Category: AM-NC

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Application of artificial intelligence in primary and secondary school teaching

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ12: Application of artificial intelligence in primary and secondary school teaching
Question:

     The Steering Committee for Teaching in Basic Education under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (MOE) has recently published the “Guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) general education in primary and secondary schools (2025)” and the “Guidelines for the use of generative AI in primary and secondary schools (2025)”, with the aim of regulating and promoting AI education across all key stages. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will follow the practice of MOE in formulating guidelines for AI education and the use of generative AI in primary and secondary schools, so as to build a comprehensive AI general education system and set clear regulations for the use of generative AI in primary and secondary education for various learning stages;

(2) in order to prevent students from becoming over-reliant on generative AI to the detriment of their independent thinking skills, whether the authorities will draw up guidelines on the use of generative AI for different learning stages, so as to provide teachers and parents with reference material for supervising students and their children’s use of generative AI;

(3) in order to effectively safeguard the privacy and data security of students, whether the authorities will require schools to adopt the Artificial Intelligence: Model Personal Data Protection Framework published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, so as to provide primary and secondary school teachers and administrative staff with clear guidelines on the use of AI;

(4) in order to support teachers in providing teaching and learning support plans tailored to students of different levels and abilities, whether the authorities will produce a large language model for all primary and secondary schools across the territory that can be used for teaching and learning purposes, as well as developing vertical applications; and

(5) whether the authorities will draw up guidelines and provide technical support for primary and secondary schools to enhance their application of AI in school affairs, thereby encouraging the use of generative AI technologies to optimise school administration?

Reply:

President,

     To align with the national strategy of building a leading country in education, keeping pace with global development trends, and nurturing talent for the advancement of innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau (EDB) is stepping up its efforts to promote digital education, including the application and education of artificial intelligence (AI). The EDB established the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education in early 2025, making reference to the latest developments on the Mainland and relevant policies and experiences from other places, to provide recommendations on the goals, strategies and future directions for the implementation of digital education in Hong Kong. The EDB will organise the first Digital Education Week in July combining the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects and the Hong Kong Education City’s annual event Learning & Teaching Expo, to promote in-depth exploration and application of AI and frontier technology.

     Our consolidated reply to the written question raised by Professor the Hon William Wong is as follows:

     Through ongoing curriculum and guide renewal, enriching learning and teaching resources, strengthening teacher training, optimising education ancillary infrastructure and promoting cross-sector collaboration, the EDB assists schools in harnessing AI and other I&T to enhance the digital literacy and the competence of both teachers and students on AI. The EDB places emphasis on developing students’ values, attitudes, knowledge and skills, enabling them to use digital technology (including generative AI) effectively and ethically.

Curriculum and guides

     At present, almost all publicly-funded primary and secondary schools have implemented enriched coding education and AI education at the upper primary level and the junior secondary level respectively. The Module on AI for Junior Secondary Level covers topics such as AI basics, AI ethics, societal impact and future of work, which enables teachers and students to learn about the appropriate application scenarios of AI, as well as relevant security topics including personal data privacy and data security. The EDB launched the updated “Information Literacy for Hong Kong Students” Learning Framework in 2024, with a new literacy area “recognise the ethical issues arising from the application of emerging and advanced information technologies” which includes subjects relating to laws and regulations, academic integrity and excessive dependence arising from I&T such as AI technologies, with an aim to develop students to become ethical users of information technology (IT).

     In addition, the EDB has, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Journalism Education Foundation, launched the learning and teaching resources on Cyber Security and Technology Crime Information and Media and Information Literacy respectively, which include contents to strengthen the protection of personal privacy, enhance students’ ability to discern the authenticity of information and promote the proper use of social media. These resources can guide students in the proper use of AI and nurture positive values and attitudes towards the application of innovative technologies.

     We have always encouraged schools to make reference to good practices when applying IT and I&T (such as AI). The Artificial Intelligence: Model Personal Data Protection Framework issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (PCPD), provides useful references on safeguarding personal data privacy and cyber security issues.

     The EDB will make reference to the latest developments and experiences from local, the country and other places, update and optimise the curriculum and guides, adhere to the use of AI for good, and while improving efficiency and effectiveness, maintain the security of AI and technology education, and guard against challenges and risks related to laws and regulations, ethics, authenticity of information, and privacy protection.

Training

     The EDB has continuously enhanced teacher training, these include the provision of AI-related professional development programmes with contents covering topics like the development of AI, the planning of applying AI in teaching and learning, the application of AI tools in different subjects, the safeguarding of data security, as well as the prevention of students from become over-reliant on generative AI to the detriment of their independent thinking skills. The training programmes are conducted in both online and offline modes to benefit a greater number of teachers. In addition, the EDB has co-organised a number of teacher training programmes with the PCPD, enabling schools to understand how to address data security risks and handle data breaches, as well as enhancing school personnel’s awareness of data security.

     In addition, we have continued to launch relevant parent training to help parents cultivate children’s good habit in using IT in their daily life, including the proper use of generative AI for learning.

Education ancillary infrastructure

     To optimise education ancillary infrastructure, the Quality Education Fund (QEF) has allocated $500 million for the implementation of the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme to develop quality e-learning ancillary facilities that meet the local learning and teaching needs through co-operation among schools, tertiary institutions, education and professional bodies, and business sectors. A total of over 20 projects have been funded under the Programme and have commenced in the beginning of the 2023/24 school year. The learning platforms and resources developed under these projects deploy I&T such as big data and AI to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness in a wide array of subjects/areas. As at end-March 2025, around 400 schools participated in the collaborative development projects, involving around 31 000 students. It is expected that the deliverables of the projects will be successively released in mid-2025 and uploaded to the Hong Kong Education City for subscription by schools. The QEF will also sponsor publicly-funded schools to use the deliverables of the projects to facilitate the sustainable development of the projects.

     The EDB will continue to optimise the platform of Hong Kong Education City, make reference and utilise existing high-quality learning and teaching platforms, large language models and programmes in local, the country or other places, encourage the sharing of high-quality resources across sectors and schools, and explore how to further support learning and teaching in Hong Kong in a cost-effective manner.

     Looking forward, under the leadership of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education, the EDB will continue to review the implementation and development of related support strategies on improving students’ digital literacy and skills, strengthening relevant professional training for teachers, enhancing collaboration with different stakeholders and continuously optimising digital education ancillary infrastructure, to meet the needs of school development and student learning in the era of AI.
Issued at HKT 14:16

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CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government welcomes passage of Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Government welcomed the passage of the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council today (June 4) to facilitate the sharing of account information among banks under specified conditions to enhance the efficiency in detecting and preventing crime in Hong Kong.

The Amendment Ordinance introduces a voluntary mechanism for banks and relevant law enforcement agencies to share with each other, swiftly and safely via electronic means, information of corporate and individual accounts through secure platforms designated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), when banks become aware of suspected prohibited conduct (i.e. money laundering, terrorist financing or financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction). The Amendment Ordinance also provides legal protection for banks that disclose relevant information. The mechanism will enable banks and relevant law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to intercept illicit funds and expedite intelligence gathering so that the public will be better protected from fraud and associated money laundering activities.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The new mechanism not only enhances Hong Kong’s ability to combat fraud and associated money laundering activities, providing better protection for citizens, but also helps maintain the stability of Hong Kong’s banking system and showcases the efforts made by Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, in international collaborations to combat relevant illegal activities.”

The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “The new information sharing mechanism will further enhance the ability of the banks to detect and prevent fraud and other financial crime. The HKMA will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Police Force and the banking sector to take forward the preparation work, including the upgrade of systems and formulation of practical guidelines, with a view to implementing the new mechanism as soon as practicable.”

The Amendment Ordinance will come into effect this year. The commencement date will be announced separately.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – EU-Israel Association Agreement – O-000019/2025
Source: European Parliament

Question for oral answer O-000019/2025
to the Commission
Rule 142
Rima Hassan (The Left), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), César Luena (S&D), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Evin Incir (S&D), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Per Clausen (The Left), Irene Montero (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Özlem Demirel (The Left), Damien Carême (The Left), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), Li Andersson (The Left), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Estrella Galán (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Carola Rackete (The Left), Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Giorgos Georgiou (The Left), Michael McNamara (Renew), Manon Aubry (The Left), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Marc Botenga (The Left), Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE)

We welcome the call by a majority of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement[1].

The responsibility now lies with the Commission to assess whether the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government are compatible with the ‘respect for human rights and democratic principles’ required under Article 2 of the agreement. ‘Respect for human rights and democratic principles’ is not only a founding value of the EU, it is also an essential element of all EU association agreements.

Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement explicitly states that relations between the parties are based on these principles, which guide both their internal and international policy and constitute an essential element of the agreement.

In the light of the Commission’s role as the ‘guardian of the Treaties’ (Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union):
- 1.What is the timeline and process for conducting the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
- 2.What procedures are being used for the assessment of the agreement, and how does the Commission plan to involve relevant stakeholders and ensure transparency?
Submitted: 28.5.2025

Lapses: 29.8.2025
- [1] Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2000/384/2013-07-01.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Fisheries – a priority at the EU-UK summit on 19 May 2025 – P-001609/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The Commission agrees on the importance of EU-United Kingdom (UK) cooperation in the area of fisheries, a key element of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The first ever EU-United Kingdom Summit took place on 19 May 2025. The Commission and the United Kingdom agreed a ‘Common Understanding’ which identifies areas of future work for strengthening the bilateral relationship. Throughout the discussions with the United Kingdom to prepare the Summit and to agree on a renewed agenda for EU-United Kingdom cooperation, fisheries was a priority to the Commission.

The Common Understanding notes the political agreement with the United Kingdom leading to full reciprocal access to waters to fish until 30 June 2038. This will protect the rights of EU fishers and ensure stability and predictability for a period of 12 years. During this period, the Parties will have full reciprocal access to fish quota and non-quota stocks in each other’s waters (Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters).

The Commission and the UK have committed to take the necessary steps to formalise this political agreement in the coming weeks and work is ongoing to do this.

Last updated: 4 June 2025

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Need for official recognition and proper protection of the Jewish minority in Hungary – E-001334/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
As stated in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

Defining the legal status of any minority is a competence of the Member States. In Hungary, different laws[1][2] define and recognise the status of national and ethnic minorities and of churches, religious denominations and religious communities[3].

To ensure a strong EU contribution to the future of Jews in Europe, the Commission adopted on 5 October 2021 the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life[4].

On 15 October 2024, whilst Hungary held the Presidency of the Council, the Council approved a declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism[5].

[1] https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/en/2011-4301-02-00.

[2] https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2011-179-00-00.56#CI .

[3] https://magyarkozlony.hu/dokumentumok/f842595bffefff68f85f2aa8a0707aad6af30251/letoltes.

[4] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/combating-antisemitism/eu-strategy-combating-antisemitism-and-fostering-jewish-life-2021-2030/about-eu-strategy_en.

[5] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/15/fostering-jewish-life-and-combating-antisemitism-council-approves-declaration/.
Last updated: 4 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Clarification of the concept of ‘interference’ in democratic debate and elections – E-000959/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Democracy is a founding value of the EU. The essence of democracy is that citizens can freely express their views and participate in democratic life, choose their political representatives, and have a say in their future.

Freedom of expression and freedom of information are both enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights[1] and respected across EU legislation. EU law and policies do not aim to regulate the content of messages. On the contrary, they promote transparent access to an open democratic space.

As long as legal boundaries are respected (such as respect for hate speech prohibitions and national defamation rules), citizens and political actors should be able to express themselves freely.

Citizens have a right to seek and receive information and should be able to form their own opinions in a public space where a plurality of views can be expressed, where they have a right to disagree and where they can take part in elections which are free from interference, whether foreign or domestic.

Foreign interference in the context of elections and democratic debate happens when a foreign state or foreign actor undertakes or triggers a covert operation, directly or through proxies, which aims to harm the integrity of the democratic debate, institutions or processes.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12016P%2FTXT.
Last updated: 4 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Workshops – Implementation of the gender mainstreaming methodology in the EU budget – 25-06-2025 – Committee on Budgetary Control

Source: European Parliament

This workshop will focus on the implementation of the gender mainstreaming methodology in the EU budget, with an emphasis on budgetary control.

The first panel will explore the concept of gender budgeting and its implementation at EU level. The second panel highlights examples of gender budgeting, offering practical insights into its application. Both panels will be followed by Q&A sessions. The workshop will bring together a range of speakers, including independent experts in the field and representatives of the European Institute for Gender Equality and the European Commission, to provide a comprehensive understanding of gender budgeting.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Russia – 03-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, destabilisation policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation and interference campaigns and internal human rights violations. After Russia launched its unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the remaining political, cultural and scientific cooperation was suspended.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Italy : EIB, with SACE and InvestEU guarantees, provides €150 million for Piedmont water services

Source: European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €150 million loan to Acqua Novara.VCO to improve the efficiency and resilience of water infrastructure in the Italian provinces of Novara and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The EIB financed is backed by SACE’s Archimede guarantee – which covers two-thirds of the funding – and the European Union’s InvestEU programme – which covers the remaining €50 million.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Macroeconomic surveillance – 03-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

Over the past decade, the EU has experienced major macroeconomic imbalances and serious divergences in competitiveness. These have both exacerbated the negative effects of the financial crisis that began in 2008 and prevented the effective use of common monetary policy measures to resolve them. In 2011, the EU set up the macroeconomic imbalance procedure to identify and correct such imbalances at national level, particularly those with the potential to spill over and affect other EU countries.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Innovation policy – 03-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

Innovation plays an increasingly important role in our economy. As well as benefiting the EU’s consumers and workers, it is essential to creating better jobs, building a greener society and improving our quality of life. It is also key in maintaining the EU’s competitiveness on global markets. Innovation policy is the interface between research and technological development policy and industrial policy. It aims to create a framework conducive to bringing ideas to market.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – The European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the North – 03-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

The European Economic Area (EEA) was set up in 1994 to extend the EU’s provisions on its internal market to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries. The EEA’s parties are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is a member of EFTA, but not of the EEA. The EU and Nordic EEA EFTA partners (Norway and Iceland) are also linked by various ‘northern policies’ and forums that focus on the rapidly evolving northern reaches of Europe and the Arctic region as a whole.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Banking Union – 03-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

The Banking Union is based on a proposal that the European Commission presented in 2012, a few years after the severe financial crisis had started to unfold in the EU. The key innovation was to transfer responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the largest banks in the euro area from national to European level. From then on, the European Central Bank (ECB) was put in charge of supervisory tasks, which it needed to keep strictly separate from its activities on monetary policy. Another institution – the Single Resolution Board (SRB) – was set up at European level to deal with the failure of large banks. The Commission had proposed a third element – a European deposit insurance scheme – but so far this has not found the necessary political support.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMENDMENTS 029-031 – REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism – A10-0085/2025(029-031)

Source: European Parliament

AMENDMENTS 029-031
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
(COM(2025)0087 – C10-0035/2025 – 2025/0039(COD))
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMENDMENTS 028-028 – REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism – A10-0085/2025(028-028)

Source: European Parliament

AMENDMENTS 028-028
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
(COM(2025)0087 – C10-0035/2025 – 2025/0039(COD))
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMENDMENTS 013-015 – REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism – A10-0085/2025(013-015)

Source: European Parliament

AMENDMENTS 013-015
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
(COM(2025)0087 – C10-0035/2025 – 2025/0039(COD))
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMENDMENTS 026-027 – REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism – A10-0085/2025(026-027)

Source: European Parliament

AMENDMENTS 026-027
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
(COM(2025)0087 – C10-0035/2025 – 2025/0039(COD))
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMENDMENTS 009-012 – REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism – A10-0085/2025(009-012)

Source: European Parliament

AMENDMENTS 009-012
REPORT
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
(COM(2025)0087 – C10-0035/2025 – 2025/0039(COD))
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Allies to agree new capability targets at meeting of NATO Defence Ministers

Source: NATO

Allied Defence Ministers will gather in Brussels on Thursday 5 June 2025 to finalise preparations for the Summit in The Hague.

“At this Ministerial, we are going to take a huge leap forward” Mr Rutte stated, “We will strengthen our deterrence and defence by agreeing ambitious new capability targets.” He went on to identify air and missile defence, long-range weapons, logistics, and large land manoeuvre formations as among the Alliance’s top priorities.

“We need more resources, forces and capabilities so that we are prepared to face any threat, and to implement our collective defence plans in full” the Secretary General emphasised, adding that, in order to deliver on our new targets, “we will need significantly higher defence spending. That underpins everything.”

The Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will be preceded by a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) – the international coalition of Allies and partners chaired by the UK and Germany, providing practical support to Ukraine as it resists Russian aggression.

MIL Security OSI –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: High Life Highland progress report to Education Committee

Source: Scotland – Highland Council

Today (Wednesday 4 June) at The Highland Council’s meeting of the Education Committee, High Life Highland Chief Executive, Steve Walsh will provide a progress report on performance during the operating period to 31 March 2025, including information on HLH’s contributions to The Highland Council Corporate Plan 2022-27 and other achievements and accolades received throughout 2024/25 with a focus on the delivery of the music tuition service.

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “High Life Highland contribute an integral part in ‘making life better’ for the communities it serves, supporting people of all ages across the Highlands through delivery of services including leisure facilities, libraries, archives, community centres, sport, outdoor activities, adult learning, music tuition, visitor attractions and youth work.

“We always looking forward to bringing performance reports to the Education Committee and are heartened to see from the report that in-person customer visits to HLH services in 2024/25 were almost 5 million, a 9% increase on the previous year and the report on the music tuition service and the wonderful contributions that music brings to both children and adults across Highland.

“It has never been more important for communities to be part of recreational pursuits and the work of the dedicated High Life Highland team to continue to pivot operating models and positively engage more and more people to get involved in activities that promote self-esteem and improve wellbeing is fantastic, and I thank all the team for the important role that each and everyone plays in keeping Highland a happier, healthier, musically talented and more inviting place for both residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The full report can be found here (Item13) and be viewed live on Wednesday 4 June by clicking this link.

4 Jun 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Millburn Academy receives positive Education Scotland inspection report
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
The Highland Council welcomes the positive Education Scotland report following an inspection visit to Millburn Academy, Inverness.

Following the inspection, Millburn Academy received the following quality indicators:

Leadership of change – Good

Learning, teaching and assessment – Good

Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion – Good

Raising attainment and achievement – Good

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The recent inspection at Millburn Academy from Education Scotland received a very positive report, reflecting the professionalism, dedication and commitment of the caring staff at the setting to create an inclusive, safe and nurturing ethos for all pupils attending.

“The report found significant strengths in aspects of the staff and young peoples’ positive relationships. This is a strength of the school and impacts positively on the experiences of young people. Staff have worked very effectively to ensure a safe and respectful climate for learning, with supportive and highly skilled leadership that enable the school to deliver high quality education supported to meet pupils’ individual needs.

“I’d like to congratulate the staff at Millburn Academy for their continued dedication and very good inspection report.”

Key messages from the report:

The headteacher’s strategic well focussed leadership. She is guiding the school community through change sensitively and effectively.

Staff are working together very well to drive developments in learning and teaching, which is improving classroom experiences for learners. Young people are benefiting from classroom routines and learning in positive, welcoming learning environments.

The wide variety of rich achievements. Young people appreciate the range of ways in which they can demonstrate important skills and knowledge and are now able to celebrate and record these regularly.

Young people are enthusiastic about the motivating range of experiences that enhance their learning of Gaelic. This is resulting in young people achieving strong outcomes in Gaelic.

Ensure that Gaelic is integrated into the school’s strategic planning leading to year-on-year improvements and the possibility of an increasing number of Gaelic speakers.
4 Jun 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free swimming sessions for the whole family at Big Splash Weekend
Source: City of Oxford

Published: Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Oxford’s leisure centres are offering two days of free swimming lessons, family fun swims and inflatable sessions during a Big Splash Weekend, taking place on 7th and 8th June 2025.
The weekend of free activities will be hosted at:

Hinksey Outdoor Pool

Ferry Leisure Centre

Barton Leisure Centre

A key feature of the Big Splash event is a programme of free taster swimming lessons delivered by the centres’ fully-trained teaching team. These sessions are a great way for people of all ages to try swimming before signing up to a course.

To book a session at the Big Splash Weekend, please visit Oxford City Leisure.

“Learning to swim is such a vital life skill, and as we head into the summer months, more people will be heading out on holidays, involving a trip to the beach or a swim in a hotel pool. It’s vital that anyone entering any body of water is armed with the skills needed to stay safe. Our taster sessions are the perfect ‘try before you buy’ option for new learners of all ages.

We’re also offering free family swim sessions in the pool on Saturday and Sunday, plus a chance to try our super-fun inflatable obstacle course. Check out the centres’ websites for booking details, and get ready to enjoy the Big Splash Weekend!”

– Rob Jennings, Contract Manager for the centres

“Swimming isn’t just a fantastic way to stay active and healthy – it’s an important life skill, especially as we head into the summer. While under 17s can swim for free all year round (in designated sessions), the Big Splash Weekend is a great opportunity for Oxford families to try out the swimming lessons for free, enjoy the facilities and build confidence in the water. I encourage everyone to make the most of it!”

– Cllr Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford and Small Business Champion

Hinksey Outdoor Pool, Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Barton Leisure Centre and Oxford Ice Rink are operated by More Leisure Community Trust in partnership with Serco Leisure, on behalf of Oxford City Council.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Premiere of the film “Impostors”. Life against the backdrop of historical events and a dialogue with Pushkin

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

A pre-premiere screening of Maria Reizen’s film “Impostors” took place. The action takes place in October 1993: against the backdrop of historical events, two lovers try to understand the circumstances of the death of a famous director and save his last film.

Producer Georgiy Lordkipanidze said: “We must remember that we live in a history textbook. It does not end, and God willing, it will not end for a long, long time. It is fascinating and pleasant in its own way. This knowledge makes life much easier when you understand that you live in history, and it continues. This is its lesson – what happened once in one form or another will definitely happen again, will happen again.”

The film “Impostors” is a very transparent statement on this topic. It is about people who find themselves on yet another broken-off ice floe among moving tectonic plates. The relationship of oneself to events, proportion – it seems that this is what the film screams about, if the entry point into it is the story of the main character. And the understanding that everything is repeating itself, and people have not drawn global conclusions, does not save the viewer from his own drama.

The authors rethink Pushkin’s “Boris Godunov” through the “Time of Troubles” – the autumn of 1993. It seems to be the first artistic attempt to live through that period. 30 years is a sufficient period for a film to become historical. With every detail verified, the film is more of a discourse, a metaphor and a philosophical statement. Godunov runs through the film like a dotted line, but such that the main action is perceived precisely through him – as a foundation on which everything is strung.

Pushkin the philosopher

Alexander Sergeyevich wrote Boris Godunov 200 years ago, and it was, as the creators of the film rightly note, the first realistic historical drama filled with psychologism, the author of which violates all the laws that prevailed not only in Russian but also in world dramaturgy – the unity of place, time and action, the unity of genre and style of speech, the subordination of the plot to a love affair.

At that moment, Pushkin becomes a historian and political thinker, gives a philosophical definition of the fate of Russia. And perhaps such a film seems to give the viewer a new Pushkin, which significantly expands the boundaries of the film itself. This intersection with many worlds at once: literature, philosophy, history, is the beginning of a big conversation, which, of course, goes on continuously, but the film brings it to a wider audience. An interesting phenomenon is how cinema becomes a starting point for a big discourse and how, going beyond itself, it can lay claim to eternity.

“It seems to me that the form of this film allows us to hope that it will be seen not only by those who watch it in the coming weeks of distribution or later, when it goes on television platforms. This is a film that you can discover for yourself after some time,” explains Georgy Lordkipanidze. As in Pushkin’s “Boris Godunov”, the plot of “The Impostors” centers on ordinary people. The complicated, year-long relationship of the main characters is a real love drama. They find themselves drawn into a detective story, which is intensified by the events that take place. The turmoil of autumn 1993 erases everything that was, becomes stronger for each of them, but gives life new meaning. This is a personal tragedy and a tragedy for the country.

Multi-layered and precise in every detail

“The Impostors” is a multi-layered film. The viewer can be on one level, or can try to exist on all of them at once, which is certainly better because it provides a deeper immersion. But still, this is a film for everyone – and it is exactly what the person watching it is: well-read, living his own drama, searching or tired.

The film contains many metaphors. The theme of the holy fool refers, for example, to the very essence of foolishness in Rus’, and to films, and to parables. The creators of “The Impostors” ask themselves and the viewer precisely calibrated questions, but great art always implies that the answers must be sought independently.

This carefully assembled picture from the autumn of 1993 is the perfect work of production designer Evgeny Mitta, who accurately recreated the spirit of that time. “In general, this is already considered a historical film by cinematic standards. Quite a lot of time has passed, all this equipment no longer exists in the current media space. And we had to search quite well for some individual parts of the equipment and try to recreate it all,” says Evgeny Mitta.

But it all started with a script written by Sergei Shumakov, the general director and editor-in-chief of the Kultura channel. That is why the story through the eyes of journalists looks as plausible as possible. Sergei Shumakov, in essence, showed the work of those he understands best, especially since he himself worked in television in 1993 and was in the television center building on the night of October 3-4.

“I think the experience of documentary filmmaking helps, because the chronicle was the most difficult thing we did. The entire process of finishing the film took three years, but the chronicle took one and a half of that. Plus, during the preparation process, we worked on the chronicle, because there were documentary filmmakers who were separately from me preparing it for the set. In order to watch it before the motor, the group watched the chronicle – everyone remembered what happened. Some did not remember, but saw it for the first time – those who were younger. In general, the chronicle was probably the most difficult,” says Maria Reizen.

Reincarnations

The cast of “The Pretenders” is so impressive that it’s worth watching the movie just for them: Linda Lapinsh, Sergey Shakurov, Egor Beroev, Vladimir Guskov, Anna Mikhalkova, Mikhail Filippov, Aleksandr Adabashyan and others. It’s especially nice to see Ildar Gainutdinov, who plays the role of False Dmitry.

“As for the role, my hero, it was very multi-staged. If we specifically proceed not from the excerpt, if, let’s say, we take on a full-fledged character, then we could take, for example, a story – how a person is changed by his desire for power, how his dream becomes some kind of nightmare. That is, this is a very, very complex work,” notes Ildar Gainutdinov.

“The Pretenders” is a film that goes beyond itself. It is a serious attempt to understand the autumn of 1993, a large open dialogue with Alexander Pushkin, a history of stories, a film with a very precise inner time and brilliant work of the entire team. A magnificently depicted life of ordinary people who found themselves in the center of a historical breakdown.

The film will be released on June 5th and can be seen in the Moskino chain of cinemas.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154812073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 3 June 2025 Statement One year in detention: heads of United Nations agencies and INGOs renew demand for release of staff detained in northern Yemen

Source: World Health Organisation

This week marks one year since dozens of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in northern Yemen. Others have been detained since as far back as 2021. Today, we reiterate our urgent demand for their immediate and unconditional release.

As of today, 23 UN and five international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) personnel remain arbitrarily detained. Tragically, one UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention. Others have lost loved ones while being held, denied the chance to attend their funerals or say goodbye. Our arbitrarily detained colleagues have spent at least 365 days – and for some, over 1000 days – isolated from their families, children, husbands, and wives, in flagrant breach of international law. The toll of this detention is also weighing heavily on their families, who continue to endure the unbearable pain of absence and uncertainty as they face another Eid without their loved one.

Nothing can justify their ordeal. They were doing their jobs, helping people in desperate need: people without food, shelter, or adequate health care.

Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, many of whom rely on it for survival. A safe and enabling operating environment for humanitarian operations, including the release of detained personnel, is essential to maintaining and restoring assistance to those in need. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained while carrying out their mandates to serve the people of Yemen.

The prolonged detention of our colleagues has a chilling effect across the international community, undermining support for Yemen and hindering humanitarian response. It has also undermined mediation efforts for lasting peace.

We acknowledge the release of one UN and two NGO personnel and the recent release of an Embassy staff member. We call on the de facto authorities to deliver on their previous commitments, including those made to the Director-General of the World Health Organization during his mission to Sana’a in December 2024.

The UN and INGOs will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

Signatories:

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Spokesperson on Deadly Attack Against Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan

Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Geneva/Port Sudan, 4 June 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) mourns the tragic death of five aid workers in a brutal attack on a joint humanitarian convoy in El Fasher, North Darfur. We join other members of the humanitarian community in strongly condemning the attack and extend our deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of those who lost their lives and to all who were injured in this horrific act.

This deliberate attack is an assault on humanitarian workers and on the millions of people in Sudan whose survival depends on the timely delivery of aid. The attack not only cost precious lives but destroyed critical food assistance intended for communities teetering on the edge of famine particularly in Al Fasher, which has been besieged for over a year, leaving families facing hunger, displacement, and unimaginable hardship.

Safe, sustained, and unhindered access to those in need must be guaranteed by all parties to the conflict. In a crisis that has already displaced millions, every disruption to humanitarian assistance costs lives. We call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their responsibilities and ensure the safety of aid workers and unhindered access to civilians in need. Humanitarian workers are not a target.

For more information, please contact IOM Media Centre

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Maria Salazar Sends Letter Requesting Denial of Diplomatic Credentials to Corrupt Colombian Official

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Maria Salazar sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the Administration to deny Coronel Carlos Alberto Feria Buitragohis diplomatic credentials.

“President Petro is making a mockery of the generally distinguished diplomatic corps that works in Washington DC — we should not play a part to this farce,” said Rep. Salazar.“In this case, Coronel Feria is only being sent here to prevent him from having to stand trial and potentially reveal information damaging to President Petro and other members of his administration.”

Background:

Coroner Feria was a key player in the cover-up of a major corruption case.

A major Colombian political scandal unfolded in January, 2023, when then Chief-of-Staff to the president and current Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia reported through internal government channels that a duffel bag with as much as $30,000 dollars in cash inside had been lost. In response, President Petro’s security team, headed by Coronel Feria, immediately dragged in Ms. Sarabia’s son’s nanny named Marelbys Meza for unauthorized questioning, including with the use of a polygraph test. During this time, Coronal Feria held her against her will in the basement of the presidential palace for almost 48 hours.

Coronel Feria was indicted by Colombian prosecutors in March, 2024 for abuse of public office, false imprisonment and other crimes. Other police figures involved in the same abuse of authority have received as many as ten years in prison as punishment.

He should not be allowed to work at the Colombian embassy in Washington, DC; he should be denied diplomatic credentials and sent back to Colombia so he can face justice.

You can read the full letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Salazar, Miller-Meeks, and Wasserman Schultz Launch Bill to Fight Antisemitism Across the U.S.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

strong>Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maria Salazar (R-FL) joined Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in introducing the bipartisan Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act, legislation that creates a national commission to investigate the rise in antisemitic violence and provide actionable recommendations to Congress and the President.

“Since the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed, resulting in an overall increase of 900% over the past 10 years, including recent violent, hate-fueled attacks that have shocked communities across the country,” said Rep. Salazar. “The U.S. must identify and report these acts of hate against the Jewish community to put an end to them immediately.”

“Whether it’s the brutal attack in Boulder, the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in D.C., or the 80 percent spike in campus antisemitic incidents, the threat is real and growing,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “This commission will get to the root of the problem and help us take the strong, serious action needed to protect Jewish Americans and restore order and accountability.”

“Antisemitism was already surging before October 7th, but since then, it has exploded—especially in the digital realm,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.” As we’ve unfortunately witnessed, hatred that starts online does not stay online. This bipartisan, bicameral commission, backed by leading voices in the Jewish community, will help shape smart, actionable policies to confront this alarming trend head-on.”

Background:

Antisemitic violence and harassment have surged across the United States since October 7, 2023, with several recent cases highlighting the alarming rise in hate. In Boulder, Colorado, an illegal immigrant from Egypt, used a makeshift flamethrower to attack peaceful marchers calling for the release of hostages, injuring eight people. In Washington, D.C., a separate incident saw two young Israeli Embassy staffers murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum by a radical Hamas supporter shouting “Free Palestine.” Across college campuses, antisemitic incidents have spiked by more than 80 percent, with students reporting threats, vandalism, harassment, and physical assaults.

The Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism will bring together Jewish leaders, law enforcement, civil society experts, and impacted communities to investigate these acts of hate, identify their root causes, and deliver a formal report to Congress and the President with concrete policy recommendations. The commission will also strengthen national data collection and improve accountability for antisemitic incidents.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SITI visits Changchun (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, yesterday (June 3) began his visit to Changchun, Jilin Province, to tour the China FAW Group Corporation (FAW Group) and learn about the development of the advanced manufacturing industry there.

Upon arriving in Changchun yesterday afternoon, Professor Sun held an engagement session with the management of the FAW Group. He was briefed on the Group’s developments, especially in enhancing innovation capabilities and research on core technology when promoting the development of its own brands.

Professor Sun visited the China FAW NBD Headquarters research and development institute, prosperity factory and Cultural Exhibition Hall today (June 4) to study the Group’s technological breakthroughs of its Hongqi brand in the areas of new energy vehicle models, advanced manufacturing technologies and processes, and autonomous driving systems as well as learning about the innovative achievements of the FAW Group as a state-owned mega automobile enterprise and a leading corporation of China’s automobile industry.

Professor Sun said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has clearly stated in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint that the development of advanced manufacturing and new energy is one of the strategic technology industries, and is actively promoting new industrialisation in Hong Kong. Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong has the unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the country and being closely connected to the world. It is a two-way gateway for attracting overseas enterprises to Hong Kong and helping Mainland enterprises go global, as well as an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to venture overseas markets.” He said he looked forward to Hong Kong’s new contributions to the innovative development of the country’s new energy automobile industry chain.

Professor Sun also noted that the 2025 International Automotive Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong) will be held from June 12 to 15 at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, as the advising organisation, hopes that Hong Kong can serve as an exchange platform for the global automobile industry supply chain via the Expo, and that new industrialisation in Hong Kong can be promoted at the same time, while showcasing cutting-edge technologies and the latest achievements of the new energy automobile industry of the Mainland.

The Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also joined the visit.

Professor Sun returned to Hong Kong this afternoon after the visit.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Helping bring phage medicines to UK patients – guidance for industry
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Helping bring phage medicines to UK patients – guidance for industry

Bacteriophages – viruses that selectively fight bacteria – may offer new hope in fighting infections and tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Bacteriophages attaching to bacterium.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (4 June) published the UK’s first official guidance to support the safe development and use of phage therapies – treatments that use viruses to target and destroy harmful bacteria.

The guidance aims to help researchers and companies develop phage-based medicines that meet UK safety, quality and efficacy standards, so they can be made available to patients who need them most.

It covers both combined phage products designed for common infections and circulating strains, as well as personalised phage therapies that are tailored for individual patients with rare or highly resistant infections.

For patients, this could mean access to phage treatment when standard-of care-antibiotics fail or cannot be given, for example due to allergies. While some patients in the UK have already received phage therapy under compassionate use – with phages imported from abroad – there are currently no licensed phage medicines on the UK market.

Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive, said:

“Some infections are becoming harder to treat when antibiotics are ineffective against them – and patients urgently need new options.

“Phage therapy is one of several promising approaches. This guidance brings together relevant standards to provide clarity for researchers and companies, so they can develop these treatments safely and bring them to the people who need them.

“We’re committed to working with industry to support innovation in this space – without compromising on the robust safety and quality standards that patients rightly expect.

“It’s part of our wider mission to support innovation and make the UK a world leader in life sciences.”

Phage therapies use bacterial viruses – called bacteriophages – that attack specific bacteria without harming human cells. They have received increased interest in recent years as a potential way to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, with over 60,000 serious antibiotic-resistant infections estimated annually in the UK and growing.

The MHRA’s publication sets out how existing UK and international regulatory frameworks apply to phage treatments – from early research through to use in patients. It provides clear, practical advice on what’s needed at each stage of development – whether the goal is a fully licensed product or a treatment used under a clinician’s responsibility for an individual case.

Further detail in the guidance includes: – What evidence is needed to support clinical trials and market authorisation – How to meet standards on quality, safety and manufacturing, including the application of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – How personalised treatments can be developed and supplied – When and how unlicensed phage treatments can be used for individual patients

The 28-page document brings together UK and international regulatory standards in one place, helping innovators clearly understand what’s required – and avoid unnecessary delays.

Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

“Developers have told us they need clarity on how phage therapies fit into the UK’s regulatory system. This helps signpost relevant requirements, providing that clarity. We continue to support innovation by working closely with industry and researchers while making sure patients are protected every step of the way.”

The publication supports the UK’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy and the MHRA’s wider role in enabling innovative, science-led regulation that meets public health need while maintaining high standards for quality and safety.

Dr Colin Brown, deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, responsible for AMR, said:

“MHRA’s new guidance helps lay the foundations for phage therapy opportunities in the UK. It provides much-needed direction for scientists and researchers working to make this treatment a reality for patients.

“Phage therapy truly has the potential to transform the way we treat bacterial infections, especially as resistance to antibiotics grows. At UKHSA, we’re developing new ways to help increase phage therapy use and research, including a bacteriophage collection where scientists can both access and deposit phages. In time, we hope solutions like phage therapy can become a first-line treatment option.”

The MHRA developed the guidance with input from the Phage Innovation Network, a cross-sector group supported by Innovate UK, and from industry, clinicians and academic researchers.

Frederique Vieville, BEAM Alliance Phage ACT Lead, a European group supporting antimicrobial therapy development, and 5QBD-Biotech Chief Executive, a biotech company focused on bacteriophage therapies, said:

“As difficult-to-treat infections continue to rise, phage therapy is becoming an important complement to existing treatments. Recent steps have been taken by European regulators to outline the regulatory framework for phage-based medicinal products, but developers still need support to navigate it effectively. Clarity about the pathway – tailored to the unique characteristics of phages – is vital to help meet quality, non-clinical, and clinical requirements, and ultimately bring phage-based treatments to patients more efficiently.”

Dr Jason Clark, NexaBiome Director and Chief Scientific Officer, a company developing commercial phage therapies in the UK, said:

“There is an urgent and increasing need for new ways to treat antimicrobial resistant infections, with bacteriophage being at the forefront of recent developments. This new guidance from the MHRA is incredibly forward-thinking and puts the UK in pole position to fully realise the healthcare and commercial benefits of this exiting technology.

“As a Company developing bacteriophage products for human use, this guidance helps us to decrease perceived risks and gives clarity to the regulatory landscape, ultimately enabling us to more readily bring investment into the UK.”

Companies interested in developing bacteriophage treatments can access scientific advice from the MHRA at any stage of development.

Notes to editors

For more information, access Regulatory considerations for therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the UK on the MHRA website.

Bacteriophages are naturally occurring viruses that infect specific bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, which can harm helpful bacteria too, phages typically target only one species or strain of bacteria. They work by attaching to the bacteria, injecting their genetic material, and destroying it. In medicine, phages can be tailored to attack the bacteria causing an infection, with less impact on the body’s healthy bacteria.

Antibiotic resistant infections continue to rise – GOV.UK

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

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Updates to this page

Published 4 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 4, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Red Route installation incoming

Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

Published: Wednesday, 4th June 2025

Installation work will start on a new red route in the city early next month.

Installation work will start on a new red route in the city early next month.

The red route will be installed on Broad Street, Hanley between Potteries Way and Victoria Square from Monday, June 9.

The work will take three days to complete and will include the removal of double yellow lines and the installation of new signage, double red markings and cameras.

The installation follows a public consultation in 2024 which outlined the proposed restrictions on the corridor, in relation to concerns about illegal parking in the area. The aim of the scheme is to help with traffic flow across the city, support the economy, improve air quality, address road safety concerns.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Day after day, drivers have been ignoring the double yellow lines here, causing disruption and putting pedestrians at risk.

“Our enforcement teams have been out to the location multiple times a day, but enough is enough.

“This red route will put some order back on our streets and make it clear that parking restrictions aren’t optional. They’re there for the safety of all road users, and often, to ensure traffic—especially buses—can flow freely.

“If you park where you shouldn’t, there will be consequences.”

City Council parking officers have visited this particular site 1,333 times in the last 12 months to tackle incessant parking issues.

The Red Route penalty is £70, discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The project is funded by the city council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and forms part of the wider network of strategic red routes being introduced across the city to help make bus journey times more reliable.

While the work is being carried out, disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Works will be carried out between 9am and 3.30pm each day. The red route will be enforceable from Monday 16 June.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 4, 2025