Paul G. Buchanan and Selwyn Manning present A View from Afar and in this episode they discuss:

• The US Electoral College Vote confirms Joe Biden as president-elect
• What does this mean for the South-Pacific?
• China + US are global powers operating in the SOPAC. But how does France fit into this mix?

• The US Electoral College Vote confirms Joe Biden as president-elect
• What does this mean for the South-Pacific?
• China + US are global powers operating in the SOPAC. But how does France fit into this mix?

LIVE COMMENTS: If you join us while we are live via Facebook, Twitter or Youtube, do comment as we will be able to bring your comments, questions and views into the live programme.

Here are the interaction accounts:

• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube
• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning

On https://EveningReport.nz ‘s TECH NOW programme, Sarah Putt and Selwyn Manning discuss the latest news and views emerging from the technology sector including tech-trends in New Zealand and around the world.

Tonight’s topics (tech moves of 2020):

• Performance of the telco networks
• Working from home – have you thanked your IT department?
• Cybersecurity – under DDoS attack
• New privacy act passes into law – 27 years to update
• Big tech wins in 2020.

LIVE TONIGHT on https://EveningReport.nz ‘s TECH NOW programme, Sarah Putt and Selwyn Manning will discuss the latest news and views emerging from the technology sector including tech-trends in New Zealand and around the world.

Tonight’s topics:

• Performance of the telco networks
• Working from home – have you thanked your IT department?
• Cybersecurity – under DDoS attack
• New privacy act passes into law – 27 years to update
• Big tech wins.

LIVE INTERACTION: If you join us while we are live via Facebook, Twitter or Youtube, do comment as we will be able to bring your comments, questions and views into the live programme.

Here are the interaction accounts: Facebook.com/selwyn.manning and Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning and Youtube.

Remember, if you missed the live show, you can view it as video-on-demand, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

You can also listen via our Podcast syndicators: Apple Podcasts (iTunes) or Spotify.

VIDEO: In what will be a precursor episode to a planned Evening Report panel-series through 2021, Selwyn Manning and Paul Buchanan discuss and respond to elements of the Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attacks of March 15, 2019.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In correspondence after this live episode, government sector law specialist, Graeme Edgeler, wrote:

• Once again you fail to distinguish between general precepts under the Inquiries Act and the specific terms of reference for this RCI. It specifies that all testimony, statements and documentary provision is voluntary on the part of those who agree to appear before the Commission. The blanket name suppression of all such people below the Director level was in part designed to encourage whistle blowers to come forward when they otherwise would not under the voluntary regime. All classified material was supplied at the various agency’s discretion–the RCI could not compel production of anything that the agencies refused to supply. This is known as a self-limiting or self-binding approach, something that limits the legal exposure of people who otherwise could be held liable for actions that (however indirectly) contributed to mass murder.

• The Royal Commission’s terms of reference are publicly available (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0072/latest/whole.html#LMS183988) They do no [sic] specify that all testimony, statements, and documentary provision is voluntary. In fact, the word voluntary does not appear at all. Nor do the words testimony, statement(s), document(s) or documentary. There are requirements in the terms of reference around secrecy, and confidentiality, around holding parts of the inquiry in private, etc, but there is nothing in them covering what you say is in there (feel free to suggest a clause you think has this effect). I do not rule out that as a matter of fact, the inquiry avoided using its power of summons in respect of material held by state agencies, but if it did, it was not because its terms of reference prevented it.

THE EPISODE:

• EveningReport.nz Programme: A View from Afar
• Live Discussion: Paul G. Buchanan (36th-Parallel.com) and Selwyn Manning (EveningReport.nz)
• Interaction: Comments welcomed during the LIVE programme via Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter (via Periscope)
• Time: Midday, NZDST (6pm, US EST), Thursday December 10, 2020.
• The Report: Officially titled – Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques on March 15 2019.

The Inquiry’s terms of reference contained three areas:

• The terrorist’s actions
• Actions of public sector agencies
• Recommended changes that could prevent future terrorist attacks of this kind.

LIVE DISCUSSION POINTS:

This A View from Afar discussion will explore takeouts from the Inquiry’s report and will include (Ref. https://chchroyalinquiry.cwp.govt.nz/the-report/):

‘The idea that intelligence and security agencies engage in mass surveillance of New Zealanders is a myth.’

In 2014, the intelligence and security agencies were in a fragile state. A rebuilding exercise did not get underway until mid-2016 and was still unfinished when the terrorist attack took place in 2019.

Between 2016 and 15 March 2019, the primary, but not exclusive, focus of the counter-terrorism resources was on what was seen as the presenting threat of Islamist extremist terrorism.

There was an inappropriate concentration of counter-terrorism resources on the threat of Islamist extremist terrorism.

In May 2018, there was one project focused on developing an understanding of right-wing extremism in New Zealand. At that time, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service had only a limited understanding of right-wing extremism in New Zealand and work on this was not complete when the terrorist attack occurred.

The intelligence function of New Zealand Police had degraded and from 2015 was not carrying out strategic terrorism threat assessments.

The SIS had a lack of capacity until mid-2018 both to deal with (its perceived Islamic extremist) threat and, at the same time, to baseline other threats.

Other agencies did not engage in informed discussion about the SIS approach nor consider the implications of this.

COULD THE TERRORIST HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND IDENTIFIED?:

Given the operational security that the individual maintained, the legislative authorising environment in which the counter-terrorism effort operates and the limited capability and capacity of the counter-terrorism agencies, there was no plausible way he could have been detected except by chance.

The fact the individual was not detected was not in itself an intelligence failure.

RECOMMENDATIONS (SECURITY/INTEL REFORM):

The creation of a national intelligence and security agency (NISA). This will deliver a more systematic approach to counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism efforts.

The CEO of a proposed NISA would be the national adviser on intelligence and security.

Full implementation of our recommendations will result in a better organised counter‑terrorism effort with enhanced capacity and capability and a less restrictive legislative framework.

NISA would provide:

• Strategic policy advice.
• Develop a counter-terrorism strategy.
• Administer relevant national security legislation.

POLITICAL, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND STRONGER OVERSIGHT:

The Inquiry expects to see far more political and public engagement and discussion and stronger oversight.

This will result in greater public trust and thus social licence.  We wish to see discussion about counter-terrorism normalised. Our recommendations provide mechanisms for this to occur.

PUBLIC DISCOURSE:

The Inquiry stated that should a public facing two-way discourse have been encouraged by governments through: a “see something, say something” policy, it is possible that aspects of the individual’s planning and preparation may have been reported to counter-terrorism agencies.

Such reporting, the Inquiry stated, would have provided the best chance of disrupting the terrorist attack.

RETROSPECTIVE CRITICISM:

If the known risk that a terrorist could take advantage of New Zealand’s lax regulation of semi-automatic firearms had been addressed earlier, it is likely that there would have been no terrorist attack on 15 March 2019.

INQUIRY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

It will take time to enhance public trust and confidence in New Zealand’s counter-terrorism effort, so work to do so should begin urgently.

The agencies within the scope of the Inquiry include: National Security Group of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Government Communications Security Bureau, Immigration New Zealand, New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

Be informed: Link to Inquiry Report.

COMMENT DURING THE LIVE DISCUSSION:

You can interact with the LIVE programme by clicking on one of these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube
• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning

You can also see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz or, subscribe to the Evening Report podcast here.

VIDEO: Paul G. Buchanan and Selwyn Manning present A View from Afar.

This week we discuss:

How nations that have a long history of trading with China, are becoming intolerant to the People’s Republic’s covert influence operations. Specifically:

* Why is China pursuing this 21st century-style of covert spying on its supposed trade-allies?

* How damaging are China’s influence operations among its Indo-Pacific trading partners?

* How can independent Asia-Pacific states walk a tight-rope where, on one hand they progress two-way trade with China, while ridding themselves of interference in their respective democracies and security-intelligence engagements?

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Topics to discuss this week include how security/defence and trade deals don’t always go hand in hand. Specifically:

* On Security, China is alone in the Western Pacific as the USA, India, Australia and other ASEAN states take part in naval security exercises in the Arabian Sea.

* On Trade, China has signed up, as have most ASEAN states plus Japan, Australia and New Zealand into the RCEP (or Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But India rejected the deal.

* Multilaterally, is the BRICS bloc dead in the water?

Join us LIVE here on Facebook and your comments will be able to be included in the programme.

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

LIVE TONIGHT on https://EveningReport.nz ‘s TECH NOW programme, Sarah Putt and Selwyn Manning will discuss the latest news and views emerging from the technology sector including tech-trends in New Zealand and around the world.

Tonight’s topics:

• The new Labour-led Government has appointed David Clark as New Zealand’s Tech Minister. Sarah will take us through how the tech sector has responded to this controversial, but vitally important, appointment.
• Trump’s out. Joe Biden’s in. How tech-friendly will US President-elect Joe Biden be?
• And, we have heard about the Internet of Things, but what’s the Internet of Behaviours?

LIVE INTERACTION: If you join us while we are live via Facebook, Twitter or Youtube, do comment as we will be able to bring your comments, questions and views into the live programme.

Here are the interaction accounts: Facebook.com/selwyn.manning and Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning and Youtube.

Remember, if you missed the live show, you can view it as video-on-demand, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

• How voting counting continues in the United States with it being so very close but nudging favourably for Democrat candidate, Joe Biden.
• But incumbent, US President Donald Trump, has already claimed victory; that the reason why he trails in the electoral college vote is due to voter fraud; that he will ‘not allow them to steal this election’; that he will take this to the US Supreme Court.
• Overnight, Trump has filed a law suit to stop vote counting in Michigan.
• Meanwhile, the vote counting of votes continues. The totals in key tipping states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania should be more clear by Friday, US time (that’s Saturday here in New Zealand).

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

So let’s cross to Paul who is waiting online, and unpick the complexity of this election outcome….

Hi I’m Selwyn Manning and you are watching A View from Afar.

As always, we are joined by political scientist and former Pentagon analyst… Paul Buchanan… and this week we will discuss:

How United States Secretary of Defense, Mike Pompeo, has this week been traveling around South East Asia. He has signed a new defence deal with India, at a time when India and China relations are digressing.

Also, ASEAN (Association of South East Asia nations), for years has been considered a paper tiger. But now it member states are sharpening their claws with help from the USA.

So what is Pompeo’s plan? What’s the end-game here? Is it simply a new move to contain China’s dominance and growing authoritarianism? Is the Trump Administration being drawn out from its isolationism by China’s expanding presence in the region?

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Hello I’m Selwyn Manning and you are watching Tech Now.

Tonight, we are joined by technology commentator Sarah Putt to discuss some of the week’s big tech issues, including:

A new Telecommunications Commissioner started in June. And the commissioner has a big focus on telco consumer rights. We’ll talk to Sarah to see what this means for you and me.

Also, the US Government looks intent at reigning in the BIG TECH giants and is positioning to regulate the global giant Google. What is the US Justice Department’s case against Google about? And, will the new Labour-led Government also go after Google, Facebook, and other big tech platforms to capture revenue they siphon out of New Zealand?

And there’s an expensive new gadget on the way that could very easily exhaust your Christmas spending budget. The new Apple iPhone 12 will be available in November. Its selling angle is that iPhone 12 will be 5G ready. But is that just a marketing edge? Sarah has gone through the detail so we don’t have to.

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and even put Sarah on the spot with a few questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Welcome to Evening Report’s A View from Afar

As always, we are joined by political scientist Paul Buchanan and this week we will discuss:

In these weeks leading up to the United States elections… there have been a number of countries around the world that have seen voters swing away from economically liberal right parties to attach their votes to parties of the centre-left.

These include countries as diverse as New Zealand and Bolivia.

Today, we will look at the election outcomes of these two states, and in particular discuss trends, foreign policy and whether the elections indicate a change in global mood.

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Welcome to Evening Report’s A View from Afar

As always, we are joined by political scientist Paul Buchanan and this week we will discuss:

How the ‘probabilities’ of Presidential incumbent Donald Trump being re-elected, look increasingly unlikely. It’s still possible, but more improbable.

If Democrat candidate Joe Biden wins the presidency, what would this mean for the rest of the world?

What would Joe Biden’s foreign policy look like?

And, who would be the likely contenders to join a Biden Administration?

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Welcome to Evening Report’s A View from Afar

As always, we are joined by political scientist Paul Buchanan and this week we will discuss:

How United States polls indicate it’s increasingly less-probable for Donald Trump to be re-elected.

But, what are the immediate dangers facing the US in this pre-vote period?

Right now, it appears, there’s a severe test of US political institutions. The election is being delegitimized; the military brass is on quarantine; Trump’s behaviour is more erratic.

How is the USA’s national security being compromised? And, how will the United States’ adversaries react?

To discuss these issues we are joined by political scientist, and former US Pentagon analyst, Paul Buchanan.

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and include questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

Good evening, you are watching Tech Now.

Tonight, we are joined by technology commentator Sarah Putt to discuss some of the week’s big tech issues, including:

• What policies are getting the nod from tech-sector leaders?
• Also, should Apple and Google get a 30% cut on apps sales?
• And, Facebook’s photo platform, Instagram, turns 10. So why does the social media giant plan to merge Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp’s messenger systems?

INTERACTION: Remember, if you are joining us LIVE via social media (SEE LINKS BELOW), you can make comments and even put Sarah on the spot with a few questions. We will be able to see your interaction, and include this in the LIVE show.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

• Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
• Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
• Youtube

And, you can see video-on-demand of this show, and earlier episodes too, by checking out EveningReport.nz

The programme is the latest effort by EveningReport as it rolls out its public service webcasting programmes, produced by ER’s parent company Multimedia Investments Ltd.