NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Dog poop business gets off the ground

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Rachel Hawes with Milo, a Schnauzer and Angus, a West Highland Terrier

    Rachel Hawes, founder of innovative dog poop waste collection product Pupoon, didn’t think her dog poop problem was the kind of product an Innovation Connect (ICON) grant would fund.

    But in 2022, Rachel received an ICON grant for $25,000 in matched funding from the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN).

    “I couldn’t have created the Pupoon without the funding. As a working mother of three, I didn’t have that kind of money to invest in a product to scoop up dog poop,” she said.

    Even though Rachel says she’s never had so much fun talking about dog poop, dog waste in Australia is an issue.

    “Australia is home to more than 6 million dogs, and they all need to poop 1–5 times a day. That’s a whopping 744,000 tonnes of dog poop in Australia every year,” she said.

    “Dog poop is full of bacteria, and studies show that only around 40 per cent of dog walkers pick up their dog poop. That leaves around 300,000 tonnes of poop lying on footpaths, streets, parks and to be washed away into our waterways, beaches, rivers or left to decompose.

    “A lot of people think the answer is to provide more public bins, but bins need to be serviced, and then you have the problem of bins accumulating a lot of dog poop, and becoming awfully smelly.

    “I think the solution is in providing a product that makes it easier for dog owners to collect their dog poop and take it home with them.”

    This innovative solution came to Rachel when she was walking her beloved dogs, Milo, Baxter and Angus, in Isaacs Ridge.

    “I love walking, it’s my thing,” she said. “It’s the only time I get for myself as a busy working mum. But the joy was getting sucked out of it when I would be collecting up to five bags of dog poop each walk.

    “I kept thinking there has to be a better way, this is so gross!” she said. “I had tried multiple products from pet stores and a bunch that I bought online, but nothing really worked.

    “That’s when I had my idea. I saw a cocoon in the forest, and it sort of snowballed from there with the design and the name.

    “I wondered if I could use that design and shape to hold all the poop in a way where doggy waste didn’t get tangled in the lead, it didn’t stink, you could dispense your dog poop bags, and you didn’t have to hold bags of dog poop the entire walk.”

    In the making for the past four years, Rachel has worked with industrial designers from Canberra’s Formswell over the last 18 months to bring Pupoon to market.

    The Pupoon:

    • can hold up to five dog poops
    • is air-tight to reduce odour
    • is light weight and attaches to the lead
    • won’t split and spill if you drop it
    • is made from medical-grade polypropylene to resist odour.

    Pupoon’s first shipment has arrived and is available on Rachel’s website.

    The ICON grants are delivered by CBRIN, which receives funding from the ACT Government to support entrepreneurs, innovators and start-ups, like Rachel.

    A common misconception about the ICON grants and working with CBRIN, is that you need to be in a high-tech industry, like AI, medical services or tech. However, ICON grants have been provided to Canberra business owners who have created innovative products in a range of fields, from puppy waste to vegan oat milk soft serve.

    Check out CBRIN’s latest events, including Female Founders on Tuesday 7 May 2024 and the next First Wednesday Connect on 5 June 2024 and to get a taste of what CBRIN has to offer.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More than a thousand new homes for north Curtin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The site has the potential to supply up to 1300 townhouses and multi-unit dwellings.

    The ACT Government is progressing work to deliver more than 1300 homes in north Curtin.

    Canberrans are invited to have their say on the design of the site, which is located directly adjacent to Yarra Glen Drive.

    The existing north Curtin horse paddocks will welcome the new homes, close to transport, local services and places of employment.

    The site has the potential to supply up to 1300 townhouses and multi-unit dwellings.

    The future residential neighbourhood is envisioned as high-quality, sustainable and vibrant with quality public streets and spaces.

    Canberrans are being asked to share their thoughts on what they feel is important in terms of urban design, landscape design, built form, access and design quality on the site.

    This community feedback will be used to help develop the draft Planning Conditions for the North Curtin Residential Area.

    This will be used to assess future development applications for the site.

    Canberra’s population is set to grow to 500,000 by 2027.

    The ACT Government is supporting the supply of new homes, particularly focused on areas close to transport and services, as well as investing in the infrastructure to support them. 

    The north Curtin consultation will also feed into further consultation on a broader ‘Draft Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework’ over the next two years.

    This will guide future development along Canberra’s southern transport corridor from Woden to the City.

    The Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework

    The government will engage with the community on the principles of growth and development of more housing, public spaces and infrastructure along the light rail 2B corridor, including Adelaide Avenue and Yarra Glen Drive. 

    This follows the City and Gateway Design Framework established in 2018 in Canberra’s north, ahead of the completion of light rail stage 1.

    The Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework will be developed in consultation with the National Capital Authority (NCA).

    The feedback from the north Curtin engagement will be lodged with the NCA towards the end of the financial year, before determining final planning controls.

    This will build on the principles laid out in the Woden District Strategy released in November 2023.

    A referral is also in progress with the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), to assess potential environmental impacts.

    YourSay survey

    Canberrans can have their say on the North Curtin Residential Area via the YourSay survey.

    The survey is open until 11 June 2024.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Next steps for the Gorman Arts Centre upgrade

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Gorman Arts Centre turns 100 this year.

    Plans for the upgrade of the Gorman Arts Centre continue with the development application now submitted.

    The planned upgrades for the century-old complex will conserve heritage values and improve functionality.

    This will include fit-for-purpose, accessible and inclusive workspaces for artists, as well as spaces for the community to experience art and arts activities.

    The Gorman Arts Centre is occupied by some of the ACT’s leading arts organisations, smaller arts groups, arts businesses and individual artists.

    Consultation has been underway with residents to ensure the upgrades create a vibrant and connected arts hub for artists and the community, and any disruption during construction is minimised.

    The Development Application process will ensure all technical and heritage requirements will be met.

    It also provides a further opportunity for feedback during the public notification period.

    Pending approval of the Development Application, construction work will start later in 2024. Early works, not requiring Development Approval, are scheduled to start in July 2024.

    The phased approach to the upgrades will help minimise disruption to occupants and their visitors, students and audiences.

    The ACT Government will assist with any temporary relocations on site as work progresses.

    The Gorman Arts Centre turns 100 this year.

    This project is being funded by both the ACT and Australian governments.

    Visit the artsACT website for more information about the project.

    Click here to review the Development Application. Comments about the application can be made until 24 May 2024.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: AUSTIN puts Canberra in the spotlight

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Ben Miller and acting newcomer Michael Theo star in the production.

    AUSTIN, a narrative comedy series filmed predominately in the ACT, will premiere on Sunday 9 June at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

    The series was supported by the ACT Government and Screen Canberra through the CBR Screen Attraction Fund and CBR Screen Investment Fund.

    Showcasing Canberra’s beauty, the eight-part series puts the city in the spotlight.

    The production created many training and employment opportunities for local professionals. It also brought significant economic expenditure to the region.

    AUSTIN stars two of the UK’s most-loved comic performers – Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise) and Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary) – along with favourite Australian actors Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly).

    The series also sees Michael Theo, from the ABC’s international hit series Love on the Spectrum, make his acting debut.

    It was produced by the multi-award-winning team at Northern Pictures, with Lincoln Pictures.

    About AUSTIN

    When much-loved children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) inadvertently causes a social media storm, his career and that of his illustrator wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) appears to be over. That is until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue. 

    Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid forgive him? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a push over, he’s in for a rude awakening.

    Production credit: A Northern Pictures production with Lincoln Pictures for the ABC. Major

    Production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia, the ACT Government and Screen Canberra. Post produced with the assistance of the NSW Government in association with ITV Studios.

    AUSTIN trailer

    View the AUSTIN trailer

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s best noodles

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Canberrans have named Tokyo Canteen among their favourite noodles. Image: VisitCanberra

    There are few foods more comforting than a warm bowl of noodles.

    We asked Canberrans on the We Are CBR Instagram page to tell us their favourite spots for noodles in Canberra.

    Here are the top noodles in Canberra, as voted by you.

    Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House, Belconnen

    While Yat Bun Tong offer pan-fried and steamed dumplings, locals also love their noodels

    Singapore noodles, stir fried noodles with shredded pork and fried rice vermicelli with shredded roast duck are just some of the noodle dishes on the menu.

    Ramentic repeatedly gets mentioned as one of Canberra’s best spots for ramen.

    They offer six types of Japanese ramen, including their signature Ramentic with shio tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and slow cooked chashu (pork scotch).

    If Laksa is your preferred noodle dish, Dickson Asian Noodle House offer one of Canberra’s best.

    The restaurant specialises in traditional Malaysian, Thai and Lao cuisine and the menu is heavy on noodle dishes. Think noodle soups, Hokkien noodles, Pad Thai, Pad Siew and more.

    This reasonably new addition to Lonsdale Street is heavy on the sass, and the spice.

    Noodle lovers rate the Pad Thai, Kuay Tew Toon (noodles in a five spice broth with pork, beef or chicken) and Yen Ta Fo or pink noodle soup.

    It seems that Canberrans love a bowl of ramen, and Ikigai has cemented itself as a favourite among northsiders.

    Their menu includes four styles of ramen, including Tonkotsu (pork), Tori Paitan (white chicken bone broth with sous vide chicken breast), Shoyu Miso (miso broth and charred tofu) and Ebi Curry (white chicken bone broth, curry sauce and prawns).

    This Asian fusion restaurant has a contemporary take on traditional Japanese ramen.

    Chicken and porcini, gochujang, lime and chilli, truffle, and black sesame are just some of the standout flavours.

    If you like having options, you’re bound to love Biang Biang Noodles.

    Their speciality is Chinese hand-pulled noodles and they offer dry or soup noodles with a large range of flavours.

    Bistro Nguyen’s is a Vietnamese restaurant that’s well-known for its Pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup.

    Choose from vegetarian, beef, chicken or seafood Pho options. There are also vermicelli bowls, roast duck noodles, laksa, crispy noodles and more.

    Lim Peh’s Wonton Noodles takes inspiration from Singapore’s Hawker markets to bring authentic noodles to Canberra.

    Choose from Wantan Mee (dry or soup noodles with char siu pork), Lem Peh’s duck noodles, chee cheong fun (steamed rice noodle rolls), Hainanese beef noodles and more.

    1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle offer both dry noodles and noodle soup.

    There are eight noodle dishes on the menu, featuring handmade noodles with beef, pork, chicken or lamb.

    Ramen O, Belconnen, Phillip and Canberra City

    Ramen O specialise in authentic Japanese ramen with tonkotsu pork and soy soup.

    In addition to their pork ramens they have three vegetarian ramens on offer which use a soy milk based soup.

    Weston Creek residents love Sin Ya Garden’s Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine.

    Their menu is extensive and includes noodle soup, crispy noodles, mee goreng, laksa and Singapore noodles.

    This Vietnamese restaurant is a favourite among Canberra foodies.

    The menu features Vietnamese sour soup, pho (beef rice noodle soup), rice or egg noodle soup, laksa, and noodle salads.

    Tokyo Canteen runs ramen nights from 5pm, serving traditional Japanese ramen.

    If you’re in the mood for something less traditional, try their udon carbonara with chewy udon noodles, creamy sauce and a soy-cured egg yolk.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Caitlin Johnstone: Hamas succeeded in exposing the true face of the empire

    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

    COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone

    One thing October 7 did accomplish was getting Israel and its allies to show the world their true face. Getting them to stand before all of humanity to say, “If you resist us, we’ll kill your babies. We’ll deliberately shoot your kids in the head.

    “We’ll massacre medical workers. We’ll systematically destroy all your hospitals. We’ll rape you and torture you as a matter of policy.

    “We’ll lay siege to the entire civilian population. We’ll make your entire land uninhabitable and then we’ll kick you all out and take it for ourselves.

    “We’ll assassinate all your journalists and block foreign journalists from entry so that nobody can see what we’re doing to you.

    “We’ll lie about all of these things the entire time, and you’ll know we’re lying, and we’ll know you know we’re lying, and you’ll know we know you know we’re lying.

    “And we’ll get away with it anyway, because we hold all the cards.”

    Sometimes I’ll run into people who say “What did Hamas expect to happen? They had to know Israel would do this!” They say this in an effort to lay the blame for Israel’s genocidal atrocities at the feet of Hamas, as though Israel is some kind of wild animal who can’t be held accountable for its actions if someone gets too close to its mouth.

    But of course Hamas knew Israel and its allies would react this way. Of course they did.

    They knew they were dealing with a murderous and tyrannical civilisation that is capable of limitless evil and doesn’t see Palestinians as human beings. They knew it because they’d lived under it all their lives.

    That is the problem they were trying to address with their actions on October 7.

    You can disagree with the decisions Hamas made on that day. You can say they should have used other means to pursue justice. You can denounce them, hate them, do the whole public ritual necessary for mainstream acceptance in Western society.

    But one thing you can’t do is deny that Israel and its allies have been revealing their true face to the world every day since, at levels they previously were not.

    It’s all fully visible now. It’s all right there on the surface. We can try to continue pretending we live in a free society that believes in truth and justice and regards all people as equal, but we’ll all know it’s a lie.

    What we are, first and foremost, is a civilisation that will actively support history’s first live-streamed genocide. That’s the single most relevant fact about the Western world at this point in history. It’s staring us right in the face every day.


    Hamas succeeded in exposing the true face of the empire.    Video: Caitlin Johnstone

    October 7 certainly didn’t make life any easier for the Palestinians, but one thing it did do was take away our ability to hide from ourselves.

    Hamas reached thousands of kilometres around the world and permanently destroyed our ability to avoid the truth about the kind of dystopia we are really living in.

    Our rulers may succeed in eliminating the Palestinians as a people, but one thing they will never be able to do is put those blinders back on our eyes.

    What has been seen cannot be unseen.

    Caitlin Johnstone is an Australian independent journalist and poet. Her articles include The UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society. She publishes a website and Caitlin’s Newsletter. This article is republished with permission.

    This article was first published on Café Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cross-border travel surges during Qingming holiday

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An aerial drone photo shows a bullet train running on China-Laos Railway in Jinghong City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China saw 2.07 million inbound and outbound trips per day during the Qingming Festival holiday, an increase of 19.7 percent year on year, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on Monday.
    During the three-day holiday starting on April 4, China’s border inspection agencies recorded a total of 6.21 million cross-border trips, according to the administration.
    The number of such trips made by foreigners reached 697,000, up 39.5 percent compared with 2024, the NIA said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Moments in China-Thailand Blue Strike 2025 joint naval training

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      Chinese and Thai participating naval vessels steam in formation in waters of the South China Sea on March 28, 2025. China-Thailand Blue Strike 2025 joint naval training was held in south China’s Guangdong Province from March 26 to April 2, 2025. During the joint training, both sides’ participating troops conducted joint underwater mine countermeasure operation, anti-ship strike, maritime search and rescue, and field survival operation, as well as other training subjects both in the sea and land domains. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Qiao Chenxi)

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cordons lifted in New Lynn but Police presence remains

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Rata Street in New Lynn is now open to vehicles following cordons being put in place earlier this afternoon.

    Officers remain in the area as they continue to work to locate four people who fled from Police.

    We would ask anyone who notices suspicious activity in the wider area to please call Police straight away on 111.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Flaws in Govt’s climate strategy will cost us money

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government’s plan to achieve our climate goals falls short, and will cost New Zealanders money and jobs.

    “The Government needs to come clean on how it is going to ensure we not only reach our Paris Agreement obligations, but also how we are going to meet our domestic net zero 2050 target,”
    Labour climate spokesperson Deborah Russell said.

    “Increasing reliance on trees to absorb carbon once it’s emitted will not get us where we need to be, especially since the Government also cut $3 billion worth of climate action from last year’s Budget.

    “The Government scrapped effective climate work such as the Clean Car Discount, extension to the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme and the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund.

    “The Government’s forestry plans are deeply unrealistic and so it needs to show how it intends to meet targets. Otherwise, we will be committed to buying expensive offshore credits, which aren’t budgeted for.

    “Worse than that, they’re failing to meet our commitments to our children. We aren’t doing our bit to address climate change and that means leaving our children worse off and having to live in an irreparably changed world,” Deborah Russell said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Shell first quarter 2025 update note

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     The following is an update to the first quarter 2025 outlook and gives an overview of our current expectations for the first quarter. Outlooks presented may vary from the actual first quarter 2025 results and are subject to finalisation of those results, which are scheduled to be published on May 2, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, all outlook statements exclude identified items.

    See appendix for the definition of the non-GAAP measure used and the most comparable GAAP measure.

       Integrated Gas

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted EBITDA:
    Production (kboe/d) 905 910 – 950 Impacted by unplanned maintenance, including in Australia.
    LNG liquefaction volumes (MT) 7.1 6.4 – 6.8 Reflects weather impact (cyclones) and unplanned maintenance in Australia.
    Underlying opex 1.0 0.9 – 1.1  
    Adjusted Earnings:
    Pre-tax depreciation 1.4 1.2 – 1.6  
    Taxation charge 0.6 0.7 – 1.0  
    Other Considerations:
    Trading & Optimisation results are expected to be in line with Q4’24, despite a higher (non-cash) impact from expiring hedge contracts compared to the previous quarter.

     Upstream

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted EBITDA:
    Production (kboe/d) 1,859 1,790 – 1,890  
    Underlying opex 2.5 2.1 – 2.7  
    Adjusted Earnings:
    Pre-tax depreciation 2.8 1.9 – 2.5  
    Taxation charge 2.6 2.4 – 3.2  
    Other Considerations:
    The share of profit / (loss) of joint ventures and associates in Q1’25 is expected to be ~$0.2 billion. Q1’25 exploration well write-offs are expected to be ~$0.1 billion.
    The Q1’25 outlook reflects the completion of the SPDC divestment in March 2025.

     Marketing

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted EBITDA:
    Sales volumes (kb/d) 2,795 2,500 – 2,900  
    Underlying opex 2.5 2.3 – 2.7  
    Adjusted Earnings:
    Pre-tax depreciation 0.6 0.5 – 0.7  
    Taxation charge 0.3 0.2 – 0.5  
    Other Considerations:
    Combined Mobility & Lubricants results expected to be in line with Q4’24. Overall Marketing results are expected to be impacted by a lower contribution from Sectors & Decarbonisation. 

      Chemicals and Products

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted EBITDA:
    Indicative refining margin $5.5/bbl $6.2/bbl  
    Indicative chemicals margin $138/tonne $126/tonne The Chemicals sub-segment adjusted earnings are expected to be in line with Q4’24.
    Refinery utilisation 76% 83% – 87%  
    Chemicals utilisation 75% 79% – 83%  
    Underlying opex 2.1 1.8 – 2.2  
    Adjusted Earnings:
    Pre-tax depreciation 0.9 0.8 – 1.0  
    Taxation charge / (credit) (0.2) (0.2) – 0.3  
    Other Considerations:
    Trading & Optimisation in Q1’25 is expected to be significantly higher than Q4’24, in line with Q2’24 and Q3’24 contributions.

     Renewables and Energy Solutions

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted Earnings (0.3) (0.3) – 0.3  

    Corporate

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    Adjusted Earnings (0.4) (0.6) – (0.4)  

    Shell Group

    $ billions Q4’24 Q1’25 Outlook Comment
    CFFO:
    Tax paid 2.9 2.5 – 3.3  
    Derivative movements 0.3 (2) – 2  
    Working capital 2.4 (5) – 0 Includes ~$0.5 billion of deferred German Mineral Oil Taxes settlements.
    Other Shell Group Considerations:
    The Q1’25 net debt movement will reflect a ~$1.5 billion increase related to loan facilities provided at completion of the sale of SPDC in Nigeria as well as lease additions associated with the Pavilion acquisition.  

    Guidance

    The ‘Quarterly Databook’ contains guidance on Indicative Refining Margin, Indicative Chemicals Margin and full-year price and margin sensitivities (Link).

    Consensus

    The consensus collection for quarterly Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA is per the reporting segments and CFFO at a Shell group level, managed by Vara Research, is expected to be published on April 23, 2025.

    Appendix

    Indicative Margins

    Chemicals & Products Q4’24 Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Indicative refining margin $5.5/bbl $6.2/bbl
    Indicative chemicals margin $138/tonne $126/tonne

    Volume Data

      Q4’24 Adjusted Q1’25 QPR Outlook Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Integrated Gas      
    Production (kboe/d) 905 930 – 990 910 – 950
    LNG liquefaction volumes (MT) 7.1 6.6 – 7.2 6.4 – 6.8
    Upstream      
    Production (kboe/d) 1,859 1,750 – 1,950 1,790 – 1,890
    Marketing      
    Sales volumes (kb/d) 2,795 2,500 – 3,000 2,500 – 2,900
    Chemicals & Products      
    Refinery utilisation 76% 80% – 88% 83% – 87%
    Chemicals utilisation 75% 78% – 86% 79% – 83%

    Underlying Opex

    Underlying operating expenses is a measure aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors. For further details see the 4th Quarter 2024 and full year unaudited results (Link).

    $ billions Q4’24 Q4’24 Adjusted Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Production and manufacturing expenses 5.8    
    Selling, distribution and administrative expenses 3.2    
    Research and development 0.3    
    Operating Expenses (Opex) 9.4 9.4  
    Less: Identified Items   0.3  
    Underlying Opex   9.1  
        of which:      
        Integrated Gas 1.1 1.0 0.9 – 1.1
        Upstream 2.6 2.5 2.1 – 2.7
        Marketing 2.6 2.5 2.3 – 2.7
        Chemicals and Products 2.1 2.1 1.8 – 2.2
        Renewables and Energy Solutions 0.8 0.7  

    Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

    $ billions Q4’24 Q4’24 Adjusted Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Depreciation, Depletion & Amortisation 7.5 7.5  
    Less: Identified Items   1.7  
    Pre-tax depreciation (as Adjusted)   5.8  
        of which:      
        Integrated Gas 2.0 1.4 1.2 – 1.6
        Upstream 2.9 2.8 1.9 – 2.5
        Marketing 1.0 0.6 0.5 – 0.7
        Chemicals and Products 1.2 0.9 0.8 – 1.0
        Renewables and Energy Solutions 0.5 0.1  

     Tax Charge

    $ billions Q4’24 Q4’24 Adjusted Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Taxation Charge 3.2 3.2  
    Less: Identified Items and Cost of supplies adjustment   (0.2)  
    Taxation Charge (as Adjusted)   3.4  
        of which:      
        Integrated Gas 0.5 0.6 0.7 – 1.0
        Upstream 2.8 2.6 2.4 – 3.2
        Marketing 0.2 0.3 0.2 – 0.5
        Chemicals and Products (0.4) (0.2) (0.2) – 0.3
        Renewables and Energy Solutions 0.1 0.1  

    Adjusted Earnings

    The “Adjusted Earnings” measure aims to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items. These items are in some cases driven by external factors and may, either individually or collectively, hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period. This measure excludes earnings attributable to non-controlling interest. For further details see the 4th Quarter 2024 and full year unaudited results (Link).

    $ billions Q4’24 Q4’24 Adjusted Q1’25 Updated Outlook
    Income/(loss) attributable to Shell plc shareholders 0.9 0.9  
    Add: Current cost of supplies adjustment attributable to Shell plc shareholders   —  
    Less: Identified items attributable to Shell plc shareholders   (2.8)  
    Adjusted Earnings   3.7  
        of which:      
        Renewables and Energy Solutions (1.2) (0.3) (0.3) – 0.3
        Corporate (0.3) (0.4) (0.6) – (0.4)

    Enquiries

    Media International: +44 (0) 207 934 5550

    Media Americas: +1 832 337 4355

    Cautionary Note

    The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties.  The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

    The numbers presented in this announcement may not sum precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures due to rounding.

    Forward-Looking statements
    This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; “aspire”; “aspiration”; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; “desire”; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; “vision”; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, April 7, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

    Shell’s net carbon intensity
    Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

    Shell’s net-zero emissions target
    Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years.  However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

    Forward-Looking Non-GAAP measures

    This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements, Cash capital expenditure, Net debt and Underlying operating expense.

    Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA are measures used to evaluate Shell’s performance in the period and over time.
    The “Adjusted Earnings” and Adjusted EBITDA are measures which aim to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items.
    Adjusted Earnings is defined as income/(loss) attributable to shareholders adjusted for the current cost of supplies and excluding identified items. “Adjusted EBITDA (CCS basis)” is defined as “Income/(loss) for the period” adjusted for current cost of supplies; identified items; tax charge/(credit); depreciation, amortisation and depletion; exploration well write-offs and net interest expense. All items include the non-controlling interest component.
    Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements is a measure used by Shell to analyse its operating cash generation over time excluding the timing effects of changes in inventories and operating receivables and payables from period to period. Working capital movements are defined as the sum of the following items in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: (i) (increase)/decrease in inventories, (ii) (increase)/decrease in current receivables, and (iii) increase/(decrease) in current payables. Cash capital expenditure is the sum of the following lines from the Consolidated Statement of Cash flows: Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities. Net debt is defined as the sum of current and non-current debt, less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for the fair value of derivative financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to debt, and associated collateral balances. Underlying operating expenses is a measure of Shell’s cost management performance and aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors. Underlying operating expenses comprises the following items from the Consolidated statement of Income: production and manufacturing expenses; selling, distribution and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses and removes the effects of identified items such as redundancy and restructuring charges or reversals, provisions or reversals and others.

    We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
    The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.

    We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC.  Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

    LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bougainville president condemns ‘dangerous’ AI-generated fake video of scuffle with Marape

    RNZ Pacific

    Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama has condemned the circulation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video depicting a physical confrontation between him and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

    The clip, first shared on Facebook last week, is generated from the above picture of Toroama and Marape taken at a news conference in September 2024, where the two leaders announced the appointment of former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae as the independent moderator for the Bougainville peace talks.

    It shows Toroama punching Marape from a sitting position as both fall down. The post has amassed almost 190,000 views on Facebook and more than 360 comments.

    In a statement today, President Toroama said such content could have a negative impact on Bougainville’s efforts toward independence.

    He said the “reckless misuse of artificial intelligence and social media platforms has the potential to damage the hard-earned trust and mutual respect” between the two nations.

    “This video is not only false and malicious — it is dangerous,” the ABG leader said.

    “It threatens to undermine the ongoing spirit of dialogue, peace, and cooperation that both our governments have worked tirelessly to build.”

    Toroama calls for identifying of source
    Toroama wants the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) of PNG to find the source of the video.

    He said that while freedom of expression was a democratic value, it was also a privilege that carried responsibilities.

    He said freedom of expression should not be twisted through misinformation.

    “These freedoms must be exercised with respect for the truth. Misusing AI tools to spread falsehoods not only discredits individuals but can destabilise entire communities.”

    He has urged the content creators to reflect on the ethical implications of their digital actions.

    Toroama also called on social media platforms and regulatory bodies to play a bigger role in stopping the spread of misleading AI-generated content.

    “As we move further into the digital age, we must develop a collective moral compass to guide the use of powerful technologies like artificial intelligence,” he said.

    “Truth must remain the foundation of all communication, both online and offline.”

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Without women, Australia’s defence force will struggle to recruit enough people

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Percy, Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland

    Australia faces crisis-level workforce shortfalls in security and defence. Recruiting more people to the defence force is now an urgent matter of national security.

    So, comments – such as those recently made by a Liberal candidate that we “need to remove females from combat corps” in order to “fix” the military – come at the worst possible time.

    Such beliefs are not just unhelpful. They are dangerous.

    Without women in the national security workforce, and in combat roles, Australia will fail to hit its recruitment targets – at a time of critical international insecurity.

    Why is it so hard to attract women to the defence force?

    We know women are interested and engaged in international affairs.

    So, why don’t they want to join the defence force? In short, we don’t know – but we desperately need to find out.

    Women make up just 20.7% of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

    Compared with a decade ago, this is an improvement. But the improvement has stalled. The latest figure represents a mere 0.1% increase compared with 2021 figures.

    This is serious.

    Australia’s recruitment problems put at risk our ability to:

    • conduct maritime patrols
    • defend against cyber attacks
    • maintain force readiness.

    Other democratic states worldwide are also struggling to achieve recruitment targets.

    Despite ambitious multi-year government programs aimed a boosting women’s participation in national security, and thousands of pages of reports and reviews on the issue, results have been limited and inconsistent.

    Most attempts to attract more women are focused on workplace improvements.

    Efforts include:

    Of the many government reviews and audits analysing the question, the vast majority focused on such workplace solutions.

    But what if the problem doesn’t lie in the workplace, but rather in wider society?

    What if one factor dissuading women was the archaic idea women just don’t really belong in the military at all?

    Societal attitudes matter

    The Liberal candidate who made the recent comments about women in combat roles has now been replaced. It’s positive to see his party saying such views are “inconsistent with the party’s position.”

    However, the incident suggests doubt remains in some quarters about women’s readiness to serve and take up combat roles.

    There’s a dearth of research on why exactly Australian women appear reluctant to join the ADF. Some of the reasons may be linked to the perception the ADF has a problem with sexual assault or sexism.

    But broader social gender norms matter too. When women hear comments reinforcing the idea national security is primarily a male field, they may simply not see a future for themselves or their daughters in it.

    A recent US study found 60% of teenage girls “have never considered joining the military or pictured themselves in uniform”.

    A passing glance at American politics demonstrates the often precarious position of women already working in national security. There, in recent months, debate has turned to:

    Trump’s America is not Australia, of course. But the recent backlash against women in the US security and defence arenas shows how quickly previous progress can be unwound.

    Could these debates be having a chilling effect on women in Australia who might otherwise consider a career in the military?

    More research is required to answer that question. But it’s possible public denigration of women in these roles deters women from seeking them at all, and may reinforce attitudes of those seeking to keep women out.

    Broadening the talent pool

    Australia’s own response to supporting diversity in the military has been mixed. In 2013, Chief of Army David Morrison made international headlines for a powerful speech about diversity.

    But Morrison faced criticism in the aftermath. Petitions called for his resignation and condemnation after he spoke about gender equality (and not veterans’ welfare) at an awards ceremony. He was criticised for caling for non-gendered language in Defence workplaces.

    Women make vital contributions to critical and creative thinking and decision-making in national security.

    Women in the military can do jobs men cannot do. Think, for example, of women who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, where it would be culturally unacceptable for a male soldier to talk to and work with local women. These were roles female soldiers were able to take up.

    Including women in defence increases the available talent pool, addressing pressing issues of workforce capability in the ADF.

    Australia’s national security requires women to be part of our military, including in combat roles. Without them, recruitment targets will fail. It is not diversity, equality and inclusion: it is reality.

    It is critically important to Australia’s national security we resist the trend from the United States. We must find out what’s stopping women from joining our defence force and address those problems urgently.

    Sarah Percy receives funding from the Australian Army History Unit.

    Elise Stephenson receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian government. She is affiliated with Women in International Security Australia.

    Maria Rost Rublee has received funding from the Australian Department of Defence, the Canadian Department of Defence, and the US Institute of Peace. She is affiliated with Women in International Security-Australia and Women in Nuclear-Australia.

    Rebecca Strating receives funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    Danielle Chubb 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. Without women, Australia’s defence force will struggle to recruit enough people – https://theconversation.com/without-women-australias-defence-force-will-struggle-to-recruit-enough-people-253844

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring boosts travel demand during Qingming holiday

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

    The bright spring days have fueled travel enthusiasm during this year’s Qingming Festival holiday, as the long weekend coincides with warmer temperatures, prompting strong travel demand from Chinese consumers eager to embrace the season.

    During the three-day Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, besides millions of Chinese people participating in ancient rituals and cleaning tombs to pay tribute to their family ancestors, the festival has also seen urbanites setting out for activities like kite flying and family outings.

    The trend of flower blossom viewing continues to rise, boosting local cultural and tourism markets. In Luoyang, Henan, the Peony Cultural Festival, which began on April 1, coincides with the Qingming Festival, drawing travelers as peonies bloom.

    In particular, the trend of enjoying flower blossoms continues to heat up, driving the growth of local cultural and tourism markets. In Luoyang, Henan province, its Peony Cultural Festival, which began on April 1, coincides with the Qingming Festival holiday, drawing travelers as peonies bloom.

    For hotel bookings, Luoyang ranks among the top 10 most popular destinations in China. Cities like Kunming, Yunnan province; Bijie, Guizhou province and Wuyuan, Jiangxi province, have also seen hotel booking volumes increase by 30 percent year-on-year due to the appeal of floral sceneries, according to Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency.

    Besides, major cities such as Beijing; Shanghai; Guangzhou, Guangdong province; and Chengdu, Sichuan province, have seen increased passenger flow within the two-hour high-speed rail network.

    “The hotel booking data shows that Chinese consumers’ demand for travel is still strong, and even short holidays have a significant impact on driving the growth of tourism and cultural consumption,” said Xiao Peng, a Qunar researcher.

    “From watching flower blossoms outside the high-speed train windows to viewing cherry blossoms abroad, the improvement of transportation has enabled travelers to make more diverse choices for the holiday,” Xiao said.

    Unlike the Spring Festival and May Day holidays, April is typically an off-season for travel, making airfare and hotel prices more affordable. This has encouraged many Chinese tourists to visit neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, with hotel bookings in Osaka and Tokyo rising by 78 percent and 44 percent, respectively for the Qingming Festival, according to Trip.com Group, China’s largest online travel agency.

    Urbanites are also flocking to the mountains and rural areas for a taste of spring. In Jinzhai county, Anhui province, a farm hotel on Trip.com offered activities like digging spring bamboo shoots, picking fresh vegetables and learning how to make Qingtuan, or glutinous rice balls on site.

    The hotel said its booking volume during the holiday has tripled over weekdays, and many families have come to the village to experience wild vegetable picking with their children.

    Meanwhile, to meet the growing travel demand, domestic carriers have launched new flights and added more frequencies for some popular routes, marking the start of the summer and fall flying season on March 30. The season will run until Oct 25, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

    As temperatures in North China warm up, coastal cities such as Dalian, Liaoning province and Yantai, Shandong province are gradually entering a peak tourist season. For instance, Tianjin Airlines has launched new flights connecting Dalian and Yantai.

    State-owned China Southern Airlines plans to add more frequencies on its routes to connect Beijing Daxing International Airport with Altay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Beijing Daxing with Jieyang, Guangdong province.

    In addition, the carrier will launch more international flights to connect cities involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Those include flights that connect Beijing Daxing with Urumqi, Xinjiang and Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, as well as Beijing Daxing with Xi’an, Shaanxi province and Doha, Qatar.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZDF’s Obscene military spending plans – Peace Action Wellington

    Source: Peace Action Wellington

    Monday 7 April 2025 – “The just announced plan to spend $12 billion on weapons is a shocking waste. It shows both that there is plenty of money for desperately needed infrastructure, and that this government’s priorities are entirely in the wrong place. It also shows that this government has no plan and no leadership when it comes to the major security issue in our region: climate change,” said Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington.

    “The $12 billion that this government plans intends to funnel to global weapons dealers in the next three years is money that would save New Zealanders’ lives if our health system was prioritised. We can’t afford a proper hospital in Dunedin or emergency care in Dargaville, but we can afford this? It shows that the massive cuts to public services are driven by ideology.”

    “This new Defence Capability Plan talks about a ‘dangerous strategic environment’ but takes no responsibility for the help it has given to make it dangerous by supporting a genocide in Palestine. It says that upholding a ‘rules based international order’ is a key priority, yet it is the NZ government itself that is undermining international law by refusing to apply it to Israel. Neither Luxon, Peters or Collins has dared to say a word about the US’s full-blown attacks on international law and its institutions such as the International Criminal Court.”

    The Defence Capability Plan also clearly ties NZ to deploying with the US against China. It says:

     “New Zealand has a particular interest in Indo-Pacific Security. This is where our security partners are closely engaged, where Defence contributions would be expected, and where our economic and strategic interests converge. Defence will focus on contributing to activities that reinforce the existing international rules-based order.”

    “Right now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and security services are all buying into the US’s fear mongering about China. That is where this drive for massive spending comes from. We should be not adopt an anti-China position simply because that is the US position.”

    “Plans to expand the aerospace capability and industry are almost entirely to service the US military. These launches carry classified ‘national security’ payloads doing the dirty work of US targeting and surveillance. We have no idea what is actually being done from our shores, at places like Mahia.”

    “New Zealand’s role must be to push for peaceful solutions and step away from dangerous alliances. The US is a fascist state. It is not a reliable ally as the Europeans are quickly learning, and NZ would be wise to create some distance between it and our international relations.”

    “This Defence Capability Plan will not make New Zealanders safer or more secure. This plan will ensure that desperately needed public services here in Aotearoa are starved of resources and primed for privatisation, while US weapons companies drain our treasury and the US military sets us up to service them in their forever wars.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Legislation changes for a fairer Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Discrimination Commissioner, Karen Toohey

    Changes have recently been made to the ACT Discrimination Act.

    Beginning 11 April 2024, the areas of public life protected by the Act have expanded.

    Additionally, the scope of some of exceptions have narrowed and new positive duties have been introduced.

    “ACT anti-discrimination laws are some of the strongest across Australia and have been strengthened further,” ACT Discrimination Commissioner Karen Toohey said.

    “These changes require government and organisations to do more, adjusting their operations and practices to support the needs of different sections of the community.

    “They also require government and organisations to take clear steps to review their practices, and make changes to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment and vilification in workplaces, in the delivery of services and in public life.

    “This is about fostering a more inclusive and fairer Canberra, where people from all walks of life have equal access to quality services,” she said.

    Understand what’s changing

    To help you understand the changes, the ACT Human Rights Commission and Canberra Community Law are co-hosting a free online information session.

    This will be held on 30 April, 12:30–1:30pm.Register to attend via Eventbrite.

    An overview of the changes

    New positive duties have been introduced, including a duty to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a person’s particular needs, as protected by this legislation.

    This could mean a school’s duty to provide a student with a uniform that corresponds with their gender identity, for example.

    The Act now makes it illegal for a public authority to discriminate against someone when administering a territory law or an ACT Government program or policy, with some exceptions.

    This means, for example, an elderly person eligible to live in public housing couldn’t be denied housing because they had an assistance animal or a mobility impairment.

    The changes also narrow or refine exceptions for sporting activities and competitions, insurance and superannuation services and religious bodies.

    Further amendments to the Act will commence in coming years.

    “These changes will assist Canberrans by expanding the Discrimination Act protections for disability, race, religion, subjection to family violence and age, for example. Protections now apply in formal sporting activities, competitions and in membership of clubs and voluntary bodies,” Commissioner Toohey said.

    “Organisations and agencies such as schools, government services, hospitals and services for older people like aged care homes also have a larger responsibility to make positive changes so that they can support the individual needs of the public.

    “All up, that means more flexible, inclusive and helpful services for Canberrans.”

    Find more information

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Calvert Bill to Secure Port Facilities Approved by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

    The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025, H.R. 252, which was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) earlier this year. H.R. 252 will strengthen our national security by prohibiting certain foreign entities, including state-owned enterprises of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, from entering into contracts for the ownership, leasing, or operation of U.S. port facilities that are subject to security plans.

    “I want to thank my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as Chairman Sam Graves (MO-6) for advancing the Secure Our Ports Act and taking an important step in protecting our critically important ports facilities,” said Rep. Calvert. “America’s ports are essential gateways for trade and commerce. We cannot jeopardize our national security by allowing foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, to own and operate port infrastructure.”

    “The Secure Our Ports Act introduced by Congressman Calvert will strengthen our supply chain and limit the potential for Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian influence at U.S. ports,” said Chairman Graves.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises on pathfinder energy transition project financing

    Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

    Australia’s first renewable energy zone reaches contractual and financial close

    Allens has advised the financiers to the ACEREZ partnership on the project and financing documentation with Energy Corporation of New South Wales (NSW EnergyCo) for the design, construction and operation of transmission infrastructure for Australia’s first renewable energy zone, the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in NSW.

    The first-of-its-kind project, which reached financial close last week, will deliver at least 4.5 gigawatts of new network capacity by 2028, which could represent around 25-30% of NSW’s total electricity needs and generate a significant economic boost in the Central-West Orana region and broader NSW.

    In a major step forward for NSW’s energy roadmap and Australia’s energy transition, the ACEREZ partnership – comprised of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy and advised by Capella Capital – will now formally commence construction of Australia’s first declared REZ.

    ‘Achieving contractual and financial close for Australia’s first renewable energy zone marks a significant milestone in Australia’s transition to clean and sustainable energy sources,’ said lead partner Nicholas Adkins.

    ‘As the remaining coal-fired power stations are retired in coming years, the Central-West Orana REZ will play a critical role in connecting solar and wind farms, as well as energy storage facilities, to the NSW electricity grid and ensuring timely, affordable and reliable energy sources for NSW.

    ‘This is the first competitively sourced REZ transmission project in Australia. It combines features of public-private partnership and regulated asset models, ensuring a tailored procurement process which safeguards the long-term interests of energy consumers. This landmark transaction will set a precedent for future renewable energy zones and other critical projects in Australia ,’ said lead Partner Nicholas Adkins.

    ‘Bringing this landmark project to life has required tremendous effort from everyone involved. We are proud to have advised the financing syndicate and we congratulate NSW EnergyCo, the ACEREZ partnership, Capella Capital as financial adviser to ACEREZ and the project financiers on reaching financial close for the project.’

    Allens legal team

    Nicholas Adkins (Partner),  Angela Lambros (Associate), Campbell Halliday (Associate), Maya Bahra (Associate), Greta Parker (Lawyer)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Finally, NZ can be taken seriously on defence

    Source: ACT Party

    Welcoming the Government’s Defence Capability Plan, ACT Defence spokesperson Mark Cameron says:

    “This is a major win for New Zealand’s security and a testament to ACT’s push for a robust defence posture. We’ve campaigned for two percent of GDP on defence for years, and today’s plan finally delivers.

    “The global situation is becoming less certain and less secure. Strength-focused leaders demand that allies who want to be taken seriously offer real capability. A $12 billion commitment across four years, with a goal to exceed the two percent-of-GDP target in eight, demonstrates to the world that New Zealand is ready to step up.

    “Enhanced strike capabilities, deeper integration with our ANZAC partners, and innovations like uncrewed vehicles and space tech will make our Defence Force a credible deterrent.

    “I’m especially pleased for our personnel. Finally, the men and woman asked to put their lives on the line will get the respect they deserve. Years of underfunding, MIQ deployment, and attrition hollowed out the Defence Force’s core. A new workforce strategy and equipment upgrades shows we’re serious about giving personnel meaningful roles, extraordinary skills, and fulfilling experiences.

    “ACT will fight to ensure this momentum holds. Protecting Kiwis is the first job of government, and the time for complacence is over.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment Issues – Personal finance helpline advisors to strike against unfair pay system that means they can’t budget for themselves – PSA

    Source: PSA

    FinCap workers are set to strike against an obscure pay structure that’s leaving them in financial uncertainty – despite working for a financial wellbeing charity.
    Members of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi will strike tomorrow – Tuesday 8 April – from 12pm to 2pm.
    They’re calling on FinCap to abandon a confusing system based on “Strategic Pay” – where the employer can move workers around pay bands at their own discretion.
    With opaque performance measures unmoored from clear benchmarks, workers are left guessing what their salary will be for the coming year.
    “The irony of a financial wellbeing charity imposing income uncertainty on their workers is shocking,” says PSA National Sector Lead, Chris Ollington.
    “The service’s workers deserve support for their budget struggles too. Having peace of mind will help people focus on what can be very intense mahi for our communities.”
    Members going on strike are the advisors behind FInCap’s MoneyTalks Helpline and experts who support financial mentors at over 150 services across Aotearoa.
    Helpline Advisors provide tailored support to people in financial hardship or facing overwhelming debt. This can involve food support referral, on-the-ground budgeting help, and information on accessing government and creditor supports.
    “Even though our team works above and beyond our roles, we can’t be sure how our pay will change. We need a transparent pay system everyone can understand,” says one PSA member.
    Callers reaching FinCap’s MoneyTalks helpline will be advised the service is unavailable on Tuesday afternoon due to the strike. A voicemail message will let them know when to call back for support.
    The strike action also calls for a reasonable redundancy package in the current climate of job insecurity.
    PSA members at FinCap began industrial action on March 25th by working only standard hours and taking full breaks together. Work-to-rule will continue until April 11.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture Research – Climate change conditions impacting critical element for plant growth, fertiliser need

    Source: AgResearch

    Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus (P) available for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by farmers.

    New research published in the Global Change Biology journal by scientists from AgResearch and Lincoln University has found that the test used in New Zealand to estimate the amount of available P in the soil may be underestimating the true accessibility of this crucial element for pasture plant growth.

    The research, which drew on data from a long-running AgResearch experiment* in which carbon dioxide is artificially elevated on an area of grazed pasture, is the latest to throw up surprising new results about what happens under rising carbon dioxide levels tied to climate change.

    “For decades, New Zealand farmers have relied on the Olsen P test to determine the P available in soils and to guide decisions about fertiliser use,” says lead author Zac Beechey-Gradwell. 

    “The data from the AgResearch experiment shows a substantial and sustained reduction in available P in the topsoil extracted by the Olsen P measure under elevated carbon dioxide, prior to annual P fertiliser application. In addition, the effectiveness of P fertiliser in raising Olsen P was significantly reduced.”      

    “Scientists have known for a while that elevated carbon dioxide reduces the amount of P extracted by the Olsen P test, but we didn’t fully understand why or what the consequences of this might be. Our latest research confirms that more of the fertiliser P that is applied under elevated carbon dioxide is rapidly converted into organic forms in the topsoil, in a process called ‘biological immobilisation’. This essentially makes it invisible to standard soil P tests.”

    “If a soil P test indicates phosphorus deficiency, farmers may respond by applying more fertiliser than is necessary, driving up costs without improving pasture performance. Phosphorus is an essential macro-nutrient for plant growth. Without it, production will decline.”

    “At a minimum, this research suggests we are going to need to recalibrate soil P test targets under elevated carbon dioxide to ensure that P fertiliser recommendations remain cost-effective and environmentally sustainable in the years ahead.”

    AgResearch principal scientist Alec Mackay says the phosphorus findings have landed against a backdrop of expected gains in pasture productivity not materialising under climate change.

    “We need further research to see if similar trends are occurring in different soil types, and what the impact is on clovers and nitrogen fixation.”

    Research co-author, Professor Leo Condron of Lincoln University, says: “Phosphorus fertiliser manufacture in New Zealand is dependent on imported phosphate rock and the cost has increased and become more volatile since 2007-08, and it is therefore important to ensure that fertiliser P is being used efficiently”.

    Read the full research at: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70150

    *New Zealand’s globally unique Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment has allowed scientists to study plant and soil responses to elevated carbon dioxide in a sheep grazed pasture for almost 24 years (1997-2021). Read more at:https://www.agresearch.co.nz/our-research/future-facing-experiment-helping-to-combat-climate-change/

    AgResearch’s core focus is to deliver high quality science to enhance the value, productivity and sustainability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sectors. More at www.agresearch.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Christchurch industrial fire update #2

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    The fire in the industrial building in Bromley, Christchurch, has been contained to the building of origin and has not spread to any surrounding buildings.
    Incident Commander Dave Key says the fire is not extinguished and is deep seated.
    “We will have a presence at the site overnight as it will take some time to fully extinguish,” he says.
    A fire investigator is currently on scene and an investigation into the cause will begin once it is safe to do so.
    People impacted by the smoke should continue to keep their windows and doors closed, and stay inside if possible.
    Dave Key asks those with elderly neighbours near the fire area to check in on them to ensure they also have windows and doors closed.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Govt must reverse cuts to civilian workforce if Defence spend up is to be effective – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The PSA is calling on the Government to reverse its planned deep cuts to the civilian workforce if it is serious about ensuring our Defence Force can meet our security threats.
    The Government today announced a $12 billion dollar investment in defence capability over the next four years. But at the same time NZDF is planning to slash 374 roles from the civilian workforce, coming on top of cuts late last year which saw 144 civilian workers take voluntary redundancy.
    “Civilians are the backbone of Defence and we call on the Government to stop the damaging cuts if it is serious about boosting the capability of the military,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “It’s totally hypocritical of the Prime Minister to announce today this huge investment in equipment and technology without any recognition of the critical role the NZDF civilian workforce plays in ensuring our military is combat ready.
    “How can Defence Minister Judith Collins say today that the military ‘cannot do their jobs without the right equipment and conditions’ and make no mention of what civilian workers do?
    “Our civilian workforce are highly skilled engineers, mechanics, software experts and many others who will be key to ensuring the equipment and systems we buy remain ready and effective when threats emerge so the military can do their jobs.
    “These cuts should never have been unveiled before the Defence Capability plan was announced. It’s all about face and will undermine the very intent of this investment.
    “As we said at the time, the cuts to the civilian workforce are all about saving money, not the security of New Zealand. It’s the wrong choice.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers Statement: ‘Law-breaking’ Greenpeace must lose charity status

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is calling for the Government to immediately strip Greenpeace of their charitable status, following the activist group’s illegal occupation of Port Taranaki this week.
    “There is no way Greenpeace should be eligible for charitable status when they’re engaging in illegal activity like this,” says Federated Farmers spokesperson Richard McIntyre.
    “They may call themselves a charity, but in reality they’re nothing short of an extreme activist group who illegally disrupt legitimate businesses and spread dangerous misinformation.”
    Charitable status in New Zealand is intended to support organisations that advance public benefit through education, relief of poverty, and other recognised charitable purposes.
    Under the Charities Act, organisations must operate for the public good and not primarily serve political or advocacy purposes.
    “Greenpeace clearly fails that test and allowing them to maintain their charitable status risks completely undermining the credibility of the entire charitable sector,” McIntyre says.
    “Allowing these law-breaking activists to continue masquerading as a charity is a total slap in the face for thousands of legitimate charities who actually provide a valuable service to society.
    “To make matters worse, hardworking Kiwi taxpayers are effectively being forced to subsidise Greenpeace’s illegal activity and political activism through huge tax breaks for their donors.”
    Federated Farmers say Greenpeace have demonstrated a clear pattern of disruptive behaviour, political activism and illegal conduct.
    “It’s time for Charities Services to stop turning a blind eye to this blatant breach of their rules and remove Greenpeace from the Charities Register,” McIntyre says.
    “If an organisation can occupy ports, threaten livelihoods, and deliberately mislead the public – all while claiming charitable status – then the system is clearly broken.”
    Today Federated Farmers have lodged a formal complaint with Charities Services requesting they open an inquiry into Greenpeace’s conduct and eligibility for charitable status.
    A copy of that complaint has been sent to Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Hon Louise Upston and Minister of Internal Affairs Hon Brooke van Velden.
    Greenpeace’s pattern of illegal behaviour includes:
    – The Noble Discoverer Ship Occupation in 2012, where seven Greenpeace activists unlawfully boarded an oil drilling ship in Port Taranaki and camped on its tower for 77 hours. All were arrested and convicted of trespass. 
    – The Amazon Warrior Sea Protest in 2017, where Greenpeace’s Executive Director Russel Norman and two others were arrested under the Crown Minerals Act for jumping into the sea to obstruct a seismic survey vessel. 
    – The Parliament Crane Protest in 2017, where four activists trespassed on a construction site behind Parliament and climbed a crane to hang a protest banner during the visit of a US Secretary of State. All were arrested.
    – The Fonterra Te Rapa Dairy Factory Protest in 2024, where Greenpeace activists scaled Fonterra’s Te Rapa dairy factory in Hamilton. Seven were arrested and charged with being in an enclosed yard and formally trespassed.
    – The Straterra Offices Protest in Wellington, where two Greenpeace activists scaled the building while three others locked themselves inside the offices. All five were arrested.
    – The Port Taranaki Occupation in 2025, where six activists disrupted port operations in a premeditated action, blocking critical feed for drought-stricken farmers, resulting in four arrests. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Fire season changes – Te Tai Tokerau Northland District

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Most of Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Te Tai Tokerau Northland District will transition to a restricted fire season from 11.59pm tonight (Monday, 7 April), until further notice.
    The Muri Whenua Zone, Northland Islands and Public Conservation Land will remain in a prohibited fire season. Details for these areas are below:
    • Muri Whenua Zone: Continues to be under a prohibited fire season, meaning no outdoor fires are allowed.
    • Northland Islands and  Public Conservation Land: Continues to be under a permanent prohibited fire season, meaning no outdoor fires are allowed at any time of the year.
    • Restricted Fire Season: Outdoor fires can only be lit with a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
    Acting Northland Community Risk Manager Michael Champtaloup emphasised the importance of applying for a permit to ensure community safety.
    “The recent rain across the District, coupled with cooler, damper conditions make it less likely that a fire will get out of control,” he says.
    “We’re allowing people to light fires with permits again, but – as always – we expect that they take care in how and where fires are lit, ensure fires are properly extinguished and all permit conditions are followed”.
    Anyone who is unsure of the current fire season status and the requirement for a fire permit or if a total fire ban is in effect should go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check if they can light a fire. This tool enables you to check what fire season your area is in, as well as providing safety tips if you are able to light a fire, and access to apply for a fire permit if one is required.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speaker communities helping to revitalise te reo Māori

    Source: Rata Foundation

    Te Ataarangi ki Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui is on a mission to foster and promote te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori in Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui, or across the top of the South Island.
    The organisation, based in Motueka, provides low-cost immersion teaching and learning courses, programmes, activities and gatherings open to all learners, including rumaki reo (total immersion), night classes, and weekend wānanga. By improving access to learning te reo me ōna tikanga (customs and protocols relating to the use of the language), the aim of Te Ataarangi is to strengthen reo capacity amongst whānau, hapū, iwi and communities.
    Te Ataarangi ki Te Tauihu o Te Waka-ā-Māui is a regional body of the Te Ataarangi movement. In over 40 years since it was first established, Te Ataarangi has taught thousands of adults to speak Māori, contributing to the revitalisation of the Māori language, says Te Ataarangi Kaiwhakahaere Hine McLetchie. “The flexibility and range of our programmes empower participants to grow in confidence and develop a stronger sense of belonging and cultural identity.”
    For participants of Te Ataarangi ki Te Tauihu o Te Waka-ā-Māui, a highlight of the year is Oranga Reo at Waikawa Marae. “Oranga Reo is four days long and is an extended immersion opportunity for people to come and kōrero Māori anake, kei runga i te marae to develop skills, knowledge and confidence in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga,” says Hine.
    Activities at this noho include learning the steps required for hāngi, preparing a hāngi for the group, and an amazing race through Picton. All of the noho is delivered to participants in an immersive te reo Māori environment.
    “The aspirations I have for the participants is that they strengthen their language, but also that they strengthen their relationships amongst each other, making connections – what we call ‘building speaker communities’ – which is part of the revitalisation of te reo movement,” says Hine.
    Participant Colleen Kem says the kaupapa of Te Ataarangi is to learn through speaking. “The whole thing about Te Ataarangi is that it’s not written, you have to listen and kōrero and repeat back. Because you kōrero Māori, you pick up where you may have gone wrong. It makes you correct yourself by listening to others and yourself. It’s also step by step and not rushed and set in a format so you get the sentence structures and grammar correct.”
    Another participant, Jim Skipper, says: “Ko tēnei te tau tuatahi i roto au i Te Ataarangi. I haere mātou taku hoa rangatira taku tamāhine. Tēnā taku mōhio taku wawata ki te kōrero i te reo Māori. Kei te kōrero ki aku mokopuna hoki. Tino ātaahua tō tātou reo, tino ātaahua.”
    (“This year is my first year joining Te Ātaarangi. My spouse, my daughter and I went. I knew that my aspiration was to speak in the Māori language. I’m also speaking to my grandchildren. Our language is incredibly beautiful, so very beautiful.”)
    Rātā Foundation has supported Te Ataarangi in various ways over the years, including helping the organisation to establish its central teaching facility over 20 years ago. Most recently the organisation received support as part of Rātā Foundation’s Multi-Year funding programme.
    Hine says: “Our plan on the horizon is to focus on Nelson over the next three years, training new kaiako and building speaker communities in the area, and supporting those who have some reo and wish to carry on their journey.”
    As part of Rātā Foundation’s Strengthening the Sector funding programme, Te Ataarangi will also focus on building capacity of the organisation in the use of matihiko whakahaere, online teaching and learning platforms.
    Rāta Foundation Chief Executive Leighton Evans says: “Rātā aims to support organisations that enable people facing barriers to participate in sport, active recreation and cultural activities, because we know this can enhance health and wellbeing outcomes in communities.
    “Providing long-term support to organisations which align with the Rātā purpose offers stability and certainty, enabling them to focus on their effectiveness and extend the impact they have in communities of need. We are also very focused on empowering organisations to build capability and capacity, to better position these organisations for the future.”
    To find out more about Te Ataarangi, watch the video here:
    About Rātā Foundation
    Rātā Foundation is the South Island’s most significant community investment fund, managing a pūtea (fund) of around $700 million. This enables Rātā to invest around $25 million per annum into its funding regions of Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the Chatham Islands. Since its inception in 1988, Rātā has invested over $550 million through community investment programmes to empower people to thrive.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland Regional Council News

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    NO BUSES – APRIL 2025 HOLIDAYS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
    A reminder that there will be no CityLink Whangārei or BusLink bus services on the upcoming public holidays on Friday 18, Monday 21 and Friday 25 April.
    This applies to all CityLink routes and the Far North Link’s Kaitaia – Mangonui route.
    Additionally, CityLink Whangārei’s SchoolLink service will not run during the two-week school holiday period, from Monday 14 April. School Link services resume on Monday 28 April, when schools go back.
    Further information on NRCs BusLink services around the region can be found at buslink.co.nz. For CityLink, go to citylinkwhangarei.co.nz or follow CityLink on Facebook for more information.
    ORDERS OPEN FOR NRC’S EROSION-CONTROL POPLARS AND WILLOWS
    The Northland Regional Council offers subsidised poplars and willows for sale as three metre poles, 1.5 or two metre stakes, or one metre wands every autumn before the winter planting season.
    Poplars and willows offer many benefits, stabilising pastoral hill country and sequestering carbon, they provide timber, reduce sediment runoff, improve water quality, provide stock shade and enhance the farm environment.
    With the subsidy, prices for the poplars and willows range from $5.75 per pole to $1.15 per wand (GST inclusive). The subsidy is available for orders of 20 or more trees for erosion control. Protective sleeves are available at $8.60 each (GST incl.).
    A planting subsidy is also available to help farmers fund a contractor to get their council poplars into the ground. The subsidy offers up to $7 per pole and $1 per stake or wand.
    For more information on Northland Regional Council poplars and willows, and the planting grant, visit nrc.govt.nz/orderingpoplars or contact our Land Management team on 0800 002 004 or by email:
    nursery@nrc.govt.nz (for poplar and willow orders)
    landadmin@nrc.govt.nz (for planting grant enquiries) 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on April 07, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 16,505
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 16,505
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.26
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.27
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/45

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Aid cuts threaten fragile progress in ending maternal deaths, UN agencies warn

    Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

    Countries must recommit to ending deaths in childbirth amid major headwinds
    7 April 2025 – Women today are more likely than ever to survive pregnancy and childbirth, according to a major new report released today, but United Nations (UN) agencies highlight the threat of major backsliding as unprecedented aid cuts take effect around the world.
    Released on World Health Day, the UN report, Trends in Maternal Mortality, shows a 40 per cent global decline in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023 – largely due to improved access to essential health services. Still, the report reveals that the pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016, and that an estimated 260,000 women died in 2023 as a result of complications from pregnancy or childbirth – roughly equivalent to one maternal death every two minutes.
    The report comes as humanitarian funding cuts are having severe impacts on essential health care in many parts of the world, forcing countries to roll back vital services for maternal, newborn and child health. These cuts have led to facility closures and loss of health workers, while also disrupting supply chains for lifesaving supplies and medicines such as treatments for haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and malaria – all leading causes of maternal deaths.
    Without urgent action, the agencies warn that pregnant women in multiple countries will face severe repercussions – particularly those in humanitarian settings where maternal deaths are already alarmingly high.
    “While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today – despite the fact that solutions exist to prevent and treat the complications that cause the vast majority of maternal deaths,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “In addition to ensuring access to quality maternity care, it will be critical to strengthen the underlying health and reproductive rights of women and girls – factors that underpin their prospects of healthy outcomes during pregnancy and beyond.”
    The report also provides the first global account of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on maternal survival. In 2021, an estimated 40,000 more women died due to pregnancy or childbirth – increasing to 322,000 from 282,000 the previous year. This upsurge was linked not only to direct complications caused by COVID-19 but also widespread interruptions to maternity services. This highlights the importance of ensuring such care during pandemics and other emergencies, noting that pregnant women need reliable access to routine services and checks as well as round-the-clock urgent care.
    “When a mother dies in pregnancy or childbirth, her baby’s life is also at risk. Too often, both are lost to causes we know how to prevent,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Global funding cuts to health services are putting more pregnant women at risk, especially in the most fragile settings, by limiting their access to essential care during pregnancy and the support they need when giving birth. The world must urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive and thrive.”
    The report highlights persistent inequalities between regions and countries, as well as uneven progress. With maternal mortality declining by around 40 per cent between 2000 and 2023, sub-Saharan Africa achieved significant gains – and was one of just three UN regions alongside Australia and New Zealand, and Central and Southern Asia, to see significant drops after 2015. However, confronting high rates of poverty and multiple conflicts, the sub-Saharan Africa region still counted for approximately 70 per cent of the global burden of maternal deaths in 2023.
    Indicating slowing progress, maternal mortality stagnated in five regions after 2015: Northern Africa and Western Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
    “Access to quality maternal health services is a right, not a privilege, and we all share the urgent responsibility to build well-resourced health systems that safeguard the life of every pregnant woman and newborn,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s Executive Director. “By boosting supply chains, the midwifery workforce, and the disaggregated data needed to pinpoint those most at risk, we can and must end the tragedy of preventable maternal deaths and their enormous toll on families and societies.”
    Pregnant women living in humanitarian emergencies face some of the highest risks globally, according to the report. Nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths now occur in countries affected by fragility or conflict. For women in these settings, the risks are staggering: a 15-year-old girl faces a 1 in 51 risk of dying from a maternal cause at some point over her lifetime compared to 1 in 593 in more stable countries. The highest risks are in Chad and the Central African Republic (1 in 24), followed by Nigeria (1 in 25), Somalia (1 in 30), and Afghanistan (1 in 40).
    Beyond ensuring critical services during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, the report notes the importance of efforts to enhance women’s overall health by improving access to family planning services, as well as preventing underlying health conditions like anaemias, malaria and noncommunicable diseases that increase risks. It will also be critical to ensure girls stay in school and that women and girls have the knowledge and resources to protect their health.
    Urgent investment is needed to prevent maternal deaths. The world is currently off-track to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for maternal survival. Globally, the maternal mortality ratio would need to fall by around 15 per cent each year to meet the 2030 target – significantly increasing from current annual rates of decline of around 1.5 per cent.
    Notes
    About the data: The SDG target for maternal deaths is for a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births by 2030. The global MMR in 2023 was estimated at 197 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, down from 211 in 2020 and from 328 in 2000.
    The report includes data disaggregated by the following regions, used for SDG reporting: Central Asia and Southern Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; Northern America and Europe; Latin America & the Caribbean; Western Asia and Northern Africa; Australia and New Zealand; Eastern Asia and South-eastern Asia, and Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand.
    About World Health Day: World Health Day is marked around the world on 7th April. Each year, it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The World Health Day 2025 campaign focuses on improving maternal and newborn health and survival with the theme “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”. The campaign urges governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being.
    About the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group:
    The report was produced by WHO on behalf of the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group comprising WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. It uses national data to estimate levels and trends of maternal mortality from 2000-2023. The data in this new publication covers 195 countries and territories. It supersedes all previous estimates published by WHO and the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group.
    A maternal death is a death due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, occurring when a woman is pregnant, or within six weeks of the end of the pregnancy.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Thailand: Authorities must end malicious smear campaigns and cyberattacks on civil society – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Amnesty International has called on the Thai authorities to investigate and take any necessary measures to end cyberattacks against human rights activists after leaked internal government documents showed that Amnesty International was among several civil society groups targeted in a coordinated, state-sponsored campaign.

    The documents, which were brought to light in a recent parliamentary debate, revealed Thai police and military units are jointly running a “Cyber Team” which deliberately sought to tarnish the reputations and undermine the legitimate work of civil society organizations and political opposition members.

    It also engaged in phishing attacks and brute-force attempts to access social media accounts. The former Executive Director of Amnesty International’s Thailand office was among those targeted.

    “These cyberattacks are an outrageous assault on Thailand’s civic space. Thai authorities must immediately end these malicious smear campaigns against human rights defenders and activists,” Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said.

    “The Thai government must take any necessary measures to disclose full details regarding state actors’ involvement and hold accountable all those responsible—whether they are state officials, members of the security forces or private individuals.”

    Amnesty International among ‘high-value targets’

    During a parliamentary no-confidence debate on 25 March 2025, opposition parliamentarian Chayaphon Satondee disclosed leaked internal documents of a Cyber Team under a Joint Command Center run by police and military units, including those from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

    According to the leaked materials, Amnesty International was explicitly identified as a “high-value target”. Other international non-governmental organizations, local civil society groups, prominent activists, and pro-democracy figures were also in this list, including human rights organizations Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and iLaw, as well as young woman human rights defender Anna Annanon.

    The Cyber Team disseminated harmful and defamatory content online. For instance, in response to Amnesty International’s social media posts related to the excessive use of force against protesters in Thailand, the Cyber Team instructed officials to respond by portraying the protesters as violent.

    The documents indicated that during the 2023 election period, the Cyber Team targeted the social media accounts of prominent activists and political opponents, including Amnesty International Thailand’s then Director, Piyanut Kotsan, through attempted brute-force attacks aimed at compromising their online security.

    A brute-force attack is used to gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or encrypted data by systematically testing all possible combinations of credentials or keys until the correct one is found through trial-and-error.

    At least up until October 2024, the Cyber Team continued to actively monitor Amnesty International’s social media platforms. The leaked documents showed that officials were instructed to respond aggressively to content perceived as threats to national security, notably Amnesty International’s campaigns advocating the dropping of charges against peaceful protesters and highlighting human rights violations such as the unlawful killings of Malay Muslim protesters in Tak Bai, Narathiwat Province.

    Ongoing digital authoritarian practices in Thailand

    In response to these allegations, during the parliamentary debate, a representative of the Thai government categorically denied any involvement in a campaign of digital attacks. Successive Thai administrations have consistently refuted similar claims of targeting activists, human rights defenders and opposition politicians, often amid high levels of secrecy and limited transparency—even despite technical and circumstantial evidence. However, these new revelations are consistent with Amnesty International’s observations that digital authoritarian practices have been a chronic problem in Thailand.

    Amnesty International’s earlier research, published in May 2024, highlighted how Thai authorities and state-aligned actors systematically deployed targeted digital surveillance and online harassment, including smear campaigns, disproportionately impacting women and LGBTI human rights defenders. Such digital violence has been systematically deployed to attack human rights defenders, suppress civic engagement and severely curtail freedom of expression.

    In November 2024, the UN Committee against Torture further expressed serious concerns regarding Thailand’s use of spyware and digital smear campaigns against human rights defenders, calling for prompt, thorough, impartial investigations into these instances.

    Amnesty International has previously been among the civil society organizations targeted in digital attacks. In February 2021, Meta’s Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior report confirmed that the ISOC had orchestrated a coordinated inauthentic online operation that targeted Amnesty International among other civil society organizations and activists.

    Amnesty International Thailand’s former Executive Director, Piyanut Kotsan, has also been repeatedly subjected to intense online smear campaigns, with abusive gender-based speech, threats of sexual violence, and disinformation, notably intensifying since the youth-led protest movements that emerged in 2020.

    “Civil society organizations have repeatedly documented waves of digital attacks against human rights defenders in Thailand and have become a broken record calling on Thai authorities to investigate and end these abuses. This lates evidence only reaffirms the persistent threats facing activists and civil society,” Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said.

    Empty promise of protecting human rights online

    In the lead-up to a UN Human Rights Council election in September 2023, the Thai government made various commitments, including to “[d]evelop policies and legislation to promote and protect human rights in the digital and online spaces in light of new technology and to work with relevant partners to address challenges such as disinformation, misinformation and right to privacy while continuing to bridge the existing digital divide in the society.”

    However, these cyberattacks are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The specific attempts to compromise social media accounts through brute-force attacks also constituted a violation of the right to privacy.

    “For too long, human rights defenders in Thailand have endured a hostile environment in the digital space. Now that Thailand has a seat in the UN Human Rights Council, Thai authorities must honour their commitments, starting by ending these harmful smear campaigns and ensuring a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders,” Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said.

    Background

    As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Thailand is obligated to protect individuals’ rights to hold opinions without interference, freedom of expression, and to guard against arbitrary and unlawful intrusions into privacy. Furthermore, it has the obligation to undertake any necessary measures to prevent, investigate, punish and redress abuses perpetrated.

    Amnesty International is a non-partisan organization that does not take sides in political disputes and adheres strictly to its mission as a human rights organization.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –