Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology researchers are developing cutting-edge 3D printing technology that could help tackle Australia's housing crisis by building homes from earth, plant fibres and other natural materials.

Led by Dr Mohamed Gomaa from Swinburne's School of Engineering, the team is pioneering a novel 3D printing system that allows natural fibrous-earth mixtures to be printed in higher-density with precision. The approach is designed to make walls stronger, more durable and more environmentally friendly, while dramatically cutting the cost and time needed to build.

“Earth is one of the oldest and most sustainable building materials we have,” says Dr Gomaa.

“It's abundant, recyclable and has almost no carbon footprint. By combining it with plant-based fibres and advanced robotics, we're reimagining indigenous building knowledge for a modern, digital era.”

The innovative system could help deliver affordable housing faster, particularly in remote or disadvantaged communities where access to conventional construction materials and labour can be limited. Using mostly local earth and fibres, 3D printed homes could be produced at a fraction of the cost and up to 60 per cent faster than conventional builds.

“With Australia expected to face a shortage of more than 600,000 social and affordable homes by 2036, we urgently need new solutions,” Dr Gomaa explains.

“3D printing with earth offers a way to build faster, cheaper and with materials that are literally beneath our feet.”

Unlike concrete, which accounts for around eight per cent of global CO2 emissions, earthen construction has a near-zero carbon footprint. The Swinburne team's process strengthens earth-based materials by adding natural fibres sourced from agricultural by-products such as hemp and rice husks, transforming waste into a valuable resource.

“This approach not only improves the strength and resilience of the printed walls, but it also supports a circular economy by turning farming waste into something that can shelter families. It's sustainable on every level – environmental, social and economic.”

The research brings together Swinburne, industry partner Luyten 3D, UNSW, and Indigenous knowledge holders, who are contributing insights from ancient earth-building traditions. The team has already printed and tested small-scale prototypes and is now working towards a larger demonstration build in Victoria, which will showcase the technology's real-world potential.

“What excites me most is seeing modern robotics breathe new life into ancient, sustainable materials,” says Dr Gomaa.

“Where I grew up, people lived comfortably in earth houses that had stood for centuries. Now, through 3D printing, we have the opportunity to take that same wisdom and make it part of the solution to today's housing challenges.”

This innovation has the potential to transform how homes are built in Australia, delivering affordable, low-carbon housing that is both technologically advanced and deeply connected to culture and place.

This project is supported through the Australian Research Council Linkage Projects Scheme.

Source: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Europe: Human rights defenders excluded by discriminatory Schengen visa system

Visa systems in Europe’s Schengen area function like an obstacle course for human rights defenders from different parts of the world, preventing many from participating in key decision-making forums. These obstacles contradict the rights and values that Schengen states claim to uphold, Amnesty International said in a new report today.

Closing the door? How visa policies in Europe’s Schengen area fail human rights defenders, documents the many obstacles that activists from 104 visa-restricted countries –mainly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East– face when trying to access short-term visas to travel to the area for advocacy, networking, or respite from the risks they face because of their work.  

These human rights defenders (HRDs) are mostly racialized as Black, Asian and/or Muslim, and the negative impact on their mobility amounts to indirect discrimination, according to the organization’s analysis.

“The inability to access Schengen visas means that the voices and testimonies of human rights defenders from countries in the Global South are excluded from forums where decisions that deeply affect their lives are made,” Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International.  

“While Schengen states are entitled to decide who enters their territory, the impact of their visa systems on human rights defenders from 104 countries represents a clear disconnect between what they have committed to, through their guidelines and other commitments to protect human rights defenders, and what they actually do.”

“Ensuring that HRDs have access to short-stay Schengen visas in a reliable, predictable, transparent, and timely manner is indispensable to realize their right to defend rights without discrimination.”

Barriers to securing short-term visas

The EU Visa Code, the legislative instrument governing short-term Schengen visas, allows for visa applications that do not meet all requirements to still be accepted on a case-by-case basis. However, those who receive and process visa applications, including external service providers, often seem unaware of the existence of this flexibility, resulting in many barriers, including applications being tossed out before they even make it to the decision-making stage.

One of the first barriers to obtaining a Schengen visa is simply identifying where to submit a visa application. Many Schengen states do not have diplomatic representations or agreements with other countries in every visa-restricted country. This means human rights defenders may be required to travel to another country to file the application, which can be prohibitively expensive or pose a security risk.

The time it takes to secure an appointment, wait for a decision, and the validity length of visas, are other hurdles in the obstacle course that defenders must go through to travel to countries in the Schengen area. In some cases, visas are issued too late or for a period so short that it does not account for the time it takes to travel to and from a location, or for any potential flight delays.

Visa applicants are often required to submit a long list of supporting documents, usually including proof of financial means, such as employment status, pay cheques or proof of property ownership. This is particularly difficult for activists, especially those most marginalized and discriminated against.  

A woman human rights defender from the Dalit community in Nepal told Amnesty International: “They ask for bank statements for those who want to visit a Schengen state. Imagine what this means for people who live in a situation where they can’t even earn a daily livelihood. Some people who want to advocate at the international level might not have this because they are human rights defenders, and most of the advocacy they do is on a voluntary basis.”  

These obstacles result in indirect discrimination for human rights defenders as Schengen visa policies impact disproportionately on racialized applicants. Although visa rules are apparently race-neutral, as they do not explicitly mention race or ethnicity as grounds for different treatment, there is a strong correlation between visa-restricted countries and populations racialized as Black, Asian, and/or Muslim.

Existing flexibility and steps forward

In June 2024, the European Commission published a revised version of the EU Visa Handbook –a set of guidelines to explain how to apply the EU Visa Code– which includes practical examples of how visa applications by human rights defenders can be facilitated.  

Amnesty International welcomes this development and calls on countries in the Schengen area to ensure that the revised EU Visa Code Handbook is well disseminated and fully implemented, ensuring that visa officers worldwide, including external service providers are fully trained in how to facilitate the travel of human rights defenders.  

The organization also calls on countries in the Schengen area to collect disaggregated data on race and ethnicity to end discrimination in the visa system as well as the development and implementation of a facilitated visa procedure for human rights defenders, including fast-tracking of applications. In addition, Schengen countries should issue more regularly long-term, multiple-entry visas as key protection tools, to allow agency to travel when the need arises without having to go through the same bureaucratical hurdles every time.

Background

The Schengen area is comprised of 29 countries, most of which are EU member states, and non-EU members, such as Switzerland and Norway. All Schengen countries are bound by the EU Visa Code for the issuance of short-term Schengen visas.

Amnesty International spoke with 42 international organizations, based both within the Schengen area and in visa restricted countries, who have facilitated the travel of hundreds of HRDs over the years. The organization also gathered testimonies from 32 human rights defenders, with direct experience of visa processes.

Source: Equinor

29 OCTOBER 2025 – Equinor will on 30 October 2025 commence the fourth and final tranche of up to USD 1,266 million of the share buy-back programme for 2025, as announced in relation with the third quarter results 29 October 2025.

In this fourth tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025, shares for up to USD 417.8 million will be purchased in the market, implying a total tranche of up to USD 1,266 million including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State. The tranche will end no later than 2 February 2026.

Equinor announced at the Capital Market Update in February 2025 a share buy-back programme of up to USD 5 billion for 2025, including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State, in order to conclude the two-year programme for 2024 – 2025, announced in February 2024. The share buy-back programme will be subject to market outlook and balance sheet strength and be structured into tranches where Equinor will buy back shares for a certain value in USD over a defined period. For the fourth tranche for 2025, Equinor will be entering into a non-discretionary agreement with a third party who will execute repurchases of shares and make its trading decisions independently of the company.

Commencement of new share buy-back tranches after the fourth tranche for 2025 will be decided by the board of directors on a quarterly basis in line with the company’s dividend policy and will be subject to board authorisation for share buy-back from the company’s annual general meeting and agreement with the Norwegian State regarding share buy-back (as further described below).

The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to reduce the issued share capital of the company. All shares purchased as part of the fourth tranche for 2025 will thus be cancelled through a capital reduction at the annual general meeting of the company in May 2026.

Further information about the share buy-back programme and the fourth tranche:

• The fourth tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 is based on an authorisation granted to the board of directors at the annual general meeting of the company held on 14 May 2025. According to the authorisation, the maximum number of shares which can be purchased in the market is 84 million, of which 50,677,690 remain available per commencement of the fourth tranche for 2025 (buy-backs made under previous tranches in the authorisation period taken into account). The minimum price that can be paid per share is NOK 50, and the maximum price is NOK 1,000. The authorisation is valid until the annual general meeting of the company in May 2026, but no later than 30 June 2026.

An agreement between Equinor and the Norwegian State regulates the State's participation in the share buy-back: at the annual general meeting of the company in May 2026, the State will, as per proposal by the board of directors, vote for the cancellation of shares purchased in the market pursuant to the board authorisation, and the redemption and cancellation of a proportionate number of its shares in order to maintain its ownership share in the company at 67%. The price to be paid to the State for redemption of the State's shares shall be the volume-weighted average of the price paid by Equinor for shares purchased in the market plus an interest rate compensation, adjusted for any dividends paid.

In the fourth tranche for 2025, shares will be purchased on the Oslo Stock Exchange and possibly other trading venues within the EEA. Transactions will be conducted in accordance with applicable safe harbour conditions, and as further set out in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 2007, EU Commission Regulation (EC) No 2016/1052 and the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority's Guidelines for buy-back programmes from March 2025.

The board of directors will propose to the annual general meeting of the company to be held in May 2026, to cancel shares purchased in the market in this fourth tranche for 2025 and to redeem and cancel a proportionate number of the State’s shares per the agreement with the State.

This is information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and that is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Source: Equinor

29 OCTOBER 2025 – Key information relating to the cash dividend to be paid by Equinor for the third quarter 2025.

Cash dividend amount: 0.37
Announced currency: USD
Last day including rights: 13 February 2026
Ex-date Oslo Børs: 16 February 2026
Ex-date New York Stock Exchange: 17 February 2026
Record date: 17 February 2026
Payment date: 27 February 2026
Date of approval: 28 October 2025

Other information: The cash dividend per share in NOK will be communicated on 23 February 2026.

This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Euronext Oslo Børs Continuing Obligations and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Source: Equinor

29 OCTOBER 2025 – Equinor delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.21 billion and USD 1.51 billion after tax* in the third quarter of 2025. Equinor reported a net operating income of USD 5.27 billion and a net loss of USD 0.20 billion. Adjusted net income* was USD 0.93 billion, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of USD 0.37.

Strong cashflow and operational performance

• 7% production growth with strong performance from Johan Sverdrup and Johan Castberg
• Robust balance sheet through lower price environment
• Reported results impacted by net impairments, primarily driven by lower price outlook

Strong cost focus

• Stable cost from last year1
• 50% cost reduction in Renewables
• Stopping two early-phase electrification projects

Strategic development

• First oil from the Bacalhau field in Brazil in October
• Successful infrastructure-led exploration on the NCS
• Participating in Ørsted rights issue, positioning for industrial and strategic collaboration

Capital distribution

• Third quarter cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share and fourth tranche of share buy-back of up to USD 1.266 billion
• Total capital distribution for 2025 in line with announced level of around USD 9 billion

Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:

“We deliver strong operations this quarter. High performing fields and new fields coming on stream on the Norwegian continental shelf, drive production growth.”

“In October, we started production from our largest offshore field internationally, Bacalhau. The field will contribute substantially to grow earnings from our international portfolio towards 2030.”

“We have systematically addressed cost over time. In a period with both production growth and inflation, we maintain stable costs year to date.”

Strong cashflow and operational performance

Equinor delivered a total equity production of 2,130 mboe per day in the third quarter, up 7% from 1,984 mboe per day in the same quarter last year.

Operational performance on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) was strong with several fields, in particular the Johan Sverdrup field, delivering strong production and minimal unplanned downtime. Combined with the new Johan Castberg and Halten East fields, the production growth was 9% on the NCS compared to the same quarter last year. New wells and lower impact from turnarounds also contributed positively.

The acquisition of additional interests in US onshore assets in 2024, and increased production from offshore assets, contributed to a 29% increase in oil and gas production from the US segment in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year.

The production from the international upstream segment, excluding the US, is down compared to the same quarter last year due to exits from Nigeria and Azerbaijan in 2024. There was a two-month production halt at the Peregrino field, which is held for sale. The halt was due to audit requirements from the Brazilian authorities, and production resumed in October. Production from new wells internationally contributed positively to the results.

The total power generation was 1.37 TWh. The renewable portfolio contributed with 0.91 TWh, which is a 34% increase compared to last year, primarily driven by the ramp up of Dogger Bank A and new production from onshore renewables.

In the quarter, Equinor completed 18 offshore exploration wells on the NCS with 7 commercial discoveries.

Financial results

Equinor delivered an adjusted operating income* of USD 6.21 billion and USD 1.51 billion after tax* in the third quarter of 2025. The results are affected by lower liquids prices, which were partially offset by higher production and higher gas prices in the US.

The reported net operating income of USD 5.27 billion is down from USD 6.91 billion in the same quarter last year. This is impacted by net impairments of USD 754 million, primarily due to updated forward-looking price assumptions. Assets held for sale in the international portfolio, which hence have not been depreciated, accounted for USD 650 million and USD 385 million is related to non-operated assets offshore in the US. This was partially offset by an impairment reversal of USD 299 million related to an onshore asset in Norway.

Equinor realised a European gas price of USD 11.4 per mmbtu and realised liquids prices were USD 64.9 per bbl in the third quarter.

Equinor expects the Midstream, Marketing and Processing segment to deliver a quarterly average adjusted operating income* of around USD 400 million going forward. This is due to changing market conditions and earlier divestment of certain assets.

Adjusted operating and administrative expenses* are higher compared to the same quarter last year. This is due to the booking of future operating expenses related to a US offshore asset that ceased production in the quarter, as well as higher transportation costs and currency effects. This was partially offset by cost improvements in the renewable segment.

Strong operational performance generated cash flows provided by operating activities, before taxes paid and working capital items, of USD 9.10 billion for the third quarter.

Equinor paid two NCS tax instalments totalling USD 3.9 billion in the quarter. For the fourth quarter, Equinor expects to pay three instalments. This is due to the new phasing of ten instalments annually.

Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* ended at USD 5.33 billion.

Organic capital expenditure* was USD 3.41 billion for the quarter, and total capital expenditures were USD 3.68 billion.

The net debt to capital employed adjusted ratio* was 12.2% at the end of the third quarter, compared to 15.2% at the end of the second quarter of 2025.

Strategic development

Successful near-infrastructure exploration on the NCS, led to seven commercial discoveries in the quarter. One of the discoveries already started production, adding volumes to the Åsgard A in the Norwegian Sea. Combined with production start-up from the Askeladd Vest field in the Barents Sea, this supports Equinor’s long-term role as a safe supplier of energy to Europe.

In October, the Bacalhau field in Brazil came on stream. With recoverable reserves of more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalents, it is the largest international offshore field ever developed by Equinor.

In the third quarter, Equinor announced participation in the rights issue of Ørsted. This is driven by a positive long-term view for offshore wind and confidence in the underlying business of Ørsted.

In the quarter, Northern Lights received and stored the first CO₂ volumes. With this, the world’s first third party CO₂ transport and storage facility is now operational.

In October, Equinor decided to stop the early phase Snorre and Halten electrification projects. The reason for stopping the two projects was primarily due to high abatement costs. The company will further mature the Grane-Balder early-phase energy project.

Competitive capital distribution

The board of directors has decided a cash dividend of USD 0.37 per share for the third quarter of 2025, in line with communication at the Capital Markets Update in February.

The board of directors has decided to initiate a fourth and final tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 of up to USD 1.266 billion. The tranche will commence on 30 October and end no later than 2 February 2026. This fourth tranche will complete the announced share buy-back programme of up to USD 5 billion for 2025. It will also conclude total capital distribution for 2025 of around USD 9 billion.

The third tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2025 was completed on 23 October 2025 with a total value of USD 1.265 billion.

All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian state.

1) Year-to-date, adjusted operating and administrative expenses* excluding royalties, transportation costs, over/underlift and a few selected one-offs.

*For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.

Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

New Memorandum of Understanding to unlock better financial outcomes for First Nations people through home and business lending, and participation in renewables and carbon projects.

29 October 2025 – The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) have today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a strategic collaboration to support financial outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, businesses, and communities.

Under the MOU, CBA and IBA will work together, aiming to strengthen organisational capabilities, co-develop innovative financial solutions and expand access to finance for First Nations customers.

Focus areas of the MoU include:

• Home ownership: Exploring culturally informed pathways to home ownership for Indigenous people who may face additional barriers when saving and seeking to purchase a home; 
• Business lending: Consideration of innovative funding models and co-funding opportunities to support Indigenous businesses to access capital to start, operate and grow;
• Renewables and carbon projects: Supporting the participation of Indigenous businesses and communities in Australia’s transition to net-zero by co-funding renewables and/or carbon initiatives. 

CBA and IBA will also explore capability-building initiatives such as secondments, mentoring arrangements and tailored training programs.

IBA Chief Executive Officer, David Knights said:

“This collaboration with CBA reflects our shared commitment to creating financial pathways that empower First Nations individuals and communities. By working together, we can open more doors to culturally appropriate finance, building a stronger Indigenous-led economy for generations to come.

“This strategic collaboration with the nation’s biggest home lender supports IBA’s Strategy to 2030, which is about creating more economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians. It’s about walking together to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all, one that champions entrepreneurship, supports home ownership, and invests in the future of our communities.”

CBA Group Executive, Business Banking, Mike Vacy-Lyle said:

“CBA has a longstanding commitment to reconciliation and to being a trusted financial institution to First Nations peoples.

“This MOU with Indigenous Business Australia reflects our shared ambition to drive economic empowerment. Together we aim to unlock more opportunities and meaningful outcomes for Indigenous Australians.”

Mr Vacy-Lyle said the announcement aligns well with this year’s Indigenous Business Month theme 'Strength through Collaboration' currently being celebrated throughout October.

“Our work with Indigenous Business Australia builds on CBA’s Reconciliation Action Plan with a clear focus on creating meaningful, sustainable change – whether through financial inclusion, career pathways, or supplier diversity.  

“We also recognise the importance of culturally responsive banking experiences and continue to invest in dedicated bankers who understand and respect the diverse needs of First Nations customers.

“We know there is more to do and we remain committed to deepening relationships and expanding opportunities across our network.”

IBA has a 50-year history of supporting the financial empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. IBA’s programs and services enable First Nations people to own a home, run a successful business, and invest in their futures.

In FY25, CBA spent more than $62 million with Indigenous-owned businesses.

In July, CBA released its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2026-2028. It focuses on strengthening relationships with First Nations communities, providing meaningful career opportunities, supporting First Nations business growth, and improving access to banking products and services. The RAP has received Elevate status from Reconciliation Australia.

And one the 2nd one: L to R: Sean Gordon; Mike Vacy-Lyle; CBA General Manager Business Banking ESG, Sarah Lalor; Darren Godwell; CBA Executive General Manager, Major Client Group, Chris Williams; David Knights

Real stories of impact

Promo Gear accelerates growth

David Hulett, a proud Jagera man from Meanjin, is the Director Promo Gear – a thriving business based in Morningside, Queensland.   Despite 15 years industry experience, obtaining finance to purchase Promo Gear in 2014 was a challenge.

“We had so many doors closed on us, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Our business was built on a lot of goodwill and intellectual property which can be difficult to for the traditional finance industry to quantify,” Mr Hulett recalled. 

“After some time, an Aunty suggested that I contact IBA so I reached out,” he said. 

In 2015, Mr Hulett secured finance with IBA.  Promo Gear flourished over subsequent years, experiencing rapid growth by focusing on culture, character and relationships with both suppliers and end customers. 

“We trade like it has been done for thousands of years – with a focus on the long-term relationship rather than the transaction. We get a lot of referral work and people keep us on as their supplier when they move to a new business,” he said. 

By 2019, the business built up its data and financials and were able to secure lending with CBA to support their next phase of growth. |

“Today, we have amazing clients, excellent warehouse facilities and are growing our team and service offerings through new innovations. As a business that has been supported by both IBA and CBA it’s great to see them coming together like this, each organisation has different strengths and I’m excited to see what they can achieve together,” he said.

David Hulett, Director, Promo Gear

Butterworth Industries builds a brighter future

Butterworth Industries, a Katherine-based civil construction company owned by Quandamooka woman, Madelyn Farrington, and Ryan Butterworth received support from IBA through a loan for an essential watercart, and by linking them with a business consultant, who provided professional operational advice.

“This support has been really important to us, following our business plan to reduce costs and improve operations and further support our staff to grow. I hope to further grow and shape our business venture in avenues that are exciting and bring further learning and capabilities to our workforce,” said Ms Farrington.

“I hope to support locals within our community to join us in strengthening what our business can provide for future generations. We are the small people in the big game.”

Notes

The Indigenous business sector is rapidly growing in Australia, with around 14,000 businesses in 2022 generating $16 billion in revenue. Deloitte Access Economics forecasts this could reach $50 billion by 2035, outpacing the non-Indigenous sector.

About IBA

Economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is at the heart of what we do. Our programs support Indigenous Australians to buy their own homes, be successful in business, and invest in commercial ventures that provide strong financial returns. IBA was established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (ATSI Act) and is a corporate Commonwealth entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). IBA resides in the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and is accountable to the Australian Parliament through the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy.  

About the Commonwealth Bank

The Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) is one of Australia’s leading providers of personal banking, business and institutional banking and share broking services. With more than 16 million customers and a history spanning more than a century, the Group’s purpose is to build a brighter future for all. The Commonwealth Bank is Australia’s leader in digital banking and maintains the largest branch network across the country. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the Bank operates brands including Bankwest in Australia and ASB in New Zealand. For more information on Commonwealth Bank, visit www.commbank.com.au.

Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

The Small Malaita Constituency Road Project is progressing well with the completion of the Paeni to Waloa’a segment.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Terry Brown Honimae reports that almost 50 percent of the civil work has been completed.

He stated that despite some challenges faced by the construction team on the ground, work is progressing steadily.  

“Challenges that slowed down our operations include bad weather, machinery breakdowns, social events such as funerals, and other cultural and church obligations. Despite these challenges, the team managed to complete the road segment from Paeni to Waloa’a,” CDO Honimae said.  

Mr. Honimae added that their construction team is expected to start on the final segment from Waloa’a to Roone once all formalities are completed next week.  

On behalf of the Honourable Rick Nelson Houenipwela, CDO Honimae expressed gratitude to the landowners for their generosity and cooperation in allowing the use of their land and resources for the road infrastructure project, which will greatly benefit the entire constituency.  

He also acknowledged the valuable contributions from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) under the CDF program, reflecting the government’s commitment to the infrastructure development of rural constituencies.  

The constituency office officially launched Phase II of its Road Infrastructure Program on July 9th, 2025, at Ou’oumatawa, Small Malaita.

This milestone was made possible through the active involvement of the Member of Parliament for SMC, Honourable Houenipwela.  

CDO Honimae earlier explained that the original Phase 2 road project, which aimed to connect Rorongo to Tawaro in Asimeuri Ward was not completed due to land issues. This forced the constituency office to re-focus on a new road segment from Mwenio’a to Ro’one, marking a significant effort to develop infrastructure in Asimeuri Ward.  

The primary goal of SMC’s development plan is to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities by providing access to government services and creating an enabling environment for economic opportunities.  

Communities that are already connected to the road network include Ou’oumatawa, Tapa’atewa, Ruru’uhe, and Rorongo, which now have direct access to Matangasi Port. This is a major achievement for the constituency office under the leadership of Honourable Hou, as villagers can now travel and transport goods by motor vehicle from the seaport to their homes and vice versa.  

The road project was constructed by a team directly employed by the Constituency Development Office, in accordance with Section 17 of the CDF Act 2023.  

The SMC Road Infrastructure Project dates back to 2012, beginning with land consultations, public awareness campaigns, and mobilization of project teams. Technical work, including surveys, scoping, design, costing, and procurement of machinery, started from 2015 to 2016, with actual construction beginning in mid-2017. To date, the constituency has invested over SBD$20 million in the project, including works and machinery.  

CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.  

The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.

Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

The Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency (LBC) office, under the esteemed leadership of Honourable Ben Maenu’u, continues to touch and make a positive impact on the lives of its constituents through CDF-supported initiatives.

Most recently, the office delivered 100 fiberglass paddle canoes to fishermen in the constituency.

The constituency office funded this project under the productive sector with $700,000 from its 2024 CDF budget allocation of $3.88 million.

Not only does the LBC office, support home-based constituents, but it also extends assistance to families residing in Honiara who are involved in fishing activities through similar projects aimed at improving their livelihoods.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Moses Lugitau, on behalf of Hon. Maenu’u and the constituency office, explained that the canoes were provided according to the needs and requests of the people.  

“These canoes will serve as an important lifeline for many of our coastal families and communities who depend entirely on fishing or the sea for their daily income and survival.

“Under Hon. Maenu’u’s leadership, he has embraced every constituent of Lau-Mbaelelea equally. It is his firm commitment to addressing the basic and immediate needs of his people and to continuing support for community initiatives that benefit everyone.”  

This initiative aims to empower fishermen, enabling them to generate income and support their livelihoods.

Beneficiaries of the fishing project, including LBC Honiara-based recipients, expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Maenu’u, the constituency office, and the national government through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) for this generous support.

They said that such support is not only timely but will also go a long way in sustaining lives and bringing maximum benefits to the recipients, especially through fish marketing.  

“This is the first time we have received such support from LBC,” Peter Hare, who spoke on behalf of the LBC Honiara recipients, said.

The LBC Honiara recipients are mostly fishermen at the popular Maromaro Market and roadside fish stalls along the East Honiara Highway, who venture out daily to provide for their families and also contribute to Honiara’s food security.  

“These canoes will enable us to generate sustainable income, particularly at a time when the cost of living remains high in the city,” Mr. Hare stated

Chief Samson Nokea of Goulu community also shared similar sentiments.

He said, “Hon. Ben, you have wiped tears from our eyes. You have answered our cries. First, you gave us water and again canoes, a means to get food from the sea and mainland. These canoes are our legs, enabling us and our children to get food from the ocean or our mainland gardens,” Chief Nokea emotionally shared his community’s appreciation to the constituency office, Hon. Maenu’u, and the national government.  

“These canoes are not merely materials but vital tools that will enhance our wellbeing and contribute to improved income and food security for our families. Indeed, they will serve to strengthen our livelihoods as regular sea-goers.

“Thank you, Hon. Ben, for the support and for uplifting our livelihoods,” expressed one recipient from Suava community.  

Communities and wards receiving canoes under the fishery initiative are Suava, Ma’anabu, Tara’ana, Ward 10, LBC Honiara-based residents from Burnscreek, and Foueda. For the Foueda community, their canoes will be shipped via the first available transport in due course.

These modern manufactured canoes replace fragile traditional dugouts, offering lighter weight, durability, smoother sailing and safer trips for fishermen.

In Solomon Islands, where fishing sustains over 50 percent of coastal communities livelihooods, these canoes boost income and food security for the people of Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency.  

CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), administered by MRD, and implemented through the 50 constituencies in the country, purposefully to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.

The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to ensure all Solomon Islanders are empowered for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.

Source: Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)

PHR’s medical partners in DRC report recent surges of violence, displacement, malnutrition, infectious disease, and sexual violence

October 28, 2025 – As leaders from Africa’s Great Lakes region and around the world meet in Paris this week to address the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) warns of an escalating humanitarian and health crisis, including immense violence, mass displacement, infectious disease, and acute malnutrition.  

Conflict related sexual violence is also surging in the region, with more than 11,000 new cases of sexual violence since February 2025 reported by PHR’s partners in DRC – a 31 percent increase since the same time last year. These figures likely represent only a fraction of the full scale of violations.

Ongoing negotiations toward a cessation of hostilities between the governments of DRC, Rwanda, the M23 militia, and other international actors, has failed to stem the brutal violence that continues to devastate communities across North Kivu, Ituri, and South Kivu. Widespread insecurity and restricted humanitarian access, compounded by recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid, have further deteriorated conditions on the ground. More than seven million people in eastern DRC are now internally displaced, the highest figure in the country’s recent history, while malnutrition and infectious disease rates are surging.

“Despite claims by President Trump claims that he has brought peace to DRC, the war continues and millions of civilians are suffering,” said Karen Naimer, JD, LLM, director of programs at PHR. “This week’s diplomatic negotiations in Paris offer potential paths toward de-escalation, but millions of civilians need immediate humanitarian assistance. International and regional actors must make concrete commitments in Paris to address these crises.”  

Prolonged instability has disrupted vital supply chains and weakened health and surveillance systems on the ground in DRC. The continued closure of the airport in Goma, a major transportation hub that services much of the region, is further exacerbating access to life-saving supplies and medicines. PHR’s medical partners in eastern DRC have shared that the lack of safe corridors for humanitarian support and deterioration of infrastructure has resulted in shortages of medical supplies, medicines, and vaccines.  

PHR’s research has shown that recent cuts in U.S. global health and humanitarian funding and other reduced donor support have further constrained operations for many life-saving programs. This reduced funding and capacity is leading to interruptions to HIV, tuberculosis, and reproductive health programs, reversing years of progress. DRC clinicians have also reported the unchecked spread of cholera, mpox, and measles exacerbated by interruptions in medicine supply chains.  

A local physician in the city of Butembo, North Kivu, told PHR that the current lack of access to antiretrovirals and condoms is likely contributing to the increase in local HIV cases, as they have seen more than 663 cases of new infections in 2025, compared to 200-300 seen in previous years. The combined impact of violence, insecurity, lack of humanitarian access, and funding shortfalls threatens to collapse already fragile health systems in conflict-affected provinces.  

The crisis has also driven widespread food insecurity and acute malnutrition, notably in North Kivu and South Kivu. In South Kivu alone, over 4 million people are food insecure. A local physician in Butembo, North Kivu told PHR that insecurity in rural agricultural areas is leading to high rates of malnutrition. Further impacts on nutrition in DRC are expected as the World Food Program, has been forced to reduce its assistance this month to 600,000 people, down from a planned 2.3 million, due to severe funding concerns. The WFP has warned that a complete pipeline break in assistance is possible by February 2026. Without consistent humanitarian access and funding, the risk of famine-like conditions will increase dramatically, further undermining maternal and child health outcomes.  

Conflict-related sexual violence, which is prohibited under international law and fully applies to state and non-state actors, remains one of the gravest protection crises in the DRC as the absence of effective accountability mechanisms aggravates cycles of violence. Women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected (94 percent of reported cases, according to a PHR partner on the ground) and subjected to sexual violence by armed actors, often with limited access to medical or psychosocial support. The UN Joint Human Rights Office (JHRO) reports a 152 percent increase in sexual violence since the capture of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025.  

Sexual violence survivors face significant barriers to care, stigma, and limited access to justice, while local health facilities remain overstretched and under-resourced. Less than half of survivors who come forward for care are able to receive post-exposure treatment within the recommended 72-hour period, one humanitarian organization operating in eastern DRC informed PHR. One physician told PHR that survivors are afraid to go to hospitals which are usually in large cities, for fear of reprisals from combatants from opposing forces.  While PHR’s partners are reporting thousands of survivors seeking care after incidents of sexual violence, these figures likely represent only a fraction of the full scale of such violations.

”This ‘polycrisis’ of immense violence, mass displacement, surging infectious disease, and acute malnutrition means the international community must act urgently to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe and to facilitate a sustainable cessation of hostilities in DRC,” said Naimer.

PHR calls on the international community to stabilize funding and open safe humanitarian corridors to ensure continuity of life-saving medical services, supplies, and food, along with the following recommendations:  

Establish and maintain secure humanitarian corridors in conflict-affected areas to enable the delivery of life-saving medical supplies, food, and humanitarian assistance and protection services to civilians.

Ensure clinicians are protected and sufficiently resourced to provide critical medical care and treatment, and to manage and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Ensure access to free survivor-centered post-rape care medical, psychosocial, and legal services.

Urge national authorities and armed groups to reduce impacts on civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.

Ensure that any cessation of hostilities includes a mechanism to pursue accountability, justice, and redress for atrocities committed by all sides of the conflict.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations.

Source: GlobalData

Amidst escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific, shifting geopolitical fault lines and growing strategic competition, Australia is accelerating efforts to modernize its military. Against this backdrop, Australia’s defense budget is set to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from $44.6 billion in 2026 to $56.2 billion in 2030, driven in large part by the transformative trilateral security alliance named AUKUS, between Australia, the UK and the US, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Australia Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025–30,” highlights the country’s defense acquisition and R&D budget cumulatively grew from $10.2 billion in 2021 to $11.4 billion in 2025, underscoring investment in advanced capabilities.

Operations and maintenance is expected to increase from $14 billion in 2026 to $17.4 billion in 2030 (5.6% CAGR), reflecting the growing demand in sustainment, infrastructure and equipment maintenance over the forecast period.

Akash Pratim Debbarma, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “AUKUS is a defining driver of Australia’s defense trajectory. The partnership not only enables the acquisition of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) but also catalyzes broader modernization across maritime, air and land domains. The SSN program, built in close cooperation with the UK and US under AUKUS, will require significant new infrastructure and sustainment investment.

Government allocations for SSN program are set to increase from $2.4 billion in 2025 to $5 billion in 2030, reflecting the intensive support requirements of the future SSN fleet. These programs, from SSNs and the Hunter-class frigates to F-35 sustainment, MQ-4C Triton UAVs and next-generation land vehicles, are reshaping Australia’s force posture and industrial base.

Debbarma adds: “Rising US–China rivalry and China’s military assertiveness are contributing to a complex security landscape in the Indo-Pacific. Australia’s reliance on alliances like AUKUS, combined trade dependencies with China and climate-related domestic vulnerabilities, are shaping its defense priorities and risk assessments.”

The recent altercations with China at sea and in the air have highlighted the growing tensions and have amplified calls within Australian polity for enhanced maritime surveillance, patrol and deterrent capabilities. At the same time, supply-chain resilience is receiving attention: both Australia and partners are pursuing expanded processing capacity for strategic minerals and defense-related supply chains outside China, requiring substantial investment and active government participation.

Debbarma concludes: “Australia’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review and procurement pipeline demonstrate a clear commitment to sustained capability uplift and industrial participation. By investing across maritime, air and land domains and deepening interoperability with allies, Australia aims to strengthen deterrence, ensure regional stability and safeguard national interests in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific.”

Notes

• Quotes provided by Akash Pratim Debbarma, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData
• Information is based on GlobalData’s latest report, “Australia Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025–30,” which offers the detailed analysis of the Australia defense market with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.
• This report also covers Regulation, Security environment, Import and Export dynamics and Competitive Landscape.

About GlobalData

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