NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI: Tribal Loans Online For Bad Credit Guaranteed Approval No Credit Check Direct Lenders From Upper Lake Lending

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tribal loans online provide financial aid to those who need urgent cash to fulfill their emergent needs. Now there is no need to beg your relatives and friends for cash when you need finance for those emergencies. Upper Lake Lending is pleased to launch its tribal loan matching service designed for such needs. The majority of people are not willing to go for any loan due to their poor credit records. Such people think that no one will ever provide a loan to them. But now the time has changed. With the competition in the market, tribal lenders with guaranteed approval from Upper Lake Lending are coming up with newer and newer ways of borrowing money. No credit check tribal cash advance is a right choice for them. These advances can be utilized to clear off numerous expenses such as vehicle repair expenses, home renovation expenses, power bills, medical bills, schooling fees, and holiday tours.

    Official website: Upper Lake Lending

    Application page: Upper Lake Lending Tribal Loans Application Page

    Benefits Of No Credit Check Tribal Loans From Direct Lenders

    No credit check tribal loans, as the name suggests, are small instant cash loans which are approved without any credit verification. These are very quick to borrow money loans. As a borrower you may get the cash loan approved via the internet too. It is the fastest and the most suitable way to borrow money. Here you have to just fill in an application form available on the Upper Lake Lending website with all your details and once the form is filled, the remaining process will not take much of your time to get completed.

    These tribal payday loans are offered in both secured as well as unsecured ways. In the first case, you may get the cash approved without any collateral. On the other hand, there is no such need in unsecured loans but they are generally offered at slightly higher rates of interest. This is because of the risk the direct tribal lender is bearing in granting you a loan without any security.

    But seeing all other features of these tribal installment loans, this limitation may be ignored. You may also go for market research and can select the best direct tribal lender for the personal loan without any hassle. These all features give such loans an edge over other types of loans.

    Below, we explore the various benefits associated with no credit check tribal loans.

    Accessibility for All Borrowers

    One of the primary advantages of bad credit tribal loans is their accessibility. Traditional lenders often rely heavily on credit scores to determine eligibility. In contrast, no credit check tribal lenders cater to a broader audience, including:

    1. Individuals with Low Credit Scores: Those who have faced financial difficulties in the past may find it challenging to obtain loans through conventional means.
    2. Borrowers with Limited Credit History: Young adults or newcomers to the credit system may not have enough credit history to qualify for standard loans.

    This inclusivity of tribal loans allows more people to access the funds they need, regardless of their credit background.

    Quick Approval Process

    Another significant benefit of guaranteed tribal loans is the expedited approval process. Since tribal lenders do not conduct a thorough review of credit histories, borrowers can often receive approval within a short timeframe. This rapid response is particularly advantageous for those facing urgent financial needs, such as:

    • Medical Emergencies: Unexpected medical expenses can arise, and quick access to funds can alleviate stress.
    • Car Repairs: A sudden vehicle breakdown may require immediate financial attention.

    Tribal loans with no credit check is the perfect solution for such urgent needs.

    Minimal Impact on Credit Score

    Applying for a traditional loan typically involves a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower a borrower’s credit score. No credit check tribal payday loans, however, do not require such inquiries, allowing individuals to apply without the fear of damaging their credit further. This aspect is particularly appealing for those who are actively working to improve their credit scores.

    Flexibility in Loan Amounts

    Bad credit tribal loans with no credit check often provide flexibility in terms of loan amounts. Borrowers can typically choose from a range of options that suit their specific financial needs. This flexibility can be beneficial for various situations, such as:

    • Small Personal Expenses: Individuals may need a small amount for personal projects or emergencies.
    • Business Ventures: Entrepreneurs seeking to fund a new business idea can also benefit from these loans.

    Fast Funding

    Many no credit check loans offer quick funding, sometimes within one to two business days. This speed is crucial for borrowers who require immediate financial assistance. The ability to access funds quickly can make a significant difference in managing unexpected expenses. Same day tribal loans from Upper Lake Lending is the best option for such situations.

    Requirements For Bad Credit Tribal Loans With Instant Approval

    Currently such tribal loans for bad credit are presented only to the persons living in the US. The borrower must have attained an age of 18 years if he or she wants to get a loan approved. He or she should also be working somewhere drawing a regular salary each month. He or she should also have a valid bank account in any bank in the US.

    Common Requirements for Bad Credit Tribal Payday Loans

    While requirements can vary by tribal lender, several common criteria are typically observed:

    • Minimum Credit Score: Most tribal lenders require a minimum credit score, often around 580. Some may accept scores as low as 550.
    • Proof of Income: Borrowers must demonstrate a stable source of income, which reassures tribal lenders of their ability to repay the loan.
    • Employment Verification: Tribal lenders may require proof of employment or a steady income stream, which can include pay stubs or bank statements.
    • Debt-to-Income Ratio: A lower debt-to-income ratio is favorable. Tribal lenders often look for a ratio below 40% to ensure that borrowers can manage additional debt.
    • Identification and Residency: Valid identification and proof of residency are standard requirements to verify the borrower’s identity and address.

    The best part of these easiest tribal loans to get is that a borrower does not need to undergo the strict and formal condition structure to get the loan approved. A person may at any time before his/her payday may apply for the loan. He/she may also get the loan via the internet. It is the cheapest and most reliable way to get money. Here a borrower may also check and compare the rates and other charges of different tribal lenders available at the Upper Lake Lending platform.

    How Guaranteed Tribal Installment Loans For Bad Credit Work

    Before applying for these loans you need to choose the tribal lender that provides you these loans at an affordable interest rate. After selecting the best tribal lender you need to visit the lender’s website and fill up an application form with some personal details such as name, sex, age, account number, monthly income, repayment period etc. prescribed in it. After that you will receive cash in your hands in just a couple of hours, usually on the same business day.

    The process of obtaining a guaranteed tribal loan for bad credit generally involves several straightforward steps:

    1. Application: Borrowers fill out an application form, providing necessary personal and financial information.
    2. Approval: The lender reviews the application and, if approved, determines the loan amount and interest rate.
    3. Disbursement: Once approved, the funds are disbursed to the borrower, often through direct deposit.

    The best way to apply for such easy tribal loans is via an online method. It prevents you from many irritations. You have to just fill in a request form available on the Upper Lake Lending website and once the form is filled, the remaining job is completed by the direct tribal lender himself. You may get the cash loans approved the same day without going anywhere.

    Risks Associated With Tribal Installment Loans

    While guaranteed tribal loans can be beneficial, they also come with certain risks:

    • High Costs: The interest rates on these loans can be significantly higher than those of traditional loans, leading to substantial repayment amounts.
    • Debt Cycle: Borrowers may find themselves in a cycle of debt if they are unable to repay the loan on time, potentially leading to the need for additional borrowing.
    • Regulatory Environment: The legal framework governing tribal loans can be complex, and borrowers should be aware of their rights and obligations.

    Considerations About Tribal Loans

    Having a bad credit history has become very common amongst people nowadays. Due to this, many people find it very difficult to apply for fiscal assistance, as traditional lenders are not assured that the borrower will pay the amount back. Tribal lenders offering bad credit loans come to the rescue in such a situation. $500 tribal installment loans are finances which cater to the urgent needs of bad creditors. Upper Lake Lending provides access to the wide network of trusted direct tribal lenders only who provide $500 dollar loans for bad credit borrowers.

    Tribal loans also have the option to submit an application without teletrack. As the name says no teletrack tribal payday loans are free from the time consuming procedure of credit checks. Almost everyone is approved for these tribal loans online. You can ask for money even if you are running on bad credit scores like arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, etc. There is no verification of credit history either. The tribal lender offering tribal loans with guaranteed approval is not concerned about your credit past.

    No need to worry any longer about how to deal with the urgent financial needs if you are a person with a bad credit record. Bad credit tribal payday loans can help you to resolve your financial problems till the next payday. The tribal lending companies are providing these loans without any credit check so there will be no problem in the approval of the loan even if you are having a bad credit record. You can save a lot of time for yourself while applying for these loans online with Upper Lake Lending because Upper Lake Lending connects borrowers with bad credit ratings with direct tribal lenders who provide tribal loans online guaranteed approval no matter what. 

    Due to their short term nature and no verification of your past details, this finance carries a relatively high rate of interest. You can make an application for this facility through the online method on the Upper Lake Lending website. For that, all you have to do is fill up the application form. The form is provided to you free of cost. The best tribal lenders deposit the amount into your bank checking account after it is approved.

    —————————————————————————————–

    Upper Lake Lending

    Morgan Brown 

    morgan@upperlakelending.com

    https://upperlakelending.com 

    9620 Las Vegas Blvd S #570 | Las Vegas, NV 89123

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Microalgae: an innovative tool for bioeconomy

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Products derived from microalgae represent a cutting-edge development in the field of bioeconomy. The potential of this biological resource was discussed at the international research seminar “Foundations for a Green Sustainable Energy”, part of the BRICS Network University’s thematic group on “Energy”. The event was organized by the Institute of Ecology at RUDN University.

    The series of scientific seminars is designed to inform graduate students and young researchers from the universities participating in the BRICS Network University about the scientific challenges being solved by partner institutions and to encourage them to participate in international academic mobility

    Sergey Shirinsky,

    Associate Professor of the Department of Electromechanics, Electrical and Electronic Apparatus at NRU “MPEI”.

    The main speaker of the seminar was Irina Adarchenko, a graduate student from the Institute of Ecology at RUDN University with the presentation “Innovative Tools for Bioeconomy: the case of microalgae production.”

    Production

    Microalgae production is a key source of valuable bioproducts, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and various other beneficial compounds. However, their extraction involves a complex, multi-stage process.

    First, microalgae are cultivated under controlled conditions, whether in open ponds, closed photobioreactors, or fermenters. The biomass produced this way is then harvested and dehydrated. To release the contents of the cells, it is necessary to remove the cell walls. This can be done through mechanical, chemical, or enzymatic methods. Next step is the extraction process, where organic solvents, alkalis, acids, and enzymes are utilized to isolate specific compounds. The resulting extracts are then separated and purified to obtain the product.

    For example, high-purity proteins are extracted using alkaline extraction or enzymatic hydrolysis, while Omega-3 fatty acids are obtained through lipid extraction with organic solvents followed by separation. Vitamins and natural pigments are extracted using specialized solvents. Antioxidants and other specific compounds are extracted using solvent extraction and chromatography

    Areas of use

    Proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates derived from microalgae have potential applications in the food industry, for example, as additives, ingredients for functional foods, and aquaculture feed. Vitamins, pigments, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. In the energy sector, lipids are used for the production of biodiesel, while carbohydrates are used for bioethanol. In agriculture, microalgal biomass is becoming a biofertilizer. Furthermore, microalgae are used for wastewater treatment and in the production of biodegradable plastics.

    Bioeconomy uses microalgae for several reasons:

    1. Microalgae exhibit rapid growth rates, allowing for the production of biomass in significant quantities in a short time frame.
    2. It does not require arable land, as they can be cultivated in controlled environments.
    3. Microalgae are capable of absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the greenhouse effect.
    4. It also plays a crucial role in bioremediation, cleaning up wastewater and contaminated sites.
    5. The diverse range of microalgal species, each with its unique composition, opens up avenues for a wide variety of products.

    Microalgae hold significant potential for addressing both food and environmental security issues. Their application in bioremediation and biofuel production is becoming increasingly prevalent. A key aspect of developing effective solutions is the selection of microorganisms. Therefore, research aimed at discovering new strains of microalgae with unique traits, such as mixotrophy, is particularly relevant today.

    Anna Popkova

    Deputy Director for International Activities at the Institute of Ecology of RUDN

    Microalgae provide proteins and micronutrients to the population, addressing the global challenge of food security. They also play a crucial role in ensuring energy security by offering renewable sources of biofuels, which helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The exciting prospects for using microalgae are tied to advancements in cultivation, processing, and scaling up production technologies. In the future, we can expect the emergence of new bioproducts derived from microalgae, as well as an expansion of their applications across various industries.

    Technologies for cultivating microalgae

    There are several technologies for cultivating microalgae.

    • Open ponds represent the most cost-effective option, although they do not allow for complete control over growth conditions.
    • Closed photobioreactors provide more regulated environments, ensuring higher productivity and biomass purity, but they come with a significantly higher price tag.
    • Hybrid systems blend elements of open ponds and closed photobioreactors to optimize the production process.
    • Additionally, fermenters are used for cultivating certain types of microalgae in the dark, utilizing organic substrates for growth.

    The implementation of these technologies in production comes with a range of challenges and obstacles. The high costs of production require substantial investments in equipment and infrastructure. Additionally, the low productivity of certain strains and processing methods needs further optimization and scaling efforts. Cultivation and processing processes are highly energy-intensive, highlighting the need to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. Another critical concern is the risk of water body eutrophication when microalgae are used in bioremediation, which necessitates strict monitoring and regulation. On top of this, scaling up laboratory innovations to industrial production remains challenging, compounded by logistical issues and difficulties in storing biomass and derived products.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The ‘Russkiy Mir’ Foundation provided students of Savitribai Phule Pune University in India with a unique opportunity to study Russian at the Digital Pre-University Faculty of RUDN

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    RUDN University Celebrates the 2nd Annual Swahili Culture Day: Bridging People through Language and Culture

    On 4th of April 2025, RUDN University hosted the 2-nd annual event on Swahili.

    RUDN University hosts the first youth forum “Russia – Asia: human resources potential of the nuclear industry in the region”

    The forum attracted over 400 representatives from 36 countries, including delegates from 16 Asian countries, experts from the nuclear industry, supporting and partner universities of Rosatom.

    25 winners of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards 2024 scholarship program came to RUDN University

    RUDN Institute of Environmental Engineering is hosting the winners of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards 2024 state scholarship program for the second time. The participants chose between 126 universities from 23 countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia. 25 best Indonesian students chose Russia and came to Moscow for the first time.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Indonesia and RUDN: Exchange of environmental research insights

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The international scientific seminar hosted by RUDN Institute of Ecology “Experience of participation in student organizations as a way to form career skills” united scholarship recipients of the International Student Mobility Awards 2024 and Open Doors, along with members of the scientific student society “GreenLab” and the professional student association “Kostyor (Bonfire)” shared their projects focused on environmental protection.

    During the international seminar, participants exchanged insights on how student-led initiatives can be implemented within university settings.

    Student research is an invaluable source of new ideas and bold solutions that play an important role in the development of science.

    Anna Popkova

    Deputy Director for International activities at the Institute of Ecology

    Among the speakers was Yusriani Mardia Arifin from Indonesia, who presented the results of her research on groundwater potential zoning in the Cisarua area of Bogor district, using cutting-edge GIS technologies.

    It is commonly believed that there is an abundance of groundwater in this area, while the study reveals a shortage. I’ve identified four distinct zones with varying groundwater potential, which will aid in more effective water resource management.

    Yusriani Mardia Arifin

    Muhammad Filzah Zulfakar introduced the Mulang project, a UNESCO-supported initiative under the “Youth as Researchers” program. This comprehensive study focuses on the village of Lovokdoro, home to waste pickers, and examines various aspects including spatial, environmental, health, economic, and social factors. The findings aim to develop strategies that can be applied to similar challenges in other villages.

    Abigail Tabita highlighted the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving sustainable development in Indonesia. With a large number of these enterprises, she sees a lot of opportunities for a stable growth in the future. Abigail shared her plans to conduct five mentoring sessions, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, involving around 30 SMEs in each session. This initiative will help these businesses to adapt to evolving market demands, while exporters will gain more opportunities to expand their markets.

    International consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability. They are shifting away from unsustainable practices towards more responsible approaches throughout the supply chain!

    Abigail Tabita

    The international scientific seminar served as a vibrant platform for fostering collaboration between representatives from Russia and Indonesia.

    A huge thank you to RUDN, especially the Institute of Ecology, for organizing this science workshop. It allowed us to exchange and share our projects with other international students. I look forward to many more opportunities to connect and expand our understanding of scientific advancements worldwide!

    Wahdini Aulia Rizki

    In the latter part of the event, international students were introduced to the diverse scientific activities at the PFUR Institute of Ecology. Pavel Zhigarlovich represented the professional student association “Koster,” sharing insights about the club’s scientific expeditions, historical and geographical quests, and volunteer efforts in protected areas. The Indonesian students were particularly captivated by the results of fieldwork conducted on Baikal in early 2024.

    Daniil Mironov, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Student Society “GreenLab,” also took the stage to discuss initiatives aimed at engaging students in scientific pursuits. He highlighted the association’s efforts to organize lectures with leading experts in various ecological fields, field trips, and intellectual games designed to spark curiosity and involvement.

    Seminar “Experience of Participation in Student Organizations as a Way to Build Career Skills,” marked a significant milestone in the decade of environmental science, education, and awareness at RUDN.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN University hosts the first youth forum “Russia – Asia: human resources potential of the nuclear industry in the region”

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The forum attracted over 400 representatives from 36 countries, including delegates from 16 Asian countries, experts from the nuclear industry, supporting and partner universities of Rosatom.

    This forum brought together leaders who are committed to stating their ideas and forming teams. You can connect with like-minded people and explore new areas for collaboration. It is essential to support the initiatives of talented students from Asia, who will return to their home countries and develop the nuclear industry in the region.

    Vladimir Filippov

    President of RUDN University

    With the support of Rosatom State Corporation, more than 800 students from Asia are studying in Russia in nuclear engineering programs.

    Rosatom is a global leader in nuclear energy. We successfully export both advanced technologies and best educational practices. Our unique educational ecosystem enables us to train top-class specialists starting from school. Within the framework of joint educational initiatives, we collaborate with 17 Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. We offer comprehensive solutions for human resource development – ranging from staff training and university education in Russia to advanced professional development and joint research projects. We take into account the specific needs of each partner country and through transfer of education and technologies we generate new industries and job opportunities.

    Tatyana Terentieva

    Rosatom Deputy Director General for HR

    The forum featured presentations across seven thematic sections covering nuclear energy and its related applications: Nuclear Reactors, Radiation Safety, Agrotechnologies, Environmental Science, Nuclear Medicine, as well as Youth and Public Organizations and Contribution of Alumni to Regional Development.

    Speakers included students and young researchers from the supporting and partner universities of Rosatom: MEPhI, TPU, UrFU, NNSTU n.a. R.E. Alekseev, Yuri Gagarin SSTU, Peter the Great SPbPU, BMSTU, IKBFU, LETI and RUDN.

    The forum spanned 36 countries, with 16 of them representing Asia. Participants and experts came from Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Rainbow Warrior saga: 1. French state terrorism and NZ’s end of innocence

    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle

    Immediately after killing Fernando Pereira and blowing up Greenpeace’s flagship the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour, several of the French agents went on a ski holiday in New Zealand’s South Island to celebrate.

    Such was the contempt the French had for the Kiwis and the abilities of our police to pursue them.  How wrong they were.

    To mark the 40th anniversary of the French terrorist attack Little Island Press has published a revised and updated edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, first released in 1986.

    A new prologue by former prime minister Helen Clark and a preface by Greenpeace’s Bunny McDiarmid, along with an extensive postscript which bring us up to the present day, underline why the past is not dead; it’s with us right now.

    Written by David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report, who spent 11 weeks on the final voyage of the Warrior, the book is the most remarkable piece of history I have read this year and one of those rare books that has the power to expand your mind and make your blood boil at the same time. I thought I knew a fair bit about the momentous events surrounding the attack — until I read Eyes of Fire.

    Heroes of our age
     The book covers the history of Greenpeace action — from fighting the dumping of nuclear and other toxic waste in European waters, the Arctic and the Pacific, voyages to link besieged communities across the oceans, through to their epic struggles to halt whaling and save endangered marine colonies from predators.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s very last voyage before the bombing was to evacuate the entire population of Rongelap atoll (about 320 people) in the Marshall Islands who had been exposed to US nuclear radiation for decades.

    This article is the first of two in which I will explore themes that the book triggered for me.

    Neither secret nor intelligent – the French secret intelligence service

    Jean-Luc Kister was the DGSE (Direction-générale de la Sécurité extérieure) agent who placed the two bombs that ripped a massive hole in the hull of the Warrior on 10 July 1985. The ship quickly sank, trapping Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira inside.

    Former colonel Kister was a member of a large team of elite agents sent to New Zealand. One had also infiltrated Greenpeace months before, some travelled through the country prior to the attack, drinking, rooting New Zealand women and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs that led all the way to the Palais de l’Élysée where François Mitterrand, Socialist President of France, had personally given the order to bomb the famous peace vessel.

    Robie aptly calls the French mission “Blundergate”. The stupidity, howling incompetence and moronic lack of a sound strategic rationale behind the attack were only matched by the mendacity, the imperial hauteur and the racist contempt that lies at the heart of French policy in the Pacific to this very day.

    Thinking the Kiwi police would be no match for their élan, their savoir-faire and their panache, some of the killers hit the ski slopes to celebrate “Mission Accompli”. Others fled to Norfolk Island aboard a yacht, the Ouvéa.

    Tracked there by the New Zealand police it was only with the assistance of our friends and allies, the Australians, that the agents were able to escape. Within days they sank their yacht at sea during a rendezvous with a French nuclear submarine and were evenually able to return to France for medals and promotions.

    Two of the agents, however, were not so lucky. As everyone my age will recall, Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart, were nabbed after a lightning fast operation by New Zealand police.

    With friends and allies like these, who needs enemies?
     We should recall that the French were our allies at the time. They decided, however, to stop the Rainbow Warrior from leading a flotilla of ships up to Moruroa Atoll in French Polynesia where yet another round of nuclear tests were scheduled. In other words: they bombed a peace ship to keep testing bombs.

    By 1995, France had detonated 193 nuclear bombs in the South Pacific.

    David Robie sees the bombing as “a desperate attempt by one of the last colonial powers in the Pacific to hang on to the vestiges of empire by blowing up a peace ship so it could continue despoiling Pacific islands for the sake of an independent nuclear force”.

    The US, UK and Australia cold-shouldered New Zealand through this period and uttered not a word of condemnation against the French. Within two years we were frog-marched out of the ANZUS alliance with Australia and the US because of our ground-breaking nuclear-free legislation.

    It was a blessing and the dawn of a period in which New Zealanders had an intense sense of national pride — a far cry from today when New Zealand politicians are being referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for war crimes associated with the Gaza genocide.

    Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior . . . publication next week. Image: ©  David Robie/Eyes Of Fire/Little Island Press

    The French State invented the term ‘terrorism’
     I studied French History at university in France and did a paper called “La France à la veille de révolution” (France on the eve of revolution). One of the chilling cultural memories is of the period from September 1793 to July 1794, which was known as La Terreur.

    At the time the French state literally coined the term “terrorisme” — with the blade of the guillotine dropping on neck after neck as the state tried to consolidate power through terror. But, as Robie points out, quoting law professor Roger S. Clark, we tend to use the term today to refer almost exclusively to non-state actors.

    With the US and Israel gunning down starving civilians in Gaza every day, with wave after wave of terror attacks being committed inside Iran and across the Middle East by Mossad, the CIA and MI6, we should amend this erroneous habit.

    The DGSE team who attached limpet mines to the Rainbow Warrior did so as psychopathic servants of the French State. Eyes of Fire: “At the time, Prime Minister David Lange described the Rainbow Warrior attack as ‘nothing more than a sordid act of international state-backed terrorism’.”

    Don’t get me wrong. I am not “anti-French”. I lived for years in France, had a French girlfriend, studied French history, language and literature. I even had friends in Wellington who worked at the French Embassy.

    Curiously when I lived next to Premier House, the official residence of the prime minister, my other next door neighbour was a French agent who specialised in surveillance. Our houses backed onto Premier House. Quelle coïncidence. To his mild consternation I’d greet him with “Salut, mon espion favori.” (Hello, my favourite spy).

    What I despise is French colonialism, French racism, and what the French call magouillage. I don’t know a good English word for it . . .  it is a mix of shenanigans, duplicity, artful deception to achieve unscrupulous outcomes that can’t be publicly avowed. In brief: what the French attempted in Auckland in 1985.

    Robie recounts in detail the lying, smokescreens and roadblocks that everyone from President Mitterrand through to junior officials put in the way of the New Zealand investigators. Mitterrand gave Prime Minister David Lange assurances that the culprits would be brought to justice. The French Embassy in Wellington claimed at the time: “In no way is France involved. The French government doesn’t deal with its opponents in such ways.”

    It took years for the bombshell to explode that none other than Mitterrand himself had ordered the terrorist attack on New Zealand and Greenpeace!

    Rainbow Warrior III . . . the current successor to the bombed ship. Photographed at Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands in April 2025. Image: © Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

    We the people of the Pacific
     We, the people of the Pacific, owe a debt to Greenpeace and all those who were part of the Rainbow Warrior, including author David Robie. We must remember the crime and call it by its name: state terrorism.

    The French attempted to escape justice, deny involvement and then welched on the terms of the agreement negotiated with the help of the United Nations secretary-general.

    A great way to honour the sacrifice of those who stood up for justice, who stood for peace and a nuclear-free Pacific, and who honoured our own national identity would be to buy David Robie’s excellent book.

    I’ll give the last word to former Prime Minister Helen Clark:

    “This is the time for New Zealand to link with the many small and middle powers across regions who have a vision for a world characterised by solidarity and peace and which can rise to the occasion to combat the existential challenges it faces — including of nuclear weapons, climate change, and artificial intelligence. If our independent foreign policy is to mean anything in the mid-2020s, it must be based on concerted diplomacy for peace and sustainable development.”

    You cannot sink a rainbow.

    Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He contributes to Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific, and hosts the public policy platform solidarity.co.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Rainbow Warrior saga: 1. French state terrorism and NZ’s end of innocence

    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle

    Immediately after killing Fernando Pereira and blowing up Greenpeace’s flagship the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour, several of the French agents went on a ski holiday in New Zealand’s South Island to celebrate.

    Such was the contempt the French had for the Kiwis and the abilities of our police to pursue them.  How wrong they were.

    To mark the 40th anniversary of the French terrorist attack Little Island Press has published a revised and updated edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, first released in 1986.

    A new prologue by former prime minister Helen Clark and a preface by Greenpeace’s Bunny McDiarmid, along with an extensive postscript which bring us up to the present day, underline why the past is not dead; it’s with us right now.

    Written by David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report, who spent 11 weeks on the final voyage of the Warrior, the book is the most remarkable piece of history I have read this year and one of those rare books that has the power to expand your mind and make your blood boil at the same time. I thought I knew a fair bit about the momentous events surrounding the attack — until I read Eyes of Fire.

    Heroes of our age
     The book covers the history of Greenpeace action — from fighting the dumping of nuclear and other toxic waste in European waters, the Arctic and the Pacific, voyages to link besieged communities across the oceans, through to their epic struggles to halt whaling and save endangered marine colonies from predators.

    The Rainbow Warrior’s very last voyage before the bombing was to evacuate the entire population of Rongelap atoll (about 320 people) in the Marshall Islands who had been exposed to US nuclear radiation for decades.

    This article is the first of two in which I will explore themes that the book triggered for me.

    Neither secret nor intelligent – the French secret intelligence service

    Jean-Luc Kister was the DGSE (Direction-générale de la Sécurité extérieure) agent who placed the two bombs that ripped a massive hole in the hull of the Warrior on 10 July 1985. The ship quickly sank, trapping Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira inside.

    Former colonel Kister was a member of a large team of elite agents sent to New Zealand. One had also infiltrated Greenpeace months before, some travelled through the country prior to the attack, drinking, rooting New Zealand women and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs that led all the way to the Palais de l’Élysée where François Mitterrand, Socialist President of France, had personally given the order to bomb the famous peace vessel.

    Robie aptly calls the French mission “Blundergate”. The stupidity, howling incompetence and moronic lack of a sound strategic rationale behind the attack were only matched by the mendacity, the imperial hauteur and the racist contempt that lies at the heart of French policy in the Pacific to this very day.

    Thinking the Kiwi police would be no match for their élan, their savoir-faire and their panache, some of the killers hit the ski slopes to celebrate “Mission Accompli”. Others fled to Norfolk Island aboard a yacht, the Ouvéa.

    Tracked there by the New Zealand police it was only with the assistance of our friends and allies, the Australians, that the agents were able to escape. Within days they sank their yacht at sea during a rendezvous with a French nuclear submarine and were evenually able to return to France for medals and promotions.

    Two of the agents, however, were not so lucky. As everyone my age will recall, Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart, were nabbed after a lightning fast operation by New Zealand police.

    With friends and allies like these, who needs enemies?
     We should recall that the French were our allies at the time. They decided, however, to stop the Rainbow Warrior from leading a flotilla of ships up to Moruroa Atoll in French Polynesia where yet another round of nuclear tests were scheduled. In other words: they bombed a peace ship to keep testing bombs.

    By 1995, France had detonated 193 nuclear bombs in the South Pacific.

    David Robie sees the bombing as “a desperate attempt by one of the last colonial powers in the Pacific to hang on to the vestiges of empire by blowing up a peace ship so it could continue despoiling Pacific islands for the sake of an independent nuclear force”.

    The US, UK and Australia cold-shouldered New Zealand through this period and uttered not a word of condemnation against the French. Within two years we were frog-marched out of the ANZUS alliance with Australia and the US because of our ground-breaking nuclear-free legislation.

    It was a blessing and the dawn of a period in which New Zealanders had an intense sense of national pride — a far cry from today when New Zealand politicians are being referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for war crimes associated with the Gaza genocide.

    Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior . . . publication next week. Image: ©  David Robie/Eyes Of Fire/Little Island Press

    The French State invented the term ‘terrorism’
     I studied French History at university in France and did a paper called “La France à la veille de révolution” (France on the eve of revolution). One of the chilling cultural memories is of the period from September 1793 to July 1794, which was known as La Terreur.

    At the time the French state literally coined the term “terrorisme” — with the blade of the guillotine dropping on neck after neck as the state tried to consolidate power through terror. But, as Robie points out, quoting law professor Roger S. Clark, we tend to use the term today to refer almost exclusively to non-state actors.

    With the US and Israel gunning down starving civilians in Gaza every day, with wave after wave of terror attacks being committed inside Iran and across the Middle East by Mossad, the CIA and MI6, we should amend this erroneous habit.

    The DGSE team who attached limpet mines to the Rainbow Warrior did so as psychopathic servants of the French State. Eyes of Fire: “At the time, Prime Minister David Lange described the Rainbow Warrior attack as ‘nothing more than a sordid act of international state-backed terrorism’.”

    Don’t get me wrong. I am not “anti-French”. I lived for years in France, had a French girlfriend, studied French history, language and literature. I even had friends in Wellington who worked at the French Embassy.

    Curiously when I lived next to Premier House, the official residence of the prime minister, my other next door neighbour was a French agent who specialised in surveillance. Our houses backed onto Premier House. Quelle coïncidence. To his mild consternation I’d greet him with “Salut, mon espion favori.” (Hello, my favourite spy).

    What I despise is French colonialism, French racism, and what the French call magouillage. I don’t know a good English word for it . . .  it is a mix of shenanigans, duplicity, artful deception to achieve unscrupulous outcomes that can’t be publicly avowed. In brief: what the French attempted in Auckland in 1985.

    Robie recounts in detail the lying, smokescreens and roadblocks that everyone from President Mitterrand through to junior officials put in the way of the New Zealand investigators. Mitterrand gave Prime Minister David Lange assurances that the culprits would be brought to justice. The French Embassy in Wellington claimed at the time: “In no way is France involved. The French government doesn’t deal with its opponents in such ways.”

    It took years for the bombshell to explode that none other than Mitterrand himself had ordered the terrorist attack on New Zealand and Greenpeace!

    Rainbow Warrior III . . . the current successor to the bombed ship. Photographed at Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands in April 2025. Image: © Bianca Vitale/Greenpeace

    We the people of the Pacific
     We, the people of the Pacific, owe a debt to Greenpeace and all those who were part of the Rainbow Warrior, including author David Robie. We must remember the crime and call it by its name: state terrorism.

    The French attempted to escape justice, deny involvement and then welched on the terms of the agreement negotiated with the help of the United Nations secretary-general.

    A great way to honour the sacrifice of those who stood up for justice, who stood for peace and a nuclear-free Pacific, and who honoured our own national identity would be to buy David Robie’s excellent book.

    I’ll give the last word to former Prime Minister Helen Clark:

    “This is the time for New Zealand to link with the many small and middle powers across regions who have a vision for a world characterised by solidarity and peace and which can rise to the occasion to combat the existential challenges it faces — including of nuclear weapons, climate change, and artificial intelligence. If our independent foreign policy is to mean anything in the mid-2020s, it must be based on concerted diplomacy for peace and sustainable development.”

    You cannot sink a rainbow.

    Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He contributes to Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific, and hosts the public policy platform solidarity.co.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tears, trauma and unpaid work: why men in tinnies aren’t the only heroes during a flood disaster

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McNaught, Research Fellow, Rural and Remote Health, University of Sydney

    Dan Peled/Getty Images

    When flooding strikes, our screens fill with scenes of devastated victims, and men performing heroic dinghy rescues in swollen rivers. But another story often goes untold: how women step in, and step up, to hold their stricken communities together.

    Unprecedented floods in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales in 2022 are a case in point. Our research shows female leadership was the hidden backbone of community recovery in the aftermath of the emergency. Women rose to leadership roles, filling crucial gaps left by formal disaster responses. As one woman told us:

    I mean there’s some blokes around, I’ve got to give them some credit, but, yeah, I’m amazed … it was always the women saying, what do you need? What can I help with?

    And long after the disaster had passed and the media had moved on, women were still there, quietly leading sustained recovery efforts from their homes, community halls and online networks.

    But while the labour of men was generally supported and recognised, the complex and difficult work of women was largely overlooked.

    The invisible labour of disaster recovery

    The NSW Northern Rivers region is a rural area highly prone to climate disaster.

    In February and March 2022, the region experienced catastrophic flooding and landslips. About 11,000 homes were inundated. Health care facilities were damaged and disrupted. Emergency services were overwhelmed and many communities were cut off, some for weeks.

    In response, the community stepped up in extraordinary ways. Our research explored the particular contribution of women to this effort.

    The research focused on the contribution of women to community recovery after the Lismore floods.
    Dan Peled/Getty Images

    ‘No one else was going to do it’

    The research involved interviews with people involved in the flood response and recovery. We also examined notes from public events and transcripts from a NSW government inquiry into the floods.

    We found that, despite facing immense challenges, women played an essential role in sustaining their communities during and after the crisis.

    For example, they coordinated food relief, managed donation hubs, organised volunteers and provided emotional support to neighbours and strangers. As one female interviewee told us:

    It was more than about food … people would just come and then we’d just hug them and they’d just cry … the food relief turned into something deeper.

    Emergency-management environments are often dominated by men. As a result, female community organisers often felt excluded from formal decision-making. As one woman told us:

    every face in the meeting was a white middle-aged guy with a buzz cut. And, and I was like, there is no women. There is no diversity. There was no sense of community or that whole recovery space.

    One woman cited the example of a local council celebrating “men in their dinghies” who took part in a flood rescue, while failing to recognise women who collectively contributed many thousands of unpaid hours towards the recovery effort:

    here we are with just simply a trillion women doing all of the childcare, all of the cooking, all of the soft labour, literally everything plus being on dinghies … and there’s just nothing for us.

    Some women took unpaid leave from work to coordinate recovery activities in their communities, because, as one woman told us, “no one else was going to do it”.

    Women’s roles were not limited to unskilled tasks and care work. Women also brought professional skills to the recovery effort, such as event management, IT, nursing, communications, clinical psychology, trauma healing, business management, social work and public health.

    Women: there for the long term

    We found while men’s involvement in disaster recovery tended to be concentrated on specific short-term rescue and response, women tended to remain active for months or even years.

    For example, two years after the flooding disaster, at a gathering of grassroots community-disaster
    organisers, 87% of names on the contact list were female.

    Some women continued to volunteer their labour, while others managed to obtain short-term funding. Whether paid or unpaid, the women experienced overwhelm and felt exhausted by the long-term effort, and some experienced vicarious trauma. However, their sense of community responsibility prevented them from stepping back.

    Rethinking who we see as leaders

    The research confirms women’s contributions are consistently overlooked during and after a disaster. It reflects a broader trend in Australia, where women’s labour is historically undervalued.

    Women’s disaster work – coordinating volunteers, providing emotional care and advocating for their communities – was often unsupported by government and continued long after official agencies left.

    Yet, these contributions remained largely invisible.

    Three years after the floods, many women in the Northern Rivers are preparing for the next emergency, and women comprise the majority of community resilience groups in the region.

    Women must be recognised and supported to ensure the health and wellbeing of disaster-affected communities. The health and wellbeing of these women themselves must also be paramount.

    More government and private funding is vital. Where possible, philanthropic community grants should also be expanded.

    The recently formed Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance involves 50 grassroots groups combining to provide peer support, advocate together, seek joint funding and provide training. Such networks can provide ongoing support to community organisers.

    As Earth’s climate becomes more hostile and extreme weather events become more likely, there is an urgent need to support community efforts – and to rethink who we see as leaders in times of disaster. Building resilient communities starts with recognising and resourcing the people doing the work – including local women.

    The authors acknowledge Emma Pittaway, Loriana Bethune and Dominica Meade who co-authored the research upon which this article is based.

    Rebecca McNaught receives funding from The Peregrine Foundation and Gender and Disasters Australia. She is a board member of not-for-profit Plan C and President of the volunteer group the South Golden Beach, New Brighton and Ocean Shores Community Resilience Team. She attends the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance.

    Jo Longman has received funding from the NSW State Government Disaster Risk Reduction Fund and the Healthy Environments and Lives Innovation Fund. She is affiliated as a volunteer with Plan C’s research team.

    – ref. Tears, trauma and unpaid work: why men in tinnies aren’t the only heroes during a flood disaster – https://theconversation.com/tears-trauma-and-unpaid-work-why-men-in-tinnies-arent-the-only-heroes-during-a-flood-disaster-260327

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 10 steps governments can take now to stamp out child sexual abuse in care settings

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Mathews, Distinguished Professor, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology

    Recent cases of prolific alleged child sexual abuse in Melbourne and other Australian early childhood education and care settings have shocked even experienced people who work to prevent child sexual abuse. Parents are right to be outraged, scared and uncertain.

    The most pressing issue, then, is what we do about it.

    Regulation and practice is still falling short, despite all our knowledge and prior recommendations. We have the benefit of the gold-standard Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (including Volume 6 on making institutions child-safe). We can also draw on rigorous scientific work about how best to prevent child sexual abuse in child and youth-serving organisations.

    Criminal history checks are essential, but many offenders will not have a criminal record. These checks are only one part of an entire safety system. Other measures are arguably even more important.

    The federal government, together with states and territories, recently announced new measures. However, these are acknowledged as only a first step.

    Children have a right to be safe from sexual violence. Continued failure is unacceptable. National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds’ demand for a national inquiry, which can fully understand current limitations in the system and create a comprehensive blueprint for reform, is compelling.

    The established evidence has already identified some of these pillars of reform. Here are ten key actions for policy-makers to create key components of safe early childhood education and care settings.

    1. Policy. Every organisation needs to operate under a comprehensive policy about child safety. This should include specific guidelines for the prevention of sexual abuse. The policy should also include clear definitions and objectives, and be driven by a zero-tolerance approach.

    2. Safe screening and hiring. Every organisation needs to recruit staff through rigorous processes, including criminal history checks (supported by information-sharing within and between jurisdictions). But this is only a starting point. Staff are educators and carers, not babysitters; they should be properly qualified and appropriately remunerated.

    Should men be banned from employment in these settings? Employment discrimination based on gender is likely a step too far, but considerations of risk are important and children’s best interests are paramount. Nearly all sexual abuse of young children is by men, and stringent measures could be employed when recruiting men to child-related positions.

    3. Code of conduct. A detailed code of conduct is essential. This is the operating manual for the organisation and its staff, and should be made available to parents. A robust code will specify what conduct is prohibited, and what is required. It will have special rules for high-risk situations – for example, bathrooms, changing clothes, physical interaction, and technology use.

    4. Supervision and monitoring. A safe organisation must have appropriate measures for the implementation of the safety framework. It must also monitor the framework and its components. For example, there must be: appropriate staff supervision, recording of the approach to safety and its implementation, external auditing and oversight. Parents should be involved in oversight.

    All childcare centres should have rigorous prevention, supervision and reporting procedures in place.
    Shutterstock

    5. Environmental risk reduction. Often called “situational crime prevention”, these are actions to create safe environments. It can include measures to prohibit secluded spaces, and improve lines of sight and visibility. This can also include ensuring appropriate ratios of staff to children.

    6. Reporting of suspected cases. Across Australia, there are now clear legal requirements for practitioners in these settings to report suspected cases of child sexual abuse. Every organisation needs to ensure its staff knows about these duties, and how to comply with them. Every organisation then needs to deal appropriately with any report that is made.

    7. Education and training. Child sexual abuse is a complex field. Staff and leaders need high-quality education and training about child sexual abuse (including its nature, indicators and outcomes), organisational policy, reporting processes, legal and ethical obligations, and the protections they have as employees.

    Good education increases knowledge, attitudes and appropriate reporting, and overcomes ignorance, apathy, fear and inaction. This education needs to be multidisciplinary, high-standard, and itself the subject of oversight and monitoring. It is not clear we have high-quality education of practitioners in Australia, both when obtaining qualifications and especially in service.

    8. Leadership. We need knowledgeable and ethical leadership in child- and youth-serving organisations, and by regulators and policy-makers alike.

    Knowledge about child sexual abuse, and empathy towards children and young people, are preconditions for effective and ethical responses. Organisational leaders set the tone for the broader organisation. If leaders are seen to be knowledgeable, ethical and authentically committed to child safety, it is far more likely staff will be inspired to emulate these qualities.

    9. Oversight, enforcement and improvement. The entire system needs to be overseen by an effective regulatory framework and an efficient national regulator.

    We need to create comprehensive and stringent regulatory requirements for provider accreditation. Providers that do not meet these standards should be compelled to meet them, or lose funding and eligibility to operate. It is insufficient to be merely “working towards” the standards.

    Other accountability mechanisms should also be created; for example, owners of childcare centres could be subject to appropriate financial and other penalties.

    10. Locate prevention in these settings as part of a national strategy. As a nation, we have made progress in reducing the prevalence of child sexual abuse in organisational settings. This is partly due to tighter regulation through child-safe standards, legal requirements to report suspected cases of abuse and associated better reporting, and increased social awareness.

    However, no case is acceptable, and we have the capacity and duty to dramatically reduce the prospect that any individual can be a prolific offender. These prevention principles apply equally in schools and other settings serving children and youth.

    We have work to do: among all Australians aged 16 and over, nationally representative data has shown one in four experienced child sexual abuse. In contemporary Australia, this abuse is still prevalent, with data from 16–24-year-olds showing one in three girls are affected, and one in seven boys. The next generation of prevention is already here, but we know what is required to meet this challenge.

    This can be a turning point for Australia. The social and economic return from taking children’s rights seriously and investing in prevention far outweighs the cost of inaction. Safe, effective early childhood education and care is a nation-building strategy, both required for today’s workforce and a key factor in educating and developing young Australians.

    Ben Mathews has received grant funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Department of Social Services, the National Office for Child Safety in the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Institute of Criminology, and the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. He takes sole responsibility for the views in this article.

    – ref. 10 steps governments can take now to stamp out child sexual abuse in care settings – https://theconversation.com/10-steps-governments-can-take-now-to-stamp-out-child-sexual-abuse-in-care-settings-260405

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 3, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 3, 2025.

    Childcare sexual abuse is mostly committed by men. Failing to recognise that puts children at risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Delanie Woodlock, Senior research fellow, UNSW Sydney Australians are reeling from the news that Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown has been charged with more than 70 offences against children, including rape. As 1,200 children await results for sexually transmitted infections, a horror no parent should ever

    Overtourism is reshaping communities in Europe – could Australia be next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, Adjunct professor and adjunct senior lecturer in tourism management, University of South Australia Bumble Dee/Shutterstock A media frenzy erupted over the recent Jeff Bezos “wedding of the century” in Venice. Also notable were the public protests that showed tensions around tourism, especially mass tourism, are

    How should I talk to my kids about abuse and body safety?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Westrupp, Associate Professor in Psychology, Deakin University Jose Luis Peleaz/Getty Hearing about child abuse in trusted places such as childcare centres is every parent’s worst nightmare. So, how can we talk to our kids about it and help them stay safe? While it’s not always possible

    Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cairnduff, Lecturer in Media and Communications, The University of Melbourne The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom

    Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’
    By Reinhard Minong in Port Moresby The Catholic Church has strongly warned against Papua New Guinea’s political rhetoric and push to declare the nation a Christian country, saying such a move threatens constitutional freedoms and risks dangerous implications for the country’s future. Speaking before the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication on Tuesday at Rapopo during

    Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot

    Homes are more than walls and a roof, especially for Indigenous people. It’s time housing policy reflects that
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giles Gunesekera, PhD Researcher, University of Technology Sydney Australia is experiencing a housing crisis. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the challenge runs deeper than high rents and limited supply. A major problem is that housing in Australia is rarely designed with Indigenous communities

    Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast
    Pacific Media Watch In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller. Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. The Rainbow Warrior was

    Trump is not like other presidents – but can he beat the ‘second term curse’ that haunts the White House?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato Getty Images While he likes to provoke opponents with the possibility of serving a third term, Donald Trump faces a more immediate historical burden that has plagued so many presidents: the “second term curse”. Twenty-one US

    More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania VCG via Getty Images The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is

    Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GettyImages skynesher/Getty Australia’s superannuation regulator has written to Australian superannuation funds raising concerns their spending might not be benefiting members. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not just concerned with the type of expenses, but with the corporate

    Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brittany Ferdinands, Lecturer in Digital Content Creation, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney The Conversation, CC BY Emojis, as well as memes and other forms of short-form content, have become central to how we express ourselves and connect online. Yet as meanings shift across different

    Lung cancer screening hopes to save lives. But we also need to watch for possible harms
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Bell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney There is much to commend about Australia’s lung cancer screening program, which started on July 1. The program is based on gold-standard trial evidence showing this type of screening is likely to reduce

    Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city,

    Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Craig, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi The Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in bonds over the next four years to fund affordable housing. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in

    Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Merdith, DECRA Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared. Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kerrynne Liddle on seizing more opportunities with Indigenous Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra From this Sunday, Australians will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. The week highlights the achievements, history and culture of Australia’s First Peoples. It’s also a time to reflect on the huge effort needed to

    Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education; Post Doctoral Fellow, Manna Institute, University of New England Suwatchai Pluemruetai/Shutterstock The horrific allegations of child abuse by an early childhood educator in Victoria came to light at a time when the early learning sector was already under fire for

    Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ has passed the US Senate – these are the winners and losers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Igor Link/Shutterstock One of the unique aspects of Washington life is a Senate “vote-a-rama,” in which the upper house of Congress tortures itself by pulling a marathon all-nighter of speeches, amendments and votes on a critical

    Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
    By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country’s health data hack is a “wake-up call” for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga’s cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the June 15 cyberattack on the country’s Health Ministry. Vaipuna said Tonga and

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 3, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 3, 2025.

    Childcare sexual abuse is mostly committed by men. Failing to recognise that puts children at risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Delanie Woodlock, Senior research fellow, UNSW Sydney Australians are reeling from the news that Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown has been charged with more than 70 offences against children, including rape. As 1,200 children await results for sexually transmitted infections, a horror no parent should ever

    Overtourism is reshaping communities in Europe – could Australia be next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, Adjunct professor and adjunct senior lecturer in tourism management, University of South Australia Bumble Dee/Shutterstock A media frenzy erupted over the recent Jeff Bezos “wedding of the century” in Venice. Also notable were the public protests that showed tensions around tourism, especially mass tourism, are

    How should I talk to my kids about abuse and body safety?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Westrupp, Associate Professor in Psychology, Deakin University Jose Luis Peleaz/Getty Hearing about child abuse in trusted places such as childcare centres is every parent’s worst nightmare. So, how can we talk to our kids about it and help them stay safe? While it’s not always possible

    Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cairnduff, Lecturer in Media and Communications, The University of Melbourne The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom

    Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’
    By Reinhard Minong in Port Moresby The Catholic Church has strongly warned against Papua New Guinea’s political rhetoric and push to declare the nation a Christian country, saying such a move threatens constitutional freedoms and risks dangerous implications for the country’s future. Speaking before the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication on Tuesday at Rapopo during

    Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot

    Homes are more than walls and a roof, especially for Indigenous people. It’s time housing policy reflects that
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giles Gunesekera, PhD Researcher, University of Technology Sydney Australia is experiencing a housing crisis. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the challenge runs deeper than high rents and limited supply. A major problem is that housing in Australia is rarely designed with Indigenous communities

    Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast
    Pacific Media Watch In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller. Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. The Rainbow Warrior was

    Trump is not like other presidents – but can he beat the ‘second term curse’ that haunts the White House?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato Getty Images While he likes to provoke opponents with the possibility of serving a third term, Donald Trump faces a more immediate historical burden that has plagued so many presidents: the “second term curse”. Twenty-one US

    More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania VCG via Getty Images The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is

    Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GettyImages skynesher/Getty Australia’s superannuation regulator has written to Australian superannuation funds raising concerns their spending might not be benefiting members. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not just concerned with the type of expenses, but with the corporate

    Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brittany Ferdinands, Lecturer in Digital Content Creation, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney The Conversation, CC BY Emojis, as well as memes and other forms of short-form content, have become central to how we express ourselves and connect online. Yet as meanings shift across different

    Lung cancer screening hopes to save lives. But we also need to watch for possible harms
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Bell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney There is much to commend about Australia’s lung cancer screening program, which started on July 1. The program is based on gold-standard trial evidence showing this type of screening is likely to reduce

    Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city,

    Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Craig, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi The Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in bonds over the next four years to fund affordable housing. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in

    Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Merdith, DECRA Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared. Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kerrynne Liddle on seizing more opportunities with Indigenous Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra From this Sunday, Australians will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. The week highlights the achievements, history and culture of Australia’s First Peoples. It’s also a time to reflect on the huge effort needed to

    Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education; Post Doctoral Fellow, Manna Institute, University of New England Suwatchai Pluemruetai/Shutterstock The horrific allegations of child abuse by an early childhood educator in Victoria came to light at a time when the early learning sector was already under fire for

    Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ has passed the US Senate – these are the winners and losers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Igor Link/Shutterstock One of the unique aspects of Washington life is a Senate “vote-a-rama,” in which the upper house of Congress tortures itself by pulling a marathon all-nighter of speeches, amendments and votes on a critical

    Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
    By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country’s health data hack is a “wake-up call” for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga’s cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the June 15 cyberattack on the country’s Health Ministry. Vaipuna said Tonga and

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – “A Dirty Deal for Dirty Water” – Government’s $56m irrigation subsidy blasted by Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace strongly condemns the announcement today of a $56 million government subsidy for additional irrigation infrastructure in rural Canterbury, saying that this will result in increased water pollution and the destruction of fragile freshwater ecosystems.
    The Government has announced a $56 million dollar subsidy through the Regional Investment Fund for three water storage projects in the Canterbury region – the Opuha Dam and Irrigation Scheme, the Balmoral Water Storage Facility (Amuri), and the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “It is deeply irresponsible to use public money to fund the expansion of these irrigation schemes, which will lead to more intensive dairy, more cows, and more pollution. This is a dirty deal for dirty water.”
    “Shane Jones needs to go down and front up to rural communities in Canterbury whose drinking water is already so contaminated with nitrates they can’t safely drink it and explain why he is funding irrigation for dirty dairying that will contaminate their water more.
    “Everyone should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap, but right now, some rural communities are facing the reality that they cannot do so, because their drinking water is contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrate.”
    “The source of nitrate contamination in drinking water is effluent runoff and nitrate leaching from the intensive dairy industry,” says Appelbe.
    “Subsidising new irrigation infrastructure, which will lead to more intensive dairying and therefore more contamination of groundwater and drinking water, shows that this Government has a total disregard for the health of rural communities who cannot drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap.”
    Appelbe says this comes off the back of the announcement of a wave of regulation changes that Greenpeace has labelled the Government’s ‘Freshwater Pollution Plan’.
    “This Government is seeking to strip back freshwater protections across the board – despite the fact that New Zealanders across the entire political spectrum want to see more protection for freshwater, not less.”
    “The Government must end all subsidies for irrigation infrastructure immediately, and ensure freshwater pollution from the intensive dairy industry is stopped at the source.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania

    Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock

    Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot lately. All of these threats were likely on the minds of the delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which finishes up today in Milan, Italy.

    This meeting is where decisions are made about the continent’s future. These decisions rely on evidence from scientific research. Moreover, only countries that produce significant Antarctic research – as well as being parties to the treaty – get to have a final say in these decisions.

    Our new report – published as a preprint through the University of the Arctic – shows the rate of research on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is falling at exactly the time when it should be increasing. Moreover, research leadership is changing, with China taking the lead for the first time.

    This points to a dangerous disinvestment in Antarctic research just when it is needed, alongside a changing of the guard in national influence. Antarctica and the research done there are key to everyone’s future, so it’s vital to understand what this change might lead to.

    Why is Antarctic research so important?

    With the Antarctic region rapidly warming, its ice shelves destabilising and sea ice shrinking, understanding the South Polar environment is more crucial than ever.

    Ice loss in Antarctica not only contributes to sea level rise, but impacts wildlife habitats and local food chains. It also changes the dynamics of ocean currents, which could interfere with global food webs, including international fisheries that supply a growing amount of food.

    Research to understand these impacts is vital. First, knowing the impact of our actions – particularly carbon emissions – gives us an increased drive to make changes and lobby governments to do so.

    Second, even when changes are already locked in, to prepare ourselves we need to know what these changes will look like.

    And third, we need to understand the threats to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment to govern it properly. This is where the treaty comes in.

    What is the Antarctic Treaty?

    The region below 60 degrees south is governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, along with subsequent agreements. Together they are known as the Antarctic Treaty System.

    Fifty-eight countries are parties to the treaty, but only 29 of them – called consultative parties – can make binding decisions about the region. They comprise the 12 original signatories from 1959, along with 17 more recent signatory nations that produce substantial scientific research relating to Antarctica.

    This makes research a key part of a nation’s influence over what happens in Antarctica.

    For most of its history, the Antarctic Treaty System has functioned remarkably well. It maintained peace in the region during the Cold War, facilitated scientific cooperation, and put arguments about territorial claims on indefinite hold. It indefinitely forbade mining, and managed fisheries.

    Lately, however, there has been growing dysfunction in the treaty system.

    Environmental protections that might seem obvious – such as marine protected areas and special protections for threatened emperor penguins – have stalled.

    Because decisions are made by consensus, any country can effectively block progress. Russia and China – both long-term actors in the system – have been at the centre of the impasse.



    Read more:
    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us

    What did our report find?

    Tracking the amount of Antarctic research being done tells us whether nations as a whole are investing enough in understanding the region and its global impact.

    It also tells us which nations are investing the most and are therefore likely to have substantial influence.

    Our new report examined the number of papers published on Antarctic and Southern Ocean topics from 2016 to 2024, using the Scopus database. We also looked at other factors, such as the countries affiliated with each paper.

    The results show five significant changes are happening in the world of Antarctic research.

    • The number of Antarctic and Southern Ocean publications peaked in 2021 and then fell slightly yearly through to 2024.
    • While the United States has for decades been the leader in Antarctic research, China overtook them in 2022.
    • If we look only at the high-quality publications (those published in the best 25% of journals) China still took over the US, in 2024.
    • Of the top six countries in overall publications (China, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Russia) all except China have declined in publication numbers since 2016.
    • Although collaboration in publications is higher for Antarctic research than in non-Antarctic fields, Russia, India and China have anomalously low rates of co-authorship compared with many other signatory countries.

    Why is this research decline a problem?

    A recent parliamentary inquiry in Australia emphasised the need for funding certainty. In the UK, a House of Commons committee report considered it “imperative for the UK to significantly expand its research efforts in Antarctica”, in particular in relation to sea level rise.

    US commentators have pointed to the inadequacy of the country’s icebreaker infrastructure. The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Antarctic funding are only likely to exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile China has built a fifth station in Antarctica and announced plans for a sixth.

    Given the nation’s population and global influence, China’s leadership in Antarctic research is not surprising. If China were to take a lead in Antarctic environmental protection that matched its scientific heft, its move to lead position in the research ranks could be positive. Stronger multi-country collaboration in research could also strengthen overall cooperation.

    But the overall drop in global Antarctic research investment is a problem however you look at it. We ignore it at our peril.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, the Council on Australian and Latin American Relations DFAT and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). She has received in-kind support from Hurtigruten Expeditions in the recent past. The University of Tasmania is a member of the UArctic, which has provided support for this project.

    Keith Larson is affiliated with the UArctic and European Polar Board. The UArctic paid for the development and publication of this report. The UArctic Thematic Network on Research Analytics and Bibliometrics conducted the analysis and developed the report. The Arctic Centre at Umeå University provided in-kind support for staff time on the report.

    – ref. Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse – https://theconversation.com/antarctic-research-is-in-decline-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse-260197

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania

    Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock

    Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot lately. All of these threats were likely on the minds of the delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which finishes up today in Milan, Italy.

    This meeting is where decisions are made about the continent’s future. These decisions rely on evidence from scientific research. Moreover, only countries that produce significant Antarctic research – as well as being parties to the treaty – get to have a final say in these decisions.

    Our new report – published as a preprint through the University of the Arctic – shows the rate of research on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is falling at exactly the time when it should be increasing. Moreover, research leadership is changing, with China taking the lead for the first time.

    This points to a dangerous disinvestment in Antarctic research just when it is needed, alongside a changing of the guard in national influence. Antarctica and the research done there are key to everyone’s future, so it’s vital to understand what this change might lead to.

    Why is Antarctic research so important?

    With the Antarctic region rapidly warming, its ice shelves destabilising and sea ice shrinking, understanding the South Polar environment is more crucial than ever.

    Ice loss in Antarctica not only contributes to sea level rise, but impacts wildlife habitats and local food chains. It also changes the dynamics of ocean currents, which could interfere with global food webs, including international fisheries that supply a growing amount of food.

    Research to understand these impacts is vital. First, knowing the impact of our actions – particularly carbon emissions – gives us an increased drive to make changes and lobby governments to do so.

    Second, even when changes are already locked in, to prepare ourselves we need to know what these changes will look like.

    And third, we need to understand the threats to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment to govern it properly. This is where the treaty comes in.

    What is the Antarctic Treaty?

    The region below 60 degrees south is governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, along with subsequent agreements. Together they are known as the Antarctic Treaty System.

    Fifty-eight countries are parties to the treaty, but only 29 of them – called consultative parties – can make binding decisions about the region. They comprise the 12 original signatories from 1959, along with 17 more recent signatory nations that produce substantial scientific research relating to Antarctica.

    This makes research a key part of a nation’s influence over what happens in Antarctica.

    For most of its history, the Antarctic Treaty System has functioned remarkably well. It maintained peace in the region during the Cold War, facilitated scientific cooperation, and put arguments about territorial claims on indefinite hold. It indefinitely forbade mining, and managed fisheries.

    Lately, however, there has been growing dysfunction in the treaty system.

    Environmental protections that might seem obvious – such as marine protected areas and special protections for threatened emperor penguins – have stalled.

    Because decisions are made by consensus, any country can effectively block progress. Russia and China – both long-term actors in the system – have been at the centre of the impasse.



    Read more:
    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us

    What did our report find?

    Tracking the amount of Antarctic research being done tells us whether nations as a whole are investing enough in understanding the region and its global impact.

    It also tells us which nations are investing the most and are therefore likely to have substantial influence.

    Our new report examined the number of papers published on Antarctic and Southern Ocean topics from 2016 to 2024, using the Scopus database. We also looked at other factors, such as the countries affiliated with each paper.

    The results show five significant changes are happening in the world of Antarctic research.

    • The number of Antarctic and Southern Ocean publications peaked in 2021 and then fell slightly yearly through to 2024.
    • While the United States has for decades been the leader in Antarctic research, China overtook them in 2022.
    • If we look only at the high-quality publications (those published in the best 25% of journals) China still took over the US, in 2024.
    • Of the top six countries in overall publications (China, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Russia) all except China have declined in publication numbers since 2016.
    • Although collaboration in publications is higher for Antarctic research than in non-Antarctic fields, Russia, India and China have anomalously low rates of co-authorship compared with many other signatory countries.

    Why is this research decline a problem?

    A recent parliamentary inquiry in Australia emphasised the need for funding certainty. In the UK, a House of Commons committee report considered it “imperative for the UK to significantly expand its research efforts in Antarctica”, in particular in relation to sea level rise.

    US commentators have pointed to the inadequacy of the country’s icebreaker infrastructure. The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Antarctic funding are only likely to exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile China has built a fifth station in Antarctica and announced plans for a sixth.

    Given the nation’s population and global influence, China’s leadership in Antarctic research is not surprising. If China were to take a lead in Antarctic environmental protection that matched its scientific heft, its move to lead position in the research ranks could be positive. Stronger multi-country collaboration in research could also strengthen overall cooperation.

    But the overall drop in global Antarctic research investment is a problem however you look at it. We ignore it at our peril.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, the Council on Australian and Latin American Relations DFAT and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). She has received in-kind support from Hurtigruten Expeditions in the recent past. The University of Tasmania is a member of the UArctic, which has provided support for this project.

    Keith Larson is affiliated with the UArctic and European Polar Board. The UArctic paid for the development and publication of this report. The UArctic Thematic Network on Research Analytics and Bibliometrics conducted the analysis and developed the report. The Arctic Centre at Umeå University provided in-kind support for staff time on the report.

    – ref. Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse – https://theconversation.com/antarctic-research-is-in-decline-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse-260197

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legal Cases – Greenpeace International begins groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP case to protect freedom of speech

    Source: Greenpeace

    In a landmark test case of the European Union’s new legislation to protect freedom of expression and stop abusive lawsuits, Greenpeace International has overnight challenged the US oil pipeline company, Energy Transfer, in court in the Netherlands.[1]
    The multi-billion-dollar company brought two back-to-back SLAPP suits against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US, after Greenpeace showed solidarity with the 2016 peaceful Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The first case was dismissed, but the Greenpeace organisations continue to defend against the second case, which is ongoing, after a North Dakota jury recently awarded over 660 million USD in damages to the pipeline giant.Activists from Greenpeace International and allies were present outside the courthouse in Amsterdam for the first hearing in the case with a banner reading “ ENERGY TRANSFER, WELCOME TO THE EU – WHERE FREE SPEECH IS STILL A THING“. Mads Christensen, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, says: “Energy Transfer’s attack on our right to protest is an attack on everyone’s free speech. Greenpeace has been the target of threats, arrests and even bombs over the last 50 years and persevered. We will continue to resist all forms of intimidation and explore every option to hold Energy Transfer accountable for this attempt at abusing the justice system. This groundbreaking anti-SLAPP case against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands is just the beginning of defeating this bullying tactic being wielded by billionaires and fossil fuel giants trying to silence critics all over the world. Something absolutely vital is at stake here: people’s ability to hold corporate polluters to account for the devastation they’re causing.”
    Russel Norman, Executive Director, Greenpeace Aotearoa, says: “The timing of this case is particularly poignant given that we are about to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by agents of the French Government here in Auckland. The bombing was an act of desperation by the French Government in the face of our successful, people-powered campaign to end nuclear testing in the Pacific.
    “Forty years ago, we showed that we could not be intimidated. Greenpeace only grew stronger, and together with the nuclear-free Pacific movement, we put a stop to nuclear testing. Now, as Greenpeace International goes to court in Amsterdam, Energy Transfer would also like us – and all climate activists – to be afraid and to shut up – but once again, we will show that we will not be silenced.”The lawsuit is an important test of the European Union’s Anti-SLAPP Directive, adopted in April 2024.[2] The Directive is designed to protect journalists, activists, civil society organisations, or anyone else speaking out about matters of public concern, from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) – unfounded intimidation lawsuits brought by powerful corporations or wealthy individuals seeking to suppress public debate.[3] Since Greenpeace International is a Netherlands-based foundation and the damage caused by Energy Transfers’s US SLAPP suit is occurring in the Netherlands, both Dutch and EU law apply.
    Amy Jacobsen, Senior Legal Counsel, Greenpeace International, says, “This case paves the way for protections from bullying lawsuits being implemented throughout Europe and beyond. The lawsuits that Energy Transfer have brought against Greenpeace International are the perfect example of the kind of abusive legal proceedings that the anti-SLAPP Directive is designed to protect against. By calling upon the EU anti-SLAPP Directive’s protections, Greenpeace International refuses to allow the bullying tactics of wealthy fossil fuel corporations like Energy Transfer to compromise our fundamental free speech rights.”
    Following a dawn ceremony on the 10 July 2025 in Auckland,  the Rainbow Warrior will be open to the public for tours and talks with the crew on the week

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast

    Pacific Media Watch

    In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller.

    Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira.

    The Rainbow Warrior was the flagship for a protest flotilla due to travel to Moruroa atoll to challenge French nuclear tests.

    Australian police took them into custody on behalf of their New Zealand counterparts but then, bafflingly, allowed them to sail away, never to face justice.

    On the 40th anniversary of the bombing (10 July 2025), award-winning journalist Richard Baker goes on an adventure from Paris to the Pacific to get the real story – and ultimately uncover the role that Australia played in the global headline-making affair.

    The programme includes an interview with Pacific journalist David Robie, author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. David’s article about this episode is published at Declassified Australia here.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast

    Pacific Media Watch

    In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller.

    Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira.

    The Rainbow Warrior was the flagship for a protest flotilla due to travel to Moruroa atoll to challenge French nuclear tests.

    Australian police took them into custody on behalf of their New Zealand counterparts but then, bafflingly, allowed them to sail away, never to face justice.

    On the 40th anniversary of the bombing (10 July 2025), award-winning journalist Richard Baker goes on an adventure from Paris to the Pacific to get the real story – and ultimately uncover the role that Australia played in the global headline-making affair.

    The programme includes an interview with Pacific journalist David Robie, author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior. David’s article about this episode is published at Declassified Australia here.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Preparing for a new generation of ‘underbirds’ on Rakiura

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    This winter, with introduced predators hungry and lurking, critical action is being taken to help one of the world’s most endangered birds produce a new generation of chicks on Rakiura/Stewart Island.

    Pukunui/Southern New Zealand dotterel are critically threatened shore birds that nests on mountain tops. Photo by Bradley Shields.

    You probably don’t know much about pukunui/Southern New Zealand dotterel, but the rangers on Rakiura have been battling the elements for decades trying to prevent them from being predated, primarily by feral cats.

    Pukunui used to be widespread throughout Te Waipounamu, even found in the Southern Alps, but stoats and cats have decimated their numbers and they now only nest on Rakiura mountain tops.

    “Pukunui have swooped under most people’s radar, but they deserve all the protection they can get,” says Guy McDonald who leads DOC’s Pukunui Recovery Team.

    “We call them the ‘underbirds’ because they are only found at the bottom of New Zealand, and like many native species, they have a friendly, innocent manner, and are defenceless to introduced predators.’ 

    The forest is overrun with predators 

    Guy is one of a small team of rangers on Rakiura who control predators around pukunui breeding areas, monitor nests and conduct annual population counts. 

    “Our team often works day and night, dealing with all kinds of extreme weather, in the effort to protect some of the last remaining strongholds of pukunui breeding pairs located around the mountains of the Tin Range – Ka Puketuroto.”  

    Pukunui Recovery Team Lead, Guy McDonald. Image from Underbirds documentary.

    It has been incredibly challenging because the forest is overrun with predators and trapping networks can only cover a small proportion of the habitat. 

    Consequently, the pukunui population has plummeted to 105 – down from 176 in 2020 and 300 in 2010.

    “Pukunui should live to at least 20-30 years old, but with the huge number of feral cats on the island as well as other predators, most pukunui only survive 4-5 years if they’re lucky,” says Guy.   

    “It’s hard on team morale when we find dotterels that have been eaten, especially the ones we have banded and become familiar with. It’s heartbreaking to find their little bodies.”  

    But there’s a new plan to reverse the decline, drawing on extra funding from Predator Free 2050 and expertise from DOC’s National Predator Control Programme and Zero Invasive Predators.

    Not your average house cat 

    Although there aren’t stoats on Rakiura, pukunui are up against another stealthy and ferocious carnivore – the feral cat.   

    Feral cats captured by a trail camera in May between Doughboy Bay and the Tin Range, close to pukunui breeding grounds. Monitoring shows feral cats are rampant.

    Feral cats are apex predators which means nothing preys upon them. They can hunt high and low across thousands of hectares of forest and mountains, and they survive by preying upon any animal they can sink their teeth into, including birds, bats, lizards, and insects.  

    In response, we’ve begun the first phase of an aerial 1080 operation to reduce the number of rats, feral cats and possums by more than 95% across more than 40,000 hectares of Rakiura National Park.   

    We will do this by accurately applying biodegradable 1080 bait pellets from helicopters to support the trapping efforts of the local team.   

    “It wouldn’t be possible or safe to cover this remote, rugged terrain with traps alone. It would put our people at risk,” Guy says. 

    The use of 1080 is vital for protecting populations of native species across the country. It will heavily reduce predator numbers so pukunui can have a safer, more successful breeding season.  

    If we don’t act now, future generations will ask why 

    The aim is to increase the population to at least 300 birds by 2035 with predator control. However, if predators can be permanently removed through the Predator Free Rakiura project, this target could be well exceeded.  

    “As a team we are excited and nervous because if we are successful, and predators can be eradicated, we may no-longer need a pukunui recovery team,” says Guy.   

    “This would be the best marker of success but also the end of an era.” 

    Dan Cocker, also known as Dotterel Dan, has been involved in protecting pukunui since 2017 as a teenager.

    DOC Rakiura Ranger, Dan Cocker. Image from Underbirds documentary.

    Dan wants to see these birds become so abundant on Rakiura that they can return to shorelines and mountains throughout Te Waipounamu when it’s safe.  

    “When I read books about our extinct native birds, I ask why didn’t they do more? Future generations will ask us this same question, if we don’t take action,” says Dan. 

    This isn’t just about pukunui – Rakiura should be bustling with native wildlife, but there’s a deafening silence deep in the forest. Predator Free Rakiura aims to restore the health and abundance of the ecosystem and bring back native species that belong here.   

    Donations a boost for pukunui protection   

    Pukunui and the Deceit Peaks. Photo by Guy McDonald.

    In 2023 the New Zealand Nature Fund launched a campaign in partnership with DOC to raise funds from donors to support DOC’s Pukunui Recovery Team.

    It’s early days but the pukunui team acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Nature Fund and everyone who has donated to this project.  

    “Project donations have been vital for expanding our predator control efforts,” Guy says.   

    Find out more and support our efforts

    Learn more about the plight of the pukunui in this documentary: Underbirds – the Fight to Save the Southern New Zealand Dotterel. 

    Learn more about why we use 1080 to protect native species.

    Stay up to date with progress on Predator Free Rakiura and the Pukunui Recovery Operation: Removing predators from Stewart Island/Rakiura

    Learn more about DOC’s role in Predator Free Rakiura and the species that need our protection: Predator Free Rakiura: Our work

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fossicking rules broken as gold fever strikes

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    Date:  03 July 2025

    At the fossicking site at Slab Hut Creek Campsite, south of Reefton on the West Coast of the South Island, there have been problems with fossickers mining into the creek bank. DOC staff say if left unaddressed, the fossicking will ultimately result in the creek eroding into the campground.

    Senior Ranger Darrell Haworth says the repairs to the site needed a digger to remediate and have cost thousands to undertake.

    “This is the second time we have had to carry out remediation to protect the camping area because of gold fossicking activity – which means we have less budget to spend on visitor assets elsewhere,” Darrell says.

    “As well as threatening the stability of the camping area, the unlawful digging potentially impacts the access road for the campground.

    “With the gold price so high at the moment (at over $5400 an ounce), we are assuming that’s a motivation for these people, as a lot of effort has been put into these destructive earthworks.

    “We’d like people to spread the word the rules need to be followed when fossicking for gold at these sites. Signs are in place informing people of the key rules – fossickers must stay in the active streambed, use hand tools only, leave natural features undisturbed; and ensure the area is returned to near its original condition.

    “We are aware this issue of digging in banks and undermining vegetation is also occurring at the Moonlight Creek fossicking area, and we have carried out legal proceedings in the past for people caught. Rangers are regularly in the area and will be monitoring these sites.”

    Digging in banks on Public Conservation Land is an offence under the Conservation Act as it interferes with or damages natural features.

    The penalty for this activity in the case of an individual, is imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding $100,000, or both: in the case of a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $200,000

    Background information

    Gold fossicking is the activity of collecting gold by a stream or river using pans, shovels, and sluice boxes.

    People can do this in designated public gold fossicking areas. There is a low concentration of alluvial gold (found in soil usually around rivers and streams) within all the gold fossicking areas.

    Nine of New Zealand’s 19 gold fossicking sites are on the West Coast.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada funds energy projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories to build a strong, sustainable economy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 2, 2025 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

    Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited Denendeh Manor, a four-storey Indigenous-owned apartment building in Yellowknife, to announce over $13.3 million in support of five projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

    These projects are being funded under the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), which invests in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate clean growth, build resilient communities, and create jobs for Canadians through four distinct funding streams. They are essential to building a clean economy and keeping Canadian innovation climate competitive.

    Three of the projects being announced are receiving funding from the LCEF Challenge stream, which supports a variety of organizations in adopting proven, low-carbon technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and stay climate competitive. The other two are receiving funding from the LCEF Indigenous Leadership stream, which supports Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects across Canada.

    • The Sherritt International Corporation is receiving approximately $1.6 million from the Challenge stream to increase the efficiency of the natural gas-fired boilers it uses to generate steam for its fertilizer plant in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
    • Cavendish Farms Corporation is receiving nearly $1.4 million from the Challenge stream to install a heat recovery system and reduce reliance on natural gas at its Lethbridge, Alberta facility.
    • The Taurus Canada Renewable Natural Gas Corporation is receiving approximately $3.4 million from the Challenge stream to construct the world’s first small-scale biogenic carbon capture and storage project, using manure anaerobic digestion on the Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd. feedlot site.
    • Denendeh Manor GP Ltd. is receiving approximately $2.3 million from the Indigenous Leadership stream to improve energy efficiency and low carbon heating at Denendeh Manor in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
    • The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is receiving approximately $4.6 million from the Indigenous Leadership stream to supply ground-mounted solar installation kits to Inuvialuit-owned cabins in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories.

    These investments reaffirm the Government of Canada’s strong commitment to building a clean, sustainable economy for all; achieving its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets; and protecting our environment.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada funds energy projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories to build a strong, sustainable economy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 2, 2025 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

    Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited Denendeh Manor, a four-storey Indigenous-owned apartment building in Yellowknife, to announce over $13.3 million in support of five projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

    These projects are being funded under the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), which invests in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate clean growth, build resilient communities, and create jobs for Canadians through four distinct funding streams. They are essential to building a clean economy and keeping Canadian innovation climate competitive.

    Three of the projects being announced are receiving funding from the LCEF Challenge stream, which supports a variety of organizations in adopting proven, low-carbon technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and stay climate competitive. The other two are receiving funding from the LCEF Indigenous Leadership stream, which supports Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects across Canada.

    • The Sherritt International Corporation is receiving approximately $1.6 million from the Challenge stream to increase the efficiency of the natural gas-fired boilers it uses to generate steam for its fertilizer plant in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
    • Cavendish Farms Corporation is receiving nearly $1.4 million from the Challenge stream to install a heat recovery system and reduce reliance on natural gas at its Lethbridge, Alberta facility.
    • The Taurus Canada Renewable Natural Gas Corporation is receiving approximately $3.4 million from the Challenge stream to construct the world’s first small-scale biogenic carbon capture and storage project, using manure anaerobic digestion on the Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd. feedlot site.
    • Denendeh Manor GP Ltd. is receiving approximately $2.3 million from the Indigenous Leadership stream to improve energy efficiency and low carbon heating at Denendeh Manor in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
    • The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is receiving approximately $4.6 million from the Indigenous Leadership stream to supply ground-mounted solar installation kits to Inuvialuit-owned cabins in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories.

    These investments reaffirm the Government of Canada’s strong commitment to building a clean, sustainable economy for all; achieving its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets; and protecting our environment.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer 2025 Newsletter – In The Flow

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was on the scene in Western Maryland to collect water data during and after the flooding caused by several inches of rain. Quantifying floods is vital for planning infrastructure that can withstand such extremes in the future.

    As the flooding occurred, USGS crews traversed the area, collecting high flow measurements at over two dozen locations in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. The job was challenging as certain roads were difficult or impossible to pass due to flooding.

    USGS crews also attempted to measure high flow at Georges Creek, which was at the epicenter of flooding in the town of Westernport, Maryland, and near the site of the school evacuation, but it was too dangerous. Our crew returned when it was safer to collect two streamflow measurements while flows were still elevated, and then later when flooding subsided, identified high-water marks to estimate the volume of water during the peak of the flood.

    Days later, evidence of the damage caused by the flood were visible throughout Westernport and across towns in the area, including at Georges Creek, where flooding caused the ground to collapse beneath an unused train line, leaving rails that were twisted mid-air and dangling for several dozen yards, yet somehow still connected on the other side.

    The USGS, EPA, along with federal, state, and local partners collect water samples at over a hundred locations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Choptank River as seen here.

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently published flow-normalized trends in loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from water years 1985 through 2023. This monitoring-based information provides federal, state, and local managers with accurate and timely information about the health of streams and rivers entering the Bay.

    Understanding changes in the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed is critical to understanding the health of the Bay. States in the Bay watershed recognized this and in 2004 they formed the Non-Tidal Network (NTN), a collection of 123 monitoring stations that follow standard sampling protocols and analysis methods.

    Spanning six states from New York to Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, the consistency of the NTN provides accurate information on conditions and changes in water quality.

    This is no small task and is only possible through teamwork from local, state, and federal partners who collect and analyze information from the 123 NTN stations. The total NTN dataset has over 51,000 samples — that’s about 3.5 samples collected every single day since 1985! The USGS plays a critical role in the NTN, providing information on how much water is flowing at the gages, collecting samples, and analyzing load and trend results.

    A map of the Chesapeake Bay watershed showing the distribution of Non-Tidal Network (NTN) stations as of 2023.

    But the data doesn’t collect itself. It takes dedicated people from federal, state, and local partner agencies, including the USGS, to sample all 123 stations routinely.

    On a chilly morning in early March 2024, Kelly McVicker and Shane Mizelle, two hydrologic technicians from the USGS, made their way out to the catwalk of the Conowingo Dam to collect water samples after a storm.

    Over the next hour, they repeatedly lowered a sampling bottle into the turbid, roaring waters some several dozen feet below, bringing it back up and transferring it to a larger container. They repeated this procedure at multiple points along the wide river to ensure that the sample would represent the conditions of the river at that particular point in time.

    Month after month, and sometimes more frequently as dictated by storms, technicians from the USGS and other agencies repeat this process across 123 stations. In each instance the technicians follow consistent sampling collection, storage and analysis to allow for comparison over the entire network.

    After the field, the samples are shipped to laboratories and analyzed, and laboratory staff run quality assurance tests.

    Next, the data are returned to the collecting agencies and reviewed by their staff. If the data are approved and nothing is out of line, they are submitted to the Chesapeake Environmental Data Repository where the data are reviewed before inclusion.

    Now, nutrient and sediment loads and trends can be calculated from the data.

    USGS scientists use a statistical method known as Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) to compute the flow-normalized load of nutrients and sediment at each station for each year the data are available. A station can have a load computed after 5 years of data, and after 10 years, the scientists will run a trend analysis to determine if the load is increasing, decreasing, or has no discernable trend.

    The results computed at the 123 stations include trends in suspended sediment and total and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Each year’s results are compared against the historic record to ensure a consistent dataset is used.

    Following the load and trend analyses, the data are published in a data release, updated on a website and the results are distributed to NTN partners and other Chesapeake Bay stakeholders.

    This tremendous effort would not be possible without the support of local and state governments and non-profits across the Chesapeake region.

    USGS installs three temporary groundwater stations to monitor drought conditions in Delaware

    Jacob Mavrogeorge builds a groundwater gage in Delaware.

    The U.S. Geological Survey installed groundwater stations in three locations across the state to monitor groundwater levels, doubling the number of active groundwater stations in Delaware operated by USGS from 3 to 6.

    Until June 2025, Delaware was in a state of drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and these sites were selected with the help of the Delaware Geological Survey to track groundwater levels throughout the state.

    Monitoring at these sites will continue through at least September 30, 2025.

    Funding was provided through the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System program (NGWOS) in response to drought conditions that had persisted since last summer.

    View data from these sites, DE-Cb12-10, DE-Gb55-08, DE-Ng11-37.

    Additional Updates to our Water Monitoring Network

    This Winter and Spring we added the following sites to our monitoring network:

    • Piscataway Creek at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653521): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.
    • Piscataway Creek Tributary at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653522): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.

    We also added HIVIS cameras to the following sites:

    • Whitemarsh Run at White Marsh, MD (01585100) 
    • Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey, MD (01658000) 
    • Beaverdam Creek Near Cheverly, MD (01651730) 
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) 
    Reductions to Data Collection at a Handful of Monitoring Sites

    Given proposed budget cuts from a cooperating agency, we foresee the following reductions to data collection at a handful of sites beginning on October 1, 2025. If there are questions concerning these sites, please email gs-w-mdtws_information@usgs.gov.

    The following sites will be fully discontinued. Although historical data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive, Washington, DC (01648000): Continuous discharge.
    • Luzon Branch above Rock Creek at Washington, DC (01648011): Continuous discharge and water temperature.
    • Anacostia River at Kenilworth at Washington, DC (01651760): Continuous discharge water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
    • Anacostia River near Buzzard Point at Washington, DC (01651827): Continuous discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity.

    Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) will lose its continuous discharge reporting, but all other continuous measurements will remain.

    Discrete metals and bacteria water-quality analyses (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, E. coli bacteria) at the following sites will be discontinued; however other water-quality parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment) will still be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Joyce Road, Washington, DC (01648010) 
    • Hickey Run at National Arboretum at Washington, DC (01651770)
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800)

    Stay Up-To-Date On Our Latest Science

    These are the latest publications that our Center’s scientists contributed to:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer 2025 Newsletter – In The Flow

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was on the scene in Western Maryland to collect water data during and after the flooding caused by several inches of rain. Quantifying floods is vital for planning infrastructure that can withstand such extremes in the future.

    As the flooding occurred, USGS crews traversed the area, collecting high flow measurements at over two dozen locations in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. The job was challenging as certain roads were difficult or impossible to pass due to flooding.

    USGS crews also attempted to measure high flow at Georges Creek, which was at the epicenter of flooding in the town of Westernport, Maryland, and near the site of the school evacuation, but it was too dangerous. Our crew returned when it was safer to collect two streamflow measurements while flows were still elevated, and then later when flooding subsided, identified high-water marks to estimate the volume of water during the peak of the flood.

    Days later, evidence of the damage caused by the flood were visible throughout Westernport and across towns in the area, including at Georges Creek, where flooding caused the ground to collapse beneath an unused train line, leaving rails that were twisted mid-air and dangling for several dozen yards, yet somehow still connected on the other side.

    The USGS, EPA, along with federal, state, and local partners collect water samples at over a hundred locations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Choptank River as seen here.

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently published flow-normalized trends in loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from water years 1985 through 2023. This monitoring-based information provides federal, state, and local managers with accurate and timely information about the health of streams and rivers entering the Bay.

    Understanding changes in the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed is critical to understanding the health of the Bay. States in the Bay watershed recognized this and in 2004 they formed the Non-Tidal Network (NTN), a collection of 123 monitoring stations that follow standard sampling protocols and analysis methods.

    Spanning six states from New York to Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, the consistency of the NTN provides accurate information on conditions and changes in water quality.

    This is no small task and is only possible through teamwork from local, state, and federal partners who collect and analyze information from the 123 NTN stations. The total NTN dataset has over 51,000 samples — that’s about 3.5 samples collected every single day since 1985! The USGS plays a critical role in the NTN, providing information on how much water is flowing at the gages, collecting samples, and analyzing load and trend results.

    A map of the Chesapeake Bay watershed showing the distribution of Non-Tidal Network (NTN) stations as of 2023.

    But the data doesn’t collect itself. It takes dedicated people from federal, state, and local partner agencies, including the USGS, to sample all 123 stations routinely.

    On a chilly morning in early March 2024, Kelly McVicker and Shane Mizelle, two hydrologic technicians from the USGS, made their way out to the catwalk of the Conowingo Dam to collect water samples after a storm.

    Over the next hour, they repeatedly lowered a sampling bottle into the turbid, roaring waters some several dozen feet below, bringing it back up and transferring it to a larger container. They repeated this procedure at multiple points along the wide river to ensure that the sample would represent the conditions of the river at that particular point in time.

    Month after month, and sometimes more frequently as dictated by storms, technicians from the USGS and other agencies repeat this process across 123 stations. In each instance the technicians follow consistent sampling collection, storage and analysis to allow for comparison over the entire network.

    After the field, the samples are shipped to laboratories and analyzed, and laboratory staff run quality assurance tests.

    Next, the data are returned to the collecting agencies and reviewed by their staff. If the data are approved and nothing is out of line, they are submitted to the Chesapeake Environmental Data Repository where the data are reviewed before inclusion.

    Now, nutrient and sediment loads and trends can be calculated from the data.

    USGS scientists use a statistical method known as Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge and Season (WRTDS) to compute the flow-normalized load of nutrients and sediment at each station for each year the data are available. A station can have a load computed after 5 years of data, and after 10 years, the scientists will run a trend analysis to determine if the load is increasing, decreasing, or has no discernable trend.

    The results computed at the 123 stations include trends in suspended sediment and total and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Each year’s results are compared against the historic record to ensure a consistent dataset is used.

    Following the load and trend analyses, the data are published in a data release, updated on a website and the results are distributed to NTN partners and other Chesapeake Bay stakeholders.

    This tremendous effort would not be possible without the support of local and state governments and non-profits across the Chesapeake region.

    USGS installs three temporary groundwater stations to monitor drought conditions in Delaware

    Jacob Mavrogeorge builds a groundwater gage in Delaware.

    The U.S. Geological Survey installed groundwater stations in three locations across the state to monitor groundwater levels, doubling the number of active groundwater stations in Delaware operated by USGS from 3 to 6.

    Until June 2025, Delaware was in a state of drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and these sites were selected with the help of the Delaware Geological Survey to track groundwater levels throughout the state.

    Monitoring at these sites will continue through at least September 30, 2025.

    Funding was provided through the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System program (NGWOS) in response to drought conditions that had persisted since last summer.

    View data from these sites, DE-Cb12-10, DE-Gb55-08, DE-Ng11-37.

    Additional Updates to our Water Monitoring Network

    This Winter and Spring we added the following sites to our monitoring network:

    • Piscataway Creek at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653521): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.
    • Piscataway Creek Tributary at Joint Base Andrews, MD (01653522): Gage height, specific conductance, temperature, and turbidity.

    We also added HIVIS cameras to the following sites:

    • Whitemarsh Run at White Marsh, MD (01585100) 
    • Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey, MD (01658000) 
    • Beaverdam Creek Near Cheverly, MD (01651730) 
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) 
    Reductions to Data Collection at a Handful of Monitoring Sites

    Given proposed budget cuts from a cooperating agency, we foresee the following reductions to data collection at a handful of sites beginning on October 1, 2025. If there are questions concerning these sites, please email gs-w-mdtws_information@usgs.gov.

    The following sites will be fully discontinued. Although historical data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive, Washington, DC (01648000): Continuous discharge.
    • Luzon Branch above Rock Creek at Washington, DC (01648011): Continuous discharge and water temperature.
    • Anacostia River at Kenilworth at Washington, DC (01651760): Continuous discharge water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
    • Anacostia River near Buzzard Point at Washington, DC (01651827): Continuous discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity.

    Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800) will lose its continuous discharge reporting, but all other continuous measurements will remain.

    Discrete metals and bacteria water-quality analyses (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, E. coli bacteria) at the following sites will be discontinued; however other water-quality parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment) will still be collected:

    • Rock Creek at Joyce Road, Washington, DC (01648010) 
    • Hickey Run at National Arboretum at Washington, DC (01651770)
    • Watts Branch at Washington, DC (01651800)

    Stay Up-To-Date On Our Latest Science

    These are the latest publications that our Center’s scientists contributed to:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Task Team Focuses on Community Recovery

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 2, 2025

    The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) Recovery Task Team is working with communities and their residents impacted by the challenging start to the 2025 wildfire season, supporting communities as they begin to rebuild.

    Steps for Individuals Impacted by Wildfires

    Impacted residents of lost or damaged property due to wildfires may be eligible for support and assistance during the recovery process:

    1. Insurable Losses
    Residents are encouraged to reach out to their private insurance to determine what coverage and additional support is available.   

    2. Long-term Displacement Assistance
    Residents that are displaced beyond 30 days may be eligible for assistance through Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP). Once a community has been established as an eligible community, long-term displaced residents can reach out to their home community for an application form. Find more information here: Provincial Disaster Assistance Program | SPSA.

    About the Recovery Task Team

    The Recovery Task Team has been formed to identify areas of need to ensure communities devastated by wildfires are provided assistance and post-disaster supports in the rebuilding process.

    The team includes representatives from the SPSA and other provincial ministries, including representatives from the ministries of Environment, Social Services, Government Relations and others as needed. This team will focus on the most severely impacted communities and those whose permanent residences were lost due to wildfire. 

    The current focus of the Recovery Task Team is working with communities to support debris management, living accommodations and mental health supports. The team will continue to share what resources are available to community leadership and work together to determine what gaps can be filled.  

    Additional recovery supports will be announced in the coming days.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania

    VCG via Getty Images

    The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is likely to continue in the long term.

    Unchecked tourism growth in Antarctica risks undermining the very environment that draws visitors. This would be bad for operators and tourists. It would also be bad for Antarctica – and the planet.

    Over the past two weeks, the nations that decide what human activities are permitted in Antarctica have convened in Italy. The meeting incorporates discussions by a special working group that aims to address tourism issues.

    It’s not easy to manage tourist visitors to a continent beyond any one country’s control. So, how do we stop Antarctica being loved to death? The answer may lie in economics.

    Future visitor trends

    We recently modelled future visitor trends in Antarctica. A conservative scenario shows by 2033–34, visitor numbers could reach around 285,000. Under the least conservative scenario, numbers could reach 450,000 – however, this figure incorporates pent-up demand from COVID shutdowns that will likely diminish.

    The vast majority of the Antarctic tourism industry comprises cruise-ship tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula. A small percentage of visitors travel to the Ross Sea region and parts of the continent’s interior.

    Antarctic tourism is managed by an international set of agreements together known as the Antarctic Treaty System, as well as the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

    The Treaty System is notoriously slow-moving and riven by geopolitics, and IAATO does not have the power to cap visitor numbers.

    Pressure on a fragile continent

    About two-thirds of Antarctic tourists land on the continent. The visitors can threaten fragile ecosystems by:

    • compacting soils
    • trampling fragile vegetation
    • introducing non-native microbes and plant species
    • disturbing breeding colonies of birds and seals.

    Even when cruise ships don’t dock, they can cause problems such as air, water and noise pollution – as well as anchoring that can damage the seabed.

    Then there’s carbon emissions. Each cruise ship traveller to Antarctica typically produces between 3.2 and 4.1 tonnes of carbon, not including travel to the port of departure. This is similar to the carbon emissions an average person produces in a year.

    Global warming caused by carbon emissions is damaging Antarctica. At the Peninsula region, glaciers and ice shelves are retreating and sea ice is shrinking, affecting wildlife and vegetation.

    Of course, Antarctic tourism represents only a tiny fraction of overall emissions. However, the industry has a moral obligation to protect the place that maintains it. And tourism in Antarctica can compound damage from climate change, tipping delicate ecosystems into decline.

    Some operators use hybrid ships and less polluting fuels, and offset emissions to offer carbon-neutral travel.

    IAATO has pledged to halve emissions by 2050 – a positive step, but far short of the net-zero targets set by the International Maritime Organization.

    Can economics protect Antarctica?

    Market-based tools – such as taxes, cap-and-trade schemes and certification – have been used in environmental management around the world. Research shows these tools could also prevent Antarctic tourist numbers from getting out of control.

    One option is requiring visitors to pay a tourism tax. This would help raise revenue to support environmental monitoring and enforcement in Antarctica, as well as fund research.

    Such a tax already exists in the small South Asian nation of Bhutan, where each tourist pays a tax of US$100 (A$152) a night. But while a tax might deter the budget-conscious, it probably wouldn’t deter high income, experience-driven tourists.

    Alternatively, a cap-and-trade system would create a limited number of Antarctica visitor permits for a fixed period. The initial distribution of permits could be among tourism operators or countries, via negotiation, auction or lottery. Unused permits could then be sold, making them quite valuable.

    Caps have been successful at managing tourism impacts elsewhere, such as Lord Howe Island, although there are no trades allowed in that system.

    Any cap on tourist numbers in Antarctica, and rules for trading, must be based on evidence about what the environment can handle. But there is a lack of precise data on Antarctica’s carrying capacity. And permit allocations amongst the operators and nations would need to be fair and inclusive.

    Alternatively, existing industry standards could be augmented with independent schemes certifying particular practices – for example, reducing carbon footprints. This could be backed by robust monitoring and enforcement to avoid greenwashing.

    Looking ahead

    Given the complexities of Antarctic governance, our research finds that the most workable solution is a combination of these market-based options, alongside other regulatory measures.

    So far, parties to the Antarctic treaty have made very few binding rules for the tourism industry. And some market-based levers will be more acceptable to the parties than others. But doing nothing is not a solution.

    The authors would like to acknowledge Valeria Senigaglia, Natalie Stoeckl and Jing Tian and the rest of the team for their contributions to the research upon which this article was based.

    Darla Hatton MacDonald receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Soils CRC. She has received in-kind support from Antarctic tour operator HX.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, and DFAT. She also receives in-kind support and occasional funding from Antarctic tourism operator HX and in-kind support from other tour operators.

    – ref. More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death – https://theconversation.com/more-and-more-tourists-are-flocking-to-antarctica-lets-stop-it-from-being-loved-to-death-258294

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Clarifications on the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 in relation to the clean-up of the Crotone site of national interest – P-002598/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002598/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Denis Nesci (ECR)

    During the inter-departmental conference of 24 October 2019 at the Ministry of the Environment, in the presence of Syndial S.p.A. (now ENI Rewind), the Calabria Region, the Municipality of Crotone and other bodies, it was decided that hazardous waste – both technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) and non-TENORM – resulting from the clean-up of the Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiaro site of national interest (SIN) must be disposed of outside Calabria, also as required by the single regional authorisation procedure (PAUR), in order to avoid new environmental risks and the construction of new landfills in Calabria.

    On 16 June 2025, digging work for the SIN area clean-up started, with 40 000 tonnes of waste destined for the Kumla landfill site in Sweden.

    However, ENI Rewind claims that, from May 2026, Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 would make it impossible to ship hazardous waste to other Member States, hampering completion of the clean-up.

    This seems to be a narrow interpretation, as the Regulation aims to strengthen controls and traceability, not prohibit shipments, if they are safe and transparent.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission confirm that the Regulation prohibits such shipments from 2026?
    • 2.Does it believe that the rules could prevent clean-ups that have already been approved?
    • 3.Will it adopt interpretative clarifications to ensure the environment is protected and the law is upheld in local communities?

    Submitted: 26.6.2025

    Last updated: 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Clarifications on the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 in relation to the clean-up of the Crotone site of national interest – P-002598/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002598/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Denis Nesci (ECR)

    During the inter-departmental conference of 24 October 2019 at the Ministry of the Environment, in the presence of Syndial S.p.A. (now ENI Rewind), the Calabria Region, the Municipality of Crotone and other bodies, it was decided that hazardous waste – both technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) and non-TENORM – resulting from the clean-up of the Crotone-Cassano-Cerchiaro site of national interest (SIN) must be disposed of outside Calabria, also as required by the single regional authorisation procedure (PAUR), in order to avoid new environmental risks and the construction of new landfills in Calabria.

    On 16 June 2025, digging work for the SIN area clean-up started, with 40 000 tonnes of waste destined for the Kumla landfill site in Sweden.

    However, ENI Rewind claims that, from May 2026, Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 would make it impossible to ship hazardous waste to other Member States, hampering completion of the clean-up.

    This seems to be a narrow interpretation, as the Regulation aims to strengthen controls and traceability, not prohibit shipments, if they are safe and transparent.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission confirm that the Regulation prohibits such shipments from 2026?
    • 2.Does it believe that the rules could prevent clean-ups that have already been approved?
    • 3.Will it adopt interpretative clarifications to ensure the environment is protected and the law is upheld in local communities?

    Submitted: 26.6.2025

    Last updated: 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Newsletters – ENVI News – Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

    Source: European Parliament


    ENVI News | Newsletters | Home | ENVI | Committees | European Parliament


















    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Newsletters – ENVI News – Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

    Source: European Parliament


    ENVI News | Newsletters | Home | ENVI | Committees | European Parliament


















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  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EIB reinforces global partnerships to boost food security and promote rural development, fight hunger and poverty

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • As part of its strategic cooperation with UN agencies, the EIB formalises its partnership with the World Food Programme, paving the way for the implementation of the first EIB-backed climate risk insurance scheme and enhancing EIB’s impact in fragile contexts.
    • The EIB extends its partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to strengthen sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.
    • Under the Seville Platform for Action, EIB joins the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in two initiatives to fast-track finance for ending hunger, poverty and climate risk.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced new partnerships and commitments to promote food security and sustainable agriculture around the world and to combat hunger and poverty and. These steps were taken during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain.

    The EIB Group is supporting food security and sustainable agriculture across the globe. These partnerships and initiatives with UN institutions and the Global Alliance against hunger and poverty will improve and expand our support to those who need it most,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “By leveraging synergies and sharing best practices, we aim to enhance food security and nutrition, empower farmers around the world—particularly women—, support adaptation to climate change, and transform agriculture into a more resilient and sustainable sector.”

    Partnership with World Food Programme

    The EIB formalised a partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) through a MoU that outlines key areas of cooperation, including climate resilience, food security and nutrition, critical agricultural infrastructure, innovative financing instruments, and inclusive access to finance for agricultural SMEs and smallholder farmers. This partnership has a global scope, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and fragile countries.

    In addition, the EIB and WFP have signed a Letter of Understanding, enabling the EIB to directly finance WFP operations and benefit from its advisory and implementation expertise.

    The first joint initiative will be a climate-risk insurance project in Ethiopia. This complements an existing €110 million EIB credit line to the Development Bank of Ethiopia aimed at improving rural access to finance – especially for small-scale farmers and women – and strengthening rural financial institutions.

    “This partnership between the European Investment Bank and the World Food Programme reflects our shared commitment to investing in sustainable solutions that tackle the root causes of hunger, build resilience, and support communities most vulnerable to the impacts of conflict, climate and economic shocks,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation at WFP.

    Extension of memorandum of understanding with FAO

    The EIB and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) renewed their joint commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa by extending their Memorandum of Understanding – originally signed in 2015 and renewed in 2020 – until 2030.  As part of this strengthened collaboration, the EIB has provided €1.4 million to the FAO for technical assistance in identifying and preparing projects that support sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

    This collaboration has already facilitated the preparation of complex operations in Ethiopia and Liberia, including sector studies, feasibility assessments, and evaluations of project promoters’ implementation capacities.

    By leveraging the FAO’s expertise, the EIB aims to expand its agrifood and bioeconomy lending pipeline, contributing to improved food security, increased farmer incomes, women’s empowerment and job creation.

    A particular focus will be on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture re and smallholder farmers through financial intermediaries while engaging the public and private sectors in developing agrifood value chains.

    “FAO, through its Investment Centre, is enthusiastic about growing its collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB) by signing this MoU, first established in 2015 and regularly renewed as a cornerstone of our shared commitment, said Mohamed Manssouri, Director of the FAO Investment Centre. “Within this framework, the latest agreement signed in 2023 is achieving great results for beneficiary countries, with two approved operations unlocking a EUR 130 million credit line to support local banks lending to smallholders and agri-SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa, and more investments are under preparation. This partnership directly supports FAO’s vision for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind,” he added.

    Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty

    In 2024, the EIB joined other financial institutions in the Group of 20 global alliance against hunger and poverty led by Brazil.  In line with its mission to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty, the EIB committed to supporting the alliance’s integrated, multi-level approach combining social protection with access to essential services in education, health, finance and agriculture.

    At FfD4, the EIB joined two initiatives led by the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty through the Seville Action Platform to fast-track finance for ending hunger, poverty and climate risk. These initiatives focus on building better-integrated finance for sustainable development goals (SDGs) 1 and 2 and on scaling up finance for climate-resilient social protection and smallholder agriculture. They aim to accelerate the implementation of large-scale national programs by streamlining financial flows from multiple donors and connecting them directly to on-the-ground needs.

    Background information

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments contributing to EU policy goals. EIB Global carries out the EIB’s operations outside the EU. As a key partner in the EU’s Global Gateway, the EIB aims to support at least €100 billion of investments by 2028, one third of the strategy’s target. Over the 2014–2023 period, EIB lending outside the EU totalled more than €70 billion, with a significant share supporting infrastructure, climate, and food security. With offices across the world, EIB Global is close to local people, firms and institutions, and fosters strong Team Europe partnerships with development finance institutions.

    FAO

    The FAO Investment Centre works to deliver investment and finance solutions that promote inclusive economic growth, better diets and nutrition, greater equity and climate resilience. The Centre provides a full suite of investment support services to FAO Member states, working in over 120 countries. It partners with governments, national and international financing institutions, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to help countries achieve lasting impact at scale.

    WFP

    The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty

    The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty was established in 2024 as a proposal from the Brazilian presidency of the G20 to support and accelerate efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty (Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2), while reducing inequalities (SDG 10). The core of the Alliance is the Policy Basket, a menu of rigorously evaluated policy instruments, ensuring that donor investments are directed toward cost effective, high-impact initiatives. Acting as a neutral facilitator, the Alliance builds partnerships and mobilizes financial and knowledge resources to implement these policy instruments.  

    In an innovative approach, the Alliance reduces transaction costs and avoids duplication of efforts by leveraging a unified database, streamlining the identification of knowledge and funding needs and opportunities. The Alliance also differentiates itself by favoring   the pooling of resources and expertise, enabling greater impact and efficiency compared to fragmented individual efforts. This allows the implementation of comprehensive, multisectoral strategies.  

    MIL OSI Europe News –