NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Will Peter Dutton help son Harry buy a house?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Political leaders’ kids are routinely put on display to share the glory or the pain of election night. Earlier, they’re often at campaign launches to “humanise” the candidates.

    Peter Dutton pulled out all stops with the family for his Sunday launch. Tom, Harry and Rebecca were not just there in person, but “virtually” too, with a video showing dad hearing messages from the family.

    Rebecca went to “the potato head thing”, saying it was “all a bit of a joke to us. We still often call you Mr Potato head.” Dutton replied that “I’m pretty relaxed. I can give back as good as I get.” Hearing Harry on the video, he judged his son “sounded a bit croaky […] He might have been out late last night.”

    And so it went. All nice and safe, in a campaign sense. But Dutton should have left it at that.

    Instead, on Monday Harry, who is an apprentice carpenter, joined his father on the campaign trail, to help him sell the message about the unaffordability of housing.

    Harry, it turns out, is an aspiring house buyer, which is not surprising. After all, his dad bought his first house at age 19, and is proud of the fact, often mentioning it in soft interviews.

    Harry told reporters, “I am saving up for a house and so is my sister, Beck, and a lot of my mates, but as you probably heard, it’s almost impossible to get in – in the current state,” Harry said.

    “So I mean we’re saving like mad, but it doesn’t look like we’ll get there in the near future. But we’d love that to change.”

    One has to wonder about the judgement of the Liberal strategists. Dutton has owned a lot of property over the years, and is well off. Did no one anticipate that the obvious questioning from the hungry media would be: won’t the bank of mum and dad help Harry and Rebecca?

    Of course it came.

    One questioner asked, “Are you planning to act as the bank of mum and dad like so many Australian families are having to do?” Dutton answered generally – that he didn’t want a situation where  these were the only kids that could buy houses.

    Then later came the explicit question: “You brought your own son Harry out here. He spoke about how hard it is to save for a deposit. So in that case, you’re doing pretty well yourself – why won’t you support him a bit and give him a bit of help with getting his house?”

    Dutton did not address that sticky one, saying rather that he hadn’t finished answering the previous question.

    Politicians perennially complain about how hard the political life is for their families.

    Indeed. Sometimes it’s best to leave the kids at home.

    Albanese dodges question about Plibersek’s future portfolio

    This is the second campaign in a row that’s put a spotlight on the strained relationship between Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek.

    In 2022 observers asked “where’s Tanya?” when Plibersek, one of Labor’s most popular retail politicians, seemed to have a low profile. Plibersek produced evidence of her intense round of campaigning, but it was still clear she was being underused.

    Albanese and Plibersek are rivals in the left from way back. After the 2022 win, instead of appointing her education minister, as she’d  expected, the new PM put her into environment, where she’s had to rule on fossil fuel projects and other matters especially tricky for someone from the left. Late last year, Albanese intervened when Plibersek thought she was headed to a deal on the Nature Positive legislation, declaring the Senate numbers were not there. More compelling with him was pressure from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who was facing an election.

    On Monday Plibersek found herself having to explain an uncomfortable moment that had caught media attention at  Sunday’s Labor launch.

    At these gatherings a great deal of kissing and hugging goes on, even among politicians who don’t like each other much. So Plibersek was about to hug Albanese, but he grabbed her hands instead.

    /

    Asked on Monday Morning TV  about what was described as an “awkward moment”, Plibersek explained it away, even more awkwardly. “Do you know what, I reckon  we should still all be  elbow bumping, because during an election campaign, the last thing you want is to catch a cold from someone. So that’s on me.  I should have done the elbow bump, I reckon.”

    Albanese was quizzed later about whether he’d keep Plibersek in the environment portfolio in a second-term government.

    He said Plibetsek was doing a “fantastic job” and insisted she had been “a friend of mine for a long period of time”.  

    He didn’t comment himself on her future job, if the government is returned. Not surprising, at one level.  As he says, he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. And later in the day he wouldn’t say whether Julie Collins would again be fisheries minister.

    But, given it was Plibersek, his non-answer added to the awkwardness. On the other hand, you’d think Plibersek would probably want out of the environment portfolio, provided that didn’t mean another less-than-ideal post.

    A third debate coming

    Albanese and Dutton have agreed to a third debate – on Channel 7 on April 27. The second debate, hosted by the ABC,  is on Wednesday.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election Diary: Will Peter Dutton help son Harry buy a house? – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-will-peter-dutton-help-son-harry-buy-a-house-254470

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia networking backbone to connect ResetData’s ‘AI Factory’ data centers across Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia networking backbone to connect ResetData’s ‘AI Factory’ data centers across Australia

    • Nokia deployment to support immediate roll-out of Australia’s first sovereign and sustainable liquid immersion-cooled AI Factory data centers.
    • ResetData’s AI factories up to 10 times as efficient as legacy designs, can cut emissions by 45% to deliver more sustainable AI cloud operations.
    • Nokia FP5 routing silicon provides 75% reduction in energy consumption over previous generations.

    14 April 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced it has been selected by Australian cloud provider ResetData to supply a networking backbone that supports its immediate rollout of sovereign ‘AI Factory’ data centers across the continent. The Nokia IP solution will deliver the speed, scale and reliability required for lossless, low-latency performance as ResetData targets an Australian cloud services market that in 2024 saw a 19% year on year increase.

    Sovereign AI ensures systems and data stay within a country’s jurisdiction, promoting national security and compliance with domestic laws and regulations. ResetData’s AI factories with liquid immersion cooling are up to 10 times as efficient as legacy designs and can cut cloud costs by 40% and emissions by 45% to deliver more sustainable AI cloud operations.

    Backed by Australasian real estate fund manager Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI), ResetData will deploy the Nokia 7750 Service Router in commercial properties nationwide as part of a series of highly efficient and sustainable liquid immersion cooled AI factories, commencing in Melbourne’s CBD. While addressing precision timing and other key requirements that are fundamental to the performance of AI infrastructure, the FP5-based Nokia IP platform provides super-fast, reliable and highly secure performance at scale. In doing so, Nokia’s approach also revolutionizes data center operations by delivering a 75 percent reduction in energy consumption over previous generations.

    Functioning as a data center gateway to front-end ResetData’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) clusters, the FP5-based Nokia 7750 SR-1x enables connectivity between data centers and to the Internet with massive routing scale, reaching speeds of up to 800Gb/s.  

    “We are moving quickly because sovereign AI is critical to Australia’s international competitiveness. Together with the ResetData AI Marketplace, our rollout is delivering critical AI, machine learning and large language model capabilities on-shore and on-demand for the first time. To make it happen, we needed a partner as committed to sustainability as we are, with local resourcing and global reach, who could meet a demanding timeline, scale from single GPUs to entire AI Factories, and replicate Melbourne’s launch nationally. Nokia has been a core partner at every step,” said Karl Kloppenborg, Chief Technology Officer at ResetData.

    “As dynamic new-generation cloud builders like ResetData seize the opportunities that artificial intelligence generates, Nokia is ready with an IP portfolio primed for the stringent and exacting data demands of AI infrastructure. Combining speed, capacity and reliability with cost-efficiency and sustainability, Nokia IP is a top choice for the world’s most modern and secure data centers. We are pleased to partner with ResetData as they deliver Australia’s first sovereign AI at scale,” said Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IP Networks at Nokia.   

    Multimedia, technical information and related news
    Product Page: 7750 Service Router | Nokia
    Product Page: FP5 network processor | Nokia.com
    Web Page: Networking for AI workloads | Nokia

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung India Enhances Customer Service with AI-Powered Remote Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Tool

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, has launched its Home Appliances Remote Management (HRM) tool, a next-generation remote diagnosis and troubleshooting solution that significantly reduces service wait times and enhances customer experience.
     
    By harnessing the power of AI-powered remote diagnostics and troubleshooting, Samsung technicians can now resolve issues faster, reducing the need for cumbersome in-home visits. This innovative technology not only enhances customer experience with rapid resolutions and reduced downtime but also sets a new benchmark for the industry, redefining the future of customer care and reimagining the relationship between consumers and their smart home appliances.
     
    “Samsung Service is at the forefront of home appliance diagnostics, leveraging advanced tools to identify issues with pinpoint accuracy. Through its smart diagnostics service, customers can get proactive solutions by troubleshooting and resolving problems remotely, minimizing the need for a technician visit. This breakthrough significantly reduces wait times, ensures faster resolutions, and provides timely updates on product maintenance, ultimately enhancing the customer experience,” said Sunil Cutinha, VP, Customer Satisfaction, Samsung India.
     

     
    HRM enables real-time issue resolution with remote counselling, monitoring, and control features for Samsung smart appliances registered on the SmartThings app. SmartThings is a customer-facing app, which works as an appliance operating tool and captures usage patterns. With this innovation, Samsung continues to lead the way in smart device management, making home appliance maintenance more efficient and hassle-free for consumers worldwide. When a customer contacts Samsung’s support team regarding an issue with their home appliance, the HRM system automatically detects the registered device’s model and serial number through Samsung’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management system). Upon activation, contact center advisors can remotely diagnose, monitor, and even control certain appliance functions post customer consent, providing immediate troubleshooting guidance.
     

     
    How HRM Resolved an AC Cooling Issue
    With summer arriving early in Chennai and temperature rising above 35⁰C, Rohan Luthra’s air conditioner was cooling less efficiently. Fortunately, since Rohan had the SmartThings app installed on his smartphone and the AC was already registered in the app, he received an error notification. Immediately, Rohan requested support through Home Care service in SmartThings and got connected to the contact center advisor. Upon consultation, the advisor diagnosed the issue through HRM’s remote diagnostics, and informed the customer that its microfilter required cleaning and provided a step-by-step guide to Rohan over the phone call, restoring the AC’s cooling efficiency within minutes without the need for an on-site visit.
     
    This real-world example underscores how Samsung’s HRM tool is transforming customer support, making smart appliance maintenance more efficient, proactive, and hassle-free.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: I&T collabs create productivity: CE

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee

    I am delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

     

    And I am honoured to say that the Asia-Pacific Summit, taking place over these next two days in Hong Kong, marks the first time the World Internet Conference has held an international summit outside Mainland China.

     

    That, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to Hong Kong’s rising role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. It also reflects our deepening integration with our country’s national development.  

     

    That will become abundantly clear over these next two days. Like the World Internet Conference itself, this summit offers high-level dialogue for the global internet community – for you – the nearly 1,000 professionals here from 30 countries and regions.

     

    You are senior government officials and business leaders, industry association heads, academics and researchers and professionals from different disciplines. And you are here to expand your international connections, create business opportunities and help build the interconnected digital future.

     

    Hong Kong’s rise as an I&T hub has been fast-tracked by our vibrant economy, which is powered by free trade and boasts the world’s third-largest financial centre. It helps, too, that Hong Kong has long been a key business conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

     

    And it all comes together under our unique “one country, two systems” framework.

     

    This cardinal governing principle gives Hong Kong the best of both worlds: access to the vast opportunities of the Mainland market, while maintaining the advantages of our unmatched connectivity of our common law system, free flow of information, capital, goods and people. This unmatched connectivity has brought you here.

     

    There are many good examples. A shining example is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which ranks second, globally, in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index. It shows how, with the development of the Greater Bay Area, we can converge Hong Kong’s excellent research and development and world-class, international business environment, with the innovative prowess of the Mainland’s technology industry.

     

    We are building Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which straddles the small river that separates Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hong Kong park within this co-operation zone smartly embodies the virtues of the “one country, two systems” principle and cross-boundary co-operation.

     

    Last month, I attended the topping-out ceremony for the park’s first three buildings – two wet laboratories and a talent accommodation complex. The park will enter its operational phase this year, with the first tenants – from life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI), to data science and other pillar industries – moving in.

     

    The development of another five buildings is in full swing. We have earmarked some US$500 million to expedite the park’s two-phase development.

     

    We need, of course, strategic companies and talent to take full advantage of the park’s opportunities – and other of Hong Kong’s far-reaching prospects. And we are getting them. Under the enhanced talent admission regime we rolled out in 2022, we have already approved more than 300,000 talent admission applications. Over 200,000 of them, ie two-thirds, have already arrived here.

     

    Meanwhile, over 80 strategic enterprises from around the world in the booming industries of life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech and more, have joined us. They will invest over US$6 million and create over 20,000 jobs here in the coming years.

     

    The park is situated in the Northern Metropolis, an entirely new economic engine for Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis, which makes up one-third of Hong Kong’s area, straddles our land boundary with Shenzhen.

     

    I am confident that our collaborative efforts with Shenzhen, and throughout the Greater Bay Area, will see the rise of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone as a world-class I&T hub, creating a critical source of new quality productive forces for the country.

     

    AI is central to the Hong Kong park’s research and development. It is no less central to Hong Kong’s future.

     

    In December last year, the first phase of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre became operational. Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport is home to more than 330 startups specialising in AI and big data.

     

    Hong Kong is determined to maximise AI’s immense potential for new industrialisation, and to further society’s digital transformation.

     

    We have, for example, set up funding schemes to help local manufacturers switch to smart manufacturing and strategic industries to establish smart production facilities here in Hong Kong.

     

    And our HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, amounting to nearly US$1.3 billion, channels market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance, including AI and robotics.

     

    There is more. We aim to establish, by the next financial year, the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute, having reserved nearly US$130 million to get it up and running. The institute will spearhead Hong Kong’s research and development, and drive AI-based industrial applications.

     

    AI will also promote smart government. Not only driving document digitalisation and automation, and payments and business processes, but, more important, how we go about making policy and delivering public services.

     

    All that, and much more, will fuel discussion and debate at today’s main forum and the three sub-forums taking place tomorrow.

     

    This summit matters. Co-operation matters. Especially during these challenging times to geopolitics and trade relations. Hong Kong champions free trade and multilateralism. We believe in teamwork and offer a range of welcoming programmes for investors, companies, researchers and other strategic talent. Hong Kong welcomes all business interests from those who are keen to pursue development with us. In this global city, we will make a decided difference for you, and your future.

     

    I am grateful to the World Internet Conference for hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit here in Hong Kong. Grateful, too, to our Innovation, Technology& Industry Bureau and other government offices for organising this high-profile global event.

     

    I wish you all an inspiring summit, and the best of business, and health, through this endlessly challenging, but promising, year.

     

    Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit on April 14.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says looking forward to in-depth exchanges with Vietnamese leaders on issues of strategic significance

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that he looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with Vietnamese leaders on issues concerning ties between the two parties and countries that have a global impact, determine future direction, and possess strategic significance, as well as on international and regional issues of common concern.

    Xi made the remarks in a written statement upon his arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

    The Chinese leader added that he also expects to take his visit as an opportunity to work with the Vietnamese side to draw up a new blueprint for the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Board of Director Updates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Diversified Energy Company PLC
    (“Diversified” or the “Company”)

    Board of Director Updates

    Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Randall Wade as an independent non-executive director, effective 11 April 2025.

    Mr. Wade is a Co-Founder of EIG and a member of its Investment and Executive Committees. He has broad involvement in the firm’s various activities including investments, investor relations, operations and strategic initiatives. Since joining EIG in 1996, Mr. Wade has filled various roles including President, Chief Operating Officer, head of the direct lending strategy, investment principal with coverage responsibility for Australia and an analyst for the oil and gas team.

    Prior to joining EIG, Mr. Wade was a Commercial Lending Officer for First Interstate Bank of Texas, where he was responsible for developing a middle-market loan portfolio. Mr. Wade received his B.A. in Economics and his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

    Upon his appointment, Mr. Wade will become a member of the Board’s Sustainability and Safety Committee.

    Commenting on the appointment, David Johnson, Chairman, said:

    “It is my pleasure to welcome Randall to Diversified’s Board of Directors. His breadth of experience, leadership, and reputation in the energy industry will provide valuable perspectives. We look forward continuing our valued partnership with EIG and to Randall’s contributions as Diversified continues to progress its strategy of responsibly delivering sustainable stakeholder returns.”

    Mr. Wade previously served as a director for NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and has held no other public company directorate positions in the last five years.

    The Company is making this announcement pursuant to UK Listing Rule 6.4.6R with no further disclosure necessary under Listing Rule 6.4.8R.

    For further information, please contact:

    Diversified Energy Company PLC +1 973 856 2757
    Doug Kris dkris@dgoc.com
    Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications www.div.energy
       
    FTI Consulting dec@fticonsulting.com
    U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations  

    About Diversified Energy Company PLC

    Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Offshoring solutions provider Yempo to run 2025 Australia roadshow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From 12 May to 10 June, industry-leading specialist offshoring solutions company Yempo will be running its 2025 roadshow in Australia, where its story began 11 years ago.

    Yempo is a specialist provider of Philippines-based accounting, finance, and Information Technology (IT) professionals to businesses in Australia, UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Japan. It is led by Australian CEO Michelle Fiegehen, an experienced senior director.

    “Each year, we make it a point to visit clients in Australia to understand how they are doing and how we can serve them better. But this year’s trip is extra special as we celebrate a decade of excellence in providing offshore IT and accounting talent, and we are introducing outsourcing to more businesses in my home country,” said Fiegehen.

    Yempo has received multiple citations in the industry, including the Best Offshoring Solutions Provider from the Global Business Awards in 2023, and the ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems certification. According to the ISO website, implementing the ISO 9001 means that an organisation has “put in place effective processes and trained staff to deliver flawless products or services time after time.”

    Fiegehen, meanwhile, was named one of the Top Emerging Women Leaders of 2024 by the Victory Magazine, APAC’s 10 High-Performing CEOs from the Philippines in 2023, and the Best CEOs of the Year by The CEO Views in 2022.

    Among the company’s satisfied clients in Australia is SDJA Audit Specialists, whose Director Simon Joyce says, “Yempo provides peace of mind, and a one-stop shop from job spec to ad, interview, employment, admin, tech, payroll.​ Its fully integrated model means they are an extension of our local team.”

    In keeping with Yempo’s commitment to giving back to community, clients are also able to contribute to its highly regarded Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which benefits children’s charities and animal rescue foundations.

    Register to meet Yempo’s CEO in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth here or visit yempo-solutions.com today, to learn more about the company’s IT and accounting offshoring services. 

    Contact person:

    Michelle Fiegehen, CEO

    michelle@yempo-solutions.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Big Girls Don’t Cry is a powerful, heart-wrenching, and comical celebration of Indigenous resilience and survival

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Case, Lecturer in Musicology, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney

    Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir

    With Big Girls Don’t Cry, Gumbaynggirr/Wiradjuri playwright Dalara Williams proves herself to be a formidable talent.

    Cheryl (Williams), Queenie (Megan Wilding) and Lulu (Stephanie Somerville) are three best friends who share a house together in 1960s Redfern, the heart of “Blak Sydney”, after moving from the bush to the city.

    The trio swap outfits, go out dancing, socialise and talk about boys while navigating low-paying jobs, curfews and police brutality. Directed by Ian Michael, Big Girls Don’t Cry sits against a backdrop of political moments from service in the Vietnam War, to the 1965 Freedom Rides, the 1966 Wave Hill Walk Off and the 1967 Referendum.

    Pride and resilience

    The second act sees the girls prepare for the 1966 Aboriginal Debutante Ball at Paddington Town Hall.

    Their excitement and anticipation are palpable.

    The girls prepare for the 1966 Aboriginal Debutante Ball.
    Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir

    The ball represents more than just a social event: it is a symbol of pride, resilience and cultural celebration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the community’s strength and unity, showcasing their determination to preserve and honour their heritage amid adversity.

    Meticulous attention to detail in the set (Stephen Curtis) and costume design (Emma White) transports us back to this pivotal moment in history, making it feel both authentic and immersive.

    Each character’s wardrobe reflects their personality. Debutante dresses and accessories add depth to the characters and their stories, making the visual elements not only historically accurate but also emotionally resonant.

    Genuine and moving

    Williams’ darker and more confronting scenes are expertly juxtaposed with love stories and hilarious laugh-out-loud moments, particularly from the exceptional Wilding, who wholeheartedly embodies her fierce and outspoken character Queenie.

    Williams captivates with her nuanced portrayal of Cheryl, balancing strength and vulnerability. Somerville adds a layer of tenderness and hope as Lulu. The chemistry between these three actors is undeniable. Their friendship is genuine and moving.

    Guy Simon’s portrayal of Cheryl’s brother Ernest is a true highlight. While Cheryl strives to keep him out of trouble for his outspoken views, Ernest’s passion for justice and equality is inspiring.

    Guy Simon and Megan Wilding are stand-outs among an exceptional cast.
    Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir

    Ernest’s relationship with Milo (Nic English) highlights the solidarity and camaraderie among activists of the time.

    Cheryl’s boyfriend Michael (Mathew Cooper), though physically absent from the group for much of the play, is a constant presence in Cheryl’s thoughts. His letters from Vietnam add a poignant layer to the narrative.

    Officer Robinson (Bryn Chapman Parish) is a chilling reminder of the systemic racism and oppression faced by the Indigenous community. His menacing presence serves as a stark contrast to the warmth and joy shared by the main characters, highlighting the harsh realities of this era.

    By the end of the play, I felt involved in the lives of these characters, and as though I knew them – a credit to Williams’ writing and the phenomenal portrayal by each of the seven cast members.

    Continuing the fight

    The program includes a beautiful and personal reflection by Williams where she describes her family legacy as a major source of inspiration for the play.

    The various interwoven love stories are some of the most heart-wrenching, comical and sweetest moments of the play. But to solely describe it as a romantic comedy is to devalue the power of this work.

    Williams describes how she is from a long line of staunch Blak advocates who have continued to fight for sovereignty. This play is just the latest in her family’s long lineage of demonstrating resilience and survival.

    This play is just the latest in Williams’ long lineage of demonstrating resilience and survival.
    Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir

    Williams does not shy away from the reality of being Aboriginal in 1960s Redfern and handles moments with sophistication and grit. Scenes of police brutality and overt racial discrimination are portrayed with a raw honesty that is both confronting and enlightening.

    Big Girls Don’t Cry should be essential viewing as part of ongoing education efforts to truly highlight the reality of life at this time – many such struggles which continue today.

    The play is a powerful and moving tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous women. It is a celebration of their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs.

    Williams has crafted a play that is not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful, shedding light on a crucial period in Australian history: a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the past and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

    While much has changed since 1966, the spirit of resistance and the quest for a better future remain as vital as ever.

    Big Girls Don’t Cry is at Belvoir Theatre, Sydney, until April 27.

    Laura Case 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. Big Girls Don’t Cry is a powerful, heart-wrenching, and comical celebration of Indigenous resilience and survival – https://theconversation.com/big-girls-dont-cry-is-a-powerful-heart-wrenching-and-comical-celebration-of-indigenous-resilience-and-survival-254291

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Crash causing delays, SH2

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are currently at the scene of a two-car crash on SH2, Maungaraki, near Dowse Drive.

    While there have been no serious injuries, traffic has been disrupted in both directions.

    Please avoid the area or expect delays.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Security education day set for Apr 15

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced that the 10th National Security Education Day will be held tomorrow, marking the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

     

    The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will hold the Opening Ceremony & Seminar of the National Security Education Day at the Convention & Exhibition Centre tomorrow morning.

     

    CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech via video link.

     

    Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee extends his very warm welcome and expresses sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along.

     

    Mr Lee pointed out that at present, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. With Hong Kong faced with ever-changing national security risks, the Hong Kong SAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the “one country, two systems” principle, deepen the understanding of a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and actively promote national security education across society.

     

    Moreover, he highlighted that the Hong Kong National Security Committee organises the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day and co-ordinates a series of school and community activities, which help to promote national security education, encourage community-wide participation, and continuously strengthen the community’s awareness and atmosphere of safeguarding national security of their own accord.

     

    “While we strive on all fronts to develop a vibrant economy, advance development and improve people’s livelihood, we must also make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, so as to contribute more to the country’s opening-up at a higher level,” the Chief Executive added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 6M holiday travellers expected

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Immigration Department said today that around 6.04 million passengers are expected to pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Easter festive period from April 17 to 21.

     

    It also estimates that some 5.05 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on April 18 and April 21, with around 759,000 passengers and 618,000 passengers respectively.

     

    Passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point will see a daily average of about 225,000. Meanwhile, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point can expect to handle about 202,000 and 164,000 passengers respectively.

     

    To facilitate flexible staff deployment and the operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks, the department noted that it has minimised leave for frontline officers accordingly.

     

    Furthermore, in collaboration with local organisations and Mainland authorities, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

     

    Passengers can check the expected busy times at boundary control points on the department’s website and find the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points via its app.

     

    Separately, from March 31, Hong Kong permanent residents, aged at least seven and at least 1.1m tall, and holding a smart identity card and valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, may use e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How common are errors in IVF labs? Can they be prevented?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karin Hammarberg, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women’s Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University

    KateStudio/Shutterstock

    The news of a woman unknowingly giving birth to another patient’s baby after an embryo mix-up at a Brisbane IVF lab has made headlines in Australia and around the world. The distress this incident will have caused to everyone involved is undoubtedly significant.

    A report released by Monash IVF, the company which operates the Brisbane clinic, states it “adheres to strict laboratory safety measures (including multi-step identification processes) to safeguard and protect the embryos in its care”.

    It also says the company’s own initial investigation concluded the incident was “the result of human error”.

    An independent investigation will follow which presumably will shed light on how human error could occur when multi-step identification processes are in place.

    On a broader level, this incident raises questions about how common IVF errors are and to what extent they’re preventable.

    The booming IVF industry

    Because people have children later in life than they used to, some struggle to conceive and turn to assisted reproductive technologies. These include in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) which both involve handling of sperm and eggs (gametes) in the laboratory to form embryos. If there’s more than one embryo available after a treatment cycle, they can be frozen and stored for later use.

    Increasingly, assisted reproductive technologies are also being used by single women, same-sex couples, and women who freeze their eggs to preserve their fertility.

    For these reasons, the fertility industry is booming. In 2022 there were more than 100,000 assisted reproductive treatment cycles performed in Australian fertility clinics, up more than 25% on the number of cycles performed in 2017.

    Regulation of the IVF industry

    In Australia, the IVF industry is more regulated than in many other parts of the world.

    To operate, clinics must be licensed by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee and adhere to its code of practice.

    In relation to storage and accurate identification of embryos, the code states clinics must provide evidence of the implementation and review of:

    Policies and procedures to identify when, how and by whom the identification, matching, and verification are recorded for gametes, embryos and patients at all stages of the treatment process including digital and manual record-keeping.

    The code further states clinics must report serious adverse events to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee. The list of what’s considered a serious adverse event includes any incident that “arises from a gamete or embryo identification mix up”.

    Clinics must also adhere to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s ethical guidelines on the use of reproductive technology in clinical practice and research.

    Lastly, states and territories have laws that regulate aspects of the IVF industry such as requirements to report adverse events and other data to state authorities.

    Thousands of pregnancies in Australia each year are conceived using assisted reproductive technologies.
    Lee Charlie/Shutterstock

    In the United Kingdom, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulates the IVF industry and requires clinics to report adverse incidents. These are reported as grade A, B or C, where A is the most serious and involves
    “severe harm to one person, or major harm to many”. Data on adverse incidents is reported in a publicly available annual report.

    In the United States, however, the IVF industry is largely unregulated, and clinics don’t have to report adverse incidents. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine states clinics should have rigorous procedures to prevent the loss, damage, or misdirection of gametes and embryos and have an ethical obligation to disclose errors to all impacted patients.

    How common are IVF errors?

    There’s no global data on IVF errors so it’s not possible to know how common they are. But we learn about some of the more serious incidents when they’re reported in the media.

    While the recent embryo mix-up is the first known incident of this nature in Australia’s 40-year IVF history, we have seen reports of other errors in Australian clinics. These include the alleged use of the wrong donor sperm, embryos being destroyed due to contamination, and inaccurate genetic testing which resulted in the destruction of potentially viable embryos.

    In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s most recent report states there was one Grade A incident in 2023–24. This was the first Grade A incident reported since 2019–20 when there were two.

    In the US, some notable errors include storage tank malfunctions in two clinics which destroyed thousands of eggs and embryos.

    Lawsuits have also been filed for embryo mix-ups. In a 2023 case, a woman from Georgia delivered a Black baby even though she and her sperm donor are both white. The biological parents subsequently demanded custody of the child. Despite wanting to raise him the woman who had given birth gave up the five-month-old boy to avoid a legal fight she couldn’t win, she said.

    In the US, some argue most errors go unreported because reporting is not mandated and due to the absence of meaningful regulation.

    There’s no global data on IVF errors, so we don’t know how common they are.
    SeventyFour/Shutterstock

    Are IVF errors preventable?

    Despite Australia’s stringent regulation and oversight of the IVF industry, an incident with far-reaching psychological and potentially legal consequences has occurred.

    Until the independent investigation reveals how “human error” caused this mix-up, it’s not possible to say what additional measures Monash IVF should take to ensure this never happens again.

    An IVF laboratory is a high-pressure environment, and any investigation should look at whether staffing levels are adequate. Staff training is also relevant, and it’s essential all junior lab staff have adequate supervision.

    Finally, perhaps Australia should adopt the UK’s model and make data about adverse events reported to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee available to the public in an annual report. To reassure the public, this report could include what measures clinics take to avoid the errors happening again.

    Karin Hammarberg is affiliated with Monash University, which is not connected with Monash IVF and the incident mentioned in the article.

    – ref. How common are errors in IVF labs? Can they be prevented? – https://theconversation.com/how-common-are-errors-in-ivf-labs-can-they-be-prevented-254382

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General meets with Secretary-General of ASEAN-Japan Centre

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon met with Dr. HIRABAYASHI Kunihiko, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, over a working lunch in Osaka.

    During the meeting, Dr. Kao conveyed his appreciation for the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s commitment to bolstering trade, investment, tourism, and people connectivity between Japan and ASEAN, and more recently, in promoting ASEAN’s participation in the World Expo 2025. He also congratulated the AJC on its upcoming 44th anniversary in May, and looked forward to greater synergy with the ASEAN Secretariat.

    The post Secretary-General meets with Secretary-General of ASEAN-Japan Centre appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Grants awarded to community organisations promoting women’s safety

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 11/04/2025

    In a further step towards enhancing the safety and wellbeing of women and gender diverse people in the ACT, the ACT Government has awarded $100,000 in grants to nine dedicated community groups.

    In announcing the grants, the Minister for Women, Dr Marisa Paterson, said that it underscores the government’s commitment to promoting health, safety, and empowerment within our community.

    “These initiatives address critical issues such as domestic violence, financial abuse, and the unique challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities,” Minister Paterson said.

    “The ACT Government is committed to enhancing the lives of women and gender diverse people in the ACT. We’re proud to support community organisations that are working to empower women and create a safer community for everyone,” said Minister Paterson.

    Among the recipients, SiTara’s Story Incorporated received $10,500 for its EmpowerHER: Breaking Silence, Building Strength program to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide educational resources about financial abuse and coercive control to women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Queanbeyan Multilingual Centre Inc was awarded $7,500 to facilitate the translation of court orders, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds can fully understand legal proceedings.

    The Domestic Violence Crisis Service Inc received $2,000 for the National Day of Remembrance ACT Candle Lighting Ceremony, which honours the lives lost to domestic, intimate partner, and family violence. WaterWombats Aquatic Disability Services Ltd was granted $15,000 for its ACT Women’s Disability Safe and Connected Project, offering coaching, mentoring, psychoeducation, and aqua-yoga to women living with or supporting those with disabilities.

    Sakhi Incorporated was awarded $11,380 to develop a culturally informed handbook promoting women’s safety within the South Asian community. Families ACT (FACT) Inc received $15,000 to establish a First 1000 Days Coalition, focusing on the health and wellbeing of mothers, birth parents, and children during the critical first 1000 days.

    The Forcibly Displaced People Network Ltd was granted $19,900 for a 12-month project aimed at enhancing safety and support for LGBTIQA+ refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the ACT. Woden Community Service Limited received $10,000 for its EmpowerHER: Art, Resilience and Community project, which will facilitate art workshops for women affected by domestic violence, helping them form community connections and assist with their recovery. Lastly, Beryl Women Incorporated was awarded $8,720 for professional development to enhance the knowledge and skills of its team.

    “These projects align with the four priorities identified in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032: prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing,” Minister Paterson said.

    Quote attributable to Dr. Shamaruh Mirza, Founder and President of SiTara’s Story Incorporated:
    “At EmpowerHER: Breaking Silence, Building Strength, we are dedicated to amplifying the voices of CALD women who face unique challenges in recognizing and addressing domestic violence. This funding is instrumental in enabling us to create impactful podcasts and a documentary, fostering awareness and providing vital resources. We believe that education is key to transformation, and through community-led discussions and showcases, we will empower women to reclaim their narratives and advocate for their rights.”

    Quote attributable to Carol Jennings, Founder of WaterWombats:
    “The WaterWombats Disability Safety in Connection project will focus on delivering support services for women living with a disability or supporting those living with a disability. Small group programs will be delivered for both mental and physical health – which include group education sessions and social connection and physical health initiative in the form of an aqua yoga program. The program currently delivers free family counselling and social work services to attending families. This grant funding enables us to widen the scope of support and services to those in need.”

    – Statement ends –

    Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full text of Xi’s signed article in Vietnamese newspaper

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

    BEIJING, April 14 — A signed article by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping titled “Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals” was published Monday in the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam as he is traveling to Vietnam for a state visit to the country.

    The following is the full text of the article:

    Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals

    Xi Jinping

    General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China

    Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong. This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Vietnam community with a shared future in the new era.

    China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World’s victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Vietnam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan’an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming. China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people’s War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Vietnam’s just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. The well-known line: “The friendship between Vietnam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers,” is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defence friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly. High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National People’s Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam have been established. The “3+3” strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and public security between our two countries has been held successfully. China and Vietnam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Vietnam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery. China has been Vietnam’s biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding 260 billion USD in 2024. More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient. Contributing to each other’s success and pursuing common development, China and Vietnam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

    The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Vietnam in 2024. With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

    Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation. Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy. China’s new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up, and will contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

    Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalisation of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization.

    China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization. Vietnam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country respectively. China always gives Vietnam high priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

    — We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Vietnam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation; jointly tackle external risks and challenges; and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Vietnam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries’ socialist cause.

    — We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. We should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development to create more benefits for the two peoples.

    — We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Vietnam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Vietnam friendship from generation to generation.

    — We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia’s prosperity and revitalization. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

    — We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly manage maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference; bridge differences and expand common ground; and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

    Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Vietnam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dumping = fines. Anti-social behaviour? not here!

    Source: Auckland Council

    Illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour have no place in our neighbourhoods—that’s the clear message being delivered by local residents and community partners working together to create safer, cleaner spaces in Māngere.

    At a recent Māngere East Community Safety meeting, led by the Māngere East Community Centre and funded through the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board’s safety work programme, residents voiced their concerns about rising anti-social behaviour at Radonich Park in Māngere East, especially over weekends and late nights.

    Key issues raised included alcohol consumption, loud noise, dangerous driving in the carpark, disturbances affecting nearby residents and illegal dumping.

    A community-led BBQ brought together local groups and regular park users to kōrero (talk) the challenges they face at Radonich Park, fostering connection and understanding.

    Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “This kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable, and we won’t stand for it. We are fully committed to making a change and will work alongside our community to make this happen. Our board recently met with residents and saw firsthand the impact these issues are having. It’s deeply upsetting to witness the blatant disrespect for our environment, particularly with illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour that is making it unsafe for locals.

    “Council staff are taking immediate action to tackle these issues, including securing the main gates during park hours, enforcing the liquor ban with signage, and addressing illegal dumping. These concerns have also been raised with the Community Prevention Policing team, who will help support and keep our residents safe.”

    Illegal Dumping

    If you see dumped rubbish on public property, call 0800 NO DUMP (0800 663 867). Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Large piles of rubbish illegally dumped at the local community garden.

    Council takes illegal dumping seriously. All reports will be investigated. Offenders could face fines of up to $400, and serious cases may result in prosecution under the Litter Act 1979, with penalties of up to $30,000.

    A sad sight: images of illegal dumping taken during a recent walkthrough of the gardens.

    Anti-social behaviour

    Another area of concern is ongoing antisocial behaviour in the park, particularly during weekends and late-night hours. The main issues are alcohol use, loud noise, speeding in the carpark, and disturbances to nearby residents.

    During a recent cleanup, the team came across alcohol boxes and bottles scattered across the area, a stark reminder of the disrespect shown to our community spaces.

    Bakulich adds, “We’ve stressed the importance of safety and urged residents not to intervene in escalating situations. Their wellbeing is our top priority. We are incredibly proud of our community for stepping up and wanting to be a part of the solution. Together, we’re working to make the area safe and a welcoming space for everyone.”

    The end goal is simple: working together to create a safe and thriving environment, where anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping will not be tolerated, and fines will be enforced.

    Stay connected

    Sign up for our Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board e-newsletter and get it delivered to your inbox each month. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Te Punga taonga: A tribute to Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa

    Source: Auckland Council

    Dawn broke, Te Punga was revealed.

    On a crisp March morning, as the first light of day gently spread across the sky, the quiet anticipation of the crowd filled the air. The soft glow of dawn illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the ground, creating a serene atmosphere as the Te Punga sculpture was unveiled.

    The moment was simple, yet profound, connecting the past and present while honouring the land and its cultural significance.

    The Anchor. Image: Simon Runting.

    Te Punga, created by Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and sculptor Chris van Doren, stands as a stunning public taonga.

    Dawn blessing by mana whenua. Image: Simon Runting.

    The sculpture, meaning “The Anchor” – symbolises a waka anchor, as a reference to the area being a traditional waka trading route, was revealed in a ceremony that included Māngere College students, Mana Whenua, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, Watercare and local community members.

    The inscription on the sculpture helps the public understand its meaning and significance. Image: Simon Runting.

    Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says, “The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area is blessed with strong mana whenua and mataawaka organisations, whose support helps nurture and celebrate our community. It’s truly special to have Mana Whenua share our Māori history and stories in public spaces, honouring our rich Māori identity. We are also home to local heritage sites like Ōtuataua Stonefields, Te Pane o Mataoho Māngere Mountain, and Pūkaki Crater, so it’s wonderful to add Te Punga to this.”

    The sculpture, crafted from basalt rock excavated during the Watercare Central Interceptor tunnel project, was transformed by Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and sculptor Chris van Doren.

    The raw basalt was taken to Chris’s studio at the Pacifica Arts Centre in West Auckland to be shaped.

    Te Punga honours the cultural significance of Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (the Manukau Harbour) to the Waiohua iwi. It symbolises the many waka (canoes) that once anchored in these waters, serving as a vital link for people through transport, trade, and tradition.

    L-R: Sculptor Chris van Doren, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua artist Pāora Puru and board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich.

    The sculpture can be found at the corner of Creamery Road and Greenwood Road, by the Māngere Lagoon, Māngere Bridge (near Māngere Domain).

    A deeply meaningful and solemn moment at the dawn blessing and unveiling of Te Punga. Image: Simon Runting.

    Stay up to date 

    Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: BNP Paribas SA: ACQUISITION BY BNP PARIBAS CARDIF OF AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS – UPDATE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ACQUISITION BY BNP PARIBAS CARDIF 
    OF AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS – UPDATE

    PRESS RELEASE

    Paris, 14 April 2025

    After entering into exclusive negotiations on 1 August 2024, AXA and BNP Paribas Cardif signed a Share Purchase Agreement for AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM). The closing is expected in early July 2025.

    In this context, the BNP Paribas Group fully confirms the strategic and industrial interest of the transaction to build a leading platform in asset management that will allow the Group to become the forefront European player in the management of long-term savings assets for insurers and pension funds. This platform will benefit from AXA IM’s leading market position and its team’s expertise specialised in private assets, which will drive further growth with both institutional and retail investors.

    This acquisition aligns perfectly with the Group’s core mission of supporting the economy by mobilising savings to finance future-oriented projects, in the best interests of its clients.

    The ECB has recently expressed its opinion on the prudential treatment for the acquisition of asset managements companies.

    Should this interpretation be implemented and given the current status of the internal analyses carried out by the BNP Paribas Group, the anticipated impact on BNP Paribas Group’s CET1 ratio would stand at approximately -35 bps and the expected return on invested capital of the transaction would be above 14% in the third year and more than 20% in the fourth year. This impact is to be compared with an impact on the Group’s CET 1 ratio of -25 bps and an expected return on invested capital of 18% in the third year, presented at the launch of the transaction.

    As a consequence, under this interpretation, neither the Group’s overall profitability objectives, growth trajectory, nor its equity and CET1 trajectory would be modified.

    Specifically, the launch of the share buyback programme, announced in February 2025, to which the ECB has already given its approval, is maintained. More generally, the Group’s distribution policy in the form of dividends and return to shareholders remains unchanged.

    The conditions agreed to by the Group regarding the prudential treatment to be applied to this transaction will be communicated at the closing of the transaction, following the finalization of ongoing discussions with the relevant supervisory authorities on this topic.

    About BNP Paribas
    Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

    Press Contacts:
    Sandrine Romano : sandrine.romano@bnpparibas.com ; + 33 6 71 18 13 05
    Giorgia Rowe : giorgia.rowe@bnpparibas.com ; + 33 6 64 27 57 96

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas reaches agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure and establish a top-3 UK personal lines platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas reaches agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure and establish a top-3 UK personal lines platform

    Ageas and Bain Capital agree GBP 1.295 billion (EUR 1.510 billion) cash transaction for esure
    Combination creates multi-channel motor and home insurer with broad customer appeal across the UK

    Ageas announces today that it has reached an agreement with Bain Capital to acquire esure 1, a leading digital personal lines insurer with strong positioning on price comparison websites (PCW) in the UK. The proposed transaction is fully aligned with Ageas’s strategic priorities for M&A in Europe under Elevate27. It increases Ageas’s European markets presence through the acquisition of a controlled entity, reinforces its positioning in the UK, generates shareholder value from the realisation of synergies and enhances the cash generation of the Group.

    The combination of Ageas UK and esure will create the third largest UK personal lines platform with a balanced and diversified distribution spanning Direct, PCW, brokers and partnerships. The acquisition of esure will enable Ageas UK to accelerate the diversification of its distribution strategy into the important PCW channel in the UK market. Its underwriting footprint will widen Ageas UK’s target customer demographics and enable growth to a top-line of GBP 3.25 billion (EUR 3.8 billion) by 2028.

    Ageas UK has established itself as an accomplished insurer over the past four years by focusing on profitable growth solely in the personal lines business with a specialism in broker distribution, outstanding technical insurance skills and technology, and successfully delivering insurance solutions for its distribution partners and over 4 million customers.

    esure is a leading UK personal lines insurer with a fully digital distribution model through the PCW channel and three popular brands – esure, Sheilas’ Wheels and First Alternative. In 2024, esure had more than 2.1 million policies and GWP of GBP1 billion (EUR 1.2 billion).

    The acquisition of esure creates significant potential for operational synergies and capital benefits to be realised in the medium term. We expect economies of scale in our UK personal lines portfolio and the accelerated implementation of the EIS IT platform, including esure’s complementary claims module, to drive operational efficiencies and cost avoidance for Ageas UK. Continued focus on technology, data and AI is expected to create further competitive advantages. In addition, capital benefits from enhanced diversification and the inclusion of esure in Ageas’s partial internal model are expected to emerge over time.

    Under the terms of the transaction, Ageas will pay Bain Capital a cash consideration of GBP 1.295 billion (EUR 1.510 billion) for esure, respecting a Solvency II target ratio of 150% as at year-end 2024. The Group’s capital position will remain robust with Solvency II ratio expected to decrease by approximately only 10pp thanks to the inclusion of around EUR 1 billion of Own Funds instruments in the financing mix.

    The transaction will be financed through a combination of surplus cash and newly issued senior and hybrid debt and/or equity within the existing authorisations and subject to market conditions. A fully underwritten 2-year bridge facility is provided by BofA Securities and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A..

    The integration of Ageas UK and esure is anticipated to be completed, in all material respects, during the Elevate27 strategic cycle. Entering the next strategic period, we project that the transaction will generate a full cost saving potential in excess of GBP 100 million (c. EUR 115 million) per annum, before tax. On a run-rate basis, this transaction is expected to generate an unlevered return on investment of over 12% for Ageas and an uplift in the Return on Equity of more than 1pp. It will become Holding Free Cash Flow accretive per share of c. 10% as from 2028.

    The completion of the transaction is expected to occur in 2H 2025 and remains subject to regulatory approvals.

    Commenting on the agreement, Hans De Cuyper, Ageas Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement to acquire esure. In recent years, Ageas has experienced significant growth in the UK, making it an increasingly important part of the Group. This transaction will allow us to offer competitive value propositions to a wider customer profile via a multi-channel distribution model, positioning Ageas UK as one of the top three personal lines insurers. Acquiring esure also supports our strategic ambitions of re-balancing our Group profile towards businesses with high cash conversion. We remain, of course, committed to our Elevate27 financial objectives, including our commitment to a progressive dividend policy, and will observe the full synergies of this transaction in the forthcoming strategic period.”

    Ant Middle, Ageas UK CEO, said: “esure is a significant addition to the Ageas UK business and aligns perfectly with our growth strategy. As demand for motor and home insurance grows, Ageas will be perfectly positioned to gain market share and become the insurer of choice for our existing and new customers. The combined Ageas and esure franchise will benefit from an outstanding customer offering, through market leading technology and prominent brands, that will drive our expansion into new customer demographics. Under Elevate27, we want to continue to grow our broker and partnerships personal lines business in the UK, and esure will help us to rapidly expand our direct distribution, our customer reach, and our scale overall. esure’s technical capabilities will match Ageas UK’s and will enable us to develop our well-balanced business at greater pace and serve a wider range of customers. We’re really excited for the potential this brings our UK business and wider Group.”

    David McMillan, esure Group CEO, said: “This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses and creates an even stronger platform for continued innovation, growth and excellent delivery for our customers. Combining Ageas’s scale, financial strength and excellent broker relationships with esure’s strong retail brands, market-leading data capabilities and strength on PCWs, alongside a shared technology platform, will enhance our combined ability to invest in our customer proposition and open up new opportunities for growth. I am deeply proud of what the esure team has achieved to date. We look forward to working alongside the Ageas team to build the UK’s leading personal lines insurer.”

    Luca Bassi, Partner at Bain Capital, said: “We are pleased to have supported esure through its transformation and growth journey. During our ownership, esure has built the leading tech platform in UK insurance and their highly efficient operations have set a new standard for the industry. This transaction is a testament to esure’s strong market position and the state-of-the-art technology platform built under Bain Capital’s tenure, with the business now at record levels of profitability. We are confident that Ageas is the right partner to continue this legacy of success and innovation.”

    BofA Securities is acting as financial adviser and Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP is acting as legal counsel to Ageas in relation to the transaction.

    Fenchurch Advisory Partners LLP and Goldman Sachs International served as financial advisers to Bain Capital and esure. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP served as legal adviser and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP served as regulatory adviser to Bain Capital and esure.

    Further information:

    For Ageas

    Michaël Vandenbergen, Ageas, michael.vandenbergen@ageas.com, +3225575736

    Chris Sibbald / James Leviton, FGS Global, ageas-uk@fgsglobal.com, +447855955531

    For Bain Capital

    Sean Palmer, Camarco, baincapital@camarco.co.uk, +447591760844

    For esure group

    esure@teneo.com

    For analysts:

    An analyst meeting regarding this transaction will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 am CET (9:00 to 10:00 am UKT). The Teams call can be accessed using the following link: https://ageas.com/en/esure-2025

    Note to editors:

    To support its expansion, in 2024 Ageas UK announced a partnership with Saga, growing its offering to the over-50s segment, which is strategically in line with Ageas’s focus on an ageing population.

    Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning of 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of EUR 18.5 billion in 2024.

    esure Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of Motor and Home insurance products through the esure, Sheilas’ Wheels and First Alternative brands. Founded in 2000, esure Group has the scale, heritage and expertise capable of inspiring the trust and confidence of their 2.1m customers, combined with the entrepreneurial mindset and agility of an insurtech. esure Group is focused on using their market-leading technology platform, insights and data, alongside fantastic customer service, to deliver more personalised experiences that meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers.

    Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. The firm has a significant history in Europe, starting with the establishment of a London office in 2000 and expanding to include other European locations, with a focus on private equity, credit and special situations investments. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

    Bank of America Europe DAC (“BofA Securities”) is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Ageas and for no one else in connection with the transaction and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ageas for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the transaction or any other matters referred to in this announcement.

    1 Under the terms of the transaction, Ageas will acquire 100% of the issued and to be issued share capital of Blue (BC) Topco Limited, a holding company for esure Group plc and its subsidiaries.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Initiative Uses Behavioural Science to Encourage Bengaluru Metro Adoption

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: New Initiative Uses Behavioural Science to Encourage Bengaluru Metro Adoption

    Bengaluru, April 11, 2025: The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), in collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India today launched the “STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour” – a pioneering initiative that leverages behavioural science and technology to encourage commuters to shift from personal vehicles to public transport.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – SMART researchers develop novel UV and machine learning-aided method to detect microbial contamination in cell cultures

    Source: Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)

    • This is the first novel technology that utilises machine learning to analyse unique ultraviolet light “fingerprints” on cell cultures to quickly identify presence of contamination
    • Only requiring a small volume of cell culture for analysis, this method can provide a definitive yes/no contamination assessment within 30 minutes, making it significantly more time- and resource-efficient than traditional sterility tests
    • Delays due to contamination testing in cell therapy products can be life-threatening for critically ill patients who urgently need these treatments.

    Singapore, 14 April 2025 – Researchers from the Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL), and National University of Singapore (NUS), have developed a novel method that can quickly and automatically detect and monitor microbial contamination in cell therapy products (CTPs) early on during the manufacturing process. By measuring ultraviolet (UV) light absorbance of cell culture fluids and utilising machine learning to recognise light absorption patterns associated with microbial contamination, this preliminary testing method aims to reduce the overall time taken for sterility testing and, subsequently, the time patients need to wait for CTP doses. This is especially crucial where timely administration of treatments can be life-saving for terminally ill patients.

    Cell therapy represents a promising new frontier in medicine, especially in treating diseases such as cancers, inflammatory diseases, and chronic degenerative disorders, by manipulating or replacing cells to restore function or fight disease. However, a major challenge in CTP manufacturing is quickly and effectively ensuring that cells are free from contamination before being administered to patients.

    Existing sterility testing methods, based on microbiological methods,  are labour-intensive and require up to fourteen days to detect contamination, which could adversely affect critically ill patients who need immediate treatment. While advanced techniques such as rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) can reduce the testing period to seven days, they still require complex processes such as cell extraction and growth enrichment mediums, and they are highly dependent on skilled manpower for procedures such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This creates an urgent need for new methods that offer quicker outcomes without compromising the quality of CTPs, that meet the patient-use timeline, and with a simple workflow that does not require additional preparation.
    SMART CAMP Senior Research Engineer Shruthi Pandi Chelvam using the UV absorbance spectrometer to measure the absorbance spectra of cell culture samples (Photo: SMART CAMP)

    In a paper titled “Machine learning aided UV absorbance spectroscopy for microbial contamination in cell therapy products” published in the journal Scientific Reports, SMART CAMP researchers described how they combined UV absorbance spectroscopy to develop a machine learning-aided method for label-free, non-invasive, and real-time detection of cell contamination during the early stages of manufacturing.

    This method offers significant advantages over both traditional sterility tests and RMMs as it eliminates the need for staining of cells to identify labelled organisms, making it label-free, avoids the invasive process of cell extraction and delivers results in under half an hour. It provides an intuitive, rapid “yes/no” contamination assessment, facilitating automation of cell culture sampling, with a simple workflow that requires no additional incubation period, growth enrichment mediums, and manpower. Furthermore, the developed method does not require specialised equipment, resulting in lower costs.

    “This rapid, label-free method is designed to be a preliminary step in the CTP manufacturing process as a form of continuous safety testing, which allows users to detect contamination early and implement timely corrective actions, including the use of RMMs only when possible contamination is detected. This approach saves costs, optimises resource allocation and ultimately, accelerates the overall manufacturing timeline,” said Shruthi Pandi Chelvam, Senior Research Engineer at SMART CAMPand first author of the paper.

    “Traditionally, cell therapy manufacturing is labour intensive and subject to operator variability. By introducing automation and machine learning, we hope to streamline cell therapy manufacturing and reduce the risk of contamination. Specifically, our method supports automated cell culture sampling at designated intervals to check for contamination, which reduces manual tasks such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This enables cell cultures to be monitored continuously and contamination to be detected at early stages,” said Prof Rajeev Ram, Principal Investigator at SMART CAMP, MIT Professor, and corresponding author of the paper.

    Moving forward, future research will focus on broadening the application of the method to encompass a wider range of microbial contaminants, specifically those representative of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) environments and previously identified CTP contaminants. Additionally, the model’s robustness can be tested across more cell types apart from MSCs. Beyond cell therapy manufacturing, this method can also be applied to the food & beverage industry as part of microbial quality control testing to ensure food products meet safety standards.

    The research is conducted by SMART and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s railway cargo transportation volume up in Q1

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s railway network transported 970 million tonnes of cargo in the first three months of 2025, up 3.1 percent year on year, the railway operator said Sunday.

    Daily loading amounted to a total of 179,000 cars, an increase of 4.2 percent year on year, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

    The railway network also facilitated cross-border trade in this period. Notably, China-Central Asia freight trains operated a total of 3,582 services, marking a year-on-year surge of 25.5 percent, the railway operator revealed.

    The China-Laos Railway, which links Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and the Laotian capital Vientiane, transported 1.51 million tonnes of cross-border cargo in the first quarter of 2025, up 10 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese NEVs gain popularity abroad

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China-made new energy vehicles are becoming popular in overseas markets, which is expected to fuel the upward spiral of the country’s vehicle exports.

    In March, NEV makers operating in the country, including foreign ones such as Tesla, shipped more than 143,000 vehicles overseas, up 6.4 percent compared with same period last year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

    The continuous rise came when exports of passenger cars fell 8 percent to 391,000 units that month.

    For NEVs, Europe and Southeast Asia are among the top destinations. Last week, BYD introduced its alternative premium brand, Denza, to the European market with a brand launch in Milan, Italy.

    Denza unveiled the Z9 GT station wagon at the Milan Design Week, which ran from April 6 to 13. The model is expected to hit European showrooms in the fourth quarter.

    The model impressed attendees with its signature features, including parking assist, high-speed tire blowout stability control, extreme steering capabilities, a tight turning circle, and intelligent crab walking capabilities.

    Since 2024, the brand has entered several Asian markets, including China’s Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It also plans to enter dozens of European countries within the next two years.

    State-owned GAC also made a splash at the Milan Design Week, where the Aion UT made its European debut. The electric hatchback, born in the carmaker’s Milan Advanced Design Center, harmonizes Italian design aesthetics with local market preferences.

    Among other things, it features a 14.6-inch central touch screen, an 8.88-inch digital instrument display, and Level 2 driving assistance.

    Its second-generation Magazine Battery enables fast charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes. Analysts say the model will take on local European models like the Volkswagen ID.3.

    Thomas Schemera, chief operating officer of GAC International, said: “By empowering production through design, we aim to deliver products with outstanding design, top-tier quality, and pioneering technology — ultimately creating better mobility experiences for European consumers.”

    The growing popularity of Chinese NEVs is expected to boost the country’s total vehicle exports this year.

    The trade conflict between the United States and China won’t have much effect on domestic automakers, as the US is a tiny market for Chinese cars, the CPCA said.

    China shipped a total of 6.41 million vehicles overseas in 2024, a surge of 23 percent year-on-year. The top five countries driving China’s growth in vehicle exports were Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Belgium and Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, some carmakers are stepping up efforts to produce vehicles in overseas markets.

    Chery was the first to establish a European manufacturing plant. Located in Barcelona, Spain, the plant will produce Chery’s Omoda 5 SUV, among other models.

    Chery, the partner of British premium carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, is also planning to set up a $1 billion plant in Turkiye, Bloomberg reported in late March, citing the country’s industry ministry.

    It will make EVs and components at the new facility in Samsun, which will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles, said the media group.

    These strategic moves underscore Chinese automakers’ dedication to establishing a robust international presence, leveraging technological innovation, and localized production to navigate the complexities of global trade and meet diverse consumer preferences, said analysts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China imports first batch of fresh coconuts from Indonesia

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The first 200-kilogram batch of fresh coconuts imported from Indonesia arrived in Fuzhou, the capital city of east China’s Fujian Province, on Saturday.

    The arrival of the imported coconuts is the latest highlight of the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    In November 2024, the General Administration of Customs announced that it would allow imports of fresh coconuts from Indonesia that meet relevant requirements.

    In recent years, China’s coconut imports have shown an upward trend, and its import markets are becoming increasingly diversified, now including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. China’s huge market demand provides broad export space for coconuts from Indonesia, which is one of the world’s largest coconut producers.

    According to customs statistics, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Indonesia exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 138.72 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in 2024. In January and February 2025, that volume totaled 172.57 billion yuan, up 4.7 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s InnoEX 2025 draws record global exhibitors, spotlights low-altitude economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The third edition of InnoEX, a four-day innovation and technology expo, kicked off in Hong Kong on Sunday, spotlighting cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, low-altitude economy, cybersecurity, and smart mobility.

    Co-organized by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event aims to foster global collaboration in tech innovation, focusing on the theme of “Innovate, Automate and Elevate”.

    Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the expo brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders worldwide through exhibitions, networking sessions, and seminars, creating opportunities for international partnerships.

    HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said this year’s InnoEX features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, including first-time participants such as Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside expanded showcases from Japan, Thailand, and the UK.

    Running concurrently, the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) focuses on smart home solutions, health tech, and wearable devices.

    As core events of Hong Kong’s International I&T Business Week 2025, the twin expos have drawn more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions.

    Ida Liu, marketing director of Seagull (Suzhou) Flying Car Limited, said in an interview that the company is leveraging Hong Kong’s global connectivity to expand its international presence and explore partnerships.

    Derek Chim, head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), said the InnoEX has become a flagship innovation and technology exhibition in Asia, attracting industry experts, investors and buyers from around the world.

    “We will seize this opportunity to accelerate the expansion of tech enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and global markets,” he added.

    The expo also features four themed days, each hosting forums on trending tech topics, further enriching the exchange of ideas. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment Issues – Strike action brewing at large home support employer – PSA

    Source: PSA

    Home Support workers will hold stop-work meetings tomorrow in response to their employer, Access Community Health, offering them no pay increase and reduced work conditions, despite the company receiving increased government funding.
    Workers at these meetings will be discussing what options they wish to take in response to this poor attitude from their employer.
    Stop work meetings will be held from 8am to 10am tomorrow, for over 1000 union members. Most earn the minimum wage and some slightly more, but none have received a pay increase for nearly two years.
    Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi assistant secretary, Melissa Woolley, says Access offered no pay increase, instead, is proposing to reduce sick leave, and remove pay recognition for qualifications and tenure, while introducing 90-day trials.
    “Removing pay recognition for qualifications and tenure was won by all care and support workers as part of the historic care and support pay equity settlement. It is outrageous that Access Community Health want to undo that historic settlement at their first opportunity since the support workers settlement act has expired,” says Wooley.
    “Having a well-qualified care and support worker workforce was a fundamental element of the negotiations that led to the care and support worker settlement in 2017 that was delivered under a National led government,” says Woolley.
    “It’s despicable that while Access has received increased funding in Government contracts, no pay increase has passed on to workers. Instead, they chose to pass on their profit off the back of low paid women workers to their shareholders.
    “The company is imposing clawing back terms and conditions, and no cost of living increases to already struggling care and support workers. Our society can’t function without support workers, but their low pay rates block them from going to the dentist or getting the car serviced which is critical to them performing their roles. These workers are already subsidizing the system by using their own cars for work to travel in between clients.
    “This blatant attack on workers has major connections to the health crisis. When Access do not value their staff, clients suffer the effects of short-staffing – missing the carers they need to shower and get dressed in the morning. Access needs to come to the table with a reasonable pay offer that respects their people,” says Woolley.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport – Driver licence changes will benefit road transport industry

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    Road freight industry group Transporting New Zealand is welcoming proposed changes to driver licensing rules, saying they will help encourage more young people to become truck drivers.
    Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the changes would remove the need for new drivers to take a second practical test to get their full licence. Other proposed changes include toughening up alcohol restrictions and reducing the number demerit points required before a driver can have their licence suspended.
    Transporting New Zealand chief executive Dom Kalasih says that attracting more young drivers is critical for the future of the industry. A large proportion of truck drivers are older, with many of them over 60, and as they retire that will lead to a driver shortage, which in turn will hurt the economy. Other countries are also facing this issue.
    In the recent 2025 National Road Freight Industry survey, conducted by Research New Zealand, almost all industry respondents ranked workforce challenges as one of the top issues facing the industry with 94 per cent of respondents agreeing that the industry needs to attract more young people. There was also general agreement the current heavy vehicle driver licensing system makes it too difficult for new entrants to join the road freight industry.
    Kalasih says getting their class one licence is the essential first step for young drivers progressing on to more specialised heavy vehicle licences, but fewer young people have been getting their licences compared with recent decades. He supports any move that makes it easier for young people to get their licence.
    However, Kalasih agrees with the Automobile Association that safety is the number one priority and that the details of the proposed changes must be carefully examined. He welcomes the road transport industry being involved in consultation before the changes are introduced in the middle of next year.
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Take eggs-tra care on the water

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Back-to-back Easter and Anzac Day long weekends will see officers from South Australia Police (SAPOL) continue working with partner agencies as part of ongoing water safety operations.

    An increase in people enjoying a variety of waterways is egg-spected over the period, with police and Marine Safety Officers ramping up patrols across inland and coastal locations coinciding with school holidays.

    “We encourage the public to make the most of the warm weather and enjoy our waterways, but they must do so safely,” Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit said.

    “Police will be working with our partner agencies to ensure everyone is acting responsibly while on the water, by detecting breaches of the Harbours and Navigation Act.

    “We will be conducting safety equipment checks and random alcohol and drug testing of boat operators, observers and skiers, because as on land, a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 applies.”

    From 27 December 2024 to 3 February 2025, Operation Riversafe saw 205 vessel checks by police alone, 204 alco tests, 115 drug tests, 28 cautions, eight expiations and six reports (four positive drugs, two prescribed concentration of alcohol). Marine Safety Officers also support this operation.

    In addition to having a road safety operation in place, SAPOL is also mindful avoidable water tragedies can occur when risks are taken.

    “While South Australians are being asked to ‘keep it sweet on the road’ this Easter, let’s also keep it sweet on the water,” Senior Sergeant Leske urged.

    “Alcohol or drugs and water don’t mix. An incident at Mannum over the Australia Day long weekend is a prime example of this.”

    Failing to carry appropriate safety equipment, misuse of or not carrying lifejackets, outdated flares, unregistered vessels and exceeding speed limits were the top five non-compliance issues among water users last Easter period.

    “It only takes a moment to put a lifejacket on, but not wearing one on the water when trouble strikes can cost your life in an instant,” Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, said.

    “More than one third of the vessels we checked last Easter on coastal waters and at boat ramps were non-compliant, with misuse of or not carrying lifejackets among the most common issues.

    “Boaties and holidaymakers are reminded to check their lifejackets are to standard, fit well, and are in good working condition, that they are operating safely and keeping to speed limits around other water users, and they have the right safety equipment on board.”

    Since 1 January 2025, older standard lifejackets have no longer been acceptable to use, and jackets must now meet the AS 4758 standard.

    Fisheries will also have an on-water and on-land presence across the entire state over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, and officers will be especially checking compliance with the no take zones for snapper over the period.

    “We ask that fishers adhere to size and bag limits and fishing gear regulations and are encouraged to access the Rec Fishing App or the PIRSA website for further information,” Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA, said.

    “To combat the spread of the Abalone virus AVG, decontamination protocols apply to fishing devices and boats, especially those operating from the Murray Mouth to the Victorian Border.

    “Remember, Check, Clean and Dry.  Full details are also on the PIRSA website.

    “If you see anything unusual, please report any concerns to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.”

    Plus, don’t forget:

    * Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

    * Slow your vessel to 4 knots when near other boats, ramps, jetties, swimmers, surfaces and the shore.

    * Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your car, caravan or boat.

    * Remove fishing rods, tackle boxes and eskies from boats and trailers when not in use.

    * Securely attach trailers and boats to a vehicle or a solid fixture when not in use.

    * Be aware of water safety issues at the beach or at the river including rips and currents, maritime safety and the dangers of marine life.

    * Never leave valuable items unattended or under a beach towel. Use a watertight container or leave your items secured in your holiday home.

    For more information on boating rules and regulations, visit: South Australian boating safety handbook (marinesafety.sa.gov.au)

    Report any suspicious behaviour to SAPOL by calling 131 444.

    Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA at North Haven Marina today, sharing a school holiday water safety message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Clorox ordered to pay $8.25m in penalties for misleading ‘ocean plastic’ claims about certain GLAD products

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The Federal Court today ordered Clorox Australia Pty Ltd (Clorox) to pay a total penalty of $8.25 million for making false or misleading representations to consumers that certain GLAD kitchen and garbage bags were partly made of recycled ‘ocean plastic’, following court action by the ACCC.

    Clorox admitted that, between June 2021 and July 2023, it breached the Australian Consumer Law by representing on the packaging of its GLAD to be GREEN “50% Ocean Plastic Recycled” Kitchen Tidy Bags and Garbage Bags products that the products were made of at least 50 per cent recycled plastic waste collected from the ocean or sea, when this was not the case. More than 2.2 million products were supplied in this packaging over this period.

    Rather, the products were made from about 50 per cent plastic waste which had been collected from communities in Indonesia with no formal waste management systems, situated up to 50 kilometres from a shoreline, and otherwise from non-recycled plastic, processing aid and dye.

    “Claims about environmental benefits matter to many consumers and may impact their purchasing behaviour. When those claims are false or misleading, this is a serious breach of trust, as well as the Australian Consumer Law,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “This is also a significant matter because consumers have limited or no ability to independently verify the accuracy of the claims made on packaging and it also disadvantages competitors who are accurately communicating their environmental credentials.”

    “We consider this penalty is appropriate in this case where Clorox gave insufficient consideration to what ‘ocean plastic’ meant to an ordinary consumer, particularly in light of the blue colour and wave imaging on the packaging,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    The Court held that these features “connoted a relationship between the Products and the ocean” and the “reference to ‘green’ on the Packaging connoted environmental-friendliness”, and that these were “important contextual matters in assessing the contravening conduct”.

    It was also observed by the Court that “there is a particular societal harm that arises when conduct undermines consumers’ confidence in environmental claims”, adding that the “development of products that minimise adverse environmental impacts is beneficial” but “[e]nvironmental claims are useful for consumers only if they are accurate.”  

    Clorox was also ordered to set up an Australian Consumer Law compliance program, publish a corrective notice on its website, and pay part of the ACCC’s legal costs, among other orders.

    “While the ACCC encourages businesses to innovate and offer environmentally sustainable products, businesses need to be clear and accurate when making representations about them. We take allegations of greenwashing extremely seriously and will continue to monitor claims made by businesses and, where appropriate, will take enforcement action on misleading environmental claims,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    Clorox cooperated with the ACCC during its investigation and the legal proceedings, made admissions, and agreed to make joint submissions with the ACCC to the Court, including on the appropriate total penalty and other orders.

    Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023, after it became aware the ACCC had started investigating, but before the ACCC commenced these proceedings.

    Examples of the misleading packaging

    Between June 2021 and about 13 November 2022, the packaging of Clorox’s small, medium, and large Kitchen Tidy Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

    The back of the packaging carried the following statements in smaller font:

    ‘These bags are made from 50% ocean recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, save marine life and put an end to irresponsible waste.’

    ‘*Made using 50% ocean bound plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

    These statements were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

    From about 6 March 2022, Clorox began updating the packaging to include the statement ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ on the front of the packaging.

    Clorox also updated the statements, which appeared in small font on the back of the Kitchen Tidy Bags’ packaging as follows (changes in bold):

    ‘These bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

    ‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

    These changes were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

     Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023.

    Garbage Bags

    Between about May 2022 and July 2023, the packaging of its large and extra-large Garbage Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Garbage Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

    The back of the packaging also carried two statements in smaller font, which sought to qualify the ocean plastic representation:

    ‘These strong garbage bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

    ‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

    Again, this information was insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

    Background

    Clorox supplies various consumer goods, including garbage bags and kitchen tidy bags, under the GLAD brand. The products subject to these proceedings were available in major retailers including Woolworths and Coles.

    In April 2024, the ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Clorox Australia Pty Limited.

    In December 2023, the ACCC released its guidance on making environmental claims for businesses, which explains business’ obligations under the Australian Consumer Law when they make environmental and sustainability claims. It also sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the environmental performance of their business.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme Welcome Five New Young Leaders to Generation17

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced the addition of five new Young Leaders to Generation17, an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that supports young changemakers driving progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the ‘Global Goals.’
     
    Since launching Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have supported Young Leaders from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America, addressing critical issues that span all 17 Global Goals. The partnership has provided these Young Leaders with the latest Samsung Galaxy technology, along with networking and mentorship opportunities, to amplify their stories and advance their work. The newest cohort, focused on advancing solutions in marine conservation, environmental sustainability, gender equality and quality education, reflects Samsung’s continued commitment to a more equitable future for all.
     
    “As we accelerate efforts to achieve the Global Goals, we are proud to welcome the next cohort of Young Leaders to Generation17,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Their passion, creativity and commitment to addressing global challenges embody the spirit of innovation that fuels meaningful change. We look forward to seeing how these five new Young Leaders will leverage technology for good to inspire action, mobilize communities and create lasting impact for a more sustainable and equitable world.”
     
     
    Five Global Changemakers
    The newest Generation17 Young Leaders were selected from hundreds of applicants and bring new areas of expertise to the initiative, expanding the reach of Generation17. As members of the Generation17 community, they will leverage technology and global platforms to advocate for the issues that matter most to them.
     

     
    Brigitta Gunawan (Indonesia) — An ocean-climate advocate who has engaged with over 15,000 people in 100+ locations with environmental education and marine conservation opportunities through her organizations 30×30 Indonesia and Diverseas.
     
    “At 17, it struck me that we were nothing but a small speck in a big world that remains largely unexplored — that if we continued as bystanders, we would see this fragile ecosystem cripple within our lifetime — so there I was, ready to co-create a future where people and planet prosper.”
     
    José Francisco Ochoa (Ecuador) — A biologist and co-founder of Academia del Océano, an edtech platform promoting marine conservation, digital tools and sustainability in Spanish-speaking communities, equipping thousands with the tools to protect marine ecosystems.
     
    “The ocean sustains life, yet many don’t realize how deeply connected we are to it. We must embrace innovation, education and collective action to protect our blue planet before it’s too late.”
     
    Renata Koch Alvarenga (Brazil) — Founder and Executive Director of EmpoderaClima, a youth-led organization advocating for climate justice by addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and promoting girls’ climate action.
     
    “Climate disasters are exacerbating gender inequality, but through the Global Goals, we can raise awareness of the need for women’s leadership in climate decision-making and ensure no one is left behind.”
     
    Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh (Jordan) — A climate activist, sustainable technology advocate and founder of IBTKRGO, which develops eco-friendly educational kits using recyclable materials, including e-waste, to empower youth with digital skills.
     
    “Green technology is key to a sustainable future, and young innovators have the power to lead this transformation. Through IBTKRGO, I strive to bridge the gap between technology and sustainability, ensuring solutions that serve both people and the planet.”
     
    Soumya Dabriwal (India) — Co-founder of Project Baala, a social enterprise addressing menstrual hygiene and reproductive health access through innovative solutions, including the sustainable distribution of reusable sanitary products and educational initiatives to de-stigmatize women’s health while generating employment for women.
     
    “Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a fundamental human right. Through collective advocacy and innovation, we can break barriers, challenge stigmas and build a world where everyone has the freedom and resources to make informed choices about their own bodies and futures.”
     
     
    Elevating Youth Voices for Global Action
    Since the launch of Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have partnered to empower Young Leaders — helping them amplify their stories and accelerate their efforts to drive meaningful change in communities across the world. Additionally, the initiative provides opportunities for Young Leaders to showcase their impact on a global scale.
     
    In the coming months, these Young Leaders will attend various major global events, where they will engage with policymakers, innovators and fellow changemakers. Through these platforms, they will contribute to international conversations on sustainable development and drive tangible progress toward the Global Goals, ensuring that youth voices play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future.
     
    This year, Generation17 alum Tamara Gondo took the stage at Samsung’s Galaxy Tech Forum, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and the power of collaboration with like-minded partners to tackle worldwide challenges. She also shared how the initiative has helped scale her organization’s impact since she joined in 2022.
     
    “Young people are the future of global development, and with fewer than five years left to achieve the Global Goals, the time to act is now,” said Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. “Through our long-standing partnership with Samsung, we are empowering youth to advance solutions that address climate and human rights challenges and to inspire a new generation to join the fight for a more sustainable and just future.”
     
    Generation17 reflects the shared commitment of Samsung and UNDP to harness technology for positive impact. Their collaboration began in 2019 with the launch of the Samsung Global Goals App — a mobile platform that educates users about the Goals while enabling them to contribute through everyday use of their Galaxy devices. As detailed in Samsung’s Global Goals Report, as of September 2024, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Samsung Galaxy devices worldwide — including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches — and has helped generate more than $20 million USD to support UNDP’s global environmental and social initiatives.
     
     
    About UNDP
    UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at www.undp.org.
     
    About Generation17
    Generation17 is an initiative from Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that elevates the voices of Young Leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ‘Global Goals.’ Samsung and UNDP are providing mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. Learn more at www.undp.org/generation17.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –