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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 15 October 2024 – Volume 777 – 001418

    Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard

    MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

    New Zealand Defence Force—Sinking of HMNZS Manawanui

    Hon CHRIS PENK (Associate Minister of Defence): I rise to make a ministerial statement regarding the all-of-Government response to HMNZS Manawanui‘s sinking off the coast of Samoa on Saturday, 5 October. I’d also like to acknowledge the brave ship’s company and passengers, who evacuated overnight in extreme conditions, and Commander Yvonne Gray, who made the right decision to evacuate the ship. We should be incredibly proud of all of our New Zealand Defence Force personnel, who are all highly skilled and serve New Zealand without hesitation.

    With the passengers and crew safe, the Government’s focus shifted to mitigating any environmental impacts. I assure this House, the people of New Zealand, and those of Samoa that we will do everything that we can. The New Zealand Defence Force is leading the all-of-Government response to this incident, named Operation Resolution, which includes support from Maritime New Zealand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Defence, and wildlife experts from Massey University. Operation Resolution involves working with Samoan authorities to understand the implications of this incident and to evaluate salvage options. Personnel have been clearing flotsam from the beach area, and navy divers are regularly assessing the ship’s position and the status of oil tanks onboard.

    I’d like to express our deepest thanks to the Samoan Government for their support and patience as we assess the impact of this incident on their exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, and to the Samoan personnel who rescued the ship’s crew and passengers on that fateful Saturday night. We are also grateful for the support provided by HMS Tamar of the Royal Navy, and other partners. The defence force is investigating options to mitigate the capability loss as a result of the HMNZS Manawanui‘s sinking. The navy still has diving and survey capabilities that operate independently of Manawanui and are, therefore, still available and deployable. Further considerations, including as part of the upcoming Defence Capability Plan, will provide options for broader and longer-term solutions.

    On Thursday, 10 October, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding announced the details of the New Zealand Defence Force court of inquiry into the matter. This inquiry will collect and record evidence and report on the sequence of events leading up to the loss of the ship, the cause of the grounding, the subsequent sinking, and details on notification procedures, along with injuries sustained and, of course, any environmental damage. We do know that there will be many questions, but the appropriate process does need to play out through the court of inquiry, which is being conducted strictly in accordance with the Armed Forces Discipline Act. The Government recognises the high level of public interest in the matter and will continue to keep the New Zealand public informed as new information comes to light, subject to privacy, national security, and commercial sensitivity concerns.

    It is important that we do not rush to speculate on what happened and also to allow the court of inquiry process to play out. While we do not yet know what caused this terrible incident, I do wish to echo the sentiments of the Minister of Defence, the Hon Judith Collins, that we do know that the ship’s captain’s gender had no role to play in the incident. Our personnel are highly skilled, and it is a testament to their courage, comradeship, and commitment that the evacuation of HMNZS Manawanui was carried out safely—that is, with no loss of life. The Government will continue to do everything that we can to continue to mitigate the impact of this incident on Samoa and the wider Pacific.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does drinking coffee while pregnant cause ADHD? Our study shows there’s no strong link

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gunn-Helen Moen, Post-doctoral research fellow in genetic epidemiology, The University of Queensland

    Velishchuk/Shutterstock

    International guidelines recommend people limit how much coffee they drink during pregnancy. Consuming caffeine – a stimulant – while pregnant has been linked to how the baby’s brain develops.

    Some studies have shown increased coffee consumption during pregnancy is associated with the child having neurodevelopmental difficulties. These may include traits linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as difficulties with language, motor skills, attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

    But is coffee the cause? Our new research aimed to clear up the sometimes confusing advice about drinking coffee during pregnancy.

    We studied tens of thousands of pregnant women over two decades. The results showed – when other factors like genes and income were accounted for – no causal link between drinking coffee during pregnancy and a child’s neurodevelopmental difficulties. That means it’s safe to keep drinking your daily latte according to current recommendations.

    What we were trying to find out

    Past research has identified a link between drinking coffee during pregnancy and a child’s neurodevelopmental difficulties. But it hasn’t been able to establish caffeine as the direct cause.

    Biological changes during pregnancy reduce caffeine metabolism. This means the caffeine molecules and metabolites (the molecules produced while breaking down the caffeine) take longer to be cleared from the body.

    Additionally, past studies have shown caffeine and its by-products can cross the placenta. The fetus does not have the necessary enzymes to clear them, and so it was thought that caffeine metabolites may impact the developing baby.

    However it can be hard to identify whether coffee directly causes changes to the fetus’s brain development. Pregnant women who drink coffee may differ from those who don’t in a number of other ways. And it could be these variables – not coffee – that affect neurodevelopment.

    These variables, known as “confounding factors” might include how much people drink or smoke while pregnant, or a parent’s income and education. For example, we know people who tend to drink coffee also tend to drink more alcohol and smoke more cigarettes than those who don’t drink coffee.

    Our study aimed to look at the effect of drinking coffee on neurodevelopmental difficulties, isolated from these confounding factors.

    What we did

    We know genes play a role in how many cups of coffee a person consumes per day. Our study used genetics to compare the development of children whose mothers did and did not carry genes linked to increased coffee consumption.

    The study looked at tens of thousands of families registered in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. All pregnant women in Norway between 1999 and 2008 were invited to participate and 58,694 women took part with their child.

    Parents reported how much coffee they drank before and during pregnancy. Mothers also completed questionnaires about their child’s neurodevelopmental traits between six months and eight years of age.

    The questions covered many traits, including difficulties with attention, communication, behavioural flexibility, regulation of activity and impulses, as well as motor and language skills.

    The parents and children also provided genetic samples. This allowed us to control for genetic variants shared between mother and child and isolate the behaviour of coffee drinking.

    The study used reports from mothers about their child’s neurodevelopmental traits over more than seven years.
    Ann in the uk/Shutterstock

    What we found

    We were able to look at causality through this method of adjusting for potential confounding factors in the environment (the mother smoking or drinking alcohol, the parents’ education and income).

    The results showed no strong causal link between increased maternal coffee consumption and children’s neurodevelopmental difficulties.

    The difference in findings between our and previous studies may be explained by our work separating the effect of coffee from the effect of other variables, as well as genetic predisposition to neurodevelopmental conditions.

    Our study has limitations. Importantly, we were only able to rule out strong effects of coffee on neurodevelopmental difficulties, and it is possible small effects may exist.

    We only investigated offspring neurodevelopmental traits, and coffee consumption during pregnancy could impact the mother or child in other ways.

    However we have previously shown coffee consumption during pregnancy did not have strong causal effects on birth weight, gestational duration, risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. But other outcomes – such as mental health or a child’s risk for heart disease and stroke later in life – should be investigated.

    Overall, our study supports current clinical guidelines that state low to moderate consumption of coffee during pregnancy is safe for the mother and developing baby.

    For most people, that means sticking below 200mg of caffeine per day – usually equivalent to one espresso or two instant coffees – should be safe. If you have concerns, it’s best to speak to your clinician.

    Gunn-Helen Moen receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Research Council of Norway.

    Shannon D’Urso 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. Does drinking coffee while pregnant cause ADHD? Our study shows there’s no strong link – https://theconversation.com/does-drinking-coffee-while-pregnant-cause-adhd-our-study-shows-theres-no-strong-link-241015

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Annual Awards Ceremony Recognizes Outstanding Contributions From Western Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Officers and Prosecutors

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) of Western Pennsylvania recognized more than three dozen area law enforcement officers and prosecutors during its 26th Annual LEAD Awards Ceremony, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. Comprising the Western Pennsylvania heads of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, LEAD bestows awards annually as a way of recognizing outstanding performance from law enforcement agents and officers, as well as prosecutors.

    Notable among the LEAD Awards presented were:

    • The Lifetime Service Award was presented to (Retired) Supervisory Special Agent Louis “Lou” Weiers for his outstanding service with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Weiers began his career with the ATF in January 1991 as a Special Agent with the Pittsburgh field office’s Arson/Explosives group, also serving as a member of the National Response Team from 1998 until 2005. Weiers was promoted to Resident Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Firearms Trafficking and Violent Crime group in March 2005, and was among the longest tenured supervisory investigators within the ATF upon his September 2024 retirement. Among the many investigations on which he worked during his career, Weiers served as the first-line supervisor at the 2018 Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, where his group led the ATF response and firearms investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); represented ATF at the September 11, 2001, Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and was involved in the 2014 48-day manhunt for Eric Frein, who killed a Pennsylvania State Trooper and critically injured another during an attack at a State Police barracks. Weiers also served in several acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge details within the Philadelphia Field Division throughout the decades.

    • The Courage Under Hostile Fire Award was presented to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officer Craig Claflin, who, as the first officer on the scene of a domestic dispute call at a Kincaid Street residence in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood in July 2024, was immediately fired upon by the assailant. Officer Claflin quickly neutralized, disarmed, and detained the assailant, saving lives and preventing injuries to neighboring civilians and fellow law enforcement officers.

    • An individual LEAD award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. AUSA Jordan’s work has consistently involved the handling of both complex, long-term investigations and prosecutions of violent individuals and drug traffickers. During the past year, her cases included multiple long-term drug trafficking investigations conducted by FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force—one of which was a Title-III wiretap investigation—as well as a long-term Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization, the latter of which included the execution of multiple search warrants in late-June 2024 that ultimately resulted in the seizure of nearly 120 kilograms of cocaine, over $1.2 million in cash, and eight firearms, in addition to the charging of numerous individuals. In September 2024, shortly after the takedown of her FBI Title-III investigation, AUSA Jordan secured a guilty verdict in the jury trial of local large-scale drug trafficker Leon Ford Sr., whom Jordan and her team of investigators had indicted and successfully convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    • Several individuals from the ATF, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, received a team award for outstanding performance for their seven-month investigation and prosecution of a complex illegal firearms manufacturing and distribution network out of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The criminal conspiracy involved the manufacture and sale of untraceable ghost guns, AR-15 style rifles, and “hit kits” containing a Polymer 80 privately made firearm with no serial number, a threaded barrel to attach an included silencer, subsonic ammunition, and latex gloves.

    • Members of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI received a team award for their investigation of a series of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

    • Corporals and troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Troops B and D Forensic Services Units were honored with a team award for their processing of a particularly complex Pittsburgh crime scene.

    • Two U.S. Postal Inspection Service officials received individual LEAD awards for their roles in helping to uncover and disrupt criminal operations in separate investigations involving, in one case, a California-to-Western Pennsylvania drug trafficking network, and, in the other, a games of chance theft ring. Officers and agents from organizations including the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and Pennsylvania State Police also received individual awards for their performance in a variety of incidents and investigations involving firearms, narcotics, sexual exploitation of minors, tax evasion, and public safety.

    LEAD is composed of the following law enforcement agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services; United States Secret Service; U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Air Marshal Service; U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Administration – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service; U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Police Department; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office; Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Department; Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department; Washington County District Attorney’s Office; Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office; Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Mt. Lebanon Police Department; Carnegie Mellon University Police Department, and University of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA Awards Authors of Study of Automated Attacks on New Webservers

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    The National Security Agency (NSA) Research Directorate recently selected “Uninvited Guests: Analyzing the Identity and Behavior of Certificate Transparency Bots,” as the winner of its 11th Annual Best Scientific Cybersecurity Paper Competition.

    The winning paper, authored by Stony Brook University researchers Brian Kondracki, Johnny So, and professor Nick Nikiforakis, examined a study of automated attacks on new webservers, and explored how a web browser can trust an organization’s publicly issued cryptographic credentials. At the heart of their investigation was a simple question: What happens when you setup a new encrypted website?

    “This paper was selected as the winner because the researchers performed high-level, clearly written, and impactful science,” said NSA’s Director of Research, Gil Herrera. “It is the cutting-edge and relatable research that has made the paper stand out as the winner of this year’s competition.”

    NSA’s Laboratory for Advanced Cybersecurity Research established the annual Best Cybersecurity Paper Competition in 2013 to encourage the development of scientific foundations in cybersecurity, and to support the enhancement of cybersecurity within devices, computers, and systems through rigorous research, solid scientific methodology, documentation, and publishing. Herrera, along with NSA cybersecurity experts and external authorities in the field, selected the winning paper from 30 studies nominated by the public on the Science of Security website.

    The winning researchers studied autonomous systems which probe newly instantiated encrypted websites. They identified 105 malicious security bots attempting to perform nefarious actions such as data exfiltration, reconnaissance, and vulnerability exploitation. They also identified security systems examining sites to identify new phishing attacks. These profiles provide new insights into these autonomous actions happening on the Internet. This data can be used by both system administrators and developers to protect systems from compromise.

    The research team collected this data by creating the Certificate Transparency Honeypot (CTPOT), a system that obtains new certificates and monitors web bots for potential targets. CTPOT allows researchers to trick web bots, isolate them, and identify if they are malicious.

    “Beyond the technical merit of this paper, this paper is noteworthy because the high quality of documentation allows for others to verify and build upon this research advancement,” said Adam Tagert, Technical Director of NSA’s Science of Security Initiative. “Clear and available documentation are key components for advancing science, a primary goal of the NSA Science of Security Program”

    Nominations are now open for the 12th annual Best Scientific Cybersecurity Paper Competition. NSA welcomes nominations of papers published in 2023 in peer-reviewed journals and technical conferences that show an outstanding contribution to cybersecurity science. Winners will be announced at the end of 2024.

    Visit the Best Scientific Cybersecurity Paper webpage for more information on the competition and to nominate a paper.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Winston Peters’ $100 billion infrastructure fund is the right idea. Politics-as-usual is the problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    New Zealand’s infrastructure woes are a constant political pain point. From ageing water systems to congested roads and assets increasingly threatened by climate change, the country faces mammoth upgrading and future-proofing challenges.

    Enter Winston Peters and NZ First with a surprise proposal for a NZ$100 billion “Future Fund” dedicated to infrastructure investment. Sounds promising – but the proposal’s success will hinge on getting the details right and, more importantly, getting the politics out of infrastructure planning.

    Unveiled at NZ First’s annual convention last weekend, the idea bears striking similarities to challenges previously highlighted by urban planning and infrastructure experts.

    The country currently has an estimated infrastructure deficit of over $100 billion, which aligns eerily with the scale of Peters’ proposed fund.

    The Future Fund proposal sounds impressive on paper. Ring-fenced from political meddling and focused on national interests, it’s billed as a silver bullet for infrastructure funding problems.

    Peters claims he’s taken a page from the Singapore and Ireland playbooks – potentially breaking New Zealand’s habit of treating big infrastructure projects like they’re part of a three-year plan.

    Long-term savings

    As always, the devil is in the details – and the Future Fund is light on them. How exactly would this fund be financed? How would projects be selected and prioritised? And, crucially, how would it be insulated from the political interference it claims to avoid?

    The potential benefits are significant. Research suggests that a stable, long-term approach to infrastructure investment and better utilisation of existing assets could unlock substantial savings – potentially up to 40% of total project costs.

    A well-managed $100 billion fund could provide the certainty and consistency needed to achieve these efficiencies.

    The scale of the fund also aligns with the urgent need for a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul. From modernising water systems to expanding road and rail networks, and ensuring resilience against climate change, the required investment is indeed massive.

    Politics is the problem

    Yet the proposal faces significant hurdles, not the least of which is from NZ First’s own coalition partners.

    The National Party’s previous commitments to curb borrowing seem at odds with a fund of this magnitude. Peters argues that debt for wealth creation and infrastructure differs from debt for consumption.

    That’s a valid point, but one that may struggle to gain traction in a political environment focused on reducing overall government debt.

    The proposal also raises questions about how it would interact with existing initiatives, such as the National Investment Agency set up by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. It’s unclear whether these entities would complement each other or create redundancies and inefficiencies.

    Perhaps the most critical question is whether this fund, despite its claimed independence, can rise above the political cycle. We have a long and exhausting history of proposing infrastructure for political gain, where one government’s “vital infrastructure” becomes the next’s “wasteful spending”.

    Time for a 30-year plan

    While the Future Fund could be a big move in the right direction, we must also rethink how we plan (and pay) for infrastructure completely.

    A good start would be a 30-year plan that all political parties can get behind, like the United Kingdom’s National Infrastructure Assessment. This would give us a real long-term vision rather than promises that change with each election cycle.

    We should also look at more innovative ways to fund projects. Value capture, which leverages rising property values near new infrastructure to help finance its development, helped build London’s Crossrail. And Australia is “asset recycling” from old infrastructure into new projects.

    These aren’t just theoretical ideas. They could change how we build what New Zealand needs without the risks of entirely relying on taxpayers.

    Ending the boom-bust cycle

    Efficiency must also be a priority. Time-of-use charges for roads, already implemented in cities such as Stockholm and Singapore and proposed for Auckland, could reduce congestion and wasteful spending on unnecessary road expansions.

    Volumetric charging for water, as seen in the Kāpiti Coast, can significantly reduce water waste without massive new investments.

    New Zealand could also break free from its boom-bust infrastructure cycle by establishing an agency outside the political realm to manage the cash Winston Peters is proposing.

    A truly independent infrastructure body, similar to Infrastructure Australia, could provide the continuity and expertise needed to see projects through political cycles.

    Money isn’t the only issue here. Politics is the real roadblock. Right now, every election cycle, priorities change, projects fly out the window, and the bill for desperately needed infrastructure only gets bigger.

    The Future Fund seems like a step in the right direction. But without also overhauling how we make decisions about infrastructure, it could end up being just another political football.

    Timothy Welch 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. Winston Peters’ $100 billion infrastructure fund is the right idea. Politics-as-usual is the problem – https://theconversation.com/winston-peters-100-billion-infrastructure-fund-is-the-right-idea-politics-as-usual-is-the-problem-241346

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Are market giants endangering Australia’s live music scene? Industry veterans and local artists are worried

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Green, Research Fellow, Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University

    Multinational concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment has come under fire, with an ABC Four Corners investigation saying its unprecedented market power is open to abuse.

    The report follows concerns about the introduction of dynamic pricing – where ticket prices change according to demand – to the Australian concert market. A parliamentary inquiry into the live music sector is also underway.

    Industry luminaries such as Peter Garrett and Michael Chugg told the ABC that Australia’s music scene is under threat, echoing the concerns of frustrated bands and fans. Live Nation issued a statement ahead of the program, calling it inaccurate and unbalanced.

    So what is Live Nation and how is market concentration affecting our music scene?

    The business

    Live music is one of our most popular forms of cultural participation, engaging almost half of Australians over 15. In the decade before COVID, ticket buying and revenue for contemporary music doubled.

    Ticket revenue doubled again in the year 2022–23 to well above pre-pandemic levels. How can such growth be squared against widespread talk of a sector in crisis, with venues closing and festivals cancelled?

    This is because the growth is top-heavy. Overall figures have been boosted by an influx of stadium concerts by international superstars such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Rising revenue outpaced attendance growth by almost three to one, with average ticket prices rising 47.4% to A$128.21. Market power is increasingly concentrated in a few corporate hands, notably Live Nation Entertainment.

    ‘We’re in an extinction event right now.’

    What is Live Nation?

    Live Nation began in the United States as a concert promoter. Traditionally, a promoter funds and arranges live events, negotiating with artists, their agents, venues and ticketing services. But Live Nation has integrated many such components into its operations. Now, everything from artist management to venues and merchandise can be done in-house.

    In 2010, the US Department of Justice allowed the merger of Live Nation with major ticketing company Ticketmaster. The resulting entity, Live Nation Entertainment, has since acquired a growing set of interests internationally.

    Live Nation’s acquisitions over the past decade in Australia include:

    Live Nation Entertainment also acquired venues, leasing Melbourne’s Palais Theatre for 30 years from 2017 and Festival Hall. The group purchased Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul in 2022 and opened Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall (2020) and Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall (2022) in partnership with local entities.

    Ticketmaster is the authorised ticketing agency for Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and for Australian tours promoted by Live Nation. These include concerts by Oasis, Green Day, P!nk and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

    Live Nation has also acquired several Australian booking agencies, including Village Sounds, which represents Bernard Fanning, Courtney Barnett and Vance Joy.

    The only competitors are TEG (which owns Ticketek) and AEG-Frontier. Music industry stakeholders are concerned about the oversized influence of these three “corporate giants”.

    Keeping the shareholders happy

    For consumers, a lack of competition can mean higher prices. Dynamic pricing made headlines, but Four Corners also alleged there were a range of “hidden fees” in the price of tickets ordinarily sold by Ticketmaster and Ticketek.

    Artists are at a disadvantage when negotiating with a mass of connected businesses that are often owned by one entity and which sometimes includes their own agent.

    South Australian rock band Bad//Dreems told the ABC they were left with just $9,000 from a tour that grossed $100,000.

    Veteran promoter Michael Chugg complained major artists were being overpaid, skewing the sector to the detriment of local musicians. While Australian promoters, including Chugg and the late Michael Gudinski, have a history of consolidating interests and crowding out competition, they also had skin in the Australian music game. Live Nation is a publicly listed company with duties to its shareholders, including US hedge funds and Saudi royalty.

    Midnight Oil singer and former politician Peter Garrett said this meant there was “no loyalty” to Australian artists. A multinational promoter with a shareholder-driven approach might be more likely to cancel a festival after weak opening sales, instead of weathering short-term losses to preserve the brand and relationships.

    That cancellation might even consolidate demand for the company’s upcoming headline tours. But opportunities are lost for Australian artists, businesses and culture.

    What can be done?

    Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke told Four Corners he has put Live Nation on notice and warned the company not to use its power in an anti-competitive way. But he did not commit to legislative change.

    In the United States, the Department of Justice and dozens of states have sued Live Nation for antitrust, seeking “to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s monopoly and restore competition for the benefit of fans and artists”.

    Australian courts currently have no power to break up monopolies without new legislation. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission can investigate and prosecute misuse of market power, as alleged by some in this case.

    Fair trading authorities in the United Kingdom and Europe are examining Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing in the wake of the Oasis ticket-pricing controversy. However, Burke said surge pricing is something consumers have always dealt with, and “not something we’re looking at, at the moment”.

    Governments could also regulate more transparency in ticket fees, as well as the rights of artists, who sit uncomfortably between employees and small businesses. Their union, MEAA’s Musicians Australia, is currently advocating about these matters.

    Those passionate about Australia’s live music scene fear that if the sector isn’t better regulated, it’ll soon be too late to save it.

    Ben Green receives research funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australasian Performing Right Association.

    Sam Whiting receives funding from RMIT University and the Winston Churchill Trust.

    – ref. Are market giants endangering Australia’s live music scene? Industry veterans and local artists are worried – https://theconversation.com/are-market-giants-endangering-australias-live-music-scene-industry-veterans-and-local-artists-are-worried-241244

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Speakers, vacuums, doorbells and fridges – the government plans to make your ‘smart things’ more secure

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abu Barkat ullah, Associate Professor of Cyber Security, University of Canberra

    gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    The Australian government has introduced its first-ever standalone cyber security act. Along with two other cyber security bills, it’s currently being reviewed by a parliamentary committee.

    Among the act’s many provisions are mandatory “minimum cyber security standards for smart devices”.

    This marks a crucial step in defending the digital lives of Australians. So what devices would it apply to? And what can you do right now to protect your smart devices from cyber criminals?

    Smart devices are everywhere

    The new legislation aims to cover a wide range of smart devices – products that can connect to the internet in some way.

    This includes “internet-connectable” products – think smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles. It also includes indirect “network-connectable” products, which can send and receive data. This means things like smart home devices and appliances, wearables (smart watches, fitness trackers), smart vacuums and many more.

    Simple electronic devices that don’t connect to the internet or can’t store or process sensitive data are not included.

    According to one study, 7.6 million Australian households – more than 70% – had at least one smart home device by the end of 2023, and 3 million of those households had more than five.

    To work as well as they do, smart devices typically collect, store and share data. This can include sensitive personal information, health data and geo-location data, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals.

    A notorious example is the Mirai botnet in 2016, when cyber criminals infected more than 600,000 devices such as cameras, home routers, and video players globally to use them in massively disruptive network attacks, known as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS).

    Even implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps, can have security flaws that could be exploited.

    Just last week, the ABC reported that one of the world’s largest home robotics companies has failed to address security issues in its robot vacuums despite warnings from the previous year.

    The consequences of such vulnerabilities can be even more dangerous when smart devices are part of critical infrastructure. As these devices become more interconnected, a breach in one can compromise entire networks, amplifying the security risks.

    What will be the ‘minimum’ security standards?

    The new cyber security act provides for “mandatory security standards” for smart devices. It establishes the legal framework for enforcing these standards, but doesn’t explicitly outline the technical details smart devices must meet. In the past the Department of Home Affairs has suggested that Australia consider adopting an international security standard, such as ETSI EN 303 645.

    The bill’s focus is on securing connected devices to protect users from internet-based threats, vulnerabilities and risks.

    In practice, this means manufacturers will have to ensure their products meet these minimum security standards and provide a statement of compliance. And suppliers will have to include statements of compliance with the product, and will be forbidden from selling non-compliant products.

    All this will be enforced through the Secretary of Home Affairs, who can issue compliance, stop, or recall notices for violations of these rules.

    You can do your bit to stay safe

    The proposed cyber security act is a significant step forward in protecting Australians from the growing threat of cyber attacks on smart devices.

    But this may only apply to new devices or ones still receiving updates from manufacturers. Exact details on how the legislation will apply to existing devices will be determined by the government agency responsible for its implementation.

    “Legacy” devices with outdated software – older products that are no longer supported and don’t receive the latest security patches – are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks.

    While the government works on introducing the new cyber security laws, there are several things you can do to protect your smart devices:

    • set up a strong wifi password to prevent unauthorised access to your home network
    • create a dedicated, more secure wifi network for smart home devices
    • always install security patches and updates promptly
    • create unique and complex passwords for each account
    • where possible, use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security
    • disable unnecessary features or permissions, and be mindful of the information you share with apps and devices
    • make sure you understand how your data is collected and used by apps and devices.

    By mandating minimum cyber security standards and providing for effective enforcement mechanisms, Australia’s new cyber security act will help keep consumer devices safer.

    However, it’s important to note that as technology continues to evolve rapidly, the cyber crime ecosystem is also expanding. The global cost of cyber crime is projected to reach US$9.5 trillion in 2024.

    Given the dynamic nature of cyber threats, relying solely on standards may not be sufficient to address all potential risks. New vulnerabilities are discovered regularly, and it’s essential for every one of us to remain vigilant and practice good cyber hygiene by following the tips above.

    Abu Barkat ullah 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. Speakers, vacuums, doorbells and fridges – the government plans to make your ‘smart things’ more secure – https://theconversation.com/speakers-vacuums-doorbells-and-fridges-the-government-plans-to-make-your-smart-things-more-secure-241057

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kunqu Opera production honors famous linguist

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The story of famous applied linguist Li Pei has been adapted into a contemporary Kunqu Opera production, which, staged by the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, premiered at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on Oct 13.

    The production is a tribute to Li’s remarkable life and legacy, reflecting her resilience, groundbreaking achievements as an educator, and story with her husband Guo Yonghuai (1909-68), one of the founding fathers of China’s atomic and hydrogen bombs and satellite programs.

    Award-winning Kunqu Opera actress Wei Chunrong plays the role of Li Pei in the production.

    With a 19-member ensemble featuring traditional Chinese musical instrumentalists and a small symphony orchestra of 30 members, the Kunqu Opera production combines a contemporary storytelling approach with the Kunqu Opera.

    Born in Jiangsu province in 1917, Li was accepted into Peking University to study economics in 1936. She continued her studies at Cornell University in the United States in 1947, where she married Guo in 1948. The couple returned to China with their only daughter in 1956.

    Li began teaching English at the University of Science and Technology of China in 1961 and transferred to its graduate school in 1978. She remained at the graduate school until she retired in 1987. Li passed away in 2017.

    Besides being an educator and linguist, Li is also credited with being one of the most important initiators and promoters of the development of Zhongguancun, a small village in Beijing, which later became the high-tech innovation hub dubbed “the Silicon Valley of China”. She also set up the Zhongguancun Forum and invited eminent scholars from many fields to give lectures, arranging more than 600 between 1998 and 2011.

    The Kunqu Opera production also features a role based on Yang Jia, one of Li’s students, who studied under Li after being admitted to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences at age 22. Two years later, she became a teacher at the university and at 29, lost her sight. With Li’s encouragement and a great deal of determination, Yang Jia became the first blind person from outside the US to obtain a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global partnerships to foster Singapore Project RESET against cardiovascular diseases, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Global partnerships to foster Singapore Project RESET against cardiovascular diseases, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    Given the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among Singapore’s aging population, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Medicine has taken proactive steps with initiatives such as MOMENTUM-CVD and Project RESET to develop preventive measures. International collaborations are expected to strengthen these efforts, considerably advancing cardiovascular research in the country, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Agilent Technologies Inc. has recently formed a strategic partnership with the NUS, through NUS Medicine, to establish a Center of Excellence in Cell Metabolism. This collaboration aims to advance research in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases over the next four years.

    Shreya Jain, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Global collaborations such as Duke-NUS partnership and Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases are significantly advancing Singapore’s initiatives for CVD research and prevention by providing access to international expertise, technology, and funding. Partnerships with global leaders such as Agilent Technologies and academic institutions are likely to further enhance the country’s capabilities in developing innovative solutions for CVDs.”

    Agilent’s integrated metabolic and cellular phenotyping platforms such as xCELLigence, Seahorse XF, and BioTek technologies are said to offer multimodal workflow solution, enabling cell studies at exceptional speed and scale. Such combinations will facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic targets and cardio-liver-metabolic biomarkers to prevent CVDs.

    Jain concludes: “By developing innovative, preventative healthcare strategies and enhancing local expertise in cardiovascular research, Singapore aims to reduce healthcare costs associated with CVDs. Furthermore, international collaborations will elevate Singapore’s status as a hub for biomedical research, attracting investment, talent, and boosting the local economy over time.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Queensland Premier Steven Miles is promising to hold a vote on nuclear power. Here’s why

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

    Tarong power station Stanwell

    Queensland Premier Steven Miles this week declared his party would hold a plebiscite on nuclear power if it returns to office at the forthcoming state election.

    The move is in response to plans by the federal Coalition to build and operate seven nuclear plants around Australia if elected to government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the facilities would be built at sites of coal power stations scheduled for closure. Two are slated for Queensland, at the Callide and Tarong power stations.

    Queensland has state laws banning the construction or operation of a nuclear facility and requiring the state government to hold a plebiscite if there are Commonwealth plans to build a nuclear plant in the state. A plebiscite is a referendum-style vote to gauge voters’ views on an issue.

    Unlike a referendum, the results are not binding. There’s also very little chance a plebiscite could be held on or before the date of the next federal election, as Miles has suggested, as the laws do not allow for a plebiscite on an opposition policy.

    Who has the constitutional power over nuclear facilities?

    While the Commonwealth Constitution does not refer to nuclear energy, the federal parliament has passed laws to regulate nuclear matters. To do so, it relies on a web of constitutional powers, including the trade and commerce power, the corporations power, the external affairs power and the territories power.

    The Commonwealth can also compulsorily acquire land for public purposes. This makes the land a “Commonwealth place” over which it can exercise full and exclusive legislative power.

    The federal government has previously engaged in commercial matters by establishing trading corporations, such as NBN Co and Snowy Hydro Ltd, to deal with nation-building infrastructure.

    It seems likely, therefore, that the federal parliament could pass laws to authorise and regulate the operation of nuclear power plants in Australia.

    In doing so, its laws would override inconsistent state laws, such as those that prohibit nuclear facilities, under section 109 of the Constitution.

    But state governments could still make it difficult for the Commonwealth to give effect to its nuclear policies. You only have to look at how state governments have successfully opposed Commonwealth efforts to create a nuclear waste facility to see the problems.

    Plebiscite as booby trap

    The development of a nuclear power industry in Australia has been debated before – most recently in 2006 when the Howard Coalition government commissioned the Switkowski report on the use of nuclear energy in Australia.

    This report suggested the Commonwealth could act to establish 25 nuclear power stations across Australia. In response, Queensland’s parliament, under a Labor government, enacted the Nuclear Facilities Prohibition Act 2007. It banned the construction or operation of certain types of nuclear facilities in Queensland. New South Wales and Victoria had also previously done the same.

    The Queensland government recognised the Commonwealth probably had the power to override such a ban. So it included a political booby trap in section 21 of the law.

    It says that if the relevant Queensland minister is satisfied the Commonwealth government has taken, or is likely to take, any step supporting or allowing the construction of a prohibited nuclear facility in Queensland, the minister:

    must take steps for the conduct of a plebiscite in Queensland to obtain the views of the people of Queensland about the construction of a prohibited nuclear facility in Queensland.

    Unlike a referendum, which changes the Constitution, a plebiscite operates as an opinion poll.

    It would not prevent a nuclear power plant being built, or stop the federal parliament overriding the state ban. But it could create a political impediment.

    During the debate over the state law in 2007, then-Premier Peter Beattie made this point clearly:

    If the Howard government wants to use its powers to override the strong position of Queenslanders […] this government will make certain that Queenslanders have a chance to have their say.

    This was important, he claimed, because it would “put political pressure on the federal government to not go down this road”. In other words, the law can be used to apply political pressure.

    Of plebiscites and federal elections

    Miles suggested the plebiscite could be held the same day as the next federal election “to save people going to the polls twice”.

    This could affect voting in the federal election by highlighting the impact of nuclear policies on Queensland. But if this is the tactic, Miles faces two problems.

    First, Queensland law only triggers the plebiscite requirement when the relevant state minister is “satisfied the government of the Commonwealth” is likely to take a step in supporting or allowing the construction of a prohibited nuclear facility in Queensland.

    But the minister could not legally be satisfied of this before the election outcome is known, as a policy of an opposition party does not amount to a proposed action of the “government of the Commonwealth”.

    Second, section 394 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 says no state or territory election, referendum or vote can be held on the day of a Commonwealth election without the authority of the governor-general.

    This ban was introduced in 1922, after holding state votes at the same time as federal elections resulted in a high informal vote due to different voting instructions.

    The governor-general has given this permission only once, when the Northern Territory held a plebiscite on becoming a state on the same day as the 1998 federal election.

    It’s doubtful the federal government would advise the governor-general to permit a partisan state plebiscite to be held on the same day as a federal election.

    Queensland’s ageing Callide Power Station opened nearly 60 years ago. It’s been flagged as a possible location for a nuclear power station under opposition leader Peter Dutton’s plan.
    Queensland State Archives

    Where does this leave us?

    It’s unlikely Queensland could hold such a plebiscite at or before the next federal election.

    But if the Coalition wins the next federal election and proceeds with its nuclear policy, Queensland would be obliged to hold a plebiscite – regardless of who wins the state election, unless its law was changed.

    This would make clear how much support there was for nuclear power. A clear rejection wouldn’t have any legal effect, but could well achieve the same outcome through political pressure. We might also see other states follow suit to hold plebiscites on nuclear power, although none currently are legally obliged to do so.

    Anne Twomey has received funding from the Australian Research Council and sometimes does consultancy work for governments, Parliaments and inter-governmental bodies.

    – ref. Queensland Premier Steven Miles is promising to hold a vote on nuclear power. Here’s why – https://theconversation.com/queensland-premier-steven-miles-is-promising-to-hold-a-vote-on-nuclear-power-heres-why-241254

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Atos appoints Philippe Salle Chairman of the Board of Directors with effect from October 14, 2024 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from February 01, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Press release

    Atos appoints Philippe Salle Chairman of the Board of Directors with effect from October 14, 2024

    and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from February 01, 2025

    Paris, France, 15 October 2024 – Atos today announces the appointment of Philippe Salle as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company with immediate effect and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with effect from February 01, 2025.

    In the context of the Group’s financial restructuring, the Nominations and Governance Committee chaired by Lead Independent Director Elizabeth Tinkham, conducted a rigorous selection process with the support of an internationally renowned recruitment firm and in consultation with selected Company creditors.

    At its meeting on October 14, 2024, the Board of Directors approved unanimously, on the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee:

    • the co-optation of Philippe Salle as a Director, subject to ratification by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting;
    • his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors with immediate effect; and
    • his appointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1st February 2025.

    With extensive experience as CEO, notably in listed companies, Philippe Salle will bring invaluable skills and insights to support the deployment of the business plan and the restructuring of the Group.

    Jean-Pierre Mustier will act as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until January 31, 2025, and remain a member of the Board of Directors, ensuring an orderly, constructive and effective transition. In particular, he will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the proper implementation of the accelerated safeguard plan, which is essential for the Group.

    The Board meeting of October 14, 2024 also noted Philippe Salle’s intention to participate in the financial restructuring of the Company by investing a total amount of at least €9 million in the Company. This investment would take the form of a subscription to the right issue with preferential subscription rights, decided in the context of the accelerated safeguard plan, if the conditions for completion so permit, or subsequently directly on the market.

    Jean-Pierre Mustier, Chief Executive Officer of Atos, said: ” I am delighted to welcome Philippe Salle to the Board. Philippe Salle is a highly experienced executive whose qualities and expertise in leading blue-chip companies will be a crucial asset as Atos looks to the future. He has also an extensive track record in creating shareholders value. We will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and the effective deployment of the Group’s business and restructuring plan, in the interests of all stakeholders.”

    Philippe Salle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atos, said: “It is with great enthusiasm and conviction that I join the Atos Group. I am aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but also of the Group’s strengths, from the quality of its services to the ongoing commitment of its employees, which will enable us, together, to open a new chapter in the Group’s history.”

    About Philippe Salle

    Philippe Salle began his career with Total in Indonesia in 1988. He then joined Accenture in 1990 where he was promoted to senior consultant. He joined McKinsey in 1995 and became senior manager in 1998. He joined the Vedior group in 1999 (now Randstad, a company listed on Euronext Amsterdam), and became Chairman and CEO of Vedior France in 2002. He became a member of the Executive Board in 2003 and was appointed Head of Southern Europe in 2006. In 2007, he joined the Geoservices group (sold to Schlumberger in 2010), a technology company in the oil sector and under LBO, first as Deputy CEO and then as Chairman and CEO. In June 2011, Philippe Salle was appointed Chairman and CEO of Altran Group (a company listed on Euronext Paris), an engineering consultancy and world leader in innovation. In April 2015, Philippe Salle was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Elior Group (a company listed on Euronext Paris), a world leader in catering and services. In December 2017, Philippe Salle was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Emeria (a company under LBO), the world’s leading provider of real estate services and technologies.

    Philippe Salle has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viridien (formerly CGG) since 26 April 2018, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Banque Transatlantique since 2010.

    Philippe Salle is a graduate of the Ecole des Mines de Paris and holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University (Chicago, USA). He is a Chevalier de l’ordre national du Mérite, Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur and Commandeur de l’ordre du Mérite de la République italienne.

    ***

    About Atos

    Atos is an international leader in digital transformation with around 92,000 employees and annual revenues of €10 billion. The European leader in cloud computing, cybersecurity and supercomputing, the Group provides integrated solutions to all sectors, in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonisation services and products, Atos is committed to delivering secure, decarbonised digital solutions to its customers. Atos is an SE (Société Européenne) listed on Euronext Paris.

    Atos’ raison d’être is to help shape the information space. With its skills and services, the Group supports the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contributes to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Everywhere in the world, Atos enables its customers and employees, and more generally the greatest number of people, to live, work and progress sustainably and with complete confidence in the information space.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations: David Pierre-Kahn | investors@atos.net | +33 6 28 51 45 96

    Individual shareholders: 0805 65 00 75

    Press contact: globalprteam@atos.net

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Banning debit card surcharges could save $500 million a year – if traders don’t claw back the money in other ways

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angel Zhong, Associate Professor of Finance, RMIT University

    Galdric PS/Shutterstock

    In a move that could reshape how Australians pay for everyday purchases, the federal government is preparing to ban businesses from slapping surcharges on debit card transactions.

    This plan, pending a review by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), promises to put money back into consumers’ pockets.

    The RBA, which is accepting submissions until December, released its first consultation paper on Tuesday to coincide with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ joint announcement.

    But as with any significant policy shift, it’s worth taking a closer look to see what it really means for all of us.

    How much are we really saving?

    Based on RBA data, the potential savings are huge – up to $500 million a year if surcharges on debit cards are banned.

    And if the government goes one step further and includes credit card transaction fees in the ban, those savings could hit a massive $1 billion annually.

    While these figures sound impressive, when you break it down, the savings per cardholder would amount to around $140 annually.

    It’s not a life-changing amount, but for frequent shoppers or anyone making larger purchases, it could add up.

    Of course, not everyone will benefit equally. Those who shop less might not notice the difference.

    How does Australia stack up globally?

    RBA data shows Australians are paying more in merchant service fees than people in Europe, but less than consumers in the United States.

    These fees are what businesses pay to accept card payments, and they get passed on to us in the form of surcharges.

    The proposed ban on debit card surcharges occupies a middle ground in the global regulatory landscape. The European Union, United Kingdom and Malaysia have implemented comprehensive bans on surcharges for most debit and credit card transactions.

    But in the US and Canada, businesses can still charge you for using a credit card, though debit card surcharges aren’t allowed.

    The merchant’s perspective

    While the surcharge ban seems like a clear win for consumers, it’s essential to consider the impact on merchants, especially small businesses. The reality is not all merchants are created equal when it comes to card payment fees.

    In Australia, there’s a significant disparity between the fees paid by large and small merchants. In fact, RBA data shows small businesses pay fees about three times higher than what larger businesses pay.

    It all comes down to bargaining power. Bigger businesses can negotiate better deals on fees. This difference is primarily driven by the ability of larger merchants to thrash out favourable wholesale fees for processing card transactions.

    For small businesses, the cost of accepting cards can range from under 1% to more than 2% of the transaction value, which can eat into profits, especially for those working with tight margins.

    While the ban may sound like good news for consumers, there’s still a need to fix the bigger issues in the payment system. Innovations like “least-cost routing”, which allows businesses to process transactions at the lowest possible cost, could potentially help level the playing field.

    How businesses might exploit the loopholes?

    If payment costs are entirely passed on to merchants, they might find ways to recover those expenses through other means. We’ve seen this happen in other countries that abolished surcharges. Some potential strategies include

    • slightly raising overall prices to cover lost surcharge revenue
    • implementing or increasing minimum purchase requirements for card payments
    • introducing new “service” or “convenience” fees for all transactions, or increasing weekend and holiday surcharges.

    Most of these tactics have been around for a while. The challenge for regulators will be to monitor and address any new practices that emerge in response to the new rules.

    Credit cards: the elephant in the room

    While the ban on debit card surcharges is a step in the right direction, it raises an obvious question: why not extend it to credit cards?

    The option to ban credit card surcharges along with debit cards is proposed in the RBA’s review consultation paper. The answer lies in the complex web of interchange fees and merchant costs associated with credit card transactions.

    Credit card transactions cost merchants more to process because of additional services and rewards programs offered by credit card issuers.

    Banning surcharges on these could potentially lead to merchants increasing their base prices to cover these costs. This could effectively result in users of lower-cost payment methods subsidising those opting for premium cards.

    The absence of surcharges could also reduce the competitive pressure on card networks to keep their fees in check, potentially leading to higher costs in the long run.

    Some countries have managed to ban surcharges on credit cards, but they usually have stricter regulations around interchange fees than we do in Australia.

    As policymakers grapple with this complex issue, they must weigh the benefits of consumer simplicity against the risk of distorting market signals and potentially increasing costs for both merchants and consumers alike.

    Angel Zhong 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. Banning debit card surcharges could save $500 million a year – if traders don’t claw back the money in other ways – https://theconversation.com/banning-debit-card-surcharges-could-save-500-million-a-year-if-traders-dont-claw-back-the-money-in-other-ways-241354

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global sci-tech experts to address sustainability at annual forum

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The sixth World Science and Technology Development Forum will be held in Beijing from Oct. 22 to 24, the organizer announced Thursday.
    This year’s session, themed “Science and Technology for the Future,” will focus on six key ideas: intelligence, interdisciplinary, infrastructures, innovation, interaction, and integration.
    Since its initiation in 2019 by the China Association for Science and Technology, the annual forum has addressed various sustainability challenges. Previous sessions have covered topics ranging from food security to disaster prevention.
    At the inaugural session, Vania G. Zuin Zeidler, professor of green chemistry and sustainable chemistry at the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil and visiting professor at the Green Chemistry Center of Excellence at the University of York, U.K., said about 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted annually. She discussed how the farm-to-table model can prevent food waste and how São Paulo produces healthy food through sustainable agricultural systems.
    At a previous subforum on food security during the fourth session, Deng Xingwang, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and dean of the School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences of Peking University, discussed the advantages of third-generation hybrid rice breeding technology. He emphasized that this internationally leading technology is cost-effective and safe, making it easier to apply. It has already been successfully validated and commercialized in China.
    At a subforum on carbon reduction during the fourth session, Lei Xianzhang, a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering, introduced electric-hydrogen coupling technology. This technology supports carbon peaking and neutrality by enabling efficient conversion between hydrogen and electricity, using clean energy sources like wind, solar and hydropower to produce hydrogen or hydrogen-based energy. 
    At the NexTus SDGs Youth Innovators’ Assembly during the fourth session, Yan Luhui, founder of Carbonstop, introduced a carbon management SaaS platform. Yan explained how big data and artificial intelligence can visualize carbon, analyze data and help companies improve carbon reduction efficiency.
    At a subforum on disaster prevention and mitigation at the fourth session, Ge Yonggang, director of the Science and Technology Division at the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, detailed how Sichuan province combines weather monitoring with tracking mountain floods and debris flows. This innovative approach aims to create a more precise early warning system. The research, currently focused on Liangshan, is set to expand to Chengdu and Mianyang.
    Cui Peng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described a new platform for predicting mountain disasters. He explained how the platform includes a risk baseline database, physical parameter library and risk analysis system. With these tools, the platform can forecast mountain disasters every hour in real-time, pinpoint specific disaster locations and their features, and provide precise early warnings. Cui also suggested combining disaster management with efforts to restore nature and develop eco-friendly industries.
    The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in August 2023 declaring 2024-2033 the “International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development.” The upcoming forum will be held during the first year of this decade. 
    The organizer said the event will continue to gather global expertise to promote high-quality development and enhance international scientific and cultural exchanges.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students were told about construction industry specialties

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    On October 10, Petr Chernobay, CEO of the construction company OOO YUPITER, gave a lecture to students of the construction faculty of SPbGASU about choosing a specialty in the construction industry. According to him, this could be the development of construction projects, the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and technical inspection of buildings and structures.

    “Determining your calling in the construction industry is key to a successful career. To do this, you need to analyze your interests, abilities and values, as well as explore possible options and directions in construction. Follow your aspirations to find your own place in this exciting field of activity,” he urged the students.

    Petr Chernobay explained how to determine professional preferences and inclinations to identify the construction specialty that suits you, and invited students to come on a tour of a construction site.

    “Career guidance in construction includes the process of determining the ideal match between a person’s personality, their interests, abilities and the requirements for specialists in this field. To do this, it is important not only to understand what specialties exist in construction, but also to assess in which of them the student will be able to reveal his potential to the fullest. Determining one’s own place in the construction industry begins with an analysis of one’s interests, abilities, as well as a constant desire for self-improvement and professional growth. Therefore, such meetings of students with representatives of construction organizations are extremely important for career guidance,” noted Alexander Glukhanov, Deputy Dean of the Construction Faculty for Career Guidance, Associate Professor of the Department of Technosphere Safety.

    Alla Kadyrova, a specialist at the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career at SPbGASU, reminded that student years are a unique period when a person has the opportunity to explore different areas of activity. After all, graduates often face difficulties in choosing a future path and do not have time to reveal their strengths during their studies, and, accordingly, become competitive candidates for employment. If students start thinking about their career path now, they will be able to achieve success faster and avoid uncertainty in the future. That is why events such as getting to know companies are an important addition to obtaining higher education.

    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://www.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/students-told-about-specialties-in-the-construction-industry/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The role of teaching aids in developing students’ competencies was discussed at the “Department Weeks” at the State University of Management

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    A round table on the topic: “Scientific and educational potential of the department as a basis for developing competencies” was held in the conference hall of the Scientific Library of the State University of Management. The event was attended by the department staff and students studying in the educational programs implemented by it.

    The head of the department, Olga Astafieva, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech, outlining the development trajectories of the implemented educational programs in the bachelor’s and master’s degrees and the continuing trend towards practice-oriented training.

    “The department cooperates with leading companies in the investment and construction sector and continues to successfully train highly qualified personnel for this industry with the involvement of practicing specialists, not forgetting to promptly update educational and educational-methodological literature. The main thematic areas of the department’s publications are investment and economic analysis, risk management, budgeting, pricing and estimating, and management of investment and construction projects,” Olga Astafieva noted.

    Senior lecturer Yuri Tikhonov introduced the history of the department, famous scientists who worked there, and iconic textbooks that were prepared by the department’s staff and republished over the decades, being the main ones within their disciplines.

    Professor of the department Tatyana Shemyakina told the students present at the event about the role of books in the modern educational process and why it is no less important for them today than in the past to study educational literature.

    Let us remind you that from October 8 to 20, the Scientific Library of the State University of Management is hosting an exhibition of publications by employees of the Department of Economics and Management in Construction as part of the Department Weeks project, which is dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the State University of Management and was launched in September 2023 on the initiative of the Rector’s Advisor Sergei Chuev.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/15/2024

    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.

    The role of teaching aids in developing students’ competencies was discussed at the “Department Weeks” at the State University of Management

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU took part in the campaign “Scientists – to schools”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 11, young scientists from the State University of Management held popular science lectures in Moscow schools as part of the All-Russian campaign “Scientists to Schools”, timed to coincide with the All-Russian Science Festival “Science 0”.

    Associate Professor of the Department of Innovation Management at the State University of Management Denis Serdechny gave a lecture to students of School No. 1363 on the topic of “Inventive Work and Instruments for Protecting the Results of Intellectual Activity”. Schoolchildren learned about the importance of innovation in the modern world and how to properly protect their ideas and inventions using various legal instruments.

    Associate Professor of the Department of Transport Complex Management at the State University of Management Artem Merenkov gave a lecture to senior students of School No. 1363 entitled “Russian Automobile: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”. The young scientist spoke about the development of the domestic auto industry, the challenges that the industry faced in the past, and the prospects for its development.

    On the same day, the Head of the Department for Coordination of Scientific Research of the State University of Management, Maxim Pletnev, introduced students of School No. 1420 to the specifics of transport in large cities, the main difficulties in managing urban transport, and the prospects for developing modern technologies to improve the city’s infrastructure.

    The annual project “Scientists to Schools” is designed to form a communication channel between the scientific community and educational institutions of the city. Scientists’ presentations help popularize science among schoolchildren, increase the attractiveness of scientific activity and form the image of a successful and promising scientist.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/15/2024

    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.

    GUU took part in the campaign “Scientists – to schools”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSB holds award presentation ceremony for Love for China Chinese essay competition (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Official Languages Division of the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) organised a series of activities under the theme of “Glorious China”, among which the Love for China Chinese essay competition had its award presentation ceremony today (October 15). The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, presented the awards to all winners. The awardees’ department heads or their representatives were also present to congratulate the awardees and share the joy.

         The competition received an enthusiastic response with nearly 300 entries. Participants included officers from various grades in 51 departments as well as retired civil servants.

         Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Yeung said that the entries, all centred on the idea of Love for China but adopting a wide variety of styles, subject matters and narrative perspectives, expressed feelings for the country and told good stories about China. Although the topics and perspectives of the entries varied, they all expressed a rich sense of national pride and patriotism. She was particularly heartened to see that many of the entries mentioned the responsibility that civil servants have towards the country.

         She thanked all participants for putting their genuine feelings into words, thereby presenting a meaningful gift to the motherland on its 75th birthday.

         The Chinese essay competition aimed to encourage government staff to express their love for the country and promote Chinese culture in written words, while serving as an opportunity to enhance their interest in Chinese writing. The competition took place between July and August. A judging panel comprising Mrs Yeung, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, Professor Ricky Tse, and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Dr Hung Yeuk-chun selected 10 winning entries from the submissions. A collection of the selected entries has been uploaded to the CSB website (Chinese only).

         The activities under the “Glorious China” themed series were organised to deepen government staff’s understanding of the country and strengthen their sense of national identity. In addition to the Chinese essay competition, the series included a recently concluded Putonghua quiz and an ongoing quiz on Chinese history and culture.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The National Economic Forum named after D.S. Lvov will be held at the State University of Management

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    In the year of the 105th anniversary of the State University of Management, we are renewing the tradition of holding a large-scale economic forum dedicated to the great economist, graduate of the State University of Management, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Semenovich Lvov. The forum will be held on October 30, 2024.

    The works of Academician Lvov are becoming especially relevant in our days, as they reflect the importance of state regulation of the economy and the social responsibility of large businesses, including resource-extracting companies, in the development of the country.

    The following sections and round tables will be held within the framework of the Lviv Forum: — Round table: Control and analytical, accounting technologies and economic security in business; — Round table: Trends in the development of the world economy and current problems of the foreign economic policy of the Russian Federation; — Round table: Diversification of defense industry enterprises as the basis for Russia’s technological sovereignty;

    Sections: – Prospects for the development of institutional theory and practice in light of the works of Academician Lvov; – Financing the development of the Russian economy in modern realities; – Trends in the interaction of the financial and real sectors of the economy in the context of the digital transformation of society; – Social justice as a factor in sustainable economic development.

    Leading economists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, representatives of business and university science will speak at the plenary session.

    Participation in the forum is free. To participate in the forum, you must register by 16:00 Moscow time on October 29, 2024 inclusive at https://forms.yandex.ru/u/66d7289673cee757500b3b6e/ and fill in all required fields.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/15/2024

    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.

    The National Economic Forum named after D.S. Lvov will be held at the State University of Management

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic conducted an audit of the library of a partner university in Kyrgyzstan

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    An expert group of the Polytechnic University information and library complex visited the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU) in Bishkek. The purpose of the visit was to analyze the library collection of colleagues. The experts were interested in the readiness to transform the information support of the educational process when introducing new educational technologies from our university.

    In modern universities, an important requirement for information support of educational programs is the availability of resources at any time and in any place. This means that it is necessary to organize convenient access to electronic materials. It is also important to fill the repositories with relevant educational publications that will be useful to students.

    At meetings with the KRSU administration, the polytechnicians emphasized that the library is an important part of the university’s information system. However, upon closer examination of its work, it became clear that outdated technologies were used. The presentation of new approaches from the SPbPU Information and Library Complex interested colleagues. The KRSU library is ready to master new systems in order to integrate into the digital educational environment.

    KRSU plans to create an electronic library based on SPbPU technologies. Library staff will be trained to host educational resources and works of academic staff. This will make the library one of the most modern in Kyrgyzstan. During the development of the roadmap, activities and indicators will be determined for the successful creation of an electronic library that will provide access to educational and scientific materials and will allow tracking their popularity.

    At the international conference “The Role of Libraries in the Innovative Development of the Kyrgyz Republic”, polytechnics discussed the importance of creating an electronic library and introducing technologies for access to online resources. Participants emphasized the need to improve the skills of students and teachers in the use of electronic materials.

    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://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/polytech-conducted-an-audit-of-the-library-of-partner-university-in-kyrgyzstan/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to the first inter-university career exhibition and forum Agrocon 2024

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 19, 2024, the first inter-university career exhibition and forum of companies in the agro-industrial complex Agrocon 2024 will be held at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, where students of all specialties are invited.

    The purpose of the event is to popularize and promote agriculture among young people, attract qualified specialists of all areas to agriculture, and facilitate the formation of a strategic partnership between the university community, agricultural companies, and government bodies.

    The event includes the following:

    Career exhibition of companies; Conducting panel discussions: o “Agroholdings and Universities”; o “Biotechnology and food security”; o “Green chemistry in agriculture”; Presentations in the interactive format AgroSlam; Conducting interactive master classes, tastings, raffles.

    Following the Agrocon 2024, it is planned to create a single platform for communication between students and agriculture, universities and agricultural companies. The creation of close ties between business and the academic environment will help build effective career paths for young professionals.

    Students can register to participate in the event through the website – Agrocon.pro.

    To coordinate the participation of the GUU staff, please contact the official representative of the Organizing Committee – A.E. Robert, e-mail: robert@agrocon.pro.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/15/2024

    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.

    We invite you to the first inter-university career exhibition and forum Agrocon 2024

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Innovative technologies of Polytechnic University in the assessment of welded joint deformations

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The staff of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU successfully completed research work under a contract with the company “Engineering Construction Service”. The specialists analyzed and compared residual deformations of welded joints with different welding methods.

    Scientists conducted research on a robotic technological complex for hybrid laser-arc welding. They evaluated different types of welding: laser, hybrid laser-arc, laser with filler wire of samples made of steel grade St3 with a thickness of 10 mm, as well as one-sided and two-sided – manual arc and mechanized semi-automatic in active gases and mixtures.

    The main thing in the project is to demonstrate the capabilities of university laboratories in developing innovative technologies for enterprises in the real sector of the economy based on the accumulated experience of the Polytechnic University. Such interaction accelerates the professional development of young scientists and helps to increase the technological sovereignty of the country, – noted the director of the IMMiT Anatoly Popovich.

    The specialists conducted a metallographic study of samples obtained using different welding methods and made a comparative analysis of residual deformations using 3D scanning. It turned out that less deformation occurs with hybrid laser-arc welding, and most of all with one-sided manual arc welding.

    We have experimentally confirmed the advantages of laser and hybrid laser-arc welding over traditional arc processes. The productivity of the welding process has increased ninefold. The consumption of shielding gas has decreased by 7-9 times, welding wire – by 25-35 times, power consumption – by 2-9 times. Welding deformations have decreased by four times. In other words, using laser welding technologies, it is possible to obtain joints with smaller deformations while reducing the cost of the welding process by 7-10 times, – said Mikhail Kuznetsov, Head of the Research Laboratory “LiAT” of IMMiT.

    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.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/science_and_innovations/innovative-technologies-of-polytechnic-in-the-assessment-of-deformations-of-welded-joints/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University student wins BRICS Future Skills championship

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The annual international championship on promising technologies and skills BRICS Future Skills was held in Kazan

    Dmitry Zharkov, a student at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University’s Institute of Civil Engineering, joined the joint team of Russia and China. Together with his partners, he became the winner in the innovative technology track “Artificial Intelligence and Generative Design of Buildings and Territories”.

    The team developed a multifunctional system for designing and master planning of logistics parks and technology parks. This includes optimal use of land taking into account the requirements of the technical task, automation of design, analysis of natural factors and resources for sustainable development, automated modeling of buildings to speed up development, simulation of air flows and agent modeling for building logistics routes. The team’s success once again confirmed the high level of training and competence of Russian students in the field of advanced technologies.

    The competition in the “BIM Information Modeling Technologies” competency was attended by 15 teams from Russia, China, South Africa and Kazakhstan. The participants demonstrated how modern methods accelerate and improve design, creating effective and innovative solutions. It is important to emphasize the importance of international cooperation and innovation in information technology, — commented Anna Korotkova, the championship’s chief expert and senior lecturer at the Higher School of Industrial and Construction Geometry and Design at the Institute of Information Science of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    The event was organized by the BRICS Business Council, the International Platform for Skills and Professions Development, the Agency for Professions and Skills Development, and the International Center for Information Technology and Communications. The championship became a platform for demonstrating advanced technological solutions, exchanging experience in the field of digital transformation, and launching joint educational programs aimed at developing the digital economy in the BRICS countries.

    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.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/achivments/polytech student-became-winner-of-the-brix-future-skills-tech-challenge/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fair-minded, down to earth and unusually gifted: George Negus dies at 82

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne

    George Negus, who has died at the age of 82, belonged to the nomenclatura of Australian television current affairs journalism.

    He first came to prominence as a member of the team that produced the groundbreaking nightly ABC TV current affairs program, This Day Tonight. That team was made up of others who were also to become household names: presenter Bill Peach and reporters Peter Luck, Gerald Stone and Mike Willesee.

    The program became a burr under the saddle of senior ABC management. On its second day it broke the story that the then chair of the ABC, James Darling, was not to be given a third term. The story incurred the chairman’s displeasure. The fallout went on interminably, a rehearsal for many tumults that were to follow throughout TDT’s 11-year existence.

    This kind of fearless, sometimes irreverent, public-interest journalism was meat and drink to Negus. He practised it from both sides of the chasm that traditionally separates journalists from political staffers.

    During the term of the Whitlam government, he became press secretary to the attorney-general, Lionel Murphy. He leaked to the media Murphy’s plan to raid the headquarters of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 1973 because Murphy believed the agency was withholding from him information about domestic terrorism.

    However, it was as a television journalist that Negus made his name. In 1979 he joined the founding team of the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes program, alongside Ray Martin, Ian Leslie and, later, Jana Wendt.

    In 1992 he became the founding host of ABC TV’s Foreign Correspondent program and worked there until 1999. He developed a reputation as a well-informed and courageous reporter specialising in the Middle East. In 2004, he published a bestselling book, The World from Islam: A Journey of Discovery through the Muslim Heartland, in which he defended Islam against the stereotype that it was inherently violent.

    In 2005 he became host of the SBS program Dateline, which also had a foreign affairs focus, and in 2011 began hosting 6.30 with George Negus on the Ten network.

    In 2012, Negus and a fellow panellist on the Ten network show The Circle, Yumi Stynes, became embroiled in a controversy concerning remarks they made about Ben Roberts-Smith, many years before he was found by a federal court judge to have committed war crimes, a finding that is now on appeal.

    There was severe public blowback on Negus and Stynes, who then apologised to Roberts-Smith. They in turn received apologies from Australia’s major newspapers for misconstruing the original remarks.

    In 2015 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to media and environmental conservation.

    Although he acquired a knockabout image, he was described by two women who worked with him as disarmingly approachable.

    Nehida Barakat was the senior producer for the ABC’s 7.30 program in about 2000 when Negus stood in as the summer presenter. She was apprehensive when he rang to discuss an intro she had written. “This gentlemanly voice asked: ‘Would you mind if I changed just a couple of words?’”

    Nicole Chvastek, who worked with him at Nine, said he was a big star who generated an air of excitement, a mixture of the intelligent, well-travelled journalist and “a sort of approachable larrikin everyman”.

    It was his down-to-earth approach to storytelling that viewers related to so readily. This, coupled with unshakeable fairmindedness on the issues he reported on, marked him out as an unusually gifted journalist.

    He is survived by his partner, Kirsty, and two sons, Ned and Serge. The family released a statement saying he had “passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a gracious decline from Alzheimer’s disease, all the while with his trademark smile”.

    Denis Muller 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. Fair-minded, down to earth and unusually gifted: George Negus dies at 82 – https://theconversation.com/fair-minded-down-to-earth-and-unusually-gifted-george-negus-dies-at-82-241367

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: IDF actions against UN peacekeepers suggest Israel may be considering occupying part of southern Lebanon

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Vanessa Newby, Assistant Professor, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University

    The United Nations security council has expressed strong concern for the safety of peacekeepers in Lebanon after a series of incidents over the past week in which UN positions have come under fire from the Israel Defense Forces as they continue their push in the south of the country.

    “UN peacekeepers and UN premises must never be the target of an attack,” the security council said on October 14 in a statement adopted by consensus of the 15-member council. It urged all parties to respect the security and safety of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) operating in south Lebanon.

    In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have struck the Unifil on several occasions, damaging cameras, shooting directly at peacekeepers and, on October 13, two Israeli tanks entered a UN compound for 45 minutes and set off smoke bombs.

    The same day Israel requested that Unifil withdraw five kilometres back from the blue line which constitutes the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon, to keep them “out of harm’s way”.

    On each occasion, the IDF has either claimed it was acting in self-defence against Hezbollah or that its actions were accidental. These explanations have failed to convince the rest of the world.

    The US, several European countries and the EU have all stated that UN peacekeepers must not be harmed. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, contends these attacks may constitute war crimes and are a breach of both international law and international humanitarian law.



    Read more:
    UN peacekeepers at risk as they deliver protection for civilians in southern Lebanon

    Since 1978, Unifil has lost 337 peacekeepers, making Lebanon the most costly, in human terms, of all the UN peacekeeping operations. But despite these risks it has remained in post. Throughout Unifil’s deployment, IDF has put it under pressure both directly and through a proxy force, the South Lebanon Army (SLA). As such Unifil has a strong institutional memory of staying put in the direst of circumstances which makes it unlikely to recommend a drawdown.

    What’s more, the security council is aware that if Unifil leaves the area, another UN-led conflict resolution mechanism is likely to be required in future. This logic is why Unifil mandates have always been renewed – albeit sometimes for three months or less.

    The biggest threat to Unifil’s deployment is if one or more troop contributing countries decide the risks are too high and withdraw their contingents. The post-2006 Unifil mission comprises the highest number of European troop contingents of all peace operations worldwide with the main contributors being Italy, Spain, Ireland, and France.

    The two sectors that comprise the mission – sector west and sector east – are led by Italy and Spain respectively. The biggest non-EU contributors are India, Ghana, Indonesia and Malaysia. If one or more of these countries were to decide to withdraw troops, this could trigger a reevaluation of the mission’s ability to deploy.

    If Unifil were to leave, it is worth noting that their compounds have a large amount of expensive equipment – much of it owned nationally by the troop contributing countries. The logistical challenge of moving troops and equipment in a battle zone would be very difficult and dangerous.

    Despite the intense fighting, many civilians still remain. The death toll from the hostilities is now estimated to be 2,306 dead and 10,698 wounded. Unifil’s presence remains crucial to monitor the hostilities and wherever possible, provide civilian protection and humanitarian assistance. But for that to be possible, Israel’s allies must continue to exert pressure to ensure that the IDF ceases all attacks on Unifil.

    A new ‘zone of security’?

    One possible reason for the attacks is that the IDF believes ridding the area of Unifil exposes Hezbollah and will enable the IDF to continue their incursion unhindered by the watchful eyes of an international observer.

    Israel’s ground offensive in southern Lebanon, October 13 2024.
    Institute for the Study of War

    But there’s another possibility. During the Lebanese civil war, the IDF occupied a section of Lebanese land bordering Israel that was known as the “zone of security”. Its purpose was to serve as a buffer zone for northern Israel, initially designed to protect Israeli citizens from Palestinian militia, and later also from the Shia resistance groups Amal and Hezbollah.

    The Israeli request for Unifil to move five kilometres back from the blue line could mean Israel is considering reestablishing some kind of buffer zone. Several factors point to this being a possibility – although the IDF and the Israeli government may not be aligned on this issue as recent tensions suggest.

    First, the IDF has now deployed units from at least four divisions into Lebanon. The volume of troop numbers deployed is upwards of 15,000 suggesting this incursion is more than a limited operation.

    Second, 29 Unifil compounds lie along the blue line. Were they to be evacuated by the UN, there would be nothing to stop the IDF from moving in and developing them into their own strongholds. While UN positions would need reinforcement and protection equipment, they would nonetheless remain useful.

    Third, in 2006 the IDF tried to destroy Hezbollah from the air and deployed limited haphazard ground incursions. These tactics failed and the prevailing view may now be that the only way to guarantee the safe return of 65,000 Israelis to their homes in northern Israel is through an occupation.

    But unlike the previous occupation, where the IDF was aided by the SLA, Israel currently has no partner in Lebanon, and it is unlikely to find a willing accomplice among the Lebanese population to help them manage the security of a buffer zone. This means IDF troops would directly bear the brunt of attacks from resistance groups, and the northern Israeli villages would be unlikely to remain secure.

    The Netanyahu government’s continued use of military solutions to solve political problems has worrying implications for Israel, Lebanon and the Middle East as a whole. At this stage, Israel looks as if it might be settling back into a conflict that could become another “forever war”.

    Thus far, the tactics used by the IDF would imply they are not thinking ahead to “the day after” and the cost to Israel that would come with the prolonged occupation of a buffer zone.

    This article was written with assistance from John Molloy, lt. col. (rtd.) Irish Defence Forces and former senior Unifil political & civil affairs officer, 2008-2017.

    Chiara Ruffa receives funding from the Swedish Research Council, the Fulbright Commission and the European Commission.

    – ref. IDF actions against UN peacekeepers suggest Israel may be considering occupying part of southern Lebanon – https://theconversation.com/idf-actions-against-un-peacekeepers-suggest-israel-may-be-considering-occupying-part-of-southern-lebanon-241297

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand

    A recent poll by the Social Research Foundation, a think thank, found that 60% of South Africans thought the government of national unity was working well. It also reported that support for the unity government’s anchor political parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), had risen since 29 May 2024 when elections were held.

    The poll results came out at the same time as the business press was reporting increased collaboration between business and government, fostered by the unity government. Corporations have reportedly pledged up to R250 million (about US$14.3 million to assist the state to address various logistics crises and help the National Prosecuting Authority prosecute corruption.

    Although we should be cautious about taking such news at face value, it is worth noting that the arrival of the unity government has been accompanied by other good news. For example:

    This adds up to new shoots which suggest a better harvest to come.



    Read more:
    South Africa has a huge gap between the rich and poor – 4 urgent reasons to tackle inequality

    Still, it is wise not to get too excited unless any upturn in the economy benefits the majority of South Africans. As Frans Cronje, director of the Social Research Foundation, has observed, while the unity government may be good for the middle class, there is no sign yet that it is addressing the needs of the poor and the people on the periphery of the economy.

    Unless its benefits become socially inclusive, it might well collapse. We need to take Cronje’s reservations seriously. Note, however, that although the unity government is a coalition, it is led by the African National Congress. And, while all parties agree that they need to put the economy back on track and promote growth, there is little evidence yet that the government is pursuing distinctively new policies.

    Beware complacency

    We are often told that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

    But this claim owes more to ideology than careful analysis of economic data. In any case, it is a catchphrase which condones inequality. It suggests that as long as living standards increase for the poor, it does not matter if the wealthy gain even more. Indeed, one version is that the more the well-off benefit, the more likely they are to spend and invest their money – that is, to create wealth for others.

    Such complacency is dangerous. Apart from being contentious economically, it poses risks to both democracy and political stability. This is particularly the case in South Africa, which is widely recognised as the most unequal country in the world.

    • High rates of inequality erode social cohesion and trust in democracy. In the May general election, the lowest level of voter turnout since 1994 reflected a worrying decline in support for democracy: from 72% in 2011 to just 43% by 2023.

    • Extremes of inequality are unlikely to lead to the formation of governing coalitions committed to pursuing developmental strategies of benefit to all. As a result, populist parties that tout simplistic solutions may find it easier to win support. As suggested by the unheralded performance of Jacob Zuma’s umKhonto we Sizwe Party in the 2024 election, this is a particular danger in South Africa. Here, the poorer black majority possess potential political power in an economy which remains largely controlled and owned by a richer, white minority. The French economist Thomas Piketty in his latest blockbuster, Capital and Ideology, warns that in such situations, the dangers of a lurch towards authoritarianism are much increased.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s unity government could see a continuation of the ANC’s political dominance – and hurt the DA

    Little prospect of reduction of inequality

    The issue is not whether the unity government is blind to these dangers, but whether the policies it is pursuing are likely to make a dent in the staggering level of inequality.

    If investment and growth do occur, there will be good news down the line – possibly the creation of some 2 million jobs and more financial room for the government to fund social benefits for the poor. But it’s unlikely to have a marked effect on the level of inequality.

    First, the unity government is not promising any great change from policies that have been pursued since 1994, only more efficient implementation. Those policies have somewhat decreased racial disparities, notably by promoting a black middle class, but they have not reduced the overall level of inequality. Indeed, as Piketty shows, this has increased, not decreased, since 1994.

    Second, the unity government’s policies may continue to focus on the reduction of poverty. But this is unlikely to shift the proportions of income between the different classes. As Cronje has hinted, the new government is underpinned by a middle-class coalition, and for this to hang together, the middle class will want to reap its reward.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s new unity government must draw on the country’s greatest asset: its constitution

    Third, history doesn’t offer much hope. Former settler colonies stand out for their exceptionally high levels of inequality. In South Africa, white people always dominated the top earners before 1994. Now they have been joined by high-earning black people, many of them public officials. The top decile’s share of total earning has increased since the end of apartheid. Today it is close to 70%, compared with around 35% in Europe.

    Fourth, we live in an age which Piketty describes as “hyper-capitalism”, in which money and ultra-rich elites are highly mobile. This makes it hard for national governments to tax the rich more. They can leave, or threaten to withdraw their investments to earn higher returns elsewhere. South Africa has already been leaking its millionaires. The unity government will not want to scare any more of them away. So, it’s unlikely to adopt aggressive tax policies in the cause of narrowing inequality.

    The unity government may well promote high growth and if successful, may ameliorate poverty, but it seems unlikely that it will either attempt or succeed in reducing inequality. It may be good for the elite and middle class, but not necessarily for the health of democracy.

    Roger Southall 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. South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-unity-government-wont-dent-poverty-and-inequality-if-it-follows-the-same-old-policies-sociologist-240697

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vladimir Stroev took part in the Sukharev Readings

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 11, 2024, the 10th All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Constitutional Foundations of Prosecutor’s Activity (Sukharev Readings)” was held at the University of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, in which the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroev took part.

    The conference is dedicated to the birthday of the outstanding statesman, legal scholar, specialist in the field of criminal law, criminal procedure and criminology Alexander Yakovlevich Sukharev.

    The plenary session and the work of the sections were devoted to the following issues: – constitutional and legal status of the prosecutor’s office of the Russian Federation: history and modernity; – constitutional foundations of prosecutorial activity outside the criminal law sphere; – constitutional foundations of prosecutorial activity in the criminal law sphere.

    Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation, government bodies and public organizations, prosecutor’s offices, scientific and educational organizations took part in the forum.

    Opening the conference, the rector of the University of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation Igor Matskevich addressed the participants with a welcoming speech on behalf of the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Yuri Ponomarev, in which he noted the relevance of the topic of the event, its fundamental nature from the point of view of the place and role of the prosecutor’s office in the system of the state legal mechanism.

    Representatives of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, the School for Training and Advanced Studies of Prosecutors in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), the Scientific and Educational Center of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL), A. Ya. Sukharev Moscow Academy of the Investigative Committee, V. Ya. Kikot Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and other specialized educational institutions spoke at the plenary and sectional sessions.

    Based on the results of the conference, recommendations were prepared, and it is planned to publish a collection of articles indexed in the RSCI system.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/15/2024

    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.

    Vladimir Stroev took part in the Sukharev Readings

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU to create a “single window” for student families

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Meeting of Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina (center) with representatives of student families

    The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering will have a “single window” system for student families. This was announced at a meeting with representatives of such families by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina.

    The meeting took place on October 10 in a hybrid format: some students joined it online. Together with the vice-rector, the constructive dialogue was attended by the head of the youth policy department Irina Nuryeva, deputy head of the youth policy department Yulia Romanova, and deputy deans for educational work.

    Marina Malyutina reported that a wide range of measures to support student families is being implemented in St. Petersburg. In order to better know their rights, student parents should carefully study local regulations, in particular, a number of articles of the Social Code of St. Petersburg dated November 22, 2011.

    Yulia Romanova informed about the support measures for student families at various levels, including those provided by SPbGASU. Thus, students of our university can receive a one-time financial aid upon the birth of a child; advisory assistance on family issues and child-rearing issues; individual consultations with a psychologist. In addition, SPbGASU will allocate and equip special-purpose rooms for parents and their preschool-aged children, intended for feeding, changing the child, organizing his rest and leisure. For women who gave birth during the period of study, there is an opportunity to transfer from paid to free education. For students with children under three years old, there is an opportunity to transfer to an individual curriculum. Also among the support measures are New Year’s parties and gifts for children, assistance in employment for women who gave birth during the period of study.

    The “single window” system will allow young parents to quickly resolve any problem. Students learned how exactly this system will be implemented: first, they should contact the employee responsible for working with student families with a request, and he, in turn, will address the request to the relevant departments and coordinate their actions.

    The “single window” system involves the dean’s offices, the department of organization of educational activities, the department of economics, the center for psychological support of students, the center for student entrepreneurship and career. “They are informed about the importance of the task set by our president and the government, and are charged with the result. Our university is joining in solving demographic problems on an equal basis with everyone else,” said Marina Malyutina.

    During the meeting, students received answers to questions about what a student family is and how it differs from a young family, whether studying for a master’s degree is considered obtaining a first higher education, etc. They will receive information materials in the form of a mailing list.

    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.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/in-spbgasu-they will create a single-window-for-student-families/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Analysis: UN peacekeepers at risk in southern Lebanon

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a series of incidents over the past few days in which they have been endangered by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as Israel continues its incursion into southern Lebanon. From bearing witness to sheltering the local population, the UN Unifil mission has a vital role to play in Lebanon, but at what cost?

    Read the analysis by experts Chiara Ruffa, Professor in political science at Sciences Po Center for International Studies (CERI), and Vanessa Newby, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University, initially published by our partner The Conversation.

    United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a series of incidents over the past few days in which they have been endangered by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as Israel continues its incursion into southern Lebanon.

    Two members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) were wounded on October 10 when an Israeli tank fired its weapon at Unifil’s headquarters in the city of Naqoura. They are reported to be receiving treatment in hospital for minor injuries.

    This follows a series of other reports of IDF troops firing on other Unifil positions in recent days. A Unifil statement called on the IDF “and all actors to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times”.

    For 44 years the presence of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon has provided a much-needed measure of predictability and stability on an international fault line that has the potential to trigger a larger war in the Middle East. Its value has often been to shine an international spotlight on events on the ground and to provide humanitarian assistance to the local population.

    The Unifil peacekeeping mission is in an area of southern Lebanon that stretches from the de facto Lebanese border with Israel about 18 miles northwards up to the Litani River. In violation of UN security council resolution 1701, which was issued in 2006 and was designed to bring to an end the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli tanks have been advancing into southern Lebanon since September 30. Hezbollah is fighting back – and casualties are mounting.

    On October 5, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed the Unifil Irish Battalion, stationed south-east of Marun al-Ras, to leave its position to allow the IDF to proceed with their invasion. On October 6, Unifil force commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz denied the request. A Unifil statement said: “Peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly.”

    The IDF reportedly ceased their military operations in the area on October 8. This is most likely because their military goals have changed. The rapidly unfolding Israeli military action in Lebanon has now deployed an additional 15,000 troops. This raises questions about the “limited” nature of the IDF’s incursion and its goals.

    Since 1978, Unifil has provided medical services, electricity, generators, language courses, financial aid and water to local communities. The peacekeeping force has also helped to clear millions of square meters of land from anti-personal mines and cluster bombs, releasing farmland for cultivation and preventing injuries or deaths since the 2006 war.

    In 2006, the Unifil mission adopted a new mandate under UN Resolution 1701. Like all newer UN peacekeeping mandates, it contained a protection of civilians clause which authorises Unifil to “protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence”.

    Israel contends that Hezbollah missile attacks into northern Israel are an indication that Unifil has never fully implemented 1701 – hence the need to invade and destroy the militant group. But protection of civilians is central to Unifil’s mandate. While the IDF claims it is targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and leadership, thousands of civilian lives in southern Lebanon remain at risk.

    It has recently been reported that more than 2,000 civilians have died in the latest Israeli incursion, with more than 9,000 injured and over 608,000 displaced. So, implementation of this protection clause has never been more important.

    Unifil must not become collateral damage

    Unifil’s ability to protect civilians during Israeli incursions has often been challenged because the IDF refused to guarantee the safety of fleeing civilians, either in convoys out of the villages, or in UN compounds.

    The most notorious incident was the Qana incident of 1996, when 106 civilians died while sheltering in the Fijian UN compound. In July 2006, the IDF used a precision guided aerial bomb on a Unifil post. The attack killed four international unarmed military observers working under Unifil operational control, despite repeated verbal warnings from Unifil headquarters to avoid the post. The IDF has also damaged Unifil positions in times of peace. In January 2005 an unarmed French UN observer was killed by IDF tank fire. In January 2015 IDF artillery killed a Spanish peacekeeper.

    So the challenge for Unifil has always been that if they allow civilians to take shelter in their compounds, they risk becoming part of the IDF’s collateral damage.

    Similarly, Hezbollah is also no friend of Unifil. In December 2022, Hezbollah supporters killed an Irish peacekeeper who ventured accidentally into a village just outside the area of operation.

    International witness

    Despite these challenges, Unifil still has a powerful role to play in southern Lebanon. As the fog of war engulfs all the protagonists, Unifil has the ability to bring the world’s attention to the current conflict which may help constrain the parties. It is critical at this time to have an international force bear witness to events on the ground and provide basic humanitarian assistance, monitor and report potential violations and guarantee shelter to the local population whenever possible to help the displaced people that remain within the Unifil area of operation.

    On October 7, the US State Department warned the IDF that it did not want to see military action taken against Unifil or for the peacekeepers to be put in danger in any way. This warning is welcome given the recent disregard for the UN demonstrated by Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. who, when speaking to the UN general assembly on September 27, labelled the UN “contemptible in the eyes of decent people everywhere”. On October 2, the Israeli government barred UN secretary general António Guterres from entering Israel.

    Israel’s allies must increase the pressure for the IDF to allow Unifil to exercise the protection of civilians clause contained in its mandate. This would mean allowing the peacekeeping force the freedom of movement in south Lebanon to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The IDF must also guarantee the safety of civilians escaping with Unifil’s assistance from the villages. And the IDF must allow Unifil to establish safe zones for civilians trapped in the conflict, to compensate for the absence of air raid shelters and bunkers in Lebanon.

    While Unifil may not be able to prevent the bloodshed, for now it can continue help to stem the flow, just as it always has.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand

    A recent poll by the Social Research Foundation, a think thank, found that 60% of South Africans thought the government of national unity was working well. It also reported that support for the unity government’s anchor political parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), had risen since 29 May 2024 when elections were held.

    The poll results came out at the same time as the business press was reporting increased collaboration between business and government, fostered by the unity government. Corporations have reportedly pledged up to R250 million (about US$14.3 million to assist the state to address various logistics crises and help the National Prosecuting Authority prosecute corruption.

    Although we should be cautious about taking such news at face value, it is worth noting that the arrival of the unity government has been accompanied by other good news. For example:

    This adds up to new shoots which suggest a better harvest to come.

    Read more: South Africa has a huge gap between the rich and poor – 4 urgent reasons to tackle inequality

    Still, it is wise not to get too excited unless any upturn in the economy benefits the majority of South Africans. As Frans Cronje, director of the Social Research Foundation, has observed, while the unity government may be good for the middle class, there is no sign yet that it is addressing the needs of the poor and the people on the periphery of the economy.

    Unless its benefits become socially inclusive, it might well collapse. We need to take Cronje’s reservations seriously. Note, however, that although the unity government is a coalition, it is led by the African National Congress. And, while all parties agree that they need to put the economy back on track and promote growth, there is little evidence yet that the government is pursuing distinctively new policies.

    Beware complacency

    We are often told that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

    But this claim owes more to ideology than careful analysis of economic data. In any case, it is a catchphrase which condones inequality. It suggests that as long as living standards increase for the poor, it does not matter if the wealthy gain even more. Indeed, one version is that the more the well-off benefit, the more likely they are to spend and invest their money – that is, to create wealth for others.

    Such complacency is dangerous. Apart from being contentious economically, it poses risks to both democracy and political stability. This is particularly the case in South Africa, which is widely recognised as the most unequal country in the world.

    • High rates of inequality erode social cohesion and trust in democracy. In the May general election, the lowest level of voter turnout since 1994 reflected a worrying decline in support for democracy: from 72% in 2011 to just 43% by 2023.

    • Extremes of inequality are unlikely to lead to the formation of governing coalitions committed to pursuing developmental strategies of benefit to all. As a result, populist parties that tout simplistic solutions may find it easier to win support. As suggested by the unheralded performance of Jacob Zuma’s umKhonto we Sizwe Party in the 2024 election, this is a particular danger in South Africa. Here, the poorer black majority possess potential political power in an economy which remains largely controlled and owned by a richer, white minority. The French economist Thomas Piketty in his latest blockbuster, Capital and Ideology, warns that in such situations, the dangers of a lurch towards authoritarianism are much increased.

    Read more: South Africa’s unity government could see a continuation of the ANC’s political dominance – and hurt the DA

    Little prospect of reduction of inequality

    The issue is not whether the unity government is blind to these dangers, but whether the policies it is pursuing are likely to make a dent in the staggering level of inequality.

    If investment and growth do occur, there will be good news down the line – possibly the creation of some 2 million jobs and more financial room for the government to fund social benefits for the poor. But it’s unlikely to have a marked effect on the level of inequality.

    First, the unity government is not promising any great change from policies that have been pursued since 1994, only more efficient implementation. Those policies have somewhat decreased racial disparities, notably by promoting a black middle class, but they have not reduced the overall level of inequality. Indeed, as Piketty shows, this has increased, not decreased, since 1994.

    Second, the unity government’s policies may continue to focus on the reduction of poverty. But this is unlikely to shift the proportions of income between the different classes. As Cronje has hinted, the new government is underpinned by a middle-class coalition, and for this to hang together, the middle class will want to reap its reward.

    Read more: South Africa’s new unity government must draw on the country’s greatest asset: its constitution

    Third, history doesn’t offer much hope. Former settler colonies stand out for their exceptionally high levels of inequality. In South Africa, white people always dominated the top earners before 1994. Now they have been joined by high-earning black people, many of them public officials. The top decile’s share of total earning has increased since the end of apartheid. Today it is close to 70%, compared with around 35% in Europe.

    Fourth, we live in an age which Piketty describes as “hyper-capitalism”, in which money and ultra-rich elites are highly mobile. This makes it hard for national governments to tax the rich more. They can leave, or threaten to withdraw their investments to earn higher returns elsewhere. South Africa has already been leaking its millionaires. The unity government will not want to scare any more of them away. So, it’s unlikely to adopt aggressive tax policies in the cause of narrowing inequality.

    The unity government may well promote high growth and if successful, may ameliorate poverty, but it seems unlikely that it will either attempt or succeed in reducing inequality. It may be good for the elite and middle class, but not necessarily for the health of democracy.

    – South Africa’s unity government won’t dent poverty and inequality if it follows the same old policies – sociologist
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-unity-government-wont-dent-poverty-and-inequality-if-it-follows-the-same-old-policies-sociologist-240697

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Essay writing awards presented

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung presented awards to the winners of the Love for China Chinese essay competition at a ceremony today.

    To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Civil Service Bureau’s Official Languages Division organised a series of activities under the theme “Glorious China”, including the essay competition.

    The competition received an enthusiastic response, receiving nearly 300 entries, including those from officers from various grades in 51 departments as well as retired civil servants.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Yeung said the entries, centred on the idea of Love for China with a wide variety of styles, subject matters and narrative perspectives, expressed feelings for the country and told good stories about China.

    The civil service chief noted that although the topics and perspectives of the entries varied, they all expressed a rich sense of national pride and patriotism, adding that she was particularly heartened to see that many of the entries mentioned the civil servants’ responsibility towards the country.

    The essay competition took place between July and August. A judging panel comprising Mrs Yeung, Nang Yan College of Higher Education Dean of the Faculty of Arts Ricky Tse and Chinese University of Hong Kong Department of Chinese Language & Literature Senior Lecturer Hung Yeuk-chun selected 10 winning entries from the submissions.

    The activities under “Glorious China” also include a recently concluded Putonghua quiz and an ongoing quiz on Chinese history and culture.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –