NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese animated blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2’ screened in Cambodian capital

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2,” the highest-grossing animated film of all time, was screened in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening, attracting hundreds of moviegoers.

    Premiered at the Olympia Mall’s Legend Cinema, “Ne Zha 2” was dubbed in Chinese, with subtitles in both Chinese and English.

    At the event, many moviegoers posed for photos near the “Ne Zha 2” posters in front of the cinema, and some children dressed up as key characters in the movie, such as Nezha and Aobing.

    “Ne Zha 2” continues the tale of the iconic boy god from Chinese mythology, as Nezha and his ally Aobing struggle to rebuild their physical forms and secure their fate with the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren.

    Throughout the screening, enthusiastic viewers were immersed in the film, reacting with laughter, gasps, excitement, applause and admiration.

    Cambodian viewer Kang Sovanthyda, 24, said she was thrilled to watch the film as she was very eager to see it for a long time after hearing that it captivated audiences worldwide.

    “Visual effects are stunning, and there are funny scenes that make us laugh, but there are also emotional scenes that can make us cry,” she told Xinhua.

    Another moviegoer, Yun Seavvay, said the movie was about the fate of Ne Zha, with a lot of thrilling scenes.

    “For this animated film, I think the design of characters fits traditional Chinese mythology, blending with Chinese culture and implying a lot of educational value,” she told Xinhua. “I could say that this film is amazing and unique for this year.”

    Seavvay said the film also showed respect and affection for parents and relatives, and also told about the value and struggle in life.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: From music to mastery, Myanmar students learn Chinese through song

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Ko Si Thu, a 27-year-old engineer from Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state, Myanmar, is on a journey to master the Chinese language.

    With numerous Chinese projects in his hometown, he realized the importance of learning a foreign language to access better opportunities.

    His approach is to join a Chinese singing class at the China Cultural Center in Yangon. He said he began learning Chinese about four months ago.

    “I want to learn Chinese effectively, so I joined the singing class,” he said while waiting for his lesson on Tuesday.

    Although he doesn’t consider himself a singer, he believes music will help improve his pronunciation and tone. “I’ve been learning tones and vocal training in the class,” he said, adding that he enjoys the songs of Teresa Teng.

    Before joining the singing class, he had already taken a Chinese language course at the center. “There are many Chinese-invested projects in Kyaukphyu, so I think mastering a foreign language is essential. Once I become fluent, I want to work in my hometown,” he said.

    Beyond language, Ko Si Thu has also developed a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture. “I feel connected to Chinese traditions. I’m interested in tea-making, calligraphy, and martial arts like Tai Chi,” he said.

    Like Ko Si Thu, Ma Pwint Hayman Tun, a 27-year-old teacher, also joined the vocal class. “I enjoy dancing and singing, so I joined. I’ve been learning Chinese for three and a half years,” she said.

    Coming from a Myanmar-born Chinese family, she has always felt a deep connection to the language and culture. “I also attended Chinese language and cooking courses at the center,” she said.

    “This is my first time learning to sing. Some songs are hard to understand, but I can feel their emotions. I prefer classic songs over modern ones,” she said, adding that she enjoys music by Chinese artists Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo.

    “Chinese is becoming more popular nowadays,” she said. Beyond music, she is also fascinated by Chinese paintings and cuisine, especially Sichuan hotpot and steamed buns (baozi).

    For Ma Su Lae Yadanar, a 24-year-old Chinese bookseller, inspiration came from her elder sister. “I used to accompany my sister to Chinese singing events, which made me want to sing Chinese songs too,” she said.

    Though she attended short-term Chinese classes at temples as a child, she resumed her studies a year and a half ago. “This is my first time in a Chinese singing class. I prefer modern songs over old ones,” she said.

    For her, the class is an opportunity to improve both her language and singing skills.

    The three-month course at the China Cultural Center in Yangon is led by Ko Phyo, a 31-year-old vocal trainer.

    Ko Phyo believes music plays a crucial role in cultural exchange. “My goal is for my students to be able to sing Chinese songs by the end of the course,” he said.

    With over ten years of experience in singing, he emphasized music’s universal nature. “Even if people speak different languages, they can share the same emotions through music. Songs are a way to understand and learn about a culture,” he explained.

    Xiang Jianbo, the center’s director, introduced the singing course to attract young people to Chinese language learning. “Young people in Myanmar are increasingly interested in Chinese songs, so we organized this course to introduce modern Chinese music,” he said.

    He also highlighted the center’s broader mission. “Our goal is to spread Chinese arts and culture. Since music is a powerful medium for cultural exchange, this is our first singing course, and we will offer more if interest continues to grow.”

    The singing course is part of a summer program celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations. “By introducing Chinese culture, from traditional to modern times, we aim to enhance mutual understanding between our people,” Xiang said.

    Given the presence of many Chinese companies in Myanmar, the center also plans to launch a Myanmar singing course for overseas Chinese to further strengthen cultural ties, he said.

    The singing course consists of 19 sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours and held twice a week. It was opened last week and will run until May 29, according to the center.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: High-level dialogue held during Boao Forum for Asia

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

    High-level dialogue held during Boao Forum for Asia

    Updated: March 26, 2025 13:38 Xinhua
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a scene at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Wu Xiaoqiu, president of China Capital Market Research Institute and dean of the National Finance Research Institute of Renmin University of China, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Peng Sen, president of the China Society of Economic Reform, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Huang Qifan, academic advisor of the China Finance 40 Forum, speaks at a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Guests attend a high-level dialogue themed “China’s Reform and Economic Prospect” during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on March 26, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 75,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 35,486
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 35,486
    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: 2024-2025/2461

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Can renewable energy survive climate change?

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The race towards renewable energy is accelerating, and for all the looming challenges of the climate crisis, signs of progress are there: Solar panels are beginning to blanket deserts, wind turbines dot coastlines, and hydropower dams are harnessing powerful rivers to churn out clean electricity.

    Yet, even as the push for renewables gains momentum – driven by cheaper technology and an urgent need to slash carbon emissions – experts are waving cautionary flags: Because renewable energy sources depend on weather conditions, climate change is increasingly dictating, and jeopardizing, renewable energy production.

    This trend became more pronounced in 2023, marked by a volatility that disrupted renewable energy generation globally. Temperatures soared 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, and the shift from La Niña to El Niño altered rainfall, wind patterns, and solar radiation.

    Hamid Bastani, a climate and energy expert with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), provided a stark example of this impact. “In Sudan and Namibia, hydropower output dropped by more than 50 per cent due to unusually low rainfall,” he said in an interview with UN News.

    In Sudan, rainfall totaled just 100 millimeters (less than four inches) in 2023—less than half the national long-term average.

    “This is a country where hydropower makes up around 60 per cent of the electricity mix. These reductions could have significant implications,” Mr. Bastani explained, noting that the power system supports a large and rapidly growing population of about 48 million.

    These shifts were not limited to hydropower. Wind energy, too, showed signs of stress under changing climate conditions.

    China, which accounts for 40 per cent of global onshore wind capacity, saw only a modest 4 to 8 per cent increase in output in 2023, as wind anomalies disrupted generation. In India, production declined amid weaker monsoon winds, while some regions in Africa experienced even sharper losses, with wind output falling by as much as 20 to 30 per cent.

    South America, meanwhile, saw the scale tip in the other direction. Clear skies and elevated solar radiation boosted solar panel performance, particularly in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia.

    As such, the region saw a four to six per cent increase in solar generation – a climate-driven bump that translated to roughly three terawatt-hours of additional electricity, enough to power over two million homes for a year at average consumption rates.

    “This is a good example of how climate variability can sometimes create opportunity,” explains Roberta Boscolo, who leads WMO’s New York Office and formerly the agency’s climate and energy work. “In Europe, too, we are seeing more days with high solar radiation, meaning solar power is becoming more efficient over time.”

    Ms. Boscolo and Mr. Bastani are among the contributors to a recent WMO–IRENA study examining how climate conditions in 2023, shaped by El Niño, global warming, and regional extremes, affected both renewable energy generation and energy demand worldwide.

    ADB/Patarapol Tularak

    Solar power accounted for over 73 percent of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2023, making it the fastest-growing source of energy worldwide.​

    Systems built on stability, in a world that is anything but

    Ms. Boscolo, who has spent years working at the intersection of climate science and energy policy, is quick to point out the vulnerability of renewable energy infrastructure. Dams, solar farms, and wind turbines are all designed based on past climate patterns, making them susceptible to the changing climate.

    Take hydropower. Dams rely on predictable seasonal flows, often fed by snowmelt or glacial runoff. “There will be a short-term boost in hydropower as glaciers melt,” she said. “But once those glaciers are gone, so is the water. And that is irreversible – at least on human timescales.”

    This pattern is already unfolding in regions like the Andes and the Himalayas. If the meltwater disappears, countries will need to replace the way they generate power or face long-term energy deficits.

    A recent report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), for example, pointed out that rising sea levels and stronger storms pose growing risks to energy production facilities, including solar farms located near coastlines.

    Similarly, increasingly intense and frequent wildfires can also take down power lines and black out entire regions, while extreme heat can reduce the efficiency of solar panels and strain grid infrastructure—just as demand for cooling peaks.

    Nuclear power plants are also at risk in the changing climate.

    “We have seen nuclear power plants that could not operate because of the lack of water… for cooling,” Ms. Boscolo said. As heatwaves become more frequent and river levels drop, some older nuclear facilities may no longer be viable in their current locations.

    “This is another thing that should be looked at with different eyes in the future . When we design, when we build, when we project power generation infrastructure, we really need to think about what the climate of the future will be, not what was the climate of the past”.

    IMF/Crispin Rodwell

    Global renewable electricity capacity grew by nearly 50 percent in 2023—the largest annual increase in two decades—with most additions coming from solar and wind.​

    Adapting to the future through data, AI and technology

    The expert underscores that one thing is certain: Our planet is heading towards a future in which electricity, especially from renewable sources, will be central.

    “Our transport is going to be electric; our cooking is going to be electric; our heating is going to be electric. So, if we do not have a reliable electricity system, everything is going to collapse. We will need to have this climate intelligence when we think about how to change our energy systems and the reliability and the resilience of our energy system in the future.”

    Indeed, to adapt, both experts emphasized a need to embrace what they call climate intelligence – the integration of climate forecasts, data, and science into every level of energy planning.

    “In the past, energy planners worked with historical averages,” Mr. Bastani explained. “But the past is no longer a reliable guide. We need to know what the wind will be doing next season, what rainfall will look like next year – not just what it looked like a decade ago.”

    In Chile, for instance, hydropower generation surged by as much as 80 per cent in November 2023, due to unusually high rainfall. While this increase was climate-driven, experts say advanced seasonal forecasting could help dam operators better anticipate such events in the future and manage reservoirs to store water more effectively.

    Similarly, wind farm workers can use forecasts to schedule maintenance during low-wind periods – minimizing downtime and avoiding losses. Grid operators, too, can plan for energy spikes during heatwaves or droughts.

    “We now have forecasts that span from a few seconds ahead to several months,” Mr. Bastani said. “Each one has a specific application – from immediate grid balancing to long-term investment decisions.”

    WMO/Sandro Puncet

    Improved climate forecasting can help energy systems plan days to seasons ahead.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is lending a hand: Machine learning models trained on climate and energy data can now predict resource fluctuations with higher resolution and accuracy. These tools could help optimize when to deploy battery storage or shift energy between regions, making the system more flexible and responsive.

    “These models can help operators better anticipate fluctuations in wind, rainfall, or solar radiation”, Mr. Bastain explained.

    For example, two recent WMO energy mini projects illustrated how artificial intelligence can be applied in real-world renewable energy planning. In Costa Rica, the agency worked with national energy authorities to develop and implement an AI-based model for short-term wind speed forecasting. The tool is now integrated into the Costa Rican Electricity Institute’s internal energy forecasting platform, helping optimize operations at selected wind farms.

    In Chile, another project focused on floating solar technology, using AI to estimate evaporation rates on reservoirs. The results, now incorporated into Chile’s official Solar Energy Explorer platform, showed that floating solar panels can reduce water evaporation by up to 85 per cent in summer, with a national average of 77 per cent.

    Indeed, the promise and challenge of climate-smart renewable planning are most evident in the Global South. Africa, for instance, boasts some of the best solar potential on the planet, yet only two per cent of the world’s installed renewable capacity is found on the continent.

    Why the gap? Ms. Boscolo points to a lack of data and investment.

    “In many parts of the Global South, there just is not enough observational data to create accurate forecasts or make energy projects bankable,” she said. “Investors need to see reliable long-term projections. Without that, the risk is too high.”

    WMO is working to improve weather and energy monitoring in underserved regions, but progress is uneven. The agency is calling for more funding for local data networks, cross-border energy planning, and climate services tailored to regional needs.

    “This is not just about climate mitigation,” Ms. Boscolo added. “It is a development opportunity. Renewable energy can bring electricity to communities, drive industrial growth, and create jobs if the systems are designed right.”

    Mr. Bastani sees a need for global data sharing between energy companies and climate scientists.

    “There is a huge untapped potential in the data collected by the private sector… integrating historical and real-time observations from power plants – solar, wind, hydropower, even nuclear – can significantly improve weather and climate models. This is a win-win.”

    IMF/Lisa Marie David

    Climate forecasting helps energy companies anticipate weather-driven changes in supply and demand, improving reliability and reducing risk.

    Diversifying the energy portfolio to adapt

    Another key action to guarantee clean energy in the near future is diversification. Relying too heavily on only one renewable source can expose countries to seasonal or long-term shifts in climate, Mr. Bastani explains.

    In Europe, for example, energy planners are increasingly concerned about something called “dunkelflaute”— a period of cloudy, windless weather in winter that undermines both solar power and wind generation. This phenomenon, linked to high-pressure systems known as anticyclonic gloom, has prompted calls for more energy storage and backup power.

    “A diversified mix that includes solar, wind, hydro, battery storage, and even low-carbon sources (like geothermal) is essential,” Mr. Bastani said. “Especially as extreme weather becomes more frequent.”

    Into the future

    As the world races towards a future powered by renewable energy, addressing the challenges posed by climate change is imperative. The volatility experienced in 2023 underscores the need for climate-smart planning and infrastructure that can withstand unpredictable shifts in weather patterns.

    For renewable energy to truly fulfill its promise, the world must invest not only in expanding capacity but also in building a system that is resilient, adaptable, and informed by the best available climate science.

    WMO experts Hamid Bastani and Roberta Boscolo emphasize the importance of integrating climate intelligence into energy systems to ensure their reliability and resilience. By leveraging advanced forecasting and artificial intelligence, we can better anticipate and adapt to these changes, optimizing renewable energy production and safeguarding our future.

    The future of energy is not just about more wind turbines and solar panels, but also about ensuring they can withstand the very forces they are meant to mitigate.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Measles alert for Sydney Airport and western NSW

    Source: Australian Green Party

    NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting locations at Sydney Airport and western NSW.
    The case recently returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
    People who were on board the below flight or attended the following locations at the times stated should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
    ​Wednesday 19 March 2025

    Jetstar Flight JQ62 departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10:30pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025, arriving in Sydney at 10:50am on Wednesday 19 March 2025
    Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal and baggage claim from 11:00am to 12:00pm

    Friday 21 March 2025

    Ochre Medical Centre Parkes, 335 Clarinda St, Parkes from 10:15am to 11:15am

    Monday 24 March 2025 

    Parkes Health Service Emergency Department, 2 Morrissey Way, Parkes 12:00pm midday to 7:00pm

    Dr Victor Carey, Western NSW Local Health District Public Health Physician said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.​
    “Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Carey said.
    “Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.”
    “It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 11 April 2025.
    “It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
    “We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
    “This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
    “Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
    The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
    Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
    People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
    For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet.
    If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. ​

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on March 25, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,97,724.73 6.25 5.15-6.65
         I. Call Money 18,953.50 6.30 5.15-6.45
         II. Triparty Repo 4,11,280.25 6.21 5.50-6.40
         III. Market Repo 1,65,836.08 6.35 5.70-6.60
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,654.90 6.60 6.60-6.65
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 345.50 6.42 6.05-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 220.00 – 6.80-7.30
         III. Triparty Repo 2,735.75 6.78 6.40-7.25
         IV. Market Repo 999.41 6.80 6.80-6.80
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 95,653.00 6.26
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 389.00 6.50
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 1,77,285.00 6.00
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -81,243.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 21/03/2025 5 Wed, 26/03/2025 46,204.00 6.26
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Fri, 21/02/2025 45 Mon, 07/04/2025 57,951.00 6.26
      Fri, 14/02/2025 49 Fri, 04/04/2025 75,003.00 6.28
      Fri, 07/02/2025 56 Fri, 04/04/2025 50,010.00 6.31
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,517.09  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     2,38,685.09  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     1,57,442.09  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on March 25, 2025 9,49,616.35  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending April 04, 2025 9,28,983.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ March 25, 2025 95,653.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on March 07, 2025 54,323.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2024-2025/2082 dated February 05, 2025, Press Release No. 2024-2025/2138 dated February 12, 2025, and Press Release No. 2024-2025/2209 dated February 20, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2460

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wolf Pack sprints through Freedom Shield 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — The 8th Fighter Wing continues to sharpen its warfighting edge during Freedom Shield 25, reaffirming its ability to generate airpower simultaneously from multiple locations in support of air component objectives March 10-21, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Boost U.S. Cultural Trade Amid Competition From China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Cultural Trade Promotion Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s creative industries and expand cultural exports. By bolstering the creative economy, this legislation will help U.S. businesses—including Native-owned, small, and rural enterprises—reach new global markets, create jobs, and strengthen America’s influence abroad amidst increasing competition from China.

    “America’s creative industries are a powerful force, driving jobs at home and shaping perceptions of our country abroad. Recently, China has doubled down on promoting its cultural exports, and we’ve been falling behind,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill will help us level the playing field by expanding export opportunities for American businesses everywhere from Maui to Memphis so that our creative economy remains the global leader.”

    “We cannot allow China to continue to outpace the United States in overall cultural exports, and Tennessee is home to countless creative entrepreneurs who need support to export their products and grow their businesses,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would improve access to international shipping services for these small businesses to strengthen our economy and promote high-quality American goods.” 

    Over the past decade, China has aggressively expanded its cultural trade through coordinated government investments and programs. In 2014, China surpassed the United States in overall cultural exports, and it continues to leverage cultural promotion as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, America’s cultural trade surplus has declined, dropping from $31.5 billion in 2019 to $17.8 billion in 2021 before rebounding slightly to $21 billion in 2022, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

    The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would direct the Foreign Commercial Service to promote U.S. creative economy goods abroad and require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to include the creative economy in its annual governmentwide strategic plan. The bill would also improve access to international shipping services for small businesses by facilitating collaboration between the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, it would promote products from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and include a representative of the creative industries on the Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Giant panda Fu Bao returns after health scare

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Visitors take photos of giant panda Fu Bao on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/China News]
    After more than 100 days of rest, giant panda Fu Bao returned to public display on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest Sichuan province, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
    In December, she was observed trembling while foraging and was immediately subjected to a physical examination and close monitoring by keepers and veterinarians.
    After undergoing a series of medical tests, including blood work and screenings for parasites and infectious diseases, no abnormalities were found. Fu Bao was then moved to a non-exhibit area for rest.
    In January and February, the panda exhibited normal estrus behavior, during which she received meticulous care from keepers and veterinarians. Renowned experts from Beijing were also invited to collaborate with the panda base’s veterinarians for a joint consultation to further investigate potential causes of the trembling.
    The latest test results for Fu Bao show no abnormalities. Experts have determined that she is fit for display based on her current condition and medical examination results.
    Fu Bao was born in July 2020 at South Korea’s Everland theme park in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul. She is the first offspring of Hua Ni and Yuan Xin, a pair of giant pandas leased from China to South Korea in 2016.
    Her birth marked the first time a giant panda was born in South Korea, and she quickly became a beloved figure. Everland said that since her public debut in January 2021, she has attracted more than 5.4 million visitors.
    In April last year, in accordance with international agreements, Fu Bao was sent to China. Her departure was met with an emotional farewell from thousands of fans who gathered at Everland to see her off.
    Fu Bao’s arrival in China has also sparked interest among South Korean tourists. Travel agencies have offered “panda tourism” packages to Sichuan, allowing fans to visit her in her new habitat.
    Some avid South Korean panda fans alleged mistreatment of Fu Bao shortly after her arrival in China, pointing to a patch of fur loss on her neck.
    The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda refuted the claims, saying that tests suggested no abnormalities such as allergies, scabs or thickening of the skin. A spokesperson for the center said the Shenshuping base will continue to closely monitor and care for Fu Bao. To ensure her well-being, the base will adjust display times or suspend displays based on her health status and weather conditions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dream becomes a reality for EIT Auckland Valedictorian | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    7 minutes ago

    When Mai Nguyễn first arrived in New Zealand in April 2023, she could only dream of one day standing on stage delivering the valedictory speech at her own graduation.

    Yesterday, (March 25), she did just that — speaking as Valedictorian and graduating with a Master of Digital Business at one of two EIT Auckland ceremonies at the Aotea Centre.

    “I’m so proud of it, super proud,” Mai says. “When I first started studying, I helped out at graduation ceremonies. I watched the valedictorians speak and I dreamed of being one of them. And now, it’s come true.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn has graduated with a Master of Digital Business.

    Originally from Vietnam, Mai holds a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and had a successful career in marketing at a cybersecurity company before moving abroad with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, Mai embraced every opportunity with determination and heart.

    She completed her Master of Digital Business at EIT Auckland and quickly became a valued part of the student community, serving as a student representative and mentor.

    That sense of support is something she felt from the moment she enrolled. “The EIT philosophy of providing the support to succeed is true. From day one, I felt it. Even when I lost my first assignment due to a technical issue, and the librarian from Napier helped me late at night. That meant so much.”

    She describes the Auckland campus as small but warm — a place where “everyone knows your name” and where international students are truly looked after.

    “I always felt like I belonged. There’s something special about how EIT supports students. They see more than just your grades; they see your heart and your effort.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn pictured with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An on their way to New Zealand.

    Now working as a business development manager for an immigration company, Mai helps other migrants find their path in Aotearoa. She hopes to become a licensed immigration advisor and continue supporting Vietnamese students who want to study in New Zealand — including, she hopes, at EIT.

    “I still tell EIT staff, if you ever need my help, I’ll be there,” she says. “I believe in what EIT offers — not just education, but care.”

    “I wasn’t always this helpful or reflective,” she adds. “Back in Vietnam, I was career focused. But studying here helped me grow. I realised that success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about the impact you have on others.”

    To new international students, Mai offers heartfelt advice.

    “Change is not scary, it’s part of growth. You might suffer and struggle, but everything will be fine in the end. Do good, and good will always come back to you.”

    EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherrie Freeman says this achievement is a testament to Mai’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence throughout her studies.

    “The team at EIT is incredibly proud of all that Mai has accomplished. We are also deeply grateful for the unwavering support she has shown to the student community. Time and time again, Mai stepped up to help—whether by helping, providing guidance, or simply being there when needed. Her willingness to lend a hand, often on short notice, and her consistent presence on campus, sometimes on a daily basis, have made a significant impact.

    “Mai has truly earned this distinction, and EIT wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. She will always have a special place in the EIT family.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China remains center of global manufacturing value chains: report

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A panel discussion themed on “Global Free Trade Port Development” is held during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China continues to be the center of global manufacturing value chains, according to a report released by the Boao Forum for Asia Tuesday.

    The report, titled Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2025, noted that since 2017, global trade in intermediate goods has been more reliant on China than on North America. In 2023, global dependence on China for intermediate goods stood at 16 percent, compared with 15 percent for North America.

    The trade frictions provoked by the United States in 2018 have not elevated its position in the global value chains of manufacturing, the report added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

    This week’s budget will come as a relief to Australia’s neighbours in the Indo-Pacific that rely on development assistance. The Albanese government did not follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in cutting its foreign aid.

    The Trump administration froze foreign assistance and dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) when it came into office. Meanwhile, the UK announced 40% aid cuts of its own.

    It is to Australia’s credit this has not happened here. Australia’s development budget remains intact this year and in forward estimates.

    Sensible policymakers seem to recognise that Australia’s strategic circumstances are different. As a nation surrounded by low- and middle-income countries, Australia cannot vacate the field on development issues without enormous reputational, diplomatic and strategic damage.

    This budget shows Australia is committed to its region – with 75% of the foreign assistance budget flowing to the Indo-Pacific – and sees development partnerships as a way to solve shared problems.

    What’s in the budget for aid and development

    The details of the development budget show Australia has been listening to its partners to identify critical gaps and reprioritise funds.

    In the Pacific, funding has risen to a historic high, with no country receiving less aid. There have been changes in focus to respond to the US funding cuts, including programs on HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and gender-based violence in the Pacific.

    This fits with Australia’s desire to be a partner of choice – and to prevent an increased Chinese presence in the region.

    In Southeast Asia, Australia has increased its aid to all countries and has shifted funding, particularly in health where the US was a major donor.

    This is in Australia’s interest. A new program on Indonesian human and animal health, for example, will help prevent health system failures in areas such as tuberculosis and polio elimination on Australia’s doorstep.

    Funds have also been reallocated to support civil society organisations working in vital areas like media freedom and human rights, which would have been a casualty in the US cuts.

    There was also a shift in humanitarian funding to Myanmar and Bangladesh, where the US aid withdrawal has left Rohingya refugees in a desperate state.

    Importantly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is helping local organisations survive US cuts by allowing temporary flexibility in the use of grant funding to help them continue to deliver essential services.

    Beyond these reprioritisations, the other heartening thing about the budget is its normality.

    It maintains funding for assistive technology for people with disabilities and an Inclusion and Equality Fund to support LGBTQIA+ civil society organisations and human rights defenders. There are programs on maternal health, including reproductive rights.

    The future is still precarious

    However, it would be wrong to think this budget will fill the gaps left by the US withdrawal.

    The ANU Development Policy Centre estimates that traditional OECD donors will cut at least 25% of their aid by 2027. It said, “when that much of a thing goes missing, it’s clearly at risk of collapse”.

    Some development organisations will close their doors, potentially including household names that Australians have donated to for years. This is a time of huge transformation for the sector.

    Another future problem will be maintaining multilateral institutions that rely on US funding – including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This will require a concerted effort with other countries.

    So, while the Australian budget shows a government deploying current funding as intelligently as possible, there will eventually be limits to this approach.

    In the “new world of uncertainty” described in the treasurer’s budget speech, it simply won’t be possible to meet Australia’s strategic aims and keep development spending at its current rate. It is still far away from 1% of the federal budget.

    At some point, Australia must rethink the trajectory of its international commitments.

    Analysis by the Development Intelligence Lab, a think tank working on development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, has shown that over the last 25 years, the international parts of the federal budget – defence, intelligence, diplomacy and development – have held steady at around 10%.

    In a time of disruption, this might need to change. In 1949, for example, Australia invested almost 9% of the federal budget on development and diplomacy alone – not including defence.

    Those in the foreign aid sector can celebrate Australia has not pulled back on its commitments like the US and UK. At the same time, we should expect the next government will inevitably be called on to do more.

    Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development..

    – ref. Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious – https://theconversation.com/australia-stands-firm-behind-its-foreign-aid-in-the-budget-but-the-future-remains-precarious-253028

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: More Cambodians enthusiastic about learning Chinese

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Students learn Chinese language at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Cambodian civil servant Long Meikim was all ears and took good notes when a Chinese teacher taught Chinese on Monday at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

    The 24-year-old employee at a state ministry in Phnom Penh said she was eager to master Chinese proficiency, as it would be helpful in her job and make it easy for her to communicate with Chinese people.

    Meikim is among hundreds of Cambodian students taking Chinese classes at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia. After learning Chinese for four months, she can now communicate in simple situations and understand some basic vocabulary and grammar.

    “The Chinese language has helped me a lot in my current job. Moreover, nowadays, many Chinese people have come to Cambodia,” she told Xinhua.

    Meikim said she really likes the Chinese language and culture, saying that learning Chinese would give her the possibility to gain insights into ancient and diverse cultures.

    “For China, I have never been there, but I’m impressed with its modern cities with skyscrapers and beautiful scenery,” she said. “The field that impressed me the most is technology. Technology in China is advanced.”

    Sharing her view on the current Cambodia-China ties, Meikim said cooperation in various sectors and cultural exchange has made the two countries’ relations get closer, as their “ironclad” friendship has been further strengthened.

    “I’m pleased to see excellent relations between Cambodia and China,” she said. “I hope China will increase its investment in Cambodia in order to help further boost Cambodia’s economic growth, and Chinese education will be further expanded.”

    Meikim said she has dreamed of studying in China since she was in high school, and she hopes that her dream will come true one day.

    Rorn Chanara, a 20-year-old learner of Chinese literature at the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the influx of Chinese investors, businesspeople, and tourists had motivated him to study Chinese.

    “I think the Chinese language is good and will be useful for me in the future, helping me communicate well with Chinese people and get a proper job with a high income,” he told Xinhua.

    As there are many reputable Chinese enterprises operating in the Southeast Asian country, Chanara hopes that he will become an interpreter for those companies in the future when he masters Chinese proficiency.

    “The Confucius Institute has greatly contributed to promoting good relations between Cambodian and Chinese people and providing Chinese education to students, allowing them to learn both Chinese literature and culture,” he said.

    Chanara praises China for its advanced technology, high development and good education system, saying he is also keen to study in China if possible.

    Niu Li, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said jointly founded by Jiujiang University in East China’s Jiangxi Province and the Royal Academy of Cambodia on Dec. 22, 2009, the institute has gradually developed into one of the largest and most influential Chinese education and cultural exchange institutions in Cambodia.

    “As the first Confucius Institute in Cambodia, the institute has always committed to promoting Chinese teaching, spreading Chinese culture and promoting cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia,” he told Xinhua.

    In the process of development in more than 10 years, it has continuously improved its teaching network, Niu said, adding that it has now covered several provinces and cities in Cambodia, with Confucius classrooms, Chinese language centers and university Chinese departments in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville among others.

    “Our goal is to provide high-quality Chinese education to government officials, military personnel and learners from all walks of life,” he said. “The total number of registered students exceeds 130,000, and the number of people studying Chinese at the institute each year exceeds 8,000.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PSNA calls on NZ govt to condemn renewed Israel air strikes on Gaza – 320 killed

    Asia Pacific Report

    A national Palestinian advocacy group has called on the Aotearoa New Zealand government to immediately condemn Israel for its resumption today of “genocidal attacks” on the almost 2 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged Gaza enclave.

    Media reports said that more than 320 people had been killed — many of them children — in a wave of predawn attacks by Israel to break the fragile ceasefire that had been holding since mid-January.

    The renewed war on Gaza comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis that has persisted for 16 days since March 1.

    This followed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to block the entry of all aid and goods, cut water and electricity, and shut down the Strip’s border crossings at the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

    “Immediate condemnation of Israel’s resumption of attacks on Gaza must come from the New Zealand government”, said co-national chair John Minto of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) in a statement.

    “Israel has breached the January ceasefire agreement multiple times and is today relaunching its genocidal attacks against the Palestinian people of Gaza.”

    Israeli violations
    He said that in the last few weeks Israel had:

    • refused to negotiate the second stage of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas which would see a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza;
    • Issued a complete ban on food, water, fuel and medical supplies entering Gaza — “a war crime of epic proportions”; and
    • Cut off the electricity supply desperately needed to, for example, operate desalination plants for water supplies.

    ‘Cowardly silence’
    “The New Zealand government response has been a cowardly silence when the people of New Zealand have been calling for sanctions against Israel for its genocide,” Minto said.

    “The government is out of touch with New Zealanders but in touch with US/Israel.

    “Foreign Minister Winston Peters seems to be explaining his silence as ‘keeping his nerve’.

    Minto said that for the past 17 months, minister Peters had condemned every act of Palestinian resistance against 77 years of brutal colonisation and apartheid policies.

    “But he has refused to condemn any of the countless war crimes committed by Israel during this time — including the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war.

    “Speaking out to condemn Israel now is our opportunity to force it to reconsider and begin negotiations on stage two of the ceasefire agreement Israel is trying to walk away from.

    “Palestinians and New Zealanders deserve no less.”

    A Netanyahu “Wanted” sign at last Saturday’s pro-Palestinian rally in “Palestinian Corner”, Auckland . . . in reference to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued last November against the Israeli Prime Minister and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Image: APR

    ‘Devastating sounds’
    Al Jazeera reporter Maram Humaid said from Gaza: “We woke up to the devastating sounds of multiple explosions as a series of air attacks targeted various areas across the Gaza Strip, from north to south, including Jabalia, Gaza City, Nuseirat, Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis.”

    Protesters picket outside the US Consulate in Auckland today in protest against Israel resuming air strikes on the besieged Gaza enclave. Image: Kathy Ross/APR

    “The strikes hit homes, residential buildings, schools sheltering displaced people and tents, resulting in a significant number of casualties, including women and children, especially since the attacks occurred during sleeping hours.

    The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 232 people had been killed in today’s Israeli raids.

    The Palestinian resistance group Hamas called on people of Arab and Islamic nations — and the “free people of the world” — to take to the streets in protest over the devastating attack.

    Hamas urged people across the world to “raise their voice in rejection of the resumption of the Zionist war of extermination against our people in the Gaza Strip”.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: View of Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone

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

    View of Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone

    Updated: March 26, 2025 08:52 Xinhua
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an area of coconut forest in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. China’s Boao has announced the establishment of its first zero-carbon zone, a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of low-carbon development, according to authorities in Hainan. One expert has said that the achievement is a pioneering example for global carbon reduction efforts, and underscores China’s commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable development. Spanning about 190 hectares, the demonstration zone includes Dongyu Island, which is the permanent site of the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference. By focusing on green building renovation and renewable energy adoption, the demonstration zone has successfully reduced carbon dioxide emissions from buildings and other infrastructure from 11,300 tonnes in 2019 to zero tonnes in 2024, according to data from local authorities. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the view of a garden in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the view of a garden in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in the Dongyu Island in Boao Town of Qionghai City, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices at a parking lot in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an electric vehicle charging station in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices on the roof of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center and a BFA hotel in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows keychains made from recycled materials being displayed at a zero-carbon rest area for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an operation management center of the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An attendee drinks direct drinking water in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People experience a cycling challenge at a park on Dongyu Island in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a zero-carbon bar in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members demonstrate the procedure of plastic recycling in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the outdoor photovoltaic floor tiles in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices on the roof of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) News Center and its annex buildings in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Shareholder activism: reflections on the current, and future, landscape

    Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

    Campaigns keep evolving, with more high stakes ahead 11 min read

    Last year was another big one for shareholder activists globally, with investor sentiment in 2024 taking its cues from disruption across the broader economic and geopolitical landscape. Closer to home, activity was more stable in Australia—as it typically is, owing to our smaller footprint, more stringent company laws and stable markets—but campaigns continue to evolve, with activists refining their strategies to both capitalise on financial opportunities and seek redress for governance concerns.

    We expect high stakes for the rest of the year as the Trump administration’s policies upend commercial and regulatory settings and potentially tip the scales in favour of activists. While shareholder activism is now a standard part of the investment landscape in the US, the practice is reverberating around Australia and the rest of the world.

    In this Insight, we bring together the key takeaways from 2024 and provide our thoughts on what we see ahead.

    A snapshot of the numbers

    Activist activity has well and truly bounced back from the subdued levels brought about by the pandemic.

    Over 1000 companies were targeted by activist campaigns worldwide for the second consecutive year.1 The US continues to be the epicentre of activity, with nearly 600 US-listed companies facing activist demands, marking a 7% increase from 2023 and 16% from 2022. There was a strong showing from non-traditional and first-time activists—a record-breaking 160 different investors launched campaigns in the US in 2024, which included 45 first-time activists, also a record.

    Activity in Asia was similarly strong (particularly in Japan and South Korea), though Europe trended down, owing to ongoing disruption brought about by the conflict in Ukraine and generally subdued economic activity. There, the United Kingdom hosts the lion’s share of activity, with 42% of campaigns targeting British companies.

    Australia saw a modest rise in activity year on year, with 56 companies targeted, up nominally from the 54 campaigns recorded in 2023. While the volume of campaigns remained steady, the effectiveness of Australian activists improved—activists were assessed as having achieved their objectives in 25% of resolved campaigns, up from 16% in 2023.

    Despite this, Australian activists struggled to secure board representation in target companies, with only seven board seats gained in 2024, down significantly from 26 in 2023. This divergence suggests that although activism remains a powerful force for corporate engagement, the dominant institutional investors and influential proxy advisors remain selective and largely hesitant in delivering changes at the board level.

    All up, campaign volumes continue to be strong, though success is trickier to measure. Whether the public demands of activists are met is one tangible way of assessing effectiveness, but the overall impact of a campaign can often manifest in less direct ways. For example, the opportunity cost of management in responding to a campaign, the inherent value derived from the ensuing publicity and any derivative or other trading in the target securities—and, of course, the concessions that play out behind closed doors—often contribute to the effectiveness of shareholder activism.

    Stories from the front line

    These are some of the headline-grabbing campaigns that played out in the last year or so that have set the tone for activist causes.

    One of the most closely watched activist campaigns was Glenview Capital’s attempt to gain board representation at CVS Health. Glenview increased its stake in CVS in the third quarter of 2024 by 31%, making its US$635 million holding (equivalent to 1% of the stock) the largest of all three activist hedge funds with an interest in the company. The intervention came following a 27% drop in share price since the beginning of 2024, a market reaction reportedly attributed to higher medical costs in CVS’s insurance segment caused by an influx of medical procedures delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Glenview secured four board seats in November 2024, including Glenview CEO Larry Robbins. It was reported that the board appointments were made amid the prospect of Glenview initiating a public and more aggressive proxy fight. This case highlights the increasing sophistication of activist investors targeting high-profile global companies, and underscores the importance of clear, proactive shareholder engagement strategies—a strategy that Australian boards should observe as activism intensifies.

    The activist campaign led by Elliott Investment Management resulted in a change of CEO at Starbucks and a correspondent increase in share value by 24%, equating to US$26 billion in value and marking the company’s most successful day since its initial public offering in 1992.

    In July 2024, it was reported that Elliott had become one of the largest investors in Starbucks, and sought to leverage its position by presenting a proposal to the board for an overhaul of domestic and international strategy. The move followed the stock price having declined by 24% since the former CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, was appointed in March 2023. While Elliott approached the board in private and did not publicly advocate for a replacement CEO, there were persistent leaks to the media, which commentators assessed as likely prompting the decision. On 13 August 2024, the board announced the appointment of Brian Niccol, former CEO of restaurant chain Chipotle, who is credited with Chipotle’s modernisation and an increase in its stock price by 770% since 2018.

    The campaign illustrates that one response strategy in dealing with activists, particularly high-profile investors, can be to move pre-emptively to instigate change before the issues are forced.

    In June 2024, Elliott also disclosed an 11% economic stake in Southwest Airlines worth US$1.9 billion, and converted enough of its derivate holdings in September to amass a 10% common stock holding that enabled Elliott to call a special meeting. Conversely to its approach for Starbucks, it engaged in a more public campaign, by proposing that ‘enhancing the board, upgrading leadership and a comprehensive business review’ were necessary to increase Southwest’s stock price. In October 2024, it was announced that Southwest would appoint five independent directors nominated by Elliott in addition to another board member, and that the former chief executive and then chairman would accelerate his retirement. Following the announcement of the personnel changes, Elliott withdrew its demand for a special shareholder meeting intended to replace 10 members of Southwest’s 15-person board. Elliott’s influence has continued to grow since then, with Southwest disclosing on 19 February 2025 that the company’s agreement with Elliott has been amended to increase the maximum aggregate economic exposure that Elliott may acquire, from 14.9% to 19.9%, but limit it from acquiring more than 12.49% of outstanding common stock until 1 April 2026. When Elliott disclosed its position in June 2024, the Southwest stock price was US$29.70, and as at 14 March 2025, it was US$31.73.

    Consistent with the sentiments of the Trump administration’s focus on rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, a group of Apple shareholders submitted on 25 February 2025 a proposal titled ‘Request to Cease DEI Efforts’. This was rejected at Apple’s shareholder meeting in February 2025, with 97.67% of the vote being against the proposal. The campaign against Apple is one of several anti-DEI proposals that have been levied against prominent companies, including Costco, where the proposal was defeated by 98% of votes, and farm equipment maker John Deere, where the proposal was defeated by 98.7%. These proposals have attracted significant attention, by harnessing viral social media campaigns advocating for customer boycotts, inundating company social media accounts with negative comments, and lobbing the threat of lawsuits alleging that DEI initiatives constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Despite the spotlight (or perhaps because of it?), shareholders of the world’s most valuable listed company voted overwhelmingly not to abandon its DEI initiatives.

    Activist themes

    We see two broad themes that motivate activists at the moment. For the reasons set out in the next section, we think the global economic and geopolitical settings provide an opportunity to shape activist behaviours.

    First, there is the more traditional activist strategy where professional investors identify companies that they perceive could optimise their performance or enhance their governance structures, and then seek to exert influence to encourage the company to focus on increasing shareholder returns. They do this by pushing for one or a combination of:

    Second, there is the rising influence of public sentiment and political undercurrents playing out in the theatre of public markets, and the volatility that comes with it. Activist campaigns are increasingly becoming a proxy for broader societal dissatisfaction.

    In Australia, this dual-track activism—balancing financial imperatives with political and social influences—reinforces the heightened investor expectations for action and accountability for these issues at the board level.

    For instance, shareholder dissent on pay has markedly increased in Australia recently, seeing over 40 strikes among ASX 300 companies in 2023 and 2024, compared with 22–26 strikes recorded between 2018 and 2022.2 Among those receiving a strike was the Australian Securities Exchange itself, with 26.15% of votes against the adoption of the remuneration report. Commentators assessed that the vote was an expression of shareholder dissatisfaction with the $250 million write-down and anticipated cost of a further $300 million to replace the CHESS technology system. Although 13 companies in the ASX 300 received a second strike in 2024, not a single board spill proposal came close to succeeding, with none receiving more than 20% of votes in favour.3 This demonstrates that while strikes are increasing, this is not being accompanied by momentum to trigger broader change to leadership structures—it would appear that shareholders are looking to use their vote to send a shot across the bow as an appropriate warning, rather than achieve a fundamental governance reset.

    Shareholders and special interest groups have also used the proxy forum to express dissatisfaction regarding climate action, reflecting broader societal concerns around environmental sustainability and climate change. Last year, Market Forces led an activist campaign against Woodside Energy, advocating for an overhaul to its climate transition action plan and encouraging other shareholders to push for further board renewal at the 2025 AGM. At the AGM in April 2024, 58.4% of proxies cast were against the transition strategy, following three hours of questions. Earlier this month, another activist shareholder group, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, advised investors to vote against the re-election of all three directors standing at the 2025 AGM and continues to integrate climate concerns into its analysis of shareholder returns.

    There is a similar experience in the UK, where Shell shareholders are still asked to vote on resolutions brought by activists to align the company’s medium-term emissions reduction targets with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and to factor ‘Scope 3’ emissions from fuels burnt by consumers into such calculations. Although the resolution received just 18.6% support from shareholders in 2024 (down 1.4% from 2023), the sustained pressure and media exposure may have contributed to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) proposals instead advanced by Shell’s board.

    For a more detailed analysis of the specific tactics that activists deploy pursuing these issues and how companies can prepare, see our earlier Insight.

    Our expectations for the road ahead

    Economic and geopolitical disruption to fuel activity

    The global economy is currently experiencing disruption. The focal point is, of course, the US, where the combination of (promised) tax cuts and deregulation will free up capital for investors to pursue short-term opportunities. As the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Chair, John Lonsdale, remarked in his recent address at the Australian Financial Review Banking Summit, ‘what happens in the world’s biggest economy has implications for the world, and therefore for Australia’. We thus expect the positive conditions for activists will spill across borders, and perhaps the momentum will too—the Australian Securities and Investments Commission recently outlined its first steps towards easing compliance obligations for directors.

    The hoped-for spike in M&A activity creates the opportunity for shareholder activism, so we anticipate elevated volumes of activity in the near term. At the same time, the imposition of tariffs and other protectionist policies—and the market volatility and trade war they may set off—will create winners and losers, with companies that struggle in the turbulence becoming targets for activists.

    A reckoning on ESG and DEI initiatives

    There has been mounting pushback on ESG and, more recently, DEI policies of corporations, with activists querying their necessity and appropriateness. Critics, who may not be shareholders, will be even more emboldened by the priorities and tone of the Trump administration.

    We expect that activists will continue to seek out opportunities to make high-profile examples of some companies. However, while proponents of these initiatives have attracted significant attention, we haven’t yet seen this noise translate into strong shareholder support for campaigns, as the recent experience with Apple demonstrates.

    The anti-anti-ESG and DEI cause

    While some activists are seeking to challenge ESG and DEI initiatives as a corporate priority, we anticipate others that may already be frustrated with perceived slow progress on sustainability, diversity and broader governance issues will look to double down and push for companies to stay the course.

    This sentiment will be particularly emboldened if governments consider rolling back regulations or shifting priorities. If it is perceived that lawmakers and regulators aren’t creating the framework to manage these issues, then we expect activists to take matters into their own hands by using shareholder meetings as forums or otherwise turning to the courts.

    Scrutiny of board composition and director accountability

    We are seeing investors pay closer attention to the fitness for office of individual board members, by using their vote to signal dissatisfaction and impose accountability for governance missteps when directors stand for election or re-election. This can be in relation to a company that has experienced an issue, or could follow individual directors to unrelated companies.

    Expect to see closer scrutiny of board composition and more protest votes against director elections. Even if candidates still easily obtain the ordinary majority needed to carry the resolution, this is a far cry from the near 100% backing candidates would typically receive, and, particularly for larger companies, shows at least some institutional investors (whose holding may have previously been seen as more passive) are sending a message.

    Leveraging technology and AI in activist strategies

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed a number of different fields, and has a role to play in the shareholder activism space as well, by making campaigns data driven and, as a consequence, more cost effective.

    AI can be deployed by activists to monitor and analyse tremendous amounts of data associated with corporate disclosures and financial performance, and to recognise the vulnerabilities and patterns in would-be candidates for a campaign. As these tools grow in sophistication, we expect to see activists be able to penetrate the market more deeply, and move with greater efficiency and precision in identifying opportunities.

    Activism has never been a simple strategy. We anticipate a continued evolution of the activist playbook in light of the above.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Qifu Technology, Inc. Announces Pricing of Offering of US$600 Million Cash-par Settled Convertible Senior Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, China, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qifu Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: QFIN; HKEx: 3660) (“Qifu Technology” or the “Company”), a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China, today announced the pricing of its previously announced offering (the “Notes Offering”) of convertible senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$600 million due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes have been offered to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has granted the initial purchasers in the Notes Offering an option to purchase up to an additional US$90 million principal amount of the Notes, exercisable for settlement within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the Notes are first issued.

    The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering for repurchasing the American depositary shares (“ADSs”) and/or class A ordinary shares of the Company concurrently with the pricing of the Notes Offering and from time to time after the pricing of the Notes Offering pursuant to a newly established share repurchase plan (the “March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan”) authorized by the board of directors of the Company. The March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan will run in addition to the Company’s existing share repurchase plan announced in November 2024. The Company expects the offering to be immediately accretive to 2025 earnings per ADS (“EPADS”) upon closing, facilitated by the execution of Concurrent Repurchase (as described below) and the cash-par conversion settlement mechanism of the Notes.

    Terms of the Notes

    The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 0.50% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2025. The Notes will mature on April 1, 2030 unless repurchased, redeemed, or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or part of their Notes for cash on April 3, 2028 or in the event of certain fundamental changes, in each case, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the relevant repurchase date.

    Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the 50th scheduled trading day before the maturity date, the Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods. On or after the 50th scheduled trading day before the maturity date until the close of business on the third scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at their option at any time. The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 16.7475 ADSs, per US$1,000 principal amount of the Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$59.71 per ADS and represents an approximately 35.0% conversion premium over the closing price of the Company’s ADSs on the Nasdaq on March 25, 2025, which was US$44.23 per ADS. The conversion rate of the Notes is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

    The Notes contemplate cash-par settlement upon conversion. Upon conversion, the Company will pay cash in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted and have the right to elect to settle the conversion consideration for amounts in excess of the aggregate principal amount using cash, ADSs, or a combination of cash and ADSs. Holders may elect to receive class A ordinary shares in lieu of any ADSs deliverable upon conversion, subject to certain conditions and procedures.

    In addition, the Company may redeem for cash all but not part of the Notes in the event of certain changes in the tax laws or if less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued remains outstanding at such time, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the related redemption date. Any redemption may occur only prior to the 50th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

    Concurrent and Future Repurchases under the March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan

    The board of directors of the Company has approved the March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan, under which the Company is authorized to use all the net proceeds from the Notes Offering to repurchase the ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares. This includes (i) the Concurrent Repurchase (as described below) and (ii) the repurchase of additional ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares of the Company on the open market and/or through other means after the pricing of the notes and from time to time.

    Under the March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes Offering, the Company plans to repurchase ADSs with an aggregate value of approximately US$230 million from certain purchasers of the Notes in off-market privately negotiated transactions effected through one of the initial purchasers or its affiliates, as the Company’s agent, at a price per ADS equal to US$44.23, the last reported sale price per ADS on the Nasdaq on March 25, 2025 (such transactions, the “Concurrent Repurchase”). The Concurrent Repurchase is expected to facilitate the initial hedges by purchasers of the Notes who desire to hedge their investments in the Notes, as the Company intends to repurchase the entire initial delta of the transaction. This will allow such purchasers of the Notes to establish short positions that generally correspond to commercially reasonable initial hedges of their investments in the Notes.

    In addition to the Concurrent Repurchase, the Company may repurchase additional ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares after the pricing of the Notes Offering and from time to time pursuant to the March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan. The share repurchases may be effected on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and will be implemented in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, including the requirements of Rule 10b-18 and/or Rule 10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

    The Concurrent Repurchase and future repurchases pursuant to the Company’s March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan are generally expected to create meaningful EPADS accretion for and offset potential dilution to the holders of the Company’s class A ordinary shares (including in the form of ADSs) upon conversion of the Notes, taking into the account the settlement method of the Notes.

    Other Matters

    Any repurchase activities of the Company, whether the Concurrent Repurchase and future repurchases pursuant to the Company’s March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan or otherwise pursuant to its other share repurchase plan(s) and program(s), could increase, or reduce the magnitude of any decrease in, the market price of the ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares and/or the trading price of the Notes.

    The Company expects that potential purchasers of the Notes may employ a convertible arbitrage strategy to hedge their exposure in connection with the Notes. Any such activities by potential purchasers of the Notes following the pricing of the Notes and prior to the maturity date could affect the market price of the ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares and/or the trading price of the Notes. The effect, if any, of the activities described in this paragraph, including the direction or magnitude, on the market price of the ADSs and/or class A ordinary shares and/or the trading price of the Notes will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and cannot be ascertained at this time.

    The Notes, the ADSs deliverable upon conversion of the Notes, if any, and the class A ordinary shares represented thereby or deliverable upon conversion of the Notes in lieu thereof have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any securities laws of any other places. They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons, except to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

    The Company expects to close the Notes Offering on or about March 27, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, nor shall there be a sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    This press release contains information about the pending Notes Offering, and there can be no assurance that the Notes Offering will be completed.

    About Qifu Technology

    Qifu Technology is a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China. By leveraging its sophisticated machine learning models and data analytics capabilities, the Company provides a comprehensive suite of technology services to assist financial institutions and consumers and SMEs in the loan lifecycle, ranging from borrower acquisition, preliminary credit assessment, fund matching and post-facilitation services. The Company is dedicated to making credit services more accessible and personalized to consumers and SMEs through Credit-Tech services to financial institutions.

    For more information, please visit: https://ir.qifu.tech.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Qifu Technology may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, which factors include but not limited to the following: the Company’s growth strategies, the Company’s cooperation with 360 Group, changes in laws, rules and regulatory environments, the recognition of the Company’s brand, market acceptance of the Company’s products and services, trends and developments in the Credit-Tech industry, governmental policies relating to the Credit-Tech industry, general economic conditions in China and around the globe, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in Qifu Technology’s filings with the SEC and the announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Qifu Technology does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For further information, please contact:

    Qifu Technology

    E-mail: ir@360shuke.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PNG’s Marape and NZ’s Luxon sign new partnership marking 50 years

    RNZ News

    The prime ministers of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have signed a new statement of partnership marking 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries.

    The document — which focuses on education, trade, security, agriculture and fisheries — was signed by Christopher Luxon and James Marape at the Beehive in Wellington last night.

    It will govern the relationship between the two countries through until 2029 and replaces the last agreement signed by Marape in 2021 with then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

    Marking the signing, Luxon announced $1 million would be allocated in response to Papua New Guinea’s aspirations to strengthen public sector institutions.

    “That funding will be able to support initiatives like strengthen cooperation between disaster preparedness institutions and also exchanging expertise in the governance of state owned enterprises in particular,” Luxon said.

    In his response Marape acknowledged the long enduring relationship between the government and peoples of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

    He said the new statement of partnership was an important blueprint on how the two countries would progress their relationship into the future.

    “Papua New Guinea brings to the table, as far as our relationship is concerned, our close proximity to Asia. We straddle the Pacific and Southeast Asia, we have an affinity to as much as our own affinity with our relations in the Pacific,” Marape said.

    “Our dual presence at APEC continues to ring [sic] home the fact that we belong to a family of nations and we work back to back on many fronts.”

    Meeting Peters
    Today, Marape will meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and leader of the opposition Chris Hipkins.

    Later in the week, Marape is scheduled to travel to Hamilton where he will meet with the NZ Papua New Guinea Business Council and with Papua New Guinea scholarship recipients at Waikato University.

    James Marape is accompanied by his spouse Rachael Marape and a ministerial delegation including Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, Trade Minister Richard Maru, Minister for Livestock Seki Agisa and Higher Education Minister Kinoka Feo.

    This is Marape’s first official visit to New Zealand following his re-election as prime minister in the last national elections in 2022.

    According to the PNG government, the visit signals a growing relationship between the two countries, especially in trade and investment, cultural exchange, and the newly-added Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme that New Zealand has extended to Papua New Guineans to work in Aotearoa.

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to Project Auckland Luncheon

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks, Murray, for that introduction.  

    It’s a pleasure to be speaking with you here in New Zealand’s capital city of growth, at this launch of the Project Auckland report.  

    Can I start by acknowledging my parliamentary colleague Hon Simeon Brown. He is unquestionably the biggest advocate for Auckland I know – and is a staunch advocate for you all around the Cabinet table.  

    I also want to acknowledge Project Auckland Editor Fran O’Sullivan, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, and my former parliamentary colleague and boss Simon Bridges.  

    While I am a boy from Lower Hutt, I want to reassure you that I know and love this city, having lived here for two years, having many friends who live here, and am at the moment almost a weekly visitor. 

    Auckland is critical to New Zealand’s future. We are not going to be successful in growing our economy if we don’t think carefully about how we enable Auckland, as our largest and most important city, to grow and thrive. 

    That’s why government is investing heavily into transport in Auckland, through new Roads of National Significance, new busways, and commuter rail. 

    Without question, the largest of these planned investments is a second harbour crossing.  

    In fact, it will be one of the most expensive infrastructure investments in New Zealand history.  

    Our existing bridge is old, and even with the clip-on lanes, it’s expected to struggle with forecast increases in demand.   

    Despite the daunting cost, and the other challenges that come with the project, advancing an additional harbour crossing is a priority for this Government.  

    Right now, there is a barge in the harbour undertaking geotechnical, environmental, and utilities investigations of the Harbour floor – the first-time studies of this kind have been done.  

    NTZA are about to kick off early market soundings on this project, largely to help us make the decision every Aucklander is waiting for: bridge or tunnel. We expect to make that decision mid-2026. 

    Being realistic, this project won’t be built for a while yet – but Auckland doesn’t need to wait that long to experience a transformational transport project.  

    Everyone in this room knows the potential City Rail Link has to enable the growth Auckland needs. 

    Once open next year, CRL will double Auckland’s rail capacity and reduce congestion across the city, enabling Aucklanders to get to where they want to go faster. 

    It is critical for the city’s future that we take advantage of CRL and ensure that the maximum benefits are felt by Aucklanders.  

    We must focus high density, mixed-use developments around CRL stations – with as many jobs, houses, services and amenities within walking distance as possible.  

    This approach is known as transit-oriented development, and has been adopted by the world’s best and most liveable cities – think Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. 

    Cities that embrace transit orientated development consistently outperform those that don’t across multiple metrics: they experience increases in productivity, lower unemployment, higher population growth, increased availability of homes, and more stable rents. 

    And with CRL, we have a once in a generation chance to embrace this in Auckland. 
     

    Consent decline 

    This is why I was so frustrated last week to see a resource consent application to build a $100m office building on K Road – within walking distance of the new CRL station – was denied by commissioners.   

    Frankly, this decision made me feel physically ill.  

    How can it possibly be that an 11-story building, which includes retail spaces and food and beverage stores, alongside office and commercial spaces for more than 400 people, is turned down in the centre of New Zealand’s biggest city? 

    The site it is currently planned to be on is a gravel pit. You heard that correctly. Our current planning laws are so fundamentally broken that a gravel pit in the CBD of Auckland is unable to be developed into a new office building.  

    The commissioners’ report said “The principal concern for the board is the scale of the development.” 

    Which might be more understandable if that was said about a development in a small regional town, but is astounding when there is a 20 story building within 100 metres.     

    Putting it simply, and excuse the RMA language, the commissioners when declining this application concluded that the adverse effects related to built form and appearance, streetscape, and historic heritage had not been sufficiently avoided such that the effects on the environment were considered ‘more than minor’.  

    This is precisely why we are scrapping the RMA, and replacing it with a radically more enabling system predicated on property rights. As you will have hopefully seen, I announced the architecture for our new system earlier this week.  

    A number of the changes we are progressing would have likely led to this K-Road development being approved rather than declined.  

    Our planned standardised zoning approach will help us move away from considering matters such as built form and appearance, or streetscape.  

    It will be clear what you can build and where, with fewer restrictions encouraging increased creativity in our built form – likely improving the look of our cities.    

    What I want to see in our new planning system is that development like this, due to its proximity to rapid transit and the central city, would be able to proceed without the need to gain approval at all – instead proceeding as a permitted activity through a standardised zone.  

    The other, more technical change we are proposing to make is the removal of what is known as non-complying activity status. The RMA states that a consent can only be granted for a non-complying activity if the adverse effects of the activity are minor, or the activity will not be contrary to objectives and policies of a plan. 

    In layman’s terms, this creates a barrier to some of these larger projects, with a much higher bar for approval, which sometimes is insurmountable.   

    This K-Road development was one of these non-complying activities. Remember that McDonalds in Wanaka that was declined a few weeks ago? Also a non-complying activity. That Southland windfarm that was declined last week? You guessed it: non-complying activity.  

    8-10% of all resource consent applications every year are for non-complying activities – and therefore face this sometimes impossibly high-bar.  

    By removing non-complying activities in our new system, alongside narrowing the effects considered in the planning system, we will making it substantially easier for these big projects to get approval.  
     

    PC 78 

    Moving on from K-Road – another issue that has been causing significant uncertainty for Auckland Council, as well as Aucklanders, has been the ongoing saga with it’s current plan change process, known as PC 78.  

    Auckland Council has been progressing PC 78 since mid-2022. This was the vehicle that was intended to implement the National Policy Statement on Urban Development – more commonly known as the NPS-UD, and the Medium Density Residential Standards – more commonly known as the MDRS. Apologies for the acronym soup. 

     

    The idea was that the MDRS, which enabled more density in the suburbs, and the NPS-UD, which enabled more density around CBDs and rapid transit, were both meant to be adopted by councils quickly – and the last Government gave them new planning tools to achieve this.   

    This, however, did not quite pan out. Fast forward to today, years after these were introduced, Auckland Council are still going through their plan change process to implement them. 

    In fairness to them, there have been significant challenges along the way. Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding events, and the change in Government has now made the progress of PC 78 tricky, to say the least.  

    I think Mayor Brown put it best when he called the current situation “a bit like RMA gymnastics”. 

    Following the floods, Auckland Council has seen the need to address a number of new natural hazard areas prone to flooding.  

    Unfortunately, and frankly, annoyingly, the plan change process they had to use for PC 78, does not allow downzoning. It wasn’t envisaged at the time that councils would need to do anything other than upzoning using this process, and now they are stuck.  

    The other issue is the light rail corridor. Auckland Council left this blank in PC 78, anticipating new station location announcements, which obviously did not come, as we won the election, and scrapped this wasteful project as promised. 

    We also have also communicated changes to the rules around the MDRS, as we campaigned on, therefore changing Auckland Council’s approach to PC 78 yet again. 

    These things have left Auckland Council in a very confusing situation not entirely of their own making – although I do want to say, that if they had they delivered this plan change on the timeframes originally required of them, a number of these issues would be much easier to manage now.  

    With us about to introduce a new RMA system, and this having dragged on for frankly far too long already, we want Auckland Council to bank some quick-wins for density and development now. Aucklanders have waited for too long.  

    That’s why I can confirm today that I have changed my legal  “direction”, made under the RMA, on Auckland Council on the timing and sequencing of decisions on PC 78. 

    This change will bring forward decisions on the city centre, by ten months from the previously required date of March 2026 to May 2025.  

    This will almost immediately support the enablement of thousands of dwellings and significant development potential in the heart of Auckland – where basically everyone accepts this kind of growth is critical.  

    We are able to do this because the city centre parts of PC 78 are discrete from the rest of the changes and have been through submissions and hearings already.  

    Locking in this part of the plan change as soon as possible is a massive win for our biggest city, and a massive win for economic growth.  

    For the time being, the remainder of PC 78 will still need to be completed by March 2026 as per the law.  

    I note that Auckland Council, in their submission on the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, which is currently before the Environment Select Committee, have asked for changes to enable the immediate withdrawal of the remaining parts of PC 78.  

    As this Bill is currently before Select Committee, and due to come back to Parliament later in the year, I am unable to provide comment on whether these suggestions will be incorporated.  

    However, I can confirm this is something that is being considered as part of the Committee’s process, and I’ll have more to say on this in due course.  

    I am grateful to the work of Mayor Brown and his council in advancing housing and urban outcomes for our great city of Auckland.  

    In my experience, Mayor Brown has been steadfast in his support for sensible density in the city centre, in Auckland’s metro-centres, and near key transport connections. I want to thank him for his leadership, and for bringing sense back into the density debate in Auckland.  

    This situation has without a doubt been the most complex I have had to deal with as a Minister. If anything, it underscores the urgent need for our replacement planning system.  

    Aucklanders shouldn’t need a PhD in planning or a team of lawyers to understand the progress of a major zoning change going on in their backyards. Our new system will have plans that are much more streamlined and simple, clearly communicating what Kiwis can do on their own property, without the years and years of backwards and forwards.  
     

    Conclusion  

    In conclusion, I want to repeat what I have said in my column in the Project Auckland report we are all here to launch today:  

    Auckland has a bright future. Whenever I visit Auckland, I get a palpable sense of opportunity knocking. Auckland isn’t waiting, it’s getting on with the mission of growth. It is bursting at the seams with opportunities — now, it is the responsibility of all of us to help make it happen.  

    Thank you – I will now take your questions.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Searching for the missing link to heart disease in NZ’s Fijian population – Otago

    Source: University of Otago

    Researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke, are looking to genetics to understand why Fijian New Zealanders are at higher risk of having heart attacks or developing angina at a young age.

    The research is led by Heart Foundation Research Fellow Dr Pritika Narayan from the Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia who says people from Fiji make up almost two per cent of Aotearoa’s population, but experience 20 per cent of the heart attacks or angina in people under the age of 40.

    “Some have died in their twenties from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. There is a striking inheritance pattern, with grandparent, child, grandchild affected independent of risk factors such as smoking, obesity and diabetes.

    “In one case we know of, a grandfather had a heart attack in his sixties, his son in his forties and his grandson in his twenties.”

    The study, funded by the Heart Foundation, is the first in the world to look for a genetic link to premature coronary artery disease among Fijians and Fijian Indians.

    Dr Narayan speculates that people with a heightened risk of premature coronary artery disease may have a variation in their genetic code.

    “It is possible that variation helped their ancestors survive historical famine events and infectious disease outbreaks but is having the opposite effect now food is relatively abundant, causing fat to accumulate in the arteries and leading to these very premature heart attacks.”

    Dr Narayan hopes her research will lead to gene-based improvements in screening, diagnosis and treatment options for Fijian New Zealanders who have a predisposition to developing the disease.

    “It will also help Fijian New Zealanders understand their risk of heart disease and give them the chance to access potentially life-saving medicines, such as blood-pressure lowering medicines, or statins to reduce their cholesterol levels, before any damage to their heart occurs.”

    Dr Narayan says the genetic research could lead to better care and prevention strategies for other ethnic minority groups who the peoples of Fiji share ancestry with, particularly the 10 million Melanesian people living in the Pacific and the 25 per cent of the world’s population who are South Asian.

    She hopes to recruit at least 40 Fijian or Fijian Indian New Zealanders to take part in the study. They will be asked to have a blood test at their nearest Awanui Labs blood collection centre, and scientists will analyse the blood sample so they can study their DNA and RNA and look for biomarkers related to heart health and disease.

    To be eligible to take part in the research, participants must have New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, have Fijian (i-Taukei) or Fijian Indian (Girmit) ancestry and have had their first heart attack, experienced angina, or had related surgery (such as a stent or bypass) before the age of 55. They may also be able to take part if they have a close relative who has had a heart attack at a young age.

    To find out more, visit https://www.fijiheartstudy.com/

    Notes:

    A Wellington-based participant in the study is available to be interviewed about the research and why it is an important study for his family. Please get in touch with Pritika if you are interested in arranging an interview with him.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump silences Voice of America – end of a propaganda machine or void for China and Russia to fill?

    ANALYSIS: By Valerie A. Cooper, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    Of all the contradictions and ironies of Donald Trump’s second presidency so far, perhaps the most surprising has been his shutting down the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) for being “radical propaganda”.

    Critics have long accused the agency — and its affiliated outlets such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia — of being a propaganda arm of US foreign policy.

    But to the current president, the USAGM has become a promoter of “anti-American ideas” and agendas — including allegedly suppressing stories critical of Iran, sympathetically covering the issue of “white privilege” and bowing to pressure from China.

    Propaganda is clearly in the eye of the beholder. The Moscow Times reported Russian officials were elated by the demise of the “purely propagandistic” outlets, while China’s Global Times celebrated the closure of a “lie factory”.

    Meanwhile, the European Commission hailed USAGM outlets as a “beacon of truth, democracy and hope”. All of which might have left the average person understandably confused: Voice of America? Wasn’t that the US propaganda outlet from World War II?

    Well, yes. But the reality of USAGM and similar state-sponsored global media outlets is more complex — as are the implications of the US agency’s demise.

    Public service or state propaganda?
     The USAGM is one of several international public service media outlets based in Western democracies. Others include Australia’s ABC International, the BBC World Service, CBC/Radio-Canada, France Médias Monde, NHK-World Japan, Deutsche Welle in Germany and SRG SSR in Switzerland.

    Part of the Public Media Alliance, they are similar to national public service media, largely funded by taxpayers to uphold democratic ideals of universal access to news and information.

    Unlike national public media, however, they might not be consumed — or even known — by domestic audiences. Rather, they typically provide news to countries without reliable independent media due to censorship or state-run media monopolies.

    The USAGM, for example, provides news in 63 languages to more than 100 countries. It has been credited with bringing attention to issues such as protests against covid-19 lockdowns in China and women’s struggles for equal rights in Iran.

    On the other hand, the independence of USAGM outlets has been questioned often, particularly as they are required to share government-mandated editorials.

    Voice of America has been criticised for its focus on perceived ideological adversaries such as Russia and Iran. And my own research has found it perpetuates stereotypes and the neglect of African nations in its news coverage.

    Leaving a void
     Ultimately, these global media outlets wouldn’t exist if there weren’t benefits for the governments that fund them. Sharing stories and perspectives that support or promote certain values and policies is an effective form of “public diplomacy”.

    Yet these international media outlets differ from state-controlled media models because of editorial systems that protect them from government interference.

    The Voice of America’s “firewall”, for instance, “prohibits interference by any US government official in the objective, independent reporting of news”. Such protections allow journalists to report on their own governments more objectively.

    In contrast, outlets such as China Media Group (CMG), RT from Russia, and PressTV from Iran also reach a global audience in a range of languages. But they do this through direct government involvement.

    CMG subsidiary CCTV+, for example, states it is “committed to telling China’s story to the rest of the world”.

    Though RT states it is an autonomous media outlet, research has found the Russian government oversees hiring editors, imposing narrative angles, and rejecting stories.

    A Voice of America staffer protests outside the Washington DC offices on March 17, 2025, after employees were placed on administrative leave. Image: Getty Images/The Conversation

    Other voices get louder
     The biggest concern for Western democracies is that these other state-run media outlets will fill the void the USAGM leaves behind — including in the Pacific.

    Russia, China and Iran are increasing funding for their state-run news outlets, with China having spent more than US$6.6 billion over 13 years on its global media outlets. China Media Group is already one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, providing news content to more than 130 countries in 44 languages.

    And China has already filled media gaps left by Western democracies: after the ABC stopped broadcasting Radio Australia in the Pacific, China Radio International took over its frequencies.

    Worryingly, the differences between outlets such as Voice of America and more overtly state-run outlets aren’t immediately clear to audiences, as government ownership isn’t advertised.

    An Australian senator even had to apologise recently after speaking with PressTV, saying she didn’t know the news outlet was affiliated with the Iranian government, or that it had been sanctioned in Australia.

    Switched off
     Trump’s move to dismantle the USAGM doesn’t come as a complete surprise, however. As the authors of Capturing News, Capturing Democracy: Trump and the Voice of America described, the first Trump administration failed in its attempts to remove the firewall and install loyalists.

    This perhaps explains why Trump has resorted to more drastic measures this time. And, as with many of the current administration’s legally dubious actions, there has been resistance.

    The American Foreign Service Association says it will challenge the dismantling of the USAGM, while the Czech Republic is seeking EU support to keep Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty on the air.

    But for many of the agency’s journalists, contractors, broadcasting partners and audiences, it may be too late. Last week, The New York Times reported some Voice of America broadcasts had already been replaced by music.

    Dr Valerie A. Cooper is lecturer in media and communication, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington.  This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced for Larceny

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Larceny. The sentencing took place on March 24, 2025.

    Zyin Wright, age 22, was sentenced to time served from his arrest on March 27, 2024, through March 24, 2025, equal to approximately one year in custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Wright was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,124.47.

    Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He pleaded guilty on December 16, 2024.

    The conviction stems from conduct that occurred in March of 2024. On the evening of March 26, 2024, Wright stole a motor vehicle from a residence in Rapid City. He then drove the vehicle to Mission, South Dakota, in the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The vehicle was reported stolen on the morning of March 27, 2024, and it was located in Mission a short time later with the assistance of vehicle-tracking software. Wright was arrested in Mission later that day.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Padilla Bill to Safeguard U.S. Research Against Foreign Adversaries Passes House

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) released the following statements after their U.S. Research Protection Act, which would shield American research from malign foreign influence by updating language in the CHIPS and Science Act to include additional restrictions against programs sponsored by countries of concern, passed the U.S. House of Representatives:
    “In a world where competition turns into hostility all too often, we must do everything in our power to safeguard American ingenuity against bad actor nations,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation will place even more restrictions on academic programs involving countries of concern to ensure American scientific research is protected.”
    “The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act included important provisions to bolster our research security, and we must continue to build upon this progress,” said Sen. Padilla. “This legislation will provide much-needed clarity for federal agencies and academic institutions to better safeguard national security while preserving research collaboration and international partnerships crucial to the strength of America’s innovation economy. I am glad to see the House pass our bipartisan bill, and I look forward to working with Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to secure its swift passage in the Senate.”
    U.S. Representatives Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) led the legislation in the House.
    Background:
    Malign Foreign Talent Programs are sponsored by countries of concern like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea to obtain American scientific research and technology by incentivizing or coercing American researchers to act on their behalf. The CHIPS and Science Act included provisions to prohibit the U.S. government and academic institutions from partnering with such programs.
    However, the law’s current definition of a Malign Foreign Talent Program only includes programs that “directly provide” incentives and benefits to researchers to participate, leaving out other methods to provide indirect benefits to researchers to induce their cooperation. This legislation would broaden the definition to include “indirect benefits,” ensuring foreign adversarial nations cannot exploit this loophole to evade U.S. research restrictions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Secures Commitment from Trump’s Nominee on Ensuring Panama Cooperates to Stop Illicit Drug Trafficking to the U.S.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today at a hearing received a commitment from Kevin Cabrera, nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Panama, to use all tools at his disposal to ensure Panama cooperates with the United States on reducing the flow of illicit drug trafficking into America.
    “Transnational criminal organizations, from countries like Colombia and Mexico, have long used Panama to smuggle illicit drugs, and they’ve done it to the tune of billions of dollars,” Hagerty said. “Last year alone, the State Department estimates that up to 40 percent of cocaine that was produced in Colombia had transited through the exclusive economic zones of Panama.”
    “Mr. Cabrera, do you commit to use all of the tools at your disposal to ensure that the Panamanian government continues to collaborate with the United States [in taking] strong actions against these criminal organizations and stopping the flow of illicit drugs into America?” Hagerty asked.
    “[Panama is] a great ally in this and…[I look] forward to continuing that and using all the tools that are at our disposal to continue to [make] sure that we stop as many metric tons of drugs coming through that border through the Darién Gap,” said Cabrera. “It goes hand-in-hand with migration.”

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Scientists Develop Questionnaire to Assess Doctors’ Trust in Artificial Intelligence Services: A Tool for International Research

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine – Moscow

    Researchers from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines have expressed interest in a revolutionary method developed by the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. The innovative tool, a survey designed to assess radiologists’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, is intended to advance global research into the integration of AI in healthcare.

    The survey assesses responses across four key areas: personal experience with AI, trust level, expectations for future collaboration, and implementation prospects. Taking into account the opinions of healthcare professionals, this study aims to streamline the implementation of AI services in healthcare, increasing efficiency and convenience. A scientific article about the new method was published in the international scientific journal Healthcare.

    Yuri Vasiliev, General Director of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine, Chief Consultant on Radiology at the Moscow Department of Health, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

    “Artificial intelligence has already become an integral part of everyday medical practice in Moscow. Our goal is to make its use as convenient as possible for doctors and at the same time as useful as possible for patients. The questionnaire allows us to take into account the opinion of radiologists during the development process. We are also pleased with the international interest: colleagues from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines want to implement this tool. Moscow remains open to scientific cooperation with other countries.”

    Developing a reliable survey instrument required painstaking scientific work. The Moscow team made sure that the questions were clear, unambiguous, and allowed for reliable results regardless of external factors such as respondents’ mood or time of participation in the survey. The questionnaire was thoroughly tested with the participation of more than 430 radiologists, including retesting in focus groups to confirm its reliability.

    Anton Vladzimirsky, Deputy Director for Research at the Center, noted its practical application:

    “The survey results allow organizers to determine the prevailing attitudes towards AI in radiology and develop targeted interventions. For example, it is possible to develop customized educational programs for radiologists or take measures to reduce concerns about the implementation of AI. This tool is universal – it can be applied at the hospital, regional or even national level.”

    During this time, as part of an experimental initiative dedicated to innovative computer vision technologies for analyzing medical images, neural networks analyzed more than 14 million medical images, successfully identifying signs of pathologies in 39 different areas. The initiative is supported by the Government of Moscow and the Moscow Department of Health and is being implemented at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. Based on the results of the experiment, 22 national standards for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare were developed, approved and officially put into effect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Scientists Develop Questionnaire to Evaluate Doctors’ Trust in AI Services: A Tool for International Studies

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine – Moscow

    Researchers from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines have expressed interest in a groundbreaking method developed by the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. This innovative tool, a survey designed to assess radiologists’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging, is poised to facilitate global studies on the integration of AI in healthcare. 

    The survey evaluates responses across four key aspects: personal experience with AI, level of trust, expectations for future collaboration, and perspectives on implementation prospects. By considering the insights of medical professionals, this research aims to streamline the adoption of AI services in healthcare, enhancing both efficiency and user comfort. A scientific article about the new method was published in the international scientific journal Healthcare.

    Yuri Vasiliev, CEO of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine and Chief Consultant for Radiology at the Moscow Healthcare Department, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

    “Artificial intelligence is already an integral part of daily medical practice in Moscow. Our goal is to make its use as seamless as possible for doctors while maximizing benefits for patients. The questionnaire allows us to incorporate radiologists’ feedback into our development process. We are also excited to see international interest, with colleagues from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines eager to adopt this tool. Moscow remains open to scientific collaboration with other nations.”

    Developing a reliable survey instrument required meticulous scientific effort. The Moscow team ensured that questions were clear, unambiguous, and capable of yielding valid results regardless of external factors like respondents’ mood or timing of participation. The questionnaire underwent rigorous validation processes involving over 430 radiologists, including repeated testing with focus groups to confirm its reliability.

    Anton Vladzimirsky, Deputy Director for Research at the Center, highlighted its practical applications:

    “The survey results enable organizers to identify prevailing attitudes toward AI in radiology and design targeted interventions. For instance, personalized educational programs can be developed for radiologists, or measures can be implemented to alleviate concerns about AI adoption. The tool is versatile—it can be applied at hospital, regional, or even national levels.”

     Moscow has been at the forefront of AI integration in medicine for five years. During this period, under the auspices of an experimental initiative focusing on innovative computer vision technologies for medical image analysis, neural networks have analyzed over 14 million medical images, successfully identifying signs of pathologies across 39 different domains. This initiative is supported by the Moscow City Government and the Moscow Healthcare Department, executed at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. As a result of the experiment’s findings, 22 national standards regarding the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare have been developed, approved, and formally enacted.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Migrant deaths in Asia hit record high in 2024, UN data reveals

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Migrants and Refugees

    The year 2024 marked the deadliest on record for migrants in Asia, with at least 2,514 lives lost along the region’s perilous migration routes, according to new data from the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    This represents a staggering 59 per cent increase from the 1,584 deaths recorded in 2023, highlighting the worsening dangers faced by people on the move.

    “No one should lose their life in pursuit of safety or a better future,” said Iori Kato, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

    “Every life lost on migration routes in Asia, or anywhere else, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and regular migration pathways – these are preventable tragedies.”

    Source: IOM

    Migrant deaths in Asia since 2014; data for 2025 as of 15 March.

    Rohingya, Afghans most at risk

    The spike in migrant deaths was primarily linked to two of the region’s most vulnerable populations: the minority Muslim Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Afghans escaping conflict and instability.

    “The increase in deaths across Asia of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the region is of grave concern,” Mr. Kato said.

    In 2024, at least 1,517 Afghan migrants lost their lives while in transit – up 39 per cent from 2023.

    Deaths among Rohingya migrants more than doubled, reaching 889 compared to 436 the previous year.

    On 5 August 2024 alone, over 150 people were reportedly killed by artillery fire while attempting to cross the Naf River from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

    IOM also highlighted that the risks facing migrants extended beyond conflict-related violence. Many are vulnerable to perilous conditions en route, including overcrowded and unsafe boats, abuse by smugglers and extreme weather conditions.

    Crisis of missing migrants

    Lack of identification of migrants was also a major concern, with over 1,000 of those who died in 2024 unidentified. Among the documented deaths, 1,086 were men, 205 were women, and 217 children.

    “A lack of official reporting of data on missing migrants means we know our data do not fully capture the true number of lives lost during migration in Asia,” Mr. Kato said.

    “And even within the records we have, so few identifying details are known, meaning there are immeasurable effects on families searching for lost relatives,” he added.

    UNICEF/Patrick Brown

    A man helps a woman to the shore as a boat arrives with Rohingya refugees in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. (file)

    Asia’s deadly migration routes

    Migration in Asia is complex, driven by economic inequality, conflict and environmental factors, worsened by climate change. However, limited legal pathways have forced many to rely on irregular and highly dangerous routes.

    One of the deadliest corridors remains the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, where stateless Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants embark on treacherous sea journeys in search of refuge. Many pay smugglers for passage, only to find themselves trapped on overcrowded boats with insufficient food and water, facing violence from crew members and the risk of being turned away at their destination.

    Meanwhile, overland migration routes across South and Southeast Asia – such as those from Nepal to India, or from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Iran and Turkey – also pose serious risks. Migrants frequently endure extreme environmental conditions, exploitation by traffickers, and border violence.

    Sea crossings to Australia, once a significant migration route, have sharply declined in recent years due to strict border controls, according to IOM.

    While official data on boat interceptions remains scarce, the closure of this route has left many stranded in transit countries with little access to healthcare, education or legal protection, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: General Assembly Commemorates Slave Trade Remembrance, Adopts Resolutions on Conflict Diamonds, High-Level Talks on Rohingyas

    Source: United Nations 4

    Note: Full coverage of today’s meeting of the General Assembly will be available Wednesday, 26 March.

    The General Assembly today adopted resolutions on a range of topics, from the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict to a high-level conference on Rohingyas in Myanmar, while also holding a special event to pay tribute to the 15 million men, women and children from Africa who were trafficked into slavery.

    Conflict Diamonds

    The resolution on “The role of diamonds in fuelling conflict:  breaking the link between the illicit transaction of rough diamonds and armed conflict as a contribution to prevention and settlement of conflicts” (document A/79/L.63) was adopted without a vote, following the United States’ unsuccessful bid to remove four paragraphs that refer to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    An overwhelming majority — 144 Member States — voted in favour of retaining those paragraphs, defeating two negative votes cast by the United States and Argentina.  Six delegations — Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Libya, Maldives, Panama and Paraguay — abstained on the vote.

    By its terms, the Assembly reaffirmed the importance of the tripartite nature of the Kimberley Process and stressed that the widest possible participation in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is essential.

    The Kimberley Process, an international certification scheme for rough diamonds, is open to all countries, and began when southern African diamond-producing States met in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, to discuss ways to tackle the financing of violence by armed movements through the illicit diamond trade. 

    Introducing the text, the representative of the United Arab Emirates said the current resolution reflects a “shared commitment to fostering a sustainable and responsible diamond industry that benefits millions around the world”.  The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, voiced support for reforming the Kimberley Process.  Unfortunately, due to lack of consensus, “the definition of conflict diamonds remains very narrow”, she said, stressing the need to ensure the Process remains relevant and credible in a changing world.  The Russian Federation’s delegation, however, rejecting the pressure from Western countries to unilaterally filter the diamonds that are entering the main market, said this attempt by consumer countries to deliberately thwart tried and tested multilateral mechanisms is reckless and incompetent.

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woodbury Man Pleads Guilty in Child Sextortion Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – Timothy Lennard Gebhart, a Woodbury man, has pleaded guilty to the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and for coercing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on multiple occasions between approximately July 10, 2021, and March 11, 2022, Timothy Lennard Gebhart, 38, coerced a 16-year-old child, Minor A, and a 14-year-old, Minor B, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pornographic videos. After obtaining the images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, Gebhart distributed the videos via computer and cellular phone. Gebhart then used the pornographic videos to extort money and other items of value from Minor A, threatening to damage the victim’s reputation by sending nude photos and videos to their family and friends.

    Gebhart pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to two counts of child pornography production, one count of child pornography distribution, and one count of interstate communication with the intent to extort. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date.  Gebhart faces a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence.

    “Sextortion—threatening to share explicit images of a victim unless they comply with a predator’s demands—is abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “All too often, our children become victims of these monstrous schemes.  My office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Woodbury Police Department, Greene County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, and the FBI, with assistance from the Owatonna Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Classen is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –