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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN receives the Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy call from Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and Special Assistant to the Foreign Minister of Japan, H.E. Takio Yamada, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They exchanged views on enhancing ASEAN-Japan cooperation, particularly in advancing energy transition initiatives as well as in promoting sustainable and low-carbon solutions to support regional targets.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN receives the Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands to return looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 19-02-2025 | 00:05

    At the request of Nigeria, the Netherlands is returning 113 Benin Bronzes from the Dutch State Collection. This decision was taken by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins. In 1897 British soldiers looted these objects from the Kingdom of Benin (now part of modern-day Nigeria) and sold them. They eventually ended up in the Dutch State Collection. The Benin Bronzes are an important record of the history of the Kingdom of Benin and, thus, of great significance to Nigeria. The Bronzes, consisting of plaques, personal ornaments and figures, are currently housed in the collection of Wereldmuseum Leiden. The return of these objects is the result of intensive cooperation between experts and representatives of both countries.

    Minister Bruins: “This restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today. Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”

    The transfer agreement will be signed in Leiden on 19 February by Mr Bruins and Olugible Holloway, Director-General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

    DG Holloway: ‘The return from the Netherlands will represent the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition. We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities.’

    The return follows the publication of an advisory report by the Colonial Collections Committee, chaired by Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You. The objects will be returned to the Nigerian government, which will then decide how and where they will be displayed. The Wereldmuseum hopes that the return of the objects will not mark the end of the process, but rather serve as a starting point for further cooperation between museums in Nigeria and the Netherlands.

    Return of objects by the municipality of Rotterdam

    In addition to the return of 113 objects from the Dutch State Collection, on 19 February the municipality of Rotterdam will also be returning a further six objects that fall under the Benin Bronzes collection. These objects – a bell, three relief plaques, a coconut casing and a staff – were also looted in 1897.

    Said Kasmi, a member of the Rotterdam municipal executive: ‘Art and heritage should be where they belong. These objects belong in Nigeria. By returning them, we’re taking an important step towards recognising the past and respecting the value these objects hold for Nigeria.’

    Advisory report published by the Colonial Collections Committee

    On the basis of a provenance investigation conducted by the Wereldmuseum and the municipality of Rotterdam, the Colonial Collections Committee advised the minister to return these objects in line with the Netherlands’ colonial collections policy. This advisory report resulted from close consultation and collaboration with the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The Committee published the report on its website. This is the fifth time that the Netherlands is returning objects as a direct result of an advisory report by the Committee. The Committee is currently drawing up advisory reports in response to requests submitted by Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Air India and Lufthansa Group announce significant expansion of codeshare partnership: ~60 additional routes across 12 Indian and 26 European cities

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Air India and Lufthansa Group have agreed to build on their longstanding codeshare partnership, which sees Air India enter into a new codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines, as well as expand the existing codeshare agreements between Air India, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

    The expanded partnership significantly boosts flight options and connectivity for travellers between the Indian Subcontinent and Europe with the addition of close to 60 codeshare routes operated by the four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

    The expanded agreements increase the total number of codeshare routes between Air India, Lufthansa and SWISS from 55 to nearly 100. Additionally, the new agreement between Air India and Austrian Airlines adds 26 codeshare routes. This provides greater choice, convenience, and seamless experiences to travellers from both regions.

    Customers of Lufthansa Group will now be able to connect to Air India’s domestic services to or from 15 points within India, namely Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa Mopa, Goa Dabolim, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, Lufthansa Group carriers will add their respective designator codes to Air India’s international services to 3 destinations from Delhi and Mumbai: Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney.

    Additionally, flights currently operated by Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers between India and Germany or Switzerland will be covered under the expanded codeshare partnership. For example, customers who wish to fly between Delhi and Frankfurt will now have three daily flight options each way with ‘LH’ flight numbers, including two flights operated by Air India and one flight operated by Lufthansa.

    Reciprocally, Air India will now offer its customers a total of 26 destinations across Europe and 3 destinations in the Americas beyond its gateways in Europe (Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich), with the ‘AI’ designator code placed on the following services operated by airlines in the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian Airlines for the first time:

    Lufthansa
    Between Frankfurt and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Nuremberg, Oslo, Prague, Riga, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Toulouse, Valencia, Washington D.C.

    SWISS
    Between Zurich and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

    Austrian Airlines
    Between Vienna and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

    Both airlines plan to progressively include other destinations in their network to the codeshare arrangements.

    Air India and the three Lufthansa Group carriers are members of Star Alliance. Frequent flyers will continue to earn and redeem points/miles on all four airlines, while elite status holders of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More programmes will benefit from Star Alliance Gold benefits including priority services, extra baggage allowance, and airport lounge access across the world. 

    According to Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dieter Vranckx: “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Air India and elevate the travel experience for our joint customers. By further enhancing our cooperation, we will increase the travel options between Europe and India and offer our passengers improved access to additional destinations. Lufthansa Group remains committed to India, and we are excited about the possibilities and potential the country and Air India as a partner have to offer”.

    Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Our goal is to enable our customers to travel from any corner of the world to another via Air India and its partner airlines. The expansion of our partnership with Lufthansa Group is a step in that direction, and we are pleased to take this long-standing relationship to the next level. With this renewed partnership, our customers will have access to more destinations and greater flexibility to travel across Europe on Lufthansa Group carriers. It also gives us the opportunity to serve Lufthansa Group customers, with warmth and quintessential Indian hospitality, aboard Air India flights. We look forward to continue working closely with our Star Alliance partners in making the world feel like a smaller place.”

    Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels.

    ABOUT LUFTHANSA GROUP:

    The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €35.4bn in the financial year 2023. Our largest business segment is Passenger Airlines while other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training form complimentary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

    ABOUT AIR INDIA GROUP:

    The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline Air India and low-cost regional carrier Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 55 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents.

    Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India placed the then largest-ever order for 470 new aircraft in 2023. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy.

    A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2025, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

    With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Job Opening: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    This is a permanent role based in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, or Manila.

    Greenpeace activists and volunteers gather at a wind farm at Baru beach during Buru Baru festival to hold letters forming a banner reading: ‘#ActionForClimate.’ Part of a Global Day of Action in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. © Ulet Ifansasti / Greenpeace

    About the Role

    The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership, ensuring alignment with Greenpeace’s core values. This includes overseeing operations in four countries, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, driving international collaboration, and maintaining accountability across governance, human resources, and financial management. The role requires a proactive approach to campaign contributions within Greenpeace’s global objectives.

    The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:

    Strategic Leadership

    • Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategic objectives aligned with Greenpeace’s mission.
    • Empower staff and volunteers to foster a shared sense of purpose and organisational culture.
    • Monitor external developments and implement responsive strategies as needed.

    Operation, Finance, and Fundraising

    • Oversee all organisational functions, ensuring strategies and policies align with core values.
    • Maintain financial discipline and ensure adherence to auditing practices.
    • Collaborate with the Fundraising Director to explore alternative funding streams and improve grassroots contributions from individual donors across the region.
    • Recruit, train, and develop staff with a focus on accountability and high performance.

    Change Management

    • Drive organisational transformation through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and transparent decision-making.
    • Align global objectives with mission-focused strategies to enhance morale, inclusivity, and overall effectiveness.
    • Determine and implement effective management structures and systems to achieve organisational objectives.
    • Foster cross-country collaboration to enhance efficiency and inclusivity.

    Communications and Network

    • Enhance internal communication and information flow across departments, countries and hierarchy levels.
    • Build and maintain productive relationships with NGOs, media, government, and relevant stakeholders.

    Governance and Relationship to The Board

    • Create and adapt annual, mid-term and long-term strategies in partnership with the Board and Greenpeace International.
    • Ensure compliance with legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities.
    • Identify and mitigate organisational risks while maintaining operational effectiveness.
    • Provide regular reports to the Board, ensuring informed decision-making.

    Campaign Advocacy and Representation

    • Create and adapt annual, mid-term and long-term strategies in partnership with the Board and Greenpeace International.
    • Ensure compliance with legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities.
    • Identify and mitigate organisational risks while maintaining operational effectiveness.
    • Provide regular reports to the Board, ensuring informed decision-making.

    Personnel, Health, and Safety

    • Lead and implement impactful campaigns on rainforest conservation, climate justice, ocean, plastic and coal reduction.
    • Drive grassroots mobilisation, engage key stakeholders, and amplify GPSEA’s successes through strategic advocacy efforts.
    • Represent GPSEA at international meetings and in public forums.
    • Act as a spokesperson for the organisation.

    Personnel, Health, and Safety

    • Ensure adherence to best practices in all operational areas, balancing ambition with available resources.

    Skills and Experience

    • Environment movement background.
    • Proven leadership in a complex organisation, with a focus on effective management and accountability.
    • Deep understanding of global environmental issues and sustainability principles.
    • Strong systems thinking, strategic planning, and horizon-scanning skills.
    • Ability to inspire and unite diverse stakeholders around a compelling vision.
    • Commitment to Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) and grassroots campaigning.
    • Financial literacy and a positive attitude toward digital innovation.
    • Fluency in English; additional language skills are an asset.

    Personal Attributes

    • Responsive and adaptive. 
    • Highly emotionally intelligent with strong interpersonal skills.
    • Courageous, empathetic, and humble leadership style.
    • Committed to social and environmental justice.
    • Activist spirit with a passion for Greenpeace’s mission.
    • Understanding of Southeast Asia’s cultural and operational dynamics.

    Greenpeace’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

    Greenpeace values diversity as essential to its mission and success. The organisation fosters an inclusive environment that respects varied cultural experiences and perspectives, promoting solutions rooted in social and environmental justice.

    Deadline for applications: March 20, 2025

    Jobs

    Do you have a passion for this planet and want to do more? Work with us!

    TAKE ACTION

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MOUNT BURR RD/DELANEYS RD , ROCKY CAMP (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Issued on
    20 Feb 2025 17:42

    Issued for
    ROCKY CAMP near Millicent in the Lower South East of South Australia .

    Warning level
    Advice – Monitor Conditions

    Action
    Monitor local conditions and stay informed if you are in this area. Decide what you will do if the situation changes.

    At this time there is no threat to life or property and firefighters are attending this fire.

    More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Alibaba Cloud launches first data center in Mexico

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group, announced the launch of its first data center in Mexico on Wednesday, as the company aims to expand its reach in the global cloud market.

    The new digital infrastructure will provide cloud computing services to businesses and developers across Latin America, underscoring Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to accelerating Mexico’s digital transformation and fostering innovation throughout the region.

    With the addition of this new data center, Alibaba Cloud’s global infrastructure now spans 87 availability zones across 29 regions.

    Selina Yuan, president of international business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence said, “We are not only bringing cloud technology to support local businesses, but also building an inclusive and thriving ecosystem in Mexico together with local partners, developers and customers to foster innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth across Latin America.”

    Yuan added that by leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s global network, Mexican companies can tap into other markets, especially those in Asia.

    The Mexico facility was launched six days after Alibaba Cloud announced that it will commence operations at its second data center in Thailand to meet the country’s growing demand for cloud services and support generative artificial intelligence applications.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Affairs – New report highlights untapped potential in New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship

    Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

    The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is thrilled to launch its latest report Viet Nam and New Zealand at 50: The next chapter. This report explores the growing potential of the bilateral relationship as the two nations celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic ties.
    Commissioned by the Foundation and authored by Haike Manning, the report builds on the 2020 publication, Viet Nam & New Zealand: Let’s Go, offering fresh insights into Viet Nam’s dynamic environment and celebrating the people who have contributed to the New Zealand – Viet Nam relationship over the last 50 years. 
    “This report is timely, especially with the Prime Minister’s upcoming delegation to Viet Nam. Its insights will be a valuable resource for those who want to learn more about our bilateral relationship,” says Suzannah Jessep, CE of the Foundation.
    “Viet Nam is already our 14th biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth NZ$2.68 billion in 2024. Given Viet Nam’s booming economy, the potential for New Zealand businesses, from fashion and food to tech and the arts is huge. We do have a bit of a trade deficit at the moment, but that just means there’s room to grow.”
    The report’s author Haike Manning describes the pace of change in Viet Nam as “remarkable”.
    “It is expected to see some of the fastest income growth in the world over the next decade,” he says.
    “Viet Nam’s increasingly wealthy consumers trust our high quality, safe food, which has underpinned significant growth in our exports to Viet Nam over the past 10 years.”
    Beyond trade, the report also celebrates long-standing ties between the two countries, especially in areas like healthcare, education and diplomacy.
    People-to-people connections are flourishing, with 8,000 Vietnamese visiting New Zealand in 2023 and 40,000 New Zealanders visiting Viet Nam in 2024. New Zealand and Viet Nam also share a commitment to a stable international environment and are actively collaborating on defence and security matters.
    The full report is a great read for anyone looking to understand the incredible opportunities in Viet Nam, from businesses to policymakers, academics and anyone curious about understanding and engaging with this dynamic market.
    • Download the full report (PDF – 14 MB): https://www.datocms-assets.com/125706/1739755386-viet-nam-report-2025.pdf
    Additional Information:
    About the Author
    Haike Manning is the former New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam (2012-2016). Haike’s 20-year career as a New Zealand diplomat spanned key global economies (India, Brazil, China, as well as Viet Nam), with a strong focus on supporting trade, business and education outcomes for New Zealand.
    Since 2017, Haike has been based in Ho Chi Minh City, where he founded LightPath Consulting Group, a consulting business supporting international education providers to engage effectively in Viet Nam. In 2021, LightPath was acquired by Acumen, another international education consulting business. Haike subsequently joined Acumen to spearhead their expansion throughout Southeast Asia.
    About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
    Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading authority on Asia. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to thrive in Asia, by providing experiences and resources to build knowledge, skills and confidence. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Wairaka Park building’s future to be resolved – Porirua

    Source: Porirua City Council

    The fate of the old Plunket building at Wairaka Park in Porirua’s Pukerua Bay will be decided in the coming months.
    At a Porirua City Council meeting on Thursday, councillors and Porirua Mayor Anita Baker discussed a report about whether the building – unused since 2021 and needing substantial repairs and a new roof – should be completely removed or restored for community use.
    The cost to upgrade it to a safe and usable condition, according to the report, would be about $256,000, which Council has not budgeted for.
    Although Plunket surrendered the building to Council in 2022, Plunket would cover the cost if it was decided it should be removed.
    A pre-engagement report in 2023 indicated residents of Pukerua Bay had ideas such as a café or food business, or for the building to be used as a community hub.
    Public submissions can be made on what to do with the building from 6 March via the public consultation page on Council’s website, and information will be available at Pukerua Bay Library. Council officers will also attend a meeting of the Pukerua Bay Residents Association on 11 March.
    Submissions will close 6 April, there will be hearings in June, and Council’s Te Puna Kōrero will make a decision in July.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legislation – Another Step Forward for Build to Rent: Government Passes Key Investment Bill – Property Council

    Source: Property Council New Zealand

    KEY POINTS:

    • Property Council New Zealand strongly supports the passing of the Overseas Investment (Build to Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill, which facilitates increased foreign investment in the Build to Rent (BTR) housing sector. 
    • The Amendment Bill introduces a ‘large rental development test’ to attract much-needed overseas capital and signal that New Zealand is open for BTR investment.
    • BTR has seen slow but steady growth since the asset class was formally recognised in 2023, and the Bill is expected to accelerate development.
    • Research from Property Council New Zealand indicates that, with supportive legislation, developers could deliver 25,000 BTR homes in the next decade.
    • Property Council and partners Bayleys, Colliers, Savills, CBRE, and JLL track BTR sector growth across Aotearoa, with 1,841 completed units, 736 under construction, and 2,961 in the pipeline across 56 developments as of 31 December 2024. More details: www.buildtorentnz.co.nz.

    Property Council New Zealand welcomes the passing of the Overseas Investment (Build to Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill, a critical step toward increasing the supply of long-term, quality rental housing across New Zealand.

    The Bill introduces a ‘large rental development test’ to attract much-needed overseas investment, ensuring Build to Rent (BTR) projects can be financed at scale. Property Council Chief Executive Leonie Freeman says the move is a game-changer for the sector, unlocking opportunities to deliver more secure, high-quality rental options for New Zealanders.

    “This legislation is a strong signal that New Zealand is open for Build to Rent investment. For years, we have seen the sector struggle to gain momentum due to regulatory uncertainty and barriers to international capital. Today’s decision changes that,” says Freeman.

    BTR, a purpose-built rental housing model offering professionally managed, long-term rental options, has been growing steadily in New Zealand since its formal recognition in 2023. However, to scale effectively, developers need access to investment that matches the long-term nature of these assets.

    “With supportive policy settings, our research shows that developers could deliver 25,000 Build to Rent homes within the next decade. That’s a significant contribution to increasing housing supply and providing renters with greater choice and stability,” Freeman says.

    Property Council also acknowledges the cross-party support for the Bill, with all but two minor parties voting in favour. Freeman says this bipartisan approach is essential for creating certainty for investors and developers.

    “We thank Ministers and MPs for their collaborative approach in recognising Build to Rent as a vital part of New Zealand’s housing mix. This kind of certainty is exactly what investors need to commit to large-scale rental developments,” says Freeman.

    While the passage of the Bill is a positive step, Property Council believes further refinements could enhance the sector’s growth. Freeman urges the government to consider introducing depreciation for BTR fit-outs, clarifying GST rules around service levels and amenities, and ensuring the Residential Tenancies Act is appropriately applied to BTR tenancies.

    “We look forward to continuing our work with government to fine-tune the policy settings that will enable Build to Rent to reach its full potential,” Freeman says.

    For more information on BTR sector growth, visit www.buildtorentnz.co.nz.

    About Property Council New Zealand

    Property Council is the leading advocate for Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest industry – property.

    Property Council New Zealand is the one organisation that collectively champions property. We bring together members from all corners of the property ecosystem to advocate for reduced red tape that enables development, encourages investment, and supports our communities to thrive.

    Property is New Zealand’s largest industry, making up 15% of economic activity. As a sector, we employ 10% of New Zealand’s workforce and contribute over $50.2 billion to GDP.

    A not-for-profit organisation, the Property Council connects over 10,000 property professionals, championing the interests of over 550 member companies.

    Our membership is broad and includes some of the largest commercial and residential property owners and developers in New Zealand. The property industry comes together at our local, national and online events, which offer professional development, exceptional networking and access to industry-leading research.

    Our members shape the cities and spaces where New Zealanders live, work, play and shop.

    www.propertynz.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRH flat recovery efforts recognised

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Housing Department today thanked the Ombudsman for appreciating its initiative in recovering public rental housing (PRH) flats and proactively taking enhanced measures to expedite the early intake of PRH by prospective tenants.

     

    The department made the statement in response to a report released by the Office of the Ombudsman on its direct investigation into “Arrangements for Recovering Public Rental Housing Flats by Authorities”.

     

    It stressed that together with the Housing Authority, it attaches great importance to the procedures and arrangements for the recovery of PRH flats, as well as the refurbishment and allocation processes, so as to expedite the allocation process and the turnover of PRH units.

     

    In this regard, a series of reviews were launched to explore and implement optimisation measures, including making advance allocation of vacant flats undergoing refurbishment to eligible PRH applicants simultaneously, so that the applicants can immediately move in once the refurbishment works are completed.

     

    The scope of the Vacant Flat Refurbishment Allowance was also expanded in November 2024 to vacant flats of all building ages. Prospective tenants participating in the scheme will receive an allowance equivalent to a standard three-month rent and can use the allowance flexibly to make arrangements that better suit their families’ needs.

     

    Noting that the number of hearing cases has increased as the Housing Authority intensified its efforts to combat the abuse of PRH flats, the department said the Appeal Panel (Housing) has streamlined the handling procedures and increased the number of hearings since mid-2022.

     

    Such efforts include simplifying the process of verifying the identity of the appellant and increasing the number of hearing sessions on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Starting from 2023-24, the number of appeal panel members has also increased from about 100 to 120.

     

    The average time from receipt of an appeal to reaching a decision was sharply shortened from four months in 2022 to 2.5 months in 2023, and was further reduced to less than two months in the first half of 2024.

     

    Apart from expressing that it appreciates the Ombudsman’s valuable views on its current mechanisms and measures, the department emphasised that it will study the recommendations in detail and seriously handle and review the recovery of PRH units, refurbishment and allocation processes of PRH, and allocate the units to those in need as soon as possible.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Silent Menace of DUI

    Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: The Silent Menace of DUI

    GIMME, New Zealand’s leading on-demand alcohol delivery service, offers a safer solution by providing fast, convenient delivery, eliminating the need for individuals to drive after drinking. By promoting responsible consumption and partnering with local breweries, GIMME helps reduce DUI incidents while supporting the local economy.

    The post The Silent Menace of DUI first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    – –

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy News – Statement on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s Double Standards in Engagement – PFNZ

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    We are deeply disappointed that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to meet with the New Zealand Jewish Council while repeatedly refusing multiple requests from Palestinians and their allies for a meeting. This blatant double standard is unacceptable and undermines the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and balanced political engagement.

    Palestinians in New Zealand, alongside their allies, have consistently sought an open and constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ongoing occupation, and New Zealand’s role in advocating for justice and human rights. Despite our repeated requests, the Prime Minister has refused to meet with us, sending a clear message that Palestinian voices are not valued in his government’s decision-making process.

    New Zealand has a proud history of standing for justice, human rights, and the dignity of all people. By selectively engaging with certain communities while excluding others, Prime Minister Luxon is failing to uphold these values. We urge him to end this double standard and meet with Palestinian representatives in good faith—anything less is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of New Zealand’s commitment to fairness and equity.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax – Keeping ability to gather tax information essential says tax reform group – TJA

    Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

    20 February 2025 – Tax Justice Aotearoa is calling on the Minister of Revenue to retain the ability for Inland Revenue to collect vital information that supports effective tax policy making.

    “We are concerned that the Minister initiated a review of this important provision within the Tax Administration Act just over a year after IR produced its report on High Net Worth Individuals,” said Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa.

    “That piece of work provided us with the first in depth information on the scale of the inequities of our tax system and the review has the air of an exercise to close down or restrict similar research in the future. We are calling on the Minister to stick with this provision, which is essential to good tax policy making.”

    S.17GB of the Tax Administration Act is the provision that enabled Inland Revenue to carry out that ground breaking Report on High Net Worth Individuals in 2023.

    The report revealed that the wealthiest 311 families in the country had an effective tax rate of around 9%, while the average taxpayer had an effective tax rate of over 20%.
     
    “The lack of balance in our tax system is now well understood, but without the information gathered under s.17GB we would not have had the research on High Net Worth Individuals and would be guessing about the extent of the problem,” said Glenn Barclay.

    S.17GB goes beyond the general information collecting power in the Act, which is not sufficient to provide access to information that could potentially lead to policy change – it is mainly about enforcement.
     
    “The need for this provision is also a symptom of our badly out of balance tax system. If we were already taxing capital in any meaningful way, then it is reasonable to assume that IR would have much better information about what high net worth individuals are worth.

    “In the absence of those taxes and that information, this provision becomes even more essential.”
     
    Glenn Barclay also drew attention to the relevance of s.17GB to other recently announced policies.
     
    “Government policies such as the possibility of reducing corporate taxes and encouraging wealthy individuals to come to New Zealand, mean that understanding their contribution to revenue is going to become more important, not less,” he said.
     
    “There is no good reason to reduce or eliminate this power to gather information other than to protect vested interests and we ask the Minister to put the public interest first.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers Statement: Members’ Bill puts woke banks on notice

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers say Andy Foster’s Members’ Bill, drawn from the ballot earlier this afternoon, will stop lenders from unfairly de-banking legitimate businesses and industries.
    “Banks have been under huge pressure recently for some of their more unpalatable lending practices,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says.
    “This Bill is only going to add to that scrutiny and will shine a white-hot light on big banks that have been forcing their ideological views down the throats of everyday New Zealanders.”
    Federated Farmers have been vocal critics of the banking sector in recent years and were instrumental in securing the select committee inquiry currently underway.
    They have also played a significant role in exposing discrepancies between the different targets big Australian banks are setting for Kiwi farmers compared to their Australian clients.
    Late last year the organisation blew the whistle on the Bank of New Zealand’s outrageous decision to effectively de-bank legitimate businesses like petrol stations from 2030.
    “Federated Farmers support this Bill and will be encouraging all Government parties to throw their support in behind it,” McIntyre says.
    “Lending decisions should be based on financial drivers, not ideological or political considerations.
    “Legitimate New Zealand businesses, like farms and petrol stations, should not be unfairly targeted by banks because of the industry we operate in.
    “It’s important we can continue to access banking services and the capital we need to keep growing our businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to the economy.
    “Provided we’re following the laws set by our democratically elected Government, we should be able to go about our business without our bank becoming the moral police.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – With a little help from their friends: school challenges – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    School friendships and social connections are vital to positive student experiences so need to be actively fostered, according to findings from the Our Voices project at the University of Auckland.

    Peer friendships and caring social connections with teachers and other school community members are central to students’ experiences of school, according to two recently published reports from the Our Voices project at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland.
     
    The reports analysed responses to a range of general wellbeing questions from 1,000 13-year-olds in theGrowing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) longitudinal study.
     
    One of the reports’ authors, Dr Emma Marks, a research fellow in Social and Community Health, says the latest research shows how important it is for schools and other groups to create a range of opportunities for social connection, both in and out of school.
     
    “Respondents felt that increasing school engagement should focus not only on learning and achievement, but also on offering students’ good experiences to make school more attractive; for example, teachers who care about a young person in their entirety, not just as a learner, and extracurricular activities that help them ‘find their people’,” she says.
     
    Young people mostly felt a sense of belonging with friends and whānau through talking, having fun together and positive emotional engagement. However, they believed strengthening those things takes time and opportunity, says Marks.
     
    “They need to be given a range of opportunities to develop meaningful social connections, particularly during school transitions, like moving from intermediate to high school, when they can get separated from friends.”
     
    She says a sense of belonging can be created in different contexts and groups, including between peers, family, sports teams and cultural groups, and on social media, although that comes with pitfalls.
     
    “The ease of communicating on social media provides opportunities for friendships and connections beyond the school environment but also comes with risks our respondents were well aware of; in particular cyberbullying.”
     
    However, she says it is clear social media is an important part of many young people’s social lives, and that they use it to feel connected to “friends, family, others, everyone, and the world.”
     
    Marks says bullying remains a significant concern, especially for anyone who is seen as ‘different’ or not ‘fitting in’, but friendships can create a ballast.

    “Having friends is important across all life stages, but particularly during adolescence, when young people are more likely to spend time with peers in and out of school than with their family.”
     
    The reports note that challenges for young people, both in school and out, vary in type and who’s most affected, depending on things like home environment, learning abilities, individual differences and peer pressure.
     
    “So having a better understanding of these particular challenges can help target support to those who need it most,” says Marks.
     
    Respondents viewed friends as being similar to themselves, with shared qualities and interests, and as worthy of being cherished and valued, the reports note.
     
    “However, the data clearly shows not all young people have friends, and some feel like they don’t belong anywhere,” says Marks.
     
    She says young people have good ideas about how to make school a more inclusive place, but recognise they need support from school staff and leadership to make this happen.
     
    “Some of their ideas included more effective antibullying programmes, more teacher intervention and clearer disciplinary action.”
     
    “Other suggestions included greater efforts to support students’ mental health, smaller classes, and removing ability groupings (that put students in the same year in different groups for subjects like Maths and English, depending on perceived ability).
     
    The Our Voices project aims to understand what young people in Aotearoa need to thrive to inform policies and services focused on supporting their wellbeing.
     
    A further two reports will focus on the influence of teachers and how young people seek help to solve problems.
     
    The project was funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and involves a multidisciplinary team of national and international experts.

    Visit the Our Voices website for the full reports: https://ourvoices.auckland.ac.nz/
     
    ‘School Experiences: Overcoming Challenges’ by Dawson-Bruce, R., Rudd, G., Peterson, E. R., Marks, E., Walker, C., & Meissel, K. (2025).
    ‘Social Connections: In-person and online’ by Fan, J., Ogden S. E., Rudd, G., Marks E., Peterson, E. R., Walker, C. G. & Meissel, K. (2025).
     
    Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey app and Growing Up in New Zealand
     
    Data was collected within Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey, an app co-designed by University of Auckland researchers alongside young people from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study (GUiNZ).
     
    GUiNZ recruited over 6,000 New Zealand children born between 2009 and 2010, with the aim of creating an in-depth summary of what life is like for them and what factors affect their happiness, health and development.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Outdoor fires prohibited in Manawatū-Whanganui coastal areas

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibited fire season in Manawatū-Whanganui’s coastal areas from 8am on Friday 21 February, until further notice.
    A prohibited fire season means no open-air fires are allowed and all fire permits are suspended.
    The coastal zone includes Whanganui city and eight coastal communities.
    Manawatū-Whanganui District Manager Nigel Dravitzki says the lack of rain, warm temperatures, and drying winds are set to continue, so outdoor fires are being prohibited as a safety precaution.
    “There might be some isolated rain, but the overall fire risk remains very high at the moment,” he says.
    “In these conditions, we often see fires from controlled burns escaping, and these can move fast and are hard to put out when it’s so dry.
    “We want to keep people, property and the environment safe while the fire risk is high.”
    Nigel Dravitzki is also asking people in Manawatū-Whanganui to take care with any heat- or spark-generating activities, such as using machinery or power tools, or parking vehicles on dry grass, especially on hot, windy days.
    “If you’re thinking about lighting a fire, go to checkitsalright.nz, which tells you what the restrictions are for your location, and provides safety guidance to stay safe,” he says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: A new play about Julian Assange, Truth is an intelligent, thoughtful and unsettling work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Hunter, Senior Lecturer in Art and Performance, Deakin University

    Pia Johnson/Malthouse Theatre

    Truth, the new play from writer-director pair Patricia Cornelius and Susie Dee, dives headfirst into the contentious world of Julian Assange. It offers us a nuanced portrait of the WikiLeaks founder who transformed from hacker wunderkind to global lightning rod.

    An apt celebration of the significant body of work from the acclaimed duo, Truth opens nearly 40 years after the pair created and performed their first collaboration, Lilly and May.

    Assange rose to global prominence by publishing classified documents that exposed government secrets and surveillance programs. He became both a celebrated whistleblower and a controversial figure in debates about transparency and national security.

    Truth unravels the threads of his story.

    Truth reveals the complex legacy of a man whose actions have both championed and challenged modern democracy.
    Pia Johnson/Malthouse Theatre

    A complex legacy

    The work is set in a spare, black-box space, characterised by Matilda Woodroofe’s bureaucratic brutalist design.

    A backdrop of hard mesh enclosures and scaffolded structures evokes a monotonous line of outdoor exercise yards or prison cells. This is flanked by colourless filing cabinets, 80s-style laminated brown desks and office chairs on wheels. A giant LED screen crowns the structure.

    The ensemble (Emily Havea, Tomàš Kantor, James O’Connell, Eva Rees and Eva Seymour) weaves together key moments in Assange’s life, revealing the complex legacy of a man whose actions have both championed and challenged modern democracy.

    Speaking in chorus at times, the actors perform multiple versions of Assange and other characters. They are journalists, whistleblowers, narrators, and include the key figures of Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning.

    A terrific and youthful ensemble cast delivers sensitive and energised performances.
    Pia Johnson/Malthouse Theatre

    Characterised by Cornelius’ trademark rapid-fire dialogue, the text is tightly calibrated with smart, sparse, dry comments that, at times, comically undercut our Australian sensibilities. As one character says, “the worst thing to be in this country is too smart”.

    The ensemble is physically dynamic and vocally strong. They have a particular choreographic fluidity. A spaciousness and attention to timing allows each performance to land. This is a testament both to Dee’s sharp, contained direction, and a terrific and youthful ensemble cast who deliver sensitive and energised performances.

    From geek to advocate

    The play moves chronologically through Assange’s life. We begin with the rocky early years marked by the dissonance between his sharp intelligence and reputation as computer nerd. We witness his arrests for hacking. We follow his evolution from awkward geek to outspoken advocate for free speech.

    The play offers us a nuanced portrait of the WikiLeaks founder who transformed from hacker wunderkind to global lightning rod.
    Pia Johnson/Malthouse Theatre

    The play is grounded in comprehensive research, and solo moments featuring Snowden and Manning serve as poignant interludes to the fast-paced narrative of Assange’s life events.

    I am struck by the way the work unsettles my preconceptions. The small, stark image of a naked Private Manning in her isolated cell is particularly raw and affecting – but is juxtaposed on stage against Assange’s dubious behaviour towards two young women in Sweden.

    The show clips along, all the while unfolding a nuanced consideration of the complexities of reported narratives and the myriad ways in which journalistic narratives are influenced – and controlled.

    The delivery to the audience is largely direct-address. This risks becoming tedious, but Cornelius’ intelligent style and the ensemble’s strong performance carries through.

    The LED screen is used to great effect. The video design (Meri Blazevski) shifts through rainstorms of binary digits, to list of early Assange manifestos or leaked stories, to pixellated images of actors’ faces as teenage gamers.

    The work is set in a spare, black-box space, characterised by Matilda Woodroofe’s bureaucratic brutalist design.
    Pia Johnson/Malthouse Theatre

    In a long and shocking sequence, we witness drone footage from the Afghanistan war logs accompanied by the chillingly dispassionate commentary of the operators.

    Often, the screen becomes a surface for live video feeds which work to personalise or disembody characters, functioning variously as narrator, witness, and surveillance device. Transitions between closeups, documentation and stark data both drive and complicate the storytelling.

    Kelly Ryall’s composition and sound design – often paired with the pulsing or flashing giant texts on the screen – is a retro-electronic tapestry of victory chimes, synthetic bleeps and Pac Man pings. It is all underscored by deep digital tones and rapid analogue tapping of keyboards.

    A long artistic relationship

    This is an intelligent and thoughtful show that manages to be both complex and entertaining. The play is particularly salient given current global events, challenging us to consider the scale of what we’re up against, how long we should remain silent, and what power – if any – we have to effect change.

    In an era of heated debate about transparency and fake news, Truth emerges as a vital and edgy work in the capable hands of two highly respected theatre makers.

    The work is testament to the longevity of an artistic relationship between two older women that carries decades of embodied knowledge.

    Despite the persistent ageism in Australian theatre that often equates “urgency” exclusively with youth, this work reminds us older artists can and do challenge and disrupt – and bring a special and necessary currency to our cultural life.

    Truth is at Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, until March 8.

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

    – ref. A new play about Julian Assange, Truth is an intelligent, thoughtful and unsettling work – https://theconversation.com/a-new-play-about-julian-assange-truth-is-an-intelligent-thoughtful-and-unsettling-work-247909

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community meets with Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community, H.E. Satvinder Singh, met with Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN, H.E. Kjell Tormod Pettersen. They discussed ways to further substantiate the ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, implementation of the ASEAN-EFTA Joint Declaration on Cooperation and exchanged views on the negotiations of the Practical Cooperation Areas 2026-2030. This year marks the 10th anniversary of ASEAN and Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.

    The post Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community meets with Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN emphasises the importance of youth at the Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit 2025

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the Opening of the Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit 2025, held at the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, where he delivered a keynote speech highlighting the importance of harnessing the talent, innovation, and dynamism of the youth in addressing societal challenges, particularly in the areas of public health and environmental sustainability. Dr. Kao also encouraged the promotion of youth-led initiatives and closer collaboration to drive positive change and contribute to ASEAN community-building efforts.

    Download the full remarks here.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN emphasises the importance of youth at the Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit 2025 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: SBM Offshore Full Year 2024 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Amsterdam, February 20, 2025

    Record-level results, increasing total shareholder returns

    Highlights

    • Record Directional1 Revenue of US$6.1 billion (+35%), in line with guidance
    • Record Directional EBITDA of US$1.9 billion (+44%), in line with guidance
    • Record US$35.1 billion Directional backlog; US$9.5 billion or EUR51.6/share2 Directional net cash backlog3
    • 30% increase in cash return to US$1.59 per share4: US$155 million dividend5; US$150 million share repurchase6
    • US$1.7 billion cash return to shareholders over the coming 6 years
    • 2025 Directional Revenue guidance of above US$4.9 billion
    • 2025 Directional EBITDA guidance of around US$1.55 billion
    • Completion of FPSO Prosperity and Liza Destiny sales in Q4 2024
    • FPSO Almirante Tamandaré achieved first oil on February 15, 2025

    SBM Offshore’s 2024 Annual Report can be found on its website under: Annual Reports – SBM Offshore

    Øivind Tangen, CEO of SBM Offshore, commented:
            
    “SBM Offshore has delivered excellent results in 2024 with a record-level directional revenue of US$6.1 billion and record-level directional EBITDA of US$1.9 billion, reflecting three new awards and the purchases of FPSOs Prosperity and Liza Destiny by ExxonMobil Guyana. Thanks to the addition of three new awards, we ended the year with a record US$35.1 billion backlog. From this we expect to generate US$9.5 billion net cash, equivalent to almost 52 euro per share2. Based on this strong performance, we are increasing our fixed cash return by 30% to US$1.59 per share4 through a proposed US$155 million dividend5 and US$150 million share repurchase6 program. At this level we will deliver a minimum US$1.7 billion cash return to shareholders over the next 6 years.

    Our Fast4Ward® program is setting the pace for deepwater developments. FPSO Almirante Tamandaré achieved first oil on February 15, 2025. This vessel, which benefits from emission reduction technologies, is the largest operating unit in Brazil. Two additional units are on track to achieve first oil in 2025. First, FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão which sailed-away at the end of 2024, followed by FPSO ONE GUYANA. These three units have a combined capacity of 655,000 barrels of oil per day. With these achievements, we are further de-risking our construction portfolio.

    We strive for excellence both in terms of project execution and asset management. Our lifecycle approach in the FPSO market is unique and the focus on continuous improvement is setting a strong foundation for success. The outlook for new deepwater projects is strong given their low break-even prices and low emission intensity. In the next three years, we see 16 projects in the
    Company’s core market of large and complex FPSOs, driven by the promising prospects in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and Namibia. We have ordered our 10th MPF hull giving us two hulls to support tendering activities. We will remain disciplined in selecting the highest quality projects.

    As the world’s ocean-infrastructure expert we are using our experience to further diversify and decarbonize the solutions we offer. In 2024, we created a joint venture, Ekwil, with Technip Energies to enhance our floating offshore wind product offering, and in early 2025 we completed a minority equity investment in Ocean-Power to offer lower-emission power solutions. We are now able to offer a market ready near-zero emission FPSO and were recently awarded a contract by Petrobras to qualify SBM’s Carbon Capture Module technology for FPSOs.”

    Financial Overview7

        Directional   IFRS
                     
    in US$ million   FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change   FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change
    Revenue   6,111 4,532 35%   4,784 4,963 -4%
    Lease and Operate   2,369 1,954 21%   2,074 1,563 33%
    Turnkey   3,743 2,578 45%   2,710 3,400 -20%
    EBITDA   1,896 1,319 44%   1,041 1,239 -16%
    Lease and Operate   1,261 1,124 12%   842 695 21%
    Turnkey   724 296 145%   287 646 -56%
    Other   (89) (101) -12%   (88) (101) -13%
    Profit attributable to Shareholders   907 524 73%   150 491 -69%
    Earnings per share (US$ per share)   5.08 2.92 74%   0.84 2.74 -69%
                     
    in US$ billion   FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change   FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change
    Pro-forma Backlog   35.1 30.3 16%   – – –
    Net Debt   5.7 6.7 -15%   8.1 8.7 -7%

    Directional revenue increased by 35% to US$6,111 million compared with US$4,532 million in 2023. This increase is driven by the Directional Turnkey revenue which rose to US$3,743 million in 2024 compared with US$2,578 million in 2023. This 45% increase stems from (i) the sale of FPSOs Prosperity and Liza Destiny completed respectively in November and December 2024, (ii) the progress on awarded contracts for the FPSOs Jaguar and GranMorgu, (iii) the 13.5% divestment to CMFL completed in October 2024, and (iv) the increased support to the fleet through brownfield projects. This increase was partly offset by a reduction in charter revenues following (i) the sale of FPSO Liza Unity in November 2023, (ii) the completion of FPSO Prosperity during the last quarter of 2023 as well as a delay in the start-up of FPSO Sepetiba early 2024, and (iii) a comparatively lower level of progress on both FPSOs Almirante Tamandaré and Alexandre de Gusmão as those projects approached completion in 2024.

    Directional Lease and Operate revenue stood at US$2,369 million compared with US$1,954 million in the year-ago period. This 21% increase mainly reflects (i) FPSO Prosperity joining the fleet during the last quarter of 2023 and Sepetiba joining the fleet in January 2024, (ii) a higher contribution of FPSOs N’Goma, Saxi Batuque and Mondo following the acquisition of interests held by Sonangol mid-2024, and (iii) an increase in reimbursable scope. This was partly offset by FPSO Liza Unity only contributing in 2024 as an operating contract following the purchase of the unit by ExxonMobil Guyana at the end of 2023.

    Directional EBITDA amounted to US$1,896 million, which is a 44% year-on-year increase compared with US$1,319 million in 2023. This was mostly attributable to the Turnkey segment which increased by over US$400 million to US$724 million in 2024. Directional Turnkey EBITDA was mainly impacted by (i) the same drivers as for Directional Turnkey revenue (except that being at relative early stages of completion, FPSO Jaguar only contributed marginally to Turnkey EBITDA and FPSO GranMorgu not at all), and (ii) a reduced investment on Floating Offshore Wind projects following the implementation of Ekwil Joint Venture in partnership with Technip Energies.

    Directional Lease and Operate EBITDA stood at US$1,261 million for the year-ended 2024 compared with US$1,124 million in the previous year. The 12% increase reflects (i) the same key factors as for Directional Lease and Operate revenue, (ii) the net gain on the acquisition of interests held by Sonangol in 3 FPSOs and the divestment in the parent company of the Paenal shipyard in Angola, and (iii) the dividends related to FPSO N’Goma partially offset by (iv) additional non-recurring maintenance costs for the fleet under operation.

    The other non-allocated costs charged to EBITDA amounted to US$(89) million in 2024, a US$(12) million improvement compared with the previous period mainly due to the one-off impact of US$11 million of restructuring costs in 2023.

    During the last quarter of 2024, the Company performed a review of revised estimates of cash flow, maintenance and repair costs. Based on this analysis, actual values and future cash flows related to FPSO Cidade de Anchieta were re-estimated leading to an impairment charge of US$(39) million, accounted for in the 2024 results.

    Directional net profit increased by over 70% standing at US$907 million in 2024, or US$5.08 per share, mainly reflecting the increase in Directional EBITDA.

    Liquidity, Funding and Directional Net Debt

    The Company’s financial position has remained strong as a result of the cash flow generated by the fleet, as well as the positive contribution of the Turnkey activities.

    Directional Net debt decreased by US$(936) million to US$5,719 million at year-end 2024. This was driven by the repayment of the FPSOs Prosperity and Liza Destiny financings, the proceeds from the sale of the vessels and the Lease and Operate segment’s strong operating cash flow. This was partially offset by drawings on project financing facilities to fund the construction portfolio. The Company drew on the project finance facilities for FPSO ONE GUYANA, FPSO Almirante Tamandaré and FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão; additionally, the US$1.5 billion construction financing for FPSO Jaguar was signed and partly drawn in November 2024.

    More than a third of the Company’s Directional debt for the year-ended 2024 consisted of non-recourse project financing (US$2.2 billion) in special purpose investees. The remainder (US$4 billion) consisted mainly of borrowings to support the ongoing construction of 3 FPSOs which will become non-recourse following achievement of first oil. The project loan for FPSO Jaguar will be repaid following completion of construction. The Company’s RCF was drawn for US$500 million as at December 31, 2024 and the Revolving Credit Facility for MPF hull financing was drawn for US$89 million.

    Directional cash and cash equivalents amounted to US$606 million and lease liabilities totaled US$93 million at December 31, 2024.

    Cash and undrawn committed credit facilities amount to US$2,639 million at December 31, 2024.

    Directional Pro-Forma Backlog

    Change in ownership scenarios and lease contract duration have the potential to significantly impact the Company’s future cash flows, net debt balance as well as the profit and loss statement. The Company therefore provides a pro-forma Directional backlog based on the best available information regarding ownership scenarios and lease contract duration for the various projects.

    The pro-forma Directional backlog at the end of December 2024 increased by US$4.8 billion to a total of US$35.1 billion. This was mainly the result of (i) the FPSO Jaguar contract awarded in April 2024, (ii) the FSO Trion contract awarded in August 2024, and (iii) the FPSO GranMorgu contract awarded in November 2024, partially offset by (iv) turnover for the period which consumed approximately US$6.1 billion of backlog (including the sale of FPSO Prosperity completed in November 2024 and the sale of FPSO Liza Destiny completed in December 2024, in advance of the initial lease terms which were respectively in November 2025 and in December 2029), and (v) the 13.5% divestment to CMFL completed in October 2024, which was not reflected in the pro-forma Directional backlog end of 2023. The Company’s backlog provides cash flow visibility up to 2050.

    in US$ billion   Turnkey Lease & Operate Total
    2025   2.6 2.3 4.9
    2026   1.6 2.6 4.2
    2027   3.3 2.1 5.4
    Beyond 2028   0.2 20.3 20.5
    Total pro-forma Directional backlog   7.7 27.3 35.1

    The pro-forma Directional backlog at the end of 2024 reflects the following key assumptions:

    • The FPSO ONE GUYANA contract covers a maximum lease period of 2 years, within which the ownership of the FPSO will transfer to the client. The impact of the subsequent sale is reflected in the Turnkey backlog.
    • The FPSO Jaguar contract awarded to the Company in April 2024 covers the construction period within which the FPSO ownership will transfer to the client and is reported in the Turnkey backlog.
    • 10 years of operations and maintenance are considered for FPSOs Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE GUYANA following signature of the Operations & Maintenance Enabling Agreement in 2023. Regarding FPSO Jaguar, the pro-forma Directional backlog includes the operating and maintenance scope for 10 years as it has been agreed in principle, pending a final work order. This is consistent with prior years.
    • The FPSO GranMorgu contract awarded to the Company in November 2024 covers the construction period within which the FPSO ownership will transfer to the client and is reported in the Turnkey backlog.
    • The FSO Trion contract awarded to the Company in August 2024 is considered for 20 years in lease and operate contracts at the Company ownership share at year-end (100%).
    • The transaction with MISC Berhad related to the FPSO Espírito Santo and FPSO Kikeh announced on September 6, 2024, and completed on January 31, 2025, has been reflected in the pro-forma Directional backlog.

    Project Review and Fleet Operational Update

    Project Client/Country Contract SBM Share Capacity, Size Percentage of Completion Project delivery
    FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão Petrobras
    Brazil    		 22.5-year L&O 55% 180,000 bpd >75% 2025
    FPSO ONE GUYANA ExxonMobil
    Guyana    		 2-year BOT 100% 250,000 bpd >75% 2025
    FPSO Jaguar ExxonMobil
    Guyana    		 Sale & Operate 100% 250,000 bpd >25% <50% 2027
    FSO Trion Woodside 20-year Lease 100% n/a <25% n/a8
    FPSO GranMorgu TotalEnergies Sale & Operate 52% 220,000 bpd <25% 2028

    Projects are on track with one major delivery achieved in early 2025. After successful completion of the offshore commissioning activities, FPSO Almirante Tamandaré achieved first oil on February 15, 2025. An update on the individual ongoing projects is provided below considering the latest known circumstances.

    FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão – In December 2024, the vessel safely departed from the yard in China after successful completion of the onshore topsides’ integration and commissioning phase. The FPSO is on its way to Brazil. First oil is expected mid-2025.

    FPSO ONE GUYANA – Integration activities are completed and project teams are finalizing commissioning activities. First oil is expected in the second half of 2025.

    FPSO Jaguar – The Fast4Ward® MPF hull has been safely delivered and arrived in Singapore in preparation for the remaining vessel activities. The topside modules fabrication in Singapore continues as planned. First oil is expected in 2027.

    FSO Trion – Engineering and procurement are progressing in line with project schedule.

    FPSO GranMorgu – The Fast4Ward® MPF hull has been safely delivered. Engineering and procurement are progressing in line with project schedule.

    Fast4Ward®MPF hulls – Under the Company’s successful Fast4Ward® program, the 10th MPF hull has been ordered. 4 Fast4Ward® MPF hulls are in operation, another 4 allocated to projects and 2 reserved as part of tendering activities driven by the strong FPSO market outlook.

    Contract extension – The Company has agreed a contract extension related to the lease and operation of FPSO Saxi Batuque up to June 2026.

    Fleet Uptime – The fleet’s uptime was 95.9% in 2024.

    Safety and Sustainability

    Safety – The Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (“TRIFR”) year-to-date was 0.10, 17% below the yearly target of below 0.129, notwithstanding the high level of activity.

    Fleet emissions – For 2024, the Company set a target to further optimize operational excellence on the FPSOs for which it provides operations and maintenance services amounting to a maximum absolute volume of gas flared below 1.57 mmscft/d as an overall FPSO fleet average during the year. As of December 31, 2024, SBM Offshore outperformed this target with the actual being 1.33 mmscft/d, a 15% improvement compared with 2024 target and mainly driven by a continued focus on reducing the number of unplanned events in its operated fleet.

    Sustain-2 Notation – FPSO Liza Unity is the 1st FPSO which has received a Sustain-2 Notation by American Bureau of Shipping. This sustainability certificate recognizes the Company’s efforts in minimizing environmental impacts over the lifecycle of the FPSO including the use of low carbon technologies as well as the focus on workers’ wellbeing.

    ESG ratings – In recognition of the Company’s continued focus on sustainability, MSCI has improved SBM Offshore’s rating from AA in 2023 to AAA in 2024 and Sustainalytics included the Company in its 2024 ESG Industry Top Rated, with the Company ranking 2nd out of 106 industry peers.

    Sustainable recycling – The Deep Panuke Production Field Center recycling project reached completion in Nova Scotia, Canada, in early 2024 with 97% of the waste materials were sold, recycled or reused and the remainder 3% was safely disposed of. As for the FPSO Capixaba project, following the handover to M.A.R.S., the Company continues to monitor the safe execution of the decommissioning which is expected to reach completion in 2026.

    Blue Economy

    SBM Offshore is a blue economy company aiming to manage ocean resources for economic growth while preserving ecosystems. Using its deepwater expertise, the Company is advancing technologies focusing on decarbonizing and diversifying its ocean infrastructure solutions. Ranging from floating offshore wind to offshore hydrogen and ammonia, SBM Offshore remains selective and disciplined in developing innovative solutions and investing in new ocean infrastructure solutions.

    Provence Grand Large – The three floating offshore wind turbines that were installed by SBM Offshore at the end of 2023 for the Provence Grand Large project, jointly owned by EDF Renewables and Maple Power, were fully commissioned and started production in 2024.

    Floventis Energy Ltd – In December 2024, SBM Offshore reached an agreement with Cierco Energy to sell its shares in the joint venture company Floventis Energy Ltd, thus transferring the ownership of both Cademo and Llŷr Floating Wind projects to Cierco Energy. As planned, following the advancement of these pioneering projects and acquiring valuable knowledge in the offshore wind market, the Company will continue to concentrate its efforts on the remaining two larger scale projects in its portfolio.

    emissionZERO®program – SBM Offshore continues to address FPSO emissions reduction through its emissionZERO® program and is offering a market-ready near zero emission FPSO for 2025, featuring advanced technologies such as carbon capture, combined cycle gas turbines and deepwater intake risers.

    Carbon Capture Module – SBM Offshore has been awarded a contract by Petrobras to qualify SBM’s Carbon Capture Module technology for FPSOs. The Carbon Capture Module for post combustion removal of CO2 from gas turbine exhaust gasses on FPSO’s has been developed in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

    Blue Power Hub – With the aim to decarbonize the offshore power generation sector, SBM Offshore signed in December 2024 an investment agreement with the Norwegian company Ocean-Power AS to develop and commercialize offshore power generation units with CO2 capture and storage. This investment has been completed in early 2025.

    Capital allocation and Shareholder Returns

    The Company’s shareholder returns policy is to maintain a stable annual cash return to shareholders which grows over time, with flexibility for the Company to make such cash return in the form of a cash dividend and the repurchase of shares. Determination of the annual cash return is based on the Company’s assessment of its underlying cash flow position. The Company prioritizes a stable cash distribution to shareholders and funding of growth projects, with the option to apply surplus capital towards incremental cash returns to shareholders.

    As a result, following review of its cash flow position and forecast, the Company intends to pay US$1.59 per share through a proposed US$155m dividend5 (EUR150 million equivalent or US$0.88 per share4) and US$150 million (EUR141 million equivalent) share repurchase program6. This represents an increase of 30% compared with 2024. The objective of the share buyback program would be to reduce share capital and provide shares for regular management and employee share programs (maximum US$25 million). Shares repurchased as part of the cash return will be cancelled.

    The share repurchase program will be launched after the current share repurchase program has ended. The dividend will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on April 9, 2025.

    Guidance

    The Company’s 2025 Directional revenue guidance is above US$4.9 billion of which above US$2.2 billion is expected from the Lease and Operate segment and around US$2.7 billion from the Turnkey segment.

    2025 Directional EBITDA guidance is around US$1.55 billion for the Company.

    Conference Call

    SBM Offshore has scheduled a conference call together with a webcast, which will be followed by a Q&A session, to discuss the Full Year 2024 Earnings release.

    The event is scheduled for Thursday February 20, 2025, at 10.00 AM (CET) and will be hosted by Øivind Tangen (CEO) and Douglas Wood (CFO).

    Interested parties are invited to register prior the call using the link: Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call

    Please note that the conference call can only be accessed with a personal identification code, which is sent to you by email after completion of the registration.

    The live webcast will be available at: Full Year 2024 Earnings Webcast

    A replay of the webcast, which is available shortly after the call, can be accessed using the same link.

    Corporate Profile

    SBM Offshore is the world’s deepwater ocean-infrastructure expert. Through the design, construction, installation, and operation of offshore floating facilities, we play a pivotal role in a just transition. By advancing our core, we deliver cleaner, more efficient energy production. By pioneering more, we unlock new markets within the blue economy.

    More than 7,800 SBMers collaborate worldwide to deliver innovative solutions as a responsible partner towards a sustainable future, balancing ocean protection with progress.

    For further information, please visit our website at www.sbmoffshore.com.

    Financial Calendar   Date Year
    Annual General Meeting   April 9 2025
    First Quarter 2025 Trading Update   May 15 2025
    Half Year 2025 Earnings   August 7 2025
    Third Quarter 2025 Trading Update   November 13 2025
    Full Year 2025 Earnings   February 26 2026

    For further information, please contact:

    Investor Relations

    Wouter Holties
    Corporate Finance & Investor Relations Manager

    Media Relations

    Giampaolo Arghittu
    Head of External Relations

    Market Abuse Regulation

    This press release may contain inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Disclaimer

    Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those in such statements. These statements may be identified by words such as ‘expect’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘shall’ and / or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The principal risks which could affect the future operations of SBM Offshore N.V. are described in the ‘Impacts, Risks and Opportunities’ section of the 2024 Annual Report.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and performance of the Company’s business may vary materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements described in this release. SBM Offshore does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

    This release contains certain alternative performance measures (APMs) as defined by the ESMA guidelines which are not defined under IFRS. Further information on these APMs is included in the 2024 Annual Report, available on our website Annual Reports – SBM Offshore.

    Nothing in this release shall be deemed an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. The companies in which SBM Offshore N.V. directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this release “SBM Offshore” and “SBM” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to SBM Offshore N.V. and its subsidiaries in general. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

    “SBM Offshore®“, the SBM logomark, “Fast4Ward®”, “emissionZERO®” and “F4W®” are proprietary marks owned by SBM Offshore.

    1 Directional reporting, presented in the Financial Statements under section 4.3.2 Operating Segments and Directional Reporting, represents a pro-forma accounting policy, which treats all lease contracts as operating leases and consolidates all co-owned investees related to lease contracts on a proportional basis based on percentage of ownership. This explanatory note relates to all Directional reporting in this document.
    2 Based on the number of shares outstanding and exchange rate EUR/US$ of 1.039 at December 31, 2024.

    3 Reflects a pro-forma view of the Company’s Directional backlog and expected net cash from Turnkey, Lease and Operate and Build Operate Transfer sales after tax and debt service.
    4 Based on the number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2024. Dividend amount per share depends on number of shares entitled to dividend.
    5 Equivalent of EUR150 million based on the EUR/US$ exchange rate on February 11, 2025. Dividends will be paid in Euro provided that the minimum Euro dividend shall amount to EUR150 million.
    6 Including maximum US$25 million for management and employee share plans.

    7 Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
    8 Project delivery not disclosed by the client.

    9 Measured per 200,000 work hours.

    Attachment

    • SBM Offshore Full Year 2024 Earnings

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: A defence treaty with PNG might seem like a ‘win’ for Australia. But there are 4 crucial questions to answer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Wallis, Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide

    Today, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles began negotiations with his Papua New Guinean counterpart, Billy Joseph, on a defence treaty. This builds on the bilateral security agreement signed between the countries in 2023.

    Analysts have been quick to link the new defence treaty with Australia’s anxiety about China’s increasingly visible presence in the Pacific region.

    This reflects Australia’s longstanding anxiety about powers with potentially hostile interests establishing a foothold here.

    Because it’s only three kilometres from Australian territory, PNG has always been a particular concern. TB Millar, one of the architects of modern Australian strategic policy, went so far as to observe in 1965 that:

    if the whole island [of Papua New Guinea] were to sink under the sea, the net result for Australia in terms of military strategy would be a gain. It is an exposed and vulnerable front door.

    So, the possibility of a defence treaty seems like a “win” for an Australian government keen to bolster its security credentials in the frantic months before the federal election.

    But the government needs to have good answers to four questions before it signs on the dotted line.

    1. How will Australia enforce the treaty?

    Although treaties are theoretically legally binding, there are very few practical enforcement mechanisms.

    The constant agonising in Australia about whether the United States will meet its obligations under the Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) exemplifies this.

    The Trump administration’s actions also illustrate how quickly a change of government can switch foreign and strategic policy directions, including obligations under longstanding treaties. Like ANZUS, the risk of unenforceability of the PNG treaty is higher for Australia. Australia’s anxieties about China mean that it needs the treaty more than PNG does.

    Sanctions are the most likely way Australia could try to enforce the treaty if, say, PNG breached it by striking a security deal with China. But sanctions can be ineffective.

    Alternatively, Australia could threaten to withdraw its support if PNG breached the treaty. But this is also unlikely because Australia knows China is likely to step into any gap.

    This has been demonstrated in Solomon Islands. Even though Australia has a security treaty with Solomon Islands and invested A$3 billion in the 2003–17 Regional Assistance Mission, Solomon Islands still signed a security agreement with China in 2022.

    2. Has Australia mitigated any risks?

    No previous Australian government has offered PNG a binding security guarantee.

    In 1977, Australia and PNG adopted a formal defence relationship. Australia, however, was cautious about instability in PNG and the risk of being drawn into a conflict along its land border with Indonesia. As such, it didn’t provide a commitment to defend PNG.

    In the mid-1980s, PNG requested a defence commitment from Australia. Again, Australia was reluctant. As then-Defence Minister Kim Beazley recalled, PNG was “right in the frame of our relationship with Indonesia”, due to the shared border with Indonesia and the challenge of West Papuan independence activists crossing it.

    As a compromise, the two countries made a Joint Declaration of Principles in 1987 that only provided the two governments “will consult … about matters affecting their common security interests”.

    As the self-determination struggle in West Papua continues, PNG currently has defence units posted on its border with Indonesia.

    Under what circumstances, if any, would Australia provide military support to PNG if violence on the border worsened? And what impact would this have on our relationship with Indonesia?

    Not responding to a call for support from PNG could damage Australia’s reputation in the region. But if Australia did become involved in a conflict, it may be criticised for supporting activities that breach human rights.

    The risk of Australia being unable to respond to a PNG request for military assistance is high because Australia does not have the defence (or policing) capacity to defend or stabilise a sprawling country like PNG.

    Australia’s reliance on US assistance to stabilise Timor-Leste after its 1999 independence referendum illustrates the logistical challenges it faces when making large deployments, even in the region.

    While Australia’s defence capabilities have improved since then, it would still likely only have the capacity to secure key cities in PNG and evacuate Australian citizens if there was serious unrest.

    3. Can Australia justify the cost at home?

    Australian taxpayers – already experiencing cost-of-living pressures – need to be told what funding commitments the government is willing to make to facilitate the treaty negotiations.

    Australia’s promise of A$600 million to fund a PNG team in the National Rugby League is already attracting opposition at home.

    4. What are the long-term defence plans?

    PNG’s strategic location means Australia and the US have long had designs on establishing a permanent military base there.

    Manus Island, for example, has been identified as an ideal submarine base. With Australia developing nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, are there plans to eventually base – or at least resupply – Australian submarines there?

    This could have an impact on Australia’s relationships in the broader Pacific Islands region. There are already concerns in the region about whether the nuclear-powered submarines will comply with Australia’s obligations under the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

    Australia has legitimate strategic interests in PNG. As such, it’s understandable why a defence treaty is tempting.

    But for 50 years, Australian governments have resisted this temptation because they decided that the risks outweighed the rewards. The current government will need to provide a good justification for its change of course.

    Joanne Wallis receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Department of Defence. She is a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organisation.

    – ref. A defence treaty with PNG might seem like a ‘win’ for Australia. But there are 4 crucial questions to answer – https://theconversation.com/a-defence-treaty-with-png-might-seem-like-a-win-for-australia-but-there-are-4-crucial-questions-to-answer-250396

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: By land and by sea: UK supports US-led military exercises improving African security and stability

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The UK Armed Forces are working with allies to deliver joint exercises with African partners to protect our people, prosperity and shared values.

    UK advisors guide partner forces in urban operations drills at Justified Accord, Kenya (Credit: U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa)

    Thursday 20 February 2025 – The UK Armed Forces have been one of the biggest contributors to two large-scale military exercises that are reaching their climax this week across the land and sea of East Africa. The United States is leading both exercises and has brought together over 2,000 personnel from the armed forces of 29 countries, including 22 African nations.

    The UK is responsible for delivering component parts of these multinational training exercises, under United States stewardship. The UK has been one of the biggest contributors to the Exercise Justified Accord ‘Field Training Exercise (FTX)’ which sees B Company 3 RIFLES exercise alongside a company from the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, a company of Kenya Army infantry, a troop of Kenyan Marines, Kenya Airforce fixed wing and rotary wing assets and, one infantry platoon each from Tanzania and Somalia.

    Exercise Justified Accord is a land multinational exercise being delivered between 10 – 21 February hosted by Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. It began with table-top exercises that have laid the foundation for full-scale live activity, which are now underway. The action-packed drills involve coordinating and executing ground attacks, calling in air-support, urban warfare, using drones, and breaching and clearing buildings, as well as medical evacuations.

    Cutlass Express is being conducted simultaneously, mostly in Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania. It is a naval warfare exercise which focuses on boarding various types of vessels at high speed to take command and control. The exercise challenges teams to complete scenarios which become increasingly harder and involve different types of vessels – from boarding small boats and dhows, to gaining control of larger vessels whilst under fire.

    In another example of the United Kingdom and the United States being long-term partners for long-term stability and security, Exercise Cutlass Express is taking place for the 15th time, whilst Exercise Justified Accord has been conducted in various forms since 1998. Further joint exercises with African partners are planned for 2025.

    Both exercises will ensure that the different forces involved work together to achieve combat objectives and prepare for real-life scenarios where they may have to collaborate quickly and effectively to counter threats in the region.

    Falling just after the election of the new African Union Chairperson, the exercises also support the African Union’s security objectives by preparing partners for United Nations and African Union missions in Africa.

    It serves as another example of the UK’s support for improved security not just in East Africa, but across the whole of Africa. These include the creation of the history-making, first-ever Kenyan marines and joint-training with the special forces of Nigeria and Ghana.

    Olly Bryant, Defence Attaché at the British High Commission Nairobi, said:

    The UK is a long-term partner, helping to deliver long-term stability and security across East Africa, and we are proud to be working with our allies on delivering high-capacity and high-quality activity. We are also proud of our security partnerships with our partners across Africa, which protect our people, prosperity and shared interests – we go far when we go together.

    EDITOR’S NOTES

    Video and photo content

    Please find free-to-access video and photo content for Justified Accord here: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/JustifiedAccord

    Please find free-to-access photo and video content for Cutlass Express here: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/CutlassExpress2025

    Here is a link to a small selection of photos on Google Drive taken from the sites above: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DOz2ajnRjFK4vAMN7KxajL57RgXO-9aJ?usp=sharing 

    Background on Exercise Justified Accord

    You can find more information here, via U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa.

    Background on Exercise Cutlass Express

    You can find more information here, via U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet.

    List of participating nations

    Exercise Justified Accord

    Angola

    Botswana

    Djibouti

    DRC

    Ghana

    Kenya

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Mozambique

    Nigeria

    Republic of the Congo

    Somalia

    Tanzania

    Tunisia

    Uganda

    Zambia

    France (Observer)

    India (Observer)

    Italy

    Netherlands

    United Kingdom

    United States

    Exercise Cutlass Express

    Comoros

    Djibouti

    Kenya

    Madagascar

    Malawi

    Mauritius

    Morocco

    Mozambique

    Senegal

    Seychelles

    Somalia

    Tanzania

    Tunisia

    France

    Georgia

    India (Observer)

    United Kingdom

    United States

    CONTACT

    For media enquiries, please contact Tom Walker at the British High Commission Nairobi on tom.walker2@fcdo.gov.uk.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 20 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Microsoft just claimed a quantum breakthrough. A quantum physicist explains what it means

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephan Rachel, Professor, School of Physics, The University of Melbourne

    Microsoft says the Majorana 1 processor is a ‘transformative leap toward practical quantum computing’. Microsoft

    Researchers at Microsoft have announced the creation of the first “topological qubits” in a device that stores information in an exotic state of matter, in what may be a significant breakthrough for quantum computing.

    At the same time, the researchers also published a paper in Nature and a “roadmap” for further work. The design of the Majorana 1 processor is supposed to fit up to a million qubits, which may be enough to realise many significant goals of quantum computing – such as cracking cryptographic codes and designing new drugs and materials faster.

    If Microsoft’s claims pan out, the company may have leapfrogged competitors such as IBM and Google, who currently appear to be leading the race to build a quantum computer.

    However, the peer-reviewed Nature paper only shows part of what the researchers have claimed, and the roadmap still includes many hurdles to be overcome. While the Microsoft press release shows off something that is supposed to be quantum computing hardware, we don’t have any independent confirmation of what it can do. Nevertheless, the news from Microsoft is very promising.

    By now you probably have some questions. What’s a topological qubit? What’s a qubit at all, for that matter? And why do people want quantum computers in the first place?

    Quantum bits are hard to build

    Quantum computers were first dreamed up in the 1980s. Where an ordinary computer stores information in bits, a quantum computer stores information in quantum bits – or qubits.

    An ordinary bit can have a value of 0 or 1, but a quantum bit (thanks to the laws of quantum mechanics, which govern very small particles) can have a combination of both. If you imagine an ordinary bit as an arrow that can point either up or down, a qubit is an arrow that can point in any direction (or what is called a “superposition” of up and down).

    This means a quantum computer would be much faster than an ordinary computer for certain kinds of calculations – particularly some to do with unpicking codes and simulating natural systems.

    So far, so good. But it turns out that building real qubits and getting information in and out of them is extremely difficult, because interactions with the outside world can destroy the delicate quantum states inside.

    Researchers have tried a lot of different technologies to make qubits, using things like atoms trapped in electric fields or eddies of current swirling in superconductors.

    Tiny wires and exotic particles

    Microsoft has taken a very different approach to build its “topological qubits”. They have used what are called Majorana particles, first theorised in 1937 by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana.

    Majoranas are not naturally occurring particles like electrons or protons. Instead, they only exist inside a rare kind of material called a topological superconductor (which requires advanced material design and must be cooled down to extremely low temperatures).

    Indeed, Majorana particles are so exotic they are usually only studied in universities – not used in practical applications.

    The Microsoft team say they have used a pair of tiny wires, each with a Majorana particle trapped at either end, to act as a qubit. They measure the value of the qubit – expressed by means of whether an electron is in one wire or the other – using microwaves.

    Braided bits

    Why has Microsoft put in all this effort? Because by swapping the positions of Majorana particles (or measuring them in a certain way), they can be “braided” so they can be measured without error and are resistant to outside interference. (This is the “topological” part of “topological qubits”.)

    In theory, a quantum computer made using Majorana particles can be completely free of the qubit errors that plague other designs.

    This is why Microsoft has chosen such a seemingly laborious approach. Other technologies are more prone to errors, and hundreds of physical qubits may need to be combined together to produce a single reliable “logical qubit”.

    Microsoft has instead put its time and resources into developing Majorana-based qubits. While they are late to the big quantum party, they hope they will be able to catch up quickly.

    There’s always a catch

    As always, if something sounds too good to be true, there is a catch. Even for a Majorana-based quantum computer, such as the one announced by Microsoft, one operation – known as T-gate – won’t be achievable without errors.

    So the Majorana-based quantum chip is only “almost error-free”. However, correcting for T-gate errors is much simpler than the general error correction of other quantum platforms.

    Microsoft plans to scale up by grouping together more and more qubits.
    Microsoft

    What now? Microsoft will try to move ahead with its roadmap, steadily building larger and larger collections of qubits.

    The scientific community will closely watch how Microsoft’s quantum computing processors operate, and how they perform in comparison to the other already established quantum computing processors.

    At the same time, research into the exotic and obscure behaviour of Majorana particles will continue at universities around the globe.

    Stephan Rachel receives funding from Australian Research Council (ARC).

    – ref. Microsoft just claimed a quantum breakthrough. A quantum physicist explains what it means – https://theconversation.com/microsoft-just-claimed-a-quantum-breakthrough-a-quantum-physicist-explains-what-it-means-250388

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Xizang opens first flight linking Hong Kong

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The first commercial flight linking southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region started operation Wednesday morning.
    The flight, operated by Tibet Airlines and using an Airbus A319, runs twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. It departs Lhasa at 8:10 a.m., stops over in Chengdu City of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, and arrives in Hong Kong at 2:35 p.m.
    The new route supports Xizang’s openness, boosts its cultural and tourism industries, and strengthens ties with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to the regional administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
    Previously, Xizang had two international routes: one from Lhasa to Kathmandu, Nepal, and another from Lhasa via southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality to Singapore. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘No going back’: Greenpeace applauds Albanese gov’s investment in green industry and jobs

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    SYDNEY, Thursday 20 February 2025 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed the Albanese government’s announcement of a new Green Iron Fund in Whyalla today, a move it says will support workers as well as national efforts to tackle climate pollution.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $1 billion Green Iron Fund in Whyalla, SA today to, “boost green iron manufacturing and supply chains by supporting early mover green iron projects and unlocking private investment at scale.”

    Geoff Bice, WA Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “Greenpeace applauds the Albanese government’s significant investment into a green iron industry in Australia. 

    “Green iron presents enormous economic opportunities for Australia, and in particular states like Western Australia with its skilled industrial workforce, export infrastructure, and abundant clean wind and solar energy. 

    “As our export partners move to rapidly decarbonise their supply chains, now is the time for the government to invest in the future of local workers and businesses by supporting green industry and technology. Today’s announcement sends a strong signal globally that Australia is serious about future-proofing our industries and economy, and serious in its commitments to reduce climate pollution.

    “The clean energy transition is well underway and there’s no going back — by investing in green jobs and industry now, and ramping up the rollout of renewable energy backed by storage, we can build a world-leading green economy, protect our precious nature, and support global efforts to address the climate crisis.

    “This is just the beginning — we urge state governments, particularly the WA Government, to follow suit and lay the foundations for the green economy of the future, to ensure our workers and industries don’t get left behind, and to support a safe, liveable planet for all.”

    —ENDS—

    For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Kate O’Callaghan on [email protected] on 0406 231 892

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Biosecurity New Zealand investigating and boosting trapping after new Auckland fruit fly find

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    A biosecurity operation is under way and extra field teams are today in the suburb of Birkdale, on Auckland’s North Shore, after the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis. 

    “This is the same species of fruit fly that we responded to in Papatoetoe recently, but it is too early to say whether the two finds are linked. Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days.”

    With this latest detection, Biosecurity New Zealand is moving quickly to look for any others and eradicate them. 

    “We will be ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m,” Mr Inglis says.

    “The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak. However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.

    “As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found.

    “Instructions about these controls and the exact area affected will be issued tomorrow (Friday) once we have completed an initial investigation.  In the meantime, we ask that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of your property.”

    Mr Inglis says biosecurity staff will be out tomorrow providing people with information.

    “You may notice increased activity in the neighbourhood as we go about inspections and trapping. Our field officers may ask to look at fruit trees on your property. They will always show you a form of official

    identification and will only enter your property with your permission.”

    In addition to the field work, Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with international trading partners and Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry to minimise the risk to New Zealand growers and exporters.

    “There have been 13 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated thanks to the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, our horticulture partners, and local communities who have stepped up to help.

    “Back in 2019, we responded to the detection of fruit flies in three separate suburbs over a period of several months, so this is not unusual. We traced and tracked in all three suburbs and continued until we were confident we had eliminated the pest.”

    Mr Inglis says the latest find demonstrates the benefit and effectiveness of MPI’s lure-based fruit fly surveillance trapping network and the biosecurity system. 

    “Our trapping network involves nearly 8000 traps set nationwide, and these are checked regularly.  

    “By setting traps for these pest insects, we are able to find them early, know exactly where the problem is, and respond quickly and effectively.”

    The fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here. 

    Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand has among the strictest controls in the world for the importation of fruit and checks at the border. The most likely way that fruit flies can arrive in New Zealand is on fresh fruit and vegetables.

    Biosecurity New Zealand will provide a further update to media tomorrow afternoon.

    To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

    Background

    The Oriental fruit fly is native to Asia but has now spread to many warmer countries, especially as the climate warms. Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.

    The Oriental fruit fly maggots can feed on 300 different fruit and vegetables. The fly’s favourite hosts are apple, guava, mango, peach, and pear.

    How to identify the fly

    Adult flies:

    • are a little larger than a housefly (6mm to 8mm long)
    • have a dark “T” shaped marking on the abdomen (the part behind the waist)
    • usually have a bright yellow and orange abdomen (but can vary)
    • have clear wings.

    The female fly has a pointed “sting” to lay eggs inside fruit (but she can’t sting or bite people). The male fruit fly is a similar size but is reddish-brown.

    If you think you’ve found the fruit fly

    For media queries, call 029 894 0328 or email media@mpi.govt.nz

    For further information on the oriental fruit fly detection

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT welcomes further debate on banking wokery

    Source: ACT Party

    In response to the draw of the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment (Duty to Provide) Amendment Bill from Parliament’s ballot:

    “When I first raised the problem of climate ideology in banking, it was an issue only grumbled about across the farm fence. Now it’s a mainstream concern, challenged in New Zealand’s highest chambers of power,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron, who is also leading a select committee inquiry into rural banking practices.

    “The ACT team will be looking at the detail of this bill before forming a position.

    “In the meantime, ACT will continue to make the case for tackling woke banking practices at the cause. That includes the Net Zero Banking Alliance, which major banks in the United States, Canada, and Australia are rightly fleeing. We’ve also challenged the stupid climate commitments placed on banks by the Financial Markets Authority.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further arrest following Wainuiomata assault

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd, Hutt Valley CIB:

    Police have today arrested and charged a 19-year-old man following an assault in Wainuiomata on Wednesday 5 February.

    The man faces a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court on Friday 21 February.

    Today’s arrest follows the arrest of a 23-year-old man on 6 February.

    The victim was discharged from hospital after five nights and is recovering at home.

    We would like to thank the community for the information they have provided us to date.

    The investigation continues to progress, including ongoing efforts to locate the weapon allegedly used in the assault.

    Residents in the vicinity of Woolworths Wainuiomata are asked to check their properties for any items similar to a knife that could assist our investigation.

    We would still like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident.

    You can provide information to Police by calling 105 and quoting file number 250205/0193.

    Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Venue access: how we manage our bookable community spaces

    Source: Auckland Council

    Auckland Council’s Director of Community Rachel Kelleher responds to concerns about the council’s approach to venue hire of our community meeting halls and shared spaces.

    It is with huge gratitude that I acknowledge the messages of support our staff and the council has received over the past few days, regarding our response to the awful disruption of a family-friendly Pride event at Te Atatū Peninsula Library last weekend.

    It has been uplifting to see the voices of leaders throughout New Zealand also extend their support to our brave library staff and affected communities, along with the widespread public condemnation of this harmful activity.

    We are also grateful for police support, to ensure that all remaining Pride events at our venues continue to be uplifting occasions to celebrate Auckland’s rainbow communities.

    We are actively monitoring any health, safety or security risks at future events.

    Venue hire

    We have been asked questions about the use of our community venues and whether the council should apply tighter restrictions on bookings – particularly from groups like Destiny Church with strong views that not everyone shares.  

    So, I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about how Auckland Council provides access to our collection of more than 100 bookable community venues across the region on the principle that they are available for anyone to hire. We are obliged to ensure everyone throughout Auckland has fair and equal access to connect and enjoy using these spaces.

    This doesn’t mean that we endorse the content of an event, or the views of participants, but rather that we must manage our venues in a neutral and non-discriminatory manner.

    It is not always easy to maintain that careful balance between providing a public service (venues for hire) and expressing our council values, including ensuring our people feel supported on our position on diversity and inclusion.

    This sometimes leads to tension, and pressure to do more in support of one community or group, over another.

    Here’s the thing.  We remain one hundred per cent committed to protecting and growing Tāmaki Makaurau’s culture of inclusivity and belonging. That’s the foundation we build our practical policies and guidelines on, and what helps us make decisions or remain focussed when dealing with difficult situations.

    When differences arise between the views of the various groups using our community venues, and there is potential for conflict or any risk to public safety, we work closely with the police and security experts to determine if activities should go ahead.

    An example of this occurred in 2023, when the council terminated venue bookings at the Mount Eden War Memorial Hall in response to safety concerns from two groups with strong opposing views planning to gather on the same night.

    Consistent with our obligations as a public authority, we will continue to operate our venues on the principle that they are available to all Aucklanders, but will not hesitate to address or terminate bookings if terms are breached or safety compromised.

    With respect to the events at the events at the at Te Atatū Peninsula Library last Saturday, council is supporting the police with their investigations and has not ruled out taking further action against those individuals involved.  

    Venue hire requirements:

    • All venue hire bookings agree to comply with council’s venue hire terms and conditions. These set out the circumstances in which the council may terminate a booking and include situations where the event might breach the law or the conditions themselves or where the management or control of the event is deficient.
    • It is always the responsibility of venue hire users to ensure their events are managed safely, and to meet the terms and conditions of our venue hire policy.
    • Where we have concerns that an event may raise health and safety or security concerns we work with the organisers andrelevant agencies to ensure that these concerns are addressed ahead of the event. 
    • Our community venues are operated on the principle they are available for anyone to hire. If a booking is accepted, it doesn’t mean that we endorse the content of the event, but rather that we are obliged to manage our venues in a non-discriminatory manner.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The 37th ASEAN-Australia Forum convenes in Jakarta

    Source: ASEAN

    The 37th ASEAN-Australia Forum was held today in the ASEAN Secretariat/ASEAN Headquarters Jakarta. The Forum provides a platform for Senior Officials of ASEAN and Australia to review the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss future direction of ASEAN-Australia cooperation, as well as to exchange views on regional and international issues.

    The post The 37th ASEAN-Australia Forum convenes in Jakarta appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 20, 2025
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