Latest news with #CMF
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
New Zealand-Led Navies Conclude Counter Narcotics Operations In Middle East Waters
The New Zealand-led Combined Maritime Task Force 150 (CTF 150) has concluded counter narcotics operations in the Middle East. Over the six-month period of command from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Commodore Rodger Ward, ships operating in direct support to CTF 150 conducted 55 boardings. The boardings resulted in the seizure and destruction of 7 tonnes of narcotics with a combined street value of more than NZ$1.8 billion. CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain and is focussed on maritime security in the Middle East, in particular the disruption of drug smuggling operations. The New Zealand-led team was supported by personnel from the militaries of Australia, Canada, India, Singapore and the United States, which contributed members to the headquarters. 'The strength of the CMF is the 46 nations working together with a common aim of enhancing and upholding the rules-based international system,' Commodore Ward said. 'In particular ensuring the freedom of the global maritime commons, the waters which allow our trade to flow safely from nation to nation. 'Our mission was anchored by four objectives: whakapono (trusted partners), mahi tahi (working together), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and he heremana tatou (we are sailors). We based all of our operations and activities on these and they ensured that we got the most out of this opportunity.' During the six-month period, CTF 150 conducted more boardings than over similar periods in previous years but found fewer drugs. 'The evidence of our success is not just the amount of drugs we interdicted,' Commodore Ward said. 'Our engagement with partners across the region indicates that the amount of narcotics we disrupted could be as much as three times that. CMF is focused on countering this illicit activity and the smugglers know that.' Commodore Ward said he was proud of what the 26-strong multinational staff were able to achieve. 'We can all go home happy with the fruits of our labours.' HMNZS Te Kaha was assigned to CTF 150 for a period of two months before leaving the region, and conducted a significant number of boardings during that time. The intelligence collected also resulted in the disruption of further smuggling operations.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
CMF Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus both offer great value, but which one is right for you?
When Nothing launched its new CMF audio line-up recently, it tried to tick all the boxes – affordability, clean design, and good features. There are three earphones on the platter. These are the Buds 2a, Buds 2, and Buds 2 Plus. We've tested the mid-tier Buds 2 and the top-end Buds 2 Plus, and both promise impressive value for their price. The CMF Buds 2 earphones are priced at Rs 2,699, and the Buds 2 Plus at Rs 3,299. If you're wondering which one is right for you, here's a detailed comparison based on design, sound, noise cancellation, battery life, and overall and comfortThe CMF Buds 2 come in a familiar square case with a playful twist – a transparent rotating element for attaching a lanyard. It has a PC + ABS (a thermoplastic blend) matte finish that doesn't pick up fingerprints and is compact enough to slide into your pocket. The earbuds themselves are light (4.5g), have a secure fit, and are IP55-rated, so they can survive sweaty workouts and a bit of Buds 2 Plus, on the other hand, look a little more premium. The case feels smoother, with a soft-touch finish and tight panel seams, which is a rare treat at this price point. There's a similar decorative aluminium dial on the case, which sadly serves no real function but looks cool. The earbuds feel just as light, though the silicone ear tips could be better – they don't seal as well as they should, which affects both comfort and ANC performance. It's a small but noticeable design Between the two, the Buds 2 win on comfort, while Buds 2 Plus edge ahead on aesthetics and quality. Setup and controlsBoth earbuds pair easily with devices via Bluetooth 5.4 and work well with the Nothing X app, available on Android and iOS. The app offers easy control over ANC, gestures, EQ presets, and firmware set up the Buds 2 with the CMF Phone 2, Infinix GT 30 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro and pairing was near instant. Buds 2 Plus offer a similarly smooth setup, and both earbuds support dual connection to two devices at touch gestures on both are fully customisable – you can adjust volume, switch ANC modes, or skip tracks with a tap. You can also disable wear detection and use 'Find My Earbud' to locate a missing bud via a loud it comes to set up and control, it is a tie between the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus. Both offer slick pairing and user-friendly control options. Sound qualityThis is where the two earbuds begin to differ more CMF Buds 2 feature custom 11mm drivers with a tuning that leans towards clarity and balance. They also include Ultra Bass Technology 2.0, Dirac Opteo correction, and a Spatial Audio Effect. This is technical jargon, but here is what it means in the real-world: bass is definitely present on the Buds 2 but it doesn't overwhelm. The mids and highs come through cleanly, offering a pleasing, accessible sound across genres. For many, this will be more than Buds 2 Plus, however, crank things up a notch with larger 12mm LCP drivers and support for LDAC Hi-Res Audio. The difference is noticeable – there is more depth, better instrument separation, and a bit more body in the low end. But the bass can get heavy-handed, especially on the default Pop preset, which ends up muddying the clarity. If you prefer a more natural sound, the Classical EQ preset works said, there's also a Personal Sound Profile feature on the Buds 2 Plus that tailors the sound to your hearing. It's a great feature in theory, but you need a very quiet environment for it to work well or else ambient noise interferes with the the Buds 2 Plus offer more advanced audio options, but if you're not a fan of overpowering bass, you might actually prefer the simpler, more balanced sound of the Buds and Transparency ModeBoth earbuds support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode, but the Buds 2 Plus have the upper hand on paper with 50dB ANC with a 5400MHz frequency range, compared to 48dB and 5200Hz on the Buds 2. In practice, the ANC performance on the Buds 2 is excellent for its price. You will feel the difference when using the earbuds in a noisy environment like a market or even a newsroom. It even supports adaptive ANC that adjusts in real Buds 2 Plus, however, do better with low and mid-frequency noise and have more powerful ANC overall. But there's a catch, the weak seal caused by the low-quality ear tips limits its full potential. High-frequency noise tends to slip through more modes on both are good for conversations and comparing the two, we were obviously expecting the Buds 2 Plus to win on ANC performance, and they do as long as you swap the tips. Otherwise, Buds 2 give you a more consistent experience out of the box. Mic quality and call performanceThe CMF Buds 2 come with three mics per earbud and Clear Voice Technology 3.0, which helps reduce wind noise and keeps your voice clear. During calls, background noise was handled reasonably well, and voice pickup was natural and CMF Buds 2 Plus, on the other hand, raise the bar slightly with six microphones and even better voice pickup. The call audio sounded natural, and voices were the two, the Buds 2 Plus take the clear win here, especially for regular callers or remote life and chargingBattery life is another strong suit for both Buds 2 promise up to 13.5 hours on a single charge without ANC, and about 7.5 hours with ANC on. In real-world usage with AAC and ANC toggled occasionally, we got about 8 to 9 hours, which is excellent. The case adds up to 55 hours total without ANC, and a quick 10-minute top-up gives you 4 hours of Buds 2 Plus slightly edge ahead by delivering 14 hours with AAC and about 9 to 10 hours with LDAC. In our testing, the claims held up, with actual numbers even going a bit beyond what was promised. A 10-minute charge delivers about 5 hours of use, which is incredibly it comes to battery and charging, the Buds 2 Plus win, but both models offer top-tier battery life at their which one should you buy?Here's a simple breakdown:Choose the CMF Buds 2 if you want a lightweight, comfortable design with decent ANC, balanced sound, and excellent battery life at a budget-friendly price. These are great for general listeners who want something reliable and easy to use the CMF Buds 2 Plus if you care about high-resolution audio, deeper ANC, and better call quality. Despite the slightly annoying ear tips, the overall experience – especially with LDAC and improved microphones – makes these great for those looking to maximise audio features without spending much more.
Business Wire
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Future of California's Disabled Workforce Hangs in Balance as Group Appeals to Governor, Legislative Leaders
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PRIDE Industries made an urgent attempt Thursday to get help from the Governor and Legislative leaders to save the jobs of 58 employees, half of whom have disabilities or are service-disabled veterans. The company, which holds a contract with a state facility for janitorial services and employs and provides support services to the workers, sent letters requesting intervention to Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore McGuire. In just days, PRIDE Industries said its 58 employees will be cut off from their jobs at the state's California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville as a result of a damaging decision by the State Personnel Board at the request of SEIU Local 1000. The workers are employed at the facility through a contract held by PRIDE Industries. These individuals are slated to lose their jobs when the positions they hold are set to be reassigned July 1 to inmate labor. In the letter to the state's highest leaders, CMF worker Ameer Habeeb emphasizes that rehabilitation programs should not come at the expense of inclusive employment. 'These two missions are not mutually exclusive, and California should be leading the way in honoring both,' Habeeb said. Habeeb called for urgent state intervention and support for a legislative fix that would preserve these jobs and uphold California's commitment to equitable workforce access for the long-term. Efforts to work with SEIU Local 1000 advocating for a similar course of action have not yielded a resolution, according to PRIDE Industries. Former Congressman Tony Coelho, author the Americans with Disabilities Act, also has urged the state and union to retain the positions held by these employees and come up with a lasting solution to protect employment for people with disabilities. The letter was delivered to Governor Newsom and leadership on Thursday and noted that the stakes for disability inclusion and equity in California's public workforce are high. facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and placement services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries' mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services it helps individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
An appraisal of provincial budgets
Provincial budgets for Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 reflect a precarious balancing act between growth ambitions and fiscal realism, raising critical questions about their long-term sustainability, administrative capacity, and inclusivity. While presented with the usual optimistic overtones, the budgets also carry signals of policy inertia, revenue dependency, and structural inefficiencies that continue to inhibit Pakistan's provincial autonomy and economic self-reliance. The critical scrutiny of these documents not only reveals political economy underlying fiscal planning in each province but also highlights fundamental concerns about the federation's economic route vis-à-vis fiscal federalism. The Punjab government, presenting its budget on June 16, 2025, announced a massive total revenue target of Rs 4,890.4 billion, an ambitious 18.6 percent increase in transfers from the Federal Divisible Pool and a staggering 24.5 percent growth in provincial tax revenues. The projections are structurally flawed, relying on idealistic assumptions that dismiss the historical underperformance of revenue agencies and tax resistance from powerful local lobbies. Reliance on property and agricultural income tax reforms, both fraught with entrenched political resistance, indicates an overestimation of administrative capacity and political will. The failure to meet revised estimates for FY 2024–25, which were already 10.7 percent below initial projections, casts serious doubt on the credibility of these new targets. An estimated collection of Rs 333.5 billion in sales tax on services, up 22 percent from the revised estimate of Rs 273.7 billion in the outgoing years, is particularly doubtful given the economic uncertainty and enforcement limitations. Non-tax revenue scenario is equally concerning, with estimates for FY 2025–26 set at Rs 273 billion, a 37 percent decline from Rs 432 billion in FY 2024–25. The sharp fall is attributed to reduced inflows from the Cash Management Fund (CMF), a strategic but now underperforming instrument that had previously earned Rs 213 billion. Reduction to Rs 30 billion in CMF returns highlights both the volatility of this revenue stream and the province's lack of a diversified non-tax income portfolio. The expenditure side is dominated by an extraordinarily high allocation of Rs 1,240 billion for the Annual Development Programme (ADP), a 47.3 percent rise from the previous year's budget and an 11.8 percent increase over revised estimates. The dramatic surge in development outlay raises serious concerns about Punjab's absorptive capacity, given chronic issues in project planning, delays in execution, and cost overruns. The risk of low-impact politically motivated spending, looms large particularly in the absence of institutional reform, robust audit mechanisms, and performance-linked budgeting. The move may also undermine federal fiscal consolidation efforts, as Punjab's ability to generate provincial surplus appears jeopardized by such aggressive development financing. The current expenditures present a paradox, as some critical heads see a reduction despite rising service delivery demands. Allocation for public order and safety affairs, at Rs 299 billion, is 14 percent lower than the revised figures for FY 2024–25, a reduction that appears disconnected from the province's growing population and evolving internal security challenges. The housing development budget alarmingly slashed from Rs 94 billion to just Rs 10.2 billion, and the health sector allocation, cut from Rs 292 billion to Rs 267 billion, reflect a misalignment between policy rhetoric and actual resource commitment. Reductions in areas that directly impact citizen welfare, undermine the government's claim of inclusive growth signaling a return to discretionary rather than needs-based budgeting. The budget also contains a slew of rhetorical initiatives around digitization, climate resilience, and strategic growth, which while theoretically commendable, lack operational clarity, institutional alignment, and performance benchmarks. Failure of similar past programmes owing to bureaucratic ineptitudes and poor accountability—offers a cautionary tale. The absence of structural reform in public procurement, service delivery decentralization, and tax net expansion continues to limit the province's development despite higher fiscal outlays. The Punjab budget, while expensive, risks becoming yet another exercise in political signaling rather than transformative governance. The Sindh government, by contrast, has adopted a more calibrated yet still expansionary fiscal posture, presenting a budget with a projected fiscal deficit of Rs 38.46 billion. The total receipts lean heavily on federal transfers, which account for 62% of the provincial inflows, with Rs 2.095 trillion expected under various heads including National Finance Commission (NFC) Award share, straight transfers, and Octroi and Zila Tax (OZT)-related grants. Overdependence on federal allocations not only limits fiscal autonomy but also exposes the province to macroeconomic fluctuations and federal transfer delays, which have historically disrupted cash flows and hindered implementation. Provincial tax revenues, estimated at Rs 676 billion, represent a modest attempt at internal resource mobilisation. Of this, Rs 388 billion is expected from sales tax on services, while other provincial taxes contribute Rs 288 billion. The low non-tax receipts of just Rs 52.6 billion further reflect a narrow fiscal base and underutilised potential for asset monetization, public-private partnerships, and service-based revenue generation. The structural rigidity of Sindh's revenue architecture has persisted despite years of reform narratives, and this budget does little to change that trajectory. The current expenditures, estimated at Rs 2.15 trillion, have increased 12 percent year-on-year, driven largely by public sector salaries, pensions, and operational costs in health, education, and law enforcement. The size and rigidity of these obligations reflect the state's expanding administrative footprint, which leaves limited fiscal room for development initiatives. The lack of serious pension reform and growing salary commitments create future liabilities that will constrain discretionary spending and development financing for years to come. The development expenditure, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total budget, offers some hope, with Rs 520 billion allocated to the provincial ADP and Rs 366.7 billion earmarked as Foreign Project Assistance (FPA). The combined development outlay highlights Sindh's commitment to infrastructure and social investment. However, execution remains a chronic weakness. The efficiency of foreign-assisted projects is often hampered by slow disbursements, procurement bottlenecks, and weak monitoring systems. The development agenda, while commendable in size, remains vulnerable to the province's institutional fragility. The strategic posture of Sindh government is one of cautious ambition aiming to maintain development momentum while handling a manageable deficit. However, long-term resilience of this strategy depends on structural reforms in tax administration, expenditure rationalization, and innovation in public financial management. Continued reliance on federal funds and concessional borrowing, in the absence of productivity-enhancing investments, risks eroding the province's fiscal sovereignty and development dividends. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget for FY 2025–26, structured around Rs 1,754 billion in total outlays, is perhaps the most constrained of the three, owing to the province's demographic pressures, post-conflict challenges, and limited economic base. The revenue projections include Rs 1,212 billion from federal transfers and Rs 93 billion from provincial tax and non-tax sources. The stark gap between total budgetary size and internally generated revenue — merely 5.3 percent of total income — reflects a crippling fiscal dependency that leaves the province highly vulnerable to federal fiscal dynamics and delays in NFC disbursements. The total development budget of Rs 416 billion is split between Rs 120 billion for the Provincial ADP and Rs 296 billion under the Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP) and Foreign Project Assistance. Dominance of externally financed or federally supported development initiatives highlights a fundamental weakness in fiscal autonomy. ADP's modest size relative to the total budget also reflects structural crowding caused by salary, pension, and security issues particularly acute in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to its proximity to conflict zones and the burden of displaced populations. The current expenditure, standing at Rs 1,338 billion, continues to be dominated by salaries and pensions, which collectively consume over 70% of recurring expenses. Lack of pension reforms is creating a time bomb that threatens fiscal space for critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. The rising cost of debt servicing further puts pressure, as the province increasingly turns to domestic borrowing and overdraft facilities to meet monthly obligations, a practice that undermines fiscal discipline and increases inter-governmental friction. The budget does reflect some rationalization in sectoral allocations, with increased funds for health and elementary education, acknowledging post-pandemic service delivery gaps. The commitment to fund Sehat Card Plus scheme and education infrastructure reflects intention, but execution remains mired in weak provincial monitoring capacity. The fragmented governance structure is divided between regular provincial departments, and the AIP umbrella creates duplication, opacity, and administrative inefficiencies that slow down service delivery inflating project costs. The long-term outlook for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains risky unless institutional capacity is strengthened, resource mobilization is improved, and a clear strategy for economic diversification is implemented. Absence of industrial policy, low private investment, and limited natural resource monetization continue to limit province's revenue potential and employment generation capacity. The current budget, while pragmatic within existing constraints, offers little by way of transformative vision. A combined analysis of the Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budgets reveals a troubling pattern: overdependence on federal transfers, lack of serious pension and salary reform, weak tax enforcement, and political tokenism in development outlays. The way forward lies not merely in higher allocations, but in structural changes reform of provincial tax codes, modernization of service delivery, investment in human capital, and accountability-led governance. The provincial budgets must evolve from annual rituals into policy instruments that truly reflect the needs, rights, and aspirations of the people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
CNET
18-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Bag These Colorful CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds at a Record Low Price of Just $47 Today
With summer just around the corner, it's time to get out of the house for a bit. Whether you're taking a leisurely walk or hiking through the mountains, adding some music, a podcast or even an audiobook can really make the time fly by. For that, you're going to need a good pair of earbuds, and the CMF Buds Pro 2 buds definitely fit the bill. Even better, you can get a pair today for just $47 -- a price that matches their lowest-ever. Available in four colors -- blue, orange, black or dark gray -- the CMF Buds Pro 2 have active noise cancellation of up to 50 decibels as well as an expansive frequency range of up to 5,000Hz. One new feature is ChatGPT integration, which can be accessed from your buds or Nothing smartphone, since the CMF brand is owned by the latter. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Alongside having Bluetooth, ultra bass technology 2.0 "intelligently identifies bass elements in your music and dynamically enhances low frequencies in real time," CMF says, so that you can enjoy richer bass from mid to high tones. Battery-wise, you're looking at 10 hours from one charge but 43 hours overall when you include the case. It's fitted with a large 60 mAH battery that makes this possible. The only possible catch that we can see here is that this limited-time deal could end at any time and without warning. If a discounted pair of CMF Buds Pro 2 sounds like a good time to you, we suggest getting that order in sooner rather than later. Why this deal matters Not only is this a new record low price for the wireless earbuds, but with Bluetooth 5.3, a 43-hour playback time, ChatGPT and noise canceling tech, a $47 asking price is more than fair for what you're getting in return. And the choice of four different colors is a neat bonus. If you just need an everyday set of buds but don't want to spend over the odds, you'll struggle to find better. Remember that the 32% discount is due to expire anytime, so act fast if interested. For more wireless picks, check out the best budget earbuds for 2025 where we've rounded up awesome audio at an affordable price.
