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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN Calls for Culture-Driven Development at 11th AMCA Meeting in Melaka, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today participated in the 11th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) Meeting held in Melaka, Malaysia. Centred on the theme “Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Unity in Diversity,” Dr. Kao exchanged substantive views with AMCA Ministers, and underlined the pivotal role of culture and the arts as a catalyst to drive social change, and build trust and mutual understanding. Dr. Kao further emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation in creative economy development and cultural heritage preservation in ASEAN which could serve as crucial building blocks for the development of the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN Calls for Culture-Driven Development at 11th AMCA Meeting in Melaka, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹32,000 crore on October 25, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India has announced the sale (re-issue) of Government Securities, as detailed below, through auctions to be held on October 25, 2024.

    As per the extant scheme of underwriting notified on November 14, 2007, the amounts of Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) and the minimum bidding commitment under Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) for the underwriting auction, applicable to each Primary Dealer (PD), are as under:

    (₹ crore)
    Security Notified Amount Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) amount per PD Minimum bidding commitment per PD under ACU auction
    6.79% GS 2034 22,000 524 524
    7.46% GS 2073 10,000 239 239

    The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on October 25, 2024 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System between 09:00 A.M. and 09:30 A.M. on the day of underwriting auction.

    The underwriting commission will be credited to the current account of the respective PDs with RBI on the day of issue of securities.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1362

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Stalking rates in Australia are still shockingly high – one simple strategy might help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Troy McEwan, Professor of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology

    UfaBizPhoto/Shutterstock

    New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals one in seven adult Australians have been stalked in their lifetime: one in five women and one in 15 men.

    While shocking to many, for those of us who work in the field, there is nothing surprising about these figures.

    The ABS has conducted similar surveys roughly every five years since 2005, which reveal basically the same results each time.

    About 3-4% of women and 1-2% of men are victims of stalking every year.

    These rates are consistent with those reported in research from the United Kingdom and United States, with small variations depending on definition.

    Stalking rates have remained stubbornly consistent despite the same ABS survey showing reductions in the rates of intimate partner violence and general violence over the past decade.

    The reasons for this are unclear, though there are obvious differences in the level of government and community investment in countering intimate partner violence versus awareness of and attention to stalking.

    What exactly is stalking?

    Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted behaviour in which one person pushes their way into the life of another where they have no legitimate right to be, causing the target distress and fear.

    The most common methods are unwanted communication (by phone or digital media) and unwanted contacts (such as following someone or loitering nearby).

    Threats of violence and assault occur in at least a quarter of cases.

    Stalking that persists for more than two weeks is more likely to continue and cause significant harm.

    The impact of stalking

    Victims of persistent stalking have described it as “psychological rape”, with the stalker invading every part of their life.

    The cumulative impact of seemingly never-ending intrusions, and their social and financial toll, is probably why stalking victims report high rates of depression, anxiety and traumatic stress disorders.

    Researchers have estimated being stalked for 14 months costs victims approximately $A140,000, including direct costs from lost work and legal expenses and indirect costs of physical and mental harm.

    Who stalks?

    Most stalking is perpetrated by people who are known to the victim, either as an acquaintance or an ex-partner, with strangers responsible for about 20-25% of stalking.

    Stalking usually starts either because the person feels mistreated and stalks to take revenge or right the wrong, or they stalk to start or enact a relationship with the victim that does not exist. In a small number of cases, stalking has a sexual motivation and can sometimes be part of planning or preparation for a sexual assault.

    Regardless of motivation, most stalking is communicative – the stalker wants the victim to know they exist and to feel like they must respond.

    However, responding to a stalker is not advisable as it usually just adds fuel to the emotional fire that drives them.

    Ex-partners account for just under half of all stalking cases and many more women than men are stalked by an ex.

    Stalking in this context is a type of intimate partner violence and it receives by far the most attention and response.

    Research suggests that intimate partner stalking is more often identified as being perpetrated by former rather than current partners.

    Psychological abuse or coercive control during a relationship might be linked to increased potential for stalking after a break-up.

    Physical violence is much more common in cases of ex-partner stalking, with the ABS survey and earlier research finding half of intimate partner stalkers used physical violence.

    Thankfully, most stalking-related violence does not cause severe physical harm and homicide is extremely rare.

    Although prior stalking is common in ex-partner homicides, recent Victorian research showed that of 5,026 intimate partner violence reports to police involving stalking, only nine involved fatal or near fatal violence in the following 12 months.

    This means the presence of stalking is not a useful risk factor for trying to predict intimate partner homicide.

    Strategies against stalking

    Numerous strategies have been identified to prevent and reduce stalking-related harms. Among those tried largely outside Australia:

    The Victorian Law Reform Commission’s 2022 review of stalking laws recommended adoption of several of these strategies, though to date the state government has committed only to revising the stalking law.

    A simple but powerful strategy

    Stalking is a complicated problem and a comprehensive response needs multi-faceted systemic change that will be costly and take much effort and time.

    Currently, there doesn’t seem to be an appetite in Australia for the work required.

    However, there is one relatively straightforward thing the federal, state and territory governments could do right now to help: establish a national stalking helpline that can provide specialist information, advice and advocacy for all victims.

    Such a helpline was established in the UK in 2010 and has supported more than 65,000 people.

    The helpline provides online and telephone advice to potential stalking victims, including basic risk assessment, advocacy and links to local support services. It also provides advice to mental health professionals and others who are supporting stalking victims.

    The helpline serves all people, regardless of their gender or relationship with the stalker. Nearly half (45%) of its clients are stalked by a stranger or acquaintance, not an ex-partner. This highlights the importance of a specialised stalking response separate to existing services for family and intimate partner violence.

    An Australian equivalent would provide immediate support for victims and a focal point for necessary research and evaluation into what works to stop stalking.

    An Australian national stalking helpline would be a practical, relatively inexpensive and immediately helpful strategy that governments could implement to support the hundreds of thousands of Australians who are stalked every year.

    Troy McEwan has received funding from the Australian Research Council and Victoria Police for stalking-related research.

    – ref. Stalking rates in Australia are still shockingly high – one simple strategy might help – https://theconversation.com/stalking-rates-in-australia-are-still-shockingly-high-one-simple-strategy-might-help-241891

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK supports rugby development in Solomon Islands through SOS Kit Aid

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Rugby Solomon Islands received donation of training kits from UK charity SOS Kit Aid through partnership with the British High Commission in Solomon Islands.

    A group photo with the SOS Aid kit donated to SIRUF.

    SOS Kit Aid is a charity organisation that distributes both new and second-hand rugby kits to children all over the world, with the support of World Rugby. It was founded back in 2001, by rugby dad, John Broadfoot, who, whilst during a trip to Romania witnessed a smiling 8-year-old boy running with the ball under one arm, whilst he used the other arm to hold up his shorts. John wanted to do something about this.

    John knew that his sons had several pairs of boots and other kit lying around at home, and so, to test out the potential, he collected kit from ten schools, to see how much was available on a wider scale. The test was an outstanding success and so SOS Kit Aid was born.

    Handing over the kits to the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), High Commissioner His Excellency Thomas Coward said:

    Rugby teaches children values and teamwork. The Solomon Islanders Rugby Union Federation Get into Rugby programme frames this through its approach to Respect, Integrity, Solidarity, Discipline and Fun. Rugby is a great bridge between our two countries and brings us all together.

    Receiving the kits on SIRUF’s behalf was Secretary of the Executive Board, Angikinui Francis Tekatoha who said rugby has a long history and they have been developing the sport in Solomon Islands. He added:

    Our partnership with the British High Commission supports our Get into Rugby programme, Get into Rugby Plus and Rise Rugby. Our most recent rugby development programme is focusing on women, young people and schools so the gifts you are giving us today will be used in those programmes for training. The donation of kit deepens the partnership between the Rugby Federation and the British High Commission.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sale of Pel-Air

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Today the administrators for Rex Airlines have advised the sale of Pel-Air, part of the Rex business, to Helicorp Pty Ltd, part of Toll Aviation. 

    Pel-Air is the contractor supplying ambulance services to Ambulance Victoria and NSW Ambulance, along with specially-modified aircraft for international and domestic aeromedical transfers. 

    This is part of the ongoing administration process and proceeds from the sale will be used by the Rex Group to repay secured debt.

    The Commonwealth continues to work closely with the administrators as Rex’s regional aviation business remains in voluntary administration.

    We have made clear our commitment to support Regional Aviation in Australia and the ongoing viability of key regional services. 

    The Commonwealth continues to guarantee ticket sales throughout the Voluntary Administration and we are pleased that Australians have confidence booking flights as bookings are holding up well.

    I encourage passengers to continue to support Rex’s regional operations.

    My department continues to meet daily with the administrator and we will provide any relevant updates as the voluntary administration period continues.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global Principles for Effective Border Adjustments

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: Global Principles for Effective Border Adjustments

    We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We’d also like to set optional cookies to optimize site functionality and to give you the most relevant experience. We won’t set optional cookies unless you enable them. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.

    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.

    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.

    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya, Uganda cross-border polio vaccination reaches 6.5 million children

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NAIROBI, Kenya, October 24, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Between October 3 and 6, 2024, more than 6.5 million children were vaccinated in a successful synchronized polio campaign between Kenya and Uganda. This cross-border achievement began with a coordinated launch in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda. 

    Both countries have set an exemplary standard in their recent synchronized polio vaccination campaign conducted this week, which focused on high-risk cross-border regions. By conducting these campaigns on the same dates, sharing real-time information, both countries ensured that children under five in these vulnerable areas were reached effectively, reducing the chance of cross-border virus transmission. This joint effort is the result of recent detections in Kenya (with 6 polioviruses in 2024 alone) and Uganda (with 1 virus reported this year through environmental surveillance) and it reflects the broader principle that no child should be left unprotected simply because they live near an international boundary. 

    “Our health workers will vaccinate every child against polio door-to-door. Vaccination has eradicated many diseases in Uganda. We thank all our partners for their support in ensuring a polio-free future. Protect your children from paralysis & vaccinate today”. Said Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health of Uganda.  

    Health authorities have therefore put in place common strategies not only at national levels in Kenya and Uganda, but also regionally, with particular focus on all the 10 districts bordering both countries, covering a total of 772 kilometers. 

    “The virus is spreading fast in the East African region putting our children – particularly aged 5 years or below at the risk of contracting this incurable yet vaccine-preventable disease” – affirmed Dr. Charles Njuguna, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative in Uganda. 

    This entailed putting in place micro plans: mapping the cross-border communities, migratory routes, cross-border entry/exit points, and transit routes for each of the cross-border facilities. 

    “The Current Polio outbreak in Eastern Africa is fueled by heavy movement of high-risk populations between countries. The decision by the Governments of Kenya and Uganda to conduct two synchronized in October 2-6 and November 6-10 is a laudable effort support by the GPEI partnership”. – confirmed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator in Kenya, Charles Korir. 

    The collaborative initiative comes as part of a broader strategy supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other GPEI partners, aiming to close immunization gaps and address the persistent challenge of “zero-dose” children—those who have never been vaccinated. Both Kenya and Uganda have recognized that polio eradication cannot be achieved in isolation, and their united front is a powerful example of how regional cooperation can help achieve public health goals. 

    Polio knows no borders, and neither should the fight to eradicate it. Cross-border communities, especially those living in remote or nomadic areas, are at heightened risk of infection due to their mobility and the porous nature of international boundaries. This is why the coordination of vaccination efforts between neighboring countries is critical to achieving comprehensive immunization coverage, so that the risk of paralysis due to the virus can be avoided.  

    As the world moves closer to eradicating polio, this synchronized approach will be key in ensuring that no pockets of the virus remain in these hard-to-reach areas. Kenya and Uganda’s coordinated actions not only protect their own populations but also contribute to global health security by preventing the virus from spreading beyond their borders. 

    This collaboration serves as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. By continuing to prioritize cross-border vaccination synchronization, Kenya, Uganda, and their health partners are leading the way toward a polio-free future for all. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Enhancing polio detection with advanced sequencing technology

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), October 24, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African region, declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in August 2020, faces an urgent threat: the intense transmission of type 2 variant poliovirus (cVDPV2). This year alone, 290 poliovirus detections have been reported in 23 African countries.

    As countries ramp up vaccination efforts to protect children against the virus, one of the most critical components of the response is early and accurate detection. To enhance the effort, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), together with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) and the Gates Foundation, is focusing on equipping and training laboratories across Africa with an innovative advanced sanger sequencing technology, a crucial method in investigating new regions in the poliovirus genome.

    The poliovirus has a genome that is 7.5 kilobases long (a kilobase, or kb, is a unit of measurement used to describe the length of DNA). This genome has one main part that is used to create four proteins, named VP1 to VP4. The VP1 protein is important for how the virus attaches to cells and has been used to identify and track the spread of poliovirus.

    In 2024, WHO AFRO initiated targeted training on Advanced Sanger Sequencing training aimed at diversifying the diagnostic windows for polioviruses which will eventually reduce turn-around-time of poliovirus detection. These trainings are essential to equip lab personnel with the skills to operate advanced sequencing technologies and provide timely results for public health decision-makers.

    Sequencing allows laboratories to pinpoint genetic changes in poliovirus strains, providing critical data for tracking transmission pathways and understanding viral evolution. The technology offers a level of precision that helps identify mutations in real-time, making it possible to detect emerging threats swiftly. This technique has hitherto been limited to VP1 region of the gene but after this training laboratories will be able to use the entire five prime untranslated region and the remaining VP4/2 of the poliovirus gene.

    “Expanding our sequencing window to the other regions of the poliovirus, alongside the VP1 region, enhanced our ability to classify cases more accurately – bringing us one step closer to polio eradication”, says Irene Turyahabwe, participant from Uganda.

    “Advanced sequencing will not only open different diagnostic windows for efficient and rapid diagnosis but will also provide much needed evidence for the success of specific vaccination campaigns essential for ongoing polio eradication efforts. The data gathered through this technology informs decision-making, ensuring that the right public health interventions are deployed in time to prevent further spread of the virus” says Dr Jude Kfutwah, coordinator of the Regional Polio Laboratory Network at the WHO Regional Office for Africa. 

    South Africa hosted the first round of the training, where laboratory personnel received hands-on experience in Advanced Sanger Sequencing techniques. The training, under the umbrella of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), is part of a broader initiative to ensure that countries have the necessary capacity to detect polioviruses quickly and accurately, without delays that could hinder response efforts.

    Following South Africa’s success, WHO plans to expand the training to key countries across the continent. Algeria, Central African Republic and Madagascar are among the next in line, where national laboratories will benefit from this knowledge transfer. This regional expansion ensures that multiple countries are better prepared to contribute to Africa’s polio eradication journey.

    In addition, WHO is supporting 16 polio laboratories in the African region who are providing environmental surveillance support, testing for poliovirus in stool and wastewater samples to track geographic patterns of spread.

    With laboratories across Africa enhancing their capacity to process samples quickly, there is an added layer of regional cooperation that strengthens the entire surveillance network. This collaborative spirit is vital in eradicating polio once and for all.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Strengthens Cyber Partnership with Singapore

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and Singapore deepen cyber security collaboration, building on their Strategic Partnership.

    MOD Crown Copyright

    The UK recently welcomed Brigadier Edward Chen, Defence Cyber Chief of the Singapore Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), in a visit focused on strengthening the UK-Singapore relationship in the cyber domain. During his visit, the Singaporean Defence Cyber Chief attended the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Cyber Power Workshop and participated in bilateral engagements with key UK stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defence, the National Cyber Security Centre, and industry leaders.  

    This visit took place ahead of the Singapore International Cyber Week, reflecting the UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the cyber domain, as emphasised by Deputy Commander Strategic Command, Lt Gen Tom Copinger-Symes:

    External relationships are vital in this domain which spans national and geographic boundaries. 

    MOD Crown Copyright

    The UK and Singapore are global leaders in cyber and electromagnetic capabilities, working closely with international partners to promote a secure and stable digital environment. This visit built on the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership established last September, highlighting the commitment of both nations to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including cyber and emerging technologies. The partnership with Singapore is crucial to addressing shared cyber challenges and ensuring a resilient digital future.

    MOD Crown Copyright

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why Woolworths workers can’t sleep at night: inside the supermarket giant’s controversial ‘Framework’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Kate Kelly, PhD Candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, RMIT University

    In early 2024, Woolworths introduced a new worker performance management program across warehouses run by the company’s distribution arm, Primary Connect.

    Under the program, known as the Coaching and Productivity Framework or simply “the Framework”, workers say they face potential disciplinary action if they fail to achieve 100% adherence to a speed-related metric known as pick rates. This represents a sharp break from previous approaches in which a pick rate of 100% was a non-enforceable goal, rather than a basic requirement.

    A Primary Connect spokesperson told The Conversation the Framework is more flexible, ensuring “a fair approach to the standards is applied to any personal circumstances or abilities”, with exemptions “for when a team member is unable to perform to standards, including pregnancy, disability or injury”.

    Workers say the new system creates huge stress and leads to unsafe work practices.

    An outline of the Woolworths Coaching and Productivity Framework.
    Woolworths

    ‘Scientific management’

    Although pick rates are common across warehousing, enforcing 100% compliance is highly unusual. In a memo to warehouse staff, Woolworths justified the strict enforcement of pick rates by claiming they are based on “engineered standards”, which are “the times that a trained and competent person should take to complete a set task safely using the ‘agreed method’ for that task”.

    Engineered standards (or engineered labour standards) are also widespread in the warehousing industry. Developed in the early 20th century by US management consultants, engineered standards follow the stopwatch studies and time-and-motion methodologies of Frederick Winslow Taylor, the pioneer of “scientific management”.

    To this day, engineered standards may be developed by “putting the stopwatch” on workers to record and standardise the time taken to perform a particular task. These data sets may be used to develop and justify pick rates.

    Turning workers into data points

    The use of engineered standards integrates workers into Woolworths’ ongoing program of increased automation and surveillance across its business.

    Much like inventory, workers’ bodies also become a data point to be monitored in terms of speed and movement. Engineered standards encode the assumption that human labour can be rationalised in the same way as the activity of a machine.

    Engineered standards promise the ability to control the output of workers at every moment. In practice, the application of engineered standards is often flawed and inaccurate.

    Regardless of accuracy, engineered standards and other algorithmic systems may have other benefits for management, providing a veneer of technological objectivity for decision-making.

    Confusing and inconsistent

    Through research for my PhD and my work with the United Workers Union, I have heard many concerns from workers subjected to the Framework.

    One common concern is that, due to the algorithmic nature of the Framework, the pick rate is opaque. In practice, workers do not know what 100% compliance means, so they do not even know what is expected of them.

    Workers report that rates seem to change and are applied inconsistently across different departments.

    The psychological impact has been significant. Workers have reported lying awake at night and experiencing heightened anxiety of job loss following the introduction of the Framework.

    One worker told me:

    I can’t sleep thinking about what would happen if I lost my job because I didn’t meet the standards a few times and my average wasn’t high enough.

    Another said:

    I frequently go to sleep and dream of picking at work. I find myself thinking of work at home and dreaming of work when I’m sleeping. I’m constantly on edge whenever I see a team leader, thinking I’ve done something wrong.

    And a third:

    I have some personal issues at home with my marriage and I’m laying awake thinking about my pick rate and if I will have a job tomorrow.

    Speed and safety

    Workers have also reported they feel compelled to prioritise speed over safety to meet the pick rate, or risk losing their job. At the same time, failure to work safely can also result in disciplinary action, injury or worse.

    Failure to meet the pick rate may result in a “tap on the shoulder” from management. This may be followed by notification that “coaching” will commence as part of a 12-week performance management program.

    Coaching consists of working under the close supervision of a manager who is tasked with observing the worker’s movements and appraising their speed against a company checklist.

    In the words of another worker:

    They are watching you, following you around with a clipboard, piece of paper and a pen. Writing stuff down behind you. It feels degrading.

    Monitoring ‘gap times’ such as toilet breaks

    Distribution centres are complex and dynamic environments. Congestion builds in aisles, equipment glitches and breaks, pallets spill, and batteries go flat.

    Woolworths claims the Framework takes into account “gap times”, which include reasonable periods of unavoidable delay, worker fatigue, rest breaks and so on.

    Gap times refer to any time during a shift when a worker is not actively on task. Workers report that time pressures have resulted in breaks being skipped, and safety measures disregarded, to meet pick rate targets and avoid disciplinary action.

    A question of control

    Following widespread worker disputes, including one filed with the Fair Work Commission in April, the Framework has been temporarily placed on pause. If reinstated, it would take effect at 15 distribution centres across the country, impacting about 8,000 permanent workers and, indirectly or directly, several thousand casual labour-hire workers.

    Woolworths team members represented by the United Workers Union are currently bargaining for a new enterprise agreement. Abolition of the Framework and related disciplinary action is a key demand of the union.

    In a statement to The Conversation, a Primary Connect spokesperson said:

    We have listened to the feedback from the union on the Framework, and will engage our teams in the distribution centres and the union in due course. As the country’s largest private sector employer, we are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are safe and productive for our teams and customers.

    Beyond Woolworths, the contest over pick rates raises a broader question: to what extent should an employer be able to dictate the speed of work?

    Clearly, an employer can assign the duration of a shift and ask workers to perform their role to the best of their abilities, but should workers retain the right to control the speed at which they move their own body?

    The future of the Woolworths Framework may have widespread implications for working life in Australia.

    Lauren Kate Kelly receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. She is affiliated with the United Workers Union, which represents workers across the supermarket supply chain.

    – ref. Why Woolworths workers can’t sleep at night: inside the supermarket giant’s controversial ‘Framework’ – https://theconversation.com/why-woolworths-workers-cant-sleep-at-night-inside-the-supermarket-giants-controversial-framework-242015

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appeal to trace relatives of the late Elizabeth Gwynne

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Elizabeth Gwynne, who was 64, had been living in the Merry Hill area of the city.

    Anyone who is related to Mrs Gwynne, or has any information which may help trace her relatives, is asked to please call Protection and Funerals Officer Donna Hulme on 07971 317893 or email her via donna.hulme3@wolverhampton.gov.uk as soon as possible.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Japan hold high-level consultations on maritime affairs

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

    TOKYO, Oct. 24 — China and Japan held the 17th round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Tokyo on Wednesday, exchanging in-depth views on maritime affairs and agreeing to make the East China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.

    Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Liang and Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry Hiroyuki Namazu co-chaired the 17th round of consultations of the High-level Consultation Mechanism on Maritime Affairs between China and Japan. Representatives of the departments related to maritime affairs from the two countries were present.

    This round of consultations saw a plenary meeting and three working group meetings on maritime defense, maritime law enforcement and security, and the marine economy.

    China elaborated on its position on issues related to the East China Sea, Diaoyu Dao, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Straits, among others, and urged Japan to respect China’s territory, sovereignty and security concerns, and to take practical actions to promote the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

    The two sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to maintain close communication on maritime affairs, properly manage and control differences, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and make positive efforts to build the East China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.

    The two sides agreed in principle to hold the 18th round of consultations of the High-level Consultation Mechanism on Maritime Affairs between China and Japan in China next year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bridge girder erection machine enhances railway construction in SW China

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

    Bridge girder erection machine enhances railway construction in SW China

    Updated: October 24, 2024 14:52 Xinhua

    Meet China’s bridge-building robot! A 900-tonne level bridge girder erection machine has been put into use to build a bridge of the Chongqing-Wanzhou high-speed railway in southwest China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Scientific payloads of China’s first reusable, returnable satellite delivered to users

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

    Scientific payloads of China’s first reusable, returnable satellite delivered to users

    BEIJING, Oct. 24 — The scientific payloads for space breeding and other sci-tech experiments carried by China’s first reusable and returnable satellite, Shijian-19, were delivered to Chinese and foreign users on Thursday.

    At the payloads handover ceremony held by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) in Beijing on Thursday, the CNSA and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation signed payload delivery certificates with domestic and international users, including those from Thailand and Pakistan.

    Bian Zhigang, deputy head of CNSA, said the Shijian-19 mission fully leverages the advantages of the new generation retrievable space experiment platform, conducting space breeding experiments of about 1,000 species of germplasm resources, providing crucial support for the innovation of germplasm resources in China. The mission has also offered a valuable in-orbit validation opportunity for domestically produced components and raw materials.

    The Shijian-19 satellite was sent into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sept. 27, and was successfully retrieved at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Oct. 11.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Planning Department and Lands Department respond to Office of The Ombudsman’s direct investigation report

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹Regarding a report released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (October 24) on its direct investigation into the enforcement by the Planning Department (PlanD) and the Lands Department (LandsD) against unauthorised land developments, the PlanD and the LandsD expressed their gratitude for the work of the Office of The Ombudsman in the direct investigation and accepted the recommendations in the report.

         The two departments are pleased to note that the Office of The Ombudsman considered they have tackled unauthorised development cases according to their purview and statutory powers. The two departments will follow up on the Office of The Ombudsman’s recommendations to further enhance the enforcement procedures and strengthen enforcement intensity.

         The PlanD will continue to curb unauthorised developments under the Town Planning Ordinance to meet public expectations regarding the protection of the rural environment. With the newly introduced “Regulated Area” upon amendment of the Ordinance, the extent of land subject to the PlanD’s enforcement is expected to expand continuously. To manage the increasing workload, the PlanD will continue to streamline its enforcement workflow to expedite the handling of enforcement cases.

         The LandsD will continue to step up enforcement against unlawful occupation of government land and breaches of leases on private land, and prioritise the handling of cases on a risk-based approach. The LandsD will also review the existing guidelines and enhance staff training to facilitate timely follow-up on cases of non-compliance and lease breaches.

         The PlanD and the LandsD will also strengthen interdepartmental collaboration, including conducting joint enforcement operations against large-scale unauthorised developments through a pilot scheme, and establishing a high-level communication platform to reinforce their collaboration in enforcement work.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender results of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender results of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds
    Tender results of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds
    *****************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender for 3-year RMB institutional Government Bonds (issue number 03GB2710002) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (October 24).     A total of RMB1.0 billion 3-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB7.212 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 7.21. The average price accepted is 100.54, implying an annualised yield of 1.953 pre cent. HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results——————————————————————————-     Tender results of 3-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds: 

    Tender Date
    :
    October 24, 2024

    Issue Number
    :
    03GB2710002

    Stock Code
    :
    84574 (HKGB2.13 2710-R)

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    October 28, 2024

    Tenor
    :
    3 years

    Maturity Date
    :
    October 28, 2027

    Coupon Rate
    :
    2.13 per cent

    Amount Applied
    :
    RMB7.212 billion

    Amount Allotted
    :
    RMB1.0 billion

    Bid-to-Cover Ratio*
    :
    7.21

    Average Price Accepted (Yield)
    :
    100.54 (1.953 per cent)

    Lowest Price Accepted (Yield)
    :
    100.29 (2.040 per cent)

    Pro-rata Ratio
    :
    About 45 per cent

    Average Tender Price (Yield)
    :
    99.99 (2.146 per cent)

    * Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 24, 2024Issued at HKT 15:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Maldives WTO Trade Policy Review: UK Statement, October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, gave a statement during The Maldives Trade Policy Review.

    Location:
    Geneva
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Chair, let me offer a warm welcome to the delegation from the Maldives led by the Minister of State. Let me also express my gratitude, both to him and his team for their report and to the WTO Secretariat, for their report. I also thank you Chair, for your very good introduction and let me also pay tribute to our Discussant, my very good friend, Ambassador Murdoch, for an intervention. If I may say, for those of us that are of a cricketing bent, Ambassador, combined the elegance and power of your good friend Sir Viv Richards with the intellectual rigour of my own hero Mike Brearley.

    Reports analysis

    1. Chair, the Maldives experience exemplifies the benefits of open trade to sustainable development. You spoke of it as a shining example, I would agree with that. That openness has clearly been a factor in enabling significant infrastructure development, an increasingly diverse tourism sector (in which so many of us aspire to be customers) and a highly sustainable fishing industry – to which both the Minister and Ambassador Murdoch paid tribute.

    2. While the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the Maldives’ economy, as it did on ours and so many around this organisation, the tourism industry clearly drove forward a strong recovery. A tourism industry which is deeply appreciated by Brits, who come in such droves that the UK consistently features in the top four nationalities visiting your country. You may detect a theme here, Minister.

    3. The reports also demonstrate the continued strength in the Maldives’ trade in services sector, which increased by 47% from 2017 to 2022, driven by a 64% increase in travel service exports. If I may say, yet another example of how trade in services can drive sustainable development in developing countries, which I think is a wider point for this organisation.

    4. Redistribution of that revenue from trade has allowed Maldives, as others have said, to transform from an LDC to an upper middle-income country, classed as a high human development country according to the Human Development Index. So congratulations Minister, congratulations to you, your government and your team here.

    Bilateral trade

    1. Chair, as a fellow Commonwealth member, indeed you, the Maldives, and Ambassador Murdoch, we are coming together in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM), the UK – Maldives relationship is marked by rich, historical and contemporary ties that are woven into every facet of the enduring friendship between our Governments, our businesses and our people.

    2. We collaborate closely on governance, security, counter terrorism, climate change, environmental protection. And if I may venture out of this building for a second, also on Human Rights, where if I may say, Maldives has played such an important role here in Geneva, punching well above its weight, particularly in its support to fellow SIDS and LDCs, through its role as the co-chair of the Contact Group on HRC membership. And, of course, trade are key areas of collaboration between our two nations. And they are areas of partnership which we will both be seeking to strengthen in Samoa this week.

    3. Protecting the Maldives’ thriving marine biodiversity, is a key objective in our relationship – not just for the enjoyment of the British tourists but also for the future and preservation of our planet. We have a shared interest in the entry to force of Fish I and the early conclusion of Fish II.

    4. Our ties extend to our businesses as well. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Maldives was worth over half a billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024, and we are proud to be the third largest market for the Maldives’ merchandise exports, those fisheries that Ambassador Murdoch referred to.

    5. A British Business Group was launched in May 2024, as an opportunity to promote trade, and foster business and commercial partnerships and other links between our two nations.

    Business environment and women in trade

    1. Chair, let me encourage Maldives to continue its work to promote a business-friendly environment that supports economic diversification. And if I may add, with two hats, both as UK PR and co-chair on the working group on trade and gender we value its efforts in advancing women’s economic empowerment and its engagement on trade and gender equality at the WTO.

    2. Equally, let me highlight the SME Development Financing Corporation, established by the Maldives in 2019 to support financial inclusion for MSMEs, women and youth, again very admirable initiatives.

    UK support programmes [the Maldives Development Partnership]

    1. As I previously alluded to, a key area of partnership between our two nations is through our mutual environmental objectives. Under the Blue Planet Fund, the Ocean Country Partnership Programme focuses extensive work on Marine Pollution and Biodiversity. Meanwhile the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia programme is funding a Climate Finance Network programme on transforming the Blue Economy with Maldives MSME Empowerment and Blended Finance.

    2. This year, in these few weeks ahead of us, when we have the three Rio Convention COPs meeting in quick succession, it is essential that we work together to deliver on our commitments across all issues of environmental sustainability, an issue of such critical importance to the Maldives, as the Minister reminded us at the start.

    WTO and multilateral institutions

    1. The continued commitment Maldives has shown to the Multilateral Trading System, as a founding member of the WTO, and, more recently, Maldives’ engagement with discussions on environmentally sustainable trade practices is welcome. Others have suggested other areas where we could increase that participation here.

    2. We have also been pleased to see the progress that Maldives have made on the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, supported, I might add by the UK’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation programme. Just this month British colleagues were in Maldives for the validation of their National Trade Facilitation roadmap. We look forward to working with the Maldives to implement further measures.

    3. Fisheries, as we’ve reflected, is a huge pillar of the Maldivian economy, and the practice of pole and line fishing is one of the most sustainable methods for fishing. We urge Maldives to ratify Fish I, which will help us to deliver on SDG mandate 14.6. The UK is fully behind Maldives, and others, not least our distinguished permanent representative from Iceland, in securing agreement on the second phase of negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies at the very earliest possible opportunity.

    Conclusion

    1. In conclusion, Chair, let me thank you, the Discussant, and the whole delegation from the Maldives for your work on this Review and the accompanying Reports.

    2. Chair, Maldives is known as a beautiful holiday destination – many newlyweds travel from far and wide to see the rare white sands beaches and diverse sea life. The story these reports tell of the Maldives’ trade and its coupling with the WTO, show a match made in heaven – a true case study for the story of free, fair and open trade that the multilateral system allows us to see.

    Thank you very much indeed.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening keynote address by Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) at AIMA APAC Annual Forum 2024 (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the opening keynote address by the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, at the AIMA (Alternative Investment Management Association) APAC (Asia-Pacific) Annual Forum 2024 today (October 24):
     
    Jack (Chief Executive Officer of AIMA, Mr Jack Inglis), JiÅ™í (Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Government Affairs, AIMA, Mr JiÅ™í Król), Murray (Chairman of AIMA Hong Kong Executive Committee, Mr Murray Steel), Michael (Managing Director and Co-Head of APAC, AIMA, Mr Michael Bugel), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to address you all today at the 2024 APAC Annual Forum of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA).
     
         With more than 2 000 corporate members from over 60 locations over the world and significantly in the Asia-Pacific region, AIMA is a strong global voice of the alternative investment industry. The impressive congregation of the bright minds of alternative asset managers, financial regulators, legal and accounting professionals, fintech experts and many more here today speaks volumes about the keen interest of industry players to share views on the continued growth of the global financial markets. I can see that AIMA Hong Kong has done a fantastic job in organising the Forum and putting together a very rich agenda for us to ponder the challenges and opportunities in the evolving global environment.
     
         For now, as a precursor to the discussions at the various panels later today, allow me to share with you how we see Hong Kong’s capital market landscape through the lens of “resilience”, “reform”, and “responsibility”.
     
    Resilient market
     
         The Hong Kong stock market as measured by the Hang Seng Index has registered a growth of over 20 per cent year-to-date. This puts us among the top performing international markets. Trading has been vibrant, with long-term institutional investors including fund managers and investment banks from the region and both sides of the Atlantic making up the majority of the buy side value over the recent period. And in September, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) welcomed in the second-largest initial public offering (IPO) globally this year so far, raising over US$4.5 billion. The derivatives market is equally active. An average of 1.5 million futures and option contracts were traded daily in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of 12 per cent year-on-year and a record high.
     
         On the asset and wealth management front, Hong Kong managed about US$4 trillion of assets last year, over 10 times our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Net fund inflows jumped 3.4 times year-on-year. With over 650 private equity and venture capital firms, Hong Kong hosts a fund pool of private equity capital under management of over US$230 billion, putting us at Asia’s second place following the Mainland. It is no coincidence that we are also Asia’s largest hedge fund hub and cross-boundary wealth management centre. Added to these, we are home to some 2 700 single family offices.
     
         On fixed income, Hong Kong maintains its position as the primary location for arranging international bond issuances from Asian entities. Last year, close to US$90 billion worth of international bond issuances from the region were arranged in Hong Kong, equivalent to around a quarter of the market.
     
         The strong economic support measures recently announced by the Mainland central authorities has no doubt played a key role in the market’s ongoing improvement. Weaving into the market resilience is the awareness and hard work to keep up the robustness of our trading and clearing systems buttressed with sound risk-management measures. Going hand-in-hand with such discipline is the focus on diversifying our financial platform so that market participants can play out their best and capture the opportunities when they arise.
     
         In the public market, for example, we have introduced new listing avenues for pre-revenue biotech companies, innovative enterprises with weighted voting rights structures, and specialist tech companies, as well as a new concessionary route to secondary listings for overseas issuers. Overall, more than 300 new-economy companies have listed on the HKEX. They include 66 pre-revenue biotech companies, making Hong Kong one of the top fundraising hubs for healthcare companies.
     
         To further attract listings of international and Mainland enterprises, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and HKEX announced last week specific timelines in the vetting procedures of listing applications to provide greater certainty over the listing timeframe.
     
         Turning to the private market, we introduced the limited partnership fund (LPF) structure in August 2020 to allow private funds to be registered in the form of limited partnerships. Since its introduction, the number of LPFs established in Hong Kong has seen an average 40 per cent annual growth and will soon hit the 1 000 mark.
     
         Hong Kong has over 4 000 start-ups. In addition, as a result of the good work of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), over 100 strategic innovation and technology international enterprises will set up or expand their businesses here, bringing in a total investment of more than HK$52 billion so far. Next month, OASES will announce a new batch of strategic enterprises including artificial intelligence and big data analytics companies from different parts of the world to have a presence in Hong Kong. All these will offer investment possibilities for the alternative investment industry.

    Continuous strategic reform
     
         To seek continuous improvements, harness change and deliver results is the driving principle in furthering the development of our capital markets. Continuous strategic reform is indeed a key theme of the Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region last Wednesday.
     
         To enhance our international financial centre status and investment environment, the Policy Address has announced a number of reform proposals and I would like to highlight some of them here.
     
         Notably, to support the development of the asset and wealth management industry, particularly privately offered funds, private equities and family offices, we will soon consult the industry on proposals to enhance the tax exemption arrangements for related entities through three main areas, first, expanding the definition of “fund” to cover pension funds and endowment funds so as to strengthen the development of “patient capital”; second, increasing the types of transactions eligible for tax concessions for funds and single family offices to cover emission derivatives or emission allowances, insurance-linked securities, loans and private credit investments, virtual assets, etc; and thirdly, removing the requirements for certification and hurdle rate for carried interest in seeking such tax exemption arrangements. We look forward to hearing your views when the details are available, which should be very soon.
     
         On market infrastructure, we will upgrade the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) to facilitate the settlement of assets denominated in different currencies by international investors. The fixed income market infrastructure will be enhanced by exploring the set-up of a central clearing system for RMB (Renminbi)-denominated bond repurchase (repo) transactions, making RMB sovereign bonds issued in Hong Kong a more popular choice of collateral in offshore markets.
     
         We will also make good use of the currency swap agreement, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will expand the night-time, cross-boundary service capability of Hong Kong’s RMB Real Time Gross Settlement System to facilitate global settlement in offshore RMB markets, and explore the provision of more diversified channels for obtaining offshore RMB financing.
     
         We will continue to enhance our market infrastructure to enrich the offshore RMB business ecosystem in Hong Kong. As you know, Hong Kong currently processes about 80 per cent of global offshore RMB payments and has the largest offshore RMB pool, reaching RMB1.1 trillion in end-August this year.
     
         Looking beyond the Asia-Pacific region, we seek to establish connections with new and emerging markets, including the Middle East, to open up new capital sources and enable international investors to bolster their portfolio management through Hong Kong’s capital markets. Following the listing of Asia’s first ETF (exchange traded fund) tracking the Saudi Arabia market in Hong Kong in November 2023, we are glad to see the listing of two ETFs in the Middle East that track Hong Kong stock indices soon.
     
         The Chief Executive’s Policy Address also announced that we will build an international gold trading market and commodity trading ecosystem, leveraging on our advantages as one of the world’s largest import and export markets for gold by volume, and foster the development of the related industry chain, ranging from investment transactions, financial trading, derivatives, insurance, storage, to trade and logistic services. We will set up a working group comprising experts and market players to work out the details.
     
         One cannot actually leave the reform agenda without touching on the changes brought about by technology. Last year, we took the lead in introducing a virtual asset (VA) service provider regulatory regime that allow the operation of licensed VA exchanges. We will introduce a dedicated piece of legislation on the regulation of fiat-referenced stablecoins before year end. Then we will have another look at the VA over-the-counter landscape followed by public consultation, while hammering out a licensing regime for VA custodian service providers.
     
    Renewed responsibility
     
         This leads naturally to my third “R”, “Responsibility”. Introducing regulatory regimes for a digitally enabled financial medium to fulfil the twin objectives of fostering market development while protecting investor interests and managing risks is a responsible policy move.
     
         We have, however, a heavier responsibility towards the Earth, our planet. Hong Kong takes our carbon emission net zero commitment seriously and we leverage our financial services platform to contribute to the green and sustainability global efforts. We are in a very good position to channel international capital to sustainable causes. This is best exemplified by over 230 ESG funds authorised by the SFC as of June this year, almost quadrupling the number of funds three years ago. Together, these funds manage close to US$170 billion of assets.
     
         For the third year in a row, Hong Kong topped the Asian market in terms of the volume of green and sustainable bonds being arranged. In 2023 alone, the total green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$50 billion.
     
         We will continue to incubate green and sustainable investment by fostering a conducive environment with transparent information. As the Policy Address makes clear, we will launch a roadmap on the full adoption of the ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) Standards (International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards) within this year, leading Hong Kong to be among the first jurisdictions to align its local requirements with ISSB Standards. On this, we have been making good progress, including the introduction of new climate-related disclosures requirements for listed companies by HKEX for implementation under a phased approach from 2025; as well as the development of the Exposure Drafts for Hong Kong’s sustainability reporting standards (Hong Kong Standards) in full alignment with ISSB Standards by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). A public consultation on the Exposure Drafts is now underway. The roadmap will provide a transparent and well-defined pathway on sustainability reporting for listed companies and different sectors in the financial services industry, and support and assist businesses in making preparations for the implementation of the Hong Kong Standards.
     
         A first edition of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance is already in the toolbox since May this year. It is now undergoing revision, and is in the next phase of development where the scope of sectors and economic activities to be covered will be expanded to include transition activities, etc.
     
         As another piece of market infrastructure to connect capital with climate-related products and opportunities in Hong Kong, the Mainland, Asia and beyond, Core Climate, launched by HKEX, serves to facilitate effective and transparent trading of carbon credits and instruments to support the global transition to net zero. It offers quality carbon credits from internationally certified projects, covering forestry, solar, wind and biomass initiatives. It is currently the only carbon marketplace that offers Hong Kong dollar and RMB settlement for the trading of international voluntary carbon credits.
     
    Closing
     
         The IMF (International Monetary Fund) has just reconfirmed its forecast of world economic growth for 2024 to be 3.2 per cent. The same growth rate is forecast for 2025, slightly revised downward from its earlier forecast of 3.3 per cent but with a loud warning of instability and uncertainty in the horizon. As policy makers, we all have the responsibility to provide an enabling environment for businesses and individuals to thrive.
     
         The Asia-Pacific region can provide a source of growth amidst the evolving global landscape despite the uncertainties. Hong Kong, with our unique combination of the China advantage and global strengths, will continue to sharpen our financial platform and capital markets through strategic reform and responsible development. On this note, I would like to exercise my privilege of being on the podium to add a fourth “R” and wish you a most rewarding day of discussions and networking at the Forum. Thank you.
           

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Christmas air mail – latest dates of posting 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

          Hongkong Post today (October 24) announced the latest air mail posting dates for Christmas this year. While the dates are provisional, they have been calculated based on the requirements of respective postal administrations, and are for reference only. These dates and services are subject to availability of flights, and may be altered at short notice. Members of the public are advised to post earlier than the dates shown. They may visit the Hongkong Post web page at (www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/whats_new/index.html) on the service availability for various destinations before posting.
     

    Destinations
    Letters and packets
    Parcels

    Asia and the Middle East

    Bangladesh
    December 5
    November 29

    Brunei Darussalam
    December 3
    *

    India
    December 2
    November 29

    Indonesia
    December 6
    December 5

    Iran
    December 3
    December 2

    Israel
    December 3
    *

    Japan
    December 4
    December 4

    Jordan
    December 3
    December 2

    Korea
    December 3
    December 3

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    December 9
    December 6

    Lebanon
    November 29
    November 28

    Malaysia
    December 3
    December 2

    Myanmar
    December 3
    *

    Nepal
    December 3
    *

    Pakistan
    December 9
    December 2

    Saudi Arabia
    December 3
    December 2

    Singapore
    December 2
    November 29

    Sri Lanka
    December 9
    *

    Taiwan
    December 4
    December 2

    Thailand
    December 4
    December 2

    The Mainland
    December 9
    December 5

    The Philippines
    December 3
    December 2

    United Arab Emirates
    December 5
    December 4

    Vietnam
    December 6
    December 5

    Other destinations in Asia
    and the Middle East
    December 5
    December 4

    Central, South and North America

    Argentina
    November 19
    November 18

    Brazil
    December 2
    November 20

    Canada
    December 4
    November 28

    Chile
    November 28
    November 18

    Costa Rica
    November 19
    *

    Mexico
    November 29
    November 29

    Panama
    December 3
    December 2

    Peru
    December 3
    December 2

    United States
    December 5
    December 5

    Other destinations in Central, South and North America   
    November 28
    November 26

    Europe

    Austria
    December 3
    December 2

    Belgium
    December 5
    December 4

    Cyprus
    November 19
    November 18

    Czech Republic
    November 18
    November 18

    Denmark
    December 2
    November 29

    Estonia
    December 4
    December 3

    Finland
    December 5
    December 2

    France
    December 3
    December 3

    Germany
    December 6
    December 5

    Greece
    November 28
    November 27

    Hungary
    December 3
    December 2

    Iceland
    December 2
    *

    Ireland
    December 9
    December 2

    Italy
    December 3
    *

    Latvia
    December 2
    November 29

    Lithuania
    December 3
    December 2

    Malta
    December 3
    December 2

    Netherlands
    December 3
    December 2

    Norway
    December 3
    December 2

    Poland
    December 4
    December 2

    Portugal
    December 3
    November 28

    Romania
    December 6
    December 2

    Russia
    November 25
    November 15

    Serbia
    December 3
    December 2

    Slovakia
    December 4
    November 29

    Spain
    November 28
    November 28

    Sweden
    December 3
    December 2

    Switzerland
    December 9
    December 5

    Türkiye
    December 3
    December 2

    United Kingdom
    December 3
    December 3

    Other destinations in Europe
    November 26
    November 25

    Oceania

    Australia
    December 4
    December 4

    Fiji
    November 29
    November 28

    French Polynesia
    December 3
    December 2

    Nauru
    November 29
    *

    New Caledonia
    December 3
    December 2

    New Zealand
    November 29
    November 29

    Papua New Guinea
    November 26
    *

    Solomon Islands
    December 3
    *

    Tonga
    December 3
    December 2

    Other destinations in Oceania
    December 3
    November 25

    Africa

    Egypt
    December 6
    December 6

    Kenya
    December 3
    *

    Malawi
    December 4
    *

    Mauritius
    December 3
    November 27

    Morocco
    December 3
    December 2

    South Africa
    November 21
    November 20

    Other destinations in Africa
    December 3
    December 2

    * Service is currently under suspension

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Investigations into lung cancer and into epigenetics recognised with 2 x $1.25 million CSL Centenary Fellowships

    Source: CLS Limited

    Investigations into lung cancer and into epigenetics recognised with 2 x $1.25 million CSL Centenary Fellowships

    Why lung cancer is on the increase: Dr Clare Weeden, WEHI, Melbourne How understanding gene switching could lead to new drug classes: Dr Qi Zhang, South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide

    MELBOURNE – 24 October 2024 – Two Australian scientists have each been awarded CSL Centenary Fellowships, valued at $1.25 million over five years.

    The Fellowships were presented at the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Annual Meeting on Thursday 24 October 2024 in Adelaide.

    Lung cancer is now our deadliest cancer, despite the reduction of smoking in recent decades. Twenty-five per cent of people with lung cancer have never smoked.

    Over the past 12 years, Dr Clare Weeden has investigated why lung cancer is on the rise in cities around the world. She has shown that we all have potentially cancerous cells in our lungs which can be activated by repeated exposure to cigarette smoke or urban pollution.

    The $1.25 million CSL Centenary Fellowship has enabled Dr Weeden to return from the Crick Institute in London to establish her own research laboratory at WEHI in Melbourne. She plans to identify how the chromatin that packages up our DNA is changed by inflammation in lung cells. Then she will investigate how these cellular changes initiate cancers and how cells then become resistant to targeted therapies.

    Dr Weeden’s ultimate career aim is to determine if abnormal lung cell states are reversible.

    Dr Qi Zhang is investigating the fundamental processes by which our cells turn genes on and off as they change identities, for example as stem cells develop into mature cell types. She hopes to learn how these processes can break down and lead to cancer and other diseases.

    Dr Zhang is a team leader at the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide.

    “We want to know what’s happening with the packaging of our DNA in a healthy cell,” she says. “Then we want to know what is going wrong in a cancer cell – when it loses its identity.”

    Using the CSL Centenary Fellowship, Dr Zhang hopes to generate fundamental knowledge that researchers around the world can use to develop new drugs to tackle epigenetic misregulation in cancers.

    CSL Head of Research and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Nash said, “Dr Zhang and Dr Weeden are both making fundamental discoveries about how normal cells develop and how that development can go wrong leading to cancer and other diseases.”

    “With the support of their CSL Centenary Fellowships, their research will open up paths to new kinds of treatment for cancer and developmental diseases,” he said.

    “The CSL Centenary Fellowships aim to support leading mid-career Australian researchers like Qi and Clare by providing funding stability to enable the delivery of innovations that could transform medicine for patients living with rare and serious diseases and protect public health.”

    About the CSL Centenary Fellowships

    The Fellowships are competitively selected, high-value grants available to mid-career Australians who wish to continue a career in medical research in Australia.

    They are open to medical researchers working on discovery or translational research with a focus on rare or serious diseases and are overseen by a selection committee comprising three independent members and two CSL representatives. The 2025 committee was chaired by Dr Andrew Nash.

    The Fellowships were established to mark 100 years since the establishment of CSL in 1916. Two individual, five-year A$1.25 million fellowships are awarded each calendar year.

    For further information, visit www.cslfellowships.com.au

    About CSL

    CSL (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY) is a leading global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia and immune deficiencies, vaccines to prevent influenza, and therapies in iron deficiency, dialysis and nephrology. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL – including our three businesses, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor – provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs 30,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit CSLBehring.com/Vita and follow us on Twitter.com/CSL.

    For more information about CSL, visit www.CSL.com.

    # # #

    Media Contact

    Name: Kim O’Donohue

    Mobile: +61 449 884 603

    Email: Kim.O’Donohue@csl.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Rosneft Competence Centre Opens at Far Eastern Federal University

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: Rosneft Competence Centre Opens at Far Eastern Federal University

    As part of the IX Eastern Economic Forum, Rosneft’s Competence Centre was inaugurated at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU).

    Rosneft is an important partner of the FEFU. In September 2022, the Company and the University signed an agreement to establish a Competence Centre. Its main tasks include training of highly qualified engineering personnel for Rosneft enterprises, including design engineers and shipbuilding technologists, as well as advanced training of employees of shipbuilding enterprises, primarily Zvezda Shipyard.

    Boris Korobets, Rector of the Far Eastern Federal University, Sergey Dubovitsky, Minister of Vocational Education and Employment of the Primorsky Territory, Irina Bushmanova, First Deputy Minister of Education of the Primorsky Territory, representatives of PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, and Zvezda Shipyard, as well as teachers and students attended the opening ceremony of the Centre.

    The structure of the Competence Centre envisages four thematic modules: Engineering Development (commissioned in 2023), Engineering Rosneft-Classes, Hull Structures and Materials, Ship Engineering Systems. Each module includes subject-specific laboratories, classrooms and departments equipped with the necessary teaching equipment and demonstration models.

    The opening of the centre was marked by the presentation of a module for Rosneft’s shipbuilding engineering classes. Participants in the ceremony were shown the laser optics, marine robotics and ship modelling laboratories, as well as computer modelling and design. Classes for students of the Rosneft classes of the FEFU University School and other Rosneft classes in the Primorsky Territory are already being held here. In the future, career guidance groups will also be organised for grades 5-9.

    In 2025, the Centre plans to open the Hull Structures and Materials and Ship Engineering Systems modules. The Centre’s infrastructure will include 18 classrooms, 3 co-working areas, 12 laboratories and 2 specail departments.

    In 2025, when the Centre reaches full capacity, the number of Rosneft students will be 3,500 a year. This year, about 1,700 people are studying in various training programmes.

    The Centre’s educational environment uses various modern learning formats, including networking between FEFU and other partner universities, including St Petersburg State Marine Technical University and Admiral G.I. Nevelsky Maritime State University, among others.

    Reference:

    The Zvezda Shipyard specialises in building large civilian vessels – the backbone of Russia’s Arctic fleet. The shipyard is being created on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Rosneft acting as the project operator. The shipyard now employs more than 7,500 highly skilled workers. A new Parkoviy district is being built for them in the city of Bolshoy Kamen.

    Rosneft
    Information Division
    September 5, 2024

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SMS Text Message Scams across the Island 24 October 2024 fraudulent text messages

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Isle of Wight Council is urging residents to be vigilant of fraudulent SMS messages being circulated.

    There are various messages being sent circulated claiming to be from official bodies, including.

    • Stating you are eligible for £900 from Household Support Fund
    • Cost of Living Payments from the Department of Work and Pensions
    • Winter heating subsidies for the UK Home Office
    • Parking fines

    These messages ask you to click on a link. This is a SCAM. Please DO NOT click any links or provide any personal information and bank details. Remember to be cautious of unsolicited messages offering money

    When in doubt, contact us directly through Trading Standards trading.standards@iow.gov.uk   You can also forward any suspicious texts to 7726. This is a free for UK mobile customers. Your mobile provider will investigate the number and may block it.

    Stay vigilant and report any suspicious messages and please pass on this warning to friends and family. Together we can help protect our community.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University and UEC: Prospects for Additive Manufacturing in Engine Manufacturing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University was visited on a working visit by Vadim Badekha, General Director of the United Engine Corporation (UEC, part of the Rostec State Corporation), Mikhail Bakradze, Deputy General Director, and Alexey Mazalov, General Director of the Center for Additive Technologies (CAT, part of Rostec).

    At a meeting with the rector of SPbPU, chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy and the director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich, representatives of UEC and CAT discussed issues of strategic partnership in the educational and scientific spheres and discussed in detail the signing of a cooperation agreement.

    The guests stated that they were interested in expanding cooperation with the Polytechnic University, primarily in the field of additive technologies. Mikhail Bakradze said that the corporation’s specialists had already become familiar with the work of the IMMiT laboratories and had chosen promising areas for themselves.

    Vadim Badekha suggested that the Polytechnic University become a participant in a comprehensive program for the development of aircraft engine building and reported that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has created a separate area – additive manufacturing in engine building.

    The agreement is necessary, it will be a mandate for us to work directly with all your structures. Of course, for us the issue of creating technological cycles for design, development, bringing to industrial samples and transferring documentation to you is very important. But there is a serious nuance – certification, – noted Andrey Rudskoy.

    During the discussion of this and other problems, the meeting participants came to the conclusion that it would be advisable to create a center for certification of additive technologies in aviation and a joint council for the development of additive technologies in engine building.

    Another area of cooperation in which UEC is interested is the development of repair technologies, including the creation of mobile units. And here the Polytechnic already has something to offer. Just at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, specialists from the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” (NIL “LiAT”) of IMMiT demonstrated at the Polytechnic stand Mobile laser cladding complex “Nomad”, designed for the restoration of large-sized products on the customer’s premises.

    The participants in the negotiations discussed the prospect of creating a joint structure with UEC on the basis of the Polytechnic University, similar to a scientific and educational center, for the targeted training of students, the organization of internships and practical training, and the advanced training of the corporation’s employees.

    For us, UEC is a very important strategic partner, we have been working together for a long time, and I would like us to reach such a high level of communication: science, education, advanced training and technology. And we, of course, will enter into those structures that are necessary to ensure our cooperation, – Andrey Rudskoy summed up.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Network smuggling migrants via Belarus busted in Poland

    Source: Europol

    The Polish Border Guard, supported by Europol, has successfully targeted a large criminal network smuggling migrants from Belarus and Russia into the EU. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a Europol Operational Task Force, made up of authorities from Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. A Europol expert supported the operation on the ground in…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Results – Equinor third quarter 2024 results

    Source: Equinor

    24 OCTOBER 2024 – Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 6.89 billion and USD 2.04 billion after tax in the third quarter of 2024. Equinor reported net operating income of USD 6.91 billion and net income at USD 2.29 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 2.19 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.79.

    Financial and operational performance

    Solid financial results
    Effective execution of extensive turnaround programme
    Strong cash flow from operations

    Strategic progress

    All-time high production from the Troll field in the gas year
    Northern Lights facility completed and ready to receive CO2
    Acquired a 9.8 percent stake in Ørsted in October

    Capital distribution

    Third quarter ordinary cash dividend of USD 0.35 per share, extraordinary cash dividend of USD 0.35 per share and fourth tranche of share buy-back of up to USD 1.6 billion
    Total capital distribution for 2024 in line with announced level of around USD 14 billion

    Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:
    “With solid operational performance and results, we are well on track to deliver strong cashflow from operations in line with what we said at the capital markets update in February.”

    “Over time, we have upgraded the capacity in the gas value chain. This has contributed to an all-time high production from the Troll field in the gas year. In the quarter, the Johan Sverdrup field delivered a production record of more than 756 000 barrels of oil in one day and reached the milestone of one billion barrels produced since the start-up five years ago. This strengthens our position to deliver safe and reliable energy to Europe.”

    “We continue to invest in renewables and develop low carbon value chains. In the quarter, the world’s first commercial storage facility, Northern Lights, was completed and is now ready to receive CO2 from customers.”

    Operational performance

    Equinor delivered a total equity production of 1,984 mboe per day in the third quarter, down from 2,007 mboe in the same quarter last year.

    On the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), production increased by 2 percent compared to the third quarter 2023. This was due to high gas production from the Troll field and positive contributions from Aasta Hansteen and Oseberg. The increase was partially offset by extensive turnarounds, natural decline and reduced ownership in the Statfjord area.

    Internationally, new wells contributed positively to the production. However, the international production was negatively impacted by offshore turnarounds and hurricanes in the United States.

    In the quarter, Equinor completed nine offshore exploration wells with one commercial discovery. Four wells were ongoing at the quarter end. Two wells were expensed.

    Equinor produced 677 GWh from renewable assets in the third quarter, up 82 percent from the same quarter last year. The increase was driven by the addition of onshore power plants in 2024. The offshore wind parks Dudgeon, Sheringham Shoal and Arkona also contributed positively to the production.

    The progress at Dogger Bank A is slower than expected. Based on this, the expected growth in power production from renewable assets in 2024 is adjusted to around 50 percent.

    Strategic progress

    Equinor continued to optimise the portfolio through projects and strategic business development in the quarter.

    On the NCS, the Johan Castberg production vessel was securely anchored at the field in the Barents Sea and hook-up is on track for production start before year-end. In the quarter, Troll B and C became partly powered from shore, contributing to the company’s efforts to strengthen competitiveness and halve operated emissions by 2030.

    The recent acquisition of a 9.8 percent stake in Ørsted, gives Equinor exposure to premium offshore wind assets in operation and a solid project pipeline. In the quarter, Equinor also won an offshore wind lease in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean at an attractive price, adding optionality of around 2 gigawatt capacity to its existing portfolio. Furthermore, the company started recalibrating its portfolio of early phase renewable projects to reduce cost and focus business development toward core markets.

    Equinor continues to progress its low carbon solutions portfolio. The Northern Lights facility was completed on estimated time and budget. In the UK, two key partner-operated low-carbon solution projects secured funding from the government.

    Solid financial results

    Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 6.89 billion. USD 5.88 billion come from Exploration and Production Norway, USD 407 million from E&P International and USD 207 million from E&P USA. Marketing, Midstream & Processing delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 545 million, driven by LNG, power trading and geographical arbitrage for LPG. Adjusted operating income* from Renewables was negative USD 115 million, as the costs of project development exceeded the earnings from assets in operation.

    Cash flow from operating activities before taxes paid and working capital items amounted to USD 9.23 billion for the third quarter. Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* was USD 6.25 billion for the quarter, and USD 14.0 billion year to date.

    Equinor paid one NCS tax instalment of USD 2.87 billion in the quarter and total capital expenditures were USD 3.14 billion. Organic capital expenditure* was USD 3.08 billion for the quarter and USD 8.73 billion year to date. The organic capital expenditure* guiding for the year is adjusted to USD 12-13 billion. After taxes, capital distribution to shareholders and investments, net cash flow* ended at negative USD 3.42 billion in the third quarter. The Norwegian state’s share of the share buy-back programme of USD 4.02 billion in July impacted the net cash flow*.

    Adjusted net debt to capital employed ratio* was negative 2.0 percent at the end of the third quarter, compared to negative 3.4 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2024.

    Capital distribution

    The board of directors has decided an ordinary cash dividend of USD 0.35 per share and an extraordinary cash dividend of USD 0.35 per share for the third quarter of 2024. This is in line with communication at the capital markets update in February.

    The board has decided to initiate a fourth and final tranche of share buy-back for 2024 of up to USD 1.6 billion. The fourth tranche will commence on 25 October and end no later than 31 January 2025. This fourth tranche will complete the announced share buy-back programme of up to USD 6 billion for 2024. It will also conclude total capital distribution for 2024 of around USD 14 billion.

    The third tranche of the share buy-back programme was completed on 16 October 2024 with a total value of USD 1.6 billion.

    All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian state.

    *For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Equinor to commence fourth tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2024

    Source: Equinor

    24 OCTOBER 2024 – Equinor will on 25 October 2024 commence the fourth and final tranche of up to USD 1.6 billion of the share buy-back programme for 2024, as announced in relation with the third quarter results 24 October 2024.

    In this fourth tranche, shares for up to USD 528 million will be purchased in the market, implying a total tranche of up to USD 1.6 billion including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State. The tranche will end no later than 31 January 2025.

    Equinor announced at the Capital Market Update in February 2024 a two-year share buy-back programme of total USD 10-12 billion for 2024-2025, with up to USD 6 billion for 2024, including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State. The share buy-back programme will be subject to market outlook and balance sheet strength and be structured into tranches where Equinor will buy back shares for a certain value in USD over a defined period. For the fourth tranche for 2024, Equinor will be entering into a non-discretionary agreement with a third party who will execute repurchases of shares and make its trading decisions independently of the company.

    Commencement of new share buy-back tranches after the fourth tranche for 2024 will be decided by the board of directors on a quarterly basis in line with the company’s dividend policy and will be subject to board authorisation for share buy-back from the company’s annual general meeting and agreement with the Norwegian State regarding share buy-back (as further described below).

    The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to reduce the issued share capital of the company. All shares purchased as part of the fourth tranche for 2024 will thus be cancelled through a capital reduction at the annual general meeting of the company in May 2025.

    Further information about the share buy-back programme and the fourth tranche:

    The fourth tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2024 is based on an authorisation granted to the board of directors at the annual general meeting of the company held on 14 May 2024. According to the authorisation, the maximum number of shares to be purchased in the market is 92 million, of which 52,868,185 remain available per commencement of the fourth tranche for 2024 (buy-backs made under previous tranches in the authorisation period taken into account). The minimum price that can be paid per share is NOK 50, and the maximum price is NOK 1,000. The authorisation is valid until the earliest of 30 June 2025 and the annual general meeting of the company in 2025.

    An agreement between Equinor and the Norwegian State regulates the State’s participation in the share buy-back: at the annual general meeting of the company in May 2025, the State will, as per proposal by the board of directors, vote for the cancellation of shares purchased in the market pursuant to the board authorisation, and the redemption and cancellation of a proportionate number of its shares in order to maintain its ownership share in the company at 67%. The price to be paid to the State for redemption of the State’s shares shall be the volume-weighted average of the price paid by Equinor for shares purchased in the market plus an interest rate compensation, adjusted for any dividends paid.

    In the fourth tranche for 2024, shares will be purchased on the Oslo Stock Exchange and possibly other trading venues within the EEA. Transactions will be conducted in accordance with applicable safe harbour conditions, and as further set out in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 2007, EU Commission Regulation (EC) No 2016/1052 and the Oslo Stock Exchange’s Guidelines for buy-back programmes and price stabilisation from February 2021.

    The board of directors will propose to the annual general meeting of the company to be held in May 2025, to cancel shares purchased in the market in this fourth tranche for 2024 and to redeem and cancel a proportionate number of the State’s shares per the agreement with the State. Based on renewal of this agreement, shares purchased under subsequent tranches of the two-year share buy-back programme for 2024-2025 and a proportionate number of the State’s shares will follow a similar process at the annual general meetings of the company in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

    This is information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and that is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Top of the tech: the 10 innovations set to change your life

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    What are ‘elastocalorics’ or ‘reconfigurable intelligent surfaces’? In a few years’ time these emerging technologies may have transformed the way we heat and cool our homes, and how we transmit ever greater amounts of data.

    They are among the technological innovations identified in the World Economic Forum’s annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies report, which picks the tech that could transform the world in the coming years.

    In this video-podcast, the two lead authors of the report take us through each of the 10 on this year’s list.

    The report is produced in collaboration with Frontiers.
    Guests:

    Mariette DiChristina, Dean and Professor of the Practice in Journalism, Boston University College of Communication

    Bernie Meyerson, Chief Innovation Officer Emeritus, IBM
    Links:

    Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024: https://www.weforum.org/publications/top-10-emerging-technologies-2024/

    Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/
    Previous editions of the Top 10 Tech report: 2023

    Beyond AI: the top-10 tech of 2023 set to change our lives (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-technologies-2023/)
    2021

    Top-10 Emerging Technologies 2021 (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-technologies-2021/)
    2020

    The Top 10 Tech of 2020 – our podcast with Scientific American (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/top-10-tech-2020-podcast-scientific-american/)
    Related podcasts:

    2023 was the year we all got to know AI – so where will it take us in 2024? (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/artificial-intelligence-ai-aiga/)

    Advanced Energy Solutions: scaling up the tech that can help us get to net zero (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/advanced-energy-solutions-2024/)

    Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) :

    YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

    Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164

    Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/1534915560

    Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552

    Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWdNe_YudPQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing leverages finance to fuel tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing has made significant strides in developing a robust financial ecosystem that supports technological innovation. The capital city has channeled substantial financial resources into scientific advancement by focusing on technology, green initiatives, inclusive finance, pension systems and digital transformation.
    The central government’s emphasis on technology finance during the 2023 Central Financial Work Conference has strengthened Beijing’s commitment to innovation. The city has directed more financial resources toward tech enterprises, with total loans to technology firms now surpassing 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion).
    Beijing has introduced innovative financial policies to facilitate the growth of tech startups. For instance, the establishment of the Zhongguancun Sci-Tech Innovation Financial Service Center provides a centralized hub for financial products and services to meet tech companies’ needs.
    Another key development is the pilot program for merger and acquisition (M&A) loans. Beijing has encouraged business expansion by increasing the loan-to-value ratio for M&A transactions from 60% to 80%, enabling more companies to pursue strategic acquisitions.
    Beijing has also introduced specialized financial products to meet tech firms’ financing needs. Banks now offer credit-based loans that evaluate a company’s technological capabilities, patents and intellectual property as key lending criteria.
    The city has expanded financial access for small- and medium-sized enterprises focused on specialized technologies and unique products. Through bank partnerships and financing events, Beijing has ensured that nearly 60% of these specialized firms secure credit access.
    The capital market plays a crucial role in supporting tech company growth. Beijing has helped numerous tech firms list on the Beijing Stock Exchange and other trading venues, securing billions of yuan in funding. The city has also created government investment funds targeting promising tech companies, especially those in emerging industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing’s high-tech industries show strong growth from Q1 to Q3

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing’s economic development accelerated in the first nine months of 2024, driven by industrial output reaching 1.9 trillion yuan ($267 billion) and 10.4% year-on-year growth in core digital sectors, according to data released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economic and Information Technology.
    Liu Weiliang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economics and Information Technology, noted on Tuesday that the city’s industrial and information software sectors maintained stable growth through September. He added that the industrial structure improved while performance indicators exceeded expectations.
    The city’s automobile manufacturing sector grew 18.4% through September. New energy vehicle production expanded significantly, with Chinese tech firm Xiaomi’s first self-developed new energy vehicle (NEV), the SU7, delivering more than 70,000 units.
    Beijing’s strengths in advanced technology drove growth in intelligent connected NEVs and electronic manufacturing through September. These sectors lifted strategic emerging industries by 14% and high-tech manufacturing by 8.3% year on year, surpassing traditional industrial growth rates.
    The city prioritized breakthroughs in advanced technology, intelligent systems and green industries, implementing more than 40 policies to promote innovation. Fixed asset investment in key industrial sectors and information software grew more than 30% compared to last year.
    Beijing has established a comprehensive support system for small- and medium-sized enterprises, fostering a network of more than 20,000 key companies. The city plans to develop new quality productive forces, actively plan the implementation of industrialization projects, and promote breakthroughs in the chain of key industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing emerges as leader in financial sector: Report

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The Financial Technology Innovation Index Report of Listed Companies in China’s Financial Industry (2024) was released during the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024 in Beijing on Oct. 22, highlighting Beijing’s leading role in promoting the financial sector.
    The report provides a comprehensive analysis of financial technology innovation trends among listed companies in China’s financial sector, drawing from 12 years of extensive data on technological advancements. Notably, financial listed enterprises headquartered in Beijing ranked first in innovation activity nationwide.
    According to the report, there are 124 listed companies in the financial sector, representing 2% of the 5,363 listed companies across the country. Despite this small percentage, these firms account for 7% of all patents filed by listed companies. In the realm of digital technology innovation, financial listed companies hold 13% of the innovative patents, positioning them at the forefront of the sector.
    The report also evaluates the technological innovation landscape in regions where financial listed companies are headquartered. Data shows that companies based in Beijing hold 85% of all patents nationwide, with Guangdong province taking second place. Together, these two regions account for nearly 95% of the total patents in the financial industry.

    MIL OSI China News –