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MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 22, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 22, 2025.

How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University Following the death of Pope Francis, we’ll soon be seeing a new leader in the Vatican. The conclave – a strictly confidential gathering of Roman Catholic cardinals – is due to meet in a matter of weeks to elect

Haka in the House: what will Te Pāti Māori’s protest mean for tikanga in parliament?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic O’Sullivan, Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University and Adjunct Professor Stout Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland University of Technology., Charles Sturt University Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke lead a haka with Eru Kapa-Kingi outside parliament, November 19, 2024. Getty

Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
ANALYSIS: By Joel Hodge, Australian Catholic University and Antonia Pizzey, Australian Catholic University Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with double pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began: “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the

Fossil fuel companies ‘poisoned the well’ of public debate with climate disinformation. Here’s how Australia can break free
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naomi Oreskes, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that would block state laws seeking to tackle greenhouse gas emissions – the latest salvo in his administration’s campaign to roll back United States’ climate action. Under Trump, the

Is a corporation a slave? Many philosophers think so
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duncan Ian Wallace, Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Monash University f11photo/Shutterstock If you’ve ever heard the term “wage slave”, you’ll know many modern workers – perhaps even you – sometimes feel enslaved to the organisation at which they work. But here’s a different way of thinking about it:

Rates will never be enough – councils need the power to raise money in other ways
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guy C. Charlton, Adjunct Associate Professor at Auckland University of Technology and Associate Professor, University of New England Getty Images You might have recently received voting papers for your local body elections. Going by our historically low participation rates, many of those envelopes will remain unopened. This

Early voting opens in the federal election – but it brings some problems for voters and parties
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zareh Ghazarian, Senior Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, Monash University More than 18 million Australians are enrolled to vote at the federal election on May 3. A fair proportion of them – perhaps as many as half – will take advantage of early voting, which

‘I’m a failure’: how schema therapy tackles the deep-rooted beliefs that affect our mental health
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Houlihan, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of the Sunshine Coast Jorm Sangsorn/Shutterstock If you ever find yourself stuck in repeated cycles of negative emotion, you’re not alone. More than 40% of Australians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Many are linked to

Parents delay sending kids to school for social reasons and physical size. It’s not about academic advantage
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny Van Bergen, Associate Professor in the Psychology of Education, Macquarie University If you have a child born at the start of the year, you may be faced with a tricky and stressful decision. Do you send them to school “early”, in the year they turn five?

Since its very conception, Star Wars has been political. Now Andor will take on Trump 2.0
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Golding, Professor and Chair of the Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Lucasfilm Ltd™ Premiering today, the second and final season of Star Wars streaming show Andor seems destined to be one of the pop culture defining moments of the second Trump presidency.

Election Diary: Albanese government stays mum over whatever Russia may have said to Indonesia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The imbroglio over the reported Russian request to Indonesia to base planes in Papua initially tripped Peter Dutton, and now is dogging Anthony Albanese. After the respected military site Janes said a request had been made, the Australian government quickly

How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mathew Schmalz, Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross Cardinals attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, before they enter the conclave to decide who the next pope will be, on March 12, 2013, in Vatican City. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Image With the death of

Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Reardon, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pulsar Timing and Gravitational Waves, Swinburne University of Technology Artist’s impression of a pulsar bow shock scattering a radio beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav With the most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere, we have observed a twinkling star and discovered an abundance of

Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Hodge, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with a serious bout of double pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began:

Pope Francis tried to change the Catholic Church for women, with mixed success
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracy McEwan, School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. On Easter Sunday, he used his message and blessing to appeal for peace in Middle East and

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 21, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 21, 2025.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Eight regions report population increases

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A nurse works at a maternal and child health care hospital in Huai’an City, east China’s Jiangsu province, May 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least eight provincial-level regions in China reported growth in their resident populations last year amid rapid urbanization, according to data released by local authorities and experts.
The regions that reported population growth are the Xinjiang Uygur and Xizang autonomous regions, and Shaanxi province in western China; Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian provinces in the east; and Guangdong and Hainan provinces in the south, according to statistics from regional authorities.
Meanwhile, the populations of Jiangsu province and Tianjin remained stable from the previous year, while 19 provincial-level regions reported a decline. Heilongjiang province and the Ningxia Hui autonomous region have yet to release their demographic data for last year.
China’s total population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, falling by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion, largely due to lower birth rates and a shrinking number of women of childbearing age.
Population changes at the regional level are shaped by natural shifts — defined as the difference between births and deaths — as well as internal migration.
Wang Jinying, a professor at Hebei University’s School of Economics and a demography expert, said provinces that saw population increases last year follow three distinct growth models.
“Thanks to their thriving economies and ample job opportunities, provinces such as Zhejiang and Guangdong witnessed significant influxes of migrants from other regions, leading to an increase in their resident populations,” he said.
Official data show Guangdong’s population grew by 740,000 to reach 127.8 million, while Zhejiang’s increased by 430,000 to 66.7 million.
Xinjiang also followed this pattern, Wang said. The frontier region bordering Central Asia has become a key hub of the Belt and Road Initiative in recent years, drawing residents with increased economic and trade opportunities.
In addition, provinces such as Anhui, Shaanxi and Fujian — once beset by a high number of out-migrants due to underdeveloped economies — have seen accelerated economic growth in recent years, Wang said.
“This has not only curbed outward migration but also spurred a return of residents, boosting their resident population figures,” he said.
However, the population growth in these regions remains relatively modest. Shaanxi and Anhui each recorded a year-on-year increase of fewer than 20,000 people, while Fujian’s population rose by 100,000.
The third growth model is exemplified by Xizang, Yunnan and Hainan, where population increases are largely due to natural growth, with birth rates exceeding death rates, Wang said.
Among the regions experiencing population decline last year are Jilin and Liaoning provinces in Northeast China. The region has seen the steepest declines in recent years due to large-scale emigration and low fertility rates.
Still, both provinces recorded a modest rebound in the number of newborns, with each reporting about 9,000 more births year-on-year.
Nationwide, China also saw a slight uptick in the number of newborns last year, rising by 520,000 to reach 9.54 million.
“The increase in these regions, as well as the national figure, can be attributed to a sizable number of people who had postponed marriage and childbearing deciding to tie the knot and have babies,” Wang said. “Other contributing factors include the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the auspicious Year of the Dragon in 2024. But the overall scale of the increase remains modest.”
Experts said China’s urban population has been steadily growing and is expected to continue expanding as more people move to cities. However, Northeast China’s population is likely to keep shrinking.
A recent study by Liu Houlian, a researcher at the China Population and Development Research Center, projected that China’s urbanization rate will reach 75.4 percent by 2035, up from 67 percent in 2024.
The study noted a significant population increase in cities along the Yangtze River and coastal areas, as well as in provincial capitals. Meanwhile, the trend of population decline has spread from northeastern provinces to some central and western regions.
“Driven by high-quality economic development, scientific innovation and improved public services, it is expected that the populations of economically vibrant cities in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regions will continue to grow,” the study said. “Conversely, less developed small and medium-sized cities are likely to face continued population shrinkage.”
Wang said China’s total population will likely continue to decline, intensifying competition among regions for labor and widening the divergence in regional development.
To address the trend, he suggested promoting high-quality, balanced regional development, with a focus on cultivating more central cities and urban clusters.
“Hefei in Anhui province serves as a prime illustration of how an emerging economic hub can draw in population. An increasing number of people, previously concentrated in urban giants such as Shanghai, have opted to settle down in the city instead,” he said.
Wang added that expanding public services, such as fertility support policies, healthcare and education, is essential to accommodate the influx of people into urban areas.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s Antarctic station powered by new energy

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Two droplet-shaped wind turbines spin in front of China’s Qinling station in Antarctica. [Photo/China Daily]
A clean energy system tailored for polar conditions has been put into operation in China’s Qinling station in Antarctica.
The breakthrough means China has become the first country to achieve the large-scale operation of a clean energy system under extreme Antarctic conditions.
Lead scientist Sun Hongbin, 56, told China Daily that the project marks an achievement in China’s green scientific exploration in the field of polar energy, and signifies that the nation’s polar exploration has developed from the diesel era into a new era of green energy.
The system will generate a wealth of data, as well as present challenges that will prompt continuous research, said Sun, who is also the chief scientist on polar clean energy at the Polar Research Institute of China and president of Taiyuan University of Technology in Shanxi province.
Since the launch of the system on March 1, it has replaced traditional diesel power sources, providing uninterrupted zero-carbon power for the research equipment and essential living facilities at Qinling station, which was established in February last year as China’s fifth Antarctic research station.
Photovoltaic and wind power account for 60 percent of the energy capacity of the system. In situations without wind or sunlight, stored hydrogen can provide power to the station, ensuring short-term operation for research equipment and basic living facilities.
Sun stressed the primary challenges in ensuring the reliability and safety of the equipment. For instance, the development of the droplet-shaped wind turbine capable of operating on ice caps and hydrogen fuel cells demands cold-resistant power-up technology.
Construction of the system at the station commenced in 2023.
As much of the equipment and facilities required specialized research and modification to adapt to the extreme conditions, Taiyuan University of Technology established a digital twin laboratory simulating the environment of Antarctica.
This laboratory possesses the capabilities to simulate nearly 10 extreme conditions, including extreme cold, strong winds, blizzards, polar day and night, intense geomagnetic fields, strong ultraviolet radiation, low pressure and low oxygen levels.
The primary purpose of establishing this laboratory was to address the challenges of research, testing and operation, Sun said.
“Once the equipment arrives in Antarctica, we have no means to procure a replacement if a single screw malfunctions,” he said. “Before deployment to Antarctica, various new energy devices underwent testing here. Now the laboratory receives and analyzes real-time data transmitted back from Antarctica.”
In recent years, various countries have explored approaches to develop clean energy in Antarctica, with solar and wind energy being the primary focus.
However, the extreme conditions and shortage of technologies make it tough for solar and wind power generation equipment to maintain stable and efficient operation.
China is the first country to implement hydrogen energy in the extreme environment of Antarctica on a large scale, said Dou Yinke, dean of the Taiyuan university’s College of Electrical and Power Engineering, and a leading expert who has participated in multiple Antarctic expeditions since 2004.
Against the backdrop of global warming and glacier melting, China proposed the concept of “green exploration” in 2017, Dou said. International organizations have repeatedly urged countries to transition from fuel-based power generation to clean energy in Antarctica.
As Antarctica possesses vast wind and solar energy potential, countries worldwide have been exploring clean energy in this area.
To date, approximately 30 Antarctic research stations have installed clean energy generation devices, with over half utilizing solar or wind, Dou said.
However, due to the lack of systematic application and development of clean energy technologies tailored to the Antarctic environment, these systems cannot yet fully replace traditional energy systems on the aspects of safety and stability, he said.
Currently, 80 to 90 percent of the world’s Antarctic research stations still rely on fuel-powered electricity generation, leading to significant environmental pollution in the polar regions, said Dou.
Last year, the Taiyuan university led the formulation of the “Twelve-Year Development Outline for Clean Energy Utilization Technologies in the Antarctic”, aiming to establish a comprehensive clean energy supply system for Antarctic research stations by 2035.
“I will dedicate my whole life to the cause. I believe we have just taken the first step on a long journey. It is a demonstration and an experiment,” Sun said. Key technology breakthroughs can also drive the energy revolution in the province, a major energy base in China, said Sun.
Sun hopes to establish a 20,000-square-meter Antarctic extreme environment simulation laboratory in Shanxi to enhance future research.
“With clean energy, people can survive in polar regions. In the future, we may even install and test this technology on the moon and Mars,” Sun said.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Israel conducts over 200 strikes in Gaza within days

Source: China State Council Information Office

A firefighter puts out a fire after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israel’s military said on Monday that it carried out more than 200 airstrikes across the Gaza Strip over the past three days, killing a member of the Islamic Jihad movement.

The military said the strikes targeted militant infrastructure, militant cells, rocket launch and sniper positions, weapons depots and command centers.

It identified the killed fighter as Ahmad Mansour, who it said participated in the Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and later directed rocket fire during the ongoing war.

In Rafah’s Shabura and Tel al-Sultan neighborhoods, Israeli troops dismantled “terrorist infrastructure” and uncovered a cache of grenades, ammunition and other military gear.

Along the recently constructed Morag Corridor, which bisects Rafah from Khan Younis and the rest of Gaza, troops located weapons, destroyed Hamas infrastructure and killed several militants, the military said.

In northern Gaza, soldiers launched an airstrike on a building containing what was described as underground infrastructure and detected multiple militants. The army also reported dismantling Hamas sniper posts that had threatened its ground forces.

At least eight people were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday and dozens wounded, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: GOP PLAN TO CRIPPLE MEDICAID WOULD SLASH ADDICTION TREATMENT IN ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES AND WORSEN OPIOID EPIDEMIC ACROSS UPSTATE NY; STANDING WITH DOCTORS & PEOPLE IN RECOVERY THANKS TO…

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

Congressional Republicans Just Voted To Advance The Biggest Medicaid Cut In History — $880 BILLION — Which Could Devastate Rochester-Finger Lakes Healthcare, Hammering Hospitals Which Could Face Layoffs, Nursing Homes, And Kick Patients In Recovery To The Curb, Setting Back Upstate NY’s Efforts To Fight The Opioid Crisis

70% Of Patients Receiving Addiction Treatment At Wayne County’s Finger Lakes Counseling & Recovery Agency Are Funded By Medicaid; GOP’s Dangerous Medicaid Cuts Would Impact 300,000+ Across Finger Lakes From Seniors To Children And Could Rip Away Healthcare For Thousands

Schumer: GOP Medicaid Cuts Would Inflame Opioid Crisis Across Upstate NY

Just two weeks after Congressional Republicans voted to advance the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stood with Finger Lakes people in recovery and nurses at the Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency (FLACRA) to call on Congressional Republicans to block Trump’s plan to decimate Medicaid. The Republican plan to cut $880 billion from Medicaid would hurt more than 300,000 New Yorkers in the Finger Lakes and set back Upstate NY’s decades of efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

“House Republicans just voted to advance the biggest Medicaid cut in history, putting places like the Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency where 70% of their patients in recovery in danger. Make no mistake: these cuts could set back decades of efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in Upstate NY and risk healthcare for over 300,000 across the Rochester-Finger Lakes region,” said Senator Schumer. “Medicaid is one of the largest funding sources for Rochester’s nursing homes, hospitals, and is a lifeline for our rural areas and especially our addiction treatment centers. Across the Finger Lakes, seniors are worried they could be kicked out of their nursing homes and patients in recovery are fearful they’ll be stuck, stranded, and abandoned with no support. We are in the fight of a lifetime to block the Republican plan to gut Medicaid by $880 BILLION. That’s why I’m demanding NY House Republicans stand up and join me in ensuring Finger Lakes rehab centers and patients have the resources they need to fight the opioid crisis.”

Schumer said Finger Lakes patients in recovery will face the worst when Republicans cut Medicaid. Over 300,000 people in the Finger Lakes have Medicaid for their insurance, and many of them are patients in recovery who could be discharged from local rehab facilities if Congressional Republicans cut Medicaid. Schumer explained that once Medicaid is forced to stop paying for addiction treatment in these facilities, and once the facilities exhaust every possible way to keep patients in place, facilities could be forced to lay off staff and kick patients to the curb, setting back decades of efforts fighting the opioid crisis in the Finger Lakes.

Schumer has long led the fight against the opioid crisis. In 2023, the senator personally met with the President of China to talk about how fentanyl is destroying families in Upstate New York and urged him to work with the United States to stop the flow. Under Schumer’s leadership, the Senate also passed critical legislation to upend the flow of fentanyl into the United States and expand access to treatment for people struggling with addiction.

In the Finger Lakes, Medicaid is a lifeline for fighting the opioid crisis. FLACRA serves individuals and their loved ones across the Finger Lakes region affected by substance use and mental health disorders. FLACRA’s 500 employees provide substance abuse treatment including detox, stabilization, rehabilitation, outpatient and supportive living and housing assistance. In 2024 alone, more than 4,690 individuals received help and addiction treatment at FLACRA, of which 3,281 – or 70% – were able to get the care they and their loved ones needed because they were covered by Medicaid.

FLACRA President & CEO Jennifer Carlson said, “The proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating for individuals and families in need of critical, life-saving substance abuse and mental health treatment. These cuts will impede urgent and time-sensitive access to care programs offered through FLACRA and other Behavioral Health providers throughout our communities. The nation is in a substance abuse and mental health epidemic. Thank you, Senator Schumer, for opposing these cuts and for continuing to support access to vital care and services for people during such a critical time.”

Medicaid funding is also vital to fund the work of the Wayne County Department of Mental Health and Wayne Behavioral Health Network (WBHN) which operates outpatient mental health and addiction treatment programs and support services through its clinics. In 2024 alone WBHN served 4,255 clients in over 95,000 individual sessions of which 76% were billed and paid by Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care. This Medicaid revenue has been critical for WBHN to fiscally sustain offsetting any cost to Wayne County for over a decade.

Schumer added, “This proposal to decimate Medicaid is not just heartless, it would make streets across the Finger Lakes less safe. It would be a gut punch to our efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Upstate NY.”

Wayne Behavioral Health Substance Use Treatment Senior Program Supervisor, Jamie Castellano-Gates said, “Our clients struggle with so many barriers dealing with addiction and other co-occurring disorders but also the lack of resources from living in a rural community. Medicaid has been so helpful to these individuals who rely on it to get in treatment programs…They are incredibly fearful they will be “stuck, stranded and abandoned” – with no support and unable to progress in recovery. Medicaid funding has made recovery a viable option for the majority of our clients to present them with opportunities they never would have.”

Wayne Behavioral Health Director of Community Services (DCS), Sharon MacDougall said, “Medicaid funding for comprehensive behavioral healthcare, including critical substance use services, is an investment in the foundational health, safety, and welfare of every citizen. Access to this care is not a luxury, but a basic right that deserves the same level of unwavering commitment we provide to other essential infrastructure like accessible roads and a functioning emergency response system. Ensuring parity access to behavioral healthcare through Medicaid is principal to the overall well-being of our communities. We all welcome efforts to streamline costs for all essential services supporting our communities; but never at the cost of lives dependent on promised support.”

Schumer emphasized Medicaid is a key tool for fighting the opioid crisis. Across New York, approximately 47% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder received medications for opioid use disorder in 2021. New York Medicaid covers all FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) – methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone—without prior authorization requirements. In 2021 alone, more than 382,500 New Yorkers – and close to 5 million Americans – were treated for substance use disorder thanks to Medicaid coverage. Between 2020 and 2023, the number of people in New York getting buprenorphine – a medication that helps treat opioid addiction – went up by nearly 30%, meaning more people are getting access to this type of treatment. The most recent data available shows an approximately 25 percent drop in overdose deaths nationwide in 2024 compared to 2023, the largest drop in years.

Last month, Trump cut $11 billion from state health services including $300 million for New York State providers like Delphi Rise’s Open Access Center which is Monroe County’s only 24/7 walk-in clinic for substance use care and recovery. Schumer said those cuts plus the looming loss of Medicaid funding could force Delphi Rising to shut its Open Access Clinic’s doors permanently since 80% of the nearly 2000 individuals who seek care to begin their recovery at Delphi Rise rely on Medicaid. Across the Finger Lakes, rehab centers depend on Medicaid and federal health funding to provide behavioral health treatment, but with both on the chopping block, people fear the fentanyl crisis will only worsen.

Jen Cathy, President and CEO of Delphi Rise said, “Medicaid is more than a funding stream. It is a lifeline. On average, 80% of the individuals who walk through our doors at Delphi Rise’s Open Access Center rely on Medicaid. For those who aren’t yet enrolled, we connect them immediately so they can access the appropriate treatment facility. As the only 24/7 walk-in center for substance use in Monroe County, we’re often the last stop before someone ends up in the emergency room, in jail, or worse. Without Medicaid, that critical access to care is lost, and we miss the opportunity to intervene and save lives.”

Mike Hoffman, Delphi Rise Peer Advocate who relied on Medicaid for his recovery said, “Medicaid coverage was the most important part of my recovery from substance use disorder. When I heard about the proposed cuts to Medicaid and OASAS funding, I felt terrified for people like me who live here in New York and across the county. I have turned my life around: without Medicaid, others might not get that chance.”

The Republican proposal to cut $880 billion from Medicaid would mean that the costs of care shifts to states, which would result in slashed services, benefits, eligibility, and reimbursement rates. These agonizing decisions would happen at the state and local level, with county executives and state legislators forced to decide where to make up for the huge budget hole caused by Republicans slashing federal funding for Medicaid. Counties could even be forced to shoulder the burden of increased costs in Medicaid, using more local dollars to provide coverage because less federal funding will be coming in. This means legislators and county executives will have to decide who loses their Medicaid, what services will no longer be covered, or how much doctors will be paid. The senator said while some Congressional Republicans claim that this plan won’t cut Medicaid, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found the GOP plan could not be reached without reducing the funding that goes to Medicaid. There is no way to protect Medicaid benefits if Republicans move ahead with these cuts.

Schumer added, “Medicaid has helped patients in recovery transform their lives, giving them the care they need to recover from substance use disorder and stay off the streets. Many have even become powerful advocates for others struggling with substance use disorder. Meanwhile, Trump wants these cuts for one reason: to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. He’s not looking out for our neighbors or trying to fight the fentanyl crisis. Republicans have tried to hide their Medicaid cuts, use smoke and mirrors and claim this isn’t a cut, but the math shows this would hurt our seniors and families’ Medicaid, and places like the Finger Lakes the most.”

Schumer detailed the scope of Medicaid enrollment throughout the country and warned that Medicaid serves as a lifeline for millions of seniors. More than 7 million New Yorkers are enrolled in Medicaid, and it is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States. Many patients and families will have nowhere else to turn if Medicaid is cut, and millions of people will be left trying to figure out how to access the care and services they rely on every day.

Major reductions in Medicaid spending will have serious consequences for seniors and people with disabilities. Nearly 1 in 4 Medicaid enrollees are eligible for the program because they are ages 65 and older or have a disability. Proposals to limit federal spending on Medicaid will force states to consider dropping or limiting eligibility or coverage for seniors and people with disabilities to make up for a huge budget hole with fewer federal dollars coming to New York. Loss of Medicaid coverage poses unique challenges for seniors and people with disabilities, people who are likely to live on fixed incomes, have high health care spending, and rely on Medicaid for help with everyday life and for coverage of long-term care.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information after assault incident, Poukawa

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are currently investigating an assault that occurred during a Council-sanctioned cycling race in Poukawa at the weekend and are seeking information from the public.

At around 2:45pm on Saturday 19 April, the occupants of a black Ford Ranger ute were seen throwing bottles from their vehicle towards participants of the cycle race on Munity Road.

A young person was hit by a bottle and fell off their bike, fortunately the injuries sustained were not serious.

The vehicle then drove towards Middle Road and continued travelling south. The vehicle had large off-road tyres and a roll bar on the back.

If anyone has information in relation to the vehicle involved, or the incident itself, please contact Police on 105, either over the phone or online.

Please reference file number 250419/9446.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Yemen’s Houthis claim fresh attacks at Israel, US aircraft carriers

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Yemen’s Houthi group said on Monday that it had launched fresh attacks at two Israeli targets and two U.S. aircraft carriers, using drones and cruise missiles.

“We launched a drone attack at a vital target in the city of Ashkelon and another drone attack at a military target in the city of Eilat,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

He didn’t identify the names of the targets in both cities in southern Israel.

“As part of confronting the American aggression … we targeted the aircraft carrier Truman and its escorting warships in the northern Red Sea, using two cruise missiles and two drones,” Sarea said, referring to the USS S. Harry Truman.

“We also targeted the aircraft carrier Vinson (the USS Carl Vinson) and its escorting warships in the Arabian Sea, using three cruise missiles and four drones,” he said.

Sarea reaffirmed that the group’s attacks “will continue” against Israel and the U.S. naval forces in the region.

According to the Houthi television, the attacks against Israel and the U.S. warships were carried out in the past 24 hours.

The Israeli defense forces have yet to comment on the Houthi claim, nor the U.S. military.

Meanwhile, the U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have been continuing. Early in the day, the Houthi television said the death toll from U.S. airstrikes on Sunday night against a popular market in the Shu’ub neighborhood in central Yemen’s capital Sanaa rose to 12, with 30 other “civilians” wounded.

Also on Sunday night, the Houthi television reported other U.S. airstrikes on several Houthi locations in the northern provinces of Al-Mahwit, Saada, and Marib.

Tensions between the Houthi group and the U.S. military have escalated since Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15 to deter the group from targeting Israel and U.S. warships.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: April 21st, 2025 New Mexico Congressional Delegation Urges Trump Administration to Keep Hands Off of New Mexico’s National Monuments

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee led the New Mexico Congressional Delegation — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), members of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) — in urging the Trump-Musk Administration to leave New Mexican national monuments intact.

The letter comes in anticipation of a number of harmful executive orders to be announced tomorrow by the Trump Administration, including one that will purportedly target America’s national monuments.

“Our national monuments in New Mexico protect some of the most significant landscapes and cultural resources in the nation. The monuments were carefully curated and represent a balance of public land protection negotiated between local leaders, communities, Tribes, and our constituents. The areas protected under national monument status across the state are culturally valuable, archeologically and geologically unique, and represent a conservation legacy that should not be erased,” the lawmakers wrote. “National monuments are vitally important to our history and any proposals to reduce their boundaries will not be reflective of the voices of New Mexicans.”

The lawmakers emphasized how crucial New Mexico’s national monuments are to the state’s economy, underscoring the significant revenue particular monuments under threat of elimination generate annually, “In New Mexico, we have a $3.2 billion outdoor recreation sector and monuments are a significant contributor to this robust economy. In 2022 alone, monument visitation resulted in $1.9 million in tax revenue. The economic impacts of visitation to Organ Mountains — Desert Peaks National Monument (OMDP) surpassed the initial prediction by more than 50 percent. In just one year after its establishment, the Rio Grande del Norte (RGDN) National Monument saw a 40 percent increase in visitors, resulting in a 21 percent increase in Town of Taos lodgers’ tax revenue.”

The lawmakers continued, highlighting the immeasurable cultural and economic impact of three national monuments in New Mexico under consideration for reduction or elimination: Organ Mountains — Desert Peaks, Rio Grande del Norte, and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, “In OMDP in southern New Mexico, you will find significant petroglyph and archeological sites and walk among historic travelers’ routes. In northern New Mexico, RGDN boasts some of New Mexico’s most prized recreational opportunities in an area where the Rio Grande carves an 800-foot gorge through historic volcanic activity. RGDN offers immense economic value to northern New Mexico and provides access for traditional use like piñon nut collection. As for the third monument under review, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management recently celebrated the monument’s inclusion on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025. Not only is Tent Rocks “geologically surreal,” but it is also a sacred landscape to the Cochiti Pueblo.”

The lawmakers concluded by demanding the Administration keep New Mexico’s national monuments intact, “There is no greater value to these natural landscapes than what is brought to the community through their continued protection. Withdrawing protections from these sites would threaten the economic benefits associated with New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy and it undermines our community and tribal voices. We urge you to honor the voices of New Mexicans and confirm that you will leave the Organ Mountains, Rio Grande del Norte, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, and all other national monuments intact.”

Read the full letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: St Johns homicide: Police seek witnesses in a white ute
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend.

Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on the night of 19 April.

Police have had several members of the public come forward with information.

Today, Police are appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.

It has been established that prior to the fatal attack, the dark coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road at around 9.51pm.

“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank Shops from College Road.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”

Police urge those occupants to come forward.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”
- Investigation continues:
Meanwhile, Police are still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.

Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.

He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries.

“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.

“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”

Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.

“We have had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.

“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”
- The victim:
Police are not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.

“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.

“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”
- Police seeking sightings of vehicle of interest:
Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.

Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.

Please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister condemns mining protest

Source: New Zealand Government

Protesters camping at a West Coast mining site should be condemned for their selfish and dangerous actions that put themselves and others at risk, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
“I cannot fathom the mentality of these blow-ins from other parts of the country to think that they have a right to speak for the hundreds of people who derive their living from mining.
“They turn up, reportedly with an eight-month-old child in tow, to protest what is a legitimate industry going about its lawful business. In the process they are putting themselves in danger and sapping the resources of Police and other agencies.
“I’m not sure if they have realised New Zealand is probably the only country transitioning from renewables to coal as Kiwis face down an economic downturn and rising power prices at the onset of winter.
“This lack of awareness and consideration for others is mind-boggling. New Zealand is relying on a stockpile of 1.2 million tonnes of coal to keep the lights on this winter. Where do these activists think it comes from if not from mines?”
“Mining brings in millions of dollars in royalties, and in wages and spending on infrastructure, plant and supplies. It is an industry with a proud history on the West Coast. It is incredibly insulting to the people of the West Cost who rely on this industry for a few protesters from outside the region to fossil-fuel their way, presumably, to the West Coast to vilify those people.
“And to the stragglers who plan on protesting outside the office of Bathurst Resources in Wellington today, shame on you. Don’t think for a minute you are striking at the heart of the company. All you are doing is intimidating the people who work in the building and preventing them from going to work to put food on the tables of their families.
“Businesses have a legal right, under a law passed by the New Zealand Parliament, to apply for fast-track approval. I’m confident in its robustness to ensure guard rails are in place for projects to ensure they comply with our environmental and conservation laws. These protesters should too,” Mr Jones says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China accelerates services opening-up, injects more certainty into world

Source: China State Council Information Office

The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the Work Plan for Accelerating the Comprehensive Pilot Program for Expanding Opening-up of the Service Sector in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is accelerating the opening-up of its services sector through measures such as fast-tracking the implementation of pilot projects, expanding related coverage, and enhancing stress testing and the replication of successful practices, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism globally, China’s push to expand voluntary opening-up in an orderly manner represents its concrete efforts to inject more certainty and stability into the world, Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said at a press conference.

China’s State Council has recently approved a plan that aims to expand comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the services industry’s opening-up, which includes 155 pilot tasks across key areas such as the opening of key services sectors and the promotion of industrial innovation and development, Ling said.

Specifically, pilot tasks include removing foreign ownership caps in services areas such as app stores and internet access within the telecommunication sector.

In the health care sector, pilot tasks include supporting foreign doctors in opening clinics in China, allowing overseas medical professionals to practice in the country on a short-term basis, encouraging the establishment of foreign-funded nursing schools, and permitting the creation of non-profit medical and elderly care institutions through donations.

In the financial sector, pilot tasks include supporting the development of international factoring services and attracting overseas insurance companies, sovereign funds, pension funds, certification and verification agencies, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds to provide financing, investment and technical services for green projects.

In the commerce, trade and cultural tourism sectors, foreign-invested travel agencies will be allowed to offer outbound tourism services, while the transportation sector will explore new multimodal transport models to support the export of new energy vehicles and power batteries, Ling said.

Since 2015, China has approved 11 provinces and cities, including Beijing and Hainan, to carry out pilot programs, continuously expanding institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards. This is fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, and is providing foreign-invested enterprises in China with diverse application scenarios and a stable, open policy environment for investment and operations.

The newly released plan says that nine additional cities, including Ningbo and Xiamen, will be permitted to carry out comprehensive pilot programs.

Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that the nine cities boast relatively high levels of openness in the services sector, as well as unique industrial characteristics, with some specializing in lifestyle services and others focusing on productive services, which will facilitate differentiated exploration.

The services sector is a key area for foreign investment in China. In the first quarter of the year, the actual use of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the services sector totaled 193.33 billion yuan (about 26.83 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for more than 70 percent of the country’s total FDI, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce.

In 2024, the 11 provinces and cities participating in the pilot programs attracted 293.2 billion yuan in FDI in the services sector, accounting for roughly half of the national total in that category.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Six people drowned in boat accident in C China

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Six people drowned in a boat accident on Monday in Pingjiang County, central China’s Hunan province, local authorities said.
At around 5:30 p.m., a boat carrying six villagers capsized in the waters of Doutang Village, along the Changjiang River in Pingjiang.
Local police rushed to the scene and coordinated with rescue forces to carry out search and rescue operations.
As of 9:05 p.m., all six bodies had been recovered. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese scientists develop world’s smallest untethered terrestrial-aerial micro-robot

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2025 shows untethered terrestrial-aerial micro-robots developed by a research team from Tsinghua University, in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Tsinghua University handout via Xinhua]
Enabling robots to walk, run, jump, fly, climb and “lock” into arbitrary shapes in real-time is crucial for expanding their application scenarios.
A research team from Tsinghua University in Beijing has developed a thin-film-shaped small-scale actuator which enables micro-robots to continuously transform their shapes and “lock” into specific configurations, much like the “Transformers” seen in a famous cinema attraction, and thereby significantly enhancing their environmental adaptability. This breakthrough has been published online in Nature Machine Intelligence, a leading international journal.
“By integrating this actuator with our Lego-inspired design strategy, we created the world’s smallest and lightest untethered terrestrial-aerial micro-robot known in the relevant literature, measuring just 9 centimeters in length and weighing 25 grams,” said Zhang Yihui from Tsinghua University’s School of Aerospace Engineering and the State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Technology.
Actuators, the “heart” of micro-robots, are devices with controllable shape-morphing capability.
“Developing untethered, ultra-compact micro-robots with complex shape-morphing capabilities is extremely challenging,” Zhang explained.
Existing actuators measuring under five centimeters in size typically face challenges in achieving continuous shape morphing and locking, severely limiting miniaturization and untethered control of multimodal robots.
Through innovative synergistic material-structure design, Zhang’s team developed a miniature actuator as small as a few millimeters in size. Serving as a “morphable exoskeleton,” it can integrate functional components like sensors and motors to build complex robotic systems.
Notably, this actuator can be electrically controlled to continuously morph into any desired shape and then “lock” the deformed configuration, which was difficult to achieve with previous small-scale actuators.
“Using the Lego-inspired design strategy, we constructed an untethered terrestrial-aerial micro-robot capable of agile aerial flight and land movement, and with a speed of up to 1.6 meters per second on the ground,” Zhang said.
In addition, the team also developed a 4.5-centimeter-high, 0.8-gram mini-“Transformer” actuator employing more than ten actuator units, as well as a multi-functional wheeled robot that can morph into “sports car,” “winged car,” and “van” modes.
Inspired by grasshoppers and other insects, researchers incorporated biological morphologies and locomotion capabilities into their designs.
This work offers new ideas and routes for the development of micro-robots. “Future applications include equipment diagnostics, geological surveys, and hazardous environment operations,” Zhang said. “The actuator can also be used in bio-electronic devices, enabling the development of deployable implantable medical devices and VR/AR haptic interfaces.”

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Coral in Focus: Samsung Marks One Year of Marine Ecosystem Restoration With Galaxy Technology

Source: Samsung

Samsung Electronics is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its collaboration with Seatrees that leverages Galaxy camera to restore damaged marine ecosystems. Samsung has long been committed to protecting marine ecosystems. Beginning with the Galaxy S22 series, the company started recycling discarded fishing nets and incorporating the material into its smartphones. This practice has since expanded across the Galaxy ecosystem — including tablets, laptops and wearable devices. Building on these efforts, Samsung is now supporting coral reef restoration through technological innovation. Samsung Newsroom highlights how this initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to the world’s oceans.

Supporting Marine Ecosystems Through Global Collaboration
Introduced at Galaxy Unpacked in January 2025, Coral in Focus is an initiative launched last year that supports local communities, including Fiji, Indonesia and the United States, to restore coastal ecosystems.

Samsung has partnered with Seatrees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems, to explore new, innovative solutions for coral reef restoration. The company has introduced Ocean Mode1 on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, an exclusive camera feature that enables vivid image capture even underwater. These images provide accurate visual data for marine researchers who create 3D photogrammetry models to continuously monitor and analyze coral reefs. Local partner organizations then use these findings to guide their on-site coral restoration efforts.

Ocean Mode: How Galaxy Camera Innovation Is Helping Restore Coral Reefs
Partners and local field teams use Ocean Mode to reduce the excessive blue tones common in underwater photography, allowing for a more accurate representation of coral colors. The feature also helps minimize motion blur through optimized shutter speed and multi-frame image processing. Additionally, the interval shooting function enables thousands of high-resolution coral images to be captured in a single session — improving both efficiency and image clarity.

With these coral restoration initiatives, photos taken with Ocean Mode have been used to produce 17 3D models of coral reefs to analyze the health and growth of reefs. In total, 11,046 coral fragments were planted to restore 10,705 square meters of coral reef habitat — roughly the size of 25 basketball courts.

Since unveiling its “Galaxy for the Planet” environmental vision in 2021, Samsung has continued its efforts toward a more sustainable future — not only by incorporating ocean-bound plastics from discarded fishing nets into its products but also by expanding into marine ecosystem restoration. These actions reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact across the entire product life cycle and beyond.

1 Ocean Mode was exclusively developed for this project and is only available to participating partners.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH2 Pāpāmoa East Interchange ramps up

Source: New Zealand Government

The early opening of the eastbound off-ramp on the Pāpāmoa East Interchange is great news for the local community says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.

“Construction of the new interchange over the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road will improve travel for the Pāpāmoa East community and enable further development of the area. Getting a ramp open early means road users can benefit from improved connection to the region,” Mr Bishop says.

“The Pāpāmoa area is expected to grow significantly, increasing to around 40,000 people by 2043. Once completed, the Pāpāmoa East Interchange will alleviate pressure on existing routes and shorten travel time towards Tauranga, the Mount and destinations in the east, as well as enabling further development in Pāpāmoa east, notably the Golden Sands and Wairākei neighbourhoods and The Sands town centre.

“Tauranga City Council (TCC) has requested an early opening of the eastbound off-ramp before completion of the full project, and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has now agreed in principle to this proposal. The interchange eastbound off-ramp is expected to be ready in the second half of 2025, with the overall project completion expected in mid-2026.

“Consideration is also underway for a new toll point to be installed on the toll road west of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange. Tolling infrastructure takes approximately 12 months to install, and the implications of an early opening are currently being worked through. This includes NZTA carrying out public consultation on the amendment to the road tolling scheme for the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road in mid-2025.

“Tauranga City Council is leading delivery of the interchange with HEB Construction, and 51 percent funding of the project from NZTA. When construction is complete, the interchange will be passed to NZTA to maintain and operate as part of the toll road.

“I want to thank TCC, NZTA, and local MP Tom Rutherford, for their support and advocacy in making this opportunity to open the eastbound off-ramp early a reality. Common sense decisions like this will help ensure everyone can get where they’re going safely and efficiently and provide early wins for this critical project.

More information here: https://letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/pei

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University

Following the death of Pope Francis, we’ll soon be seeing a new leader in the Vatican. The conclave – a strictly confidential gathering of Roman Catholic cardinals – is due to meet in a matter of weeks to elect a new earthly head.

The word conclave is derived from the Latin con (together) and clāvis (key). It means “a locked room” or “chamber”, reflecting its historical use to describe the locked gathering of cardinals to elect a pope.

Held in the Sistine Chapel, the meeting follows a centuries-old process designed to ensure secrecy and prayerful deliberation. A two-thirds majority vote will be required to successfully elect the 267th pope.

History of the conclave

The formalised papal conclave dates back centuries. And various popes shaped the process in response to the church’s need.

In the 13th century, for example, Pope Gregory X introduced strict regulations to prevent unduly long elections.

Pope Gregory X brought in the rules to prevent a repeat of his own experience. The conclave that elected him in September 1271 (following the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268) lasted almost three years.

Further adjustments have been made to streamline the process and emphasise secrecy, culminating in Pope John Paul II’s 1996 constitution, Universi Dominici gregis (The Lord’s whole flock). This document set the modern framework for the conclave.

In 2007 and 2013, Benedict XVI reiterated that a two-thirds majority of written votes would be required to elect a new pope. He also reaffirmed penalties for breaches of secrecy.

The secrecy surrounding the conclave ensures the casting of ballots remains confidential, and without any external interference.

The last known attempt at external interference in a papal conclave occurred in 1903 when Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria sought to prevent the election of Cardinal Mariano Rampolla. However, the assembled cardinals rejected this intervention, asserting the independence of the electoral process.

How does voting work?

The conclave formally begins between 15 and 20 days after the papal vacancy, but can start earlier if all cardinals eligible to vote have arrived. Logistical details, such as the funeral rites for the deceased pope, can also influence the overall timeline.

Historically, the exact number of votes required to elect a new pope has fluctuated. Under current rules, a minimum two-thirds majority is needed. If multiple rounds of balloting fail to yield a result, the process can continue for days, or even weeks.

After every few inconclusive rounds, cardinals pause for prayer and reflection. This process continues until one candidate receives the two-thirds majority required to win. The final candidates do not vote for themselves in the decisive round.

The ballot paper formerly used in the conclave, with ‘I elect as Supreme Pontiff’ written in Latin.
Wikimedia Commons

How is voting kept secret?

The papal conclave is entirely closed to the public. Voting is conducted by secret ballot within the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence.

During the conclave, the Sistine Chapel is sealed off from outside communication. No cameras are allowed, and no live broadcast exists.

The cardinals involved swear an oath of absolute secrecy – under threat of excommunication if violated – ensuring all discussions and voting remain strictly confidential.

The iconic white smoke, produced by burning ballots once a pope has been chosen, is the only public signal the election has concluded successfully.

Who can be elected?

Only cardinals under 80 years of age at the time of conclave’s commencement can vote. Older cardinals are free to attend preparatory meetings, but can not cast ballots.

While the total number of electors is intended not to exceed 120, the fluctuating nature of cardinal appointments, as well as the age restrictions, make it difficult to predict the exact number of eligible voters at any given conclave.

Technically, any baptised Catholic man can be elected pope. In practice, however, the College of Cardinals traditionally chooses one of its own members. Electing an “outsider” is extremely rare, and has not occurred in modern times.

What makes a good candidate?

When faced with criticism from a member of the public about his weight, John XXIII (who was pope from 1958-1963) retorted the papal conclave was “not a exactly beauty contest”.

Merit, theological understanding, administrative skill and global perspective matter greatly. But there is also a collegial element – something of a “popularity contest”. It is an election, after all.

Cardinals discuss the church’s current priorities – be they evangelisation strategies, administrative reforms or pastoral concerns – before settling on the individual they believe is best suited to lead.

The cardinal electors seek someone who can unify the faithful, navigate modern challenges and maintain doctrinal continuity.

Controversies and criticisms

The conclave process has faced criticism for its strict secrecy, which can foster speculation about potential “politicking”.

Critics argue a tightly controlled environment might not reflect the broader concerns of the global church.

Some have also questioned whether age limits on voting cardinals fully capture the wisdom and experience found among older members.

Nonetheless, defenders maintain that secrecy encourages free and sincere deliberation, minimising external pressure and allowing cardinals to choose the best leader without fear of reprisal, or of public opinion swaying the vote.

Challenges facing the new pope

The next pope will inherit a mixed situation: a church that has grown stronger in certain areas under Francis, yet which grapples with internal divisions and external challenges.

Like other religions, the church faces secularisation, issues with financial transparency and a waning following in some parts of the globe.

For the newly elected pope, one of the earliest trials will be unifying the global Catholic community around a shared vision – an obstacle almost every pope has faced.

Striking the right balance between doctrine and pastoral sensitivity remains crucial. Also, addressing sexual abuse scandals and their aftermath will require decisive action, transparency and continued pastoral care for survivors.

Practical concerns also loom large. The new pope will have to manage the Vatican bureaucracy and interfaith relations, while maintaining the church’s voice on global crises such as migration and poverty – two issues on which Francis insisted mercy could not be optional.

The cardinal electors have a tough decision ahead of them. The Catholic community can only pray that, through their deliberations, they identify a shepherd who can guide the church through the complexities of the modern world.

Darius von Guttner Sporzynski 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. How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave – https://theconversation.com/how-will-a-new-pope-be-chosen-an-expert-explains-the-conclave-250506

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Scholten Launches Health Care Advisory Board Amid Alarming Attacks on Health Care

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten – Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI03) announced the formation of her new Health Care Advisory Board, bringing together a group of health leaders from across West Michigan for a roundtable conversation focused on protecting access to care, advancing medical innovation, and confronting looming federal health care cuts to Medicaid, health care research, and more.

“The Health Care Advisory Board is the next step in my ongoing partnership with health care providers throughout West Michigan—one that brings together some of the most innovative and compassionate health care minds in the country who serve right here in West Michigan,” said Rep. Scholten. “At a time when leaders in Washington are pushing dangerous cuts that would kneecap our ability to prevent illness, fight disease, make progress on cancer research and save lives, I am fighting back–with my vote in Washington, and my voice back home here in West Michigan. I will keep engaging to ensure our region remains a leader in health care innovation and access.”

The roundtable today convened a broad coalition of regional medical leaders who represent institutions ranging from major medical centers to community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and individual family practices across urban and rural settings. The Advisory Board will serve as a long-term partner to Rep. Scholten, helping shape her health policy work in Washington and ensuring that the voices of health care professionals and patients across West Michigan are front and center in the fight for equitable, accessible care.

The launch comes at a critical moment. Proposed cuts to health care will slash nearly a third of the federal health budget, including a 40% cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reducing its 27 research centers to just eight. The Department of Health and Human Services also plans to cut 10,000 employees from the workforce. Additionally, an upcoming May 7 mark-up in the House will look to cut $880 billion from the Energy and Commerce budget, which covers Medicaid.

Rep. Scholten emphasized her interest in supporting safe and accessible innovation and reiterated her commitment to bringing local insights back to Congress.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Charles Upham Drive, Rangiora

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash this morning.

At around 7am, Police were notified of the single vehicle crash on Charles Upham Drive in Rangiora.

Despite efforts by emergency services, one person died at the scene.

A scene examination has been completed and the road has reopened.

While enquiries into the crash are ongoing, initial indications suggest this is a suspected medical event and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Recycled TV Components Utilized in SORPLAS™*¹ for BRAVIA™ TV Parts
Source: Sony

April 22, 2025

Advancing Resource Efficiency Through “Material-to-Material Recycling”
Sony has developed practical “Material-to-Material recycling” that reuses plastic recovered from the rear covers of end-of-life televisions in new TV products. Material-to-Material recycling refers to recycling where materials recovered from used products are reused as raw materials in new products of the same category with equivalent quality.
This Material-to-Material Recycling has been made possible by successfully incorporating plastic recovered from end-of-life TVs by the designated collection facility*2 newly added as part of the raw material for SORPLAS, Sony’s flame-retardant recycled plastic material. This innovative recycling method utilizing SORPLAS will be implemented for the first time in the 65-inch model of the 4K OLED BRAVIA 8 (2024 models), with global shipments scheduled to begin within 2025.

Material-to-Material Recycling of TV Rear Covers image

BRAVIA 8 (65-inch) and its rear cover made with SORPLAS

Rear covers collected from end-of-life TVs contain various types of plastic, which previously made direct reuse in new products difficult due to differences in strength and texture. To overcome this challenge, the BRAVIA design team collaborated with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, the developer of SORPLAS, to create advanced sorting technology and optimal material blending methods suitable for television reuse. This technology enables the collection and sorting of specific plastics from used TV rear covers from any manufacturer for partial reuse as raw materials while maintaining the same high quality as conventional SORPLAS.
In the future, Sony aims to achieve complete “closed-loop recycling” (fully circular recycling that reuses end-of-life products as raw materials for new products) by recovering and reusing rear covers made with SORPLAS.

April 22nd each year marks “Earth Day,” a day for individuals to consider and take action for the global environment. To coincide with this day, Sony will publish its environmental initiatives on a website.

*1SORPLAS (Sustainable Oriented Recycled Plastic) is a flame-retardant recycled polycarbonate resin developed by Sony that achieves high quality with high recycled material content (up to 99%). It significantly reduces CO2 emissions during manufacturing compared to virgin materials.

*2Green Cycle Corporation
MIL OSI Economics –
April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM holds talks with Indonesian counterpart

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

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING, April 21 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Indonesia have reached an important consensus on building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future that has regional and global influence, and on upgrading the cooperation pattern from “four pillar” cooperation covering political, economic, people-to-people exchange and maritime aspects, to “five-pillar” cooperation with the addition of security as the fifth pillar, opening up broad prospects for China-Indonesia cooperation.

He said the two sides should strengthen cooperation on anchoring high-quality collaboration, upholding free trade, developing emerging industries, and expanding livelihood-focused partnerships.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, Wang said that amid the U.S.-instigated global trade war and headwinds battering economic globalization, China and Indonesia, as upholders of economic globalization and trade liberalization, should take historic initiative to enhance mutual trust and cooperation.

Wang said that the two countries should work together to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, defend international fairness and justice, and send a signal of unity and openness to the world, further demonstrating the regional and global influence of China-Indonesia relations.

Noting that China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment, Sugiono said Indonesia has always regarded the country as one of its most crucial partners, and that bilateral relations have maintained strong momentum over the years.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia, Sugiono said Indonesia attaches great importance and is committed to deepening comprehensive relations with China across all fields.

He added that Indonesia looks forward to enhancing exchange with China at all levels, and to expanding practical cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, health care, clean energy, scientific innovation as well as people-to-people and cultural exchange. Indonesia is also looking forward to continuously strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and to promoting more dynamic, resilient regional development and prosperity.

On the same day, a reception was held in Beijing to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

The event was attended by Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Sugiono and Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin attend a reception marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Six people drowned in boat accident in central China

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Six people drowned in a boat accident on Monday in Pingjiang County, central China’s Hunan Province, local authorities said.
At around 5:30 p.m., a boat carrying six villagers capsized in the waters of Doutang Village, along the Changjiang River in Pingjiang.
Local police rushed to the scene and coordinated with rescue forces to carry out search and rescue operations.
As of 9:05 p.m., all six bodies had been recovered. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

MIL OSI China News –

April 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: 27 Members Or Associates Of Tren De Aragua Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Sex Trafficking, Robbery And Firearms Offenses

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Pamela Bondi, the Attorney General of the United States; Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”); Todd M. Lyons, the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today two Superseding Indictments charging 27 individuals currently or formerly associated with the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (“TdA”) with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, robbery, and firearms offenses. The first Superseding Indictment (the “TdA Indictment”) charges six alleged members of TdA. The second Superseding Indictment (the “Anti-Tren Indictment”) charges 19 alleged members of “Anti-Tren,” a splinter faction comprised of former TdA members, along with two additional associates of Anti-Tren. Of the 27 defendants, 21 are in federal custody, including 16 who were already in federal criminal, immigration, or state custody and five who were arrested last night and today in operations in New York and other jurisdictions.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Today, we have filed charges against 27 alleged members, former members, and associates of Tren de Aragua, for committing murders and shootings, forcing young women trafficked from Venezuela into commercial sex work, robbing and extorting small businesses, and selling ‘tusi,’ a pink powdery drug that has become their calling card. Today’s Indictments make clear that this Office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of New York City safe, and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities. Today’s indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdA’s infrastructure as we work to completely dismantle and purge this organization from our country.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City. For the first time ever, TdA is being named and charged as the criminal enterprise that it is. This isn’t just street crime—it’s organized racketeering, and this gang has shown zero regard for the safety of New Yorkers. As alleged in the indictment, these defendants wreaked havoc in our communities, trafficking women for sexual exploitation, flooding our streets with drugs, and committing violent crimes with illegal guns. Thanks to the dedicated members of the NYPD and the important work of our federal partners, their time is up.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictments:^[1]

The TdA Indictment

TdA is a criminal organization that operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, as well as internationally in Venezuela, Peru, and elsewhere. The purposes of TdA included:

Preserving and protecting the power and territory of TdA and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren.
Enriching the members and associates of TdA through, among other things:
- The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including young women from Venezuela, into Peru and the U.S.;
- The sex trafficking of young women (whom members and associates of TdA often refer to as “multadas”) who had been unlawfully smuggled into Peru and the U.S.;
- The trafficking of controlled substances, including a mixed substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine; and
- Armed robberies.
Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of TdA and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
Promoting and enhancing TdA and the reputation and activities of its members and associates.
Providing assistance to members and associates of TdA who committed crimes for and on behalf of TdA, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of TdA to flee prosecution.
Protecting TdA and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of TdA.

Members and associates of TdA transported “multadas” from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S. in exchange for debts that the “multadas” would pay back to TdA by engaging in commercial sex work. Members of TdA enforced compliance among “multadas” by, among other things:

Threatening to kill “multadas” and their families,
Assaulting “multadas,”
Shooting or killing “multadas,” and
Tracking down and kidnapping “multadas” who tried to flee.

Members of TdA also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and expand TdA’s criminal operations; resolve disputes within TdA; to retaliate against rival organizations, including Anti-Tren; and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. TdA members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.

The TdA Indictment charges JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama”; SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley”; EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”; BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO; SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO; and ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Biblia” (the “TdA Defendants”) with conspiring to participate in the TdA racketeering enterprise. Various of the TdA Defendants are also charged with participating in offenses relating to drug trafficking, carjacking, robbery, and extortion, as well as firearms offenses. This case is assigned U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

The Anti-Tren Indictment

Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of TdA. Anti-Tren operated throughout New York City, including the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens, and in New Jersey, and elsewhere. Like TdA, the purposes of Anti-Tren included:

Preserving and protecting the power and territory of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at members and associates of TdA.
Enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things:
- The unlawful smuggling of individuals, including women and girls from Venezuela, into the U.S.;
- The sex trafficking of “multadas” who had been unlawfully smuggled into the U.S.;
- The trafficking of controlled substances, including “tusi”; and
- Armed robberies.
Keeping victims and potential victims in fear of Anti-Tren and its members and associates through threats and acts of violence.
Promoting and enhancing Anti-Tren and the reputation and activities of its members and associates.
Providing assistance to members and associates of Anti-Tren who committed crimes for and on behalf of Anti-Tren, such as lodging and interstate transportation for members and associates of Anti-Tren to flee prosecution, or bail money for members or associates of Anti-Tren who are detained.
Protecting Anti-Tren and its members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation, threats, and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by members of Anti-Tren.

Like TdA, Anti-Tren engaged in human smuggling and sex trafficking of “multadas,” into the U.S. in exchange for debts that the “multadas” would pay back by engaging in commercial sex work. And like TdA, members of Anti-Tren enforced compliance among “multadas” by, among other things:

Threatening to kill “multadas” and their families,
Assaulting “multadas,”
Shooting or killing “multadas,” and
Tracking down and kidnapping “multadas” who tried to flee.

Members of Anti-Tren also committed and conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit, acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, to protect and to expand Anti-Tren’s criminal operations, resolve disputes within Anti-Tren, to retaliate against rival organizations, including Tren de Aragua, and to maintain control over sex trafficking victims. Anti-Tren members and associates also trafficked controlled substances, committed robberies, and obtained, possessed, trafficked, and used firearms and ammunition.

The Anti-Tren Indictment charges REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana”; JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla”; JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA; JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino”; LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito”; STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO; GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ; JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho”; GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito”; ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro”; ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER; LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA; MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre”; ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO; YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote”; JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito”; YENDER MAYKIER MATA; KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE; and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo” (the “Anti-Tren Defendants”) with conspiring to participate in an Anti-Tren racketeering enterprise. Various of the Anti-Tren Defendants, along with co-defendants WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, are also charged with participating in offenses relating to sex trafficking, conspiracy to import and harbor aliens, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and firearms offenses. This case is assigned U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.

* * *

A chart containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) and NYPD. He also thanked the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office in Colorado; the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, Colorado; the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”); the Homeland Security Investigations National Gang Unit and New York Human Intelligence Division; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”); and the New York City Crime Analysis Center at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

This case received significant support from Joint Task Force Vulcan (“JTFV”), which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now expanded to target Tren de Aragua, and is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern District of New York; the Eastern District of New York; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; the Southern District of Texas; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; HSI; ATF; USMS; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons have been essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). In February 2025, Tren de Aragua was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, and Timothy Ly are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Tren de Aragua Indictment

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” 29; SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” 28; EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol,” 20; BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO, 28; SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO, 25; and ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Biblia,” 30	Life in prison
2	Drug trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO, SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO, and ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Biblia”	20 years in prison
3	Carjacking conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	5 years in prison
4	Carjacking 18 U.S.C. § 2119	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	15 years in prison
5	Hobbs Act robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	20 years in prison
6	Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii), and 2	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison
7	Attempted Hobbs Act extortion 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	20 years in prison
8	Firearm use, carrying, and possession – conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 924(o)	JARWIN VALERO-CALDERON, a/k/a “La Fama,” SAMUEL GONZALEZ CASTRO, a/k/a “Klei,” a/k/a “Kley,” and EFERSON MORILLO-GOMEZ, a/k/a “Jefferson,” a/k/a “Efe Trebol”	20 years in prison
9	Firearm use, carrying, and possession – conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 924(o)	BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO, and SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO	20 years in prison
10	Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2	BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO, and SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO	20 years in prison
11	Possession of ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	BRAYAN OLIVEROS-CHERO	15 years in prison
12	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	SANDRO OLIVEROS-CHERO	15 years in prison
13	Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2	ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Biblia,”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison
14	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	ARMANDO JOSE PEREZ GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Biblia,”	15 years in prison

The Anti-Tren Indictment

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” 41; JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” 29; JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, 27; JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” 27; LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” 30; STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, 21; GUILLERMO ENRIQUE FREITES-VELAZQUEZ, 26; JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” 27; GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” 20; ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” 22; ROIMAN NOE BELLO FERRER, 37; LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, 25; MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” 44; ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, 26; YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” 24; JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito,” 27; YENDER MAYKIER MATA, 36; KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, 20; and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo,” 31	Life in prison
2	Sex trafficking conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito”	Life in prison
3	Alien importation and harboring for immoral purpose – conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOSE DAVID VALENCIA-DE LA ROSA, JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,” STEFANO SAID PACHON-ROMERO, GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” ANDERSON JESUS DURAN BERROTERAN, a/k/a “Cachorro,” LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ-TAPIA, MARIO ANDRES PEREDA, a/k/a “Cara de Hombre,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, and JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito”	5 years in prison
4	Drug trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo”	20 years in prison
5	Firearm use, carrying, and possession 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2	REINALDO RAFAEL GONZALES-VALDEZ, a/k/a “Mariguana,” a/k/a “Marijuana,” JOSE MANUEL GUERRERO-ZARATE, a/k/a “Mantequilla,” JOHAN CARLOS MUJICA-URPIN, a/k/a “Sobrino,” GUILLERMO FREITES VELAZQUEZ, JESUS DAVID BARRIOS GARCIA, a/k/a “Morocho,” GIOVANNY VALENTIN BLANCO LUCIANO, a/k/a “Cachorrito,” ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO, YEFERSON ALEJANDRO PRIETO GALVIZ, a/k/a “Flaco T,” a/k/a “Flacote,” YENDER MAYKIER MATA, KELLEN ALEJANDRO JASPE BUSTAMANTE, and LUIS ANDRES BELLO-CHACON, a/k/a “Care de Peo”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison
6	Obstruction of justice 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(c) and 2	LUIS JOSE VELASQUEZ-HURTADO, a/k/a “Chito,”	20 years in prison
7	Unlicensed dealing of firearms 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 2	STEFANO PACHON-ROMERO	5 years in prison
8	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a fugitive from justice and illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(2) and (5), and 2	ANDERSON SMITH ZAMBRANO-PACHECO	15 years in prison
9	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	JHONKENNEDY BRAVO-CASTRO, a/k/a “Negrito,”	15 years in prison
10	Possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5) and 2	WILFREDO JOSE AVENDAÑO CARRIZALEZ, 26; and CARLOS GABRIEL SANTOS MOGOLLON, 31	15 years in prison

^[1] The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MIL Security OSI –

April 22, 2025

MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Announces Risk Rating Change for Purpose Global Innovators Fund

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose” or “Purpose Investments”) announced today that it has changed the risk rating for Purpose Global Innovators Fund (TSX: PINV, the “Fund”) from “medium” to “medium-to-high.” This change is a result of the risk rating methodology mandated by the Canadian Securities Administrators and the periodic review by Purpose to determine the risk level of its publicly offered mutual funds.

No material changes have been made to the investment objective, strategies, or management of the Fund as a result. The change in the risk rating will be reflected in the Fund’s offering documents, which will be completed in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Purpose Investments

Purpose Investments Inc. is an asset management company with over $22 billion in assets under management, focused on client-centric innovation across ETFs and investment funds. Purpose is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent financial technology company led by entrepreneur Som Seif.

For further information, please email us at: info@purposeinvest.com

Media inquiries:
Keera Hart
Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
905-580-1257

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits Cambodia to strengthen ties
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

World news story

UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits Cambodia to strengthen ties

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP visits Cambodia to advance shared interests and boost cooperation.
The UK and Cambodia are collaborating to advance climate initiatives and promote sustainable development.

This includes at Techo International Airport in Kandal Province, Cambodia, where British architecture has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to green airport design.

The airport, designed by British firm Foster + Partners, will be visited today (22 April 2025) by UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, who is in Cambodia this week to strengthen ties between the two nations and promote economic growth, climate resilience, and security cooperation.

The Minister will meet with H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and senior officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Their discussions will cover expanding trade opportunities, advancing climate initiatives, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing regional security.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, said:

My visit to Techo International Airport today is testament to the modern UK-Cambodia partnership. Innovative and green infrastructure fit for Cambodia’s future, designed by British business – an achievement that would have been unimaginable thirty years ago.

Our relationship goes far beyond just this one building – but we bring the same partnership approach to everything we do, whether increasing trade to create jobs, protect our climate and nature, or increase access to education.

Foster and Partners Associate Partner, Krzysztof Szymanski, said:

We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to lead the design of Techo International Airport, a project that aspires to be one of the greenest airports in the world. This airport offers a transformative vision for Phnom Penh, drawing deeply from Cambodia’s rich heritage and responding thoughtfully to its tropical climate. By integrating the latest technology with local craftsmanship, we are committed to creating sustainable and efficient infrastructure.

This project not only creates a new gateway to the city and the country, enhancing Cambodia’s reputation on the global stage, but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable airport design. It is a privilege to contribute to such a significant endeavour that will shape the future of Cambodia’s capital.

Minister West is going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Strategic Infrastructure Development, demonstrating our commitment to partner to boost mutual economic growth, including support for the development of a Green Special Economic Zone. Initiatives such as the Trade Partnerships programme and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme are also key to deepening ties and growth opportunities.

The Minister will meet the British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia to discuss how UK businesses are taking advantage of these policies to expand cooperation with Cambodian partners in key sectors including education, infrastructure, and financial services.

Minister West will visit De Montfort University in Cambodia, the first UK university campus in the country, to discuss the UK’s role in addressing global environmental challenges, and highlighting how UK programmes, such as the Biodiverse Landscape Fund, are empowering local communities, including marginalised groups, to regenerate and conserve local environments and improve livelihoods.

The visit also addresses shared security concerns, including combating serious organised crime and human trafficking, addressing online fraud and scam centres, and future defence cooperation initiatives.

For more information, please contact: UKInCambodia@fcdo.gov.uk

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Published 22 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: ArrowMark Financial Corp. Releases Month End Estimated Net Asset Value as of March 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DENVER, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ArrowMark Financial Corp., (NASDAQ: BANX) (“ArrowMark Financial”), today announced that BANX’s estimated and unaudited Net Asset Value (“NAV”) as of March 31, 2025, was $21.78.

This estimated NAV is not a comprehensive statement of our financial condition or results for the month March 31, 2025.

About ArrowMark Financial Corp.
ArrowMark Financial Corp. is an SEC registered non-diversified, closed-end fund listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BANX.” Its investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income. BANX pursues its objective by investing primarily in regulatory capital securities of financial institutions. BANX is managed by ArrowMark Asset Management, LLC. To learn more, visit ir.arrowmarkfinancialcorp.com, or contact Destra at 877.855.3434 or by email at BANX@destracapital.com.

Disclaimer and Risk Factors:
There is no assurance that ArrowMark Financial will achieve its investment objective. ArrowMark Financial is subject to numerous risks, including investment and market risks, management risk, income and interest rate risks, banking industry risks, preferred stock risk, convertible securities risk, debt securities risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk, leverage risk, non-diversification risk, credit and counterparty risks, market at a discount from net asset value risk and market disruption risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) their net asset value. Shares of ArrowMark Financial may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should review and consider carefully ArrowMark Financial’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other regulatory filings of the Company with the SEC are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the BANX’s website at ir.arrowmarkfinancialcorp.com.

Contact:
BANX@destracapital.com

The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police monitoring gang movements, Wellington region

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Inspector Wade Jennings, Hutt Valley Area Commander

Police are monitoring gang movements through the Wellington region for a funeral today.

Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members add associates travelling around the wider Wellington region.

Police will have a visible presence as vehicles travel from Moera towards Foxton at around 11am.

We remind those travelling on our roads to not act in a way that puts anybody’s safety at risk.

Any unlawful behaviour where Police cannot take action at the time will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.

If you have concerns for your safety, or witness illegal behaviour happening now, please call 111 immediately.

To report or send in any video footage of anyone causing concern, we encourage you to make a 105 report, either online or over the phone.

Information can also be anonymously provided via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police urge public to prepare following two land rescues in the Kaimai Ranges
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Sergeant Anna Plowman:

Police are urging the public to prepare for the worst before heading outdoors this long holiday period following two land rescues in the Kaimai Ranges.

The first call for help came around 3.30pm on Friday 18 April, when Police were notified of two people having not returned from their hike.

The pair were located at around 7pm near a river that had flooded and blocked their exit.

Police kept in contact with the pair overnight before Search and Rescue, and Swift Water Rescue teams assisted them in getting back home safe the next day.

On Monday 21 April at around 6.45pm, Police were called to an area near Rataroa Stream where a hiker got stuck while walking a four hour hike. The person was located around two hours later.

Although we are pleased to have provided a swift response in both these incidents and help the three people return home safe, these incidents are a reminder to the public to prepare for any situation that may arise.

New Zealand’s environment and weather can be unpredictable, and with the recent wet weather, our rivers and streams are flooded, fast flowing, and high. It will take a few days for the rivers to return back to normal levels once the rain has completely stopped.

Your safety is your responsibility in the outdoors, by preparing for the worst-case scenario, you can enjoy your trip knowing you will be okay if anything goes wrong.

Even the most experienced people can get caught up in situations where they need assistance, and any day trip has the potential to turn into an overnight situation.

If you are going outdoors, no matter if it is hiking, hunting, or climbing, please follow the five simple steps of the Land Safety Code,
1. Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it. It is important to choose a trip that suits everyone in your group. When you are looking at options, make sure to think about everyone’s fitness levels and experience in the outdoors.
2. Understand the weather. New Zealand weather can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed. Weather can make or break a trip. It is one of the most important things to consider when going into the outdoors.
3. Park warm clothes and extra food. Prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out. Any trip, even if it is short and easy, need preparation. Packing the right things can make trips safer and more enjoyable.
4. Share your plans and take ways to get help. Telling a trusted person about your trip details and taking a personal locator beacon can save your life. We all want our trips to go as planned – but sometimes they don’t. If you get hurt or lost on your trip, how would you get help?
5. Take care of yourself and each other. East, drink, and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together. The best way to enjoy your experience in the outdoors and make it home safely is to look out for one another.
Distress beacons can be hired for as little as $10 from many Department of Conservation Visitor Centres, and outdoor tramping and hunting stores.

If you have purchased a beacon, make sure to register it at www.beacons.org.nz.

For more information on outdoor safety, helpful free resources and videos, head to Know Before You Go – AdventureSmart – NZ Search & Rescue Council | AdventureSmart.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand announces extended support for Ukraine

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today announced New Zealand is extending its military assistance in support of Ukraine’s self-defence.
“New Zealand is unwavering in its support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. That is why we are extending our deployment of up to 100 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK and throughout Europe, and provide intelligence, liaison and logistics support through to December 2026,” Mr Luxon says.
“Today’s announcement signals New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression, and brings the total value of New Zealand support to $152 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine.”
“We are aware that the situation in Ukraine remains dynamic,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand welcomes efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, and is following the negotiations on a potential ceasefire very closely. New Zealand is also actively involved in the UK-led discussions on options for peace support if the conflict concludes.”
“During the past three years, NZDF personnel have been on the ground in Europe working with like-minded partner countries to support Ukraine. This deployment is a visible and highly valued use of our skilled personnel,” Defence Minister Judith Collins says.
“This is what our people train and sign up for. I have seen first hand the value of what they are providing to the people of Ukraine, and I am justifiably proud of New Zealand’s contribution.”
Notes
Alongside our partners, this operation has trained over 53,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel so far.
From July 2024 NZDF support evolved to match the changing needs of Ukraine and its partners. Under the 2025/2026 mandate, personnel continue to conduct specialised training throughout Europe in combat casualty care, combat engineering, leadership and maritime explosive ordnance disposal training.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $152 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine, including:

Support for military training, equipment, and material valued at $102.3 million, including NZDF personnel deployed to Europe.
$31.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.
$5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring.

Last year alone, the New Zealand Government announced two packages worth NZ$41.9 million as part of our ongoing support to Ukraine. The 2024 packages include:

An extension and evolution of NZDF deployments, which have included delivering training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the UK and across Europe, as well as intelligence, logistics, and liaison support.
Additional sanctions through New Zealand’s first unilateral sections regime, the Russia Sanctions Act.
New funding for military equipment and humanitarian aid.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Veterans Minister to attend Anzac Day services in Niue

Source: New Zealand Government

Veterans Minister and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk will visit Niue this week to honour the contribution of Niuean service personnel to New Zealand and the Pacific on Anzac Day. “New Zealand shares a deep and enduring partnership with Niue in defence and security, forged through joint service and sacrifice in times of war,” Mr Penk says. “It is a privilege to be invited to attend the official Anzac Day commemorations in Alofi, to join in remembering the brave service personnel no longer with us and to acknowledge Niue’s continued efforts in supporting peace and stability for our people. “During the First World War, around 150 Niuean men volunteered for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF), serving in the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. For a nation of 4,000 people, this was a remarkable commitment — and a testament to their courage and sense of duty. “At least 15 Niuean soldiers died in service. Their sacrifice is etched into our shared history and will always be remembered by New Zealand. “In the Second World War, Niuean men served as coast watchers, helping to safeguard the Pacific during some of its most precarious moments. Their quiet vigilance was critical to regional security. “The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is continuing to identify Niuean coast watchers, so that we may properly recognise their service, including efforts to match names to photographs taken on Raoul Island. The first two commemorative plaques are already underway. “During my visit, I will also meet with Niue’s Prime Minister Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, whom I was pleased to have met recently in Wellington, and his Cabinet. I am also looking forward to attending a village dawn service to experience the community spirit that is integral to the Niuean way of life. “Our relationship with Niue is anchored in this legacy of service and continues today through the ongoing dedication of Niueans in the New Zealand Defence Force.”
Mr Penk departs on Thursday 24 April and will return to New Zealand on Saturday 26 April. He will be accompanied by the NZDF Joint Forces Commander, Major General Rob Krushka.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Podiatrist prescribers will increase access to medicines

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulations that will soon allow podiatrists to prescribe certain medicines have been approved, giving patients with painful foot and leg conditions better access to healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.
“Enabling podiatrists to be able to prescribe medicines is all part of our Government’s commitment to ensuring Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare in their communities,” Mr Brown says.
“Podiatrists play a critical role in managing a range of conditions affecting feet and lower limbs, including symptoms of chronic health conditions like diabetes, which impact many New Zealanders.
“New regulations will give podiatrists the authority to prescribe medicines relating to their role, enabling patients to have more direct access to the medicines for these conditions.
“This means podiatrists will join other health professions that have designated prescriber rights, including specially trained nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists. Medicines will include some oral painkillers and oral antibiotics, and some topical antifungals, topical steroids, and local anaesthetics.
“Podiatrists usually work in community and rural settings. They are particularly important for helping manage diabetes or health conditions of older people, as people with diabetes and older people are vulnerable to nerve and circulation problems, both of which can lead to foot and leg sores and infections.
“These changes will allow podiatrists to prescribe medicines directly, so patients can access the treatments they need without requiring extra GP appointments for the same condition.
“The Government has also recently announced changes to prescriber regulations to give nurse practitioners and other professions increased prescribing rights within their scope of practice.
“By expanding access to medicines and enabling health professionals to get on with their jobs, we can make it easier and quicker for people to get the care they need in their communities, closer to home,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 22, 2025

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