NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Cinity preview at CineEurope showcases China’s tech power

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

    The first footage from James Cameron’s highly anticipated “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was presented at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, on June 18, using the Chinese-developed Cinity projection system.

    An “Avatar: Fire and Ash” logo on display at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, June 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

    At CineEurope, the official convention of the International Union of Cinemas, a sub-5 minute presentation of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was showcased using China’s premium cinema system Cinity, developed by China Film Group. The showcase delivered an immersive audiovisual experience that drew acclaim from global film industry professionals.

    James Cameron continues his pursuit of cinematic perfection in “Avatar: Fire and Ash” with 4K, 3D and 48fps screening technology. His selection of the Cinity system for the film’s first global reveal demonstrates his trust in its premium format capabilities — delivering Pandora’s vibrant landscapes with unprecedented clarity to create a sensory revolution for audiences worldwide.

    Industry veterans in attendance praised the system’s exceptional color depth, contrast, dynamic range and motion clarity. Several noted that Cinity’s unmatched brightness and high frame rate deliver superior 3D that fully realizes directors’ visions. The presentation of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” received particular acclaim for its immersive quality, with its high brightness and frame rate achieving something other systems cannot.

    In a video message shown at the China premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2022, Cameron stated that Cinity technology helps moviegoers experience Avatar’s world more immersively than ever before. He then confirmed continuing the partnership with Cinity to create the ultimate big-screen experience, declaring it the new gold standard for film screening. 

    The Cinity cinema system, which utilizes independent Chinese intellectual property rights, is an advanced projection system featuring 4K, 3D, ultra-high brightness, high dynamic range, wide color gamut, high frame rate and immersive sound technologies, which makes films more vivid and immersive. It debuted in director Ang Lee’s film “Gemini Man” in 2019, demonstrating its huge potential to international studios and exhibitors.

    Cinity’s cinema projection system and LED cinema projection system are now expanding across Europe, delivering novel, exceptional and groundbreaking premium viewing experiences to audiences. The technology demonstrates China’s transition from follower to standard-setter in cinema tech, marking a key step in the globalization of Chinese film technology, according to a statement from China Film Group.

    Industry insiders and cinemagoers at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, June 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

    The “Avatar” franchise revolutionized the film industry in 2009 with its first installment. It became a global cultural phenomenon, ushered in the 3D era for cinemas worldwide, accelerated the growth of IMAX and transformed China’s film industry. The original film earned $2.92 billion and remains the highest-grossing movie in history, while its sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” grossed $2.32 billion to become the third-highest grossing film worldwide.

    “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third film in the franchise, opens worldwide on Dec. 19, continuing James Cameron’s Pandora saga. The story follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as their family confronts grief after Neteyam’s death and the aggressive Ash People tribe led by Varang. The cast also includes Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin and Kate Winslet.

    The film preview in Barcelona featured a video appearance from James Cameron in New Zealand, who paid tribute to his late collaborator Jon Landau. Cameron promised audiences they would see “a side of Pandora you didn’t know existed,” adding that “Avatar” films are “made to be experienced on the big screen.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 24, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 24, 2025.

    Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran
    By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”. It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told

    Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Banyard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Swinburne University of Technology Maridav/Shutterstock Temperatures have dropped in many parts of Australia which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort. Cold

    Sharks freeze when you turn them upside down – and there’s no good reason why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore Imagine watching your favourite nature documentary. The predator lunges rapidly from its hiding place, jaws wide open, and the prey … suddenly goes limp. It looks dead. For some animals, this freeze response – called

    Drone footage captured orcas crafting tools out of kelp – and using them for grooming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Sara Jenkins/500px/Getty The more we learn about orcas, the more remarkable they are. These giant dolphins are the ocean’s true apex predator, preying on great white sharks and other lesser predators. They’re very intelligent and highly social. Their

    Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong Panuwat Dangsungnoen/Getty Images Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so

    More women are using medical cannabis – but new research shows barriers push some into illegal markets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinuli Withanarachchie, PhD candidate, College of Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images The number of women using medicinal cannabis is growing in New Zealand and overseas. They use cannabis treatment for general conditions such as pain, anxiety, inflammation and nausea, as well as

    It’s time to face an uncomfortable truth: maybe our pampered pets would be better off without us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nancy Cushing, Associate professor, University of Newcastle ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images Pet-keeping is often promoted for the benefits it brings humans. A close association with another animal can provide us with a sense of purpose and a daily dose of joy. It can aid our health,

    Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16) We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt. And what records we do have about them

    Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Operation Deep Sentinel Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as

    How do sleep trackers work, and are they worth it? A sleep scientist breaks it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Many smartwatches, fitness and wellness trackers now offer sleep tracking among their many functions. Wear your watch or ring to bed, and you’ll wake up to a detailed sleep report telling you not just how

    ‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenys Oberg, PhD candidate in education and trauma, The University of Queensland SolStock/Getty Images Australia is in the grip of a teacher shortage. Teachers are burning out, warning the job is no longer sustainable and leaving the profession. We know this is due to excessive workloads, stress

    NZ Greens call on state to condemn US over ‘dangerous’ attack on Iran
    Asia Pacific Report New Zealand’s opposition Green Party has called on the government to condemn the United States for its illegal bombing of Iran and inflaming tensions across the Middle East. “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace,” said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson in a statement. “The rest

    View from the Hill: Albanese supports US bombing, reluctantly
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong went out on Monday to back the United States attack on Iran, it was obvious their support was through gritted teeth. Albanese told their joint news conference: “The world has

    Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University The controversial extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project off Western Australia faces two legal challenges. Both raise significant concerns about the validity of government approvals. One could even seek an injunction, preventing federal environment minister Murray Watt

    Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University RomanR/Shutterstock Almost all of Australia’s top chief executives are, according to their boards at least, knocking it out of the park in terms of performance. That is despite sluggish productivity, persistently high carbon emissions, rising

    Strait of Hormuz: closing vital oil and gas route would disrupt global supplies. How will Australia be affected?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjoy Paul, Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Below the Sky/Shutterstock The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that could further escalate the Israel/Iran war. The strait

    MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vitomir Kovanovic, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), Education Futures, University of South Australia Rroselavy / Shutterstock Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are

    Why the US strikes on Iran are illegal and can set a troubling precedent
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University After the United States bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said its objective was a “stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. US Defence Secretary

    How do I get started in the gym lifting weights?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Hagstrom, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology. School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney Thomas Barwick/Getty So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look

    NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Regina Scheyvens, Professor of Development Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the off-season, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ministerial statement on the Middle East

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Mr Speaker,

    The situation in the Middle East is of the gravest concern. 

    No New Zealanders want to wake up to news of more bombing, more strife and more misery. Yet, tragically, for the last two years, that is what we have seen: a relentless and remorseless series of events which have greatly destabilised the region and gravely harmed its people and their sense of security and prosperity. 

    New Zealanders are scattered across every part of the world – and so of course our minds turn in the current crisis to our people in harm’s way. Ensuring their safety is an absolute priority of this Government. 

    New Zealand is a very long way from the Middle East. Unlike our own region, the Pacific, New Zealand’s influence in the Middle East and our ability to affect the trajectory of events is modest. Nevertheless, this Government, continuing New Zealand’s long tradition as a responsible international citizen, has pursued an active foreign policy based on engagement with all – via an intensive programme of Prime Ministerial and Ministerial travel. 

    We have sought to understand the perspectives of all involved in the Middle East crisis – and to present a clear New Zealand position. That’s why we travelled to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia; why we’ve met and discussed these issues with Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, the Gulf states, the Europeans, Australia, the United States, our Asian partners, and many others. And that’s why we have resisted the pressure from some to expel from New Zealand the Ambassadors of some Middle Eastern countries. We prefer diplomacy to moral outrage. 

    Indeed, ours is a foreign policy of collecting all the facts, hearing all the perspectives, and applying a careful, reasonable, cool-headed approach to the situation – not kneejerk reaction and simplistic moral posturing. 

    The New Zealand Government’s response to what is happening in the Middle East should be guided by two questions: 

    • how can we act to get our people out of harm’s way?; and
    • how can we best contribute to an international debate which helps push the situation towards de-escalation and peace not further disintegration and despair? 

    Our first priority is the safety of New Zealanders. Our advice to New Zealanders in Iran and Israel remains to leave if and when they can find a safe route. The Government is committed to supporting New Zealanders caught up in this crisis. Since the beginning of the conflict, MFAT has provided 24/7 consular support to New Zealanders in Israel and Iran, and to their families back home in New Zealand. It will continue to do so. 

    As we announced on Sunday, we have sent a C-130 aircraft to ensure that we have the resource available to aid in evacuations from the region for those that want to leave. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines to see if they can help. We encourage all New Zealanders in the region to make sure they register with SafeTravel so we can have an accurate picture of who may need assistance and where. We are also monitoring carefully the economic impacts back home of what is happening in the Middle East. 

    We note, and welcome, positive signals in the last few hours about a potential ceasefire. New Zealand strongly supports all efforts toward diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. An enduring solution depends on de-escalation and diplomacy.

    As we have repeatedly said, the Middle East is not a situation of black and white; of good and evil; of just one bad actor. Those in this House who rush to condemn or call out one actor or other – or who demand that the Government do the same – should pause to reflect on whether they are seeking to understand and influence what is going on, or simply virtue-signal about it.

    New Zealand has consistently called for peaceful resolution of this latest conflict. Diplomacy must always be the first resort, not the last. We have been clear to all our partners, and to all parties to the conflict, that military action must end and parties must return to the negotiating table to find a lasting resolution. 

    New Zealand has a long, proud history of standing up against nuclear weapons. Our concerns about Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons are longstanding. Iran has a proven pattern of non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. And Iran has made threats against other countries in the volatile Middle East.

    We end this statement by noting what New Zealand is looking for in the Middle East, and what we oppose. 

    We want de-escalation and dialogue. We want a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living in security and peace side-by-side. We want humanitarian aid to get to those who need it. Ultimately, we want peace. 

    And what we do not want is New Zealanders in harm’s way. We do not want ever escalating rounds of military action. We do not want a nuclear Iran. We do not want Hamas holding hostages and terrorising Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike. And we do not want Israel occupying Palestinian land.

    And, ultimately, we do not want another generation of young people in the Middle East, scarred by conflict, replicating the enmities of today and yesterday. This cycle of conflict, now generations old, must end.

    Mr Speaker, the Middle East is a long way away from New Zealand and our influence is limited. But the Government is committed to doing all we can to help New Zealanders affected and to help contribute to de-escalation and diplomacy. 

    Thank you. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-South Asia Expo key platform for regional cooperation: experts

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

    China-South Asia Expo key platform for regional cooperation: experts

    Updated: June 24, 2025 09:42 Xinhua

    Various experts have emphasized that the ongoing 9th China-South Asia Expo in southwest China’s Kunming plays a vital role in promoting regional cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Watch out for ruru/morepork

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    Date:  24 June 2025

    One of the injured ruru which was found on the side of the road in Greymouth in mid-May has just been released after a spell recovering at the South Island Wildlife Hospital.

    “Usha” was found by a member of the public who used a towel to gently pick her up when she saw the ruru sitting on the ground unable to fly away.

    The bird was initially cared for by Cassie Mealey, a DOC Senior Technical Advisor who rehabilitates native birds in her spare time (under an appropriate Wildlife Act authority).

    After a few days of recovery and care Air NZ flew her across to the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch to see wildlife vet, Pauline Howard.

    The little ruru had x-rays that showed a fractured coracoid (a deep chest bone that helps stabilize flight muscles). This was likely the result of a vehicle hitting her. Treatment included pain relief, cage rest and fluids. Pauline said, “Usha was a model patient, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.”

    Once the fracture was stabilised and Usha had “rehab flight training”, Air NZ flew her back and Cassie released her into the wild near to where she was found.

    Cassie has had five ruru in her care throughout May, most with fractures from suspected vehicle strikes, and some with suspected secondary poisoning from mice that have eaten poison brodificaum bait used by households to control rats and mice.

    Chris Hickford, Greymouth DOC Operations Manager, says the work Cassie and the South Island Wildlife Hospital do to care and rehabilitate injured birds is really appreciated.

    “DOC can’t look after every bird, so we rely on a network of individuals and organisations nationwide who donate their time to do this work,” Chris says.

    Cassie says people are seeing more ruru in their back yards.

    “It is likely that the cooler weather and mice boom at this time of year that has driven them into urban areas where there is more food such as moths around streetlights and mice around houses and compost bins,” she says.

    After dark, ruru are attracted to streetlights, where they hunt moths attracted to the bright lights. They commonly fly into the sides of buildings or are hit by cars.

    “People can help protect ruru by maintaining old trees, as they like to nest in tree cavities instead of on the ground where they are more vulnerable. You can also build nest boxes, and place them in trees,” Cassie says.

    “Using traps instead of poison to control mice and rats also helps to protect the ruru population,” she says.

    If you see sick or injured ruru or other wildlife, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S., Australia, and Japan strengthen ties during Southern Jackaroo 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    TOWNSVILLE, Australia — U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) arrived in Townsville to train alongside the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 25, a multi-lateral exercise held from May 25 through June 13, 2025 at the Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Republic of Singapore Navy divers visit U.S. Coast Guard, strengthen maritime security ties

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SANTA RITA, Guam – Divers from the Republic of Singapore Navy, embarked on the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme (73), visited U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam on June 11 to discuss operations, share challenges, and tour the Sentinel-class patrol boat USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353June 23, 2025
    Cotton, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act 
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today introduced the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act, legislation that would provide equitable tax treatment for civilians workers in the intelligence community who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military.
    Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), and Todd Young (R-Indiana) are cosponsoring the legislation.
    “Just as in the military, permanent change of station orders can be a time of upheaval for the men, women, and families of the intelligence community. This bill will reinstate some of the eased burdens on moving costs and help keep our intelligence community workers focused on the mission at hand of keeping our country safe,” said Senator Cotton.
    “Like the men and women of our armed forces, our intelligence community professionals go to extraordinary lengths to serve and protect their country,” Senator Warner said. “They often uproot their lives to go serve where they are needed – no matter where that may be. This commonsense legislation will ensure that these brave Americans are not forced to pay out of pocket for the costs of their relocations.”
    Text of the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act may be found here.
    The Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act would:
    Provide equitable tax treatment for IC civilians who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military. 
    Preserve for IC employees and appointees certain moving expense deductions and moving expense reimbursements.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Urge Leader Thune to Change Course on Proposed Cuts to Health Care and Food Assistance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
     
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus in calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change course on Republicans’ plan to take health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans—including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans—to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest.
    “If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others,” wrote the senators.
    “Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes,” continued the senators. “Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services.” 
    U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
    Dear Senator Thune:
    At a time when American families are struggling with the high prices of food, health care, housing, and other essentials, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that will raise costs even more by terminating health insurance for millions of Americans and taking food assistance from millions — all to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations.  
    If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others. Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes. Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services. 
    Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantee access to affordable health care for millions of working and middle-class families across the country.  More than 80 million people are enrolled in Medicaid, while more than 24 million buy their own health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces. The nation’s uninsured rate has dropped to historic lows because of the health coverage and security afforded by these essential programs. The House-passed Republican reconciliation bill includes over $1 trillion in health care cuts, decimating Medicaid and dismantling the ACA. 
    The non-partisan, independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds the entirety of Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health care coverage for 16 million people. These coverage losses are not without consequence. New analyses find more than 51,000 Americans will die as a result of the bill’s Medicaid cuts, which will also lead to the loss of 850,000 jobs. The Republican bill will increase costs for everyone and damage local economies; raise premiums and health care costs across markets; shutter rural hospitals and nursing homes; worsen unemployment from resulting job loss; and slam state budgets with new, unaffordable costs. 
    The House-passed bill includes the largest health care cuts in history. Its Medicaid policies will ensnare millions in red tape, making it impossible for them to enroll in coverage; increase premiums and cost-sharing for low-income seniors and families; and slash Medicaid payments to hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and other health care providers; among other draconian, harmful cuts. 
    The Republican bill’s underhanded cuts to the ACA will dismantle and destabilize the Marketplaces. A thicket of new red tape requirements will make it nearly impossible for working and middle-class Americans to access tax credits that make their premiums affordable and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces. Republican cuts will more than double ACA premiums for tens of millions of Americans, putting coverage out of reach for small businesses, gig workers, family caregivers, and millions of others who buy their own health insurance through the Marketplaces. 
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the cornerstone of America’s anti-hunger efforts, helping to put food on the table for 42 million Americans, including nearly 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. The effectiveness of SNAP has been shown time and again. SNAP reduces food insecurity and poverty; lowers health care costs; supports farmers, grocers and local economies; provides a long-term return on investment in our children and their future; and acts as an automatic economic stabilizer during times of weak economic conditions. 
    The House-passed reconciliation bill proposes nearly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP — the deepest cuts to food assistance in history. If enacted into law, CBO estimates that over 3 million Americans – including seniors, kids 7 or older, and families living in areas with a weak economy – will lose their food assistance entirely because of stricter eligibility requirements and red tape. Another 1.3 million Americans will lose SNAP entirely or have their benefits cut as a result of the provision requiring states to pay for a significant portion of SNAP — forcing states to choose between helping their residents afford groceries and funding education, public safety, investment in workforce and education, and other critical priorities. 
    Other provisions in the bill will reduce future benefits for tens of millions of additional Americans. In addition, hundreds of thousands of children will lose free and reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. In total, tens of millions of Americans will see their grocery costs increase, and many will go hungry as a result.
    Just because the House has rushed to pass damaging policies that will raise costs and result in millions losing access to health care or food does not mean that it is too late for the Senate to change course. We urge you to set aside the House bill and instead work with us to lower costs and ensure all Americans can access the health care and food they need to survive.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran

    By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter

    Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

    Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”.

    It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told reporters on Monday there was “no benefit” in rushing to a judgment regarding the US attack.

    “We’re far better to keep our counsel, because it costs nothing to get more information, but going off half-cocked can be very costly for a small nation.”

    Iran and Israel continued to exchange strikes over the weekend after Israel’s initial attack nearly two weeks ago.

    Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have been killed, and Iran said on Sunday Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people since June 13.

    The Human Rights Activists news agency puts the death toll in Iran above 650 people.

    US attacked Iran nuclear sites
    The US entered the war at the weekend by attacking what it said was key nuclear sites in Iran — including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — on Sunday.

    On Monday, the Australian government signalled its support for the strike, and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

    Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table

    Not long after, Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement on X, giving tacit endorsement to the decision to bomb nuclear facilities.

    The statement was also released just ahead of the NATO meeting in Brussels, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was attending.

    Peters said Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and noted the United States’ targeted attacks aimed at “degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities”.

    He went on to acknowledge the US statement to the UN Security Council saying the attack was “acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter”.

    Self-defence ‘complete joke’
    Askarany told RNZ it was a “complete joke” that New Zealand had acknowledged the US statement saying it was self-defence.

    “It would be funny if it wasn’t so horrific.”

    He said it was a clear escalation by the US and Israel, and believed New Zealand was undermining the rules-based order it purported to support, given it refused to say Israel and the US had attacked Iran.

    Askarany acknolwedged the calls for deescalation and for peace in the region, but said they were “abstract platitudes” if the aggressor was not named.

    He called on people who might not know about Iran to learn more about it.

    “There’s so much history and culture and beautiful things about Iran that represent my people far more than the words of Trump and Netanyahu.”

    Peters told RNZ Morning Report on Monday the government wanted to know all the facts before taking a position on the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Politicians at a crossroads
     Acting Prime Minister David Seymour held his first post-cabinet media conference on Monday, in which he said nobody was calling on New Zealand to rush to a judgment on the rights and wrongs of the situation.

    He echoed the Foreign Minister’s statement, saying “of course” New Zealand noted the US assertion of the legality of their actions.

    He also indicated, “like just about every country in the world, that we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran.”

    “That does not mean that we are rushing to form our own judgment on the rights or wrongs or legality of any action.”

    He insisted New Zealand was not sitting on the fence, but said “nor are we rushing to judgement.”

    “I believe the world is not sitting there waiting for New Zealand to give its position on the legality of the situation.

    “What people do want to see is de escalation and dialogue, and most critically for us, the safety of New Zealanders in the region.”

    When asked about the Australian government’s position, Seymour said New Zealand did not have the intelligence that other countries may have.

    Hikpins says attack ‘disappointing’
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the attack by the US on Iran “very disappointing”, “not justified” and “almost certainly” against international law.

    He wanted New Zealand to take a stronger stance on the issue.

    “New Zealand should take a stronger position in condemning the attacks and saying that we do not believe they are justified, and we do not believe that they are consistent with international law.”

    Hipkins said the US had not made a case for the action taken, and they should step back and get back around the table with Iran.

    The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori both called on the government to condemn the attack by the US.

    “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace.

    ‘Dangerous escalation’
    “The rest of the world, including New Zealand, must take a stand and make it clear that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable,” said Green Party coleader Marama Davidson.

    “We saw this with the US war on Iraq, and we are seeing it again with this recent attack on Iran. We are at risk of a violent history repeating itself.”

    Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the government was remaining silent on Israel.

    “When the US bombs Iran, Luxon calls it an ‘opportunity’. But when Cook Islanders assert their sovereignty or Chinese vessels travel through international waters, he leaps to condemnation,” said Waititi.

    “Israel continues to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Yet this government won’t say a word.

    “It condemns non-Western powers at every turn but remains silent when its allies act with impunity.”

    International law experts weigh in
     University of Waikato Professor Alexander Gillespie said it was “an illegal war” and the option of diplomacy should have been exhausted before the first strike.

    As Luxon headed to NATO, Gillespie acknowledged it would be difficult for him to take a “hard line” on the issue, “because he’s going to be caught up with the members and the partners of NATO.”

    He said the question would be whether NATO members accept there was a right of self-defence and whether the actions of the US and Israel were justified.

    Gillespie said former prime minister Helen Clark spoke very clearly in 2003 against the invasion of Iraq, but he could not see New Zealand’s current Prime Minister saying that.

    “That’s not because they don’t believe it, but because there would be a risk of a backhand from the United States.

    “And we’re spending a lot of time right now trying not to offend this Trump administration.”

    ‘Might is right’ precedent
    University of Otago Professor Robert Patman said the US strike on Iran would likely “make things worse” and set a precedent for “might is right.”

    He said he had “no brief” for the repressive Iranian regime, but under international law it had been subject of “two illegal attacks in the last 10 days”, from Israel and now from the US.

    Patman said New Zealand had been guarded in its comments about the attacks on Iran, and believed the country should speak out.

    “We have championed non nuclear security since the mid 80s. We were a key player, a leader, of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons, and that now has 94 signatories.”

    He said New Zealand does have a voice and an expectation to contribute to an international debate that’s beginning to unfold.

    “We seem to be at a fork in the road moment internationally, we can seek to reinstate the idea that international relations should be based on rules, principles and procedures, or we can simply passively accept the erosion of that architecture, which is to the detriment of the majority of countries in the world.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran

    By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter

    Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

    Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”.

    It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told reporters on Monday there was “no benefit” in rushing to a judgment regarding the US attack.

    “We’re far better to keep our counsel, because it costs nothing to get more information, but going off half-cocked can be very costly for a small nation.”

    Iran and Israel continued to exchange strikes over the weekend after Israel’s initial attack nearly two weeks ago.

    Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have been killed, and Iran said on Sunday Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people since June 13.

    The Human Rights Activists news agency puts the death toll in Iran above 650 people.

    US attacked Iran nuclear sites
    The US entered the war at the weekend by attacking what it said was key nuclear sites in Iran — including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — on Sunday.

    On Monday, the Australian government signalled its support for the strike, and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

    Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table

    Not long after, Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement on X, giving tacit endorsement to the decision to bomb nuclear facilities.

    The statement was also released just ahead of the NATO meeting in Brussels, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was attending.

    Peters said Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and noted the United States’ targeted attacks aimed at “degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities”.

    He went on to acknowledge the US statement to the UN Security Council saying the attack was “acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter”.

    Self-defence ‘complete joke’
    Askarany told RNZ it was a “complete joke” that New Zealand had acknowledged the US statement saying it was self-defence.

    “It would be funny if it wasn’t so horrific.”

    He said it was a clear escalation by the US and Israel, and believed New Zealand was undermining the rules-based order it purported to support, given it refused to say Israel and the US had attacked Iran.

    Askarany acknolwedged the calls for deescalation and for peace in the region, but said they were “abstract platitudes” if the aggressor was not named.

    He called on people who might not know about Iran to learn more about it.

    “There’s so much history and culture and beautiful things about Iran that represent my people far more than the words of Trump and Netanyahu.”

    Peters told RNZ Morning Report on Monday the government wanted to know all the facts before taking a position on the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Politicians at a crossroads
     Acting Prime Minister David Seymour held his first post-cabinet media conference on Monday, in which he said nobody was calling on New Zealand to rush to a judgment on the rights and wrongs of the situation.

    He echoed the Foreign Minister’s statement, saying “of course” New Zealand noted the US assertion of the legality of their actions.

    He also indicated, “like just about every country in the world, that we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran.”

    “That does not mean that we are rushing to form our own judgment on the rights or wrongs or legality of any action.”

    He insisted New Zealand was not sitting on the fence, but said “nor are we rushing to judgement.”

    “I believe the world is not sitting there waiting for New Zealand to give its position on the legality of the situation.

    “What people do want to see is de escalation and dialogue, and most critically for us, the safety of New Zealanders in the region.”

    When asked about the Australian government’s position, Seymour said New Zealand did not have the intelligence that other countries may have.

    Hikpins says attack ‘disappointing’
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the attack by the US on Iran “very disappointing”, “not justified” and “almost certainly” against international law.

    He wanted New Zealand to take a stronger stance on the issue.

    “New Zealand should take a stronger position in condemning the attacks and saying that we do not believe they are justified, and we do not believe that they are consistent with international law.”

    Hipkins said the US had not made a case for the action taken, and they should step back and get back around the table with Iran.

    The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori both called on the government to condemn the attack by the US.

    “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace.

    ‘Dangerous escalation’
    “The rest of the world, including New Zealand, must take a stand and make it clear that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable,” said Green Party coleader Marama Davidson.

    “We saw this with the US war on Iraq, and we are seeing it again with this recent attack on Iran. We are at risk of a violent history repeating itself.”

    Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the government was remaining silent on Israel.

    “When the US bombs Iran, Luxon calls it an ‘opportunity’. But when Cook Islanders assert their sovereignty or Chinese vessels travel through international waters, he leaps to condemnation,” said Waititi.

    “Israel continues to maintain an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Yet this government won’t say a word.

    “It condemns non-Western powers at every turn but remains silent when its allies act with impunity.”

    International law experts weigh in
     University of Waikato Professor Alexander Gillespie said it was “an illegal war” and the option of diplomacy should have been exhausted before the first strike.

    As Luxon headed to NATO, Gillespie acknowledged it would be difficult for him to take a “hard line” on the issue, “because he’s going to be caught up with the members and the partners of NATO.”

    He said the question would be whether NATO members accept there was a right of self-defence and whether the actions of the US and Israel were justified.

    Gillespie said former prime minister Helen Clark spoke very clearly in 2003 against the invasion of Iraq, but he could not see New Zealand’s current Prime Minister saying that.

    “That’s not because they don’t believe it, but because there would be a risk of a backhand from the United States.

    “And we’re spending a lot of time right now trying not to offend this Trump administration.”

    ‘Might is right’ precedent
    University of Otago Professor Robert Patman said the US strike on Iran would likely “make things worse” and set a precedent for “might is right.”

    He said he had “no brief” for the repressive Iranian regime, but under international law it had been subject of “two illegal attacks in the last 10 days”, from Israel and now from the US.

    Patman said New Zealand had been guarded in its comments about the attacks on Iran, and believed the country should speak out.

    “We have championed non nuclear security since the mid 80s. We were a key player, a leader, of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons, and that now has 94 signatories.”

    He said New Zealand does have a voice and an expectation to contribute to an international debate that’s beginning to unfold.

    “We seem to be at a fork in the road moment internationally, we can seek to reinstate the idea that international relations should be based on rules, principles and procedures, or we can simply passively accept the erosion of that architecture, which is to the detriment of the majority of countries in the world.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thailand steps up border controls with Cambodia to combat transnational crime

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

    Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (3rd L, front) meets the press at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Monday that Thailand will tighten its border controls with neighboring Cambodia to combat transnational crime.

    Speaking after a high-level meeting at the government house, Paetongtarn said restrictions on cross-border travel for both vehicles and individuals will be enforced, including limiting operating hours at checkpoints.

    She stated that crossings in seven provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border will be limited to essential travel, such as for students, medical patients, and vital goods.

    The prime minister said Thailand will halt exports of goods, particularly fuel and electricity, that support illegal operations across the border and will consider suspending fuel shipments to Cambodia suspected of being used in unlawful activities.

    Internet services and submarine internet cables connected to Cambodia’s government and military entities will also be suspended, she said.

    Following Paetongtarn’s announcement, the Thai military unveiled strengthened measures on border crossing with Cambodia, allowing only essential and humanitarian travel.

    Thailand’s latest measures came amid mounting border tensions with Cambodia. Cambodia said on Sunday it would stop fuel and gas imports from Thailand, while advising its citizens against non-essential travel to Thailand. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Expo mirrors China’s vital role in Vietnam’s electronics supply chains

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

    Amid rows of exhibition booths displaying smart devices and electronic components, Vietnamese officials and business representatives at the Vietnam International Electronics Expo 2025 are sharing a common sentiment that China remains an essential partner in sustaining stable electronics supply chains.

    Held in Vietnam’s Bac Ninh province, the three-day event from June 20 to 22 gathered nearly 200 suppliers from China, South Korea and Vietnam.

    Among the visitors to the expo, Phan Thi Thanh Nhan, a logistics specialist handling freight from China to Vietnam, sees the efficient supply chain between the two countries reflected in her work.

    Highlighting that the Chinese market is large and offers a wide variety of goods, she said that “Vietnamese customers highly favor it and wish to cooperate with Chinese partners.”

    Beyond trade, “the Chinese side is very enthusiastic about resolving procedures quickly and always provides timely support to ensure smooth supply chains,” she noted.

    On the factory floor, Vietnamese manufacturers see similar benefits.

    Nguyen Thanh Binh, a representative of a Vietnamese cable manufacturing enterprise, emphasized the importance of Chinese machinery in production.

    “China is an important partner in our company’s product supply chain,” Binh said, noting that “we mainly import machinery for cable production from China.”

    He added that Chinese suppliers have continued to meet the electronics industry’s needs despite logistical challenges in global markets, enabling Vietnamese firms to maintain output and competitiveness.

    According to Vietnamese official statistics, China accounted for 26 percent of Vietnam’s total trade turnover in 2024, remaining its largest trading partner and top import market, with bilateral trade spanning agricultural produce, consumer goods and electronic components.

    Le Nguyen Thien Nga, head of the Institute of Policy Governance under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, noted that China plays a strategically important role in Vietnam’s electronics supply chains.

    “We consider China a very important partner in Vietnam’s process of international economic integration,” she said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: European executives eye huge opportunities in Chinese market

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

    A humanoid robot asks questions at the sixth Qingdao Multinationals Summit in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on June 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At the venue of the 6th Qingdao Multinationals Summit, Umberto Englmann, director of operations at German e-commerce firm Internet Up GmbH, looked out over the coastline of the eastern Chinese host city and reflected on its vitality.

    “It’s dynamic, open and innovative,” he said. “You can feel China is ready to grow with international companies from Europe and other regions.”

    His observations reflect a broader view shared by many European executives attending the summit, which was held last week and drew 570 participants from 43 countries and regions. For many, China’s vast market, high-level opening up and reputation for being an innovative manufacturing powerhouse continue to make it a key driver of sustainable growth.

    Roland Lukas, chief financial officer of Internet Up GmbH, said that the company’s success was closely tied to China.

    “Our Snapbuy platform bridges Asian sellers and Western consumers, and it is easy to bring goods from China to Europe and the U.S., because the supply chains are very well organized in China,” he said. “The opportunities are huge, and China is very important for our growth.”

    Internet Up, one of the fastest-growing e-commerce firms in Europe, is seeking new manufacturing and logistics partners in China to further expand its presence, according to Lukas.

    A report released during the summit revealed that the operating revenue and profits of major foreign-invested industrial enterprises in China increased by 14.5 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively, in 2024 compared to 2019 levels.

    China’s strong innovation capabilities and robust industrial and supply chain systems have helped multinationals maintain their competitive edge globally.

    Belgium-based Bekaert Group, a global leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies, is a long-term participant in China’s market. The company has invested more than 1.5 billion euros in China since 1993 and plans to invest further.

    “We are upgrading our product portfolio, especially in low-energy and green technologies,” said Kurt Van Rysselberge, head of Bekaert China, adding that China is becoming an innovative manufacturing powerhouse, which is a very favorable environment for multinational companies.

    China is rapidly deploying green energy and Bekaert is part of these value chains, the executive said, adding that this offers tremendous opportunities to create a virtuous cycle to create low-carbon products that will be very competitive on the world markets.

    Bekaert is ramping up innovation in areas like hydrogen generation, tire reinforcement, offshore wind components, and sustainable construction, and many of the innovations come from China.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. The two sides have become each other’s major trading partners, with the annual bilateral trade growing from 2.4 billion U.S. dollars to 780 billion U.S. dollars over the past 50 years.

    “Over the past 50 years, China-EU cooperation has created immense value on both sides,” said Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. “Access to China’s supply chain has enhanced additional purchasing power for European consumers and integrated China into the global value chain.”

    Eskelund added that China’s investment in human capital, including the annual output of engineers, has made it a natural partner for R&D collaboration. For many European companies, China isn’t just a market, but a place to innovate and co-create, he said.

    China’s efforts to build a first-class business environment, including expanded visa-free travel, national treatment for foreign investment and shortened negative lists for greater market access, have boosted investor confidence.

    Looking ahead, European executives said the momentum of collaboration is only building. “China’s opening up is very beneficial for the world, and also for China itself. We can work together and do great business,” said Lukas. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police monitoring gang movements, Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Please attribute to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:

    Police will be closely monitoring the movements of those travelling from Napier through to Hastings for a funeral tomorrow morning around 9am.

    Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region both this evening and tomorrow.

    We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk. Motorists should also expect delays.

    Police will be investigating any unlawful behaviour, and where enforcement action can not be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.

    If you have concerns for your safety, or witness any illegal behaviour from those involved, please call 111 immediately.

    To report or send in any footage of the group engaging in illegal activity on our roads, please make a report online at 105.police/govt.nz, call Police via 105 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Emergency Management – New Partnership Unites Sectors to Strengthen New Zealand’s Disaster Resilience – NEMA

    Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

     

    A Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership has been signed today to enhance New Zealand’s response to and recovery from natural disasters.

     

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC), and the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) have formed the Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership (the Partnership) to lift the coordination and cooperation in responding to and recovering from major disasters in New Zealand.

     

    The Partnership brings together key government and private sector organisations to improve national resilience by streamlining the sharing of information, aligning resources, and strengthening the overall response and recovery system following natural hazard events.

     

    “The Partnership is a proactive step in ensuring that New Zealand is better prepared to respond to and recover from major natural disasters,” NEMA’s chief executive Dave Gawn said.

     

    “Collaboration is crucial in emergency management, so we can support New Zealanders and their communities when they most need it. By working together, we can improve outcomes for affected communities and reduce recovery timeframes.”

     

    “New Zealand is a country at high risk of natural hazards. Very few areas are without risk, and we know that after personal and whanau safety, the safety and security of your home very quickly becomes a key focus for people impacted by natural disasters. So insurance plays a critical role in helping communities to recover,” NHC Chief Executive Tina Mitchell said.

     

    “Climate change makes it ever more important that we work together to prepare for and respond to natural hazard impacts. This Partnership leverages New Zealand’s unique public-private insurance system, which has been in place for 80 years, and strengthens how we’ll work together across the system to support community recovery.

     

    “All the members of this Partnership share a commitment to learning the lessons from past events and building our ways of working, so that we’re better prepared for future major events, together,” she said. 

     

    The Partnership will boost New Zealand’s resilience including the opportunity to collaborate before an event occurs to improve the system’s readiness, ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.

     

    “Insurance funds a sizeable portion of the recovery from most disaster events. Integrating insurers into the response and recovery allows for the best possible coordination of the entire system.

     

    “The insurance sector can relieve a significant burden from the agencies leading response and recovery by looking after insurance customers and providing certainty to get Kiwis back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

     

    Dave Gawn said this is one of several initiatives the Government is pursuing to lift the country’s emergency management system by investing in change.

     

    “The Partnership is a great example of where opportunities for improvement have been identified, and the sector is collaborating to make these changes happen. 

     

    “It helps ensure role clarity across the insurance and emergency management sectors, and it supports prosperity by ensuring that there is no daylight between response and effective recovery.

     

    “The Partnership is a key example of how investing in building trusted relationships in quiet times, means we will benefit from the consequent increase in resilience in turbulent times.”

     

    The Partnership will improve coordination across the insurance system and will allow the pursuit of shared goals across the 4Rs of emergency management (Risk Reduction, Readiness, Response, and Recovery).

     

    The emergency management system is an integral part of the broader national resilience system. Other related work includes local government reform, resource management reform (including national direction on natural hazards) and National Adaptation Framework, science sector reforms, and Crown risk financing and incentives for pre-event risk reduction.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – 4Paws Empire wins at Love Local – Porirua

    Source: Porirua City Council

    This year’s Love Local was another popular event, with more than 100 local businesses filling Te Rauparaha Arena to sell their products and promote their services.
    A big congratulations to the team at 4Paws Empire for taking out the People’s Choice Award for best booth or truck. The Mushroom House and Poi Creations were close runners-up.
    One of the fantastic stores inside Kai Tahi, 4Paws Empire provides affordable, high-quality products for fellow dog lovers.
    Run by Glenna and Damon, 4Paws offers a variety of items, from harnesses, leads and collars, to dog treats and ‘puppuccinos’. As Kai Tahi is a dog-friendly space, dog owners can bring their four-legged fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ngāti Pāoa health service Condemns Hate-Fuelled Actions at Destiny Church Protest

    Source: Ngāti Pāoa Health

    Ngāti Pāoa Health and social service, E Tipu E Rea (soon to be Ki Tua o Matariki) has publicly condemned the hate- fuelled actions at a recent Destiny Church protest. Over the weekend, on Saturday 21 June, disturbing scenes unfolded during a protest led by Brian Tāmaki and members of Destiny Church.

    This protest, which publicly denounced non-Christian religions, saw individuals dressed in traditional Māori attire- maro, taiaha in hand, and adorned with stencil moko-perform a haka intended to intimidate and shame other belief systems. Twelve flags were stomped on and set alight, among them the rainbow flag representing our LGBTQIA+ whānau.
    E Tipu E Rea, the health and social services arm of Ngāti Pāoa, firmly condemns these actions as a harmful and disgraceful misuse of cultural identity and a blatant act of hate speech.
    “We continue to speak out about this as we are extremely concerned for safety and mental wellbeing of young parents in our service who are part of the Takatāpui community and others across the motu. Our tikanga teaches us to uplift, to manaaki, and to protect the dignity of all people. What we witnessed was not a reflection of our tikanga, but a weaponisation of our culture to spread hate” said E Tipu E Rea CEO Zoe Witika Hawke.
    The health service offers a range of wrap around services in the first 2,000 days including midwifery, WCTO nursing, and mātauranga Māori to help whānau to connect with their reo, culture and whakapapa. However, the organisation disagrees with the use of Māori cultural expressions to target minority communities-including LGBTQIA+, Muslim, Buddhist, and other non-Christian groups and states that it is a gross distortion of what it means to be tangata whenua.
    “We do not support the divisive rhetoric or actions of Brian Tāmaki and his followers. Their protest represents a direct attack on the values of inclusion, aroha, and whakapapa that bind our diverse communities together,” said Witika- Hawke.
    E Tipu E Rea stands proudly alongside our LGBTQIA+ whānau, and in solidarity with Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and all other faiths and belief systems that are part of the vibrant fabric of Aotearoa. Our kaupapa is to uplift the mana of all young parents-especially in the face of stigma and discrimination-and we reject any narrative that seeks to elevate one identity at the expense of another.
    “We remind Aotearoa that Māori culture is not a tool of religious supremacy”.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Business is buzzing in Porirua

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Porirua’s commitment to business has meant a busy schedule of activities and events this year.
    While the sold-out BizFest 2025: Kōpū i te pae – Light up the Horizon will be a great opportunity to learn, network and connect, there are a number of other events in Porirua to help boost businesses.
    BizFest is at Te Rauparaha Arena on 1 July, with double Olympic gold winner, Dame Valerie Adams, and Black Grace founder and director Neil Ieremia among the speakers.
    With an awesome lineup of sessions and kōrero, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says it will be a fantastic day for the city’s business sector.
    “Porirua is a great place to do business and with the events we have on the calendar now, it means our city is humming. We’re always looking to keep moving forward,” she says.
    A new pop-up initiative – BizHub – will kick off at Kai Tahi from 1 August. BizHub aims to keep the momentum from BizFest going and bring the business community together every second Friday, as a hub for advice, connections and support.
    “BizFest and BizHub are both collaborations between Porirua City Council and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and it’s a partnership approach that’s focusing on uplifting and connecting Porirua businesses,” Mayor Baker says.
    Earlier this month the Love Local Expo showcased the best of our local products, services, crafts and community services – with more than 130 stalls and thousands of people coming through the Arena on 7 June.
    Other events coming up on the calendar are Visa Wellington on a Plate and the ever-popular ChoctoberFest.
    Visa WOAP will be held from 1-31 August in Porirua and there’ll be outstanding burger creations to tempt your tastebuds from businesses across Porirua. It’s not to be missed.
    ChoctoberFest is always a sweet spot with Porirua locals, visitors and businesses. In 2024, the third year of the festival, 20 cafes, eateries and bars took part. More than 13,000 baked treats and drinks were consumed in October, pumping $131,000 into the Porirua economy.
    “What I love about the events that we host now for businesses is that they’re not just for residents, but they attract visitors to our city,” Mayor Baker says.
    Also coming up is a three-day Bizezi Spark Programme on 30 and 31 July and 1 August. It’s a hands-on business incubator programme, for those thinking about starting a business or wanting to build stronger foundations. You’ll work with experts over three days to shape your business plan and set yourself up for success.
    Later in the month, on 20 August, there’s a subsidised half-day workshop Business Growth and Resilience through the Circular Economy, where you can learn how the circular economy can unlock new revenue streams, reduce costs, and future-proof your business.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BusinessNZ Planning Forecast: Improving forecast for some areas

    Source: BusinessNZ

    The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the June quarter indicates the NZ economy will likely grow at nearly 3% by 2027, however it is facing strong headwinds caused by international and domestic issues.
    BusinessNZ economist John Pask says the uncertain, rapidly-changing international environment is affecting New Zealand’s trade and economic prospects.
    “Not just war and threats of war, but also threats to trade and the international trade rules-based order are bringing uncertainty and caution.
    “NZ is a trading nation, linked to the rest of the world by key markets, supply chains and global investment flows, and vulnerable to economic shocks and international tensions. Forecasts of future growth will be heavily conditional on world events,” Mr Pask said.
    “Domestically, there is some good news, as statistics indicate GDP improvement, inflation is still contained, lower interest rates are reducing the pressure on businesses and households, dairy and meat prices are positive, and the Government’s moves to allow greater deductions on business purchases and address poor regulation are all positive.”
    The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index (ECI), a measure of NZ’s major economic indicators, sits at 8 for the June 2025 quarter, an improvement of 2 on the previous quarter, and an improvement of 12 on a year ago.
    An ECI reading above 0 indicates that economic conditions are generally improving overall; below 0 means economic conditions are generally declining.
    The full BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the June quarter is on www.businessnz.org.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Marine Environment – Latest trawl bycatch numbers “a grim wake-up call” – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    The latest fisheries bycatch data paints a grim picture, with trawlers hauling up thousands of kilograms of coral and killing hundreds of fur seals and seabirds over a 12 month period. The bycatch deaths include 108 Salvin’s albatross, which are at high risk of extinction.
    The figures from the Ministry for Primary Industries reveal that from April 2024 to March 2025, the New Zealand bottom trawling fleet dragged up over 8,300kg of protected coral, which is crucial to deep sea habitats and supports a huge range of ocean life.Over the same one-year period, 1092 seabirds, including 395 albatross, were killed by trawlers. Of those, 108 were Salvin’s albatross, a middle-sized mollyhawk which are listed as “nationally critical,” meaning they face an immediate high risk of extinction. The primary threat to Salvin’s is industrial fishing.
    Just over 270 mammals also died in trawl nets. This included 25 dolphins and 239 fur seals, which are already dying in unusual numbers due to starvation, as climate change and industrial fishing put pressure on their food supply.All these figures are self-reported interactions with protected species made by fishers to MPI.
    Greenpeace oceans campaigner Juan Parada calls these figures “an urgent wake-up call”.
    “The New Zealand bottom trawling industry is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. Year after year, the trawling fleet bulldozes ocean ecosystems, threatens already endangered species and smashes vital coral habitats which take centuries to form”, says Parada”And while the seafood industry keeps insisting that such destruction is rare, the data shows otherwise. From the corals of the deep to the dolphins, fur seals and albatross that die as collateral damage in trawl nets every year, the cost of bottom trawling is too high.
    “The government can no longer be complicit in the devastation this industry is inflicting on the oceans. We need an immediate ban on bottom trawling on seamounts and vulnerable areas, as well as a commitment to establish marine sanctuaries on the high seas before it’s too late.” “New Zealanders care deeply about the ocean and want to see it thrive. Bottom trawling is a major threat to healthy oceans, and it is time New Zealand finally abandoned this indefensible, archaic practice.” Bottom trawling is a destructive and indiscriminate fishing method that involves dragging large, heavy nets along the seafloor and over seamounts to catch fish.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Govt Funding – Funding hike shows benefit of collective voice for general practice

    Source: GenPro

    A potential 13 percent increase in funding for general practice shows the benefit of a strong collective voice that supports family doctors and face-to-face consultations in our communities, says GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers.

    The government announced today a 6.4 percent increase for general practice funding to reflect increasing costs, an uplift additional to a previously announced $95 million boost.

    “Combining these would contribute a nine percent uplift in base capitation funding (with conditions) and an up to 13 percent total funding increase in the year ending June 2026, a level that is welcome and will help ‘steady the ship’,” says Dr Chambers.

    “While not all general practice can access the $95 million, the overall increase is a marked improvement from previous years.

    “It shows the Government is listening to GenPro, which called before the Budget for a minimum 10 percent increase to stabilise the viability of family doctors so they could continue to operate.

    “Hon Simeon Brown is the first health minister in successive governments to have delivered a much-needed increase in funding, and we thank him for it.”

    However, after years of under investment by successive governments, general practice will need another 10 percent or more increase in investment next year for it to stay viable, warns Dr Chambers.

    “While the increase announced today will aid retention it will do nothing to encourage recruitment of new general practitioners. This will require long-term solutions with greater support than that offered today
    .
    “To put the funding boost into context, general practice will receive about $1.5 billion or just five percent of the $31 billion health budget. A 10 percent uplift was urgently required for 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, and more investment will be needed in later years.”

    Dr Chambers said the investment recognised the collective advocacy by GenPro members, who are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

    For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Māori Organisations Condemn Destiny Church’s Attacks on Faith-based Communities

    Source: Toitū Te Tiriti and Kaiāwhina Aotearoa


    Toitū Te Tiriti and Kaiāwhina Aotearoa unequivocally condemn the abhorrent actions of Destiny Church targeting faith communities in Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday, 21 June. 

    “This was not a protest. It was a calculated media stunt that caused harm to many communities across Aotearoa,” stated Arama Rata, spokesperson for Kaiāwhina – a group that provides community care at protests in Tāmaki Makaurau.

    On Saturday afternoon, Destiny Church members marched down Queen Street, led by Brian Tamaki. During the march, Destiny affiliates desecrated flags representing Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Palestinian and Rainbow communities, while spouting hateful rhetoric and performing haka.

    Spokesperson for Toitū Te Tiriti Eru Kapa-Kingi criticised the action stating “this action was not rooted in our tikanga,” as, “haka should not be misused to disrespect and attack others – all peoples have mana and tapu.”

    “The leaders of Destiny should be ashamed in using whānau who are still finding themselves to push their own hate politics” Eru also said. 

    Public displays of vitriol are known to create the conditions for physical violence. The Royal Commission into the March 15 terror attacks warned explicitly about this trajectory. “When communities are openly targeted in this way in our streets, it demands our immediate action,” Rata stated.

    She continued, “We reject the actions of Destiny Church. They do not represent Māori. Brian Tamaki’s stated goal to rule New Zealand as the head of Christian nationalist state is fundamentally opposed to our Māori liberation movement, and should not be tolerated.”

    Kapa-Kingi concluded, “During the Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti, we were honoured to march side by side with Tangata Tiriti of all faiths who came to show their support for Māori and to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. To our whānau who are Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Palestinian, Rainbow and Takatāpui, we see you and commit to standing by you against violence.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Invitation] Galaxy Unpacked July 2025: The Ultra Experience Is Ready To Unfold

    Source: Samsung

    For years, Samsung Electronics has designed its devices around what people truly need, such as better performance, sharper cameras and smarter ways to stay connected. And, with Galaxy AI, it goes beyond what devices can do — it’s about how people interact with them.
     
    As AI rapidly becomes the new user interface, it’s redefining our relationship with technology. No longer just a collection of apps and tools, the smartphone is evolving into a smart companion that understands user intent and responds in real time. This transformation moves us from reaction to anticipation — where, as AI becomes the UI, intent becomes instant.
     
    The next-generation Galaxy devices are being reimagined around a new AI-powered interface, supported by breakthrough hardware built to unlock their full potential. This future is already unfolding, and the best of Galaxy AI and Samsung craftsmanship is about to be unveiled.
     
    On July 9, Samsung Electronics will host Unpacked in Brooklyn, New York — a borough with an extraordinary spirit and a distinctive history. Brooklyn is where visionary thinking and bold ideas shape the future, so it’s only fitting that Samsung unveils the latest and greatest additions to the Galaxy portfolio in a place known for its culture, creativity and collaboration. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom India, and Samsung India’s YouTube channel beginning at 07:30 pm IST.
     
    Stay tuned and make sure to visit news.samsung.com/in for all upcoming teasers, trailers and updates ahead of Unpacked 2025.
     
    

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Banyard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Swinburne University of Technology

    Maridav/Shutterstock

    Temperatures have dropped in many parts of Australia which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort.

    Cold environments can also include high winds and water exposure, which present unique physiological, psychological and logistical challenges that can turn people off exercising.

    While exercising in the cold does not typically increase injury risk, certain conditions can lead to a drop in whole body temperature (hypothermia) and impaired exercise performance.

    One advantage to exercising in the cold is that it often feels easier, since the body perceives lower exertion levels compared to performing the same task in hot environments.

    While it’s sometimes tempting to rug up and stay indoors when temperatures plummet, here are some tips for exercising in cold conditions.

    1. Wear layers

    Start exercising in a slightly chilled state (if you’re warm when you begin, take a layer off).

    Strip down one layer as you warm up to avoid overheating and excessive sweating, which can lead to chilling later as you cool down.

    Clothing recommendations include:

    • inner (base) layer: wear a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric (such as polyester) as a base layer to keep sweat away from your skin
    • middle (insulating) layer: add a fleece or thermal layer if temperatures are close to freezing
    • outer layer: a windproof, water-resistant jacket is essential in wet, windy or snowy conditions
    • additional considerations: for hands and feet, wear gloves and opt for polyester socks. A beanie or headband is great for the head and ears because you lose a significant amount of heat from your head.

    2. Warming up is crucial

    In cold conditions, your muscles may take longer to warm up and may be at a greater risk of injury due to reduced blood flow (vasoconstriction), reduced flexibility and slower reaction times.

    Spend about ten minutes (perhaps indoors) performing a structured warm-up. This should include dynamic stretches and exercises such as push-ups, leg swings, lunges, calf raises, squats and high knees before heading out.

    This will help enhance blood flow, increase tissue temperature and improve your joints’ range of motion.

    No matter what exercise type you choose, start slowly and gradually progress your intensity.

    3. Be aware of the risks

    Depending on the mode of activity, outdoor exercise can be riskier during winter due to slippery surfaces and reduced visibility.

    If you are walking or running, shorten your steps and stride length when it’s wet to maintain control and prevent slips and falls.

    If you are cycling, avoid sharp turns or sudden stops. Stick to well-lit areas and paths and try to exercise during daylight hours if possible.

    Also, consider wearing bright or reflective clothing at night or in foggy conditions.

    4. The importance of recovery

    Spend a few minutes at the end of your workout for active recovery (walking and stretching) which helps prevent blood pooling and inflammation in the feet, while bringing the body’s systems back to homeostasis (resting breathing and heart rate).

    When it’s extremely cold, get indoors immediately because your body temperature drops fast once you stop moving.

    Change out of any damp clothes and have a warm shower or bath as soon as possible to help regulate body temperature and prevent hypothermia. Be aware of signs of hypothermia, which include shivering, slurred speech, cold pale skin and poor coordination, among others.

    Other tips to consider

    If it’s nearing or below 0°C with wind chill or rain or snow, perhaps opt for an indoor mode of exercise such as treadmill running, stationary cycling or cross-training to avoid unnecessary risks such as hypothermia, non-freezing cold injuries (such as trenchfoot) or freezing cold injuries (frostbite).

    To ensure adequate hydration, it is recommended to consume about 500ml of fluid two hours before exercise and to continue to drink during and after exercising.

    If you do brave the cold to exercise outside, is still advisable to wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on exposed skin during the day, since ultra violet radiation can still pass through clouds and is not related to temperature.

    Overall, exercise in the cold can be safe and enjoyable with the right precautions and planning.

    Harry Banyard 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. Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold – https://theconversation.com/warm-ups-layered-clothes-recovery-4-tips-to-exercise-safely-in-the-cold-255223

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – Brand new Stats NZ groundwater reporting highlights serious risk to public from Govt proposal to weaken freshwater protections

    Source: Choose Clean Water – Tom Kay


    Stats NZ’s latest groundwater reporting shows New Zealanders are already at risk from contaminated drinking water sources and highlights the threat to the public should the Government continue with its proposals to weaken policy that protects freshwater, says campaign group Choose Clean Water.


    “The Government is consulting on plans to remove the prioritisation of the health of waterways and protection of drinking water sources in current freshwater policy and instead change it to give power to commercial polluters of freshwater. 


    “Given the state of our groundwater, where many of our communities draw their drinking water from, this Government proposal will inevitably increase the health risks to people. It’s unbelievably irresponsible.” says Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay.


    The new Stats NZ groundwater quality reporting presents monitoring data for groundwater sites across the country between 2019 and 2024. It shows the Maximum Allowable Values for New Zealand drinking water were exceeded at least once between April 2019 and March 2024 at 45.1 percent of sites (450 of 998) for E. coli and 12.4 percent of sites (146 of 1173) for nitrate. 

    Almost half of the monitoring sites show likely or very likely increasing tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers call on Minister Watts to rule out yet another tax

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is calling on the Revenue Minister to rule out yet another tax, this time a controversial Inland Revenue proposal hitting the not-for-profit sector.
    Under the proposal, organisations like Federated Farmers would be taxed on their membership subscription income for the first time.
    “We’re calling on Simon Watts to move quickly and categorically take this off the table,” Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre says.
    “This is not a routine tax consultation – this is a significant new interpretation that overturns 20 years of settled practice.”
    Ideally, Inland Revenue would withdraw its draft interpretation but, failing that, the Minister must step in, McIntyre says.
    “This isn’t a minor tweak – it’s a fundamental shift in how the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) interprets the law.
    “It would have serious consequences for New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector.”
    Under current practice, not-for-profits structured as mutual associations – organisations set up to serve their members rather than make a profit – aren’t taxed on income they receive from members.
    This principle, known as mutuality, is based on the idea that a group of people cannot make profit from dealing with themselves.
    However, IRD is proposing that if a not-for-profit is constitutionally prohibited from distributing profits to members, as most are, its member income should be taxed.
    “This would pull the rug out from under about 9000 not-for profits, advocacy groups, professional associations, unions, community organisations, and political parties who rely on membership fees to fund their operations,” McIntyre says.
    “This is not just about Federated Farmers – it’s sector-wide and is creating huge concern.”
    The IRD’s draft relies heavily on an Australian legal precedent – the Coleambally Irrigation case – which found mutuality does not apply when there is a legal bar on profit distribution.
    But Federated Farmers argues this is a poor precedent to import into New Zealand, noting that Australia’s Parliament had to step in and reverse it with legislation after significant backlash.
    New Zealand’s not-for-profit framework is different – but the harm from adopting this interpretation would create exactly the same confusion and harm, McIntyre says.
    Federated Farmers’ submission urges the IRD Commissioner to withdraw the proposal and reaffirm the non-taxable status of genuine mutual income.
    “Ultimately, this is now a political question. The Government cannot allow the Inland Revenue to unilaterally rewrite tax policy that affects thousands of organisations,” McIntyre says.
    “This is why the Minister needs to rule this out publicly. Tax policy decisions of this magnitude belong with elected representatives, not faceless tax officials in Wellington.”
    Federated Farmers has submitted on this consultation draft.
    The submission questions why IRD is pursuing the change now, after more than 20 years of consistent guidance and practice and ecosystem has been allowed to flourish under the existing rules.
    “After two decades of stability, we have to ask: why now? This has the hallmarks of a desperate revenue grab dressed up as a legal interpretation,” McIntyre says.
    “That’s why the Minister needs to make it clear this won’t proceed.”
    Federated Farmers is not alone in its concerns.
    “We’re hearing from a growing coalition of not-for-profits across the country, who are just as alarmed as us about the proposed change and its implications,” McIntyre says.
    “From unions to professional bodies to political parties, the feedback is unanimous: this proposal would be devastating.
    “The mutuality principle has served our country well for decades, and it should be preserved.”
    Federated Farmers’ submission concludes with a stark warning: if the Commissioner proceeds with the reinterpretation, it will become a political issue – one that Ministers and MPs will need to address urgently.
    “The public deserve to know where the Government stands on this. We’re calling on Minister Watts to give that clarity now,” McIntyre says.
    The full submission is available here, and Federated Farmers will continue to engage with the Government, other affected organisations, and the wider public as the consultation process unfolds. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Funding – Nurses need share of primary health care funding increase – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    Increases in primary care funding announced today must be passed onto nurses to fix chronic staff shortages so New Zealanders can get in to see health care professionals faster, the Nurses Organisation Tōputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
    The Government funds GP clinics based on the number of enrolled patients they have, regardless of the services they receive, through what’s called the capitation system.
    Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced capitation funding for this year is set to increase to 13.89%.
    NZNO College of Primary Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says nurses are urging primary care employers to pass this funding increase onto them via their wages, Tracey Morgan says.
    “This will help stem the flow of nurses out of primary care and into hospitals.
    “A skilled nursing workforce is desperately needed to keep care in the community, ensure vaccination targets are met, ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and prevent long term conditions worsening.
    “During collective agreement bargaining last year, primary care nurses were 16-18% behind their hospital-based colleagues in pay. The employers told the union that if the money was available, they would willingly pass it on to nurses.”
    Primary care nurses will receive a 3% increase in July through their collective agreement which also gave them a further 5% on ratification earlier this year, Tracey Morgan says.
    “However, this will still have them 10% behind hospital nurses with the same qualifications.
    “Simeon Brown says this funding boost is help patients see their doctor and nurse earlier. The ability to recruit and retain primary health nurses is vital to achieving this,” Tracey Morgan says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – SAFE calls for investigation into sexually explicit dairy farm content

    Source: SAFE For Animals

    SAFE has been made aware of apparent dairy farm workers who are producing video content of a sexual nature directly involving cows at a New Zealand dairy farm for their social media platforms Instagram and Only Fans.
    It is deeply concerning to see mother cows who are already being exploited for their reproductive systems being further victimised for the production of sexually explicit video content.
    SAFE finds the actions of all individuals involved, whether directly or indirectly, to be reprehensible and entirely unacceptable. We demand full accountability from those responsible for the care of these animals for allowing such conduct to take place on the farm.
    SAFE condemns the dairy industry’s exploitation of mother cows and their calves, including the separation of all newborn calves from their mothers so their milk can be taken for human consumption, and the annual slaughter of around two million bobby calves who are regarded as waste products by the industry.
    The public places a great deal of trust in those who work with animals. This trust is eroded when animals are treated as props for profit-driven content that degrades their dignity.
    We have reported this matter to Ministry for Primary industries. As we both urge for and anticipate an investigation, we will not be making any further public comments at this time.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Government – Recognition of the GP workforce’s value to communities welcomed in funding announcement

    Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

    Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown’s funding announcement prioritising patients’ health and recognising the crucial role of our specialist general practice workforce has been welcomed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
    College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Healthcare starts, and often

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –