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World Mental Health Day | Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Every year on October 10, the world comes together to raise awareness of mental health and advocate for the right to live with dignity, support, and well-being.

But for Palestinians, mental health is not just a matter of awareness, it’s a matter of survival.
Decades of occupation, siege, forced displacement, and daily violence have created a collective trauma that affects every generation. The children who grow up under bombardment. The families living under constant fear. The youth carry the weight of loss, exile, and injustice.

Mental health in Palestine cannot be separated from the political reality that causes the pain. Healing requires more than words, it requires freedom, justice, and an end to the systems of oppression.

On this World Mental Health Day, we stand with mental health workers and communities in Palestine who continue to care for others despite their own suffering. We honor their resilience and demand global action to address the root causes of Palestinian trauma.

Mental health is a human right. So is freedom.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand.

MIL OSI

Gaza Ceasefire – Oxfam reaction to Gaza ceasefire deal

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Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

Reacting to the announcement of the first stage of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Oxfam International’s Executive Director Amitabh Behar said:
“This is a desperately needed step towards ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza. We welcome the release of Israeli hostages and unlawfully detained Palestinians.
“This fragile ceasefire must be the beginning of a sustained and principled effort that leads to ending Israel’s unlawful occupation and blockade. It must be focused on restoring rights and rebuilding lives. Any political or reconstruction plan must not entrench the occupation or further undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
“The path forward must be Palestinian-led and rooted in the fulfilment of fundamental rights. Negotiations on Gaza’s future must go beyond bricks and mortar – they must restore the foundations of daily life, rebuild shattered communities and offer pathways to healing and hope. This must go hand-in-hand with Palestinian self-determination, with Palestinians leading the rebuilding and governance of Gaza, and shaping their own future across all occupied territory.
“The ceasefire must immediately unlock full and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, supported by the international community ensuring that a sustainable ceasefire is upheld.
“The international community must also ensure that Israel opens all crossings and allows aid and commercial goods to flow freely and safely at scale into every corner of the Strip. Humanitarian efforts must be UN-led and principled.
“Israel’s deliberate use of starvation, forced displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure over the past two years must be investigated as crimes under international law and those responsible held to account. A ceasefire marks only the beginning. It stops the killing and must pave the way for the next phase: preparing the ground for a sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation. This process cannot succeed without justice and accountability at its core, to prevent impunity and ensure the cycle of violence is not repeated.
“This moment must mark a shift toward an authentic, inclusive process grounded in human rights, equality, and dignity for all. World leaders must ensure that this ceasefire is upheld by all parties, that those who committed war crimes are investigated and prosecuted and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is upheld.” 

MIL OSI

Gaza Ceasefire – Pause in hostilities a crucial relief for children in Gaza – now it must become a definitive and lasting ceasefire

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Source: Save the Children

Reports of an impending pause in hostilities in Gaza signals a hopeful reprieve on the horizon for families and children, but must be a turning point to secure a definitive ceasefire, said Save the Children. 
Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said: 
“Today we watch with hope that a long overdue reprieve may be on the horizon for the children of Gaza. With bombs and bullets silenced, families will be able to think to the future, of rebuilding and recovering. People deprived of their liberty, including hostages and some of the many detained Palestinians, will be able to return to their families. We dare to hope that this step provides a collective chance to end the unconscionable suffering that has gone on for far too long. 
“But safety for children requires more than words, it requires work, and while today’s announcements are a crucial first step for children’s survival – children who have been failed for too long as the world has watched – this survival will only be secured if it is followed by a definitive and lasting ceasefire. 
“Gaza now needs a sustained surge of aid to stop more deaths from starvation, disease, and injuries. Humanitarian access is a legal obligation, not a point for political negotiation, and this obligation must now be upheld. Save the Children stands ready to scale-up our support and deliver life-saving supplies and treatment to children who desperately need it. 
“This pause and any ceasefire that may follow must ensure accountability for the loss of tens of thousands of young lives and for the grave harm caused to surviving children for whom the indelible consequences of hunger, disease, and physical and mental injury will leave a lasting mark. The international community must come together to ensure that the atrocities that Palestinian children have endured over the past two years never happen again – to any child anywhere. 
“This also means addressing the root causes of repeated bouts of violence and a decades-long child rights crisis by ending the occupation, lifting the blockade on Gaza, and creating the conditions for lasting and definitive peace. Anything less than a definitive ceasefire and comprehensive accountability will fall short of the safety, assistance and rights Palestinian children need, deserve and are entitled to.”

MIL OSI

Man charged in relation to threats against MP

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested and charged a 19-year-old Gisborne man in relation to a series of death threats made against a Member of Parliament earlier this year.

The threats were received in March 2025 and were directed at the MP over a social media platform.

The man was arrested on Wednesday [8 October] and has been charged with causing harm by posting digital communication, and threatening to kill. He is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on 15 October.

Detective Inspector Warren Olsson says the nature and volume of the threats were such that this case met the threshold for investigation and subsequent prosecution.

“Threats of violence are unacceptable and will be thoroughly investigated. The safety of all New Zealanders, including our elected representatives, is paramount, and nobody should be made to fear for their own safety,” he says.

“We want to reassure the public that Police take these matters seriously and will continue to hold offenders to account.”

The Police investigation into the online threats is continuing, with further arrests likely.

As this case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

ENDS

MIL OSI

More funding means more sport opportunities for children

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will invest a further $3 million to extend the Active Me – Kia Tū Hardship Fund for another 12 months, Sport and Recreation Minister, Hon Mark Mitchell, says.

The Active Me – Kia Tū fund, delivered by Variety – The Children’s Charity, in partnership with Sport NZ, supports young New Zealanders facing financial hardship to access quality sport and recreation opportunities.

“Active Me – Kia Tū has made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children,” says Mr Mitchell.  “This funding extension means we can maintain momentum while more sustainable, long-term funding options are explored.”

Since its launch in 2021, Active Me – Kia Tū has supported over 10,000 children and their whānau, providing grants of up to $300 per child annually to help them participate in sport and recreation. The initiative is designed to remove financial barriers and enable participation in physical activity, particularly in communities with high levels of deprivation.

An independent evaluation of the Active Me – Kia Tū fund in 2024 highlighted significant benefits for young people, including strengthened social skills, increased independence and confidence, as well as overall improvements in mental and physical wellbeing.

“The programme also supports the government target of reducing child and youth offending by 15%, as it takes a primary prevention approach, to address risk factors such as financial hardship and school disengagement. It helps to create positive, inclusive opportunities for connection and belonging, key preventative elements that can help create safer, more resilient communities,” says Mr Mitchell.

Sport NZ is currently undertaking further research into the affordability of sport and recreation. These insights will inform future strategies to reduce costs for participants and improve system-wide efficiencies, with the goal of developing a nationwide approach to supporting individual hardship.

MIL OSI

Homemade firearms seized during search warrant

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Source: New Zealand Police

A cache of firearms has been seized following a search warrant at a Henderson property.

On Wednesday, Police received information about potential firearms at a property on Kingsdale Road and, with the help of the Armed Offenders Squad, a search warrant was executed.

Detective Senior Sergeant Josh Lautogo, Waitematā CIB, says quick work by Police took one person into custody and located a number of items of interest.

“Upon arrival Police have located a number of homemade and 3D printed firearms at the address.

“Subsequently, a 20-year-old man was arrested and will appear in Waitākere District Court on 13 October charged with seven counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Lautogo says ammunition was also located at the scene.

“This was a great result from our team who demonstrated outstanding capability in identifying a high-risk arms supplier.

“Their work continues to make a significant impact in disrupting organised criminal networks.”

As the matter is before the Court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

High-needs residential care to re-open

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Source: New Zealand Government

A Christchurch Care and Protection Residence will be upgraded and re-opened for children with high and complex needs, with a focus on therapeutic, trauma-informed care. 

Admissions to Te Oranga were paused in 2021, due to staffing issues and chronic underinvestment in the care of vulnerable children. Before resuming operations late next year, the residence will undergo a significant infrastructure upgrade.

Minister for Children Karen Chhour says, “Today’s announcement reflects this Government’s commitment to improving the care experience for children and young people, and my commitment to fixing what matters. 

It also reflects the hard work undertaken to raise professional standards across Oranga Tamariki frontline staff.

Te Oranga Care and Protection Residence in Christchurch was not closed due to a lack of need, but because it had been allowed to become rundown and staff professionalism was not made a priority under the previous government.”

When complete, Te Oranga will provide up to 10 additional beds. 

“The re-building and re-opening of Te Oranga would not be possible without the significant improvements made by Oranga Tamariki over the past 18 months. 

Improved professionalisation, greater training, and long overdue investment in facilities has allowed Te Oranga to safely resume housing young people. 

This investment re-introduces much needed capacity across the residential network, ensuring that children and young people who are at risk and experiencing challenges in the community are safely supported in the most appropriate environment.

Once re-opened, Te Oranga will be a therapeutic environment for children with high and complex needs that will centre around safety, wellbeing and dignity, and supports young people to return home,” says Minister Chhour.

MIL OSI

Domino’s delivers the world’s most controversial pizza through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica

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Source: Media Outreach

VATICAN CITY, ROME – Newsaktuell – 9 October 2025 – Domino’s Pizza caused a sensation in Italy with its “Pardoned Pineapple Pizza” campaign: An employee carried a pineapple pizza through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica – a door that is only opened once every 25 years. Those who pass through it are freed from all sins.

Pineapple Pizza in the Vatican

Domino’s seized the opportunity and interpreted this symbolic act in the Holy Year 2025 in a humorous way. A conciliatory gesture towards all those who have considered Hawaiian pizza a culinary sin for decades.

With this unusual campaign, the controversial pineapple pizza was symbolically absolved of all “sins.” This caused quite a stir in the land of the Pope and pizza.

“We know that pineapple on pizza polarizes people around the world and is considered almost a culinary sin in Italy, the home of pizza,” said Matthias Maier, Chief Marketing Officer of Domino’s Germany. “By walking through the Holy Door with our Waikiki, we want to ask for forgiveness with a wink and show that taste is also a matter of tolerance.”

It’s finally official: eating pizza with pineapple is no longer a sin

The stunt is intended to make people smile and think, and proves that Pizza Hawaii can bring people around the table. From now on, culinary enjoyment meets divine forgiveness – with a wink.

Hashtag: #Domino’s

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Deewin Tianxia Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Eternal Tsingshan Group on Intelligent Logistics in Overseas Industrial Parks

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Source: Media Outreach

Continuous Breakthroughs in Smart IoT Business to Accelerate the Pace of “Technology Going Global”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – Deewin Tianxia Co., Ltd. (“Deewin Tianxia”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; Stock Code: 2418.HK) is pleased to announce that the Group has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Eternal Tsingshan Co., Ltd Group. (“Eternal Tsingshan Group”). The partnership aims to advance digital and intelligent logistics solutions at the Morowali Industrial Park (“IMIP Park”) in Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Through in-depth collaboration focused on digitally intelligent transportation capacity management, the two parties will jointly develop a new generation of overseas smart industrial parks. This initiative will accelerate the “going global” strategy of the Group’s technologies and further promote the expansion of the Group’s global business footprint.

Pursuant to the strategic cooperation agreement, the Group will provide efficient, safe, and stable solutions for digitally intelligent transportation capacity service management solutions for the IMIP Park, which is operated and managed by Eternal Tsingshan Group. As of June 30, 2025, the Group’s heavy-duty truck “Internet of Vehicles” (IoV) platform has connected 1.2 million heavy commercial vehicles, making it one of the largest platforms of its kind in Chinese Mainland. Leveraging its extensive experience and established solutions in the loV field, the Group will apply advanced information technologies such as IoV, Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomous driving to drive the digital transformation of the IMIP Park. These efforts will significantly enhance the intelligence of the Park’s logistics operations, enabling park enterprises to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The Board of Directors of the Group believes that this strategic cooperation with Eternal Tsingshan Group marks a important milestone in the Group’s overseas market expansion. This partnership underscores the Group’s successful transformation to advanced smart IoT solutions, with growing scale and profitability in this sector. The Board of Directors believe that this business segment will strengthen the Group’s core competitiveness and become a key driver for the Group’s future growth.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Economy – RBNZ publishes Competition Assessment Guidelines for prudential policy development

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Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)

10 October 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has today published Competition Assessment Guidelines that outline how we take competition into account when developing prudential policy.

Director Prudential Policy Jess Rowe says the guidelines are designed to support policy teams in identifying and assessing competition impacts early in the policy development process.

“Competition is already a key principle we take into account when making policy decisions. These guidelines provide a clear framework for how and when competition should be considered,” Ms Rowe says.

“Thinking about competition early in the process helps us to explore or consider alternative ways of achieving regulatory objectives while also promoting better outcomes for competition.”

The Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy set out key concepts that underpin competition analysis, helping ensure our decisions support a sound and efficient financial system.

Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=44b874876b&e=f3c68946f8

The publication of the Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy responds to recommendations from the Commerce Commission’s market study into personal banking services, and aligns with the Minister of Finance’s December 2024 letter of expectations, which called on RBNZ to develop a competition assessment framework for prudential policy.

“I’d like to thank our Commerce Commission peers for their insights and suggestions as we worked to develop these guidelines,” says Ms Rowe.

Deposit Takers Act 2023

The Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy will be of particular use as we work to complete a multi-year programme to introduce the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (DTA). The DTA modernises New Zealand’s regulatory framework for deposit takers. It aims to help ensure the safety and soundness of deposit takers and support a stable financial system that New Zealanders can trust.

DTA standards will be issued by 31 May 2027 and come into effect on 1 December 2028.

Deposit Takers Act – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=cdfb5ec8ef&e=f3c68946f8

MIL OSI