NewzIntel.com

Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rockfall closes SH6 Haast Pass today

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Rock Shelter Otira Gorge, SH73 – open overnight now, work at McGrath Creek Bridge postponed a week.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) re-opened SH73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass overnight from the past weekend. An additional project at McGrath Creek bridge, which would have affected night travellers this week, has been pushed out to next week.

    Rock Shelter remediation continues for four more weeks

    SH73 has been closed overnight and with restricted hours daytimes since the end of August after rockfall began overspilling the Rock Shelter in the Otira Gorge onto the traffic lane. The daytime travel delays continue for the next four weeks, with traffic passing between Otira and Arthur’s Pass at the top of each hour 9 am to 5 pm.

    • On weekends and overnights SH73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass will be open unrestricted unless other work or weather conditions cause a change.
    • Work at McGrath Creek bridge has been rescheduled to next week at night, Sunday 29 September to Monday, 7 October.  There will be up to one-hour delays between 8pm and 6am.  The road will be open on the hour to clear traffic, with vehicles queued either side of the bridge work site.
    • This work is subject to weather and may be rescheduled.

    The Lewis Pass via Waipara and Reefton, SH7, is the alternative route adding around an hour to the journey between Canterbury and the West Coast.

    • Any changes to route availability will be updated on the Journey Planner at all times.
      Journey Planner – Highway conditions(external link)
    • Electronic signs at each end of SH73 in places like Kumara Junction and Springfield will let people know the open hours that day.
    • An update will be provided each Friday to confirm the closures for the following week.

    NZTA understands that this work at the Rock Shelter and coming up at McGrath Creek Bridge is disruptive and appreciates people’s understanding and patience while we make this route safe and get the highway back to normal operations for the summer.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police lay arson charges over Auckland fires

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A man has been remanded in custody after being charged over a series of vehicle fires in central Auckland.

    Police have been investigating the suspicious fires in the vicinity of the Auckland Domain since 18 September.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City’s Crime Squad, says at least four fires have been under investigation.

    The most recent incident, on 20 September, occurred when two vehicles were targeted on Park Road at around 9.15pm.

    Earlier fires occurred within the vicinity of the Auckland Domain on 18, 19 and 20 September.

    “The vehicles suffered varying degrees of damage, and it’s fortunate that no one was seriously injured as a result of these brazen acts,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

    “It’s clear though that this has caused great inconvenience to the victims.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says a 50-year-old man was arrested in the Auckland Domain on Sunday evening.

    “The man appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday, charged with three counts of arson,” he says.

    “He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance on 25 September.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says enquiries are ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Criminal damage – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are calling for information in relation to a criminal damage incident involving multiple vehicles that occurred over the weekend.

    The damage is believed to have occurred between the afternoon of Friday 20 September 2024, and the morning of Monday 23 September 2024, at a business on Bath Street in Alice Springs.

    Up to 22 vehicles were damaged, having their windows broken during the incident.

    Investigations are in their early stages and detectives from Strike Force Viper have taken multiple victim statements.

    Police urge anyone with information, or with CCTV or dash cam footage, to contact 131 444 and quote P24262199. You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Uber launch new kerbside pick-up zone at Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal

    Source: Sydney Airport

    Uber launch new kerbside pick-up zone at Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal

    __Tuesday 24 September 2024 __

    • Sydney Airport’s opens new Uber kerbside pick-up zone located 20 metres from doors to the T1 International terminal
    • Pick-up zone leverages Uber’s PIN technology, only available at Sydney Airport and a first for NSW
    • New arrangements will set new standard for modern travel at Australia’s gateway

    Starting today, passengers arriving at Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal will be able to book an Uber trip on their smartphone and walk to the new dedicated pick-up zone located 20 metres from the terminal doors.

    The new dedicated kerbside Uber pick-up zone features Uber’s PIN technology, with Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal the first location in New South Wales to offer the new technology, delivering a faster and smoother journey for passengers arriving at Australia’s global gateway.

    The new arrangements will also help ensure a more organised flow of both taxis and rideshare vehicles, while a new holding area for Uber vehicles located closer to the terminal will provide drivers with a dedicated space to wait for passengers.

    Mark Zaouk, Sydney Airport’s Group Executive Commercial, said: “The popularity of rideshare has surged over the past few years¹, and it’s great to give passengers what they’ve been asking for which an Uber zone which is much closer to the terminals, in line with the experience at other major Australian and global airports.

    “This innovation will redefine airport accessibility and set a new standard for modern travel at Australia’s gateway.”

    Emma Foley, Managing Director, Uber ANZ said: “We are proud to partner with Sydney Airport to create an innovative, dedicated space for Uber pick-ups at the international terminal. This new zone will provide a smoother and more efficient experience for riders and drivers alike, and by using PIN, we can help Sydney Airport ease congestion at busy periods – perfect timing ahead of the peak school holiday travel period.”

    Passengers using other rideshare providers will continue to access rides via the existing rideshare pick-up area, and arrangements for dropping off passengers remains the same. There are no changes for passengers being picked up by limousines or private cars.

    Additionally, all ground transport operators who have passengers with mobility needs or disabilities will be able to use any one of four accessible pick-up spaces across the international precinct.

    Notes to editor

    ¹Mode share changes over time at the T1 International terminal – ground transport

    Rideshare pick-ups and drop offs Taxi pick-ups and drop offs
    Six months to June 2018 10% 57%
    Six months to June 2023 32% 41%
    Six months to June 2024 41% 27%

    Uber kerbside pick-up zone at T1 International terminal

    New Uber pick-up zone located in the south end of the T1 taxi area There will be seven pick-up bays at the T1 kerbside Disability access bay for taxis remains in place at Taxi Rank B, parallel to Uber pick-up bays

    New arrangement will:

    • Improve the customer experience at T1 and provide more choice;
    • Improve pedestrian safety and provide a shorter distance between the terminal and Uber pick-up area;
    • Reduce congestion in the existing rideshare pick-up location; and reduce recirculation times.

    Uber PIN Technology:

    Uber PIN technology allows Uber driver-partners and riders to be connected via the app with a PIN rather than by a rider finding a pre-assigned vehicle.

    How it works:

    1. Request an Uber trip to receive a six-digit personal identification number (PIN).
    2. Walk to the Uber pick-up zone in front of the International terminal, and either go to the first available car, or at busier times, join the queue.
    3. Share your unique PIN with the driver-partner and verify vehicle and driver-partner details before you get into the vehicle.

    Sydney Airport Uber pick-up maps can be accessed here.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Applauds New Biden Administration Rule Banning Chinese Vehicle Software and Technologies to Protect National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s new rule banning key Chinese and Russian-controlled software and hardware in vehicles. The proposal would help safeguard American consumers and companies against the national security threat posed by allowing certain vehicles and technologies made by Chinese Community Party-backed (CCP) companies to be imported or sold in the United States:

    “I applaud the Administration for taking this needed step to protect American citizens and critical infrastructure from the serious national security threats posed by Chinese and Russian vehicle components. We simply cannot allow technologies controlled by foreign entities of concern on our roads that are capable of storing and sharing Americans’ personal data, committing espionage, and even manipulating our cars.

    “Vehicle technologies made by Chinese Communist Party-backed companies, assisted by China’s unfair trade practices, also present a real threat to U.S. economic competitiveness, intellectual property, and automotive manufacturing. This rule would help improve the security of the U.S. automotive supply chain and keep Michigan at the forefront of global mobility innovation and the creation more good-paying, union jobs here at home.”

    Peters has consistently worked to combat the national security and economic threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles. Peters recently sent a letter to several Chinese automakers pressing for more transparency into their ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The letter highlighted the significant national security concerns associated with importing vehicles made by companies with CCP ties into the U.S, such as allowing the CCP to access Americans’ sensitive personal data and gathering information about our critical infrastructure by leveraging certain connected vehicle technologies. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing earlier this year, Peters urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to ensure the Commerce Department takes further action to combat threats posed by vehicles and high-risk technologies controlled by Chinese Communist Party-backed companies. In March, Peters also wrote a letter to Secretary Raimondo and the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai highlighting the need for continued application of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and supporting the Department of Commerce’s announcement of an investigation into the national security concerns posed by Chinese-made vehicles which led to this proposed rule. Peters then applauded the Commerce Department’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other goods across numerous key sectors, including steel and aluminum imports, lithium batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, semiconductors, and medical equipment. 

    Peters has also consistently worked to boost American development of connected vehicles and other critical roadway safety technologies to support Michigan’s auto industry and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. Last year, Peters – who Chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports – called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the deployment of safe, secure Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) technology in order to accelerate the use of this lifesaving mobility safety technology and ensure the U.S. does not fall behind other countries in its development and adoption. Following this bipartisan call from Peters, the FCC approved the deployment of C-V2X technology – which is an intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology that enables data sharing between vehicles, the infrastructure they operate on, and nearby road users – improving roadway safety and efficiency. In 2022, Peters welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s $52.2 million investment in the Global Epicenter of Mobility to drive and advance mobility innovation across Michigan’s automotive sector. Peters secured this funding through the American Rescue Plan he helped enact. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Early works for Currumbin Waters intersection upgrade

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Early works are set to begin in preparation to upgrade the Currumbin Creek Road and Bienvenue Drive intersection, on the Gold Coast.

    Weather and construction conditions permitting, the early works which will include tree and vegetation clearing, and relocating water and power utilities are expected to begin later this month.

    The upgrade, which will help to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at this busy Currumbin Waters intersection, will be welcomed by local residents.

    Main works being undertaken will include:

    • The addition of a signalised left turn slip lane from Currumbin Creek Road into Bienvenue Drive.
    • Increased capacity for vehicles turning right from Bienvenue Drive into Currumbin Creek Road.
    • Extending the right turn lane into Bienvenue Drive.

    The intersection will also be made safer for pedestrians and cyclists with the addition of a new bike lane on Currumbin Creek Road and a signalised pedestrian crossing at the intersection.

    Upgrades to existing pedestrian ramps within the intersection, footpath construction and drainage improvements are also planned.

    Construction on the upgrade is expected to start in early 2025.

    The tender for construction works is being released in late 2024 and can be viewed at https://etender.hpw.qld.gov.au/.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “Across Queensland and here in Currumbin we are getting on with the job of delivering the transport infrastructure local residents need and deserve.

    “With early works starting and the upgrade expected to get underway early next year, people living in Currumbin Waters will get where they need to go safer and sooner.”

    Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

    “The $10 million upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, showing our commitment to upgrading roads in south east Queensland.

    “Once complete this upgrade will improve safety for surrounding residents and road users.

    “These necessary upgrades may cause some disruption whilst under construction, but my department and the contractor will work with surrounding residents to ensure impacts are mitigated wherever we possibly can.

    “We would like to thank road users and the local community for their patience during these works.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland Murray Watt:

    “This intersection upgrade at Currumbin will deliver much-needed safety benefits, improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. It’s great to see it get underway soon.

    “The Albanese and Miles Governments are committed to significantly reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and improving road safety at this busy intersection is a great example of that commitment in action.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Develops Industry’s First Automotive SSD Based on 8th-Generation V-NAND

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced it has successfully developed the industry’s first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD based on eighth-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). With industry-leading speeds and enhanced reliability, the new auto SSD, AM9C1 is an optimal solution for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications.
     
    With about 50% improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor, the AM991, the new 256GB auto SSD will deliver sequential read and write speeds of up to 4,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and 400MB/s, respectively.
     
    “We are collaborating with global autonomous vehicle makers and providing high-performance, high-capacity automotive products,” said Hyunduk Cho, Vice President and Head of Automotive Group at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business. “Samsung will continue to lead the Physical AI1 memory market that encompasses applications from autonomous driving to robotics technologies.”
     
    Built on Samsung’s 5-nanometer (nm) controller and providing a single-level cell (SLC) Namespace2 feature, the auto SSD AM9C1 demonstrates high performance for easier access to large files. By switching from its original triple-level cell (TLC) state to SLC mode, users can enjoy boosted read and write speeds of up to 4,700MB/s and 1,400MB/s, respectively, while also benefiting from the added reliability of SLC SSDs.
     

     
    The 256GB AM9C1 is currently being sampled by key partners and is expected to begin mass production by the end of this year. Samsung plans to offer multiple storage capacities for the AM9C1 ranging from 128GB to 2 terabytes (TB) to address the growing demand for high-capacity automotive SSDs. The 2TB model, which is set to offer the industry’s largest capacity in this product category, is scheduled to start mass production early next year.
     
    Through intensified board-level tests, Samsung’s new auto SSD satisfies the automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q1003 Grade 2, ensuring stable performance over a wide temperature range of -40°C to 105°C.
     

    To further meet the high standards of the automotive industry in terms of durability and stability, Samsung also conducts various quality assurance processes. The company received ASPICE CL3 authentication4 for its UFS 3.1 product in March this year.
     

    In an effort to obtain CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434,5 Samsung will continue to actively enhance the technological reliability and stability of its automotive solutions.
     

    “ASPICE and ISO/SAE 21434 certifications are milestones that affirm the reliability and stability of our technology,” said Hwaseok Oh, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business. “Beyond these achievements, Samsung will continue to elevate its product stability and quality by consistently providing the best solution to key partners.”
     
     
    1 AI such as robots and autonomous vehicles that perceives and interacts with the physical world through sensors.2 Provides SLC partition with better performance and reliability than TLC, allowing users to configure it in accordance to data type. However, when switched to SLC mode capacity decreases to 1/3 of the TLC.3 Global standard that Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has established for the reliability evaluation procedures and criteria for automotive electronic components.4 Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination (ASPICE) is a software development standard developed and distributed by the German Automotive Association (VDA) that evaluates the reliability and competence of automotive component manufacturers’ software development processes. It is divided into Capability Level (CL) stages 0 to 5, with CL3 meaning that an organization has established a systematic process and can effectively execute it.5 Cyber Security Management System certification is an international standard designed to enhance cybersecurity in the automotive industry based on ISO/SAE 21434, covering cybersecurity processes and requirements from design to development, evaluation and mass production.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lower recent petrol prices welcome after prices moved higher in the June quarter

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    Average retail petrol prices were higher in the June quarter but have since reduced, according to the ACCC’s latest quarterly petrol monitoring report.

    In the June quarter 2024, average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) were 196.5 cents per litre (cpl). This was an increase of 3.3 cpl from the March quarter 2024 (193.2 cpl). 

    Click to enlarge

    “The lower prices since the end of the quarter have provided some relief to many motorists around the country,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    Average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities decreased in July and August 2024, following lower international refined petrol benchmark prices. On a monthly basis, average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were 193.6 cpl in June 2024, and decreased by around 10 cpl to 183.7 cpl in August 2024.

    The following chart shows 7-day rolling average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities from July 2022 to August 2024.

    Seven-day rolling average retail petrol prices across the 5 largest cities in nominal terms

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from FUELtrac and Informed Sources. 
    Notes: The grey shaded area in the chart represents the June quarter 2024. 
    The blue shaded area in the chart represents July and August 2024. 
    A 7-day rolling average price is the average of the current day’s price and prices on the 6 previous day.
     

    Among the five largest cities in the June quarter 2024, average petrol prices increased the most in Sydney (by 5.7 cpl), with average Adelaide prices decreasing by 0.7 cpl, while Brisbane’s average retail petrol prices were the highest of the five largest cities (204.8 cpl).

    Quarterly average retail petrol prices increased in Canberra, Hobart and Darwin. Average prices in Darwin were the third lowest among all eight capital cities, behind Adelaide and Perth. Quarterly average prices in Canberra were 205.1 cpl, the highest among the eight capital cities.

    The ACCC’s latest report also gives results for the financial year 2023-24. Annual average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were 195.1 cpl in 2023-24. This was the highest on record in nominal terms and the highest in 10 years in real (inflation adjusted) terms. After adjusting for inflation, annual average prices in 2013-14 were 196.6 cpl.

    The ACCC encourages motorists to make the most of fuel price apps and websites

    In August 2024, the ACCC released a report on fuel price apps and websites and petrol price cycles in Australia, illustrating the benefits of using one of the many free fuel price apps and websites to shop around for lower fuel prices. There are more than 40 free to use fuel price apps and websites available.

    “In the current economic climate, making savings is important to many motorists. It can always be worth using a fuel price app or website to quickly check for a lower priced retailer near you before filling up,” Ms Brakey said.

    The following chart shows a range of average petrol prices by major brand in Brisbane during a petrol price cycle in the June quarter 2024. The chart also shows the levels of terminal gate prices (or indicative wholesale prices), represented by the grey shaded area.

    “There is often a range of petrol prices available across retail sites and using a fuel price app or website to find a lower priced site can result in large savings,” Ms Brakey said.

    From April to early June 2024 in Brisbane, the range of retail petrol prices between the highest and lowest priced brands was around 19 cpl on average. The range varied from as high as 42 cpl (when retail prices were increasing in the cycle) to around 9 cpl (when prices were decreasing).

    Daily average retail regular unleaded petrol prices by major brand and daily average terminal gate prices (lagged 7 days) in Brisbane

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from the Queensland Government open data portal – Fuel price reporting 2024. 
    Notes: The grey shaded area in the chart represents average terminal gate prices in Brisbane (lagged by 7 days). 
    Retail prices are averaged across sites on a brand basis using data from the Queensland Government fuel price transparency scheme. Major retail brand means a retail brand with at least 7 retail sites under one brand that sold regular unleaded petrol. The ‘Independent’ category represents a collection of other branded and unbranded sites. Daily average retail prices are calculated from price observations at 6 hour intervals.
     

    Observing petrol price cycles in the five largest cities can also be a useful way for motorists to save on petrol. The ACCC web page – Petrol price cycles in major cities – includes up to date price charts, buying tips, and information on petrol price cycles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 

    “We know that because of longer petrol price cycles, motorists in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can’t always wait for the price cycle to reach the next low point,” Ms Brakey said.

    “Where possible though, taking advantage of the low points of the cycle, and topping up or filling up before prices increase, can save money.”  

    Retail petrol price components

    The following chart shows changes in the components of average retail petrol prices in the five largest cities between the March quarter 2024 and the June quarter 2024.

    The largest components include the international price of refined petrol (Mogas 95) and excise and wholesale goods and services tax. The Australian/US dollar exchange rate can impact retail prices because international refined petrol is bought and sold in US dollars in global markets – although in the June quarter the exchange rate was relatively stable and had minimal impact on changes in average Mogas 95 prices in Australian dollar terms. 

    Other components include wholesale costs and margins (including international shipping costs and other import costs, and wholesale costs and margins) and retail costs and margins (represented by gross indicative retail differences).

    Changes in the components of average retail petrol prices across the 5 largest cities – cents per litre (cpl)

    Source: ACCC calculations based on data from Informed Sources, Argus Media, Ampol, bp, Mobil, Viva Energy, FuelWatch, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Taxation Office. 
    Notes: cents per litre change from the previous quarter. 
    The excise and wholesale goods and services tax component in this chart (65.9 cpl) is different to the excise and goods and services tax (wholesale and retail) component in the bowser, shown in the ‘June quarter 2024 – Petrol snapshot’. This is because a small amount of retail goods and services tax (1.6 cpl) is included in the gross indicative retail differences component in the above chart, for consistency in reporting gross indicative retail difference figures throughout this report. 
    Total excise and goods and services tax was 67.5 cpl in the June quarter 2024, an increase of 0.6 cpl from the previous quarter.

    Gross indicative retail differences increased to slightly above pre-pandemic levels 

    Average gross indicative retail differences across the five largest cities (in aggregate) were 17.2 cpl in the June quarter 2024. This was 1.8 cpl higher than the previous quarter (15.4 cpl). Gross indicative retail differences are a broad indicator of gross retail margins (including both retail operating costs and profits).

    In the 2023-24 financial year, annual average gross indicative retail differences across the five largest cities were 16.3 cpl, slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels on a real terms (inflation-adjusted) basis. 

    The level of gross indicative retail differences is not uniform across each of the five largest cities. In the June quarter 2024, quarterly gross indicative retail differences were lowest in Adelaide (9.2 cpl) and highest in Brisbane (25.6 cpl). In 2023–24, annual average gross indicative retail differences were lowest in Perth (10.7 cpl) and highest in Brisbane (22.0 cpl).

    The ACCC will continue to closely monitor the levels of gross indicative retail differences, including the differences between cities.

    Quarterly average regional retail petrol prices were marginally higher than prices across the five largest cities

    The ACCC monitors fuel prices in all capital cities and over 190 regional locations across Australia. In the June quarter 2024, average regional retail petrol prices (regional prices) were 197.4 cpl, an increase of 3.7 cpl from the March quarter 2024. 

    Regional prices were 0.9 cpl higher than average retail petrol prices across the five largest cities (196.5 cpl).

    Diesel prices were lower in many capital cities

    Quarterly average retail diesel prices across the five largest cities were 194.5 cpl in the June quarter 2024, a decrease of 1.2 cpl from the March quarter 2024 (195.7 cpl).

    Quarterly average retail diesel prices decreased in each of the capital cities except Canberra, where prices increased by 0.8 cpl. Retail diesel prices generally followed lower international diesel benchmark prices, which accounted for the largest component of retail diesel prices.

    Petrol sales continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels 

    The volumes of regular unleaded petrol sales reduced by 2.8 per cent in the June quarter (to 2,196 million litres) and continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels.

    “As consumers are increasingly switching from combustion engine vehicles to hybrid and electric vehicles, demand for fuel has reduced. Other factors would also be influencing demand such as working from home arrangements, vehicles becoming more fuel efficient, and changes in driving habits quite possibly due to cost of living pressures,” Ms Brakey said.

    Note to editors

    ‘Petrol’ means regular unleaded petrol unless otherwise specified.

    Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded (Mogas 95) is the relevant international benchmark for the wholesale price of petrol in Australia. Singapore Gasoil with 10 parts per million sulphur content (Gasoil 10 ppm) is the international benchmark for the wholesale price of diesel.

    Background

    The ACCC has been monitoring retail prices in all capital cities and over 190 regional locations across Australia since 2007.

    On 14 December 2022, the Treasurer issued a new direction to the ACCC to monitor the prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of petroleum products in the petroleum industry in Australia and produce a report every quarter for a further three years.

    MIL OSI News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes notable progress via equipment, consumer goods renewal program

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a new energy vehicle (NEV) assembly line of BYD, China’s leading NEV manufacturer, at the plant of BYD in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has made noteworthy progress in promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year, an official said on Monday.

    China unveiled an action plan to implement the renewal program in March 2024 in an effort to expand domestic demand and shore up the economy, and stepped up policy support in July with an extra funds injection of 300 billion yuan (about 42.53 billion U.S. dollars) via ultra-long special treasury bonds.

    Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, cited a string of positive results achieved by the program, highlighting increased equipment manufacturing investment and robust sales of automobiles and home appliances, when addressing a press conference on Monday.

    In the first eight months of 2024, China’s investment in equipment and tool purchases had increased by 16.8 percent year on year — well above the 3.4 percent increase in total fixed-asset investment.

    Retail sales of passenger vehicles in August rose by 10.8 percent compared with the previous month, while new energy vehicle (NEVs) sales increased by 17 percent month on month in August. The market share of NEVs remained above 50 percent for a second consecutive month. Sales of home appliances and audio and video products returned to growth last month, up 3.4 percent year on year.

    Thanks to the renewal program, many enterprises are optimistic about the prospects of sectors related to equipment and consumer goods, leading to brisk investment, Zhao said.

    The program, riding on the great potential of green and digital transition, will provide more impetus to economic sustainability and transformation efforts, Zhao added.

    China’s drive to promote equipment upgrades covers a wide range of areas including industrial equipment, environmental infrastructure, operating vessels, new energy buses and agricultural machinery, while consumer goods trade-ins involve products ranging from automobiles to home appliances and electric bicycles.

    MIL OSI China News –

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

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rock Shelter Otira Gorge, SH73 – open overnight now, work at McGrath Creek Bridge postponed a week

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) re-opened SH73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass overnight from the past weekend. An additional project at McGrath Creek bridge, which would have affected night travellers this week, has been pushed out to next week.

    Rock Shelter remediation continues for four more weeks

    SH73 has been closed overnight and with restricted hours daytimes since the end of August after rockfall began overspilling the Rock Shelter in the Otira Gorge onto the traffic lane. The daytime travel delays continue for the next four weeks, with traffic passing between Otira and Arthur’s Pass at the top of each hour 9 am to 5 pm.

    • On weekends and overnights SH73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass will be open unrestricted unless other work or weather conditions cause a change.
    • Work at McGrath Creek bridge has been rescheduled to next week at night, Sunday 29 September to Monday, 7 October.  There will be up to one-hour delays between 8pm and 6am.  The road will be open on the hour to clear traffic, with vehicles queued either side of the bridge work site.
    • This work is subject to weather and may be rescheduled.

    The Lewis Pass via Waipara and Reefton, SH7, is the alternative route adding around an hour to the journey between Canterbury and the West Coast.

    McGrath Creek Bridge, close to Arthur’s Pass village – work is now rescheduled to next week overnight:

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll
    Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll
    *************************************************************************************

         The Transport Department (TD) today (September 24) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent SMS message purportedly issued by the HKeToll. The SMS message spoofed the name “HKeToll” and provided a hyperlink with the domain name (https://t.ly/[.]QpBjt) that leads to a fake HKeToll website, which seeks to deceive recipients into making payments and obtain their credit card information.     The TD clarifies that the SMS message was not issued by the HKeToll and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up. Members of the public are reminded that the HKeToll will not send SMS messages or emails to vehicle owners with hyperlinks that direct them to websites to carry out transactions. If a vehicle owner wishes to pay an outstanding toll online, they must log in to the HKeToll website (hketoll.gov.hk) or mobile app.     Members of the public should stay alert when receiving unidentified messages. They should not visit suspicious websites and disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the HKeToll, please call 3853 7333.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 11:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New slow vehicle bay on SH2 in Hawke’s Bay close to completion

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Work to complete the new slow vehicle bay on State Highway 2 (SH2) at Kotemaori in northern Hawke’s Bay will start next week.

    The new 260 metre slow vehicle bay on SH2, near the intersection with Kakariki Farm Road, will provide another place for road users to safely pass slow vehicles as they head north to Wairoa.

    Crews have been waiting for warmer weather to complete the work, which includes laying the final seal on the road.

    The work is expected to take 2 weeks and crews will begin on site from next Monday (30 September). During this time, temporary traffic management will be in place through this site with stop/go and a temporary reduced speed limit of 30km/h.

    Delays of no more than 10 minutes are expected.

    Once crews have finished this work, the slow vehicle bay will be operational. The work is weather dependent and there could be delays if conditions are too cold or wet.

    Background

    This work is part of Connecting Tairāwhiti, which is a programme of projects providing more slow vehicle bays and more places to pull off the road safely to check messages or take a break on State Highways 2 and 35 across the Tairāwhiti and northern Hawke’s Bay regions. The programme also includes some resilience projects to strengthen and stabilise sites on State Highway 35 to help it remain open and functional during disruptions such as weather events.

    A slow vehicle bay is a widened stretch of road on an uphill incline that allows slow, heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, to pull over as they slow down – allowing other vehicles to pass.

    As part of this project, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has also made safety improvements to Kotemaori School’s access on SH2, including a safe right-turn bay to access the school.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-ASEAN expo to promote cooperation

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

    The upcoming 21st China-ASEAN Expo is expected to advance the building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and promote high-quality regional development through a variety of economic and trade activities, the expo’s secretariat said at a news conference on Monday in Nanning, capital of Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

    The expo will be held in Nanning from Tuesday to Saturday, with Malaysia to be the country of honor.

    Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang will attend and address the opening ceremony of the expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning on Tuesday. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a video address.

    “Trade and economic activities at the event are increasingly emphasizing practicality and highlighting key areas to promote cooperation in the digital economy and green economy,” said Zeng Zhong, deputy secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo secretariat.

    It will also focus on cooperation, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states holding national promotion events. For example, Indonesia is organizing promotional events focusing on environmental protection and investment. Cambodia’s national promotion events emphasize commerce, investment and tourism. Vietnam’s promotions will highlight trade and economic integration.

    Zeng said the expo has been extended from four to five days, with the additional day open to the public. The exhibition layout has been optimized, with the addition of strategic emerging themes showcasing new, high-quality productive forces, along with new areas for digital technology and cultural exchanges.

    More than 2,000 companies will be exhibiting in the main exhibition area. More than 800 ASEAN and regional foreign companies are participating, accounting for more than 41 percent of exhibitors.

    “There are more than 400 companies from the Fortune Global 500 and China’s Top 500, as well as unicorns and specialized, innovative enterprises — representing a 15 percent increase over the previous session,” Zeng said.

    Chinese exhibitors will showcase drivers of new quality production such as the digital economy, new energy vehicles and green, low-carbon technologies, including applications such as Beidou chips and high-end mechanical equipment.

    More than 1,100 Chinese and foreign leaders, ASEAN ambassadors to China, heads of international organizations, entrepreneurs, experts and scholars will be present at the opening ceremony.

    “Through such high-level dialogue activities as the opening ceremony, we hope a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future will emerge,” Zeng said.

    China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and ASEAN became China’s top trading partner in 2020. Last year, the value of trade between China and ASEAN members reached $911.7 billion.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan lifts tsunami advisory for Izu, Ogasawara islands

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted the tsunami advisory for the Izu and Ogasawara Islands at 11:00 a.m. local time Tuesday after several areas saw wave heights milder than previous forecast.

    The agency warned that slight tidal changes could still be observed along the Pacific coast, but there is no concern about tsunami-related damage.

    A tsunami advisory that urged residents to stay away from the coastline was triggered after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japanese islands on Tuesday morning.

    The quake, which took place at 8:14 local time, was centered in adjacent sea of Torishima Islands at a depth of 10 km, but no seismic intensity of 1 or above was recorded, according to the weather agency.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japan issues tsunami advisory after 5.9-magnitude quake hits

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A tsunami advisory that urged residents to stay away from the coastline was triggered after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japanese islands on Tuesday morning, according to the weather agency.

    The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory for Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands, noting that tsunami waves of up to 1 meter are rapidly approaching and are expected to arrive around 9:00 a.m. local time.

    The quake, which took place at 8:14 local time, was centered in adjacent sea of Torishima Islands at a depth of 10 km.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Gun lobby bill removes regulation at ranges

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Gun lobbyist Nicole McKee and her conflict of interest has struck again, this time removing safety regulations from shooting clubs and ranges in New Zealand.

    “The lessons of New Zealand’s worst terror attack have been forgotten as the Government tries to wind back the gun control laws put in place after the attack on worshippers in Christchurch mosques in 2019,” Labour firearms spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

    “The Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges and Other Matters) Amendment Bill creates multiple loopholes for gang members and extremists – like the Christchurch terrorist – to exploit. Minister Nicole McKee talks about being a safety expert but is removing safety requirements from shooting clubs and ranges.  

    “Ammunition is a form of currency among criminals and this bill could increase the supply of ammunition and allow unsupervised shooting at ranges by people without licenses. The Minister needs to be clear about what checks and balances are in place to prevent this.   

    “The changes also create a frightening precedent for landowners who might find ‘pop-up’ rifle shooting ranges over their back fence. The bill risks the ability of the Police or the firearms regulator to enforce any safety oversight or even inspect the facilities. The Wild West is coming to a backyard near you.

    “The cherry on top for Nicole McKee and the gun lobby is the power grab under the section titled ‘other matters’ which removes powers currently held by Police.

    “Her justification for the bill seems to be that the previous changes went too far, and that some shooting clubs or ranges are at risk of closing. However, her Cabinet paper provides no evidence of this risk,” Ginny Andersen said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth press conference in Ipswich

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: Supporting adolescent boys and young men trial; Family, domestic and sexual violence.

    SHAYNE NEUMANN, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR: I’m Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Blair. I’m here with my friend Amanda Rishworth, who’s the Minister for Social Services, and Aime Carrington, who’s the CEO of Domestic Violence Action Centre, commonly known as DVAC, west of Brisbane, a great service that provides a lot of assistance for women and children in particular. But I’m so pleased, Amanda, to have you here today with this announcement, and you have as a psychologist and I as a lawyer, who practiced in family law and child protection, have worked in this field before, in our professional lives, before in Parliament. But I know this announcement is very, very good for Ipswich and surrounds, and I know that DVAC will do a lot of good with the Federal Government funding and support that you’re providing. I’ll hand over to you, Amanda, to tell us about it.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: It’s so wonderful to be here today. Firstly, I’d like to thank Shayne, who’s been an amazing advocate for women and children in particular, who have experienced family, domestic and sexual violence. His advocacy has made sure that the attention, not just here in Ipswich, but right across the country, is really, really focused. I’d also like to thank Aime and the whole team at the Domestic Violence Action Centre, the frontline workforce that I met today. The Commonwealth Government, under the Albanese Labor Government, has really focused on family and domestic violence since we were elected. Our National Plan to End Family Domestic and Sexual Violence in a generation is something that we put in place very soon after we were elected, and we’ve now had a number of budget rounds that have put close to $4 billion on the table when it comes to frontline services and other programs. But it was wonderful to meet with Aime and the other frontline workers to hear how they’re actually working to spend this money. Whether it is through our frontline workforce, through the National Partnerships Agreement that we have, providing help to women and children really in crisis. Or whether it is the work that they complement their casework with, with keeping women safe in their homes, ensuring that there’s the right technical solution and support for women to stay where they want to live in their community, but don’t always feel certain to do so without this extra support. But most importantly, it was wonderful to hear about the enthusiasm for the new announcement today that we’ve made about supporting young men and boys break the cycle of family and domestic violence. We know that children, particularly men and boys, who have experienced family and domestic violence or other adverse childhood experiences, are more likely to choose to use violence, and therefore we know that if we are going to break the cycle, we must work with these boys and men to make sure that the cycle is not repeated. And that is what this trial I’m announcing today is. There’s 12 different organisations that will run support across the country. And it is wonderful that the Domestic Violence Action Centre will be one of those working in this new way. I have to say that one of the really key elements of the National Plan is to acknowledge the experience of children as domestic violence victim survivors and to make sure that they get the support that they need. That’s what these programs are all about. There’ll be both rural and regional areas that will have these trials, as well as metropolitan areas. And here in Ipswich, there is a there is a wonderful program that will be delivered. I’m going to ask Aime to speak about that soon. Services will begin to roll out, and support will begin to roll out from January this year, and will be over a three year period. But I’d just like to thank Aime and her team for the really wonderful application they’ve put in to work with these boys and young men and to make sure that we are really breaking the cycle when it comes to family and domestic violence. So I’m going to ask Aime to speak about her program in particular.

    AIME CARRINGTON, CEO OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION CENTRE: I’m Aime Carrington. I’m the CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Centre. DVAC has been operating for just under 30 years within the Ipswich region, and we’re really excited about the announcement today and to be a part of this new partnership with YFS to pilot a program called ‘Breaking the Cycle’. Breaking the Cycle will be working with young men and boys aged 12 to 18 years who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. We will be supporting them on their journey for healing and trauma and abuse that they’ve experienced, and we’ll be supporting them to build their own positive masculinities, behaviours, and ways of behaving within the family and with their own intimate partners. We’re really excited, because what this program will do is it will build a new evidence base through being evaluated to show what really works with breaking the cycle of domestic and sexual violence. I’m really proud of the team at DVAC, and really excited to see the positive gains that we’ll be able to achieve alongside our community, our community partners, young men and their families, with this work together.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Okay, we’ll hand over to you for some questions.

    JOURNALIST: Thank you. First question to the Minister. This kind of program for young boys is the first of its kind in Australia, is it? Why do you think it’s so important to have?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: What we know, and what the evidence shows us is that we must make sure that if we break the cycle, we have to intervene early. And of course, particularly boys and young men, if violence has been normalised in the home, if it has been shown that that’s the only way to respond, then we’re going to see that violence cycle continue. So we must intervene early to break the cycle, but also we must ensure that children, in particular that have experienced family and domestic violence carry their own scars, their own trauma, and we need to support them to heal. We need to make sure that they are over able to overcome what is often a very traumatic experience. So our National Plan has been very focused on that we need to elevate children. Children didn’t get the type of focus in the first National Plan around gender-based violence, but in this plan, we are elevating children, because that’s where we know we can make a real difference.

    JOURNALIST: And of course, it’s not just here in Ipswich, but it is across the country, 12 sites, but likely more to come next year. Is that right?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: There’s 12 sites that will be running over the next few years. There’s one, for example, in Rockhampton, being run by Centrecare Rockhampton. They’ll be run across rural and regional areas as well as metropolitan areas in most states and territories. And we will be gathering the evidence from these trials to look at how we put in best practice and expand this type of support across the country.

    JOURNALIST: And I have a question for Aime, sorry, how important is it to have these services funded by Government to, I guess, you know, get these kids to help they need?

    AIME CARRINGTON: Government funding is essential to the success of specialist domestic family and central violence services. And it’s really important to be doing innovative pilots like the Breaking the Cycle program, because we need to do more as a society to really make a difference and to change the trajectory. If we want to achieve ending gender-based violence in one generation, it’s services like this that are going to make a real difference alongside everything else that we’re doing. Ending gender-based violence is going to take a whole society, and so this is a really important step forward.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Transporting New Zealand calls for additional measures to support the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand has welcomed the launch of the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (the LEHVF) but says additional policy changes and investment are required to support freight decarbonisation.
    The fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) can contribute up to 25 per cent of the cost of new zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles. 
    The LEHVF can also contribute up to 25 per cent of the cost to convert existing higher emitting heavy vehicles to be powered by low-emissions technology – including hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engines. EECA has estimated the LEHVF could prevent 366,622 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, replacing 500 diesel-only vehicles by 2028.
    Dom Kalasih says the 27-million-dollar fund will help Transporting New Zealand’s members get zero and low carbon trucks on the road, reducing transport emissions.
    “The road freight sector is committed to decarbonisation, including adopting low and zero emission vehicles. However, the high purchase cost and limited range and freight capacity of many available models is a big barrier to uptake. In a low margin industry like ours, practical support from the Government is essential.”
    “Battery electric trucks cost between 2-3 times more than internal combustion equivalents, with limited range and loads. Freight customers are understandably price sensitive, particularly in the current economic climate, and this can make low and zero emission freight services a tough sell.”
    Transporting New Zealand is also calling for the Government to prioritise three actions to support decarbonisation in the road freight sector:
    – introduce accelerated depreciation for low and zero emission vehicles (including higher productivity motor vehicles);
    – reform the vehicle dimension and mass rules to allow more battery weight on front axles; and
    – strengthen roads surfaces and bridges to allow heavier, more efficient, electric vehicles and high productivity motor vehicles to access more of the roading network.
    “Co-funding vehicle purchases is an important piece of the puzzle, but getting our regulatory settings and roading network ready for more efficient vehicles is also essential to increasing uptake and driving down emissions.”
    Transporting New Zealand is currently working with several other transport associations and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to propose practical amendments to the Land Transport Rules that will improve freight efficiency. 
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. 
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public alerted to fake SMS message

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Transport Department today alerted the public to a fraudulent SMS message purportedly issued by HKeToll.

    The message includes a hyperlink leading to a fake website that seeks to deceive recipients into making payments and submitting their credit card information.

    Besides referring the case to Police for investigation, the department iterated that the HKeToll system does not send SMS messages or emails to vehicle owners with hyperlinks directed them to websites to carry out transactions.

    Vehicle owners wishing to pay an outstanding toll online must log in to the HKeToll website or mobile app.

    The department said the public should stay alert when receiving messages from unidentified recipients. For enquiries about HKeToll, call 3853 7333.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Soitec: Soitec and Resonac announce the signing of a joint development agreement in SmartSiC™ to accelerate high-performance silicon carbide adoption in next-generation electric vehicles

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Soitec and Resonac announce the signing of a joint development agreement in SmartSiC™ to accelerate high-performance silicon carbide adoption in next-generation electric vehicles

    Tokyo (Japan) and Bernin (France), September 24th, 2024 — Resonac Corporation (formerly Showa Denko K.K.) and Soitec (Euronext Paris – Tech Leaders), a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative semiconductor materials, have signed an agreement to develop 200mm (8-inch) SmartSiC™ silicon carbide (SiC) wafers using Resonac substrates and epitaxy processes, in a major step for the deployment of Soitec’s high-yielding silicon carbide technology in Japan and other international markets.

    SmartSiC™ silicon carbide is a disruptive compound semiconductor material providing superior performance and efficiency over silicon in high-growth power applications for electric mobility and industrial processes. It allows for more efficient power conversion, lighter and more compact designs and overall system cost savings – all key factors for success in automotive and industrial systems.

    Christophe Maleville, Chief Technology Officer at Soitec, commented: “Silicon carbide is being adopted for EV and industrial applications, where it brings a significant system cost advantage. To further accelerate this adoption, silicon carbide yield and productivity must be improved.  Associating Resonac premium quality SiC materials with Soitec’s unique 200mm (8-inch) SmartSiC™ technology will support volume availability of record quality epi-ready substrate. The combination of our respective technologies and products will optimize these substrates using Resonac’s high-quality epitaxy. Soitec is proud and excited to be partnering with Resonac to develop a best-in-class combined SiC product offering for Japan and the world.”

    Makoto Takeda, General Manager of Device Solutions Business Unit at Resonac, commented: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Soitec, which is fully aligned with our broader commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient semiconductor solutions. By combining Resonac’s high quality monocrystalline silicon carbide wafers with Soitec’s unique SmartSiC™ technology, we will deliver improved production efficiency of 200mm (8-inch) silicon carbide wafers and diversify the epi-wafer supply chain.”

    Soitec’s SmartSiC™ silicon carbide wafers, or engineered substrates, are produced using the company’s proprietary SmartCut™ technology to bond an ultra-fine layer of high-quality mono-SiC ‘donor’ wafer to a low-resistivity polycrystalline (poly-SiC) ‘handle’ wafer. The resulting engineered substrate delivers significantly improved device performance and manufacturing yields. By allowing multiple re-uses of the prime quality mono-SiC wafer, the process also reduces overall energy consumption during wafer manufacturing.

    Soitec has a new fabrication plant at its headquarters in Bernin, France, primarily dedicated to the production of SmartSiC™ wafers for electric vehicles, renewable energy and industrial equipment component applications.

    About Soitec

    Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 1 billion Euros in fiscal year 2023-2024. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge and Cloud AI. The company relies on the talent and diversity of its 2,300 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Soitec has registered over 4,000 patents.

    Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.

    For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on X: @Soitec_Official

    Contact for more information: media@soitec.com

    About the Resonac Group

    The Resonac Group is a new company established as a result of the integration of the Showa Denko Group and the Showa Denko Materials Group (former Hitachi Chemical Group) in January 2023.  The Group’s annual sales of semiconductor and electronic materials amount to about 340 billion yen.  The Group especially has global top share of semiconductor materials for packaging process.  The integration of the two companies has enabled the Resonac Group to design functions of materials as well as to develop them in-house, going all the way back to raw materials.  The new trade name “RESONAC” was created as a combination of two English words, namely, the word of “RESONATE” and “C” as the first letter of CHEMISTRY.  The Resonac Group will make the most of its co-creative platform, and accelerate technological innovation with semiconductor manufacturers, material manufacturers, and equipment manufacturers inside and outside Japan.

    For detail, please refer to the Website of Resonac Holdings Corporation: https://www.resonac.com/

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise on Violent Democrat Rhetoric: Enough is Enough

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) to discuss the impact – which he has experienced personally – of dangerous rhetoric from the Left that has led to now multiple attempts on President Trump’s life. Leader Scalise pointed to specific quotes of Democrat leaders whose words have been used by unhinged people as calls to engage in political violence. Leader Scalise also highlighted legislation on the House floor this week that would provide the same amount of Secret Service for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as that of a sitting president.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 

    On House Republicans’ legislation to combat violence against women by illegal aliens:

    “Before I talk about that, we have a very busy agenda on the floor this week, and Speaker [Johnson] will talk about some of that, especially the CR with SAVE Act. But today, one of the other bills we’re going to be voting on is a bill that says, if someone is here illegally and they assault a woman – we’ve seen people come here illegally and murder women. That seems like the only time where some of these woke prosecutors will actually arrest the illegal. But there’s so many other horrible things being done to women by illegals. The bill says if they assault a woman in any kind of way, it’s a deportable offense. Now, I’m curious to see how this vote is going to be. Everybody on the House floor should vote for that bill. But if any Democrat dare vote against it, they’re going to have to explain to people back home who are watching this be carried out in every community in America why they would rather stand with illegals than women in their own districts that they represent. That’s going to be today.”

    On protecting Americans workers from woke policy:

    “Tomorrow, we’re going to continue moving forward on our agenda, continue going after wokeness, continue to stand up for families who are struggling. And then Friday, we’re going to be bringing a few bills. One, CRA on tailpipes. Kamala Harris has always been for eliminating the combustion engine and mandating EVs. Her values haven’t changed. That’s what she’s been for her whole life. It’s crushed thousands of jobs in states like Michigan. So [Congressman] John James from Michigan, who has seen the devastation of these horrible policies coming out of the Biden-Harris administration, is bringing a bill to reverse that, to end that mandate on the tailpipe emission, which was designed to kill the combustion engine, fossil fuel cars, in exchange for mandating EVs. People don’t even want to buy the EV cars. The batteries are made in China, and yet they continue their drumbeat. So we’re going to stand up for American workers Friday in that vote.”

    On strengthening the Secret Service: 

    “But one of the last votes we’re going to have, this is what I really want to talk about, is a bill by [Congressman] Mike Lawler that will ensure that both nominees for president, not just Donald Trump, also Kamala Harris, get the same level of Secret Service protection as the president of the United States. As has been talked about by so many already, it’s unacceptable that now we’re at two assassination attempts on President Trump. And luck cannot be a strategy by the Secret Service to have stopped these attempts. He came within inches, as we all know, on the first assassination attempt where shots actually rang out. If not for the advanced Secret Service agent seeing that muzzle just barely coming through a chainlink fence, we may have been talking about something very different right now. Luck cannot be a strategy. Clearly, I think there’s divine intervention. I know Speaker [Johnson] has said that, too. But at the same time, the Secret Service has to do better. Keep in mind, as we talk about adding this extra protection, every year since 2017, Congress has added more money to the Secret Service’s budget than they even requested in their budget.

    “And so it’s not an issue of money. What they’re doing with the money we’ve had a lot of serious questions about before the first assassination attempt – trying to carry out a woke agenda, focusing on the wrong things, and forgetting their main mission, and that is to protect presidents and vice president of the United States. The Secret Service has to shift that focus and shift their priorities and provide this protection.”

    On dangerous Democrat rhetoric:

    “Now I’m going to be very specific because we talk about the rhetoric. When there’s an incident like this, there’s always talk that the rhetoric needs to dial down. I’m one of those who says it, too. But this isn’t generic. There is very specific rhetoric we can now point to that we know is triggering some of these people who are unhinged who take it the wrong way and want to carry out what is being sent to them by Democrats talking about this. We all know Kamala Harris, her quote, where she says, ‘Trump is a threat to our democracy and fundamental freedoms.’ She said this over and over again, not just before the first attempt. Even after the first attempt on President Trump’s life, there might have been a two or three-day pause, and then they went right back to it.

    “In fact, just days before the second assassination attempt, Kamala Harris made that quote. And then the second shooter, attempted shooter, he was regurgitating the same language as Kamala. So this is no longer a dog whistle, which it’s been on the left. It’s now being received by some unhinged people as a call to action when Democrats say this. Kamala needs to stop saying that President Trump is a threat to democracy. There are unhinged people that are taking that as a call to go and try to eliminate President Trump. She needs to stop it now. Leadership starts at the top, and then you’ve got to go down.President Biden has said that as well, along with the quotes, and you’ve heard it from others. It’s important to repeat. President Biden, ‘It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.’ The President of the United States said that, and then now, two different people have taken that as a call to action. Where is the real scrutiny coming from the press to ask them do you now denounce what you said? Because people are taking it the wrong way and are actually trying to carry it out. It’s not just rhetoric.

    “We almost lost President Donald Trump. And it shouldn’t happen on either side. But you’re seeing this language from the other side get higher and higher. Got to say it again, Congressman Goldman, ‘It is destructive to our democracy, and he, President Trump, has to be eliminated.’ Does anybody need an interpretation of that? One unhinged person hearing that, and what does that mean to them? That they’re going to carry out as a call to action what they’re being called to do. Cannot happen. It cannot happen. Congresswoman Plaskett, ‘Trump needs to be shot.’ Has she been scrutinized on that quote? Are other Democrats being asked to call her out and stop doing that thing that is being taken the wrong way? I’ve seen it personally when people are called to action, one person is all it takes to take it the wrong way and then look at what could be. We don’t want this to happen again. But they, the Democrats that are saying this, starting with Kamala Harris, have to stop the language they’re saying. Talk about your policy differences, but stop all of this language about threats to democracy and Hitler comparisons, and he needs to be shot. Enough is enough.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Terranet reaches strategic milestone – achieves autonomous braking

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A key target for the third quarter was to achieve fully automated braking based on a brake request from BlincVision. Recent tests at the certified AstaZero track demonstrated that BlincVision successfully initiated braking with a large margin, marking a significant advancement for the company.

    At AstaZero, the advanced driver assistance system has been tested at various driving speeds and in several Euro NCAP scenarios to evaluate its performance. To further increase the complexity of the traffic environment, Terranet has created modified versions of these scenarios. In one scenario (CPNCO-50), a child walks out from the right side behind a parked car. In the modified version, an additional car was placed behind the child. For existing ADAS solutions on the market, the child often blends into the background of the car, but the BlincVision system was able to identify the child and brake in time. At the same time, large amounts of data have been collected to improve the system’s AI-developed model. This data collection is a key component for the continued development and fine-tuning of the system to better handle a wide variety of traffic conditions. The results show the potential for further optimization and refinement of the system.

    In previous tests, the system only sent a brake request, with the actual braking being theoretical and based on calculations of a potential collision. Now, for the first time, the entire process has been verified: from object detection and classification, to calculating collision risk, making a decision, and finally initiating emergency braking to bring the vehicle to a stop.

    “The fact that BlincVision is now functioning as a stand-alone ADAS system is a crucial milestone in our development process. The system’s growing maturity makes it easier to integrate into other vehicles, further strengthening our ongoing collaboration within the MobilityXlab accelerator program. Our goal to secure agreements with partners in the fourth quarter remains intact,” says Pierre Ekwall, CTO at Terranet.

    Link: Video clip from AstaZero

    For more information, please contact:        
    Magnus Andersson, CEO        
    E-mail: magnus.andersson@terranet.se

    About Terranet AB (publ)
    Terranet’s goal is to save lives in urban traffic. The company develops innovative technical solutions for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AV). Terranet’s anti-collision system BlincVision laser scans and detects road objects up to ten times faster than any other ADAS technology available today.

    The company is headquartered in Lund, with offices in Gothenburg and Stuttgart. Since 2017, Terranet has been listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (Nasdaq: TERRNT-B). Follow our journey at: www.terranet.se

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Announces Fee Reduction for Flagship ETPs, HODLX and BOLD

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, 24 September 2024 – 21Shares AG (“21Shares”), one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) and a subsidiary of 21.co, is pleased to announce a significant fee reduction for two of its flagship products: the 21Shares Crypto Basket 10 ETP (HODLX) and the 21Shares Bytetree BOLD ETP (BOLD). Effective immediately, the management fees for these ETPs have been lowered to 0.49% for HODLX and 0.65% for BOLD, making these innovative investment vehicles more accessible to a broader range of investors.

    The 21Shares Crypto Basket 10 ETP (HODLX) provides diversified exposure to the top ten digital assets by market capitalization, rebalanced quarterly to reflect the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. With this fee reduction to 0.49%, investors can now benefit from a more cost-effective way to capture the growth potential of the digital asset space in a single, diversified ETP.

    The 21Shares Bytetree BOLD ETP (BOLD) offers a unique blend of Bitcoin and Gold, designed as a balanced approach to digital and traditional assets. BOLD’s risk-adjusted weighting scheme, rebalanced monthly, combines the security of gold with the growth opportunities of Bitcoin, offering a diversified hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. The new fee of 0.65% further enhances the appeal of this product for investors seeking strategic and cost-efficient exposure to these assets.

    “At 21Shares, our mission has always been to make investing in cryptocurrency more accessible, and this fee reduction is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value to our investors,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By lowering the fees on HODLX and BOLD, we are enabling more investors to participate in the future of finance at a lower cost.”

    These fee reductions underscore 21Shares’ dedication to providing innovative, low-cost investment solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global investor community. Both ETPs are 100% physically backed by their underlying assets, held securely in cold storage, ensuring the highest levels of trust for investors.

    For more information about 21Shares and its full range of ETPs, visit https://www.21shares.com/en-eu/product .

    Press Contacts:
    Audrey Belloff, Head of Communications, press@21.co

    About 21.co:
    21.co is the world’s leader in providing access to crypto through simple and easy to use products. 21.co is the parent company of 21Shares, one of the world’s largest issuer of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) – which is powered by Onyx, a proprietary technology platform used to issue and operate cryptocurrency ETPs for 21Shares and third parties. The company was founded in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder. 21Shares is registered in Zurich, Switzerland with offices in Zurich, London and New York. For more information, please visit 21Shares.

    Disclaimer:
    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2023 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with SIX Exchange Regulation AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2023 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Eastern Breeze”: Polytech became a prize winner of the All-Russian competition in marine robotics

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The 7th All-Russian competition in marine robotics “Eastern Breeze” was held in Vladivostok. Over the course of eight days, 31 teams (more than 120 people) competed in the field of promising developments of robotic complexes created by enterprises and research institutes. SPbPU was represented by teams from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, studying at the Higher School of Automation and Robotics. The Polytechnicians managed to take three prize places in two categories.

    The students’ trip was supported by the SPbPU Center for Technological Projects, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, and the SPbPU Youth Policy Department.

    In the category “Unmanned boats” our team with the device “Bublik-Pi” (developed with the support of the Priority 2030 program) managed to take second place, and the team with the Barracuda apparatus took third place. The teams’ tasks included autonomous or remotely controlled navigation in the sea, namely movement along specified routes and trajectories. Bublik-Pi was the only one that successfully completed all tasks in autonomous mode, but had a low speed at sea (1 knot).

    Also in the category “Remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicles” among developers, the submarine “Atlant-S” took third place. During the tests, it was necessary to detect objects under water and move them.

    The first team (the Bublik-Pi and Atlant-S devices) included second-year master’s students Artem Akzhigitov, Andrey Klinovitsky, and fourth-year student Artem Klochikhin. The second team (the Barracuda device) was represented by first-year master’s student Vladimir Marin and 2024 graduate Artem Kondratyev.

    The event was quite large-scale, with teams from all over Russia participating, and they represented not only educational institutions, but also law enforcement agencies. The team had the task of performing various types of maneuvers on a water section: to go through a snaking course, to make a dash, etc. To solve the tasks, a remote control system for an unmanned boat was created, and we also laid the groundwork for the future to solve problems in autonomous mode using GNSS, a magnetometer, and a machine vision system, shared one of the developers of the Barracuda, Artem Kondratyev.

    Our teams were lucky to be at these competitions and test new SPbPU developments in extreme (marine) conditions. We successfully coped with the tasks set, especially enjoyed developing the ROV, this is a difficult task that we took on for the first time and successfully implemented it, – Andrey Klinovitsky said about the event.

    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/achievements/eastern-breeze-polytechnic-became-a-winner-of-the-all-Russian-competition-in-marine-robotics/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Development Asia: Boosting Regional Integration with Enhanced Multimodal Transport Links

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Road Corridors

    Roads are the primary transport infrastructure in most SAARC member states, serving as the main means of domestic connectivity and the key conduit for intra-SAARC trade, either across land borders or via seaports. In recent years, the importance of road transport has grown across all SAARC countries.

    The original SMRTS included ten SAARC road corridors, linking: (i) Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh (two); (ii) Nepal and India (two); (iii) Bhutan and India (one); (iv) Nepal, India, and Bangladesh (one); (v) Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh (one); (vi) India and Bangladesh (two); and (vii) Nepal, India, and Pakistan (one). The updated SMRTS highlights recent physical and nonphysical progress in corridor development.

    Physical progress includes the 6.15-km Padma Bridge, upgrades to the Sarail-Akhaura link and Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur Highway, and four-laning of the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway and Sylhet-Tamabil Road in Bangladesh; the planned Haldia/Howrah-Raxual Expressway in India; Nepal’s Kathmandu-Terai Madhesh Fast Track Project; and Pakistan’s Khyber Pass Economic Corridor and six-lane motorways connecting Karachi to Peshawar. Nonphysical progress includes motor vehicle agreements facilitating cross-border transport.

    Rail Corridors

    Railways have the potential to become a key transport mode in the SAARC region, especially for intraregional movement of goods and passengers between Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The region’s railway network is mainly broad-gauge and compatible across member states, except for the meter-gauge network east of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Once the SAARC rail corridors are fully developed and nonphysical barriers are addressed, efficient rail connectivity will link the concerned SAARC countries.

    The original SMRTS included five SAARC railway corridors, connecting Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Recent progress includes several railway projects in Bangladesh (e.g., the Padma Bridge Rail Link, dual-gauge line between Akhaura and Laksam), new rail links in Bhutan and Nepal, and the planned Uzbekistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan Railway.

    Inland Waterway Corridors

    Among SAARC countries, only Bangladesh and India have organized inland waterways, facilitating freight transit between the two nations. In earlier SMRTS stages, two inland waterway corridors of regional importance were identified based on current and potential future traffic. These corridors also offer direct waterway links for Northeast India to the ports of Kolkata and Haldia. Landlocked Bhutan and Nepal could benefit from multimodal and intermodal connections to these waterways, providing access to the sea.

    A recent development is the consolidation of the Eastern Waterways Grid, linking rivers in Bangladesh and India with roads and rail to improve connectivity. The Grid builds on the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Routes, enhancing trade and transit between the two countries. It promises significant cost savings for bulk goods transport in India and revenue generation for Bangladesh through port fees and cargo services, with potential benefits for Bhutan and Nepal.

    Maritime Gateways

    The previous SMRTS versions identified ten major maritime gateways based on current traffic volume, potential to handle future intraregional container traffic, and access for landlocked countries to seaports.

    The updated SMRTS highlights recent progress in the maritime sector. Bangladesh is developing two new gateways: Payra, now operational, and Matarbari, under construction and expected to become the country’s first deep-sea port. Chattogram Port has undergone significant expansion, with a framework for its sustainable development as a transshipment hub for Northeast India. India’s Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Port, the largest on the Eastern Coast, has increasingly served Nepali transit traffic. Other notable developments include a planned new port at Thilafushi in Maldives, a major port concession in Karachi, Pakistan, and continued expansion of Colombo Port, Sri Lanka. Additionally, ferry services between India and Sri Lanka have been proposed.

    Aviation Gateways

    The original SMRTS identified 16 SAARC aviation gateways and noted the need to increase this number by 2030 by upgrading domestic airports to regional hubs and regional airports to international ones. It also acknowledged the complexity of identifying aviation hubs within the SAARC region, which goes beyond the scope of the SMRTS.

    Based on recent developments discussed at a February 2024 workshop in Kathmandu, additional aviation gateways were included in the updated SMRTS. These are in Bangladesh (Chattogram, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Saidpur), Bhutan (Gelephu), Maldives (Gan), Nepal (Gautam Buddha, Pokhara), Pakistan (Islamabad), and Sri Lanka (Mattala Rapsaka, Jaffna, Batticaloa).

    Between 2020-2024, the aviation sector faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which lowered passenger and freight demand. As the sector recovers, the challenge is to rebuild and reshape it, redesigning terminals to meet new requirements and implementing measures to address environmental concerns, including decarbonization.

    Connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia

    Recent developments in transport connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia include United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/299 on strengthening regional connectivity, the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, the Uzbekistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan Railway Project, the International North-South Transport Corridor (a 7,200-km multimodal route linking India, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia), and the Delhi Declaration from the 1st India-Central Asian Summit in January 2022.

    Air connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia remains limited, despite Central Asia’s landlocked nature and challenging geography. Air transport is crucial for moving perishable and high-value goods and facilitating business travel and tourism.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, State highway 2, Tutira

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are responding to a two vehicle crash on State Highway 2 near Matahorua Road, Tutira, Hastings.

    Police received the report around 6:15pm.

    Two people are reported to be in a serious condition.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

    The road is closed and motorists are advised to take an alternate route.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – Gebrüder Weiss opens second location in Greater Bucharest

    Source: Gebrüder Weiss

    New terminal in Popesti-Leordeni to optimize the delivery of goods in the metropolitan area / Logistics expert celebrates 30-year anniversary in Romania / 700 employees at 13 locations handle 1.1 million consignments per year

    Bucharest / Lauterach, September 24, 2024. The international transport and logistics company Gebrüder Weiss has expanded its location network in Romania. South-east of Bucharest, in Popesti-Leordeni, the logistics provider has officially launched operations at a new terminal, following a major investment of 20 million euros.

    “The second location complements our existing facility west of the capital in Bolintin-Deal, thus facilitating an even more efficient distribution of goods in the metropolitan area. In this way, we offer first-rate conditions to provide even better logistics support to Romania’s emerging economy,” affirms Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

    The modern terminal has an area of around 19,000 square meters for warehouse logistics, transshipment, administration, and favorable transport connections to the Black Sea port of Constanta and neighboring Bulgaria. It is equipped with heat pumps, and the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system is under consideration for the future, along with charging stations for electric vehicles. One of the location’s customers is an international paint manufacturer, for whom Gebrüder Weiss stores 12,000 pallets for distribution across the country.

    “The increasing traffic load in the capital requires a two-terminal solution enabling us to supply the metropolitan area from two geographic directions, thus making the distribution of goods more efficient,” Country Manager Viorel Leca explains. In the first six months of 2024, the new hub handled 78,000 shipments with a total weight of more than 35,000 tons. “In light of our current warehouse occupancy rate of 70%, we are planning to expand our client portfolio in the near future. The purchased land, with a total area of 70,000 square meters, allows us to build additional storage and cross-dock spaces, depending on future projects”, Viorel Leca added.

    30th anniversary of Gebrüder Weiss Romania

    The opening of the new terminal coincides with Gebrüder Weiss celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its entry into the market in Romania. Gebrüder Weiss operates a comprehensive network of 13 locations across the country’s key economic regions.

    “Over the past 30 years, Romania’s economic development has been impressive, and the country has become a sought-after manufacturing location. We are going to support the growth of industry and commerce in Romania with our logistics know-how into the future,” says Thomas Moser, Director and Regional Manager Black Sea/CIS at Gebrüder Weiss.

    In the past year, 700 employees handled some 1.1 million shipments. Customers include international companies in the automotive, technology, and consumer goods sectors. From its Romanian locations, the logistics provider operates transports by truck to Germany, France, Hungary, and the Czech Republic and handles air and sea freight transports to destinations all over the world.

    About Gebrüder Weiss

    Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.46 billion euros in 2023. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lotus Deploys Ambarella’s Oculii™ AI 4D Imaging Radar Technology in L2+ Semi-Autonomous Systems for Eletre SUV and Emeya Hyper-GT Electric Vehicles

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), an edge AI semiconductor company, today announced in advance of AutoSens Europe that its Oculii™ AI 4D imaging radar technology is deployed worldwide in the 2023 and 2024 Lotus Eletre electric hyper-SUV as well as the 2024 Lotus Emeya fully electric hyper-GT from Lotus Technology. The vehicles’ L2+ semi-autonomous systems that have benefited from this groundbreaking radar technology include highway and urban navigation on autopilot (NOA) and automatic emergency braking (AEB), where the ultra-long detection range of over 300 meters provides more time to safely react to vehicles and other objects while traveling at highway and racetrack speeds. These systems were developed by Lotus Robotics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lotus, as part of its autonomous driving platform.

    Ambarella’s Oculii radar technology is providing ultra-fine angular resolution of one degree in both vehicles, using only six transmit and eight receive antennas on each of the vehicles’ two radar modules—more than double the resolution of the nearest 4D imaging radar competitor using the same number of antennas. This high angular resolution is important for clearly distinguishing, identifying and locating objects and people, both for nearby detection in crowded urban environments, as well as from a far distance when travelling at highway and racetrack speeds, to ensure timely and accurate avoidance and braking by the vehicles’ L2+ systems.

    This high resolution, in combination with a low antenna count, also provides higher value, while significantly reducing radar system power consumption and complexity; enabling the radar modules to be fitted into the desired locations on the vehicles. This combination can only be achieved using Ambarella’s Oculii AI radar algorithms, because of their unique ability to adapt radar waveforms to the environment. In fact, other 4D imaging radars require double the number of antennas to achieve the same level of performance, and in some cases, even more; leading to at least double the power consumption.

    “The performance that Lotus has achieved using our Oculii 4D imaging radar technology provides evidence for the real-world benefits of our AI innovations that adapt radar waves to the surrounding environment,” said Fermi Wang, president and CEO of Ambarella. “Building on their current models’ significant achievements with edge-processed AI 4D imaging radar, Lotus is evaluating Ambarella’s centralized radar processing architecture to realize even greater ADAS and autonomous performance.”

    By centrally processing raw 4D imaging radar data and fusing it at a deep level with the vehicle’s other sensor information, Ambarella’s AI software-defined architecture is capable of detecting objects over 500 meters away, while providing the ability to shift processing power among sensors and adapt to real-time driving conditions. This architecture also enables even higher angular resolution of 0.5 degrees, and an ultra-dense point cloud with tens of thousands of detection points per frame. Additionally, because Ambarella’s Oculii AI radar algorithms uniquely adapt radar waveforms to the environment, an order-of-magnitude fewer antennas is still utilized for centralized processing, maintaining reduced data bandwidth and power consumption compared to competing 4D imaging radar solutions.

    Test drives demonstrating Ambarella’s centralized radar processing architecture will be available during AutoSens Europe, taking place October 8-10th in Barcelona. Please contact your Ambarella representative to schedule a ride.

    For more information about Oculii AI radar technology, please contact your Ambarella representative or visit https://www.ambarella.com/products/automotive-oculii/.

    About Ambarella
    Ambarella’s products are used in a wide variety of human vision and edge AI applications, including video security, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electronic mirror, drive recorder, driver/cabin monitoring, autonomous driving and robotics applications. Ambarella’s low-power systems-on-chip (SoCs) offer high-resolution video compression, advanced image and radar processing, and powerful deep neural network processing to enable intelligent perception, fusion and planning. For more information, please visit www.ambarella.com.

    Ambarella Contacts

    All brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Ambarella reserves the right to alter product and service offerings, specifications, and pricing at any time without notice. © 2024 Ambarella. All rights reserved.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9581fe9-3609-42e9-8b68-de3db3fceeda 

    The MIL Network –