Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Global: Rwanda’s image abroad: how western countries are beginning to turn their backs

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David E Kiwuwa, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Nottingham

Rwanda enjoyed good relations with the western world for many years. This was due to systematic and intentional efforts to build its profile as a constructive regional actor, especially through the UN peacekeeping framework.

It also set out to improve its national brand through sports sponsorships of some of the biggest football clubs in the world. These include Arsenal (England), PSG (France) and Bayern Munich (Germany).

Since the end of the 1994 genocide, countries such as the UK, the US and France were willing to give Rwanda a less than critical pass when it was accused of destabilising its bigger neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They averted their gaze from its domestic heavy handedness, particularly its constraining of democratic space and human rights.

But there has been a sharp turn in sentiment. For the first time, the western powers, as well as China, have begun to call out Rwanda on its behaviour.

Read more:
Rwanda and Belgium are at odds over the DRC: what’s led to the latest low point

Western actors have grown exasperated with Rwanda’s impunity and have been forced to change tack. Quiet shuttle diplomacy, notably by the Biden administration and the EU, has failed to achieve Rwandan restraint. And as a humanitarian crisis grew, they saw more forceful and overt actions as necessary.

Concerned about the rising level of violence and humanitarian catastrophe in the DRC, western powers through the UN general assembly and security council called for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation. France, Belgium, Germany, the US, Canada and the EU also condemned the escalating violence and Rwanda’s role. The growing consensus culminated in firmer and direct sanctions against individual Rwandan actors and entities and suspension of economic and trade cooperation.

I have been a long time scholar of and commentator on African regime types, political governance and conflict, with a focus on Rwanda. It’s my view that Rwanda’s escapades in eastern DRC have had a detrimental impact on the goodwill long extended to the Kigali regime. What happens next will depend on its response.

Rwanda’s role in the DRC

There is little doubt about Rwanda’s involvement in conflict and instability in the eastern DRC. The reports from the security council and UN bodies have provided sufficient evidence of this.

Since 2012, Rwanda has been accused of being the patron behind the Movement of March 23 (M23) rebel group. The M23 and its associated alliances have been fighting the DRC government, purportedly to protect the rights of Congolese Tutsis.

For its part, Rwanda has pointed to the danger posed by remnants of security forces involved in the 1994 genocide. The forces fled into the DRC and are still hell bent on causing instability in Rwanda, Kigali claims. The other grievance is that the forces are backed by the DRC regime and have been responsible for persecuting Congolese Tutsis.

Between 2012 and 2018, the M23 group had a limited level of military success. In 2012 it captured the eastern DRC city of Goma but was forced to relinquish it after just 10 days.

In the latest escalation of fighting the group has made significant gains, recapturing Goma and capturing the bigger Bukavu and other areas.

M23’s success has been attributed to the sustained and systematic support Rwanda has given the group, according to the UN report and security council resolution 2773.

Support has included sophisticated weaponry and boots on the ground, conservatively estimated at over 4,000 soldiers. Faced with demotivated, ill-trained and poorly coordinated DRC military capabilities, the M23 success was almost inevitable.

Read more:
DRC conflict: talks have failed to bring peace. Is it time to try sanctions?

The turnaround

In August 2023 and again on 20 February 2025, the US slapped sanctions on key players in Rwanda and the M23 Alliance. The EU and the UK then paused some economic support for Rwanda. This was a strategic signal from the big powers.

Germany then froze aid, Belgium’s rebuked the country and the EU called for stronger penalties, among them a ban on Rwanda’s mineral industry. This was to force Rwanda to rein in or rethink its activities in the DRC and be a constructive rather than disruptive partner.

Belgium has had historical relations with both Rwanda and the DRC, having been the last colonial authority. Rwanda took specific exception to Belgium’s action by cutting diplomatic relations. It also took a more belligerent posture in the UN security council.

Read more:
M23: Four things you should know about the rebel group’s campaign in Rwanda-DRC conflict

While this is seen as a non-compromising stance, it is against a lesser western power than the US or the UK. This could be taken as Rwanda saving face while working out an exit strategy to avoid escalating tensions with western powers or provoking far reaching coordinated action.

It is notable that Qatar (and not a western or African power) has taken a lead in chaperoning talks between the conflict parties. This couldn’t have been without the blessing of the US, given the close relationship Qatar enjoys with the US as conflict resolution partners. Qatar is also an investor in Rwanda. This allows Rwanda to avoid being dragged to the negotiating table by critical western powers.

Next steps

The intensity of the conflict has slowed down somewhat, with the M23 rebel alliance having announced a ceasefire and unilateral action to “withdraw” from some of the areas they have recently captured.

Whether this is a strategic compromise in response to the now forceful demand for Rwanda to cease its active support and intervention is unclear. It is notable that Qatar has now directly invited the rebels to the table.

Once known as the darling of the west, most notable for clean and efficient government, a good business environment and unquestioned security and stability, Rwanda may have reached an inflection point with its flagrant DRC intervention. The change in western attitude may mark a more critical epoch in relations.

David E Kiwuwa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Rwanda’s image abroad: how western countries are beginning to turn their backs – https://theconversation.com/rwandas-image-abroad-how-western-countries-are-beginning-to-turn-their-backs-253663

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stormont spending £1,000 a week on photographers

Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

Statement by TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston:

“Some weeks ago, I exposed the fact that Stormont departments were spending over £35,600 a week on hospitality.

“Due to a more recent set of questions, I have established that since the restoration of the Executive £60,675.40 has been spent on photographers by government departments.

“Importantly, this figure does not represent the entire spend as one Department particularly fond of photographs – that of the First and deputy First Minister – has failed to respond. The Executive Office was required by Assembly standing orders to respond a month ago. However, as so often happens with the Executive Office Ms O’Neill and Ms Pengelly have simply ignored their duty to respond to the question within the required time frame. This lack of response shows contempt for the people of North Antrim who I represent in the Assembly and it is a common occurrence when it comes to the Executive Office.

“In terms of the departments which did reply it is noteworthy that while some of the figures spent by departments are relatively modest, there are other Ministers who appear to be very fond of photographers. Agriculture, for example, has spent just £5,211 with the majority of that (£2,903) going on “publicity material essential for the promotion and marketing of a variety of events including Careers Fairs and Open Days to encourage student enrolment and courses for the wider community and industries.”

“Minister Mur’s party colleague Mrs Long, however, heads a department which spent £11,311 with no such explanation offered for a much larger sum.

“The full breakdown of answers by Departments can be accessed here.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s robot caregivers provide companionship for seniors

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A new type of robot just landed a job at an eldercare service center in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, thanks to its knack for handling the complex emotional needs of seniors.
The First Social Welfare Home of Chongqing explained that Peipei, the robot, is identified as a female employee. They described her as gentle, patient and good at listening and an eloquent caregiver.
“If you have any questions, just ask ‘Peipei.’ She can answer anything,” said an 86-year-old senior in the home, who gave her surname as Wang.
The resident has often interacted with the robot, from chatting to playing e-games, or even asking Peipei to take photos of her and remove any signs of aging in them.
Wang said Peipei was emotionally exquisite, not only answering questions, but also taking the initiative to care about her. For example, the robot can notice when she hasn’t been sleeping well or is in a bad mood.
The robot gently comforts her, reminding that her granddaughter, who is studying abroad, might not be able to visit often, but she makes a video call every week.
Peipei’s name is a homophone of companionship, said Xiang Guohui, a senior algorithm engineer with Mashang Consumer Finance Co., Ltd., the developer of the robot.
He said the company integrates cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and AI psychology and uses a multi-modal emotional large model to build the robot system giving her the ability of intelligent emotional companionship, health and safety protection, entertainment and leisure services, and life assistance management.
Xiang said that the company’s research team found that the demand for emotional companionship ranks the top for people in senior homes.
Should elderly residents struggle with memory and repeat themselves, Peipei tirelessly provides feedback.
“For the elderly who enter care institutions, loneliness could lead to isolation. Appropriate intervention is needed in such cases,” said Liu Min, vice president of the institute.
She said it was impossible for nursing staff to meet the emotional and psychological needs of every elderly person all the time. While the robot can provide companionship for the elderly 24 hours a day.
“The value of elderly care robots is not just to assist the elderly in their lives, but also to provide a window for them to get in touch with new technologies and keep up with the development of digital society,” said Liu, adding that many elderly people took the initiative to learn more about humanoid robots and AI technology after Peipei appeared in their life.
“The elderly care robot technology is still in its infancy. With the comprehensive breakthrough of humanoid robots, they can work in all scenarios in the field of elderly care,” Xiang said.
By the end of 2024, there were more than 6 million people aged 65 and above in Chongqing, accounting for 18.9 percent of the city’s permanent population. The municipal government has actively explored measures to develop an “intelligent system for senior care services” and make up for the nursing service gap through technical means.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh visits Dhaka to boost trade partnership
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

World news story

UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh visits Dhaka to boost trade partnership

UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Rt. Hon. the Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE, is visiting Dhaka to strengthen and expand the long-standing economic and trade partnership between the UK and Bangladesh.
While in Dhaka, she will be meeting key officials from the Interim Government of Bangladesh, political parties and business leaders. She will also participate in the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. She will be joined by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia.

On her first visit to Bangladesh as UK Trade Envoy, Baroness Winterton will meet Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh; Professor Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs; Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser, Ministry of Commerce; and Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Adviser, Ministry of Education. Her meetings will focus on how the two countries will deepen their trade and investment relationship and deliver mutually beneficial growth and job creation. With Harjinder Kang, she will also meet with key stakeholders from the business community and will deliver a keynote speech at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit on 9 April 2025, to underscore the UK government’s growth mission.

Baroness Winterton’s discussions with key stakeholders will focus on the UK’s work with the Interim Government on vital economic reforms, the opportunities arising from the commitment to duty free, quota free access to the UK market until 2029 and identifying opportunities to strengthen trade and investment in sectors such as education, aviation, defence and renewable energy.

UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Rt. Hon. the Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE said:

The UK is laser-focused on building an economic partnership with Bangladesh that will boost two-way trade and investment between our countries.

From being the third largest market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments to being one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, the UK already has strong foundations to build on and I look forward to solidifying it even further through this visit.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said:

I am delighted to welcome UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE in her first visit to the country in her new role.

The UK is a major economic and trading partner of Bangladesh, and this visit reiterates the UK’s commitment to boosting two-way trade and investment and supporting Bangladesh’s work on vital economic reforms.

The UK is one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and this visit aims to deepen collaboration in key sectors including education, aviation, defence and renewable energy. The visit will also explore opportunities to increase the presence of UK education institutions. These projects signify major investment opportunities and reflect the UK’s commitment to Bangladesh.

Further information

the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE was appointed as the United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Bangladesh in January 2025. She plays a key role in strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Bangladesh

Harjinder Kang is His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India. He was appointed in May 2023

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Published 8 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Subdued demand for bank loans from business customers

Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

Lending survey

08 April 2025Statistics period: 1st quarter 2025

The vast majority of the 15 banks participating in Danmarks Nationalbank’s lending survey reported unchanged loan demand from their business customers in the first quarter of 2025. Several of the banks assessed that this is partly due to low investment appetite as a result of geopolitical uncertainty. The uncertainty also has an impact on the banks’ write-downs. Several of the larger banks, which proportionally have a greater exposure to global trade, state that they have already made write-downs based on management estimates. The banks’ responses to the lending survey for the first quarter were received before the new tariff plan from the USA was presented.

Change in loan demand from business customers

Note:

The net total is calculated based on the financial institutions’ responses to loan demand. The responses are based on a scale of 5 steps from -100 to 100. -100 means “decreased significantly”, -50 is “decreased slightly”, 0 is “unchanged”, 50 is “increased slightly”, and 100 is “increased significantly”. The institutions’ responses are weighted by their respective market shares, resulting in a net total for the response. Business customers in the loan survey cover ‘private non-financial companies’ and ‘individually owned businesses.’ Find chart data in Statbank.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Politics aside, new research shows there are good financial reasons to back working from home
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dorina Pojani, Associate Professor in Urban Planning, The University of Queensland

Fizkes/Shutterstock

In the pre-industrial era, people often lived and worked in the same building. This removed the need to travel to work.

The separation of home and work occurred much later, during the Industrial Revolution. Factories and offices were grouped in designated areas and residential zoning was invented.

Even then, people typically spent about 60 to 90 minutes travelling each day, no matter how technology or urban layouts changed. This is known as Marchetti’s constant.

The rise of the internet in the 1990s – and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic – sparked a rethink of commuting. As we head towards the polls in Australia’s largest federal election, working from home has become a hot-button issue.

Labor and the Coalition have been polarised for and against working from home, citing research and even anecdotes backing their positions.

That was until this week. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton swung from insisting all public servants would have to return to the office five days a week under the Coalition to saying current arrangements would remain unchanged.

But beyond political squabbles, what does the latest research – including our own on workers in Brisbane – show?

Impacts of working from home

Working from home impacts multiple areas including transport, housing, business and health. A systematic literature review on working from home – covering international studies between 2000 and 2022 – shows it:
- reduces traffic congestion and saves commuting time. However, it financially strains public transport operators due to lower demand.
- boosts regional growth as workers relocate in search of larger homes with home-office space. But this raises regional housing demand and prices.
- helps employers cut costs and increase productivity and job satisfaction rates. It can, however, limit promotion opportunities for remote workers.
- cuts traffic pollution and improves work-life balance. But it may cause social isolation, overwork, strained family relationships and musculoskeletal problems if ergonomic furniture isn’t used.
These are short-term effects, which may eventually disappear as society adjusts. The long-term effects are harder to predict because government and workplace policies change, as do economic conditions.

While working from home reduces the need for daily commuting, people may reallocate this saved time to off-peak trips for shopping or recreation.

As households move from urban cores, urban sprawl increases, resulting in less frequent but longer trips. This may lead to increased overall travel, offsetting environmental benefits. Marchetti’s constant may no longer hold.

The redistribution of activity zones may create new economic dynamics. Suburbs and regional centres may gain from more local spending, while areas with fewer shops may rely more on online shopping. Traditional CBDs could decline, needing new uses for office spaces.

New research on Brisbane workers

Our new research – to be published in a forthcoming book in Elsevier’s series “Advances in Transport Policy and Planning” – assesses the short-term costs and benefits of working from home for individuals, the private and the public sectors in Brisbane.

Here, a big shift to working from home occurred during the pandemic. We’ve used secondary and proxy data from 2020-2021 when working from home peaked. During that time, Brisbane was in and out of lockdowns.

We’ve created an accounting tool that lists the costs and benefits of working from home. The net impact is calculated by subtracting total costs from total benefits, allowing us to measure tangible and, when possible, intangible effects.

We found individuals and the private sector gained the most, while the public sector has felt the greatest losses. Employees have enjoyed more benefits from working from home than expected, while employers have cut spending in CBDs and seen increased revenues in suburbs.

In Brisbane the total annual working from home (for individuals, the private and public sector) costs amounted to A$557.5 million, while the total benefits reached $4.1 billion. These benefits outweigh costs by a factor of seven.

However, this is a preliminary look, rather than a comprehensive account. It is important to remember the cost-benefit balance may evolve over time, depending on technological advances, corporate culture and generational preferences.

Should Australia continue to support working from home?

Based on our findings and assuming other state capitals perform like Brisbane, we recommend keeping work from home arrangements. But what about public sector losses?

While public transport revenues have been lower due to working from home, it doesn’t seem to be a major issue for South East Queensland. Here, 50 cent fares were introduced before the last state election and have since become permanent.

However, the budgets of public transport operators in other states might be different. In those cases, more proactive measures might be needed. This might involve shifting from peak-hour services to frequent all-day routes and adjusting fares for vulnerable customers.

Some agencies might offer demand-responsive services, like ride-sharing. If all public transport becomes financially unsustainable, community-based cooperatives could step in.

These shifts in transport patterns may prompt land-use changes. For instance, businesses relying on daily commuters, like restaurants and shops in city centres, may move to the suburbs or pivot to delivery, take-out or meal-prep kits.

In any case, not all jobs can be done remotely. Certain sectors, such as manufacturing, healthcare, justice and hospitality will continue to require employees to be physically present.

Dorina Pojani has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN), the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), and iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre.

Neil G Sipe has received funding from the Australian Research Foundation.

Ying Lu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Politics aside, new research shows there are good financial reasons to back working from home – https://theconversation.com/politics-aside-new-research-shows-there-are-good-financial-reasons-to-back-working-from-home-253629
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party to appeal to disillusioned voters as they head for “record breaking” local election results

Source: Green Party of England and Wales

The Green Party of England and Wales will today (Tuesday 8th April) launch their local elections campaign for what they predict will be a “record-breaking” year for them. The launch will take place in Warwickshire, one of the places where Greens are expecting to make gains leaving them with a record number of local councillors.

Green Party co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, is expected to say:

“We know that politics in this country isn’t providing people with what they need – that disillusionment is high and morale is low. But up and down the country Greens are making a difference. We are smashing through records getting more and more hard-working councillors elected.

“We are taking votes from the old tired parties to offer something different – the positive change so desperately needed.

“Meanwhile, Reform is trying to make gains on the back of a weak and lacklustre political old guard. It’s a party that uses the politics of fear to divide our communities. And whose policies are explicitly designed to only benefit a small number of the very richest people. Importantly for these local elections, Reform has no track record of delivering at any level of government.”

The Green Party has been breaking records in recent years and has increased their councillors nearly fivefold over the last five elections to over 800 in 170 councils. Greens lead 14 councils, including Bristol, Warwick and Mid Suffolk and, in total, are part of running over 40. In the general election in 2024, almost two million people voted Green, electing four new MPs to Parliament.

Speaking alongside Ramsay, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer is expected to say:

“The over 800 Green councillors across England and Wales between them already represent millions of people in this country. They are working hard every day to make a difference for their communities, working all year round on practical solutions, not just turning up on the doorstep when it’s election time.

“Here in Warwick where we lead the council, we have invested millions into making council housing warmer and cheaper to run. In Mid Suffolk, another Green run council, in one year we have prevented hundreds of people from becoming homeless.

“Green councillors are embedded in their communities, listen to the needs and concerns of their residents – their neighbours! – and take action to improve their quality of life every day. Offering hope, not division; community not chaos.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Trump Dismissal of U.S. NATO Representative Vice Admiral Chatfield

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Trump dismissed Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. Military Representative to NATO, without explanation.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“President Trump’s unjustified dismissal of Vice Admiral Chatfield is disgraceful. Admiral Chatfield is among the finest military officers our nation has to offer, and she has distinguished herself as the U.S. Military Representative to NATO. Her 38-year career as a Navy pilot, foreign policy expert, and preeminent military educator—including as President of the Naval War College—will leave a lasting legacy on the Navy and throughout the military. Admiral Chatfield’s record of selfless service is unblemished by President Trump’s behavior.

“The silence from my Republican colleagues is deeply troubling. In less than three months, President Trump has fired 10 generals and admirals without explanation, including our most experienced combat leaders. I cannot fathom how anyone could stand silently by while the President causes great harm to our military and our nation.

“I will continue to call out this unconscionable behavior and sound the alarm about the dangers of firing military officers as a political loyalty test. I urge my Republican colleagues to join me in demanding an explanation from President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.”

The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Vice Admiral Chatfield to her post in December 2023.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rural voter registration opens

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A voter registration campaign for Rural Representative Elections opened today, with the Home Affairs Department calling on those eligible to sign up by June 16.

The department reminded constituents that there are three types of rural representatives – Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives, Resident Representatives and Kaifong Representatives.

Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives are returned by indigenous inhabitants of an indigenous village or composite indigenous village, their spouses, and surviving spouses.

Resident Representatives are returned by both indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants of villages.

Kaifong Representatives are returned by Cheung Chau and Peng Chau residents.

Voter registration for the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election is open to indigenous inhabitants, their spouses, and surviving spouses, provided they are aged 18 or above and hold recognised identity documents.

Registrations for the Resident Representative and Kaifong Representative elections are open to Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above who have lived in a village or market town for three years immediately preceding the registration application date.

Registered electors who wish to update their registered particulars should also submit their applications by June 16.

Click here for the voter registration form. Call 2152 1521 for enquiries.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fergus Edwards, Lecturer in English, University of Tasmania

Amazon MGM Studios

Last One Laughing is a battle royale for stand-ups. Ten comedians, one room, surrounded by cameras. Laugh once and they’re warned. Laugh again, and they’re out. Last comic left wins.

It is an international TV phenomenon, in 29 countries from Australia to Iran.

The latest season is from the United Kingdom, hosted by Jimmy Carr and featuring comedians like Bob Mortimer, Sara Pascoe and Joe Lycett.

But why do we, whatever our linguistic or cultural background, love watching comedians trying desperately hard not to laugh at each other?

It works because it’s funny – but it’s not about comedy. It’s about laughter. Philosophers and psychologists have spent hundreds of years thinking about what makes us laugh.

Here’s what they’ve had to say about laughter – and what they, perhaps, would have to say about Last One Laughing.

What makes us laugh?

Comedy takes time, but laughter can take less than a moment. Last One Laughing shows us the three major theories of humour that try to explain moments of spontaneous laughter.

The oldest is “superiority theory”. English philosopher Thomas Hobbes explained in is 1651 book Leviathan we “maketh those Grimaces called LAUGHTER” when we realise we’re better off than someone else. We “suddenly applaud” ourselves when we recognise our superiority.

In the new Last One Laughing series, Richard Ayoade nearly catches out two players when, asked what his childhood hobbies were, he replies: “I don’t know. I cried a lot?”

Irish philosopher Francis Hutcheson disagreed with Hobbes and suggested an alternative: “incongruity theory”.

In Reflections Upon Laughter (1750) he maintains we laugh in surprise at “bringing resemblances from subjects of a quite different kind from the subject to which they are compared”.

This happens when we meet one word with two meanings, like in every Christmas cracker joke, or Rob Beckett asking “What did one plate say to the other plate?” and answering “Dinner’s on me”.

In Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious (1905), Austrian founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud suggests our subconscious works to stop us from consciously understanding something that might be socially unacceptable. If we allow ourselves to acknowledge what we think we’re seeing, the energy we had been using to repress ourselves is then “discharged by laughter”.

Last One Laughing has many, mostly unprintable, moments that illustrate Freud’s relief theory of humour. No-one is at ease when Bob Mortimer’s magic act features a napkin rising into the air at groin height.

The art of not laughing

In Anatomy of the Gag (1963), the Czech playwright – and politician – Václav Havel suggests a gag has two phases. We see something and think we know what it is. Then, we see the same thing again – but we recognise it as something different. But the two interpretations can’t both be true! So we know we’ve made a mistake.

We laugh because of a “surprising quality” that “stems not from the revelation of the unknown, but from the unexpected look at the known”. We laugh because now we know we’re properly seeing the world as it is.

Comedians laugh at their own jokes because they experience this fresh look at the world before they’ve put it into words. This explains why Mortimer laughs at his own teeth, and Lou Sanders is laughing before she reaches her own punchline. Or, indeed, her own set-up.

But Last One Laughing doubles our laughs. We watch the actual joke, we get it, we laugh. And then we see comedians desperately trying not to laugh – but we know that they get the joke too! And so we get an unexpected second look at the joke.

Comedians not laughing when it’s expected is, in itself, a second gag. Our doubled laugh lets us express our understanding of this rather odd thing that’s happening. We’re reassuring ourselves, and anyone with us, that we know what’s going on.

Understanding the world

Douglas Robinson’s work in linguistics and Antonio Damasio’s work in neuropsychology suggests our brain and our body learn to respond to the world before our mind has kicked in. We’re physically laughing before we’ve mentally processed what’s funny. We see this response in babies, and it stays with us throughout our lives.

The feedback that tells us that we’ve understood the world correctly comes from other human beings. So it’s unsurprising we are 30 times more likely to laugh in company. It’s unsurprising that laughter is infectious. And it should be unsurprising that the winning moment of Last One Laughing comes from a game we play with newborns: “peek-a-boo”.

Last One Laughing helps us understand why we laugh at our own jokes, why we can’t always explain what’s funny, and why gags don’t need words. We’re watching professional comedians get the joke (as we do!) without laughing (as we expect?) but we know that it’s all OK. And, however briefly, we glimpse the world anew.

Fergus Edwards does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny – https://theconversation.com/were-hardwired-to-laugh-this-is-why-watching-comedians-try-to-be-the-last-one-laughing-is-so-funny-253935

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Labor’s $1 billion for mental health is good news for young people in particular – but leaves some gaps
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney

mooremedia/Shutterstock

The Labor government has announced it would invest A$1 billion in mental health if re-elected to provide more Australians – particularly young people – with “free, public mental health care”.

The package includes:
- $225 million to either build or upgrade 31 Medicare mental health centres
- more than $200 million to build or upgrade 58 headspace services for young people
- $500 million to establish 20 youth specialist centres for young people with complex needs
- $90 million to support more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
This is good news – but there are some important things that are left out.

A focus on youth

Some 75% of severe mental health problems develop before a person turns 25. We know intervening early improves clinical outcomes as well as prospects for completing education and maintaining employment in the future.

So this focus on youth mental health is really welcome and needed. If we can execute it properly, it represents an investment not just in young people and their families, but will also see longer-term benefits for communities and the economy.

Australia’s continued investment in a network of youth mental health services, headspace, is unique and positive. That said, multiple reviews have found there are often issues finding enough staff to provide appropriate care for the young people accessing these services.

It’s crucial to ensure existing and new headspace centres have properly trained staff to deliver the required services. The new training places are welcome in this regard but will of course will take time to come on stream.

The youth specialist centres would be new, and could fill an important gap.

At present, we have federally funded Medicare services for mental health, such as GPs and psychologists. At the other end of the spectrum there are state-funded hospital inpatient and outpatient services for people with more severe problems.

What has been missing is much in the middle, in the way of community mental health services. The new specialist centres for young people with complex needs may go some way to filling this gap, but we need more detail about how they’ll operate.

The importance of holistic care

This funding package has focused on new provisions for clinical and medical mental health care. While this is important, it neglects psychosocial care.

Psychosocial services help keep people in stable housing, in employment, at school and enjoying some quality of life. This is what really matters to most people.

The psychosocial workforce can be found in some of the non-government and charitable organisations providing mental health and community services. It includes people with a range of qualifications, with staff such as social workers, peer workers and others, who can help young people stay connected across these social determinants of health, while they receive treatment from clinical staff for their mental illness.

Of those needing help for their mental health, a large proportion of young people face multiple concerns, including drugs and alcohol, sexual health or other issues such as unstable housing. So rather than simply seeing one clinician, someone with an eating disorder, for example, may need a team including a psychologist, a GP, a social worker, a dietitian, a nurse and others.

It’s unclear whether the youth specialist centres would bring together multidisciplinary teams such as this, but it’s important they do, including professionals who can provide psychosocial care.

A young person with a mental illness may also need help with everyday issues.
ultramansk/Shutterstock

Psychosocial support services have traditionally been very poorly funded in Australia. One option could be to set up new Medicare mental health centres to be managed by community sector organisations already using team-based service delivery models.

Ultimately, while having more services is great, we need to think imaginatively and flexibly about who has the skills to best respond to young people’s needs. A heavy reliance on clinical and medical care, without psychosocial care, is a bit like trying to fight with one arm behind our back.

A national analysis found that in 2022–23, 335,800 people aged 12–64 with severe mental illness would benefit from 21.9 million hours of psychosocial support services. A further 311,500 people with moderate mental illness would benefit from 3.3 million hours.

Other questions we need answered

Different groups face different levels of need and different barriers to accessing mental health care. So if we’re establishing new centres, we need to understand clearly things such as where the highest levels of psychological distress are, and what services will need to look like in areas where a high proportion of young people speak English as a second language.

What’s more, young women are more likely to seek mental health care than young men. We need to ask what’s making accessing services less appealing to young men and address these issues.

In a nutshell, we need to develop models of care tailored to local circumstances. This should involve working with local communities, rather than looking to impose centralised, one-size-fits-all solutions.

We also need to know how well new services will be linked to existing services, such as hospitals, GPs, and non-government organisations providing psychosocial care. If we don’t invest properly in coordination, these changes could risk perpetuating the fragmentation which often hampers our current mental health system.

Finally, we need a new level of accountability so we can tell whether what we’re doing is helping or not. We need regularly reported outcomes – such as hospital admissions among young people with mental illness – so we can understand system quality and performance, address any issues, and build our collective confidence that we’re meeting the needs of Australia’s young people.

Without this, we risk well-intentioned investments failing to deliver better support.

Sebastian Rosenberg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Labor’s $1 billion for mental health is good news for young people in particular – but leaves some gaps – https://theconversation.com/labors-1-billion-for-mental-health-is-good-news-for-young-people-in-particular-but-leaves-some-gaps-254054
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Trump administration revokes hundreds of visas for foreign students

Source: China State Council Information Office

The Trump administration has revoked visas for more than 300 international students across the United States, a move confirmed by universities and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a nationwide effort targeting foreign students.

“Maybe more than 300 at this point. We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said during a press conference in Guyana on March 27.

Over the weekend, the visa revocations were reported by dozens of universities nationwide, including prestigious ones like Columbia, Cornell, Harvard and Stanford.

Many affected students had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests. But university officials said that others with no connection to protests had also suffered visa revocations without explanation.

At Tufts University, Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested by masked immigration agents on March 25 while walking near her home. Video of the arrest showed plainclothes officers taking the 30-year-old into custody as she was heading to break her Ramadan fast with friends, according to her attorney.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed Ozturk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas,” though they provided no evidence for this allegation. Ozturk co-authored an opinion piece in the student newspaper criticizing Tufts’ response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Turkish embassy said it was working with U.S. authorities regarding Ozturk’s detention. “Every effort is being made to provide the necessary consular services and legal support to protect the rights of our citizen,” the embassy stated.

At Columbia University, graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who has legal permanent residency, was detained by immigration authorities last month.

Khalil said in his Columbia Daily Spectator opinion piece that the school “laid the groundwork for my abduction” and urged the students not to “abdicate their responsibility to resist repression.”

“Since my abduction on March 8, the intimidation and kidnapping of international students who stand for Palestine has only accelerated,” Khalil wrote in Friday’s piece.

The actions extend beyond East Coast schools. The University of Colorado and Colorado State University reported a combined total of 10 students with revoked visas this weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota State University identified five students whose visas were canceled for unclear reasons.

In California, the situation is equally concerning so far.

University of California, Los Angeles reported nine affected international students, while UC Berkeley confirmed six visa revocations — four for current students and two for recent graduates.

UC Davis officials stated seven students and five recent graduates had their visas terminated, and Stanford University confirmed six visa revocations.

“The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” UC Davis said in a statement as reported by NBC News.

Universities are scrambling to support affected students.

“We are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students is seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students,” reported NBC News, citing University of Colorado.

The Council of University of California Faculty Associations issued a statement Sunday, urgently calling upon the University of California to address the revocation of visas and deportation of international students.

“It has been reported that in the past week alone, at least 44 students across the UC system have had their I-20 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record terminated by the Department of Homeland Security, with at least one deportation occurring,” the statement noted.

Civil rights organizations have condemned the administration’s actions. The American Civil Liberties Union issued an open letter to universities warning: “The federal government cannot mandate student expulsions or threaten funding cuts to suppress constitutionally protected speech.”

College officials worry this crackdown will deter international students from studying in the United States in the future.

The situation is “a far different, unprecedented intrusion by the executive branch” involving “revoking student visas for different reasons than we have seen previously and at higher rates than we have ever seen,” said Violeta Chapin, a University of Colorado Boulder law professor and immigration expert.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI: TGS Q1 2025 Operational Update

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OSLO, Norway (8 April 2025) – TGS ASA (“TGS”), a leading global provider of energy data and intelligence routinely publishes a quarterly operational update six working days after quarter-end.

The table below shows TGS’ normalized Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) crew count:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024

Normalized crew count Contract¹ 2.8 1.9

Normalized crew count Multi-client¹ 0.2 0.0

^{1) The table shows the average number of crews in operation when assuming a normalized crew size.}

The table below shows TGS’ allocation of active seismic streamer 3D vessel capacity²:

Q1 2025 Q1 2024

Contract 37% 36%

Multi-client 36% 30%

Steaming 11% 7%

Yard 3% 6%

Stacked/Standby 13% 21%

Number of vessels 6 7

^{2) The statistics include only active seismic 3D streamer vessels (capacity working on New Energy Solutions projects are excluded). The Ramform Vanguard was converted into a dual-purpose seismic and offshore wind vessel in Q2 2024. Cold -stacked vessels are excluded from the statistics.}

Based on a preliminary financial review, TGS expects Q1 2025 multi-client investment to be approximately USD 130 million.

Kristian Johansen, CEO at TGS, commented: “We are pleased with the Q1 2025 asset utilization, showing significant year-on-year improvement. Additionally, we saw healthy multi-client activity levels, particularly in frontier areas, and higher-than-expected investments in new data this quarter. Despite short term uncertainty in geopolitics, TGS is well positioned to help our clients realize exploration ambitions from a combination of a strong balance sheet, leading assets and technologies and the world’s largest multi-client data library.”

TGS will release its Q1 2025 results at 07:00 a.m. CEST on 9 May 2025. CEO Kristian Johansen and CFO Sven Børre Larsen will present the results at 09:00 a.m. CEST during a live presentation and webcast. The presentation will take place at House of Oslo, Ruseløkkveien 34, 0251 Oslo and is open to the public.

The webcast can be followed live via this link:
https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20250509_2/

For more information, visit TGS.com (http://www.tgs.com) or contact:

Bård Stenberg, VP IR & Communication
Tel.: +47 992 45 235
E-mail: investor@tgs.com

About TGS
TGS provides advanced data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. With leading-edge technology and solutions spanning the entire energy value chain, TGS offers a comprehensive range of insights to help clients make better decisions. Our broad range of products and advanced data technologies, coupled with a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, make TGS a trusted partner in supporting the exploration and production of energy resources worldwide. For further information, please visit www.tgs.com (https://www.tgs.com/).

Forward Looking Statement
All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include volatile market conditions, investment opportunities in new and existing markets, demand for licensing of data within the energy industry, operational challenges, and reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward- looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.

The MIL Network –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: If Australia switched to EVs, we’d be more reliant on China’s car factories – but wean ourselves off foreign oil

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology

Prapat Aowsakorn/Shutterstock

Australia has huge reserves of coal and gas – but very little oil. Before the 20th century, this didn’t matter – trains ran on local coal. But as cars and trucks have come to dominate, Australia has become more and more reliant on imported oil.

Imports now account for around 80% of total refined fuel consumption, the highest level on record.

If the flow of oil stopped due to war or economic instability, Australia would have about 54 days worth in storage before we ran out. That would be a huge problem.

But as more drivers switch from petrol and diesel to electric cars, this equation will change. We can already see this in China, where a rapid uptake of electric vehicles has seen oil demand begin to fall.

On one level, ending Australia’s dependence on foreign oil makes sense at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty. But on the other, going electric would lead to more reliance on China, now the world’s largest manufacturer of EVs.

Reducing reliance on oil makes clear sense for climate and national security reasons. But going electric has to be done carefully, to ensure Australia isn’t reliant on just one country.

If the oil tankers stopped, Australia would have just one month of fuel.
Ryan Fletcher/Shutterstock

Importing oil makes us vulnerable

In recent years, almost all of Australia’s refineries have closed. The government spent billions keeping the Geelong and Brisbane refineries open, as well as other fuel security measures, such as boosting domestic fuel reserves and building more storage.

The last two refineries rely on imported crude oil, as Australian oil from the North-West Shelf largely isn’t suitable for local refining.

As a result, Australia is more reliant than ever on importing fuels from large refineries in Asia such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, around 45,000 megalitres of fuel were imported from these nations.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of these liquid fuels are used in transport, across road, rail, shipping and air transport. But road transport is the big one – our cars, trucks and other road vehicles use more than half (54%) of all liquid fuels.

This reliance presents clear energy security risks. If war, geopolitical tension, economic turmoil or price volatility slows or stops the flow of oil, Australia’s cities and towns would grind to a halt.

In January, Australia had 30 days worth of petrol. Our stores of all types of oil are a bit higher, at 54 days worth. But that’s still well short of the 90 days the International Energy Agency (IEA) requires of member nations.

Electricity made locally

Shifting to electric vehicles promises cleaner air and far lower ongoing costs for drivers, as electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel and maintenance is far less.

But there’s another factor – the energy source. Australia’s electricity is all produced and consumed inside its borders, using local resources (sun, wind, water, coal and gas).

In this respect, electric vehicles offer much greater energy security. A war in the Middle East or a trade war over tariffs would not bring Australia to a halt. This is one reason why China has so aggressively gone electric – to end its soaring dependence on foreign oil.

Mainstreaming EVs in Australia will mean accelerating production of renewable electricity further so we can power not just homes and industry but charge cars, trucks and buses, too.

Doing this would boost our energy security, break our dependency on imported oil and drive down emissions.

EV manufacturing is expanding rapidly with more models, lower purchase prices, improved battery charging times and increasing consumer adoption.

Globally, over 17 million EVs (battery and plug-in hybrids) were sold in 2024, including 91,000 battery and 23,000 plug-in hybrids in Australia.

IEA data shows electric vehicles are already reducing oil demand globally, as are electric bikes and mopeds.

Ending our dependence on oil will be slow. Australia Institute research estimates 8% of imported fuels could be replaced by local electricity once EVs make up 25% of the passenger car fleet. At 100% EVs, we would reduce oil demand by 33%.

The other two-thirds of demand is largely from trucks, planes and ships. Electric trucks are coming, but the sector isn’t as mature as electric cars. It’s a similar story for planes and cargo ships.

All electricity in Australia is produced locally. For transport, that’s a boon to energy security.
Marian Weyo

Energy security and EVs

Australia doesn’t manufacture EVs at scale. As a result, we import EVs from the top manufacturing nations. China is far and away the leader, building 80% of Australia’s new EVs.

Australia is a major producer of critical minerals essential to the manufacture of EVs, as well as other green technologies such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. But China dominates much of the global supply chain for refining these minerals and manufacturing batteries.

There’s a risk in relying largely on one country for EVs, especially given the present geopolitical instability.

Australia’s EVs are imported from the top EV nation China and other suppliers.
Rangsarit Chaiyakun/Shutterstock

Balancing security and sustainability

EVs unquestionably offer large benefits for Australia’s energy security by steadily reducing our reliance on imports from volatile global oil markets.

But this has to be balanced with other security concerns, such as a heightened reliance on China, as well as the privacy and security risks linked to data collection from digitally connected EVs.

A balanced approach would see authorities emphasise energy independence through renewables and strong support for vehicle electrification through legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Under this approach, policymakers would work to diversify supply chains, strengthen cybersecurity and encourage local manufacturing of EV components.

This approach would reduce new security risks while unlocking the environmental and economic benefits of widespread EV adoption.

Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

– ref. If Australia switched to EVs, we’d be more reliant on China’s car factories – but wean ourselves off foreign oil – https://theconversation.com/if-australia-switched-to-evs-wed-be-more-reliant-on-chinas-car-factories-but-wean-ourselves-off-foreign-oil-252388

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Waking up from a greenwashed corporate welfare nightmare

Source: ACT Party

ACT is celebrating the Government’s decision to wind down New Zealand Green Investment Finance.

“NZGIF has poured nearly $400 million down the drain with next to nothing to show for it. It’s the kind of greenwashed corporate welfare ACT has railed against for years,” says ACT Finance spokesperson Todd Stephenson.

In 2018 when Labour and the Greens set up the Green Investment Finance Fund, David Seymour warned:

“This kind of policy inevitably leads to government waste and corruption. The Fund will be picking technologies that can’t attract capital in an open market. It will pick them precisely because they fit the Government’s own particular political preferences.”

“If these green investment schemes made economic sense, private investors would have jumped in without taxpayers help,” says Stephenson. “Instead, we had Wellington picking winners. The failure of this approach was epitomised by the collapse of the NZGIF-backed SolarZero, which left taxpayers $115 million in the hole and left livelihoods in the lurch for the venture’s employees.

“Shutting it down is a win for economic sense. The market can sort out green innovation while politicians focus on removing barriers to growth and innovation. That’s what ACT is doing in government.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia Pacific – New UN report assesses the readiness of Asia-Pacific economies amid climate change

Source: United Nations – ESCAP

Despite driving 60 per cent of the world’s economic expansion in 2024, several countries in the Asia-Pacific region are still not ready to cope with climate shocks and the implications of transitioning to a greener system, according to the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific.

Published today by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the report highlights the complex macroeconomic-climate interplay. It outlines the challenges testing the economic resilience of the region – including slower productivity growth, high public debt risks and rising trade tensions.

“Increasing global economic uncertainty and deepening climate risks are also not making it easy for the fiscal and monetary policymakers,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. “Navigating this evolving landscape requires not only sound national policies but also coordinated regional efforts to safeguard long-term economic prospects and tackle climate change.”

Among the 30 countries analysed in the Survey, 11 were identified as more exposed to climate risks from the macroeconomic perspective: Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

There are also significant disparities in coping ability across the region. While some countries have mobilized sizeable climate finance and adopted green policies, others face a range of challenges, including fiscal constraints, weaker financial systems and limited public financial management capacity.

The Survey delves into how countries are undertaking policies to manage the diverse economic challenges of climate change. For example, balancing industrial growth with climate goals in the Republic of Korea, addressing climate risks due to the dependence on agriculture in Lao PDR and on fossil fuels in Kazakhstan, and advancing policy action in coastal economies like Bangladesh and small island nations like Vanuatu that face severe climate impacts.

Despite remaining relatively vibrant in comparison with the rest of the world, average economic growth in the developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region slowed to 4.8 per cent in 2024 from 5.2 per cent in 2023 and 5.5 per cent during the five years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of least developed countries, the 2024 average economic growth rate of 3.7 per cent was significantly lower than the 7 per cent per annum GDP growth target set out in Sustainable Development Goal 8.

Labour productivity growth in Asia and the Pacific has slowed significantly since the global financial crisis in 2008, with stagnating income convergence with the world’s advanced economies. Between 2010 and 2024, only 19 of 44 Asia-Pacific developing countries achieved income convergence, leaving 25 further behind.

To secure long-term economic prosperity, the Survey underscores the need for proactive government support in upgrading into more productive, higher value-added economic sectors. The region also needs to capitalize its robust competitiveness in green industries and value chains as new engines of economic growth, as well as embrace inclusive regional economic cooperation, which serves the development aspirations of both developed and developing countries.

Access the full report : https://www.unescap.org/kp/2025/survey2025

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government to wind down Green Investment Finance

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has announced the New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) will stop making new investments and will wind down its existing portfolio, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.

“Almost $400 million has been invested with very limited results and there are more than 20 other government funds operating with similar objectives to the NZGIF,” Mr Watts says.

“Alongside this, the market for low emission investments has grown, there are more funding and financing products, and we have a more robust Emissions Trading Scheme, reducing the need for government involvement.

“This Government is serious about climate change, that’s why we have committed to doubling renewable energy, investing in technology to lower emissions while boosting productivity, and cutting barriers to green investment.

“We will prioritise actions that have the greatest impact on emissions and growth and will provide real value for money. In the current economic environment New Zealanders want assurance that taxpayer money is being well spent and delivering results. We believe NZGIF is no longer aligned to that vision.”

The transition will be carried out in a structured and responsible manner, ensuring that all stakeholders are kept informed.

Within 90 days NZGIF will develop a plan for Ministers outlining how changes at the company will be implemented.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace Statement: Greenpeace corrects Federated Farmers’ impotent attack
Source: Greenpeace

In response to the “desperate bid” by Federated Farmers to curtail Greenpeace, the environmental heavyweight has issued a correction to the agri-industry lobby group’s “scurrilous complaint” made to the Charities Commission yesterday.

Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Niamh O’Flynn says, “It’s just another attempt to shut down dissent by Federated Farmers. The Feds are a lobby group for New Zealand’s biggest polluters, and this crack at peaceful protest is part of a global trend that we must not stand for.

Greenpeace has faced polluters trying to shut us down for decades. Just like the French bombed the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago to try to stop our opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific, and the oil industry is currently trying to eliminate Greenpeace in the US, this is another, albeit impotent, attempt to curtail legitimate peaceful protest.”

Greenpeace says that the Federated Farmers list of Greenpeace protests is far from comprehensive and omits dozens of examples of direct action that have played a key role in bringing about positive change in Aotearoa and beyond.

O’Flynn says, “Greenpeace has a long history of taking direct action to highlight environmental injustices and stop polluting industries like Fonterra from harming the environment. Federated Farmers have curated a list of some of our most impactful actions – but they’ve left quite a few out and we want to set the record straight.”

“Since the 1970s, Greenpeace has campaigned in Aotearoa and the Pacific to ensure that the environment is protected from harm by industries like nuclear weapons, fossil fuels, intensive dairy and commercial fishing that cause significant harm to our collective home. That means that sometimes we will put our bodies on the line to stop corporations from harming the planet.”

“Importantly, many of our actions to highlight environmental injustice have led to changes that we pride ourselves on as a nation. The nuclear free campaigns of the 1970s and 80s led to New Zealand declaring itself nuclear free, and to the end of nuclear testing in the Pacific. The GE-free campaign led to New Zealand imposing a moratorium on GE crops. The campaign to end oil and gas exploration led to a ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa. The campaign to stop the Ruataniwha Dam protected the rivers of the Hawke’s Bay from pollution from intensive dairy expansion, and prevented conservation land from being flooded to build a dam.

“New Zealanders care deeply about nature and history shows that Greenpeace protests have protected that.. Our actions sit alongside long-fought legal battles, petitions, and mass protests and marches in the streets of New Zealand’s biggest cities.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on our long history of actions that have succeeded in protecting nature from industries that seek to destroy it.”

An expanded (but not comprehensive), list of key Greenpeace Aotearoa actions dating back to the 1970s is below.

1970s:

In 1972, the Nuclear Campaign started with the first protest flotilla mobilisation to oppose and disrupt the French Government’s atmospheric nuclear weapons testing programme at Moruroa Atoll in Te Ao Maohi/French Polynesia. This was led by the boat (SV) Greenpeace III, previously named the Vega.

In 1973, a second, larger flotilla sailed to the Moruroa Atoll including the Vega. Sailing into the nuclear testing zone prevented the French from being able to detonate bombs.

1980s:

In July 1985, the Greenpeace boat Rainbow Warrior was bombed in the Auckland Harbour following direct actions in the Pacific to oppose nuclear testing – including the evacuation of the people of Rongelap.

In September 1985, Greenpeace sent MV Greenpeace to protest against the French Government’s nuclear testing programme at Moruroa Atoll alongside a flotilla of New Zealand protest boats including SV Vega, SV Alliance, SV Varangian, and SV Breeze.

1990s:

In 1995 Greenpeace once again sailed the Rainbow Warrior II into nuclear testing zones in Moruroa and Tahiti to protest the resumption of French nuclear testing.

In 1995, Greenpeace protested against CHOGM in Auckland over the impending execution of Ogoni environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa by the military regime that ruled Nigeria.

In 1997, Greenpeace activists blocked the Stratford gas-fired power station’s generators being unloaded in the Port of Taranaki

In 1998, during the SV Rainbow Warrior II tour, Greenpeace ‘unplugged’ Fletcher Challenge Energy’s seismic testing cabling in Taranaki.

During the 1990s, Greenpeace championed the creation of a 50 million square kilometre Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary around the Antarctic continent and launched a series of anti-whaling expeditions into the Southern Ocean to expose and confront the Japanese Government’s bogus ‘scientific’ whaling fleet operating there.

2000s:

In December 2000, Greenpeace activists stopped the production of genetically engineered feed at a Tegel plant in Takanini.

In 2002, activists in Auckland scaled a waste incineration facility chimney, capped it, and locked on to highlight dioxin pollution.

In August 2003, Greenpeace activists boarded a coal ship in Tauranga in opposition to coal mining.

In 2004, the SV Rainbow Warrior II‘s crew used inflatable boats to disrupt the NZ bottom trawler, Ocean Reward, to stop it destroying deep-sea life while fishing in international waters in the Tasman Sea. They delayed the fishing vessel from deploying its trawl net by attaching an inflatable life-raft to it, running the gauntlet of being shot at with compressed air guns and sprayed with high pressure fire hoses by the Ocean Reward’s crew.

In May 2004, Greenpeace activists locked on to the Auckland McDonalds distribution centre gates over McDonalds’ use of GE feed.

In February 2005, Greenpeace activists occupied the roof of the Marsden B power station.

In July 2006, Greenpeace activists locked on to a Chinese bottom trawling ship in the Port of Nelson to prevent the destruction caused by the bottom trawling industry to the seafloor.

In October 2008, Greenpeace activists in Tokoroa locked on to logging equipment to stop conversion to pasture for intensive agriculture.

In October 2009, Greenpeace activists locked on to a palm kernel shipment in Taranaki to protest links to rainforest destruction and climate change.

In November 2009, Greenpeace activists shut down a pit of a New Vale lignite coal mine, used by Fonterra to help fuel operations at its nearby Edendale dairy factory.

2010s

In May 2010, Greenpeace activists locked on to a Fonterra coal power plant in Clandeboye

In February 2011, Greenpeace activists locked on to a ship carrying palm kernel in New Plymouth to protest the links to rainforest destruction and climate change.

Also in 2011, a flotilla of boats from around the North Island, including the Te Whanau a Apanui fishing vessel San Pietro, began a landmark at-sea protest against offshore oil surveying by oil giant Petrobras that lasted 42 days.

In 2012, Greenpeace activists occupied the oil drilling ship The Noble Discoverer in Port Taranaki and camped on its tower for 77 hours, to protest the environmental destruction caused by oil drilling.

In 2013, as part of the Oil Free Seas Flotilla, Greenpeace activists broke the newly introduced Anadarko Amendment by sailing into the exclusion zone to confront oil giant Anadarko at sea.

In September 2016, Greenpeace ‘returned to sender’ the site office at the Ruataniwha Dam construction site. The activists removed the site office from its location near the Makaroro River, and returned it to the regional council who were promoting the dam’s construction. After a long campaign to prevent this dam from being built, the Council pulled its funding for the dam and the land exchange required to construct it was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.

In 2016, Greenpeace and people from around the country blockaded Sky City which was hosting the annual oil industry conference.

In 2016 Greenpeace activists locked on board the NIWA taxpayer-funded climate and ocean research boat which had been chartered by petroleum giant Chevron to survey for oil in New Zealand waters

In August 2017, Greenpeace protestors spent 12 hours locked inside irrigation pipes in a bid to slow the construction of the Central Plains Water Scheme

In September 2017, Greenpeace activists staged a ‘lightning’ occupation of a dam construction site in Canterbury after facing legal threats from a big irrigation company.

The Amazon Warrior Sea Protest in 2017, where Greenpeace’s Executive Director Russel Norman and two others jumped into the ocean in front of the Amazon Warrior to prevent seismic drilling.

In July 2018, Greenpeace protestors occupied the site of a proposed dairy expansion in Mackenzie Country and refused to leave.

The occupation of oil drilling support vessel the Skandi Atlantic at the port of Timaru in 2019, to prevent it from supporting oil giant OMV to search for oil off the coast of Taranaki

In 2019, Greenpeace activists alongside youth climate movement School Strike 4 Climate occupied the headquarters of OMV in Taranaki for several days over the role of the fossil fuel industry in fuelling the climate crisis.

2020s:

In 2020, Greenpeace activists climbed the Fertiliser Association building and unfurled a giant banner calling for an end to the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Subsequently, the government introduced a cap on the amount of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser used on farms.

In 2021, Greenpeace activists took action against fishing company Talleys in Nelson, painting a message on the side of the ship to protest bottom trawling.

In 2022, Greenpeace activists deployed a 1500 square metre banner at the Kapuni Fertiliser factory, labelling synthetic nitrogen fertiliser ‘cancer fertiliser’.

In 2023, Greenpeace activists dropped banners inside the Parliament gallery to protest inaction on climate change.

In 2024, Greenpeace activists scaled Fonterra’s Te Rapa dairy factory in Hamilton and dropped a giant banner reading ‘Fonterra’s methane cooks the climate’, to protest the superheating methane gas produced by Fonterra’s oversized dairy herd.

Also in 2024, Greenpeace shut down the offices of Straterra – a mining lobbying firm who are working to advance seabed mining off the coast of Taranaki despite widespread community opposition. Two Greenpeace activists scaled the building while three others locked themselves inside the offices.

In November 2024, Greenpeace activists interrupted the AGM of Manuka Resources – the parent company of seabed mining company Trans-Tasman Resources who are attempting to mine the seabed off the coast of Taranaki.

In April 2025, Greenpeace activists shut down operations at a palm kernel storage facility in Port Taranaki for several hours, preventing a ship from offloading thirty thousand tonnes of palm kernel connected to the destruction of Indonesian rainforests.
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Māori and Pacific Communities Face Devastating Impact from Kāinga Ora Job Cuts – PSA

Source: PSA

The disestablishment of hundreds of staff at Kāinga Ora will have a devastating impact on Māori and Pacific tenants, the PSA says.

The latest restructuring of Kāinga Ora proposes deep cuts to roles that directly support whānau on the housing waitlist and those who rely on call centres for urgent assistance.

The proposed restructure, announced to staff last week (Thursday 3 April), would see a net loss of 673 roles, including 195 currently vacant positions.

The proposal includes gutting the team that works with the Ministry of Social Development to place whānau in social housing. These kaimahi ensure the right homes are found in the right locations for those in need. They support whānau to attend home viewings and help them settle into secure housing, critical roles that cannot be replaced or absorbed elsewhere.

“This is an attack on whānau, an attack on our tamariki and kaumātua who need secure homes, and an attack on the kaupapa of ensuring every New Zealander has a place to live,” said Janice Panoho Te Kaihautū Māori, for the Public Service Association, Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

This proposal also represents yet another broken promise from the Government, which claimed frontline services would be protected. Instead, it is dismantling an agency that has housed thousands of whānau and tamariki across Aotearoa.

Kāinga Ora is also proposing to cut 12 staff or 10% of the team that manages calls from tenants across its three call centres. In total, 66 roles from the call centres are set to go, slashing a third of this essential workforce.

“This will directly impact the service tenants receive when they have urgent maintenance issues or concerns. These roles are the frontline for whānau in crisis,” said Panoho.

Other roles on the chopping block include stakeholder relationship managers who work with hapū, Iwi, and community groups, health and safety experts, building inspectors, accountants and lawyers.

With previous job losses last year, this restructuring means that a third of Kāinga Ora’s workforce will be axed. The Government’s refusal to invest in Kāinga Ora, despite record numbers of state homes being built, is a clear ideological choice that puts Māori and Pacific whānau at greater risk of homelessness.

“The Government has deliberately exaggerated Kāinga Ora’s financial position to justify its privatisation agenda. By stripping the organisation of its workforce, it is setting Kāinga Ora up to fail,” said Panoho.

“The Government has made a clear decision to prioritise tax cuts for landlords over the wellbeing of our most vulnerable whānau. Kāinga Ora has a proud legacy of ensuring whānau Māori and Pacific families have access to warm, dry homes. These brutal cuts will leave the organisation a shadow of its former self, making it much harder for any future government to restore the state’s leadership in social housing.

“This is a direct attack on Māori and Pacific communities, and it is appalling.”

“Workloads will increase, wait times will blow out, and services will deteriorate. How does that help when our housing waitlists continue to grow?”

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health and community groups.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget: What’s in it for Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Toilets will be installed at Ruth Park Playground in Coombs.
2024–25 ACT Budget snapshot – Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo
- A new community services hub in Woden
- The duplication of Athllon Drive
- More housing for the region
- Upgraded community facilities
- More funding for mowing and horticulture
With the ACT’s population set to reach 500,000 people by the end of 2027, the 2024–25 ACT Budget is funding the services and infrastructure this growing city needs.

Through this year’s Budget, the ACT Government is delivering more public health services, providing cost of living relief for those who need it most, and improving housing choice, access and affordability.

Some of the projects funded in Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo include:

A new community services hub for Woden

The Budget includes funding a new Woden Community Services Hub.

The Hub will replace the existing four buildings currently operated by Woden Community Service, bringing together community and government services within one facility.

Integrating a walk-in health clinic, child and family services and other vital community services, the Hub will provide residents the support they need – efficiently and in one place.

It will also offer more spaces for people to mix and meet as the region grows.

More housing for the region

The ACT Government’s Indicative Land Release Program for 2024–25 to 2028–29 will help cater to the ACT’s growing population.

As part of the program, 11,028 new homes are planned for Woden Valley, Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley.

Athllon Drive duplication

Work to duplicate part of Athllon Drive is set to start in the coming months.

The ACT Government will invest in the project through the 2024–25 ACT Budget, as part of a 50:50 funding agreement with the Australian Government.

The project will see the duplication of 2.4 kilometres of Athllon Drive between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive.

This Budget will also provide support for:
- planning for the extension of light rail to Woden
- the construction of a new Woden Bus Depot and a new public transport interchange in Woden, which will incorporate facilities for light rail and connections with nearby active travel networks
- the completion of John Gorton Drive, which includes a new bridge across the Molonglo River and a seven-kilometre dedicated off-road shared path for walking and cycling.
New and upgraded community infrastructure

The 2024-25 ACT Budget will support new and upgraded community facilities and infrastructure across the city.

Projects include:
- the construction of a new Emergency Services Station in the Molonglo Valley to house ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire & Rescue staff
- upgrades to Phillip District Enclosed Oval
- commencing construction of Stage 1 of the Stromlo District Playing Fields in Molonglo, which will include two rectangular playing fields, a modified AFL oval, LED lighting, a pavilion and site landscaping
- new toilets at Ruth Park Playground in Coombs
- an upgraded toilet at Mawson Shops.
The Government will also respond to community feedback regarding resources at ACT libraries. There will be new portable phone chargers and more power boards and charging stations, in addition to improving building security.

More funding for mowing and horticulture

The combination of unpredictable weather and a growing city have increased demands on those taking care of Canberra’s grass, trees, weeds and gardens.

The Budget will include funding for 10 full-time positions and eight additional mowers to deliver an expanded baseline capacity in our mowing teams.

In the low season, mowing crews will assist with horticultural work across the city, including weeding, road edging and maintenance.

More health services

The 2024–25 ACT Budget is investing in health programs and infrastructure for the region.

This includes investing in the continuing redevelopment Canberra Hospital and a new pathology and clinical support building on the campus.

This Budget will also support the establishment of:
- a community-based service in Molonglo for children at risk of delayed development and chronic health conditions
- a Residential Treatment Centre for eating disorders in Coombs.
Support for education

The region will benefit from a new suite of system-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives, called Strong Foundations, being rolled out across ACT public schools. The program will ensure all students have access to consistent, high-quality literacy and numeracy education.

This Budget will also support:
- the expansion and modernisation of Garran Primary School
- the delivery of Whitlam Primary School and Early Childhood Education Centre
- planning for a new college for the Molonglo Valley
- finalising construction of the new CIT Woden Campus.
There will also be a range of school upgrades across Canberra as part of the ACT Government’s annual Asset Renewal Program.

Find out what else has been funded as part of the 2024-25 ACT Budget by clicking here.

11,028 new homes are planned for Woden Valley, Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley.

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MIL OSI News –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China to keep monitoring Japan’s Fukushima water release

Source: China State Council Information Office

China said on Monday that it found no abnormality in the activity concentration of hazardous elements such as tritium, cesium-134, cesium-137 and strontium-90 in seawater and marine life samples the country independently collected from waters nearby the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.

The samples were collected by domestic laboratories in late February under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a statement released by the China Atomic Energy Authority.

“As China has repeatedly pointed out, a single test result showing no abnormalities does not guarantee that future tests will also be problem-free,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday, noting that China’s stance against Japan’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water has never changed.

“We will continue to work with the international community and relevant professional organizations, such as the IAEA, to urge Japan to earnestly fulfill its commitments and ensure that the ocean discharge is under international supervision,” Lin told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

According to Lin, during the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue held in Tokyo last month, the Japanese side reaffirmed that it will accept long-term international monitoring of its discharge of nuclear-contaminated water and Beijing’s independent sampling and monitoring.

It was based on Japan’s fulfillment of its commitment and the fact that no abnormality was found in the analysis that China’s General Administration of Customs held a technical exchange with the Japanese side in Beijing on March 12 regarding the safety of Japanese seafood, the spokesman said.

“The Chinese government always puts its people above all else and is firmly committed to safeguarding the food safety of its people,” Lin said.

China independently collected the samples in October last year and February, after the Japanese government unilaterally started discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean on Aug 24, 2023.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: US slapping of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ deprives countries, especially Global South, of right to development

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

The unilateral imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States effectively deprives countries, particularly those in the Global South, of their right to development, and is certain to face widespread opposition from the international community, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Recently, the United States has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, affecting over 180 countries and regions worldwide, including some economies classified as the least developed countries by the United Nations. Analysts suggest that these high tariffs will deliver an unprecedented and severe impact on poor nations with simple economic structures and high dependency on exports.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing that the United States, under the guise of “reciprocity,” acted in a manner that prioritizes its own interests at the expense of other nations’ legitimate benefits. This approach places “America First” above international rules, exemplifying unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.

Lin added that the Chinese government has issued its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs, making clear its solemn attitude.

Data analysis from the World Trade Organization indicates that, amid economic disparities and unequal power dynamics, U.S. tariff policies will exacerbate the wealth gap among nations, with less developed countries facing particularly severe repercussions. This trend poses a significant threat to the efforts intended to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Lin said.

The United States’ imposition of differentiated tax rates violates the World Trade Organization’s principle of non-discrimination, severely undermining the normal international economic and trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, Lin said, adding that this action significantly damages the multilateral trading system, poses a severe threat to the global economic recovery process, and is bound to meet widespread opposition from the international community.

Openness and cooperation are a historical trend, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes are the aspirations of people. Development is a universal right of all countries, not the privilege of a few, said Lin.

He emphasized that all countries should uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cross-party delegation to visit Pacific
Source: New Zealand Government

A high-level delegation from across New Zealand’s Parliament will visit the Pacific over the coming week, led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

“New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific is long-term and endures through successive governments and across the political spectrum,” Mr Peters says. “That’s why we are visiting the region with a senior delegation from across our Parliament to listen to our partners and learn more about the Pacific’s priorities.”

“The Pacific is grappling with a complex, challenging geostrategic and economic environment, and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help,” Mr Peters says.

“New Zealand has deep connections in the Pacific, befitting our close historical, strategic, economic, and people-to-people links, and reflecting our place in the Pacific Islands Forum family.

“It is incumbent on us to regularly spend quality time in the Pacific to renew relationships and ensure that we are working with our partners towards mutually-beneficial cooperation. The upcoming Pacific tour is part of this ongoing process.”

Alongside Mr Peters, the delegation comprises:
- Pacific Peoples and Universities Minister, Dr Shane Reti;
- Climate Change and Energy Minister, Simon Watts;
- Courts Minister, Nicole McKee;
- Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee, Carmel Sepuloni;
- Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Tim van de Molen;
- Assistant Speaker, Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, and Co-Chair of the NZ-Pacific Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Teanau Tuiono;
- Co-Chair of the NZ-Pacific Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Jenny Salesa; and
- Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, Andy Foster.
The delegation leaves New Zealand on Thursday (10 April), and includes time in Tonga, Hawai’i and Vanuatu. It returns to New Zealand on 17 April.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: David Parker made a difference – Hipkins

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Labour Leader today acknowledged and celebrated David Parker’s 23-year contribution to the Labour Party and to Parliament.

“David Parker is a principled and talented Parliamentarian and the Labour team will miss him,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“He is optimistic and hard-working and has served in a variety of roles in Government and Opposition – from energy, environment and transport to infrastructure, finance and foreign affairs. He was also deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

“David has achieved an awful lot in his time here. No one’s work in politics is ever finished and I’m sure he steps away with that same sense.

“What I know to be true is he made a difference, and contributed to a higher quality of life for New Zealanders.

“I want to thank David for his service to Parliament and to the Labour Party. I am certain his contribution to New Zealand is not over,” Chris Hipkins said.

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MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 8, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 8, 2025.

The latest update on NZ’s state of the environment is sobering – but there are glimmers of progress
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina McCabe, PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Canterbury Shutterstock/synthetick If left unaddressed, many environmental changes in Aotearoa New Zealand could threaten livelihoods, health, quality of life and infrastructure for generations to come, according to the latest update on the state of the environment. The Ministry for the Environment and StatsNZ produce an environmental assessment every three years, collating data and trends on air quality, freshwater and marine environments, the land and climate. The latest report shows that long-term drivers of change – including international influences, economic demands and climate change

‘Never our intention to mock Jesus’ – Naked Samoans respond to backlash over controversial poster
By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific journalist Pasifika comedy troupe Naked Samoans is facing a backlash from some members of the Pacific community over its promotional poster. In the image, which has now been taken down, the Naked Samoans depicted themselves as the 12 disciples surrounding Jesus, a parody of The Last Supper. Several Pasifika influencers condemned the image online, with one person labelling it “disrespectful”. However, Naked Samoan group member Oscar Kightley told RNZ Pacific Waves he did not anticipate the uproar. Oscar Kightley talking to RNZ Pacific Waves. The award-winning writer has addressed the backlash as they gear up

Here’s who topped the rankings in this year’s scorecard for sustainable chocolate – and which confectionery giant refused to participate
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Perkiss, Associate professor in accounting, University of Wollongong Jiri Hera/Shutterstock With the Easter weekend now around the corner, the sixth edition of the Global Chocolate Scorecard has just been released. This is an annual initiative produced by Be Slavery Free, in collaboration with two Australian universities and a wide range of consultants and sustainability interest groups. It ranks companies across the entire chocolate sector – from major multinational producers through to retailers – on a wide range of sustainability policies and practices. This year, there have been some improvements across the

This Easter, check out which chocolate brands are most ethical
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Perkiss, Associate professor in accounting, University of Wollongong Jiri Hera/Shutterstock With the Easter weekend now around the corner, the sixth edition of the Global Chocolate Scorecard has just been released. This is an annual initiative produced by Be Slavery Free, in collaboration with two Australian universities and a wide range of consultants and sustainability interest groups. It ranks companies across the entire chocolate sector – from major multinational producers through to retailers – on a wide range of sustainability policies and practices. This year, there have been some improvements across the

Open letter to NZME board – don’t allow alt-right Canadian billionaire to take over NZ’s Fourth Estate
NZME directors ‘have concerns’ about businessman Jim Grenon taking editorial control NZME’s directors have fired their own shots in the war for control of the media company, saying they have concerns about a takeover bid including the risk of businessman Jim Grenon taking editorial control. In a statement to the NZX, the board said it was delaying its annual shareholders meeting until June and opening up nominations of other directors. NZME . . . RNZ report on NZME’s directors “firing their own shots in the war for control of the media company”. Grenon, a New Zealand resident since 2012, bought

Why are some cats more allergenic than others? It’s not their coat length
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jazmine Skinner, Lecturer in Animal Science, University of Southern Queensland evrymmnt/Shutterstock Allergies can be debilitating for those who have them – even more so when the cause of the allergic reaction is a beloved pet. Second only to dust mites, the humble domestic house cat is one of the major causes of indoor allergens for people. But what is the actual source of the allergic response? And are certain breeds less allergenic than others? There are many myths and misconceptions related to cat allergens, so let’s debunk a few. Cats produce several

Australia’s innovative new policies are designed to cut smoking rates – here are 6 ideas NZ could borrow
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Hoek, Professor in Public Health, University of Otago Shutterstock/chayanuphol At the start of this month, when denicotinisation would have been due to come into effect in Aotearoa New Zealand (had the government not repealed smokefree laws), Australia introduced innovative smokefree policies to change the look, ingredients and packaging of tobacco products. New Zealand’s current goal is to reduce smoking prevalence to no more than 5% (and as close to zero as possible) among all population groups. However, realising this goal now seems very unlikely. Latest figures show 6.9% of the general

Trump has Australia’s generic medicines in his sights. And no-one’s talking about it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Gleeson, Associate Professor in Public Health, La Trobe University PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock While Australia was busy defending the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against threats from the United States in recent weeks, another issue related to the supply and trade of medicines was flying under the radar. Buried on page 19 of the Trump’s administration’s allegations of barriers to trade was a single paragraph related to Australia’s access to generic medicines. These are cheaper alternatives to branded medicines that are no longer under patent. The US is concerned about how much notice

New research shows digital technology is linked to reduced wellbeing in young kids. So what can parents do?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquelyn Harverson, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology, Deakin University Alex Segre/ Shutterstock Once upon a time, children fought for control of the remote to the sole family television. Now the choice of screen-based content available to kids seems endless. There are computers, tablets, phones and gaming consoles offering streaming services, online content and apps. Children also use devices at school, with digital literacy part of the Australian curriculum from the start of school. The speed and scale of this change has left parents, researchers and policymakers scrambling to catch up. And it

3.5 million Australians experienced fraud last year. This could be avoided through 6 simple steps
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology Zigres/Shutterstock About 14% of Australians experienced personal fraud last year. Of these, 2.1 million experienced credit card fraud, 675,300 were caught in a scam, 255,000 had their identities stolen and 433,000 were impersonated online. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics latest Personal Fraud Survey, between July 2023 and June 2024, Australians lost A$2.1 billion through credit card fraud. This was up almost 9% from the previous year. Even after reimbursements, the loss was still $477 million. These figures do

What do medieval puzzles and the New York Times Connections have in common?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Knowles, Lecturer, Western Civilisation Program, Australian Catholic University Getty The New York Times Connections game asks players to categorise 16 words into four groups of four. For example, in one collection of 16, a category included “blow”, “cat”, “gold” and “sword”: these are all words that might come before “fish”. As described by puzzle editor Wyna Liu, completing the puzzle should feel “challenging and satisfying”. Players are encouraged to “think flexibly”. Liu says her job as puzzle designer is “to trick you”. Challenging word-based games are not a modern invention. In

Selling your old laptop or phone? You might be handing over your data too
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor, Information and Communications Technology, CQUniversity Australia berdiyandriy/Shutterstock You’re about to recycle your laptop or your phone, so you delete all your photos and personal files. Maybe you even reset the device to factory settings. You probably think your sensitive data is now safe. But there is more to be done: hackers may still be able to retrieve passwords, documents or bank details, even after a reset. In fact, 90% of second-hand laptops, hard drives and memory cards still contain recoverable data. This indicates that many consumers fail to

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s top legislator holds talks with Finnish parliament speaker

Source: China State Council Information Office

Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Jussi Halla-aho, speaker of the Finnish parliament, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, held talks with Jussi Halla-aho, speaker of the Finnish parliament, in Beijing on Monday, calling for the joint creation of a favorable and stable legal environment for practical cooperation.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Finland, Zhao said China stands ready to work with Finland to implement the important consensus reached between their heads of state to advance the future-oriented, new-type cooperative partnership between the two countries.

China hopes that Finland will continue to uphold the one-China principle, understand and support China’s legitimate rights to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and consolidate the political foundation of mutual trust, he added.

He said that China is deepening its comprehensive reforms and expanding its high-level opening-up, which will bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He highlighted China’s willingness to deepen exchange between political parties, as well as exchange in the fields of culture and youth, to strengthen public support for bilateral relations.

China hopes that Finland will continue to play a positive role in promoting the development of China-Finland relations and China-Europe relations, Zhao said. He added that the NPC of China is willing to maintain its traditional friendship with the Finnish parliament, and stands ready to strengthen exchange and cooperation among legislative bodies at high levels and among specialized committees, bilateral friendship groups, and NPC deputies and parliamentarians.

He said that both China and Finland possess unique characteristics in areas such as national governance, development concepts and innovation systems. Their two legislative bodies can engage in mutual learning and exchange, fulfilling their legislative and supervisory functions to create a favorable, stable legal environment for practical cooperation, and enhancing coordination on multilateral platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Zhao spoke about China’s whole-process people’s democracy, and expressed a willingness to strengthen exchange with the Finnish parliament in developing democracy and improving the rule of law.

Halla-aho said that as a historically significant country, China has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as science and technology, adding that Finland adheres to and will continue to implement the one-China policy, and recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.

He said that Finland is committed to advancing practical cooperation, maintaining free trade, and addressing shared challenges based on mutual respect and trust. The Finnish parliament, he added, looks forward to enhancing its engagement with the NPC of China to play a proactive role in deepening Finland-China relations.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: US slapping of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ deprives countries, especially Global South, of right to development: spokesperson

Source: China State Council Information Office

The unilateral imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States effectively deprives countries, particularly those in the Global South, of their right to development, and is certain to face widespread opposition from the international community, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Recently, the United States has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, affecting over 180 countries and regions worldwide, including some economies classified as the least developed countries by the United Nations. Analysts suggest that these high tariffs will deliver an unprecedented and severe impact on poor nations with simple economic structures and high dependency on exports.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing that the United States, under the guise of “reciprocity,” acted in a manner that prioritizes its own interests at the expense of other nations’ legitimate benefits. This approach places “America First” above international rules, exemplifying unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.

Lin added that the Chinese government has issued its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs, making clear its solemn attitude.

Data analysis from the World Trade Organization indicates that, amid economic disparities and unequal power dynamics, U.S. tariff policies will exacerbate the wealth gap among nations, with less developed countries facing particularly severe repercussions. This trend poses a significant threat to the efforts intended to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Lin said.

The United States’ imposition of differentiated tax rates violates the World Trade Organization’s principle of non-discrimination, severely undermining the normal international economic and trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, Lin said, adding that this action significantly damages the multilateral trading system, poses a severe threat to the global economic recovery process, and is bound to meet widespread opposition from the international community.

Openness and cooperation are a historical trend, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes are the aspirations of people. Development is a universal right of all countries, not the privilege of a few, said Lin.

He emphasized that all countries should uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Southeast Asia Poised to Become a Global Hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Source: ASEAN

JAKARTA, 8 April 2025 — Southeast Asia’s abundant agricultural feedstocks offer potential for the region to become a global hub for SAF, according to a joint Canadian-ASEAN research project.

The “Promoting the Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) from Agricultural Waste in the ASEAN Region” project marks a significant step towards a more sustainable aviation future in Southeast Asia. It was carried out by the ASEAN Secretariat, GHD, Boeing, Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF), funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and implemented by Cowater International, the Institute of Public Administrators of Canada (IPAC).

SAF is a renewable or waste-derived aviation fuel that meets sustainability criteria, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and is compatible with existing aircraft and infrastructure, as a “drop-in” fuel. Aviation engines can currently run on a mix of 50% SAF and 50% conventional aviation fuel, but the industry is working towards a 100% SAF mix. SAF lowers carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle by up to 80%, depending on the feedstock, with the potential to reduce even more in the future. SAF can be made from a wide variety of sources: cover crops and other nonedible plants, agricultural and forestry waste, non-recyclable municipal waste, industrial plant off-gassing and other feedstocks.

As part of the project, a techno-economic assessment was conducted in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, focusing on feedstock availability, technology pathways, carbon intensity, logistics, environmental and social aspects, institutional frameworks, and financial assessment.

With improvements in economic feasibility, SAF production in ASEAN could surpass regional demand, enabling exports both within and beyond ASEAN.

The expansion of SAF feedstock supply is expected to stem from enhanced farming practices and large-scale biomass utilisation rather than land expansion. The report emphasised that mechanisation, improved irrigation, and R&D in crop optimisation could boost feedstock availability without increasing deforestation or land conversion.

Beyond environmental benefits, the project highlighted SAF’s role in fostering gender equality and economic development. The SAF sector offers opportunities for job creation, upskilling, and workforce diversification, with a strong emphasis on inclusive participation of women and marginalised communities.

Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, commended the initiative, stating: “This initiative marks a significant step in advancing ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable aviation. By leveraging regional resources and innovation, we are not only addressing environmental challenges but also driving economic growth and enhancing energy security. The successful completion of this project underscores ASEAN’s capacity for effective collaboration in tackling climate challenges while creating new opportunities for our communities.”

CTIF Project Manager Hendry Predy also commented on the initiative stating “CTIF technical assistance supported Southeast Asia countries with a project to improve the ability of the energy sector to assess the reliability of the upstream feedstock supply and the potential for sustained use and production within the region. The recommendations from the proposed project informed on the future development and operation of the pilot areas in selected member countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) to convert agricultural waste and residues to SAF. The project and recommendations supported the ASEAN Secretariat in ascertaining the reliability of feedstock supply for renewable fuels.”

Sharmine Tan, Boeing’s regional sustainability lead for Southeast Asia said “SAF is the biggest opportunity to cut aviation emissions over the next 30 years. This research highlights Southeast Asia’s rich SAF feedstock potential, positioning the region as a key player in meeting global SAF demand. To unlock this potential, governments and industry must act decisively, harmonise sustainability policies, invest in infrastructure, and scale local production to build a robust regional SAF ecosystem. Southeast Asia has a unique opportunity to lead sustainable aviation while driving economic growth and environmental stewardship.”

Sachin Narang, GHD’s Executive Advisor – Energy and Infrastructure, said, “The successful completion of this project represents a major milestone in ASEAN’s journey toward sustainable aviation. The insights gained will serve as a foundation for future SAF initiatives, investments, and policy development across the region.”

The ASEAN Secretariat, together with its partners, invites continued collaboration with governments, industry leaders, research institutions, and investors to support the regional transition to SAF. Building on the findings of this project, the next phase will focus on areas such as enabling policy development, strengthening technical capacity, and mobilising investment to support SAF deployment, among other collaborative efforts. Together, ASEAN governments, businesses and communities can help shape a sustainable aviation future that contributes meaningfully to regional and global sustainability goals.

The full Techno-Economic Assessment Report for the project can be referred to here: https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/12634962-RPT-6-Techno-Economic-Assessment-Final-Report_April-2025.pdf

Media contacts:

ASEAN Secretariat

Mustika L. Hapsoro Media Officer, mustika.hapsoro@asean.org

Image Credit: ASEAN Secretariat
The post Southeast Asia Poised to Become a Global Hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ‘Never our intention to mock Jesus’ – Naked Samoans respond to backlash over controversial poster

By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific journalist

Pasifika comedy troupe Naked Samoans is facing a backlash from some members of the Pacific community over its promotional poster.

In the image, which has now been taken down, the Naked Samoans depicted themselves as the 12 disciples surrounding Jesus, a parody of The Last Supper.

Several Pasifika influencers condemned the image online, with one person labelling it “disrespectful”.

However, Naked Samoan group member Oscar Kightley told RNZ Pacific Waves he did not anticipate the uproar.

Oscar Kightley talking to RNZ Pacific Waves.

The award-winning writer has addressed the backlash as they gear up to perform at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in Auckland next month.

The Samoan-New Zealand actor said it was never their intention to hurt people.

“This month, 27 years ago, was our first-ever show, and we’ve been offending and upsetting people ever since, really. But we didn’t expect [the backlash].

Checks, balances ‘let us down’
“We saw the reaction [to the poster], and we saw how it was being taken, it was never our intention to mock Jesus or God or the Last Supper. But when we saw that that’s how it was being taken by some in our community, we made the decision to take it down.”

“We took it down as soon as we knew that it was causing upset.”

Responding to the online criticism that “they should have known better”, Kightley said “we should have known that some people would take it that way”.

“Our robust system of checks and balances badly let us down in this sense,” he said.

“We could understand how some people would have looked at this and went, ‘you guys have gone too far’, and even though we didn’t mean it, we all went to Sunday school, understand the reverence that that image and that scripture has.

“But we weren’t trying to comment on the scripture.”

He said even though they took the image down, due to the nature of the internet it would remain online “forever now”.

“I think as long as people spread it, people will be raged and raised by it.

“But my message [to those who are offended by it] is, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

“And maybe think about Jesus’s teaching in John 8:7.”

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Tip-off service launched to combat medical insurance fraud

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A nurse prepares medicine for patients at the inpatient department of a hospital in Changde, central China’s Hunan Province, May 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China’s National Healthcare Security Administration announced on Monday the launch of a tip-off service via its official WeChat account, enabling social organizations and the public to report leads on medical insurance fraud.
Eligible informants will be rewarded with a one-time payment ranging from 200 yuan (about 27.8 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 yuan, according to the administration.
Noting that the misuse of medical insurance funds undermines public interests, it urged the whole society to make efforts in combating fraud.
In 2024, China’s medical insurance watchdogs recovered 27.5 billion yuan of misused medical insurance funds, with a total of 10,741 suspects arrested.
The Chinese government has vowed to continue strengthening oversight of medical insurance funds to ensure every penny is maximized for the benefit of public health.

MIL OSI China News –

April 8, 2025

	Q1 2025	Q1 2024
Normalized crew count Contract¹	2.8	1.9
Normalized crew count Multi-client¹	0.2	0.0

	Q1 2025	Q1 2024
Contract	37%	36%
Multi-client	36%	30%
Steaming	11%	7%
Yard	3%	6%
Stacked/Standby	13%	21%
Number of vessels	6	7

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