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XEV Dismantles the Dealership Model: New “Hardware + Service” Ecosystem Separates Vehicle Cost from Power and Slashes EV Entry Prices in Europe

Source: Media Outreach

TURIN, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – The traditional automotive model is obsolete. It is rigid, capital-heavy, and dependent on massive dealership inventories that drive up costs for the consumer. XEV is now challenging that legacy structure with the rollout of its Customer-to-Manufacturer (C2M) ecosystem. By launching the world’s first mass-customization project for micro electric vehicles, including the flagship XEV YOYO, the company allows European drivers to order personalized vehicles directly. This approach eliminates the inventory burden and introduces a “Battery-as-a-Service” model that removes the two biggest barriers to EV adoption. Those barriers are high upfront costs and residual value risk.

XEV


Decoupling the Battery from the Price Tag

For decades, the battery has been the most expensive single component of an electric car. It is also the component most likely to depreciate. XEV’s innovative business model fundamentally alters this equation by separating the vehicle (hardware) from the battery (service).

Customers purchase the car but lease the energy capacity. This strategy significantly lowers the initial purchase price. It makes premium urban mobility accessible to a broader demographic. This ranges from young professionals seeking their first vehicle to fleet operators managing tight margins.

“We are not just manufacturing cars. We are redefining vehicle ownership,” says the XEV leadership team. “Our goal is to make car production as flexible as smartphone manufacturing. We give users exactly what they need for city living without the financial weight of traditional ownership.”

3 Minutes to Full Power: Solving the Charging Crisis

Range anxiety remains a critical hurdle for European EVs. This is particularly true for drivers without private home charging infrastructure. XEV addresses this with its proprietary battery swapping network.

The XEV YOYO and the upcoming XEV XPRESSION are engineered with a modular battery system. Instead of waiting hours at a charging point, drivers pull into a dedicated station. They complete a fully automated battery replacement in approximately three minutes.

This “SWAPPING” technology does more than save time. It improves operational efficiency for commercial users and ensures the vehicle is immune to battery degradation. Since the driver does not own the battery, they never have to worry about the cell’s lifespan affecting the car’s resale value. This creates a “Zero Usage Anxiety” experience for the owner.

Data-Driven Customization: The End of “One Size Fits All”

The XEV lineup is purpose-built for the narrow streets and high congestion of European cities. With a compact footprint of roughly 2.5 meters, the YOYO navigates historic city centers with ease. However, small size does not mean limited options.

Unlike legacy automakers that push stock inventory, XEV utilizes a data-driven C2M model. Users configure their vehicles via an online platform. They select distinct exterior colors, interior materials, wheel designs, and specific features. This user input triggers a flexible production process that creates a customizable car tailored to specific tastes. XEV uses the massive data generated from these customization choices to refine future designs and forecast market trends with precision.

Commercial Application: Powering the Last-Mile Economy

The flexibility of the XEV platform extends well beyond personal commuting. It is designed to serve the booming last-mile economy. The platform supports last-mile delivery vehicles and shared mobility fleets.

XEV provides specialized enclosed cargo options for logistics companies. The vehicle can even be customized for small business applications, such as mobile coffee carts or retail trucks. For small business owners, the vehicle serves as a mobile asset that can be configured for specific trades, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs.

XEV has already initiated pilot projects with major European logistics firms to prove the model’s viability for high-frequency urban commuting and commercial delivery. For car-sharing services, the high utilization rates and low maintenance needs of the YOYO make it an ideal asset for time-based rental fleets. The modular design further supports this eco-friendly lifecycle by facilitating easy repair and part upgrades. This extends the product lifespan and reduces waste compared to traditional vehicles that are often scrapped when a single major system fails.

A Strategic Supply Chain for a New Era

XEV achieves this level of flexibility through a strategic manufacturing model. The company adopts a capital-light approach that relies on deep collaboration with mature Asian automotive supply chains. This ensures rigorous quality control and cost efficiency without the bloating of traditional manufacturing.

Simultaneously, XEV is committed to European localization. The company is currently establishing assembly hubs and battery swapping networks across Europe to better serve local demand. This dual approach allows XEV to combine global manufacturing power with local market responsiveness. It ensures that while the technology is global, the support and infrastructure are local.

Availability

Sales and deliveries of the XEV YOYO have commenced in selected European markets, including Italy and Germany. The company continues to expand its infrastructure to support the growing network of users who demand a smarter and cleaner way to move through their cities.

For more information on the YOYO and the battery-swapping network, visit https://www.xev-global.com/yoyo or explore the upcoming XPRESSION model at https://www.xev-global.com/xpression.

Hashtag: #XEV

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/15/xev-dismantles-the-dealership-model-new-hardware-service-ecosystem-separates-vehicle-cost-from-power-and-slashes-ev-entry-prices-in-europe/

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Fiji military puts public ‘on notice’ citing national security threats

RNZ Pacific

The Fiji military has warned that individuals responsible for “any attempt to destabilise national security” and those who aid “individuals engaged in criminal activity” have been “put on notice”.

It comes after the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) confirmed just last Friday that “unknown individuals” had made “unsuccessful” attempts to access its installations.

To allay public anxiety, the RFMF assured that “there is no threat to public safety arising from the incident”.

However, in a statement on Monday night, the military said it had initiated joint security operations with the Fiji Police Force as “a deliberate and measured approach to recent unacceptable challenges to security, including threats to infrastructure and isolated acts of violence against civilians and officers in the line of duty”.

While pointing out its constitutional responsibility to “ensure the security, defence and wellbeing of Fiji and all Fijians”, the RFMF said it would not take these matters lightly.

“Therefore, we put on notice that any attempt to destabilise national security or endanger the wellbeing of citizens will be met with firm, lawful and proportionate action.”

According to the statement — authorised by the military commander — the enhanced security measures are expected to “continue for as long as necessary”.

RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai . . . enhanced security measures are expected to “continue for as long as necessary”. Image: FB/Republic of Fiji Military Forces/RNZ Pacific

“Members of the public are reminded that providing shelter, assistance, or support to individuals engaged in criminal activity is an offence and directly undermines national security.”

The Fiji Military is encouraging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

‘Alarming’ development – Labour Party
 The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has reacted to the developments by questioning the current state of national security in the country.

“As a party that has twice been the victim of military coups — in 1987 and 2000 — we understand only too well how fragile national security can become when well-organised elements with ill intent are allowed to operate,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

It said the unauthorised access to RFMF installations “is particularly alarming when set against the backdrop of rising drug-related activities and seizures across Fiji in recent times”.

“The emergence of sophisticated, well-coordinated criminal elements poses a direct threat to public safety and national stability,” the party said in a statement.

“Even though the RFMF has confirmed that no weapons, ammunition, or equipment were compromised, the very fact that such attempts were made sends a dangerous signal: our defence installations may not be as impenetrable as we have been led to believe.”

FLP is demanding clear answers and concrete action to strengthen safeguards across all military and strategic installations.

Meanwhile, Fijians are set to head to the polls later this year.

The general elections can be held anytime between August 7 (earliest) and 6 February 2027 (latest).

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

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/15/fiji-military-puts-public-on-notice-citing-national-security-threats/

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Hongkong Land and Gammon Construction bring CarbonCure Low‑Carbon Concrete to Hong Kong for the first time

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – Hongkong Land and Gammon Construction have partnered to introduce CarbonCure to Hong Kong. Through this strategic collaboration, the companies are deploying the patented CO₂ mineralisation technology in Tomorrow’s CENTRAL project, marking its first use in Hong Kong. This alliance pioneers low-carbon building materials in the city and accelerates the wider industry’s transition.

(From left to right) Mr. Eddie Tse, Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction; Ms. Ka Yan Chu, Assistant Technical Manager, Concrete Technology Services, Gammon Construction; Ms. Grace Lam, Senior Sustainability Manager, Hongko

Reducing cement‑related emissions without compromising performance

Embodied carbon accounted for 70% of Hongkong Land’s total carbon emissions in 2025, with industry research indicating that more than 80% of the embodied carbon in a typical new commercial building is associated with concrete, brick and steel. Cement production generates about 7% of global CO₂ emissions, more than three times that of civil aviation, making it a critical decarbonisation priority.

CarbonCure offers one of the most effective solutions, reducing cement content by 4–7% without compromising concrete quality or performance. The new technology injects captured CO₂ into fresh concrete during mixing, where it undergoes a chemical reaction to form a mineral, permanently trapping carbon within the material. When combined with a low-carbon concrete mix containing approximately 40% Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS), a 34% carbon emissions reduction is achieved compared to traditional non-green concrete.

Implementing this innovative technology supports Hongkong Land’s target of achieving a 22% reduction in Scope 3 carbon intensity by 2030. It also aligns with Tomorrow’s CENTRAL project’s sustainability objectives, including using 100% low carbon concrete, 100% green rebar, and 100% sustainable timber during construction, and to divert 75% of construction waste.

Tomorrow’s CENTRAL: a project with sustainability at its core

Tomorrow’s CENTRAL is Hongkong Land’s bold three-year plan to transform the LANDMARK retail portfolio. Announced in June 2024, the project is ambitious in its scope, encompassing extensive façade enhancements, retail renovations and office lift-lobby relocations From inception, sustainability has been the project’s guiding principle.

The CarbonCure concrete mix technology was deployed by Hongkong Land and Gammon in November 2025 after it was approved by the Buildings Department in September 2025 following a rigorous 18-month testing and preparation period.
Michael T. Smith, Group Chief Executive of Hongkong Land, said: “Sustainability is a key business priority for Hongkong Land. Using lower carbon concrete on Tomorrow’s CENTRAL helps to advance the goals of our Sustainability Framework 2030. As the first developer to apply this technology in Hong Kong’s premium commercial sector, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to innovation and encourage wider industry uptake.”

Eddie Tse, Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction, said: “We are delighted to partner with Hongkong Land on Hong Kong’s first application of CarbonCure concrete. Their strong commitment to sustainability and openness to pioneering solutions have been instrumental in making this milestone possible. By permanently mineralising carbon within building materials and reducing cement use, lower carbon concrete represents a meaningful step forward in embodied‑carbon reduction. With this successful deployment, we look forward to extending similar innovations across the industry and collaborating with more clients to drive low‑carbon construction in Hong Kong.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/hongkong-land-and-gammon-construction-bring-carboncure-low-carbon-concrete-to-hong-kong-for-the-first-time/

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Census shows jump in the population of our rarest endemic bird

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  14 April 2026

Efforts by DOC, local mana whenua, Auckland Zoo, stakeholders and many dedicated volunteers this spring-summer have significantly improved your chances of spotting one on beaches between Bream Bay, Te Tai Tokerau/Northland and Pākiri, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, or in one of the many inlets of the Kaipara Harbour (read below to learn how to identify a tara iti).

Results from the latest tara iti census conducted by DOC at the end of March means we can kick off this year’s Conservation Week (20 – 26 April) with positive news, demonstrating the potential of collective action: the census found an approximate 15 per cent increase in the population meaning there are now nearly 50 birds more than a year old in the wild and 11 breeding pairs. The population hit its lowest point in 1983 when only three to four breeding pairs remained.

DOC Programme Lead Ayla Wiles puts the increase in population down to the strength of DOC’s partnerships and the mahi of volunteers to protect tara iti and the effort to constantly learn, adapt, and improve.

The latest tara iti census conducted by DOC at the end of March found an approximate 15 per cent increase in the population meaning there are now nearly 50 birds more than year old in the wild and 11 breeding pairs. The population hit its lowest point in 1983 when only three to four breeding pairs remained.

DOC Programme Lead Ayla Wiles puts the increase in population down to the strength of DOC’s partnerships to protect tara iti and the effort to constantly learn, adapt, and improve.

“What we’re seeing is a net increase off the back of two good seasons,” Ayla says. “Next breeding season’s numbers are looking promising with the potential for 15 (or more) pairs, in comparison to 11 this year, plus up to 10 more fledglings to join the adult population.”

Auckland Zoo’s Curator of Birds Dr Juan Cornejo says the process of refining incubation and rearing methods has given he and the team confidence in the intensive management tools and their ability to help the species recover.

“As part of this collective mahi for tara iti, Auckland Zoo’s Head Start programme has had its most successful year to date – hatching, rearing and releasing 10 chicks,” he says.

Despite the overall gains of the 2026 breeding season, there were also challenges and losses. Rats and harrier hawks/kāhu predated eggs and chicks, and weather events meant eggs needed rescuing. We also had members of the public and dogs entering protected areas.

“Between now and next summer, we’ll be looking to monitor potential new breeding sites, exploring ways to reduce predation, securing more fish supplies for Auckland Zoo’s Head-Start programme, and undertaking habitat improvements at the current breeding sites,” Ayla says.

“The tara iti is really calling for all our support. So please give back to our rarest endemic bird by donating to NZ Nature Fund or giving your time as a much-needed volunteer.”

More information

Identifying tara iti requires keen eyes. It is the smallest of New Zealand’s terns, weighing in at approximately 70g, roughly the size a blackbird. They have distinctive yellow bills and orange legs which separate them from the more commonly seen white-fronted terns. Each tara iti has unique colour-bands on its leg, so keep an eye out for small terns with fancy leg bling.

DOC works closely with partners, including hapū and iwi groups, Patuharakeke, Te Uri o Hau Environs, Ngā Maunga Whakahii O Kaipara , Ngāti Wai , and Ngāti Manuhiri, Auckland Zoo, The Shorebirds Trust, NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, About Tern, Birds NZ, Auckland Council, Tara Iti Golf Club, NZ Nature Fund and local trapping groups.

Generous support for the breeding season has been provided by organisations including the Shorebirds Trust, Endangered Species Foundation, BYD Andrew Simms, Pākiri Beach Holiday Park, Auckland Council, Manāki Whitebait, Tongariro National Trout Centre, Fish and Game Rotorua, and New Zealand King Salmon.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/census-shows-jump-in-the-population-of-our-rarest-endemic-bird/

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International travel: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/international-travel-february-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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International migration: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/international-migration-february-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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DFIQ Media Hong Kong and WPP Media Hong Kong are the first in APAC to advance privacy-safe, data-driven retail media powered by Open Intelligence

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – DFIQ Media Hong Kong, the retail media arm of leading Asian retailer, DFI Retail Group, today announced a strategic partnership with WPP MediaHong Kong that brings the power of Open Intelligence for Commerce to Hong Kong for the first time. The partnership establishes a new, privacy-first foundation for retail media collaboration in the market, enabling brands to activate high-value audiences and deliver more relevant, impactful advertising across DFI’s extensive retail ecosystem.

DFIQ Media Hong Kong and WPP Media Hong Kong announced a strategic partnership that brings the power of Open Intelligence for Commerce to Hong Kong for the first time. Pictured are Wee Lee Loh, Group Chief Digital & yuu Rewards Officer, DFI Retail Group (left) and Michael Beecroft, CEO of WPP Media North East Asia (right).

The partnership brings together DFIQ Media’s extensive omnichannel retail media ecosystem with WPP Media’s advanced programmatic and predictive intelligence capabilities. By integrating customer audience insights through InfoSum – WPP’s privacy-first, no-data-movement collaboration platform – advertisers can activate high-value audiences while ensuring strict data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Through this initiative, advertisers will gain access to aggregated customer insights from the yuu loyalty ecosystem and retail platforms across DFI Retail Group banners, enabling more precise and effective targeting strategies. These audience segments can be securely matched and activated via WPP Media’s Open Intelligence, and delivered through WPP Open – WPP’s agentic marketing platform. This enables brands to unlock new growth audiences, improve targeting accuracy, and access deeper performance insights across digital and in-store environments, including incremental sales, new-shopper contribution, and audience-level effectiveness.

“Retail media is the fastest growing media channel globally and rapidly becoming one of the most important channels for brands to connect with consumers in meaningful and measurable ways,” said Wee Lee Loh, Group Chief Digital & yuu Rewards Officer from DFI Retail Group. The partnership also includes WPP Media’s investment in DFIQ Media’s omnichannel retail media inventory. This includes digital advertising opportunities across the e-commerce and mobile apps of yuu, Wellcome, 7-Eleven, and Mannings, as well as DFIQ Media’s in-store digital screen network of more than 6,000 screens across these retail locations in Hong Kong. “Our collaboration with DFIQ Media represents an important step in shaping the future of commerce-driven media in Hong Kong,” said Michael Beecroft, CEO of WPP Media North East Asia.

Collectively, these retail touchpoints generate more than 60 million store visits every month, giving brands a powerful platform to connect with consumers across the full shopping journey — from digital discovery to in-store purchase.

“By partnering with WPP Media and leveraging privacy-safe technology from InfoSum, we are unlocking the next phase of retail media in Hong Kong – one that combines powerful first-party data with omnichannel activation across digital and physical retail environments,” said Chandana Sunder, Group Retail Media Director from DFI Retail Group.

WPP Media will also bring its advanced programmatic advertising, predictive modelling, and Open Intelligence capabilities to the partnership, enabling automated buying, real-time optimization, and sophisticated audience targeting powered by DFIQ Media’s retail signals.

“By connecting DFIQ Media’s rich retail audiences with our Open Intelligence framework, we can deliver high-yield, privacy-safe, and outcome-driven advertising solutions that reduce waste and drive measurable growth for brands,” said Kenny Ip, Vice President, Media and Partnership Management at WPP Media Hong Kong.

Together, DFIQ Media and WPP Media aim to push the boundaries of retail media innovation – building a more advanced and future-ready retail media landscape in Hong Kong. The partnership marks a significant milestone in next-generation retail media development, combining privacy-first data collaboration, predictive intelligence, and large-scale omnichannel activation to create new opportunities for brands to engage shoppers and measure incremental impact.

https://www.dfiretailgroup.com/

Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #DFIQ #yuuRewards #Mannings #7-Eleven #Wellcome

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/dfiq-media-hong-kong-and-wpp-media-hong-kong-are-the-first-in-apac-to-advance-privacy-safe-data-driven-retail-media-powered-by-open-intelligence/

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Ping An Digital Bank Invited to Participate in the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit Again for Sharing Session

Source: Media Outreach

Showcasing its Fintech Capabilities, Exploring How Technology Drives Risk Management and Compliance in Banking, Embodying the Brand Value of ‘Always With You, Always Ahead’

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – The 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit was once again held in Hong Kong. Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank,” “PingAnDB”) has been invited to participate in the event for the second consecutive year. This year, Ping An Digital Bank appeared at the event with a brand-new corporate identity, engaging with leading international industry figures, experts, and scholars to share best practices in artificial intelligence (AI) and data technology, while promoting high-quality development of smart finance both locally and across the region.

The World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, the flagship annual event of the innovation and technology sector, was officially launched yesterday (13 April). Under the theme “Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development– Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, the summit brought together government and business leaders, representatives from international organisations, leading corporations, as well as experts and scholars from various countries and regions. They engaged in in-depth discussions on a range of cutting-edge topics, including digital and intelligent innovation, with a view to exploring new opportunities and jointly building a smart future.

As one of the digital banks in Hong Kong, Ping An Digital Bank is committed to driving fintech innovation by integrating AI and data analytics to optimise operations, enhance efficiency, and improve data circulation and risk management, empowering individuals and businesses with convenient digital banking service. Drawing on its extensive experience in applying technological innovations, Ping An Digital Bank has once again been invited to speak at the “Digital Finance” sub-forum on the second day of the event (14 April). Ping An Digital Bank will share with attendees the breakthroughs and insights from its AI applications and cross-sector data flow, whilst also exploring how banks can utilise technology to strengthen risk control and regulatory compliance, thereby further demonstrating Hong Kong’s leading position in fintech on the international stage.

Mr Ronald Iu, Chief Executive of Ping An Digital Bank, stated at the sub-forum, “Leveraging the technological strength of Ping An Group, Ping An Digital Bank is committed to deepening technological innovation. In addition to continuously exploring data applications to transform the businesses’ financing ecosystem, PingAnDB is actively deepening AI application scenarios to comprehensively enhance operational efficiency across the board. We believe that the application of AI can be both deeper and broader, allowing the savings in operational costs and time to be passed on to our customers. While our team can concentrate its resources on optimising the entire customer experience, individuals and businesses can use our services with peace of mind to achieve their wealth accumulation goals, thereby realising our brand value of ‘Always with You, Always Ahead’.”

Mr. Iu added that, in response to the strong demand from cross-border and trade enterprises, Ping An Digital Bank has consistently driven change through technology and data. Starting from Know Your Customer (KYC), data enables the team to gain a multi-dimensional understanding of businesses’ operations, conduct customer due diligence more quickly and accurately, and thereby streamline the approval process. Ping An Digital Bank also uses data to enhance risk management efficiency, assist with anti-money laundering monitoring, and reduce the likelihood of bad debts. Committed to collaborating with the HKSAR Government and the industry, the Bank helps build data infrastructure and financial services platforms connecting the Greater Bay Area with international markets, supporting enterprises as they expand into broader regional and international markets.

Ping An Digital Bank integrates AI across various departments and scenarios to enhance the system’s ability to detect deepfake technology, identify suspected forged or synthesised faces, and assist teams in monitoring and preventing potentially fraudulent activities. In the areas of anti-fraud and financial crime compliance, we will further apply AI to detect and analyse abnormal transaction patterns, thereby strengthening PingAnDB’s risk management and fraud prevention capabilities. In addition, across the entire loan process, product development, technical infrastructure and even marketing promotion, Ping An Digital Bank utilises AI to assist teams with data collection, coding, design and other tasks, making operations more efficient.

Looking ahead, Ping An Digital Bank will continue to lead the development of digital banking and data infrastructure, deepen the application of AI technology in day-to-day operations and product innovation, support the sustainable upgrading of the financial sector, and enable more businesses and individuals to benefit from smart finance.

Hashtag: #PingAnDigitalBank #平安數字銀行

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/ping-an-digital-bank-invited-to-participate-in-the-world-internet-conference-asia-pacific-summit-again-for-sharing-session/

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Fantastic Reef Fishes and Where to Find Them: A New Field Guide Celebrates and Documents Hong Kong’s Reef Fish Diversity with 422 Species

Source: Media Outreach

Bearing Witness to 11 Years of Underwater Research and Adding Nine New Species Records for Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – BLOOM Association Hong Kong officially launches the publication, Fantastic Reef Fishes and Where to Find Them—Field Guide of the 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey (hereafter referred to as “the Field Guide”). Funded by The Swire Group Charitable Trust, the Field Guide is a documentation of reef fishes found in Hong Kong waters, created with the aim of enhancing public understanding of local reef fish biodiversity and promoting marine environmental education, conservation, and awareness.

Fantastic Reef Fishes and Where to Find Them—Field Guide of the 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey features 422 reef fish species, including nine species that were not previously recorded in Hong Kong in any scientific literature.

This Field Guide showcases findings of the 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey (hereafter referred to as “the 114°E Survey”), based on underwater survey observations and data collected in the 11 years from 2014 to 2024. It features 422 reef fish species from 91 families, including nine species that were not previously recorded in Hong Kong in any scientific literature (See Appendix I). The Five-lined coral goby (Gobiodon quinquestrigatus) which spends most of their lives in a small patch of corals, and the brightly coloured Threespot angelfish (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) are some examples, suggesting that there may still be fish species that await discovery in local waters. The book contains over one thousand underwater photographs, all taken in Hong Kong waters, and each species account is accompanied by meticulous fish illustrations to highlight key identification features. It is the first among local publications of its kind, and provides readers with accurate, accessible, and educational content.

The 114°E Survey began in 2014 with only a handful of volunteer divers, working to systematically record the diversity of Hong Kong’s reef fishes by scuba diving surveys. Since then, more than 400 volunteers have participated, coming from a wide range of backgrounds and brought together by a shared passion for diving and appreciation for the marine life. Seeing the growing awareness for biodiversity conservation in the city and the fact that previously published local reef fish guides are mostly no longer available in the market, Stan Shea, co-founder of the 114°E Survey and one of the editors of the Field Guide, conceived the idea of producing a new guide using the extensive data and photographs accumulated over the years.

“Many people are unaware of the incredible diversity beneath the waves. If the public does not even know what kinds of fish live in our waters, how can we expect more people to support marine conservation?” says Stan Shea.

Among the 400+ reef fish species documented by the 114°E Survey team are well-known species, such as Seahorses and Clownfish, as well as species that are threatened with extinction, such as the Hong Kong grouper and the Humphead wrasse. The Field Guide highlights the fishes’ beauty and characteristics, aids identification, and presents species’ sighting frequencies across years. It combines data with survey anecdotes, covering encounter patterns, ecological stories, and interactions between divers and reef fishes. These accounts engage readers while also serve as a historical record of Hong Kong’s reef fish diversity for this decade.

Another editor of the Field Guide, Yiu Wai Hong, noted that beyond serving as a practical tool book for nature enthusiasts and the public, he hopes that the Field Guide will also support environmental education for the next generation. It is intended to provide schools, teachers, and students with locally relevant learning materials for marine science and ecology, inspire further research and publications for Hong Kong’s marine space, and encourage support for conservation measures, such as the establishment of marine protected areas, to ensure that Hong Kong’s incredible diversity is preserved for the appreciation and enjoyment of generations to come.

Summary
Fantastic Reef Fishes and Where to Find Them – Field Guide of the 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey documents 422 reef fish species from 91 families recorded during underwater surveys in Hong Kong waters between 2014 and 2024. The book includes:

  • Species accounts detailing features, characteristics, and providing identification guidance
  • General information on local distribution
  • Underwater photographs of reef fishes taken in Hong Kong waters
  • Reef fish ecological stories
  • Divers’ observations and interactions with reef fish

Purpose and Significance of the Publication:
BLOOM Association Hong Kong hopes that the publication will:

  • Enhance public understanding of reef fish diversity in Hong Kong waters
  • Support environmental education for schools, teachers, and students
  • Provide baseline knowledge usable for reef fish research and conservation
  • Serve as a historical record of local reef fish diversity for the past 11 years

Hashtag: #BLOOMAssociationHongKong

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/fantastic-reef-fishes-and-where-to-find-them-a-new-field-guide-celebrates-and-documents-hong-kongs-reef-fish-diversity-with-422-species/

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Hong Kong Residential Market Remains Resilient Despite Geopolitical Tensions, with Primary and Secondary Transactions Buoyant

Source: Media Outreach

Greater Central Grade A Office Rents Bottom Out, High Street Vacancies Continue to Fall

  • Residential Market: Market sentiment turned more positive after the Chinese New Year as purchasing power continued to be released. Strong primary market home sales also drove secondary market activity, with Q1 residential transaction numbers surging 53% y-o-y to more than 18,650 units. Home prices across different segments recorded growth, reflecting that buyer appetite has yet to be impacted by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
  • Grade A Office Market: Net absorption remained positive for the tenth consecutive quarter at 217,100 sq ft in Q1, mainly driven by leasing activity from the banking & finance sector. Greater Central rents have now bottomed out, strengthening by 5.5% q-o-q and supporting the city’s overall office rents to increase by 2.4% q-o-q.
  • Retail Market: Overall retail sales have continued to recover on the back of rising tourist arrivals. The average high street vacancy rate fell further to 4.2% in Q1, with tier-1 high streets in Causeway Bay and Central being fully occupied.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield today held its Hong Kong Property Markets Q1 2026 Review and Outlook press conference. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Hong Kong’s residential market continued to perform resiliently, with both primary and secondary market transactions recording sustained growth. Total residential transaction numbers in Q1 rose by 9% q-o-q and 53% y-o-y. In the Grade A office market, net absorption reached 217,000 sq ft in Q1, driven by leasing demand from the banking & finance sector. However, rental performance continued to diverge between core and non-core submarkets, and the recovery was chiefly led by core areas. As for the retail sector, total retail sales continued to recover gently, supporting a further drop in the overall high street vacancy rate in Q1. Hong Kong Island outperformed the overall market, with rents in Central and Causeway Bay rising by 1.1% and 0.8% q-o-q, respectively.

Grade A office leasing market: Tenth consecutive quarter of positive net absorption, Greater Central rents continue to pick up

Sentiment in Hong Kong’s Grade A office market remained positive in Q1 2026 on the back of sustained demand from the banking & finance and insurance sectors. The quarterly total new leased area reached 866,000 sq ft, with the banking & finance and insurance sectors accounting for more than 70%. Citywide net absorption fell q-o-q to record 217,100 sq ft but remained positive for the 10th consecutive quarter.

Greater Central and Greater Tsimshatsui rental levels continued to pick up in Q1, by 5.5% and 0.4% q-o-q, respectively, driving the overall rental level up by 2.4% q-o-q to mark two consecutive quarters of rental growth for the first-time since Q1 2019. However, average rents in non-core submarkets continued to soften, suggesting the overall rental recovery is chiefly led by core areas in a two-tier market. As no new projects were completed in Q1, the overall availability rate remained broadly stable at around 20.0%, edging down by 0.3 percentage points q-o-q.

John Siu, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield,said, “Looking ahead, despite the recent stock market volatility, leasing demand from the banking & finance sector is expected to remain a key pillar this year, underpinned by expectations that Hong Kong will remain the leading global IPO market in 2026, with more than 400 companies in the listing pipeline up to the end of March. Geopolitical developments in the Middle East may also prompt investors to review asset deployment strategies and reallocate capital to Hong Kong, potentially supporting demand from banking & finance and wealth management-related occupiers. We have revised our 2026 rental forecast for Greater Central to +6% to +8%, from the previous range of +2% to +4%. In turn, the citywide Grade A office rent forecast is also revised to +1% to +3% y-o-y in 2026, compared with a previous forecast of ±1%.”

Retail leasing market: Retail sales demonstrate resilience with the overall high street vacancy rate falling further to a new post-pandemic low

The Hong Kong retail market continued to demonstrate resilience in Q1 2026, supported by improved tourist arrivals and sustained local consumption sentiment, enabling the city’s overall retail sales for the January to February 2026 period to pick up by 11.8% y-o-y to record HK$72.4billion. Among major retail categories, the Jewellery & Watches sector led the market recovery with a notable 27.8% y-o-y increase, followed by the Medicines & Cosmetics and Fashion & Accessories sectors at 8.3% and 6.6% y-o-y, respectively. This suggests the ongoing recovery and strengthening of tourist-oriented business sectors.

The overall high street vacancy rate continued to trend downwards, standing at 4.2% in Q1, marking a new low since the pandemic. Across core retail districts, Hong Kong Island outperformed Kowloon, with high street shops in Causeway Bay and Central within our basket fully leased during the quarter. The vacancy rate in Tsimshatsui also dropped further to 7.1% in Q1, while Mongkok remained stable at 6.1%.

As for high street retail rental levels, recovery was also led by Hong Kong Island, with Central and Causeway Bay recording q-o-q increases of 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. Mongkok high street retail rents picked up by 0.6% q-o-q, while a more affordable, mass-market tenant mix prompted Tsim Sha Tsui rental levels to move down by 1.1% q-o-q (Chart 2). Regarding the F&B sector, high availability continued to weigh on rents across districts, with Causeway Bay, Central, Tsimshatsui and Mongkok all recording declines within 1% q-o-q.

John Siucommented, “Retail leasing sentiment across districts remained positive in the first quarter, particularly on Hong Kong Island side. We anticipate Central and Causeway Bay to lead the rental level recovery, given Causeway Bay has continued to attract young locals and tourists, while Central has been benefitting from relatively stable high-end local consumption. On Kowloon side, Tsimshatsui and Mongkok are expected to see gradual absorption of vacant spaces if landlords are willing to offer reasonable asking rents. Looking ahead, the city’s retail market is poised for a positive recovery in 2026, yet we anticipate a gradual rental recovery rather than a rapid rebound. Supporting factors, including the wealth effect from the housing price recovery, are set to lift local consumption sentiment. The ongoing mega-event campaign, coupled with a stronger renminbi, is also expected to draw a promising influx of tourists, supporting greater foot traffic and tourist spending on high streets. Nevertheless, given the shift in consumption patterns and the entry of more affordable brands into high streets, overall rents are unlikely to see a rapid rebound in the near term. We maintain our forecast of a 2% to 3% increase in overall high street retail rents for 1H 2026.”

Residential market: Market transactions remain active amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, supporting home price rises across market segments

The Hong Kong residential market continued to gain momentum in Q1, driven by strong sales of primary projects and more active participation from potential buyers in the secondary market who have expedited purchase decisions. The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have yet to exert a significant impact on Hong Kong residential market activity. Since March last year, the monthly number of residential sales and purchases agreements has exceeded 5,000 for 13 consecutive months, with February 2026 reaching close to 6,700 units. Total residential transactions in Q1 recorded approximately 18,650 units, up 53% y-o-y and 9% q-o-q (Chart 3). Strong sales at new launches saw primary market transactions take a 30% share of total transactions in the quarter.

Edgar Lai, Senior Director, Valuation and Advisory Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, highlighted, “Strong market activity continued to support home prices to trend upward in Q1 2026. According to the Rating and Valuation Department, as at February, the overall residential price index picked up by 2.6% in the first two months of the year. Meanwhile, our Cushman & Wakefield mid-and-small size units price index shows that home prices rose by around 5% in March from the end-2025 level. At the same time, our tracking of popular housing estates demonstrates that prices across different market segments maintained upward momentum throughout the quarter. Prices at City One Shatin, representing the mass market, rose 5.6% q-o-q, while prices at Taikoo Shing, representing the mid-market, strengthened by 8.6% q-o-q. Residence Bel-Air, representing the luxury segment, recorded a notable 7.1% q-o-q rise. At the same time, underpinned by housing needs from incoming talent, the residential rental index continued to trend up to hit a new record high. Coupled with interest rates now remaining at relatively low levels, investors have been encouraged to enter the market, while renters and potential buyers are expediting home ownership decisions.”

Rosanna Tang, Executive Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield, added, “The city’s housing market largely sustained the strong momentum carried over from late-2025, with both transaction numbers and prices continuing to climb in Q1. Despite recent Middle East geopolitical tensions, the overall residential market has continued to demonstrate resilience, with the number of residential sale and purchase agreements exceeding 6,000 cases in both February and March. Looking ahead, more capital is expected to flow into Hong Kong as a safe haven, helping to keep local interbank rates at relatively low levels and providing support to the housing market. Moreover, our Verbal Enquiry index has now risen for three consecutive months, reflecting sustained positive sentiment in the Hong Kong residential market. We anticipate full-year transaction numbers in 2026 to reach 65,000 to 70,000 units. As for the home prices forecast, if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ease in the near term, the impact on the Hong Kong residential market is likely to be limited, and we would expect full-year home prices to rise in a range of 7% to 10%. However, if tensions further escalate, uncertainty may weigh on interest rates and buyer confidence, with annual price growth to moderate to around the 5% mark.”

Please click here to download photo and presentation deck

Caption: (From left to right) Rosanna Tang, Executive Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield; John Siu, Managing Director, Head of Project and Occupier Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield and Edgar Lai, Senior Director, Valuation and Advisory Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield.

Hashtag: #CushmanWakefield

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/hong-kong-residential-market-remains-resilient-despite-geopolitical-tensions-with-primary-and-secondary-transactions-buoyant/

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NRL: NZ Warriors veterans Kurt Capewell, Mitch Barnett, Charnze Nicoll-Kllokstad near return against Gold Coast

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kurt Capewell has been missing with a calf injury since round two. Andrew Cornaga/p

NRL: NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans

Kickoff 5pm, Saturday, 18 April

Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ website

NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has stayed loyal to the line-up that broke the club’s 11-year drought against Melbourne Storm last week, but may yet bring injured veterans back into the fold from the bench.

Webster has stuck with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Ali Leiataua at centre against Gold Coast Titans, and newcomer Alofiana Khan-Pereira retained on the wing.

Reserve forward Tanner Stowers-Smith will sit with a hamstring injury, but reinforcements are on the way, with second-rower Kurt Capewell named in the second row, and co-captain Mitch Barnett and utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad among the extended reserves.

Capewell was a strong performer in the season-opener against Sydney Roosters, but a late withdrawal with a calf strain during warm-ups the following week, while Barnett broke a thumb against Wests Tigers and Nicoll-Klokstad missed the win over the Storm with a neck niggle.

Their inclusion suggests they are tracking towards a return soon.

Khan-Pereira, halfback Tanah Boyd and lock Erin Clark will face their old Titans outfit, who have won their last three visits to Go Media Stadium and six of their last eight encounters with the Warriors.

The Warriors have not beaten Gold Coast in New Zealand since 2013.

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Same Healey, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Luke Hanson, 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves: 21. Morgan Gannon, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 23. Mitch Barnett

Meanwhile, new Titans coach Josh Hannay has also stuck with the squad that delivered an impressive 52-10 win over Parramatta Eels last week.

Second-rower Klese Haas missed that performance with a leg injury, but has been included on the extended bench.

Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Sialetili Faeamani, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Lachlan Ilias, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Kurtis Morrin, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Arama Hau, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Chris Randall

Interchange: 14. Oliver Pascoe, 15. Cooper Bai, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Adam Christensen, 18. Jaylan de Groot, 19. Zane Harrison

Reserves: 20. Klese Haas, 21. Josh Patston, 22. Jensen Taumoepeau

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/14/nrl-nz-warriors-veterans-kurt-capewell-mitch-barnett-charnze-nicoll-kllokstad-near-return-against-gold-coast/

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Full-Process, All-Element Test Run Conducted for 2026 Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – The 2026 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon is scheduled to kick off on April 19. To ensure better preparation for the event, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), also known as Beijing E-Town, organized a full-process, all-element test run for the 2026 Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon from the night of April 11 to the early hours of April 12. The drill comprehensively simulated core scenarios such as track passage, process scheduling, equipment coordination, and emergency support, serving as a combat-ready exercise to safeguard the official race. Of the registered teams, more than 70 participated in this test, including four international teams, with both autonomous navigation and remote-controlled teams conducting night trials on the course together.

From the night of April 11 to the early hours of April 12, the full-process, all-element test event for the 2026 Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon was held in Beijing E-Town. Pictured is a robot running during the test.

As the world’s first humanoid robot marathon event brand, this competition has reached new heights in terms of scale, technological innovation, and organizational requirements. Therefore, the drill was conducted to drive a further upgrade in the quality of event preparations.

In terms of scale, the number of participating teams for this year has grown by nearly five times compared to last year, exceeding 100 teams. Covering two major categories—autonomous navigation and remote control—with autonomous teams accounting for nearly 40%, the number of participants, types of technology, and scope of testing have all reached historic highs. Consequently, full-process drills are required to solidify operational links, hone team coordination, and ensure the efficient operation of the event.

Regarding technological innovation, the first large-scale application of autonomous navigation technology has become a major highlight and challenge. In complex and changing environments, robots face difficulties in perceiving and making decisions within intricate surroundings, posing huge challenges to their computing power. At the same time, long-distance running places severe tests on the robots’ endurance, specifically examining their long-range stamina and energy management capabilities. Furthermore, dynamic balance and gait control capabilities are put to the test; robots must maintain dynamic balance at all times. Especially during high-speed running or sharp turns, the requirements for adaptive gait and millisecond-level posture correction are extremely high to prevent falls caused by shifts in the center of gravity.

In terms of regulations, this year’s event has also seen systematic upgrades in five areas: stricter rules on human intervention, more scientific start and movement protocols, clearer scoring and penalty criteria, more standardized supply and equipment management, and tighter safety and emergency procedures.

Facing these numerous challenges, the main purpose of this full-process, all-element test is to conduct technical validation, process refinement, risk prevention, and standard consolidation, ensuring the official race proceeds safely, smoothly, efficiently, and in an orderly manner. This drill, adhering to the standards of “full-process, all-scenarios, and all-elements,” followed the complete official race route of 21.0975 kilometers for the first time. It followed official race timelines, track rules, and support systems, covering two categories of teams (autonomous and remote-controlled), two types of scenarios (urban main roads and eco-parks), and two major segments (technical competition and service support). Through full-chain stress testing, the organizers carried out targeted breakthrough verifications to precisely identify potential issues and optimize procedural details.

The entire event involves a full chain of operations including start-line assembly, track control, battery swapping and resupply, finish-line diversion, emergency containment, vehicle dispatch, timing and judging, and security and medical services. All these must undergo practical drills to identify risks, optimize movement lines, and unify standards. This test comprehensively inspects the stability and reliability of humanoid robot technology, laying a solid foundation for the successful hosting of the official event.

During this test, team positioning was strictly verified and orderly arranged based on technical data submitted by each team, ensuring the process was open, standardized, fair, and orderly. As a realistic pre-race simulation drill, the test focused on process refinement, problem identification, and detail optimization. Test results were for reference only and did not count towards official rankings or race results. At the same time, speed performance and operational data of the teams during the test were within the scope of verification and do not represent their level in the official competition.

Currently, the short-distance speed of robots has improved significantly, and some teams predict that their half-marathon results may approach the level of elite human athletes. As a competition that serves as an extreme test of comprehensive performance and adaptability to complex terrain, the final results are worth looking forward to. On April 19, this human-robot co-running half-marathon will officially kick off, providing more impetus for the development of the robotics industry and accelerating the transition of humanoid robots from the laboratory to real-world applications.

Hashtag: #2026BeijingE-TownHalf-MarathonandHumanoidRobotHalf-Marathon

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/full-process-all-element-test-run-conducted-for-2026-beijing-e-town-humanoid-robot-half-marathon/

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Consumer expo draws global exhibitors keen on China’s vast market

Source: Media Outreach

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2026 – The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) kicked off on Monday in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, attracting more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions.

The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, April 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Themed “Opening Up Drives Global Consumption, Innovation Empowers A Better Life,” this year’s expo runs from April 13 to 18. Meanwhile, the 2026 “Shopping in China” International Consumption Season was launched simultaneously.

The sixth CICPE has expanded in scale, with an exhibition area of 143,000 square meters, up 13,000 square meters from the previous edition. International exhibits account for 65 percent of the total, an increase of 20 percentage points from last year. Meanwhile, over 200 new products are expected to make their debut, double last year’s number and spanning fields including healthcare, jewelry and digital technology.

Since its launch in 2021, the CICPE has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China’s gigantic market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Canada, this year’s guest country of honor, has organized its largest-ever delegation, with around 40 companies participating in sectors including cosmetics, agricultural products, health products and pet food.

Russia and Bulgaria are among nations setting up national pavilions for the first time, while official delegations from 12 countries and regions, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Ireland, are attending the event.

Beyond the main venue in Haikou, a health exhibition area in Hainan’s Boao features 120 international pharmaceutical and medical device companies, while a yacht show in Sanya in the province is hosting over 200 yachts, with international brands accounting for 70 percent.

Committed to building an international, professional, and market-oriented multilateral economic and trade cooperation platform, the CICPE has become a “bridgehead” for high-level opening up. It has attracted over 230,000 domestic and overseas buyers in the five expos to date.

This edition, for the first time, has set up a buyer service center on site, providing exhibitors and buyers with full-process, all-round supply-demand matchmaking services. Additionally, an online supply-demand matchmaking platform has been established, leveraging digital technology to enable one-click matching of needs.

“An estimated 65,000 professional buyers will attend this year’s expo, a 10-percent increase from the previous edition,” said Lu Min, director of the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development. “We also plan to hold more than 10 supply-demand matchmaking events to effectively enhance the sense of fulfillment for both buyers and exhibitors.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/14/consumer-expo-draws-global-exhibitors-keen-on-chinas-vast-market/

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Green Cross Health confirms talks over medical division sale

Source: Radio New Zealand

Green Cross Health says it will continue to keep shareholders informed in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations. 123RF

Listed healthcare provider Green Cross Health has confirmed it is in discussions with third parties about a potential transaction involving its medical division, but says there is no certainty those talks will result in a sale.

It follows reporting by the Australian Financial Review, which said three private equity firms, including Sydney‑based Adamantem Capital, were competing to acquire Green Cross Health’s medical division.

“Green Cross Health confirms that it is engaging with parties regarding a potential transaction involving the Medical division,” the company said in a statement to the stock exchange.

“There is no certainty that this engagement will lead to any transaction.”

Green Cross Health said it would continue to keep shareholders informed in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.

The medical division operates 65 medical centres under The Doctors and Local Doctors brands, with around 415,000 enrolled patients across the country.

The wider group also owns pharmacy brands Unichem and Life Pharmacy, with more than 300 stores operating throughout New Zealand.

Craigs Investment Partners investment director Mark Lister said private equity firms were increasingly looking at smaller companies on the New Zealand share market, after years of relative under performance left some listed companies trading at attractive valuations.

“The smaller end of town doesn’t get the same sort of attention – it’s not in the same spotlight – and that can mean mispricing opportunities,” Lister said.

He said private equity firms loved to “turn over rocks and uncover opportunities” they might profit from by buying at low prices and adding value.

“Private equity investors love to take a slightly longer‑term and more contrarian view than fickle sharemarket investors, who can be very short‑term at times,” he said.

Lister said that, beyond pricing, the healthcare sector was appealing because of New Zealand’s ageing population, although it was not without risk.

The company did not comment on the size or structure of any potential transaction, nor whether it would involve a full or partial sale of the medical division.

Shares in Green Cross Health rose 18.5 percent to $1.47 following the announcement.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/14/green-cross-health-confirms-talks-over-medical-division-sale/

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Liberal candidate draws top of ballot paper in Farrer but faces mammoth battle

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Liberal candidate Raissa Butkowski has drawn top position on the ballot paper for the May 9 Farrer byelection, in a field of a dozen candidates.

While she will be at the top of the ballot paper Butkowski, a lawyer with a community legal service and an Albury councillor, has a massive struggle in the contest. The byelection is to replace as member former Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who quit parliament after being ousted from the leadership.

The frontrunners are Independent Michelle Milthorpe, who has an education background and won 20% of the vote at the last election, and One Nation’s David Farley, an agribusinessman. Milthorpe has drawn second on the ballot paper, while Farley is at eighth spot.

Preferences are expected to be crucial to the outcome.

A defeat for the Liberals would be a setback for Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.

The Nationals’ Brad Robertson, who has a military background, has drawn fourth place, while the Greens’ Richard Hendrie, a mental health and disability advocate, is at sixth place on the ballot.

Also contesting are candidates from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Family First, Gerard Rennick People First, Legalise Cannabis, Affordable Housing Now – Sustainable Australia Party, and two other independents.

The Nationals are homing in strongly on the deep local concerns about health and hospital services in Albury, running a health forum with frontbenchers this week.

Nationals leader Matt Canavan said it was obvious the local hospital upgrades “are more about budget, rather than community needs”.

“It is clear we need adequate services and we need to invest in the community of Farrer,” he said.

– ref. Liberal candidate draws top of ballot paper in Farrer but faces mammoth battle – https://theconversation.com/liberal-candidate-draws-top-of-ballot-paper-in-farrer-but-faces-mammoth-battle-280587

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/14/liberal-candidate-draws-top-of-ballot-paper-in-farrer-but-faces-mammoth-battle-280587/

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Auckland council votes to probe sanctioning Israel over war crimes

Asia Pacific Report

The planning and policy committee of New Zealand’s largest city today voted decisively to investigate sanctioning companies listed by the UN Human Right Council that are alleged to be complicit with the illegal Israeli occupation and settlements in Palestine Territory.

Auckland Council is the local body governing a “super city” with a population of more than 1.8 million people — almost a third of the country’s total population.

The council’s policy, planning and development committee voted 14 to 2 to call for a staff report by July about sanctioning UN listed companies over Israeli war crimes.

“Israel has been stealing Palestinian land and moving Israeli settlers onto the land in defiance of international law,” said Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) co-chair Maher Nazzal.

“The local Palestinian community and our supporters sincerely thank the Auckland councillors who today have voted for steps to refuse to procure goods or services from any of the companies involved in building and maintaining these settlements,” he said in a statement.

“Auckland ratepayers deserve to know their rates are not being used to support Israeli war crimes, as designated by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, international conventions and the International Court of Justice.

Councillor Julie Fairey moved the resolution and rejected the arguments of councillors who opposed it, arguing that the council should “stick to its knitting”.  She said decisions should be made so that “the needles and the wool don’t have blood on them”.

Councillor Maurice Williamson voted against the resolution.

However, as a cabinet minister of the Key/English government at the time, he stated he had supported New Zealand co-sponsorship of UN Security Resolution 2334 in 2016, calling Israeli settlements “a flagrant breach of international law”.

Williamson then went on to attack the UN Human Rights Council, falsely claiming it was chaired by Iran, when in fact the president represents Indonesia.

“Already six different local bodies have taken this step — it’s good to see Auckland following along the same path,” Nazzal said.

New Zealand’s third-largest city, Christchurch, voted to sanction Israel in October 2024.

A strong contingent of supporters for the Auckland resolution were present for the debate and delighted with the result.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/14/auckland-council-votes-to-probe-sanctioning-israel-over-war-crimes/

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Catholic leader says Trump’s comments about the pope totally wrong

Source: Radio New Zealand

Pope Leo XIV and Donald Trump. AFP

A Catholic leader says Donald Trump’s comments about the Pope are totally wrong and unjustified.

Donald Trump is criticising Pope Leo after the head of the global Catholic Church preached against war and urged peaceful solutions to conflict.

Cardinal John Dew took part in the conclave that elected Pope Leo.

He told Checkpoint Pope Leo has a right to plead for peace and a moral duty to oppose the destruction of war.

That comes after President Donald Trump called Pope Leo weak on crime, terrible for foreign policy and suggested he stop catering to the radical left.

Trump also claimed if he was not in the White House, Pope Leo would not be in the Vatican.

The comments have drawn wide criticism from religious and other leaders.

But President Trump’s doubled down saying he would not be apologising.

“We don’t like a pope that’s going to say that it’s okay to have a nuclear weapon, we don’t want a pope that says crime is okay in our cities. I don’t like it I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo.”

Trump’s statements on social media followed Pope Leo’s Sunday prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica.

There was no mention of the United States or President Trump.

But the Pontiff spoke of the power of prayer.

“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” Pope Leo said.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

Pope Leo was not backing down either.

“The message of the church, my message, the message of the gospel, blessed are the peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician.

“I don’t want to get into a debate with him, I don’t think that the message of the gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war hoping to promote peace, promoting dialogue in all bi-laterial relationships among the states to look for just solutions and promise.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today, too many innocent people are being killed and I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way to do this.”

Cardinal John Dew said the pope has the right to speak out on issues that affect the world. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Cardinal Dew said that he and many others believed Trump’s comments about the pope were totally wrong.

“The pope has a right to speak up on issues that affect the world, issues such as world peace.”

Prior to the conclave, world peace was a major issue because of the war between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and the Palestinians, he said.

“Pope Leo certainly heard from the cardinals that working for peace and speaking out for peace was something that he would need to be doing and that he is doing very clearly and strongly with the message of the gospel behind everything he says.”

US Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, told Fox News that the pope should “stick to matters of morality”.

But Cardinal Dew said that war was a moral matter.

“It’s a moral issue when people are being attacked, when whole nations are being threatened … which means that people are losing their lives, their livelihood, their homes are being completely destroyed and left homeless – that’s a moral issue.”

The pope and others have the right to speak out for peace and plead for peace, he said.

Many people heeded Pope Leo’s call to pray for peace, he said.

Even in New Zealand last weekend many people gathered to pray for peace, over and above the usual Sunday masses and services, he said.

Pope Leo did not specifically mention Donald Trump or the war in Iran in his comments, but Dew said the pope was “political enough to know that he shouldn’t be mentioning the president by name”, he said.

“But he is making a point that affects the whole world that the world needs to stop and think about why there are wars and are they being caused by greed or selfishness or wanting more land which again are moral issues.”

Dew said it seemed that democracy was being ignored at the moment.

“So the pope is saying look we need to think of these values, these things that shaped our world for so long and have helped us to live in ways that everyone is respected, that people are cared for and that all people look after one another and they’re not just attacked for no reason.”

Dew said leaders should not declare a war with no consultation simply because they believed it was the right thing to do.

“The threats of people just being annihilated are not the way that any leader should be running a country or speaking about any other countries in the world.”

Dew rejected that Donald Trump had anything to do with the election of Pope Leo.

Dew thought that Trump should apologise to Pope Leo.

“Yes I think he should but I don’t think he’ll get it … I don’t think anyone has the right to speak about another world leader in the way that the pope has been spoken about.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/14/catholic-leader-says-trumps-comments-about-the-pope-totally-wrong/

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Slip blocks road in Muriwai, West Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Generic fire truck. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Auckland Council says geotechnical assessments are underway at the site of a slip in Muriwai, west of Auckland.

Fire and Emergency was notified of the slip on Domain Crescent at 2.49pm on Tuesday.

The council’s general manager of engineering, assets and technical advisory, Paul Klinac said the slip had partially blocked the road and had been coned off.

He said the road was still passable and FENZ had since left the scene.

“Auckland Transport has also despatched a team to assess the site and a further geotechnical assessment will be carried out in the morning.”

Two volunteer Muriwai firefighters, Craig Stevens and Dave van Zwanenberg, died after being hit by a landslide on Motutara Road during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.

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Cyclone Gabrielle inquest hears about deaths of Ivy Collins, Susane Caccioppoli

Source: Radio New Zealand

  • Coroner Erin Woolley is investigating the deaths of 19 people who died in 2023 as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods.
  • A number of independent investigations into how Hawke’s Bay local authorities responded to the cyclone found major failings in their ability to plan for, and respond to, extreme weather events.
  • So far the coronial inquiry has heard emotional apologies from civil defence and emergency services, revealed failures in communications and technology, and listened to harrowing 111 calls from victims.

The harrowing stories of people who narrowly survived Cyclone Gabrielle and lost their loved ones are being heard in the Hastings District Court this week.

Jack and Ella Collins outside the Hastings District Court this week. Supplied

Cyclone Gabrielle’s youngest victim was two-year-old Ivy Collins, whose mother Ella says would still be alive if authorities had warned them of the flooding risk in February 2023.

“We wouldn’t have been there. We would never have put our babies to bed that night if we had any understanding of what was coming. We would have left,” she told the court.

But instead, reassured by Facebook posts from local councils and civil defence, the Collins family went to sleep on 13 February with no idea they were in harm’s way.

Ella woke at about 4am on 14 February 2023 to the sound of water gushing, and stepped into ankle deep water.

Within 30 minutes their beds were floating, and her husband woke their two children – four-year-old Imogen and two-year-old Ivy to tell them they were “going on an adventure”, but that they would be okay.

With the kids on their shoulders, Ella and Jack decided the safest place was their neighbours two storey house. In the darkness, using the light of their cellphones, they set off on what should have been a quick walk to safety.

But as they crossed a driveway, the floodwaters suddenly changed. It became much deeper with a stronger current that swept them off their feet.

Ella choked back tears as she described what happened next.

“I had been pushed under the water. The water lifted Ivy off my shoulders and as I came out of the water I saw her floating face down away from me … along the current … I screamed to Jack ‘I’ve lost her’. I screamed ‘I’ve lost Ivy’,” she said.

Jack pulled Ella and Imogen onto a hedge he had managed to grab, then he dived into the water to find Ivy.

“With Jack gone into the darkness, and unsure if I’d ever see him again … I could hear him howling … my focus shifted to just getting Imogen to safety.

“Fortunately we were reunited sometime later after he managed to make his way back to us, which is nothing short of a miracle. We just continued fighting to survive.”

Two-year-old Ivy Collins was Cyclone Gabrielle’s youngest victim. Ella Collins

The trauma from that night will haunt the Collins family forever. Jack is unable to return to work as a mechanic after breaking his spine trying to get them onto a roof, and Ella said seven-year-old Imogen struggles daily with the loss of her sister.

“We lost two girls that night. She’ll never be the same. Our family is broken in ways I can’t articulate.

“The worst part is that our tragedy, our grief and our trauma all could have been prevented,” she said.

The coroner’s court for the Cyclone Gabrielle inquest RNZ / Alexa Cook

Ella wants to see more timely evacuation orders and communications about flood risks, which Coroner Woolley agreed was needed.

“I do hope something good can come of this and I certainly agree with you there needs to be a more proactive evacuations.

“To my mind that is how you stop people from suffering in flooding… is to make sure they are not there when the flooding is happening,” the coroner said.

Ella said she did not accept evidence provided by Hawke’s Bay’s Civil Defence group controller at the time, Ian Macdonald, who said issuing too many civil defence alerts risked ‘desensitising’ the public.

‘We’re going to die’

During the cyclone, Gareth Jones was further up the Esk Valley, house-sitting with his friend Susane Caccioppoli.

When the river broke its banks and water started pouring into the house, they smashed their way into the ceiling cavity. As the water kept rising they managed to escape onto the roof.

“We weren’t scared… but (we thought) ‘we’re going to die, there’s no way we’re going to get through this’.

“Sue said to me, ‘it’s okay, I’m with you I’m happy’. And we talked about our children,” he recounted.

Gareth Jones survived being swept off the roof of an Esk Valley house during Cyclone Gabrielle, but the friend he was with did not. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Then they heard a horrendous crash and saw a shipping container fly past, soon after the roof they were clinging to tipped up like the Titanic and threw them into the raging torrent.

Gareth found a piece of driftwood and was holding onto Susane as they were swept towards a shelterbelt of trees where he was forced to let go of his friend.

He was in tears as he recalled that awful moment.

“All I can remember as we went towards it, was something hitting me across the head and something grabbing my foot.

“When it grabbed my foot it just pulled me under water with such force.. all I can remember doing was raising my arm.. and I had to let Sue go.. I tried so hard,” he sobbed.

He washed up downstream in a quarry, somehow alive, but Susane didn’t make it.

Gareth told the coroner he hopes sharing his traumatic experience, will make a difference as he doesn’t want anyone else to needlessly die over something so preventable.

“Hearing accounts from people like you and others, I think it’s very lucky more people didn’t lose their lives,” the Coroner responded.

“Thank you so much for having that strength to give evidence today, it’s certainly been very valuable for me,” she said.

Susane Caccioppoli died in Cyclone Gabrielle. Supplied

Susane’s daughter Bianka-Lee Bryan also gave evidence, telling the court it took five days for police to confirm the body they had found was her mother.

“I have been thinking a lot about how that week went for me and my family… I do not think it’s okay to leave people stressing for that long.

“Hoping that mum was still alive, frantically searching for her, hearing rumours and information through media and nobody official telling us anything.. without support or communication, those days will haunt us forever,” Bryan said.

The inquest will continue for the rest of the week in the Hastings District Court, where the families of the 13 people who died in Hawke’s Bay during the cyclone will also be giving evidence.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/14/cyclone-gabrielle-inquest-hears-about-deaths-of-ivy-collins-susane-caccioppoli/

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Queenstown film and TV village gets go ahead under the fast-track approval process

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Ayrburn Screen Hub will include film and television studios, offices and 201 accommodation units. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A film and television production village in Queenstown has been given the go ahead under the government’s fast-track approval process despite negative environmental effects.

The Ayrburn Screen Hub will include film and television studios, offices and 201 accommodation units on the Ayrburn Farm property in the Whakatipu Basin.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said it took an expert panel five months to approve the project that was expected to inject about $280 million into the local economy and support about 640 jobs across Otago.

“The screen sector makes a significant contribution to the economy,” Bishop said.

“Once complete Ayrburn will allow Queenstown to attract international productions and provide high-quality facilities for local filmmakers. Purpose-built infrastructure will help New Zealand compete for high value international productions.”

The panel assessed landscape, traffic, noise, servicing, ecology and cultural effects.

“It found that while some landscape effects would be more than minor they are not significant, will reduce over time and could be managed through conditions,” Bishop said.

The developer Waterfall Park Developments Limited is a subsidiary of Winton Land Limited.

Winton’s Queenstown general manager Lauren Christie said the project would deliver employment and economic growth for the region and strengthen New Zealand’s film and television infrastructure while also providing improvements to water quality.

Film Otago Southland chair George Dawes said it was an exciting development for the local screen industry and the Ayrburn Screen Hub would bring a much-needed purpose-built world-class screen studio to the lower South Island.

“This development will further unlock the potential of the screen industry in the region and cements Queenstown’s position as a premier location for local and international filmmakers,” he said.

It is the second project in the Otago Region that has gained fast-track approval after the Homestead Bay residential development of 2800 homes and a retail precinct in Queenstown was granted approval in February.

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