Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Solomon Islands – HKH Constituency submits 2024 CDF Expenditure Report, reinforces accountability & compliance with CDF Act 2023

Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

The Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency (HKHC) on Monday this week submitted its 2024 CDF Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), reinforcing accountability and compliance with the reporting obligation under Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023.

The report submitted comprised of the records of the total CDF allocation of about 3.88m disbursed to each constituency at the end of the Financial Year 2024.

The presentation was done by the Constituency Development Officer for HKH Constituency, Mr Apollos Manegere on behalf of the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Honourable Jeremiah Manele.  

Receiving the report on behalf of the Ministry of Rural Development, PS John Misite’e, said that this is a reassuring pace, as the Ministry continues to implement the CDF legislation and bringing guidance in the administration of the constituency program under this legal framework.

PS Misite’e emphasised that Annual Reports inclusive of the financial expenditures’ reports are important processes and documents within any organisation and more so when public resources are being utilised in service delivery.  These reports re-enforce transparency and demonstrated accountability in the use of public resources and funds.

PS Misite’e thanked the HKH constituency for its diligent efforts in complying with the reporting obligations and also thanked other constituencies that already made their submissions on this 2024 CDF disbursement.

PS Misitee reiterated calls on other constituencies who are yet to submit their reports to do so as soon as possible. By law all constituency annual reports and expenditure reports should be submitted by February each year and to be compiled by MRD by March of any financial year.

‘I am now calling on these constituencies to come forward with their reports soon’. PS Misite’e reiterated.

The HKH Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Manegere on behalf of the Honourable Member of Parliament, Jeremiah Manele and its Constituency Officers was very delighted with its office for submitting their report and pledge to support MRD in the process annually to satisfy the legal requirements for reporting.

The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on 22nd December 2023 and came into commencement/enforcement on the 5th of January 2024.

This means that whatever offence (s) committed by a recipient (s) of the CDF program after the commencement date of the new Act will be subject to penalties.

Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Public Officers if they commit an offence (s).

The CDF Act 2023 specific offences are as follows;

A Member of Parliament (MP), or a Public officer or a fund (CDF) recipient commits an offence if he or she:

Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or
Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or
Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or
Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or
Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations.

Now that we have a new CDF Act, the responsibility is on all of us to take responsibility and comply with the new CDF law to avoid legal penalties.

We (constituents) should not be fearful of this legislation as it is there to act as a guide to our conduct in working with and applying the CDF in our development processes.

The purposes of the new CDF Act 2023 are;

To strengthen good governance;
To ensure improved and effective delivery mechanisms of the Constituency Development Funds and
To promote equal and inclusive participation of all Solomon Islanders in development.

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Solomon Islands – HKH Constituency invests over $500k in CDF for Human Resources Development

Source: Solomon Islands Government

The Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency (HKHC) last year invested $542,014.35 of its Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocation in education, supporting the country’s human resource development. 

This provision is from the constituency’s 2024 budget of $3.88 million. The money was paid directly to educational institutions in tuition fees for 191 students undertaking studies at SINU, USP, and Rural Training Centers (RTCs).

Apart from the essential and social sectors, which covered school fee support, HKHC also commits ongoing support to other sectors, including productive, resource, cultural, and cross-sectoral initiatives.

Support to the education sector is an ongoing commitment of the HKHC office under the leadership of the Member of Parliament (MP), Honourable Jeremiah Manele.

“Education is one of our top priorities,” Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Apollos Manegere, who spoke on behalf of the constituency office said.

“The constituency office has, over the years, invested a significant portion of its CDF allocation in this sector with the desire and commitment to contribute to the development of human resources in the constituency and the country as a whole.

“HKHC office has always prioritized education and will continue to support this sector to ensure students excel in their studies,” CDO Manegere added.

Mr. Manegere explained that this support is specifically to assist students with tuition fees, with payments made directly to the respective institutions, as has been the process over the years.

“This is not the first time for the HKHC office, under the leadership of Hon. Manele, to provide support in this way, as it has always been his ongoing commitment to support his constituency’s human resources development since becoming the MP for HKHC.

“Our MP continues to prioritize the development of human resources in his constituency by allocating grants to the education sector. This is undertaken with support from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) through the constituency education grant, as well as the CDF under its essential and social sector allocations. We would like to thank him for his commitment and tremendous support toward this important cause,” CDO Manegere emphasized.

Over the years, the HKHC office has assisted students studying at SINU, the University of the South Pacific (USP), vocational schools, Rural Training Centers, and other tertiary institutions in the country.

Mr. Manegere also acknowledged the national government through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) for its unwavering commitment and support to the CDF program, which allows constituencies to access much-needed funds to support the country’s human resource development.  

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Economics – KOF Economic Barometer: Moderate increase

Source: KOF Economic Institute

The KOF Economic Barometer increases in May. After decreasing in the previous month, it remains below its medium-term average. Despite the rise in the KOF Economic Barometer, the outlook for the Swiss Economy remains subdued.

In May, the KOF Economic Barometer rises by 1.4 points to a level of 98.5 (after 97.1 in the previous month). The indicator bundle for manufacturing included in the Barometer shows particularly positive developments. The demand-side indicator bundles for foreign demand and private consumption, however, are under pressure.

Within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the indicator bundle for the general business situation shows particularly favourable developments. The indicators for exports, production activity, and the competitive situation are also increasing. The indicator bundle for purchases and inventories of intermediate goods, however, indicates a weakened outlook this month.

Within the sub-indicators of the manufacturing industry, the indicators for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, for the wood, glass, stone and earth segment, for food and beverage producers, as well as for producers of paper and printing products all exhibit positive developments. Yet, the indicators for the textile industry and the metal industry experience a setback.

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Gebrüder Weiss expands into Thailand

Source: Gebrüder Weiss

Logistics company continues to expand its network in South-East Asia / 20-strong team in Bangkok organizes air and sea freight transportation

Bangkok / Lauterach, May 30, 2025. Gebrüder Weiss is set to open a new country organization in Thailand on June 1, 2025. The international transport and logistics company is strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia and expanding its network in one of the world's most economically dynamic regions.

“The new country organization allows us to close a strategic gap and create direct connections to central Asia-Pacific markets for our customers,” says Lothar Thoma, Managing Director Air & Sea at Gebrüder Weiss. “Thailand is an important export location with strong trade links to the USA, China, Japan, Australia, and Singapore – markets where we are also represented with locations of our own.”

In 2024, Thailand posted export volumes worth around 300 billion US dollars, up five percent on the previous year. Industrial goods account for the majority of outbound trade (86 percent), with key categories including electronics, vehicles, machinery, and food.

The team of 20 employees in Bangkok provides international air and sea freight transportation, customs handling, and national and cross-border land transport services. “Our employees have many years of experience in international transport management. In the medium term, we are aiming to expand our services in Thailand to include warehouse logistics, with a particular focus on the automotive and high-tech sectors,” says Cristian Predan, Area Manager South-East Asia at Gebrüder Weiss.

With its entry into the Thai market, Gebrüder Weiss now has an active presence in nine countries across the East and South-East Asia region and Oceania. These include Australia, Greater China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. The regional network now spans 35 locations with around 800 employees.

Team Thailand

Port of Laem Chabang

Lothar Thoma

Cristian Predan

GW locations Asia

GW locations Oceania

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.71 billion euros in 2024. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers' needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

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Health – Resurgence of preventable diseases threatens children in East Asia and the Pacific – WHO

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and WHO raise alarm over falling vaccine coverage and eroding trust, with measles cases at their highest since 2020

Manila/Bangkok/Geneva, 28 May 2025 – Across East Asia and the Pacific, vaccine-preventable diseases are making a dangerous comeback, with measles at the forefront of this resurgence. In the first months of 2025, countries like Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam have reported a sharp rise in measles cases compared with the same period last year, signalling that far too many children are missing out on life-saving vaccines.

Measles is among the most infectious diseases in the world, with the potential to cause severe illness and death, especially in children. Since the beginning of 2025, Viet Nam has recorded 81,691 suspected measles cases in 63 provinces and cities. As of 21 May, Mongolia had confirmed 2,682 measles cases. Cambodia reported 2,150 cases of measles between January and April 2025. The Philippines reported 2,068 cases from 1 January to 10 May 2025. Measles cases across the region are now at their highest level since 2020, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The alarming rise in measles cases is a wake-up call,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “It highlights the vulnerable children who are being left behind — those who haven’t received even a single dose of vaccine, living in underserved communities, missed by routine immunization and vaccination campaigns. This underscores the critical importance of ensuring every child is immunized to protect their health and that of our communities.”

Meanwhile, the confirmation of a poliovirus outbreak in Papua New Guinea has triggered a national public health emergency response. The risk of continued transmission within the country remains high, with potential implications beyond its borders. Although Papua New Guinea was declared polio-free 25 years ago, persistently low routine immunization coverage has left many children vulnerable.

Vaccine-preventable diseases remain a significant threat to children’s health. Measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia, brain damage and lifelong disability. Polio can lead to irreversible paralysis. The youngest children, especially those living in poverty, conflict zones, remote areas, or without access to basic health care, are most at risk and least likely to recover.

“We’re not just seeing a spike in disease, we’re seeing a signal that the systems meant to protect children are faltering,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific. “Measles and polio are highly infectious, and children are paying the price for gaps in coverage, delayed care, and misinformation. No child should suffer or die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in East Asia and the Pacific reflects deeper, systemic failures. Immunization systems weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic remain under-resourced. Across the WHO Western Pacific Region, an estimated 3.2 million children did not receive a single dose of vaccine between 2020 and 2023. Many more children remain under-vaccinated, and even countries with previously strong systems are now grappling with immunity gaps. These setbacks have left millions of children vulnerable to diseases that should already be under control or eliminated. Additionally, rising vaccine hesitancy – driven by misinformation, disinformation, and distrust – is further eroding the confidence families need to protect their children.

“We are very concerned about the rising cases of measles in the region,” said Nadia Lasri, Senior Country Manager and Coordinator of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in the Western Pacific Region. “Gavi is actively supporting response efforts in the region, including funding emergency vaccination campaigns, strengthening surveillance systems, and providing technical assistance to national immunization programmes. We are working with partners to bolster routine immunization systems and ensure children in hard-to-reach and cross-border areas are not left behind. The spike in cases underscores the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to stop transmission and protect millions of children.”

The cost of inaction is high: outbreaks demand emergency campaigns and intensive responses that are far more expensive than maintaining well-functioning, reliable routine immunization systems.

The tools to stop these diseases already exist: safe, effective, and affordable vaccines; early warning systems; and health workers with the skills and dedication to deliver them. UNICEF and WHO are calling for a shift from crisis response to prevention. That means:

  • Reach every child with routine immunization and catch-up campaigns to close immunity gaps.
  • Track risks and respond early with strong surveillance, laboratory capacity, and rapid outbreak response.
  • Improve diagnosis and care with clear treatment protocols and infection control in health facilities.
  • Build public trust by engaging communities, addressing concerns, and countering misinformation.
  • Share timely information across countries to stay ahead of outbreaks.
  • Ensure immunization programmes are adequately and sustainably resourced.

Critically, this work dep

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Energy Sector – Execution of debt capital market transactions – Equinor

Source: Equinor

28 MAY 2025 – On Tuesday May 27, 2025 Equinor ASA, guaranteed by Equinor Energy AS, executed the following debt capital market transactions:

Issue of USD 550 million 4.25% Notes due June 2, 2028
Issue of USD 400 million 4.50% Notes due September 3, 2030
Issue of USD 800 million 5.125% Notes due June 3, 2035

The net proceeds from the issue of the Notes will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment or purchase of existing debt or other purposes described in the prospectus supplement for the issue of Notes. The transaction will increase the financial flexibility of the company.

The offering is scheduled to close on June 3, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions.

Any public offering in the United States is being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in the Registration Statement filed by Equinor ASA and Equinor Energy AS, and previously declared effective.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Equinor ASA nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement. The prospectus and related preliminary prospectus supplement may be obtained by visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may request these documents by calling (1) Barclays Capital Inc. at 1-888-603-5847, (2) BofA Securities, Inc. at 1-800-294-1322, (3) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at 1-800-503-4611, (4) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at 1-866-471-2526, or (5) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at 1-212-834-4533.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act