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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trentham brigade welcomes Melbourne Cup trophy

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Jockey Jamie Kah, former Australian Basketballer Chris Anstey and members of the Trentham Fire Brigade pose with the Melbourne Cup

    Trentham Fire Brigade had a day to remember yesterday when the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy, along with the world’s top-ranked female jockey, Jamie Kah, paid a special visit to the local fire station.

    The stop was part of the annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, which sees the iconic trophy travel across Australia and internationally.  

    This year, Trentham was chosen as one of the destinations, thanks to the efforts of local pub owner and Australian basketball legend Chris Anstey, who successfully applied to bring the Cup to the picturesque town. 

    Chris said he hoped the visit would shine a light on the important work of the Trentham Fire Brigade.  

    “Bringing the Cup to Trentham was a unique opportunity to celebrate the community, and the CFA are such a big part of that,” Chris said.  

    “CFA volunteers give so much to protect our community and often go underappreciated. 

    “We wanted to recognise the work they do, and this Melbourne Cup visit was a small gesture to thank them and let them know how much we appreciate what they do on behalf of the town.” 

    Captain of the Trentham Fire Brigade, David Wheeldon, said he never imagined having the iconic trophy in his hands.  

    “It’s heavier than I thought it’d be!” David said. 

    “It’s fantastic what Chris has been able to bring to the town, and we’re thrilled he shared the experience with the brigade.”  

    David added that he hoped the event might inspire a few people to join the brigade, especially with summer fast approaching. 

    “This kind of event is great publicity. We’re always on the lookout for new members, particularly as we head into what could be a high-risk fire season,” he said. 

    He also reminded the community of the importance of preparation ahead of the summer fire season. 

    “As the hotter months approach, it’s essential for everyone to be prepared. On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread rapidly.  

    “If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early is always the safest option. 

    “Plan ahead, talk with your family about when to leave and where you’ll go.”  

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Forestry firefighters brief Minister on bushfire preparations

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Forestry firefighters brief Minister on bushfire preparations

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional NSW

    Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty has met with Forestry Corporation fire specialists to discuss bushfire preparations on the Mid North Coast.

    Minister Moriarty attended Forestry Corporation’s Wauchope depot to speak with fire crews, who are geared up and ready to put their training into action protecting forests and communities during the NSW bushfire season.

    Forestry Corporation is one of the state’s four fire authorities joining the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and National Parks and Wildlife.

    The organisation oversees land management, bushfire preparation and response across more than 2-million hectares of state forests.

    Forestry Corporation has more than 500 trained firefighters rostered on to respond to state forest fires across NSW.

    Firefighters are trained in national firefighting competencies and its highly experienced managers undertake Incident Management Team roles on major firegrounds.

    Forestry Corporation has a statewide fleet of more than 450 fire appliances, 35 pieces of heavy plant, four contracted aircraft and over 130 drones and trained pilots.

    Heavy plant machinery, which the broader forestry industry uses to harvest sustainable timber is also available to fight fires.

    This machinery including bulldozers, excavators and specialist harvesting machines are used to create control lines for firefighting, set up back burns and remove dangerous trees for firefighting safety.

    In 2023/24 Forestry Corporation firefighters and fire managers were engaged in a total of 184 fires, this impacted 98,250 hectares of land.

    During the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, this heavy plant machinery played an instrumental role in stopping the spread of fast burning bushfires saving life, property and assets across NSW.

    Outside of the bushfire season, Forestry Corporation also conducts forest hazard reduction burns and undertakes cultural burns in partnership with local Aboriginal communities.

    Forestry Corporation also sends its expert fire specialists abroad in the winter months to assist international firefighting agencies in the Northern hemisphere.

    Six staff members deployed to the United States and Canada this year and last year Port Macquarie local Matt Model was one of Forestry’s fire specialists, who deployed to Canada bringing back firefighting skills and expertise to the region.

    Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty:

    “The NSW Forestry Corporation has managed fire in state forests for more than 100 years.

    “Forestry Corporation’s trained firefighters work in State forests every day of the year, protecting lives, the environment, forestry resources and local communities.

    “They have decades of experience in managing forest fires, working with the RFS, managing heavy equipment across major firegrounds and maintaining thousands of kilometres of fire trails,

    “When bushfires are reported in our NSW state forests, our forest firefighters rapidly respond using their large fleet of appliances and bringing in heavy plant machinery from the broader forest and timber industry.”

    Forestry Corporation Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert:

    “As one of the four statutory firefighting authorities in NSW, Forestry Corporation works collaboratively with the other agencies to protect communities, the environment and the State’s essential timber assets from the risk of fire.

    “We are well prepared heading into the fire season with a workforce of skilled firefighters, a fleet of equipment, drones and heavy plant ready to deploy and networks of fire trails and fire towers maintained to aid rapid detection and early suppression of fires.

    Forestry Corporation Fire and Operations Team Leader, Wauchope, Matt Model:

    “In managing more than 200,000 hectares of state forests here on the Mid North Coast, we keep the Mid Coast Bush Fire Management Committee briefed on fuel loads and fire conditions in state forests.

    “Since the Black Summer Bushfires here on the Mid North Coast firefighting technology has been rapidly expanded across NSW to include drones and satellite technology, which this summer will  help our crews with early detection, mapping, response and containment of forest fires.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More homes for Orange to be delivered through new planning pathway

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: More homes for Orange to be delivered through new planning pathway

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    As part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to confront the housing crisis, a proposal from Landcom to deliver 330 new homes in Orange, with 20 per cent of these homes being identified as affordable housing, is on exhibition for community feedback.

    This rezoning proposal for Redmond Place Precinct at Orange is the first site recommended to progress through the Social and Affordable Housing Rezoning Pathway, one of the Government’s earliest policies to reform the planning system.

    The policy implements a faster, simplified rezoning process for the state’s housing agencies; Homes NSW, Landcom and the Aboriginal Housing Office, to speed up the delivery of social and affordable housing.

    This pathway adds to the planning reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government over the past 12 months aimed at delivering more homes faster.

    The proposal aims to amend the Orange Local Environmental Plan (OLEP) 2011 to allow the rezoning of vacant Council-owned land for a residential precinct.

    The public exhibition opens on Monday 21 and will close on Monday November 12, 2024.

    To make a submission or find out more, visit the NSW Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/redmond-place-orange

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “This proposal will deliver good housing outcomes for Orange.

    “The NSW Government is committed to exploring suitable housing opportunities across the state which promote economic diversity, innovation and sustainability.

    “We need to confront the housing crisis head on by using all levers we can pull to speed up the delivery of new homes.

    “The Social and Affordable Housing Pathway is an important part of the NSW Government’s plan to boost affordable housing stock across the State.

    “Our State’s future depends on more affordable homes being built for families. This is critical because if NSW loses our young people, then NSW loses its future.”

    Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

    “The proposal from Landcom in partnership with Orange City Council will help meet the growing demand for housing in regional New South Wales.

    “I encourage everyone to have their say on this proposal from Landcom.

    “Let’s make the great Australian dream of owning a home a reality!”

    Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said:

    “There is still work to do but this is a great milestone to reach for Orange. The community has some strong views on how the city should be developed and how we can address affordability. It’s great to see the vision reflected in the rezoning proposal. I urge Orange residents to get involved in this latest step to seek feedback.”

    Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:

    “The development will provide new homes to accommodate the changing needs and demographics of the Orange region and offer more opportunity for households to buy their own home.

    “I look forward to working with Council and the community as we progress with the project to deliver much needed housing.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Workshops to help new councillors Hit the Ground Running

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Workshops to help new councillors Hit the Ground Running

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Local Government

    A series of training sessions for almost 1,300 newly elected councillors will kick off today to provide essential information for councillors to effectively serve their communities over the next four years.

    The Office of Local Government will be hosting ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webinars for several weeks to help new and returning councillors understand their duties and responsibilities.

    The webinars will cover a wide range of important topics including financial management, appropriate conduct and ethical decision making, roles and responsibilities, corruption risks and prevention, meeting practices and strategic planning.

    The state’s 128 councils employ more than 50,000 people, invest more than $15 billion each year in the delivery of services and around $7 billion on new and existing infrastructure.

    Overseeing this work is a critical responsibility and these training sessions will ensure councillors can commence the new term of council with a strong understanding of the job ahead of them.

    The webinars will also assist councils with satisfying the requirement to deliver training for new and returning councillors within six months of their election. Councillors will receive a certificate of attendance for each webinar they participate in to help councils comply with their reporting obligations regarding councillor training.

    Session dates and details including how to register, can be accessed by councils via the ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webpage on the Office of Local Government’s Council Portal here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/council-portal/hit-the-ground-running/

    Further resources for councillors including a Councillor Handbook are available here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/councillors/

    Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

    “I congratulate all the mayors and councillors elected across the state last month for stepping up to serve their community.

    “Being a councillor carries significant responsibility and it’s imperative those who have been elected know what’s expected of them so they can carry out their duties to the best of their ability.

    “I strongly encourage all councillors to participate in these webinars to learn more about local government and how they can make the most of their time on council.

    “Councillors have four years ahead of them to make a difference for the people they have been elected to represent.

    “I urge them to grasp this opportunity with both hands and use the time productively to shape a better future for their community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Faster NBN for hundreds of thousands more South Australians

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    More than 225,000 homes and businesses in South Australia are now able to upgrade to a world-class, full fibre NBN broadband connection thanks to investment from the Albanese Government.
     
    The Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion in NBN Co over four years to give 1.5 million more households and businesses affordable access to full fibre to the premises, including over 660,000 in regional communities.
     
    This is on top of our commitment to ensure the NBN remains in public hands, with legislation introduced just this week to ensure the NBN is not for sale.
     
    We know that communities across the country are benefitting from high-speed fibre connections, with speeds up to 18 times faster than the average broadband connection over copper.
     
    Only by keeping the NBN in public hands will these significant fibre upgrades continue to be delivered to provide access to affordable, world class broadband speeds.
     
    Faster connections also enable South Australians to connect more devices simultaneously, such as smart TVs and home security systems, as we conduct our lives increasingly online.
     
    Almost 28,000 homes and businesses across the state have already ordered a full fibre upgrade, and demand continues to grow – with Australians using more data than ever.
     
    The local government areas of Port Adelaide Enfield, Playford, Charles Sturt, Salisbury and Onkaparinga lead the way with the highest number of fibre connections.

    In addition to those already eligible for an upgrade, a further 13,500 premises across the state, will progressively become eligible for full fibre upgrade by the end of 2025.
     
    Average data usage in Australia has increased 10 times over the last 10 years, with the average home now downloading over 450 Gigabytes per month across 22 internet-connected or smart devices. By the end of the decade demand is forecast to increase to 1 Terabyte per household monthly.
     
    By the end of 2025, more than 10 million premises on the fixed line network will have access to full fibre connections able to deliver speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second.
     
    The fibre upgrades are available on demand when an eligible household or small business takes out an eligible higher speed tier plan.
     
    To find out if your premises can access full fibre now or in the future, visit: https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre#checkaddress.
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband can be a gamechanger for families and businesses who have struggled with dropouts and slow speeds over copper.”

    “It’s essential infrastructure in 2024 – not a luxury. That’s why the Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to support NBN Co’s fibre upgrade program, and introduced vital legislation to ensure this critical national infrastructure remains in public hands to keep broadband affordable.”
     
    “I encourage households across South Australia to check the NBN Co website to see if you are eligible for a full fibre upgrade to enjoy the benefits of faster broadband speeds at home or work.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government investing in Auckland and Wellington rail reliability

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has announced how $101.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks will be split between Auckland and Wellington to address the maintenance backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “The Auckland metro rail network will receive $48.8 million, while Wellington’s network will see investment of $52.9 million. This funding will support network upgrades across Auckland’s metro rail lines and upgrades to the Johnsonville, Kāpiti, and Hutt Valley lines in Wellington.   

    “Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a top priority for our Government. We know that improving service reliability is key for commuters choosing public transport as a travel option in our main cities, reducing congestion on our roads.  

    “The investment we are making in Auckland and Wellington will enable KiwiRail to carry out critical work on rail assets across the network. This includes upgrades to level crossings, retaining walls, points equipment, sleepers, and tunnels. Culverts will also be replaced, and improvements made to bridges and critical drainage infrastructure.   

    “Delivering these upgrades in Auckland and Wellington will improve overall reliability and efficiency for commuters. This investment package, coupled with the ongoing investment our Government is making in rail, will enable commuters in Auckland and Wellington to get where they need to go quickly and safely.

    “Alongside this investment, the Government is continuing to review the Metropolitan Rail Operating Model (MROM) to develop a more sustainable funding model for metropolitan rail, including who pays for what, and ensure the services and infrastructure is focused on prioritising passenger movements in an efficient and reliable way,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 16, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,40,974.48 6.30 5.00-6.50
         I. Call Money 8,755.18 6.44 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,90,913.55 6.28 5.90-6.43
         III. Market Repo 1,40,357.75 6.33 5.00-6.50
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 948.00 6.45 6.40-6.50
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 1,906.22 6.43 5.85-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 645.00 – 6.65-6.90
         III. Triparty Repo 210.00 6.45 6.40-6.45
         IV. Market Repo 1,637.29 6.56 6.49-6.60
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 38,133.00 6.49
    3. MSF# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 5,872.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 73,858.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,06,119.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 04/10/2024 14 Fri, 18/10/2024 44,275.00 6.49
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Tue, 15/10/2024 2 Thu, 17/10/2024 26,060.00 6.49
      Mon, 14/10/2024 4 Fri, 18/10/2024 24,070.00 6.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,222.87  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -83,642.13  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,89,761.13  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 16, 2024 9,76,272.62  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 18, 2024 10,01,756.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 16, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 20, 2024 4,18,318.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1312

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    South Korea’s multiplay services market is set for steady growth between 2023 and 2028, driven primarily by tripleplay and quadrupleplay bundles. Increased demand for high-speed fiber broadband and value-added services like IPTV and OTT video will boost household spending on these packages. While doubleplay remains dominant, quadrupleplay is projected to see the fastest growth, supported by fixed-mobile convergence adoption, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s South Korea Multiplay Forecast Model (Q1 2024) reveals that South Korea’s multiplay service revenue is expected to see a gradual yet consistent increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1% from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $6.6 billion in 2028.

    The aggregate increase in total multiplay households will be supported by operators discounted multiplay bundles centered on high-speed fiber broadband services. The growth in multiplay households will however remain tepid i.e., at a CAGR of 0.3% over the forecast period, given the growing popularity of OTT video services that are often bundled with fiber broadband plans.

    Hrushikesh Mahananda, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The average monthly household spend on overall multiplay bundles is forecast to increase from $27.09 in 2023 to $28.02 in 2028, driven by the growing adoption of relatively high-cost tripleplay and quadrupleplay services and service bundles offerings inclusive of IPTV services and value-added OTT services.”

    Doubleplay services will account for majority of the multiplay households through 2028. Quadrupleplay services, on the other hand, are estimated to increase at the fastest rate over the forecast period and are expected to garner about 23% share of the total multiplay households by the end of 2028, owing to the growth in fixed mobile convergence household penetration.

    Mahananda concludes: “The three major operators KT Corp, SK Telecom, and LG Group are offering discounts on fixed broadband and multiplay plans with a goal to bring down churn and increase revenue-generating units (RGUs). KT Corp will lead the overall multiplay services market through 2028, given its strong subscriber base in triple-play and quad-play services.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability as regulatory pressures and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging continue to rise. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of business strategies, industry leaders like Tetra Pak Thailand are taking significant steps to drive the adoption of circular packaging solutions. Underlining the trend, 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated that they choose sustainable feature as essential/nice to have when deciding to make a purchase*, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    In response to growing environmental concerns, the Thai government has implemented stronger regulations targeting waste reduction and promoting circularity. The Second National Action Plan on Plastic Waste (2022-2027) and the Sustainable Packaging Act are part of the government’s broader effort to tackle plastic waste and improve recycling rates. These regulations compel F&B manufacturers to adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, ensuring that packaging is responsibly managed from production through disposal.

    Kakarlapudi Karthik Varma, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With sustainability becoming a priority for consumers, brands are adapting to meet these expectations. F&B manufacturers are increasingly turning to renewable and recyclable materials as they seek to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

    “Tetra Pak Thailand has been at the forefront of circular packaging innovations, offering solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also align with consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging. Other manufacturers have also taken initiatives, such as Kao Industrial Thailand’s partnership with SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group to create recyclable, low-carbon packaging.”

    Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager, GlobalData India, adds: “Tetra Pak’s four-step approach—focused on resource conservation, energy recovery, operational efficiency, and environmentally neutral production processes—highlights the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the F&B industry. Their packaging materials, including FSC-certified paperboard, contribute to the shift towards a circular economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.”

    Varma concludes: “With the introduction of the Sustainable Packaging Act and the continuous pressure from consumers, Thailand’s packaging industry is at a turning point. Collaboration among businesses, government entities, and industry leaders like Tetra Pak is crucial in creating a future where packaging is no longer considered waste but a valuable resource within the circular economy.

    “The shift towards 100% recyclable and renewable packaging is on the horizon, and stakeholders in the F&B sector must proactively stay ahead of regulatory trends and consumer demands.”

    *GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey – Thailand was conducted with 502 participants

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

    In a significant move towards bolstering maritime security, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the indigenous construction of two Project 75-Alpha nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The procurement of indigenous nuclear-powered submarines capable of undertaking hunter-killer operations positions the Indian Navy as a formidable force capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s report, “Global Submarine Market Analysis and Forecast to 2033”, reveals that India will be spending about $31.6 billion on procuring various types of submarines over the next 10 years. Out of which, 30.5% will be directed towards the procurement of Project 75-Alpha SSNs during the same period. India is expected to procure a total of six SSNs under this program at an estimated value of $17 billion.

    Udayini Aakunoor, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The acquisition of SSNs is a strategic move by India to modernize its Navy and tackle regional security challenges. To be built at the Ship Building Centre located in Vishakhapatnam with participation from the domestic private sector, they are expected to boost the country’s autonomy in complex naval shipbuilding.

    “Designed to operate at greater depths and for longer durations than conventional submarines, the SSNs will enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to perform multiple roles, ranging from offensive operations to intelligence gathering, while also enabling it to maintain a continuous and discreet presence in strategically important maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.”

    With their unlimited underwater endurance and offensive power, the SSNs will enable India to project power in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting self-reliant advancements in critical defense technologies. These advanced SSNs, coupled with the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, would enhance the service’s ability to detect and track Chinese submarines operating in the IOR.

    Aakunoor concludes: “India will also likely use these Project 75-Alpha SSNs to protect its in-service Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which serves as the sea-based leg of the country’s nuclear triad. This, in turn, will enhance India’s second-strike capability as the survivability of its fleet of Arihant-class SSBNs will increase significantly owing to the protection provided by the Project 75-Alpha SSNs.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A man lived to old age without knowing he may have had 3 penises

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Meyer, Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology, James Cook University

    Life science/Shutterstock

    Do you really know what you look like on the inside? Most people do not, and usually it takes surgery or medical imaging to take a look while we are still alive.

    A case study was published last week where researchers made the rare finding of a man with “triphallia”. Most people would say the man had three penises. But anatomists, like myself, who teach health professionals about the structure of the human body, prefer the term penes (plural of penis).

    This finding emerged from the dissection of the body of a 78-year-old man who had donated his body to science. It is a case that has left many anatomists scratching their heads, and ignited discussions about typical human anatomy and anatomical variation.

    I too have an extra organ – an extra spleen – plus other anatomical variations regarding two muscles. It is highly likely you might also have anatomical variations, and not necessarily know.

    Back to this case

    According to the latest study, only one penis was externally visible. But when his body was dissected, there were two extra, smaller penises inside the scrotum.

    The main penis was 77mm long and 24mm wide, with the smaller ones about half the size. However, the images provided in the study don’t seem to match the written descriptions in all places. So the study does need clarification.

    Intriguingly, researchers identified a single urethra – the hollow tube from the bladder that allows urine (and sperm from the testes) to leave the body. This urethra travelled from the bladder through part of one of the smaller penises and along the length of the main penis, leaving out the third penis entirely.

    Was there a misunderstanding in identifying these anatomical structures? Could the second penis simply be a misidentified part of the main one? Is this actually a case of diphallia – two penises? In either case, the man’s anatomy was different to what you’d typically see in anatomy textbooks.

    The study suggests all three penises contained erectile tissue capable of engorgement. But it remains unclear whether they worked independently or together. Unfortunately, the authors did not confirm structures by examining them under the microscope, or report tracing the nerves or blood vessels, to shed more light.

    Not everyone’s anatomy looks like the textbooks.
    kocakayaali/Shutterstock

    There was an earlier case in a baby

    A separate case of someone with three penises, which was documented in 2020, involved a three-month-old infant.

    In this instance, the main penis was in its typical position, but you could see the extra ones on the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum in males).

    Neither of the extra penises had a urethra, making them incapable of functioning typically. Ultimately, these non-functional penises were safely removed.

    Such cases are rare, with only these two examples reported in medical databases.

    So how does this happen? The answer may lie in how embryos develop.

    Early in development

    The penis begins to develop early in the first trimester of a 40-week pregnancy, a time when a woman may not know she’s pregnant.

    During this critical period, the embryo may be exposed to various influences. These include toxins passed through the bloodstream if the mother falls ill, takes certain drugs while pregnant or is exposed to certain chemicals. There are also genetic factors that shape how organs develop.

    By the fifth week of pregnancy, cells migrate to the midline of the embryo, where they help form the precursor to the penis.

    Problems in this migratory process, abnormalities in a developmental gene (called “sonic hedgehog”), or fluctuations in testosterone levels or receptors during early fetal development, could potentially lead to the formation of additional penises.

    The penis develops early in the first trimester of pregnancy.
    Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock

    Humans are varied

    While the appearance of triphallia may be startling, these rare cases highlight a broader point: our anatomy can vary significantly. Just as individuals differ in their external appearances, so too does our internal anatomy.

    For example, there are anatomical variations in blood vessels, organs, muscles, nerves and even bones that may not be readily visible.

    Indeed, incidental findings during my own medical examinations have found I have a supernumerary (or extra) spleen, called a splenunculus, an extra flexor digitorum longus muscle (in my leg), and I’m missing both palmaris longus muscles (in my forearms).

    While my anatomical variations are internal, a common example of a visible external anatomical variation are extra nipples. These can be mistaken for moles and can also result from developmental issues in the early weeks of pregnancy.

    Why is this important?

    Cases like the man said to have three penises are important reminders of the complexities of human anatomy and the many factors that can influence our bodies from the very start of development.

    Exploring these rare findings emphasises the importance of continued research in anatomy and embryology.

    These findings also highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle for people intending to fall pregnant and who are already. This is so growing embryos can have the best chance of developing typical anatomy.

    Amanda Meyer is affiliated with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists, the American Association for Anatomy, and the Global Neuroanatomy Network.

    – ref. A man lived to old age without knowing he may have had 3 penises – https://theconversation.com/a-man-lived-to-old-age-without-knowing-he-may-have-had-3-penises-241475

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sustainability Data Book 2024: Update on Key Points of Medium-Term Environmental Action Plan GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Sustainability Data Book 2024: Update on Key Points of Medium-Term Environmental Action Plan GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024

    Panasonic Group announced its Sustainability Data Book 2024 on August 30. This fact sheet provides an overview of the key progress of GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024 and our efforts to solve environmental issues in an easy-to-understand infographic-format. For more detailed information, please refer to the full Sustainability Data Book 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Drug Charges – Operation Kint

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Drug and Organised Crime Unit have arrested 6 offenders in relation to the largescale supply of drugs across the Territory.

    Operation Kint was launched in May 2024 to specifically target known commercial suppliers and distributors of illicit substances. Since its launch, investigators have been gathering evidence and identifying members from a known Outlaw Motorcycle Gang who have had significant influence on the Greater Darwin drug trade.

    Yesterday, Investigators arrested two men, aged 48 and 56, outside a hotel in Darwin. Police will alleged the 48-year-old was in possession of $201,000 in cash while the other had just transported 31kg of cannabis from Melbourne to be distributed.

    These arrests prompted investigators to immediately execute 8 separate search and seizure warrants across the Greater Darwin Area.

    As a result of these searches, including the hotel arrest operation, police have seized in total:

    • $447,430 cash
    • 35.5kg of cannabis
    • 3 vehicles
    • Traffickable and less than traffickable quantities of methamphetamine
    • A substance believed to be commercial MDMA
    • An unsecured firearm
    • Nun chucks, knuckle dusters and an extendable baton
    • 5 ice pipes
    • An encrypted communication device
    • Items indicative of drug supply

    A further 4 men, aged 33, 50, 51 and 54, were arrested during the searches.

    All 6 men have since been charged with:

    • Possess/Supply Commercial Quantity Sch2 dangerous drug
    • Possess/Use Tainted Property

    All have been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

    Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Gardiner said “These arrests have significantly disrupted the illicit drug trade across Darwin and are the direct result of hundreds of hours of comprehensive police work.  

    “ Drug Syndicates, with influences from Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, cause untold harm throughout our community. They fuel crime and financially cripple vulnerable members of the Territory, while having a complete disregard for the impacts of their actions.

    “Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are not welcome here, and members should be aware that any attempt to operate an organised crime network will be disrupted by the Northern Territory Police.  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Instrumental change for NZSO Board

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Three new members are being appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board to help ensure it’s focused on bringing value to New Zealanders, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

    “The trio of new members, James Christmas, Karyn Rachtman and Susannah Robinson, have expertise across fundraising, philanthropy, Crown governance, sector experience and revenue generation.

    “James Christmas is a barrister based in Auckland with a background in government and the arts, which will be an asset to the NZSO.

    “Karyn Rachtman is a highly experienced music supervisor for iconic film soundtracks. She is a passionate advocate of New Zealand talent which makes her a natural fit for New Zealand’s premier orchestra.

    “Susannah Robinson is highly accomplished in fundraising, philanthropy and governance, both in New Zealand and abroad. Susannah’s governance experience in arts and culture has recently included her role as a trustee for the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation.

    “I would like to acknowledge the outgoing members, Claire Szabó and Hon Chris Finlayson KC, for the crucial roles they have played on the Board during their terms.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Boards Appointment

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the appointment of Fletcher Tabuteau as Chair of the Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) Board. 

    Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) was a teacher at Rotorua Boys’ High School, a lecturer in Economics, and head of the Business School at Waiariki Institute of Technology. He now runs Hoporona Consulting and serves as Director of Capital Government Relations and Communications. 

    “I want to congratulate Fletcher on his appointment to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Board,” says Mr Potaka.

    “His experience in governance, management, and business will be an asset to the Board and the important work they do to encourage and promote ahurea and toi Māori.”

    Located in Rotorua, NZMACI is home to Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (National Wood Carving School), Te Takapū o Rotowhio (National Stone and Bone Carving School), and Te Rito o Rotowhio (National Weaving School).

    With a 60-year legacy, NZMACI has a strong history of producing highly skilled crafts people. 

    “At its core, NZMACI fosters the protection and transfer of mātauranga Māori. It is an integral part of the Rotorua economy and the wider Māori economy, contributing to the sustainable development of scenic and tourist attractions in the Rotorua district and across the motu.”

    He Whakatūnga ki Te Puia

    Kua whakatūturungia e te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, e Tama Potaka, te whakatūngia o Fletcher Tabuteau hei Upoko o te Poari o Te Puia (NZMACI).

    He pouako o mua a Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) i Te Kura Tuarua mō ngā Taitama o Rotorua, he pūkenga i te Mātai Ōhanga, ko ia hoki te upoko o te Kura Pakihi i Te Whare Takiura o Waiariki. Ko tāna i āianei he whakahaere i te Hoporona Consulting, he noho hoki hei Kaiarataki i ngā Hononga Rawa ā-Kāwanatanga me ngā Pāpāhotanga.

    “E tōmina ana au ki te whakamānawatanga o Fletcher i tāna whakatū atu ki te Poari o Te Puia,” te kupu a Potaka.

    “Ka whai hua mārika te Poari i ōna wheako i ngā ao o te kāwanatanga, te whakahaerenga, me te pakihi, ā, ka whai hua hoki ki ā rātou mahi i te akiākina me te whakatairangahia o te ahurea me te toi Māori.”

    Kei Rotorua te NZMACI, ā, koia tērā ko te kāinga o Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau, Te Takapū o Rotowhio, me Te Rito o Rotowhi.

    E 60 tau te whakapapa o NZMACI, ā, kua roa nei tāna whakaputanga i ngā pūkenga me ngā ringa rehe.

    “I tōna iho, ko tā NZMACI he poipoi i te tiakina me te whāngaia o te mātauranga Māori. He wāhanga hirahira hoki nō te ōhanga o Rotorua me te ōhanga Māori whānui, nā, e whāngai ana i te whanaketanga toitūtanga o ngā whakapoapoatanga ā-taiao, ā-tūruhi hoki i Rototua, puta hoki nei i te motu.

    “Mā te whakatū ngā mātanga pūmanawa ki ngā taraipiunara me ngā poari e kino ai te painga o te whakapakarihia o te ōhanga, me te tukuna o ngā ratonga tūmatanui pai ake.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Stimulus plan seen around 10 trln yuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s much-anticipated fiscal stimulus package could amount to somewhere around 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion), which would represent reasonable and moderate funding to address the most immediate issues facing the world’s second-largest economy, policy researchers and advisers said.

    They underlined the need for policymakers to avoid any overly massive stimulus that could come at a heavy cost, but instead advance deeper, wider reforms along with the stimulus package to secure a more sustainable transition in growth drivers.

    Sheng Zhongming, a research fellow at CF40 Institute, affiliated with the China Finance 40 Forum think tank, said China must confront the key structural issues of local debt risks, government outstanding payables to businesses, real estate concerns and the recapitalization needs of banks.

    Effectively addressing these issues will require at least 10 trillion yuan in additional public funds over several years, Sheng said, adding that he anticipates an annual debt swap program of around 2 trillion yuan, with a cumulative total of 5 to 6 trillion yuan required to substantially reduce the debt load in heavily indebted regions.

    Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, said that a fiscal stimulus package of around 10 trillion yuan may be essential in 2025 to tackle the key issues highlighted by the finance minister.

    The proposed package, which could be financed by ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, would primarily focus on local debt swaps and bank recapitalization, while alleviating the property sector’s challenges and supporting people in difficulties, Zheng said.

    However, he emphasized that China should not rely solely on stimulus measures to revive the economy, warning of the potential for high inflation and an imbalance between the State-owned and private sectors that could result from overreliance on government spending.

    China must advance reforms to boost the private economy at the same time, Zheng said, urging policy clarity for private entrepreneurs that any business is permissible unless prohibited by law, while explaining to government officials that any governmental behavior is infeasible without legal authorization.

    Discussions of the size of China’s stimulus package heated up after Finance Minister Lan Fo’an said on Saturday that the country plans to increase the debt limit by a large scale and replace local government hidden debt, while recognizing there is “relatively large space” for the central government to raise debt and increase the deficit.

    The market is waiting for the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress — the country’s top legislature — to convene in late October or early November to approve the specifics of the plan.

    Gong Liutang, a professor of applied economics at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, said that if the stimulus package comes to about 10 trillion yuan, it won’t be “overly aggressive” given that China’s annual GDP has reached 126 trillion yuan.

    “The key is for the government to comprehensively communicate with the public regarding details of the package as soon as possible so as to provide more certainty to the market and ensure a steadier recovery in confidence,” said Gong, who is also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body.

    Compared with the stimulus program initiated in 2008, Gong said the latest round of policy buffer should focus more on enhancing consumption and preventing resource misallocation, with increased spending on education, healthcare and social protection, as well as subsidies for low-income and unemployed individuals.

    Upon the recent bigger-than-expected policy stimulus announcement, Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast for China’s real GDP growth from 4.7 percent to 4.9 percent this year and from 4.3 percent to 4.7 percent in 2025.

    “The Chinese government has clearly made a turn on cyclical policy management and increased its focus on growth,” a Goldman Sachs report said, adding that a significant policy offset is needed next year due to the property market’s lingering drag on GDP growth and the possibility of slowing export growth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Housing market in major Chinese cities heating up over stimulus

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Home sales in major Chinese cities are ticking up this month, as a series of recent stimulus measures have boosted homebuyer sentiment.

    The early signs of recovery in the housing market in big cities offer some relief as Chinese authorities seek to stimulate the world’s second-largest economy by stabilizing the property market.

    The struggling property sector has been a major drag on China’s economy over the past few years, with cash-strapped developers and high inventories of unsold homes and unfinished projects.

    In a bid to prop up the housing market, Chinese authorities in late September ordered to cut mortgage rates for existing loans, lower down payment ratios and relax purchase restrictions.

    The cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen introduced their versions of stimulus measures for local housing markets just before the National Day holiday.

    This came in late September, when a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee underlined the need for efforts to reverse the real estate market downturn and stabilize the market.

    The stimulus package has proven effective in boosting homebuyer sentiment in big cities quickly. This month, many housing sales centers in major cities are packed with clients as many once hesitant homebuyers are again jumping into the market.

    On Sunday, 744 customers signed up to vie for 332 flats in a Shenzhen housing project, and all the flats were sold out in three and a half hours, a rarity before the stimulus package was announced.

    The market rebound started with the week-long National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7. According to Leyoujia, a housing agency in Shenzhen, the conversion rate of home buyers for new homes — the ratio of finalized deals to all customers who have visited a real estate project — jumped to 12 percent from 2 percent.

    Liu Xiaofei, a sales manager at property developer LVGEM Group in Shenzhen, said the new stimulus has greatly boosted the market and confidence, helping to increase the conversion rate and shorten the decision-making process.

    During the holiday, buyers in Shenzhen signed initial purchase contracts for 1,841 new homes, up 664.1 percent from a year earlier, local data showed. Meanwhile, homebuyers signed contracts for 2,316 second-hand homes last week, a weekly transaction record in nearly three years, according to housing agency Leyoujia.

    Liu believes the housing market is stabilizing after hitting a trough, but more measures are needed to further boost consumer confidence.

    In Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, homebuyers had signed initial purchase contracts for 6,687 new homes, up 137 percent year on year, after home purchase restrictions were lifted on Sept. 29, the Guangzhou Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau said on Oct. 12. The bureau attributed the strong growth to policy incentives and sales promotions by developers.

    In Shanghai, 1,334 second-hand homes were traded on Sunday, the daily record in more than a year, according to the website of the Shanghai Real Estate Trading Center.

    The daily number of more than 1,000 shows that second-hand home transactions are very active in Shanghai, said Lu Wenxi, an analyst with real estate agency Centaline Property.

    A Shanghai homebuyer, surnamed Zhang, was a beneficiary of the stimulus. The down payment ratio for second-home purchases was lowered to 25 percent, allowing him to improve his living conditions much sooner, Zhang said.

    The market also heats up in Beijing. The number of second-hand home transactions here nearly doubled from the previous month and surged more than 150 percent year on year from Oct. 1 to 15, according to Leng Hui, an analyst with the research institute of Lianjia, a major second-home realtor.

    Li Yifeng, deputy research chief at China Index Academy, said Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen still have room to loosen housing policies to further stabilize the property market in the future.

    Economic fundamentals are key to stabilizing the property sector and expectations, and if the economic recovery accelerates in the fourth quarter with stimulus measures, the property market in key cities could stabilize, and a similar result could even be expected for the market nationwide, Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hainan to issue dim sum bonds in HK

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The country’s southernmost province of Hainan plans to issue up to 3 billion yuan ($421.8 million) in offshore renminbi bonds in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, marking its third consecutive year of tapping the dim sum bond market.

    The People’s Government of Hainan and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly hosted an investor roadshow on Wednesday to promote the bond sale. This follows Hainan raising 5 billion yuan through a mix of green, blue and sustainable bonds last year, and a 5 billion yuan offering in 2022.

    This year’s bond sale is expected to include three tranches: a three-year green bond for environmental and social sustainability projects, a five-year bond for general government use, and a 10-year blue bond focusing on ocean-related initiatives.

    The pricing of the bonds is expected to take place on Thursday.

    Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government Joseph Chan Ho-lim said that the sale “marks Hainan’s first 10-year long-term offshore renminbi bond, further enriching Hong Kong’s renminbi financial product offerings and supporting the internationalization of renminbi”.

    “For years, Hong Kong has been Asia’s largest international bond issuance center and hosts the world’s largest offshore renminbi liquidity pool,” he added.

    Chan noted that Hainan’s bond issuance in Hong Kong demonstrates the SAR’s crucial role as a “superconnector” between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, and “super value-adder” in international finance.

    Kenneth Hui Wai-chi, the executive director (external) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said the bond structure reflects the mainland authorities’ commitment to sustainable development and the national “30/60 dual carbon” goal, referring to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

    Hui noted the fundraising amount will be used for critical areas such as marine protection, water pollution control, and projects supporting public welfare in healthcare and education.

    The island province posted a 766 billion yuan GDP last year, marking an increase of 9.2 percent year-on-year.

    Li Lei, deputy director of the Department of Finance of Hainan province, said that Hainan’s local government debt balance stood at 410.6 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for 54.4 percent of the province’s GDP.

    From 2020 to June this year, the Hainan free trade port recorded duty-free imports totaling 20.75 billion yuan, with total tax exemptions reaching 4 billion yuan, Li added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi encourages students to actively engage in sci-tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged representatives of students participating in China International College Students’ Innovation Competition 2024 to promote the spirit of science and actively engage in technological innovation.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to them.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicky Morrison, Professor of Planning and Director of Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    GettyImages

    Essential workers such as teachers, health workers and community safety staff play a vital role in ensuring our society works well. Yet soaring housing costs in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are squeezing essential workers out of the communities they serve.

    The issue is reaching crisis point across Australia. Anglicare Australia yesterday released a special edition of its Rental Affordability Snapshot focused on essential workers in full-time work. Housing costs under 30% of household income are considered affordable. In a survey of 45,115 rental listings, it found:

    • 3.7% were affordable for a teacher
    • 2.2% were affordable for an ambulance worker
    • 1.5% were affordable for an aged care worker
    • 1.4% were affordable for a nurse
    • 0.9% were affordable for an early childhood educator
    • 0.8% were affordable for a hospitality worker.

    This trend is creating unsustainable patterns of urban sprawl and long commutes. It erodes workers’ quality of life. It also undermines public service delivery by making it harder to recruit and retain these workers in high-cost areas.

    International experience, particularly in the UK where I have advised on similar policies, shows there are solutions to this crisis. These global lessons fall into four categories.

    Essential workers face long commutes from home when they can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    1. Define essential worker housing

    Essential worker housing typically targets front-line public sector workers on low to middle incomes. Yet eligibility should extend to support roles, such as ambulance drivers, porters and medical receptionists, who play a vital part in enabling front-line services. They too struggle to find affordable housing near their workplaces.

    Conditions of eligibility should also include a cap on household earnings.

    The UK experience highlights the importance of providing both rental and ownership options. To keep key worker housing affordable and accessible over time, both types need to be priced appropriately.

    Australian cities could adopt similar approaches, by requiring housing developers and community housing providers to allocate affordable housing for essential workers. Prices would be below market rates for both rentals and home ownership for the long term, and not revert to market rates. This ensures stability for public service workers.

    2. Financial innovations focused on long-term affordability

    Innovative financial models, such as shared equity schemes, have succeeded in the UK. These allow workers to gradually buy into their homes, creating long-term stability.

    Shared equity involves the government or another investor covering some of the cost of buying the home in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. Australia could explore similar schemes to provide immediate relief while ensuring sustained affordability for future essential workers.

    This approach could build on the Commonwealth’s proposed Help to Buy scheme, currently before the Senate, and existing state and territory shared equity programs. These may need refinement to better serve essential workers by, for example, adjusting income thresholds and eligibility criteria to ensure they qualify. These schemes also need to expand to cover all urban areas where housing affordability is most strained.

    3. Leverage planning systems

    Countries like the UK have leveraged their planning systems to deliver affordable housing for key workers. In England, planning authorities use mechanisms such as Section 106 agreements to ensure a portion of new developments is reserved for key worker housing as a condition of planning approval.

    Australian states could adapt this model, setting targets within existing planning frameworks. For example, they could use Voluntary Planning Agreements to prioritise essential worker housing.

    Yet essential worker housing should not displace housing for other people in urgent need. They include people who are homeless, low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly, those at risk of domestic violence, veterans and youth leaving foster care.

    4. Use public land for housing development

    The use of surplus public land for essential worker housing has proven successful in several cities, including London, Amsterdam and San Francisco.

    Earmarking land owned by the public sector, such as hospital or education sites, is a strategic way to deliver affordable housing near key public sector employers. It also allows staff to travel to work nearby using sustainable transport instead of cars.

    Affordable housing has profound benefits

    Without action, essential workers are likely to be forced into lower-quality, high-cost housing, shared accommodation, or long commutes from more affordable areas. Over time, these patterns of job-housing imbalances and urban sprawl are unsustainable. These issues are the focus of my current research, particularly in Western Sydney.

    The New South Wales government has set up a parliamentary select committee to inquire into options for essential worker housing. It’s bringing much-needed attention to the housing crisis affecting key public sector roles.

    Tackling these issues through targeted housing solutions has many benefits. It can help create more sustainable communities, reduce recruitment and retention difficulties for employers and ease the strain on infrastructure and services.

    The key takeaway from the UK and other countries is the importance of long-term, sustainable solutions that do not shift the focus away from those most in need of housing. Australia has the opportunity to strike this balance. We need to ensure essential workers can afford to live near their workplaces while not sidelining everyone else in need of affordable housing.

    Nicky Morrison does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas – https://theconversation.com/how-can-australia-make-housing-affordable-for-essential-workers-here-are-4-key-lessons-from-overseas-239934

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney

    Former One Direction band member and solo artist Liam Payne has been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, media reports have confirmed. Payne was just 31 years old – a loved friend and father.

    Alongside his former One Direction band mates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, Payne had a huge influence on popular culture in his home country of the United Kingdom and internationally.

    The group formed in 2010 on the British talent show X Factor and stayed together for about five years before officially splitting in 2016. Throughout this time, Payne remained a valuable member of the band and a clear talent in his own right.

    Although each member auditioned seperately, they were eventually hand-picked by Simon Cowell to form a group.

    After the split (and a brief hiatus from music-making), Payne continued to release music periodically as both a songwriter and collaborator. He most recently released the single Teardrops in March, ahead of an anticipated second solo album.

    News of Payne’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes. Like many young people thrust into stardom seemingly overnight, his life wasn’t without controversy. But the response to his death by fans and industry colleagues alike is proof of the impact he had.

    The making of a pop supergroup

    While One Direction may have not been together for as long as other globally successful acts, their influence far exceeded bands that have been together for decades. They released five studio records – and broke many more, including six Guinness World Records. And even though they didn’t make it to their 10th anniversary together, they had still sold some 70 million records by 2020.

    In the years since the split, fans continued to gather, listen and celebrate – with the most recent anniversary (14 years) seeing fan-led events held in Australia and the rest of the world.

    It’s easy to dismiss pop music and its influence, especially in the face of what feel like increasingly dire global circumstances. But pop, like many other forms of entertainment, provides a practical way for people to gain momentary pleasure and comfort.

    It also provides connection with others – and relief from politics and other daily pressures. For example, one of One Direction’s biggest hits, That’s What Makes You Beautiful, sought to empower young people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by negative messaging.

    Within a year of their debut, the group was met with massive crowds of fans almost everywhere they want.

    One Direction has been compared to The Beatles in terms of their influence on young people – and female and queer fans in particular.

    The impact on fans when their idol dies

    The loss of life, especially a young person’s life, is always a tragedy.

    For some young fans, this might be the first person they “know” who has died. While it may not be the same as losing a family member or close friend, the feeling of loss is significant. Young fans will need support. And in 2024, many will find this support through social platforms and online forums.

    I still remember the impact the deaths of stars such as Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley had on people like me who were teenagers in the 1990s. These were artists I admired and listened to – and whose art I relied on during times of pleasure and pain.

    A similar pang was felt when artists such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie died, albeit later in my life and theirs.

    The experience of losing a music idol is in many ways a universal one. People whose art we attach to our own life experiences become inseparable from our lives. And when they die, it can feel like those experiences are over too.

    After news of Payne’s death broke, hundreds of fans took to the streets of Palermo in Buenos Aires, where Payne had been visiting. They held a vigil, cried and consoled one another in front of the Casa Sur hotel where Payne had been staying.

    One fan, 25-year-old Yamila Zacarias, probably spoke for many when she said:

    He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at this time when you’re trying to be a part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me.

    Lifelong fandom and memories

    There’s a stereotype of “fans” as hordes of screaming girls, which can really take away from the depth of fandom.

    Anyone at any stage of life can be a fan of just about anything. And the best thing about fandom is that it can, and often does, allow lots of different types of people an outlet for connection throughout their lives.

    Many fans have left comments on old music videos.
    YouTube/screenshot

    The death of US actress Betty White in 2021, as sad as it was, brought people across generations and walks of life together. And not just those who knew her personally, but those who had connected with each other through their love of her work. It reminded me of my own family, including my Nan and Dad, now gone, and the laughs we’d share as we watched her.

    As more details and tributes to Payne’s life and death emerge, the fans will have each other to lean on. If you yourself know someone who is a fan of Payne or One Direction, even reaching out to just acknowledge that person’s grief and experience is important. It says to them, “what you love is valid, and so are you”.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Liz Giuffre does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music – https://theconversation.com/death-of-an-idol-response-to-liam-paynes-death-highlights-the-power-of-childhood-and-music-241554

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Media statement – private health insurance

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Media statement – private health insurance

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Treasurer, Minister for Health

    The Minns Labor Government met today with representatives of the private health insurance sector to discuss its members’ use of the public hospital system and refusal to pay their bills. 

    While no alternative solutions were proposed, the parties agreed to continue dialogue. 

    This ongoing standoff is costing taxpayers $140 million per year.  

    The NSW Government will continue with implementing the same legislative approach as led by former Treasurer Mike Baird in 2013, enabling it to resolve the issue.

    The Government has met with representatives of the private health insurance sector more than 20 times since May 2024.  

    The Treasurer and Health Minister’s offices reiterated their commitment today that their doors remain open.

    The Government applauds the majority of private health funds, including Teachers Health, Nurses and Midwives Health and Emergency Service Health, who continue to pay the correct amount.  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: 12 new metro stations are planned to be built in Moscow in three years

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The development of transport infrastructure is the largest section of the Targeted Investment Program both in terms of the amount of funds spent and the expected results. In 2025–2027, it is planned to commission 28.4 kilometers of lines, 12 stations, and two electric depots of the Moscow Metro. Sergei Sobyanin reported this on his Telegram channel.

    “We will continue construction of the Troitskaya line – four stations on the ZIL – Novatorskaya section. A new Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya line will appear on the map – we will build eight stations on the Shelepikha – Ilyinskaya section,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The Biryulevskaya line, the Golyanovo station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line and the Dostoyevskaya (Suvorovskaya) station of the Circle Line will also be built.

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11904050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have you seen Denis?

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 48-year-old Denis Courtot, who has been reported missing.

    Denis, a French national, was last seen yesterday evening by his family at a hotel in the Auckland CBD.

    He is tall and was last seen wearing a grey suit jacket and tan trousers.

    Police and Denis’ family have concerns for his welfare and ask anyone who sees him to contact call 111 immediately.

    If you have any information that could help us locate Denis, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241017/5803.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

    ENDS

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police urge boaties to take precautions after seven rescued near Taharoa

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police urge boaties to take the basic precautions after seven people have been rescued near Taharoa this morning.

    At around 8.20am, Police were alerted to a boat which overturned in the water, when Coastguard had launched a Search and Rescue response.

    Just before 8am, a vessel crossing the Kawhia bar failed to close its bar crossing report with Coastguard.

    A search and rescue response was launched with Coastguard Raglan and Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol volunteers activated. Other boaties in the area then reported the vessel had capsized and all seven people were on shore.

    Coastguard Raglan volunteers onboard two rescue water craft and Joe Hawke Rescue headed south to Kawhia, with the first volunteers arriving on scene at around 8.30am.

    Thankfully, the group of men on the boat had managed to self-rescue and reached a beach near Opapaka Point where Coastguard volunteers triaged the group and provided initial first aid.

    The six men were taken to Kawhia where they were assessed by Ambulance. One of the men received a minor head injury and was treated at the scene. The rest of the men were cold but uninjured.

    The seventh man was transported to hospital by helicopter for leg injuries.

    They were well prepared in the case of an emergency, and activated their Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon.

    While it is fortunate that emergency services were contacted and the group are now safe, Police would like to use this opportunity to remind the public to prepare for any possible situation that may occur in the water.

    Police urge anyone going near waters, no matter the skill level, to take the basic precautions to keep themselves safe in case something goes wrong.

    Always wear a lifejacket when boating or fishing, and have a waterproof bag to put your phone into to put inside your lifejacket, so it is always with you.

    Tell someone where you are going and when you will come back – this can be crucial information for us to locate you.

    Be aware of your surroundings and the dangers they may have – check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and water state changes.

    Police urge people to change their mindset from ‘It won’t happen to me’ to ‘What if it does?’

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dad is Near: How to Celebrate Father’s Day at VDNKh

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the third Sunday of October, our country celebrates Father’s Day. In honor of the holiday, VDNKh has prepared a special promotion, within the framework of which on October 20, fathers with children will be able to receive a 30 percent discount when visiting several exhibition spaces. Guests will also enjoy thematic excursions at the sites of the VDNKh Museum City, events at the robot exhibition “Robostation”, in the robotics and innovation center “Kulibin Pro” and at the “City Farm”. And in the pavilion “House of Russian Cuisine”, fathers who are cooks with many children will hold master classes on preparing various dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia.

    On October 20, a 30 percent discount can be received when visiting two facilities of the Orion family amusement park: the Aerial Tram cable car and the House of Fears attraction. And also the City Farm, the Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Federal Protective Service of Russia, the exhibitions In the Galaxy Far, Far Away, Terracotta Army. Immortal Warriors of China and Find Banksy, the SkyTown rope park, the Robostation and the Kulibin Pro center. To receive a discount at the box office, fathers with children must say the code phrase “it’s not scary with dad” and present identification documents, as well as proof of relationship. You can read the terms of the promotion on the VDNKh website.

    Interesting excursions

    On October 20 at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30 and 18:00 you can visit thematic excursions around the territory of the country’s main exhibition “Male images of VDNKh”. Guests will learn little-known facts about the people who left their mark on the history of VDNKh: for example, who was its first director or in whose honor the first chestnut tree was planted on the Cosmonauts’ Alley. Guests will gather at the VDNKh Museum.

    At 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center invites you to thematic excursions “Space Fathers”. Tour guides will tell you about the children of famous cosmonauts who followed in their fathers’ footsteps, about the founders of cosmonautics itself and the difficulties of orbital flight.

    And at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00 in the pavilion “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman” thematic excursions will take place “Father’s Day at VDNKh: Inspiration and Traditions”. We will talk about who became the architect of this pavilion, who was the inventor in the field of cinema technology for the unique cinema at the main exhibition of the country, thanks to whom the revival of VDNKh took place.

    At 19:00, guests of the Museum of Slavic Literature “Slovo” are invited to a thematic excursion “Where there is a good father, there is a good son”. The father always served as an unconditional example for the younger generation, which was reflected in numerous Russian epics, fairy tales, sayings, proverbs and chronicles. You can learn about this and much more on the excursion.

    Celebration at the “Robostation” and in the “Kulibin Pro” center

    In honor of Father’s Day, the largest robotics exhibition “Robostation” (Pavilion No. 2) printed more than five thousand festive keychains on a 3D printer, which all guests will receive. On October 20 at 13:00, there will be a master class where children will make a gift for dad with their own hands and learn the basics of robotics and soldering. At the same time, there will be a master class “Constructor from Childhood”, where dads will be able to reminisce and assemble a Soviet metal constructor. At 14:00, as part of the karaoke guessing game, guests will be divided into two teams and will sing the famous song “Papa Can”, but they must remember the correct words and sing them instead of the gaps. The winners will be determined by the least number of mistakes, and everyone will receive gifts for participation.

    Throughout the day, there will be sparring sessions between dads and kids, where they will control robot boxers. The winners will receive gifts printed on a 3D printer. To participate in the activities, you must purchase entrance ticket to the exhibition.

    The Kulibin Pro Robotics and Innovation Center, which is located in the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center at VDNKh, has also prepared a festive program for Father’s Day. On October 20 at 1:00 p.m., a master class on construction for fathers and children will be held, during which guests will be able to assemble a suspension bridge from construction set parts. At 2:00 p.m., you can listen to a lecture entitled “Calling – Inventor.” Throughout the day, all fathers will be congratulated by Boris the Robot. To participate, you must purchase an entrance ticket to the center. “Cosmonautics and Aviation”.

    Walking with animals

    The “City Farm” at VDNKh has prepared its own festive program. The main characters will be not only human dads, but also animal fathers: alpaca Pedro, goat Ivan and goose Vasily. On October 19 and 20, guests will enjoy master classes and farm games. Walks with animals will also be organized. Over the course of two days, from 11:00 to 18:00, there will be master classes “Postcard for Dad”, “Autumn Craft”, “Toy for Animals”, “Animal Portraits”. At the same time, you can take part in the sports relay race “My Dad and Me”. At 13:00 and 16:00, there will be an interactive lecture “The Best Fathers in the Animal World”, and at the end of the event – a quiz.

    In addition, on October 19 and 20, guests of the City Farm will be able to walk with animals: a donkey (from 11:00 to 11:30), a sheep (from 12:00 to 12:30), goats (from 12:00 to 12:30, from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 16:00 to 16:30), an alpaca (from 15:00 to 15:30), and a reindeer (from 17:00 to 17:30).

    During the holiday weekend, you can also watch the feeding of nutria (at 11:00), poultry (at 16:00), goats, sheep, reindeer, alpacas and donkeys (from 17:30). Participation in all events is subject to an entrance ticket to the “City Farm”. The cost can be found out on the website.

    Master classes by fathers-chefs

    On October 20, the House of Russian Cuisine pavilion at VDNKh invites you to International Chef’s Day and Father’s Day. In 2024, these dates coincided, and in honor of this, regional entrepreneurs and chefs of the House of Russian Cuisine, and part-time fathers of many children, will hold free master classes from 12:00. They will dedicate them to preparing dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia. Among the presenters are Mikhail Gavrilov (chef of the V Karelia Yest corner and father of three children), Alexander Volkov-Medvedev (chef of the Ruski restaurant and father of three children), Danila Kozlov (founder of a chain of northern delicacies stores, brand chef of the Azbuka Severa corner of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), father of three children), Alexey Votintsev (founder of the Perepechkin Udmurt cuisine chain, author and inventor of the mobile Russian stove, father of five children), Damdin Dashiev (founder of the Orda Buryat cuisine restaurants, father of four children).

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

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

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145398073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three important steps for a hotelier: Mosturism has prepared instructions for opening a hotel

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The number of tourists visiting Moscow is constantly growing and has already approached pre-pandemic levels: 24.5 million people visited it last year. Due to the increase in tourist flow, the capital will need to expand its hotel stock by 25.7 thousand rooms by 2030. This means that the hotel business is expecting a new rise, and opening hotels remains a profitable investment. But where should an entrepreneur who wants to work in the hospitality industry start? Head of the Hotel Management Department of Mostourism Ekaterina Kirillova has prepared step-by-step instructions for those planning to open a new hotel.

    Opening a hotel is not only a significant financial investment, but also the competent execution of the necessary documents. It is important to take into account all the nuances: from the design of rooms and public areas to the selection of a suitable location. Investors are responsible for the funds, desire and opportunities when opening a hotel, and the city will help with the solution of bureaucratic and technical issues. If any questions arise, including after studying the checklist, you can contact the specialists of Mosturism, who provide online consultations.

    The first step will be to calculate the financial business model. To begin with, the investor must determine the required (desired) capacity of the room stock and the category of the future hotel. In Moscow, guests’ expectations even from a three-star hotel are already quite high. Therefore, during construction, it is worth considering even the smallest details, without trying to save on quality. Moreover, such requirements are becoming even more relevant for four- and five-star hotels.

    You can build a hotel yourself or organize the redevelopment of your inefficiently used building (or purchase such a building with various rights of use).

    The location plays a vital role here. Here are the main points to consider in the infrastructure of the chosen area:

    transport accessibility (availability of nearby metro stations, convenient transfer from airports and train stations to the hotel and back); availability of nearby business centers, attractions, etc.; proximity to the city center.

    The second step is to determine the possibility of using the territory for a hotel. Mosturism draws the attention of investors to the fact that financing the creation of a hotel facility does not cancel the rules of use provided for in a specific territory. The purpose for which the land plot will be used in the future is determined only by the urban development regulations of a specific territory. Therefore, it is very important to first familiarize yourself with the extract on the land plot, which will indicate the possible type of permitted use.

    If the required type of permitted use is not available (4.7. “Hotel services”), changes must be made to the land use and development regulations. How to do this, Mosturism will tell you.

    To obtain detailed information, you need to be honest about your plans. In the future, by attaching a concept of a hotel project indicating the planned hotel category, number of rooms and management contract with a hotel operator, you will be able to obtain a conclusion from Mosturism.

    The third step is construction. After receiving all the necessary permits, it is necessary to start construction on time, designing the hotel in accordance with the technical specifications.

    Due to the fact that tourists’ interest in the capital is constantly growing, the demand for comfortable and cozy small hotels with the best price-to-service ratio is also increasing. Since tourism is a priority industry, the Moscow Government is interested in building new high-quality hotels of three-star categories. Good hotels meet the high expectations of guests from the Russian capital and support Moscow’s reputation as one of the most progressive cities in the world.

    The city provides comprehensive support to the hotel industry as an important part of the tourism infrastructure and is constantly in dialogue with the hotel business, responding to industry requests. Moscow provides various preferential programs to investors opening new hotels. For example, they can receive the right to preferential rent of buildings and premises at a cost of one ruble per square meter per year. New facilities also appear thanks to the concession mechanism – one of the forms of public-private partnership, which makes it possible to develop hotel infrastructure through investor investments. The Moscow City Tourism Committee forms an up-to-date information field on the dynamics of tourism development in the capital.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145395073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Palace of Science: What Opportunities Does the Lomonosov Cluster Open for Innovators

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Cluster “Lomonosov” — one of the leading innovation platforms of the capital. It has become the flagship of the scientific valley of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov. 66 companies — residents of the cluster are engaged in developments in medicine, information and biotechnology, industry, service infrastructure and other areas. They have at their disposal production sites and laboratories, offices and coworking spaces, conference halls and lecture halls.

    A mos.ru correspondent went to the scientific valley and found out how the Lomonosov cluster is structured, what it offers to Moscow companies and what innovative production facilities are located there.

    Driver of Innovation

    The Lomonosov cluster opened in 2023. On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, the building concept was developed by the chief architect of Moscow Sergey Kuznetsovand architect Ivan Grekov. Lomonosov became one of nine future clusters of the innovative scientific and technological center of Moscow State University “Vorobyovy Gory”. The ten-story building with mirrored facades was erected in less than two years.

    “The Lomonosov Cluster is a project of the Moscow Government, which is being implemented by the Moscow Innovation Cluster Foundation. This is a territory for the development of innovative and high-tech companies. Here, scientists and entrepreneurs create new products and services, improve existing ones, find partners and investors. At the same time, the cluster provides tax benefits to resident companies,” notes Alexander Ulanov, Deputy General Director of the Foundation.

    “Moscow Innovation Cluster”.

    Residents of Lomonosov can reduce their tax burden by up to 30 percent. They are exempt from paying income taxes, value-added tax, and property tax for 10 years. In addition, they are subject to reduced insurance premium rates, and they can also reimburse customs duties paid.

    Capital companies with useful and innovative projects were able to become residents of the cluster. Their developments were related to science, brought new ideas and helped the city. The declared projects passed the examination, and based on its results, the companies were granted the status of a resident.

    Today, Lomonosov’s production facilities employ more than two thousand people. They have original ideas, modern technologies and know-how in their arsenal that can compete with both Russian and foreign products. The inventions of the cluster residents not only help develop the city’s economy, but also make a major contribution to import substitution. For example, the capital’s factories are already using innovative air purification filters manufactured in Lomonosov, and the Arctic seas of Russia are using a hardware and software complex for seismic research.

    Vladimir Putin and Sergei Sobyanin opened the Lomonosov cluster, the flagship of the Moscow State University innovation centerSergei Sobyanin: The Lomonosov Cluster has united the best innovators of the capital

    Offices, laboratories and engineering workshop

    The Lomonosov cluster is located on Ramensky Boulevard (building 1), not far from the Ramenki and Universitet metro stations. Sharp angles, straight projections, and even ribbons of rectangular windows make the building look like a spaceship.

    In front of the main entrance there is an installation of two hemispheres with a truncated lower base, reminiscent of a core divided into two. On the first floor of the building you can examine a model of the future scientific valley, drink coffee and work, sitting in soft chairs with a noise-insulating effect. Here, the cluster employees meet guests and relax at lunchtime. Some go out for a walk in the courtyard.

    We walk to the escalator along the bright interactive signs and go up to the second floor. In front of us is the cluster’s scientific treasure trove with spacious lecture halls and halls. The largest of them is the Molecule hall, where up to 650 people can sit in front of a huge screen. Forums, conferences and congresses are held here.

    Then we take the elevator up. Resident companies rent premises from the cluster and equip them for their needs. Some organize a laboratory, others — an office, an engineering center or a design bureau. The companies also purchase equipment at their own expense.

    “Our main task is to provide residents with the opportunity to create and develop, to unite them in one place so that they can grow together, exchange specialists, developments, suppliers, create joint projects and use each other’s infrastructure. Such an effective synergy,” emphasizes Alexander Ulanov.

    The corridors are spacious and green, plants stretch along the walls, decorating the space. There are logos of residents on the doors. On the fourth floor, we are met by Svyatoslav Krivozubov, the CEO of Adaptto. He opens one of the office doors, and we find ourselves in a small production workshop. Here, electric drives for electric transport are manufactured.

    Engineers have everything they need. The laboratory has a complete cycle of electronic product manufacturing — from applying solder paste to soldering and testing the manufactured devices. Special equipment is used for this: a printer, a component arranger, and a furnace. Manufacturing processes are controlled through a control system.

    “Our flagship products – controllers – have a record high specific power. At peak, the equipment can pump up to 50 kilowatts. In this indicator, we are ahead of manufacturers not only in Russia, but also in the world. And our controllers are four times lighter than their analogues. Such equipment weighs about a kilogram, and can power a two-ton vehicle,” says Svyatoslav Krivozubov.

    The company’s electric drive powers excursion buses, ATVs and snowmobiles, as well as the Muscovites’ favorite wireless robot cleaner “Pixel”You can see such an assistant in the parks “Kuzminki”, “Sokolniki” and 50th Anniversary of October.

    Drug development and shampoo for astronauts

    The specialists of the company “Simurgpharm” work in the neighboring office. It became one of the first residents of the cluster.

    “We develop software for analyzing biomedical data. They are obtained during the testing of new drugs. The Simurg platform created by the company is the first software in Russia for clinical drug development and comprehensive data analysis,” says Kirill Zhudenkov, the company’s CEO.

    The experts work in a modern, high-tech office with panoramic windows and their own lounge. There you can take a break from complex tasks and play table football or guitar.

    “To achieve results, you need to not only work in science, you need to live it. And team spirit and the desire to invest in a common cause are also very important. That is why our work areas are united. There is a feeling of unity. This corresponds to our mission – to create and implement new technologies in the development of domestic drugs. By the way, the cluster itself is organized in a similar way. You can find partners literally in the neighborhood,” emphasizes Kirill Zhudenkov.

    Dmitry Kurshin, CEO of Intersen-Plus, also speaks about the power of common opportunities. Together with another resident of the cluster, they began to produce a line of skin care cosmetics with peptides.

    “Conferences, meetings and other events held in Lomonosov help to unite forces. For example, our company organized about five scientific events in the cluster this year. There you can tell about yourself and meet other residents,” says Dmitry Kurshin.

    The company is located in a small room on the eighth floor. At the entrance, there are long shelves with vessels of different sizes – from jars to canisters. Each has its own valuable product. Behind the glass doors is a laboratory with a picturesque view of Moscow. On the tables are test tubes, flasks, and vials. Experts painstakingly mix the compositions and create new formulas.

    It also produces biopreparations, disinfectants, cosmetics for palliative care and smart hand sanitizer dispensers with the ability to control the flow rate of liquid. In addition, the company’s experts have created a one-of-a-kind desiccant meter for mixing and dosing working solutions of disinfectants.

    “We have also developed a leave-in shampoo for astronauts. It will allow them not to waste a valuable resource in zero gravity — water. The products are currently being tested in the SIRIUS space flight experiment. It is important to note that the cluster provides everything necessary for testing. This is very valuable for companies. And in general, supporting production allows them to grow faster. Therefore, we can say that the Lomonosov cluster is a palace of science and a source of advanced opportunities,” the mos.ru source notes.

    Companies from the fields of IT, biomedicine and robotics have become residents of the Lomonosov clusterSobyanin: Moscow’s innovative infrastructure has grown by a quarter in five yearsPlace of Innovation: How New Developments Are Tested in the Lomonosov ClusterGeneration of Machines, or How Robots Help MoscowSergei Sobyanin presented Moscow awards in the field of architecture and construction

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145307073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow company carries out major repairs at one of the largest energy enterprises in Donbass

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow entrepreneurs help to establish life in new territories of Russia by restoring industrial and infrastructure facilities. Thus, a Moscow engineering company is carrying out major repairs at one of the largest energy-generating enterprises in Donbass under a state contract. The mechanism of guarantee support for small and medium-sized enterprises is used to finance these works.

    The company has 20 years of experience in implementing projects of varying levels of complexity. Its specialists build, reconstruct, repair and modernize structures and facilities throughout Russia. The enterprise has a powerful design and production base and uses modern technologies.

    The Moscow Guarantee Fund provided a guarantee in the amount of 52.5 million rubles (70 percent of the bank guarantee amount) for the return of an advance payment under a government contract for the execution of major repairs of an important energy facility.

    The fund helps enterprises in various industries obtain financing and solve the problem of a lack of their own collateral by providing guarantees for loans, bank guarantees, letters of credit, leasing and factoring in the amount of up to 70 percent of the transaction amount, but not more than 100 million rubles.

    The Moscow Guarantee Fund was established by the Government of Moscow and is subordinate to the capital Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development. During its operation, the fund has issued more than 20 thousand guarantees, under which small and medium-sized businesses received financing in the amount of over 370 billion rubles.

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

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145371073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The hotline for receiving meter readings has received more than 27 million calls over 12 years

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over the 12 years of operation, the hotline for registering readings of individual metering devices of the citywide contact center (CCC) has received more than 27 million calls from residents of the capital.

    “Every year, the demand for a hotline for transmitting meter readings is growing. If in the first year of operation it received 67 thousand calls from residents, then since the beginning of 2024 alone – more than four million. This is the most robotic line of the OKC – up to 99 percent of calls on it are received by a voice assistant without involving operators. The use of artificial intelligence technologies allows saving citizens’ time and makes the process of transmitting meter readings convenient and fast,” said Andrey Savitsky, head of the citywide contact center.

    As noted inDepartment of Information Technology of the City of Moscow, the voice assistant has been receiving readings from water meters since September 2012, and from electricity meters since October 2023. Over the year, residents transmitted electricity meter readings by phone about 200 thousand times, of which more than 122 thousand were with the help of the voice assistant.

    Artificial intelligence can not only register data, but also help prevent errors when transmitting information. For example, if a person names a number much higher or lower than previously transmitted readings, the virtual assistant will report this and offer to clarify the information.

    How to transmit meter readings by phone

    To submit water or electricity meter readings, you need to call the hotline of the citywide contact center: 7 495 539-25-25. Calls are received around the clock by a voice assistant. You need to tell the virtual assistant your personal account number, apartment and meter, and then provide the current readings. Artificial intelligence will record them and automatically redirect them to the system. If the data cannot be transmitted, the voice assistant will prompt the reason, for example, it will report a malfunction of the meter or the need for a scheduled inspection. In addition, it can inform you where to go to resolve these issues. If necessary, the voice assistant will connect you to a contact center operator.

    Water consumption data must be submitted from the 15th of the current month to the third of the following month inclusive, and electricity meter readings must be submitted monthly from the 15th to the 26th.

    This can also be done online on the city portal mos.ru, in the Telegram messenger using a bot @mos_services_here and in the mobile applications “My Moscow” and “Gosuslugi Moskvy” using the service “Receiving readings and paying for electricity”. You can independently submit readings at the “My Documents” government service centers, in the premises of the control room of your district or the management company.

    If the meters are equipped with an automated information and measuring system for commercial metering, the data is entered into the system automatically.

    The citywide contact center has been operating in Moscow since 2011 and includes more than 70 hotlines. Every month, it receives about five million calls from residents. Half of the calls are processed by artificial intelligence without involving operators. In just 12 years, Muscovites have called the citywide contact center more than 365 million times, including over 40 million this year. Residents contact to clarify the status of document processing and public transport schedules, make an appointment with a doctor, call a technician to fix utility problems, and for other issues.

    The implementation of digital solutions in public administration corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in the capital can be found Here.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145304073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –