across the industry would ensure workers at all levels are no longer siloed.

Education and training organisations would progressively incorporate these new standards. Over time, the workforce would rebuild knowledge and skills that are perceived to have largely disappeared.

It’s important to ensure clients help drive this too. By mandating or incentivising companies with safer supply chains, there’s a commercial imperative to do better.

Professional associations also have a role to play. They can support these efforts further by creating resources and advocating for best practice.

Making apartments safer requires a shift in the thinking of the entire construction industry. There are inventive ways to align quality with profitability. We must challenge the assumption that they are always irreconcilable.

Kerry London received funding from Australian Research Council. ARC Linkage Project “Constructing Building Integrity: Raising Standards for Professionalism” (LP 190101218).

Barbara Bok received funding from Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project “Construction Building Integrity: Raising Standards through professionalism” (LP190101218)

Zelinna Pablo received funding from the Australian Research Council under the ARC Linkage Project “Constructing Building Integrity: Raising Standards for Professionalism” (LP 190101218).

– ref. Building companies feel they must sacrifice quality for profits, but it doesn’t have to be this way – https://theconversation.com/building-companies-feel-they-must-sacrifice-quality-for-profits-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be-this-way-239821
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work

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

Getty Images

New Zealand is confronting a perfect storm.

Its energy grid faces three pressing challenges at once: an unreliable electricity supply, strict emissions reduction targets and ongoing environmental issues related to wastewater ponds.

As the country prepares to meet growing energy demands, the variability of wind, solar and hydroelectric power has made year-round electricity generation hard to ensure.

Compounding the issue are New Zealand’s emissions targets and avoidable emissions from wastewater treatment plants.

We need immediate, practical solutions. One lies hidden within our wastewater systems.

Three challenges, one solution

In the search for viable renewable energy sources, one option is to install floating solar panels on wastewater ponds. However, the initial costs and environmental concerns related to manufacturing and disposal may pose temporary challenges.

A more immediate and cost-effective solution is already available: biogas membrane covers.

These covers generate continuous energy at half the cost of solar while addressing environmental concerns such as methane emissions and algal growth.

Even greater efficiency and environmental benefits are possible through combining biogas covers with heat systems and floating solar panels. Together, these three technologies suggest a multi-pronged solution that could help stabilise the grid, meet emissions targets and improve wastewater management.

Biogas from wasterwater

Methane emissions from wastewater ponds are a major environmental concern, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas footprint. By installing biogas membrane covers, this methane can be captured before it escapes into the atmosphere, and instead be used to generate electricity.

This creates a year-round, consistent energy supply – something traditional renewables such as wind, solar and hydro cannot always guarantee.

From a cost perspective, biogas systems are about 50% cheaper to install than solar power per kilowatt of energy produced. Also, because these systems produce energy continuously, they are ten times more cost-effective than solar panels, which suffer from intermittency issues.

But beyond energy production, these covers offer other environmental benefits. They limit harmful emissions and curb ongoing complaints about unpleasant odours in neighbourhoods near wastewater treatment plants.

Excessive algal growth is a recurring problem for wastewater treatment plants.
Getty Images

Repurposing excess heat

While biogas systems have enormous potential, they do have one significant drawback. The heat generated during methane combustion can cause wastewater ponds to overheat, leading to operational challenges such as excessive algal growth.

This is where cogeneration or combined heat and power systems come into play.

These systems capture the excess heat from biogas combustion and convert it into additional electricity. This not only improves energy efficiency but also regulates the temperature of the wastewater ponds, helping to reduce algal growth and evaporation.

The third part of an integrated solution involves solar panels which can be installed on top of the biogas covers. While these are more expensive to install initially, they collectively contribute valuable gains. When installed on the surface of wastewater ponds, the panels generate additional renewable energy without taking up valuable land space.

Floating solar panels can also help manage the ponds themselves. By reducing sunlight penetration, they help limit the growth of algae.

Wastewater ponds as energy hubs

The beauty of an integrated approach is that it addresses several problems simultaneously.

By rethinking wastewater ponds as renewable energy hubs, New Zealand can turn an existing problem into a key part of the solution.

Biogas membrane covers provide immediate energy and emissions benefits. Combined heat and power systems boost efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity. And floating solar panels maximise renewable output while improving wastewater management.

Independently, these systems have been successful overseas. In Melbourne, methane from wastewater ponds is captured and converted into renewable energy, powering thousands of homes. Meanwhile, in parts of the United States, floating solar panels are increasingly being used to boost energy production while managing water systems.

The success of these projects provides a blueprint for New Zealand. By combining these technologies into cohesive systems, New Zealand could demonstrate how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities.

The future of renewable energy will require continued exploration and integration of emerging technologies, such as tandem solar cells capable of producing 60% more energy. These could be integrated into biogas membrane covers.

For now, though, an integration of biogas, heat and floating solar panels represents a significant step forward for New Zealand. It could generate enough power to supply about 27% of households with renewable energy from wastewater ponds, offering immediate relief from the electricity crisis while supporting emissions reduction targets.

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. The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work – https://theconversation.com/the-renewable-energy-hidden-in-our-wastewater-ponds-heres-how-it-could-work-240300

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Republicans once championed immigration in the US. Why has the party’s rhetoric – and public opinion – changed so dramatically?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Prudence Flowers, Senior Lecturer in US History, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Flinders University

It might seem surprising today in the era of Donald Trump, but Republicans in the United States once championed immigration and supported pathways to citizenship for undocumented Americans.

In January 1989, Ronald Reagan’s final speech as president was an impassioned ode to the immigrants who made America “a nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas”.

Contrast this with Trump, who has normalised dehumanising rhetoric and policies against immigrants. In this year’s presidential campaign, for instance, he has referred to undocumented immigrants as “animals” who are “poisoning the blood of our country”.

Both Trump and his vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, also repeated a false story about Haitian “illegal aliens” eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.

Perhaps most troubling, Trump has pledged to launch “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country”, if he’s elected.

Immigration policies throughout history

Nativism, or anti-immigrant sentiment, has a long history in American politics.

In 1924, a highly restrictive immigration quota system based on racial and national origins was introduced. This law envisaged America as a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant nation.

However, there was no restriction on immigrants from the Western Hemisphere. The agricultural and railroad sectors relied heavily on workers from Mexico.

In 1965, the quota system was replaced by visa preference categories for family and employment-based migrants, along with refugee and asylum slots.

Then, as violence and economic instability spread across Central America in the 1970s, there was a surge in undocumented immigration to the US.

Scholar Leo Chavez argues that in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an alarmist “Latino threat narrative” became the dominant motif in media discussions of immigration.

This narrative was frequently driven by Republican politicians in states on the US-Mexico border, who derived electoral advantage from amplifying voter anxieties.

The growing popularity of this negative discourse coincided with a significant increase in income inequality – a byproduct of neo-liberal policies championed by Reagan and other Republicans.

Read more:
Before Trump, there was a long history of race-baiting, fear-mongering and building walls on the US-Mexico border

A dramatic shift in Republican rhetoric

In the early-to-mid 20th century, Democrats were often the party that supported restrictive immigration and border policies.

However, most Republicans at the national level – strongly supported by business – tended to endorse policies that encouraged the easy flow of workers across the border and increased levels of legal immigration.

Prominent conservative Republicans also rejected vilifying rhetoric towards undocumented Americans. They presented all immigrants as pursuing opportunities for their families, a framing that emphasised a shared vision of the American dream. In this telling, their labour contributed to the economy and America’s growth and prosperity.

George H. W. Bush And Ronald Reagan debate immigration in a Republican primary debate in 1980.

Reagan, the most influential conservative of the late 20th century, opposed erecting a border wall and supported amnesty over deportation.

Reagan also strongly supported bipartisan immigration reform. In 1986, Congress passed an immigration act that increased border security funding, but also ensured 2.7 million undocumented immigrants, primarily of Latino background, were able to gain legal status.

Twenty years later, President George W. Bush and Republican Senator John McCain lobbied for a bipartisan bill that would have tightened border enforcement while simultaneously “legalising” an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. It was narrowly defeated.

This vocal support for immigrants by leading Republicans was striking because for much of the period between the late 1980s and the early 2000s, a majority of Americans actually wanted immigration levels reduced.

Then, around 2009, a dramatic shift in political rhetoric took place. The Tea Party movement brought border security and “racial resentment” towards immigrants centre stage, challenging conservative Republicans from the populist right.

As a result, more and more Republicans began to voice restrictionist and xenophobic rhetoric and support legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.

What’s surprising, though, is the number of undocumented immigrants in the US was actually declining at this time, from 12.2 million in 2007 to 10.7 million in 2016.

Donald Trump and the new nativism

In this worsening anti-immigrant climate, Trump descended a golden escalator in mid-2015 to launch his presidential campaign.

In his speech that day, immigration was front and centre. Trump vowed to “build a great wall” and accused Mexico of sending “rapists” and “criminals” to America.

His speeches during the presidential campaign were marked by frequent anti-Mexican assertions and calls for Islamophobic visa policies. This hostile stance on immigration was central to his victory in both the Republican primaries and the general election against Hillary Clinton.

Once in office, Trump then adopted a “zero tolerance” stance towards undocumented immigration. His administration pursued a heartrending family separation policy that split children and their undocumented parents at the border. This approach was celebrated on conservative media outlets such as Fox News.

During his presidency, he also reduced legal immigration by almost half, drastically cut America’s refugee intake, and introduced bans on people from Muslim-majority countries.

Policy expert David Bier concluded the goal of Republican lawmakers had shifted:

It really looks like the entire debate about illegality is not the main issue anymore for Republicans in both chambers of Congress. The main goal seems to be to reduce the number of foreigners in the United States to the greatest extent possible.

Indeed, Trump’s vision of the nation had overtly racial overtones.

In one 2018 meeting, he asked why America should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador or the African continent. His preference was for Norwegian migrants.

Immigration as a major election theme

From 2021–2023, undocumented US-Mexico border crossings surged due to natural disasters, economic downturns and violence in many Latin American and Caribbean nations. Many of the recent arrivals are asylum seekers.

Though the numbers have fallen sharply in 2024, immigration and the border are still one of the top issues for voters across the political spectrum. The issue is particularly important in the key swing state of Arizona.

In 2024, Trump’s central immigration promise was encapsulated by the beaming delegates waving signs calling for “Mass Deportations Now” at the Republican National Convention.

The Trump-Vance ticket has blamed undocumented immigrants for almost every economic and social problem imaginable. The two candidates present them as a dangerous and subversive “other” that cannot be assimilated into mainstream American culture.

Yet Trump, as both president and candidate, has worked to prevent the passage of border security legislation. Turmoil on the border benefits him.

And his nativism now encompasses all forms of immigration – he has pledged to curb legal channels for people to enter the country, as well.

All of this rhetoric has had a dramatic impact on public opinion. Between 2016 and 2024, the number of people supporting the deportation of undocumented immigrants jumped from 32% to 47%.

In July 2024, 55% of Americans also said they wanted to see immigration levels decrease, a 14-point increase in one year.

Many Americans do not perceive immigration as a source of vitality and renewal as they had in the past. Instead, reflecting Trump’s language, they are viewing immigrants as an existential threat to the country’s future.

Prudence Flowers 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. Republicans once championed immigration in the US. Why has the party’s rhetoric – and public opinion – changed so dramatically? – https://theconversation.com/republicans-once-championed-immigration-in-the-us-why-has-the-partys-rhetoric-and-public-opinion-changed-so-dramatically-239836

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch Join Effort to Protect Idaho Transportation Department from Federal Overreach

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined a bicameral group of colleagues in filing an amicus brief requesting an Appeals Court uphold a District Court decision vacating a rule that would require local entities to regulate greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from cars and trucks.

In November 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure GHG emissions on the highway system and set declining targets. The rule would hamstring the Idaho Transportation Department with costly and burdensome requirements that would divert limited funds for needed infrastructure improvements across the state to costly and expensive compliance measures by the federal government.

Crapo and Risch joined a bipartisan Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the rule. The resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 53 to 47 in April, reiterating Congress’s opposition to FHWA’s overreach

Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden Administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration.

The brief, led by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), argues Congress debated and rejected granting FHWA the authority to issue GHG performance measure rules and the FHWA then intentionally misconstrued Congressional intent to justify its improper exercise of authority. It also argues the rulemaking is not consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back Executive Branch overreach, and FHWA is bypassing principles of federalism to further its own policy agenda.

“Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.”

“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” continued the members.

Additional cosigners of the amicus brief include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Dan Sullivan (R-Arkansas), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-Missouri), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

Click here for the amicus brief.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Reportage: BNZ cuts variable home loan rates by 0.50% following drop in OCR, customers to benefit from tomorrow

Source: BNZ statements

BNZ is making changes to its variable home loan rates, passing on the full OCR cut of 0.50%.

BNZ General Manager Home Lending Products James Leydon says today’s decision by the Reserve Bank to cut to the official cash rate and BNZ’s subsequent interest rate reduction will be welcome news for many New Zealand households.

“We are continually assessing our interest rates and looking for opportunities to pass on rate reductions to our customers. Customers will benefit from our latest variable rate change which is effective from tomorrow.

“BNZ will continue to move quickly in response to changes in external factors, including the Official Cash Rate and wholesale interest rates, to ensure we’re passing rate changes on to our customers as quickly possible,” says Leydon.

BNZ’s new variable home loan rates are effective from 10 October 2024
Previous rate: 8.44% p.a. New rate: 7.94% p.a.

All home loans are subject to our lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply.

The post BNZ cuts variable home loan rates by 0.50% following drop in OCR, customers to benefit from tomorrow appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

MIL OSI Analysis –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Banking and Finance – ASB lowers rates following OCR decrease

Source: ASB

ASB is dropping interest rates across personal, business and rural lending following today’s decision by the RBNZ to decrease the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.50%. The move comes hours after ASB lowered its fixed mortgage rates across several popular terms.

ASB’s variable home loan rate will fall by 50 basis points from 8.39% to 7.89%, while the Orbit rate drops from 8.49% to 7.99%. ASB’s Business and Rural Floating Base Rate is moving from 6.69% to 6.19%.

ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “We’re pleased to be announcing substantial cuts to our floating home loans, as well as our business and rural rates, in response to the OCR decrease. The various rate reductions we’ve announced today will impact more than 120,000 customers and we hope this will take some pressure off our customers. We do expect this downward OCR trend to continue into 2025 which will provide further relief.”

The OCR decrease is also being passed on to some of ASB’s savings rates. Savings On Call will move from 2.65% to 2.15% while ASB’s youth account, Headstart will shift from 4.75% to 4.15%.

Home Loan*	Current Rates	New Rates	Rate Change
Housing Variable	8.39%	7.89%	– 0.50%
Orbit	8.49%	7.99%	– 0.50%
Back My Build	5.94%	5.44%	– 0.50%

Note – Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers.

*These changes are effective from 17 October 2024 for new customers, and 24 October 2024 for current customers.

Business Loan*	Current Rates	New Rates	Rate Change
Business and Rural Floating Base Rate	6.69%	6.19%	– 0.50%
Business Base Rate	13.52%	13.02%	– 0.50%
Rural Base Rate	10.76%	10.26%	– 0.50%
Corporate Indicator Rate	7.93%	7.43%	– 0.50%
Special Purpose Rate	6.50%	6.00%	-0.50%

* These changes are effective from 17 October 2024 for both new and existing customers.

Savings	Band	Current Rates	New Rates	Rate Change
Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund	All Balances	2.65%	2.15%	– 0.50%
Savings Plus	No Bonus	2.30%	1.70%	– 0.60%
	Partial Bonus	2.40%	1.80%	– 0.60%
	Full Bonus	4.75%	4.15%	– 0.60%
Headstart	All Balances	4.75%	4.15%	– 0.60%

*These changes are effective from 24 October 2024 for new and existing customers

ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website (ref. https://www.asb.co.nz/home-loans-mortgages/preparing-for-rising-interest-rates.html ) as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub: https://www.asb.co.nz/banking-with-asb/financial-wellbeing.html

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Brighter days ahead for Kiwis

Source: New Zealand Government

Today’s cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.75 per cent is welcome news for families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“Lower interest rates will provide much-needed relief for households and businesses, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and increasing the opportunities for businesses to invest and innovate.

“New Zealanders have been doing it tough over the last few years with the economy in recession, high interest rates and sharply rising prices.

“That is changing as inflation falls towards the target level, interest rates come down and businesses have the confidence to invest and hire again.

“Last week’s ANZ Business Outlook showed that businesses are feeling more positive and looking to invest in the future which is good news for all Kiwis. The Mood of the Boardroom echoed this, showing that confidence in the economy has reached its highest level since 2016.

“It’s early days and there is still more work to do, but our careful and deliberate plan to rebuild the economy is working. Like businesses, we are confident that brighter days are ahead,” Nicola Willis says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: ‘Hidden Cottage’ keeps heart of Chinese culture beating in Taipei

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

As dusk falls, a small sign lights up at the entrance of a narrow front yard in Taipei’s old town, where passersby usually pause to make out the ink-brushed calligraphy reading “Yin Lu” — or “Hidden Cottage”.

Calligrapher Chen Jun-guang gives a lesson to students at Yin Lu in Taipei last month. FU SHUANGQI/XINHUA

Xin Yi-yun’s lecture there on Chinese philosophy starts promptly at 7 pm every Thursday. The small hall, which seats about 30 people, is usually full, with mostly older attendees and a few younger ones scattered among them.

Since 2011, this philosophy course has come a long way, covering various schools from Taoism to Confucianism and the lesser-known School of Naturalists. Its location was moved to the humble apartment from the grand Taipei Zhongshan Hall, a heritage site where a ceremony to accept Japan’s surrender after World War II was held in 1945.

“A person’s basic understanding and awareness of their own culture is incredibly important, especially in today’s world, where East and West collide,” said Xin, a disciple of renowned historian and philosopher Qian Mu, when speaking about why he has been teaching Chinese classics for so many years outside campus.

Many of the attendees came to the class to resolve the fundamental question: “Who am I?”

“I’m not just here to take a philosophy class or acquire knowledge. I’m seeking an answer to a deeper life question,” said Liang Zheng-yi who is in his early forties. He was once a student of Xin at the Taipei University of the Arts and now regularly attends the classes at Yin Lu.

“I began reflecting on this in college. As a musician, the techniques and materials I learned were from the West. So how can the things I create represent me? If we’re talking about using Western methods with a Chinese foundation, then what is that ‘Chinese foundation’?” he said.

At 33, Li Yi-peng found solace from internal conflicts through the class. Growing up with parents who had worked in the United States, he said he was influenced by the notion that “Chinese culture is outdated, and the West is better; you should listen to American pop music and watch American and European movies.”

“I didn’t want to be a person who felt disappointed in his own culture,” he said. Learning from the wisdom of his ancestors helped him realize that “our cultural tradition is amazing. It addresses daily life issues practically, unites a nation’s core spirit, and even answers the question of happiness.”

Apart from Xin’s philosophy course, calligrapher Chen Jun-guang also teaches at Yin Lu. Compared with Xin’s course, the students in Chen’s class range more widely in age, from a fifth-grader to a university student and a grandfather.

“Calligraphy class is like a door. Once you step through it, you encounter many other aspects of traditional culture,” said Xie Yu-juan, an architect in Taipei.

In 2019, she and her classmates embarked on a “calligraphy journey” to the mainland, where they learned the traditional techniques of how to make paper, ink stones, ink, and brushes.

Chen, who lives in Pingtung in southern Taiwan, lamented that enthusiasm for learning calligraphy has greatly waned since his youth.

“In the past, the calligraphy club in a middle school would have more than 100 members; now, only a handful,” he said.

Nonetheless, he believes that being a uniquely Chinese art form, calligraphy is deeply embedded in the cultural genes, waiting for the right conditions to sprout.

The owner of Yin Lu, Lin Gu-fang, once chaired the Taipei Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of the Taipei Zhongshan Hall.

Under his leadership, the busy cultural hub became a landmark for promoting traditional Chinese culture and fostering cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

Since Lin’s departure in the autumn of 2020, Taipei Zhongshan Hall has remained an active cultural space, hosting performances and lectures on ballet, folk songs, and modern dance.

Compared to the spacious rooms of Taipei Zhongshan Hall, Yin Lu feels cramped. Its limited space and location in a quiet residential community, have made it difficult to attract new participants.

Both Liang and Li felt that people like themselves, who are captivated by traditional culture, are fewer in Taiwan.

For many, the connection to tradition is either distant or vague, and the current authorities are trying to keep a distance from traditional Chinese culture because of their independence agenda.

“However, when critical life events like birth, aging, sickness, or death occur, people instinctively turn to tradition,” Li said.

“History is vital to the Chinese people. For us, life is a long river; only by having a past can we live firmly in the present and pursue happiness in the future,” said Xin.

“If you forcibly sever ties with the past, you will become a drifting, lonely soul.”

Stepping out of Yin Lu, one can still find similar people like Xin and Chen as well as attendees at their classes.

For example, Sun Rui-jin, the chief musician at the Taipei Confucius Temple for 37 years, has dedicated himself to training successive groups of middle school students to perform ancient music at the memorial services for Confucius. Tea master Tang Wenjing has been committed to recreating the whole tea-making and drinking ritual following what was recorded in the book The Classic of Tea by Tang scholar Lu Yu in the eighth century.

“There are three meanings behind naming this space ‘hidden cottage’,” said Lin. “First, it refers to the traditional saying that the great hermit hides in the city. Second, it reflects the ancient wisdom that when the ‘Way’ does not prevail in the world, one should retreat.”

The third meaning comes from Lin’s unique observation of Taiwan society. He believes there is a “visible Taiwan” and a “hidden Taiwan”.

The visible side, which people see in the media, online, and in politics, is noisy and chaotic. In contrast, the hidden side is made up of those quietly holding on to their own cause.

“In the past, the visible and hidden sides of Taiwan coexisted in balance. Now, the hidden side is indeed gradually diminishing,” Lin remarked. “Although Yin Lu is small, it represents a small glimmer of hope.”

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: NDRC brings forward investment plans

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

China will bring forward part of the investment plans originally set for 2025 to this year while studying to expand the scope that local government special bonds can be used, as part of the country’s stepped-up efforts to spur investment and achieve steady economic growth, officials said on Tuesday.

Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the top economic regulator plans to allocate the investment plans for next year’s central government budget of 100 billion yuan ($14.2 billion) and another 100 billion yuan for key investment projects by the end of this year in advance.

Zheng said at a news conference on Tuesday that the NDRC is looking more closely at how to enlarge the support provided by local government special bonds. This includes broadening the area, scale and proportion of special bond funds used as project capital, with specific reform measures to be launched as soon as possible.

Special bonds will be used to vitalize idle land to stabilize the property market, Zheng said, adding that the country will continue to issue ultra-long special sovereign bonds next year and support local governments in carrying out debt swaps to defuse debt risks.

“In response to the downward pressure on the economy, we will strengthen the counter-cyclical adjustments of macro policies and continue to exert greater force in all areas,” Zheng said.

The latest policy announcement to spur investment comes after China released a set of measures to ease monetary policy and shore up the housing market amid renewed economic downward pressures, with the growth of industrial output, retail sales and fixed-asset investment slowed in August.

Liu Sushe, deputy head of the NDRC, said the commission plans to issue investment plans and projects for the 200 billion yuan at the end of this month, which can translate into physical work volume within this year.

Meanwhile, Liu said the measures mulled to improve the management of local government special bonds are expected to give local governments more autonomy in the review process and help special bonds play a bigger role in investment.

Special bonds are invested in specific projects that can generate a stable income to pay off the debt.

In the first three quarters, local governments issued 2.83 trillion yuan of this year’s special bond quota used for project construction worth 3.12 trillion yuan, official data showed.

Liu said the commission will urge local governments to issue the remaining 290 billion yuan in special bonds allocated for this year by the end of October and ensure that the construction of related projects begins as soon as possible.

Wei Qijia, director of the industrial economy research office at the State Information Center’s Department of Economic Forecasting, which is part of the NDRC, told China Daily that the policy focus in terms of special bonds lies in making full use of bond proceeds to maximize their effect in boosting the economy.

“Meanwhile, bringing forward the 200 billion yuan in investment has reflected policymakers’ emphasis on making decisive actions and lifting policy efficiency,” Wei said, adding that another policy focus to watch will be the measures to facilitate local government debt swaps, a task critical for maintaining high-quality development and securing financial stability.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: What is special consideration for exams? How does it work?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Colton, Program Director: Secondary Programs and Senior Lecturer: English and Literacy Education, University of South Australia

Arrowsmith2/Shutterstock

Many Year 12 students are preparing for final exams throughout October and November.

What happens if something unexpected happens that makes final preparations or performance on the day more difficult?

This is where special consideration or special provisions can help.

How might you be eligible?

Students who experience something unexpected during the exam period may be eligible for special consideration. This can minimise the impact on a student’s overall marks.

To be eligible, incidents must be beyond the student’s control. For example, a serious illness, an accident, a family crisis or an interruption during the exam. It does not include family holidays, a teacher being away or mixing up exam dates.

A student suffering a flare up of pain and fatigue because of glandular fever is likely to be eligible as long as they have a medical diagnosis and recent documentation such as a letter from their GP. Other unexpected illnesses might include gastro, flu or COVID.

Unexpected mishaps or misadventure such as your home being flooded or a sporting accident that puts you into hospital can prevent you from participating in your exam. In cases like these you will need to provide evidence.

A death of a close relative can also mean a student is considered eligible for special arrangements. Other family crises may also be included depending on the circumstances and how they affect you. It’s best to consult with your school to find out if you might be eligible.

Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses can also apply for special consideration. This is something that must be organised earlier in the year through your school and helps teachers make adjustments that enable students to participate equitably.

There are also a range of entry processes for university and other post-school training and education pathways. Check with the institution you are interested in for more information.

If you get the flu or COVID during your exams, make sure you get documentation from your GP.
JJ-stockstudio/Shutterstock

What do you need to do to apply?

The process of applying for special consideration for exams differs slightly depending which state or territory you live in. However, the same principles apply:
- you will need documentary evidence – such as letters from your doctor, police reports, statutory declarations or a death certificate
- it must be clear how the unexpected situation impacts your performance, such as being too sick to study or too unwell to attend the exam.
Your school will then manage the process on your behalf and where relevant, submit the application to the local exam board.

Make sure you let your school know as soon as possible if you think something has happened that will have an impact on your exams.

What happens next?

Special consideration aims to ensure a student’s final result is an accurate reflection of their expected achievement. Depending on what has happened, and when it happened, a student may be able to have:
- additional reading or writing time
- do their exam in another room
- extensions to due dates
- rest breaks, or
- time to attend to medical needs without loss of test or exam time.
If a student can’t do their exam or their participation was significantly impaired, a moderated school result or predicted mark will be used. This is a result based on performance during the year.

This might happen in situations where a whole class is affected. For example, a fire alarm went off half way through an exam.

Unexpected things happen to all of us at some stage in our lives. If something goes wrong in your life around exam time, talk to your school and gather your documentation. And be informed about how you can be supported to be graded fairly.

For more state-specific information, you can go to your state’s exam board:
- South Australia and Northern Territory (SACE)
- Queensland (QCAA)
- New South Wales (HSC)
- Tasmania (TASC)
- Western Australia (WACE)
- Victoria (VCE)
- Australian Capital Territory (BSSS).
Jill Colton 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. What is special consideration for exams? How does it work? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-special-consideration-for-exams-how-does-it-work-240441
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: October 2024: Commission News | President’s message

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

Dear friends,

The Australian Human Rights Commission is a vital national institution which has been promoting justice and human rights for Australians for close to forty years. It is an honour to write to you as the Commission’s new President.

The Commission has a proud track record of bringing about positive nationwide change through its many inquiries, from the 1997 Bringing Them Home inquiry into the Stolen Generations to the more recent Respect@Work inquiry into sexual harassment.

Perhaps less well known is the Commission’s critical daily work delivering access to justice. Through its accessible information and conciliation services, each year the Commission helps thousands of people across Australia to access information about their rights and seek remedies for unlawful discrimination and human rights breaches.

Where conciliation takes place, on average around two thirds of complaints are resolved by agreement, avoiding the need for often costly and stressful court proceedings. Many conciliation outcomes are systemic, contributing to the broader social change objectives of anti-discrimination laws.

The Commission also delivers important human rights education, training around 7,000 people last year. The Commission contributes its expertise through submissions and other publications to help ensure that laws, policies and practices promote human rights.

Human rights are the blueprint for a decent, dignified life for all. When human rights are respected, our lives are better and our communities are stronger, healthier, safer and more prosperous.

Australia played an important role in establishing the United Nations and the international human rights framework. We helped to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the pinnacles of human achievement

As a prosperous, stable democracy, Australia can and should be leading the world on human rights. We must do better on a range of issues; including our treatment of First Nations people, people with disability, and refugees and people seeking asylum. We need to address rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. We need to ensure that everyone can access decent education, housing and healthcare. We need to address the growing human rights threats posed by climate change and new technologies.

There are many opportunities to better protect the rights of all. The Commission, under Professor Croucher’s leadership, made significant progress in advancing the case for a Human Rights Act and modernised, comprehensive and effective national anti-discrimination laws. The Commission’s landmark Free and Equal Report highlights the inadequacy of existing protections and provides a roadmap for reform.

Across the country, support for a national Human Rights Act is strong. A Human Rights Act will protect the rights of all Australians, promote better understanding of rights, and give people the power to take action if their rights are breached. It will help ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. I look forward to working in my new role with the Australian Government to make a Human Rights Act a reality.

Hugh de Kretser

MIL OSI News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Orr’s multi-billion dollar mea culpa

Source: ACT Party

This afternoon, the Reserve Bank made another cut to the Official Cash Rate, from 5.25% down to 4.75%. ACT Leader David Seymour responds:

“Today’s rate cut is great news. Lower interest rates mean real relief for Kiwis with mortgages, also relieving pressure on rents, and freeing up spending cash to quench thirsty local businesses.

“However, on the Reserve Bank’s part, a 50 basis-point cut is a multi-billion dollar mea culpa, and the latest twist of a nauseating three-year fiscal and monetary roller coaster.

“Today’s cut bookends a series of excesses. The too-easy money of COVID times spiked house prices and inflation. Then, interest rates shot up, house prices crashed back down. Today, Kiwis are finally getting off a three-year fiscal and monetary rollercoaster, feeling nauseous for their troubles.

“Kiwis have done the responsible thing. Interest rates were also driven up by Labour’s COVID spending blowout. Households responded by making spending sacrifices – and changing the Government.

“Our efforts are paying off. Together, our prudent spending has seen inflation ease back and given the Reserve Bank room to cut interest rates. If we stay the course, we should expect further relief in the coming months.

“However, interest rates are still painfully high compared with pre-COVID times. ACT is determined to speed the path back to lower rates, lower living costs, and real economic growth.

“We must build on our progress in cutting the waste and red tape from Wellington. That is how we honour the efforts of households working to secure a prosperous future for themselves.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: ‘China Travel’ boom showcases appeal, openness

Source: China State Council Information Office

Pan Fenglan (C) talks with German tourists at her homestay at Dazhai Village of Longsheng County, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday said the “China Travel” boom showcases China’s appeal and openness.

According to data released by multiple tourism platforms, during the National Day holiday, the number of travel orders by foreign tourists to China grew by around 60 percent year-on-year, and many Chinese cities have become popular destinations. Also, relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently rolled out facilitation measures for foreign travelers to China.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing that China now enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 24 countries, offers visa-free entry policy for 16 countries, and extends 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 54 countries.

“It’s increasingly easier and more enjoyable for foreign tourists to visit China,” Mao said, adding that Beijing unveiled the brochure titled “Welcome to Beijing: Essential Tips for New Arrivals,” which offers a bird’s-eye view of all kinds of services and information. Shanghai equipped its taxis and subway stations with payment devices that accept foreign bankcards. Eight cities including Chengdu and Xi’an launched new steps on a pilot basis to make payment easier for foreigners in China, she added.

“China will open wider to the world and make cross-border travel easier. We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, enjoy the beautiful landscape and experience the charm of the country,” said Mao.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 7 people killed in Israeli attack targeting Syrian residential neighborhood

Source: China State Council Information Office

Rescuers transfer a child injured in an Israeli attack in the residential neighborhood of Mazzeh, west of Damascus, Syria, on Oct. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

An Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in the densely populated Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus on Tuesday night, killing seven civilians, including women and children, and injuring 11 others, according to a statement by the Syrian Defense Ministry.

The attack, which occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. local time (1715 GMT), involved three missiles launched from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, said the statement.

It added that the strike caused significant damage to the surrounding area with rescue efforts still underway.

A Xinhua reporter at the scene heard the sound of explosions, accompanied by billowing clouds of smoke and the wailing of ambulances.

The airstrike struck a 14-floor building in the Sheikh Sa’ad area, a residential and commercial hub in the heart of Mazzeh.

Three floors in the building were completely damaged, as the three missiles hit each of them. Rescue workers were still searching for survivors and casualties.

In response to the incident, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation, calling the attack a “brutal crime” and a “grave violation” of international law.

“This brutal crime against unarmed civilians is a continuation of the genocide committed by this occupying entity against Palestinians and Lebanese,” said the Syrian Foreign Ministry in a statement, emphasizing the need for immediate international measures to prevent Israel from continuing its “pattern of criminal behavior.”

It is the first instance of the Sheikh Sa’ad area being directly targeted by an Israeli attack.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: National Day holiday consumption displays China’s economic vitality, potential

Source: China State Council Information Office

Tourists taste food at the Qianmen pedestrian street in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China’s just-concluded National Day holiday ignited a surge in consumer activity, fueled by a dynamic blend of travel demand and targeted incentives, highlighting the strong economic vitality of the world’s second largest economy.

Over the seven-day holiday ending on Monday, more than 2 billion cross-regional trips were made nationwide, according to the Ministry of Transport, representing a 4.1-percent average daily increase compared to 2023.

The surge in travel not only boosted tourism-related industries but also stimulated consumer spending across various sectors — highlighting the resilience of China’s domestic market during and beyond the holiday period.

Local governments and businesses responded to the travel rush with innovative initiatives, such as consumer vouchers and home appliance trade-in programs, aimed at tapping into the holiday spirit and bolstering consumption.

Tourism boom with inbound surge

The holiday unleashed a travel frenzy. During the holiday period, a remarkable 765 million domestic trips were made, marking a 5.9 percent year-on-year increase, with total tourist spending surging 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.11 billion U.S. dollars).

The travel boom was fueled by a growing demand for diverse tourism experiences, with domestic bookings of travel packages, including flights, hotels and dining, jumping by 40 percent, according to Fliggy, a popular travel platform.

Data from Trip.com, another leading travel platform, showed that outbound travel orders had surpassed 2019 level, driven by trips to popular destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.

Notably, inbound tourism exceeded outbound travel, with inbound orders skyrocketing by 60 percent year on year during the holiday, as more foreign tourists flocked to China, drawn by its unique blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks and vibrant modern attractions.

The China Tourism Academy predicts that foreign arrivals in the second half of 2024 will exceed 15 million, with the inbound tourism market expected to return to 2019 level, marking the start of a new growth cycle.

Cultural tourism flourished during the holiday, seeing activities like museum visits, exhibitions and immersive experiences becoming major highlights. Beijing, for instance, hosted over 900 cultural events, an 11-percent increase compared with last year.

Fueled by the blockbuster video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi has recently seen a phenomenal travel boom, as this province is home to many of the stunning locations featured in the game.

Analysts expect that as more travelers engage with diverse cultures, the vibrant growth of China’s economy and the richness of its cultural heritage will be fully showcased.

Spending boost with policy support

The holiday also sparked a wave of consumer activity, with government-backed incentives playing a key role in heating up the market.

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

Encouraged by the trade-in policy and automaker discounts, the holiday period saw new car sales increase by 11.7 percent — with new energy vehicle sales surging 45.8 percent year on year.

During the holiday, JD.com, a leading online retailer, reported an increase of 67 percent in home appliance sales compared with 2023, while home appliance retailer, Suning, saw trade-in orders rising by 132 percent year on year.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, in the first three days of the holiday, 1.04 million consumers purchased 1.55 million home appliances under the trade-in program, contributing to sales of 7.36 billion yuan.

Powered by the travel and tourism surge, the dining sector across China sizzled with energy. Data from Meituan, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms for services, showed that from Oct.1 to 5, daily average dine-in consumption rose 33.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Audiences packed cinemas, with a total of 2.1 billion yuan in box office takings recorded during the holiday.

Local governments rolled out policy measures to spur consumption. Shanghai, for instance, injected 5 billion yuan into vouchers for dining, entertainment and shopping, while cities including Chongqing hosted a variety of promotions to spark consumption.

“The robust holiday consumption highlights China’s vast market, and its strong economic resilience and great potential,” said Xu Guangjian, a professor at the Renmin University of China.

The accelerated integration of culture, sports and tourism, along with evolving business models, is creating new opportunities for sustained growth, further consolidating the role of consumption as a key driver of the economy, Xu noted.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Turnover hits record high on China’s stock markets

Source: China State Council Information Office

This photo taken on Oct. 8, 2024 shows the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The combined turnover of China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses reached 3.45 trillion yuan (about 487.92 billion U.S. dollars) on Tuesday, surpassing the 2.59 trillion-yuan turnover recorded on Sept. 30 and hitting a new high.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went up 4.59 percent to close at 3,489.78 points, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 9.17 percent higher at 11,495.1 points.

Over 5,000 stocks ended higher, with the server-operating-system and semiconductor sectors leading the gains.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China’s Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 17.25 percent to close at 2,550.28 points.

The market sentiment rose strongly on the Chinese government’s announcement of a mix of policy measures including monetary stimulus and property market support policies to galvanize the economy’s rebound.

On Sept. 24, the People’s Bank of China announced a cut in the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points for financial institutions. On Sept. 29, it announced a reduction in the mortgage rates for first homes, second homes and more by no lower than 30 basis points below the loan prime rate by the end of this month.

On the same day, China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development also vowed support to stabilize the real estate market, by encouraging municipal governments, especially those in the first-tier cities, to leverage their decision-making powers to regulate the real estate market, and adjust policies restricting housing purchases based on local conditions.

China is confident of achieving the full-year growth target, while mulling new supporting policies to sustain the steady and healthy economic growth, the country’s top economic planner told a press conference Tuesday.

More efforts will be made to bolster the capital market, by vigorously guiding medium and long-term funds into the capital market, promoting mergers and acquisitions among listed companies, as well as mulling over and introducing measures to protect small and medium-sized investors, said Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government keeping the National Broadband Network in public hands
Source: Australian Ministers 1

The Albanese Government is introducing legislation today to keep the National Broadband Network (NBN) owned by the Australian people – ensuring fast, reliable and affordable internet now and into the future for all Australians.

Our Government committed at the election to deliver accessible internet for all, and today we continue to take that forward.

High speed broadband is essential to modern life – it allows Australians to work remotely, run their businesses more productively, video-conference with clients and colleagues, supply and receive telehealth services – while enjoying leisure with their families through streaming.

The Coalition rushed to declare the NBN ‘complete’ so they could put it on the block for sale – selling out Australian consumers and regional communities.

The Albanese Government won’t let that happen. This legislation will ensure the NBN is owned by who it belongs to – the Australian people.

This is in addition to what we have already done:
1. Invested $2.4 billion to expand full fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 rural and regional communities;
2. From September next year, boosting download speeds by up to 5 times current speeds. A household or small business with a 100 Mbps plan in 2024 will benefit from 500 Mbps connectivity in 2025;
3. Rolling out more fibre in the fixed line network, upgrading the fixed-wireless network and planning for future needs.
These upgrades are already making a real difference in the lives of Australians through faster more reliable internet access.

Keeping the NBN in public hands will lock in affordable and accessible high speed internet for all Australians for generations to come.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“All Australians deserve high quality and affordable services no matter their postcode. That includes access to the NBN.

“Keeping the NBN in public hands means high speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country.

“Upgrades to the NBN are also a key part of our plan for a Future Made in Australia, but achieving this vision won’t happen without a reliable, high-speed National Broadband Network.

“The Coalition made a mess of the NBN – my Government is getting on with the job of fixing it and making sure it stays in public hands, where it belongs.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher:

“The NBN is critical national infrastructure, and we know that having a faster, higher quality NBN network has a huge impact on Australia’s economy – delivering a $400 billion uplift in GDP by 2030.

“Economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co shows that for every one megabit per second increase in average broadband speed, Australia’s productivity-driven GDP increased on average by 0.04 per cent.

“The Albanese Government is delivering a better NBN for Australians, investing $2.4 billion in the October 2022-23 Budget to expand fibre access to 1.5 million premises by 2025.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland:

“It is only a Labor Government that will ensure the NBN remains in public hands.

“Communities across Australia have told us that the job of upgrading the NBN is not complete, which is why we’re investing in more fibre and fixed wireless upgrades.

“Australians don’t trust the Coalition not to flog off the NBN just like they did with Telstra, resulting in higher prices and poorer services, especially in the regions.

“This Bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers.

“The Government is delivering on our election commitments to provide fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians, and only by keeping the NBN in the ownership of the Australian people will that vision continue to be delivered.”

MIL OSI News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Question time response – National Broadband Network

Source: Australian Ministers 1

Question – Federal Member for Chishlom, Dr Carina Garland

How will keeping the National Broadband Network from public ownership deliver productivity, connectivity and cost-of-living benefits for Australians?

Answer – Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP

I thank the Member for her question. Labor founded the National Broadband Network to provide fast and reliable and affordable wideband to all Australians and we are delivering on that vision for a world-class network. Only by keeping the NBN in public ownership, can that vision continue to be delivered.

Mr Speaker, the NBN is critical infrastructure that reaches over 12 million premises across Australia. More than 8.6 million homes are currently connected to the NBN. On Government ownership of the NBN, it will help keep wholesale broadband prices more affordable for consumers than if the company was in private ownership. The Albanese Government is investing $2.4 billion over four years to give more households and businesses full-fibre access.

More than 70,000 km of new fibre has been rolled out. And, over 2300 fixed wireless towers have been upgraded. Mr Speaker, for the first time, this work is progressing on time and on budget. Fibre speeds can deliver speeds 18 times faster than the average connection and is less likely to drop out.

From next year, Mr Speaker, the NBN will be boosting download speeds by up to five times current speeds at no extra wholesale cost. Mr Speaker. The productivity and efficiency gains are significant. Research commissioned by NBN shows that Australians save more than 100 hours and $2580 per year in avoided travel time and costs in working from home and undertaking tasks online.

And, Mr Speaker, we know that the Coalition wants to sell the NBN just like they sold Telstra. Just like they sold Telstra. In fact, the former Minister declared in 2020, that the NBN was built and fully operational. Mission accomplished, he declared. Despite the fact that there were still millions of Australians on a fixed-line footprint, stranded on deteriorating Coalition copper. They took the first step in the NBN sale process.

This was the legacy of the ill-fated copper experiment that blew out the cost of the NBN from $29 billion to $41 billion and then $49 billion and then $57 billion and we know that the Liberals have fallen, selling off assets and leaving ordinary Australians with higher prices and poorer services and The Nationals two weeks to stand up to them.

MIL OSI News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: How we partnered with local communities to halve skin sores among Aboriginal children in remote WA

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asha Bowen, Team Lead, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention, Telethon Kids Institute

Aboriginal children living in remote communities have the highest rate of skin sores, or impetigo, in the world. Almost one in two have skin sores at any one time.

Skin sores are a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that may be itchy and painful, but often go unnoticed by children. Parents are more likely to be concerned about the pus and thick crust that develops.

Scabies, another skin infection, also disproportionately affects children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia (as many as one in three).

In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Aboriginal children are 34 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to be admitted to hospital with skin infections in their first year of life. Untreated, these skin infections can lead to other health issues including sepsis, rheumatic fever and kidney disease.

With this in mind, we’ve been working for the past five years with nine communities in the Kimberley region on a comprehensive skin health program. Each of the communities has a remote health-care clinic staffed by a mix of nurses, Aboriginal health workers and doctors.

Today, we’ve published two new studies outlining the progress we’ve made to reduce skin infections in children in these communities. Since we started the program, rates of skin sores have halved from around four in ten children to around two in ten.

The SToP program

We partnered with Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and schools in the Kimberley region and co-designed a program called SToP. It stands for “See, Treat and Prevent”.

Our initial focus was going to be on diagnosing and treating skin sores and scabies. However, community members highlighted the need to incorporate a strong focus on prevention and health promotion too.

The SToP model included training health-care workers in the remote health clinics, community members and school staff to recognise skin infections. The health-care workers were also trained to provide the latest evidence-based treatment for patients with skin sores and scabies.

The prevention activities included recording a hip-hop video with children, developing eight unique healthy skin books in local languages, and yarning with community members. They consistently highlighted the importance of investing in environmental health, including housing maintenance to support healthy living.

Local children recorded a hip-hop video to promote healthy skin.

As part of the SToP program, and to track its results, more than 770 children aged zero to 15 years received regular skin checks over four years from 2019 to 2022. We visited each of the nine communities up to three times each year and completed more than 3,000 skin checks.

One limitation of our research is that the trial was completed during COVID. Regional travel bans forced it to pause for several months in 2020.

The primary aim was to reduce the burden of skin sores by half in school-aged children. We also tracked impetigo and scabies burden in younger children up to age four, and overall clinic presentations for skin infections.

Our results, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health today, confirm skin sores decreased in school-aged children in the first year and improvements were sustained throughout the trial.

Across all communities, skin sores reduced from four in ten children at the start of the study to two in ten children by the end. Most of this reduction occurred in 2019 when skin checks started.

Scabies also declined, but was found in less than one in ten children throughout the study.

The skin checks were the most important and likely most effective part of the study. Community members want these to continue for all age groups, to extend beyond just the children involved in the study.

Presentations to the remote health clinics for skin infections in each community increased during the trial and stayed high. This suggests the community involvement and focus on healthy skin was reaching all age groups.

Despite training and resource development, uptake of the recommended treatments at the clinic was low.

We predicted at the start of the study that using treatment as prevention, supported by training on the latest evidence-based treatments available, would be the most effective strategy. This turned out to not occur at all. High turnover of clinic staff and longstanding treatment preferences may be the reason.

A holistic approach

While our research has been published today, the results were first presented to community members in 2023. More than 85 community members were able to share their interpretation of the SToP results with us. They strengthened the story we’ve been able to tell in our published papers.

The second paper, in eClinical Medicine, provides a comprehensive, multi-methods evaluation of the trial. Through this process, community members and service providers helped our research team understand the trial results and the critical factors for success.

Future studies should continue to partner with local Aboriginal communities and enable community voices to inform all aspects of the research.

The SToP trial brought together Western medical approaches with community voices to better inform skin disease control where the burden of skin sores and scabies was high. The results have been positive.

We hope there will be future opportunities to implement activities like this in more Indigenous communities across Australia. As a starting point, a variety of SToP resources are available to access. The healthy skin books have been shared with other communities to translate into local contexts and languages.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and always visible. Improvements in skin health can prevent other, more serious health consequences, while also contributing to overall wellbeing.

Asha Bowen receives funding from National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Healthy.

Hannah M.M. Thomas, Lorraine Anderson, and Rachel Burgess 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. How we partnered with local communities to halve skin sores among Aboriginal children in remote WA – https://theconversation.com/how-we-partnered-with-local-communities-to-halve-skin-sores-among-aboriginal-children-in-remote-wa-240663

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Property owner fined over $230,000 for persistently not complying with removal orders

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Property owner fined over $230,000 for persistently not complying with removal orders
Property owner fined over $230,000 for persistently not complying with removal orders
*************************************************************************************

A property owner who persistently failed to comply with two removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) was convicted and fined over $230,000 in September 2024 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts. Both removal orders involved unauthorised building works (UBWs) at a three-storey house on Yu Chui Street, Tai Lam, Tuen Mun. The first removal order included illegal site formation works for constructing an unauthorised platform of about 122 square metres on a slope adjoining an approved garden, erection of a floor slab over a void adjacent to an approved dining room, removing parts of external walls and constructing unauthorised structures to extend the floors at different levels of the building with a total floor area of about 57 sq m. The second removal order included an unauthorised canopy at a ground floor entrance. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), two removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the first removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD six times, was fined over $350,000 in total and was given a four-month imprisonment sentence suspended for two years upon convictions by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the seventh time. The owner also did not comply with the second removal order and he was prosecuted at the same time. The owner was convicted at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on December 2, 2022, and the court adjourned the hearing and ordered the owner to report on the status of the removal of the UBWs before handing down a sentence. On the adjourned hearing date of September 27, 2024, the owner reported to the court that the UBWs under the second removal order had been removed and a contractor had been appointed to follow up on the remaining UBWs removal work under the first removal order. Eventually the owner was fined by the court $239,100 in total, of which $113,100 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued. A spokesman for the BD today (October 9) said, “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. The owners concerned must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement actions and consider instigating prosecution against the owners again if they persist in not complying with the orders, so as to ensure building safety.” Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Ends/Wednesday, October 9, 2024Issued at HKT 11:00

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China confident to achieve full-year growth target

Source: China State Council Information Office

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows a container vessel berthing at the smart zero-carbon terminal of Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is confident to maintain steady and healthy economic growth and achieve the full-year growth target, the country’s top economic planner said Tuesday.

The market sentiment has improved recently with a pick-up of the purchasing managers’ index in the manufacturing sector, a warming stock market and a vital consumption market during the National Day holiday following the implementation of existing policies and the additional policies unveiled recently, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told a press conference.

The fundamentals of China’s economic development have not changed, and favorable conditions such as huge market potential and strong economic resilience have not changed, said Zheng.

China’s financial authorities announced a broader-than-expected policy package last month to stimulate economic recovery. These policy measures include reducing the reserve requirement ratio for banks and mortgage rates for existing homes, as well as introducing new monetary programs to boost the capital market, among other initiatives.

The recently unveiled package of additional policies was designed to strengthen counter-cyclical macro policy adjustment, expand effective domestic demand, increase efforts to help enterprises, stabilize the real estate market and boost the capital market, Zheng said.

The Chinese economy was able to maintain overall stable growth, with progress made in the first three quarters, said Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the NDRC, in the press conference.

With the effect of additional policies gradually emerging, China’s economic vitality will be further unleashed, market confidence will be further strengthened, and the foundation for the high-quality development and stable economic operation will be further consolidated, said Zhao.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: A-share market set to further buoy confidence

Source: China State Council Information Office

Following the A-share market’s recent robust recovery buoyed by a number of stronger-than-expected stimulative policies, increasingly confident investors are attaching more attention to the stock market, whose upward momentum can be further consolidated by more supportive measures and the ongoing optimization of China’s economic growth, said industry experts.

Preparations were made during the National Day holiday, which ended on Monday. The Shanghai Stock Exchange announced on Sunday that it will add an extra five minutes, from 9:25 to 9:30 on each trading day, for designated transactions. The new policy will take effect on Tuesday, the first trading day after the holiday.

As explained by industry experts, a designated transaction is a step that an investor must take between opening a new stock account and commencing trading on the SSE.The latest adjustment at the SSE has been made to address the surging number of newly registered retail investors over the past few days and to facilitate trading efficiency once the market resumes, they said.

The market’s upbeat sentiment can be felt at securities brokerages. Leading brokerages provided round-the-clock online account opening and consulting services during the recent holiday. Sinolink Securities said the account opening appointments they received during the holiday jumped 150 percent from a month earlier. Minsheng Securities said the number of daily requests for opening stock accounts over the past seven days was four times the amount before the holiday.

To meet such surging demand, the securities account platform and identification information checking system at China Securities Depository and Clearing Co resumed operation on Sunday and Monday.

Investor confidence has been supported by the A-share market’s recent strong rebound. Ever since the batch of incremental policies was introduced on Sept 24, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 20 percent by the end of September, with the Shenzhen Component Index up 29 percent. The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges hit a new single-day record of 2.6 trillion yuan ($370 billion) on Sept 30.

Laura Wang, chief China equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, said on Oct 3 that Chinese equities will gain another 10 to 15 percent on average if a new round of fiscal expenditure measures can be released in the following weeks.

At a news conference scheduled for Tuesday, officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic regulator, will explain their measures to better implement the range of supportive policies released in late September, in order to further advance economic growth and optimize China’s economic structure.

Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said the 140-trillion-yuan Chinese household savings will provide more capital for the A-share market after the National Day holiday, providing more upward impetus for the indexes.

The increase in the Hong Kong stock market has already overtaken that of the A-share market as the latter took more days off for the holiday, said experts at Shenwan Hongyuan Securities. Therefore, a continued rally can be expected from the A-share market in the short run to narrow the price gap with Hong Kong, they added.

Dai Kang, managing director of the development research center at GF Securities, said private equity investment funds have increased their exposure to the A-share market, which has just seen the strongest rebound in months. Chinese policymakers have smartly used the time window of interest rate cuts made by the US Federal Reserve to introduce stronger-than-expected supportive measures, he said.

Goldman Sachs upgraded its call on Chinese stocks to overweight, saying that recent stimulus measures have bolstered confidence, and Chinese equities’ valuations are below historical averages while their earnings could further improve.

Qiu Xiang, joint chief strategist at CITIC Securities, said that the current A-share market rally is mainly supported by reversed market expectations, as a result of the innovative monetary policies and a relaxed grip on the property market announced in late September. A further market recovery can be expected, with companies showing improving earnings and those benefiting from a recovery in domestic demand offering more opportunities to investors, he added.

Analysts from Huafu Securities also warned investors of the possibility of adjustments and fluctuations in the A-share market after it experienced a drastic increase. But the recent bull run is far from its end. The overall rise will last longer, they said.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Home sales up in holiday period

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

This file photo shows a renovated residential building in a community in Yanta District of Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Home sales and inquiries by potential buyers rose considerably in benchmark cities including Beijing and Shanghai during the just-concluded National Day holiday, thanks to a number of optimization measures rolled out by the central government and first-tier cities, industry experts said on Tuesday.

This is playing a positive role in digesting the housing policies and shoring up market sentiment, they added.

After announcing policies to free up restrictions on home purchases ahead of the weeklong holiday, China’s top-tier cities saw a market recovery during the holiday period, despite it being a conventional low season for home transactions, the experts said.

Some 59,000 square meters of new home space were traded across Shanghai in the first six days of October, doubling from that of last year’s 29,000 sq m, said Lu Wenxi, a market analyst with Centaline Shanghai.

In the pre-owned homes market, 2,133 units of existing residential properties changed hands during the weeklong holiday, more than twice the 1,064 units registered during the same period last year, Lu said.

According to Lu, the market recovery followed a batch of favorable local policies effective on the first day of October, such as the lowering of a threshold for non-local buyers, reduction in down payments for both first-time and second home purchases, and expanding VAT exemptions during home trading.

“There is an evident warm-up in market confidence as we see some 20 percent rise in business inquiries and visits,” said Ye Yongxiang, an agent with Sinyi Realty in Shanghai’s Xuhui district.

Ye said it has been an extremely busy holiday season for himself as well as his colleagues, a sharp contrast from the same period during the past two years.

“Being in the business for nearly a decade, I can really feel the vibes of the market on the rise,” Ye said.

Beijing saw new home transaction volumes surge 730 percent during the first six days of the month from the same period last year, and its existing home market also experienced a gradual growth since the latter half of the holiday, with trade volumes rising 58 percent compared to last year, according to a report on the official website of Beijing Youth Daily.

Guangzhou, the capital of South China’s Guangdong province, saw more than 3,000 units of new homes traded at real estate brokerage platform Beike as of 2 pm Monday, more than tripling from that of last year, the local Guangzhou Daily reported.

The rising market demand could be seen in a broader scale in the secondary home market of major cities.

As many as 384 units of pre-owned homes were sold daily in six key cities, soaring 117.6 percent year-on-year, according to Linping Real Estate Data Research Institute.

“The market confidence index has been on an upward trend three weeks in a row, according to the weekly data collected in 50 cities, indicating that the supportive measures introduced one after another have boosted market confidence,” said Wang Xiaoqiang, chief analyst at the institute.

“The encouraging messages delivered by both local and central governments will certainly help stabilize the property market and improve market confidence,” Wang added.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025

Category: housing

What was the TFF intended to do?

How did it work?

Did the TFF achieve its aims?

How much did the TFF cost?

Some lessons for the future

Degree of support for the economy versus flexibility

Indirect effects

Open lines of communication between the RBA, other government agencies and industry

Importance of contingency planning, risk mangement and governance

Summing up

What’s next?

Speaking at an event to launch the report, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, will say:

On the state of nature and the case for change, Tony will go onto to say:

On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:

On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:

Notes to editors

Share this page

Updates to this page

From friends to lovers

Challenging the script

Future connections

Extreme close up

Why are we in this situation?

What did we find?

Safer homes nationwide

Three challenges, one solution

Biogas from wasterwater

Repurposing excess heat

Wastewater ponds as energy hubs

Immigration policies throughout history

A dramatic shift in Republican rhetoric

Donald Trump and the new nativism

Immigration as a major election theme

How might you be eligible?

What do you need to do to apply?

What happens next?

The SToP program

A holistic approach