NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Bribery in South Africa: law now puts a duty on companies to act

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Rehana Cassim, Professor in Company Law, University of South Africa

    Bribery is one of the most common forms of corruption in South African companies and state institutions. This has a number of harmful outcomes.

    Firstly, research shows that it weakens democracy and slows down economic growth. It also creates expensive barriers for honest businesses to succeed because it distorts fair competition. If bribery is not stopped or punished it has a demoralising effect, because it erodes trust and creates a culture where ethical conduct is undermined.

    In 2024 a new law came into force in South Africa that puts a duty on companies to take proactive steps to prevent bribery. This law falls under a broader law dealing with corruption in South Africa.

    The new provisions make it a crime for companies to fail to prevent bribery by an associated person. This is a major policy shift in South African anti-corruption law, and aligns with the United Kingdom’s anti-bribery legislation.

    An associated person is anyone who performs services for the company. This can include suppliers, joint venture partners, distributors, consultants, and other professionals advising the company. It can even be other companies, like subsidiaries.

    In my research I found that South Africa took inspiration from the United Kingdom (UK) Bribery Act 2010. The law makes it a criminal offence for commercial organisations to fail to prevent bribery by associated persons.

    Despite some successes, enforcement of the UK Bribery Act has been slow and the volume of prosecutions has been low.

    Based on my research into company conduct, given the current challenges in law enforcement and the low conviction rates for crimes of corruption, the new law might not work as well as hoped.

    But with improved enforcement, it has potential to reduce bribery in South Africa.

    What’s behind the new law?

    The new addition to the law was introduced after a commission of inquiry found evidence of widespread bribery and corruption under former president Jacob Zuma.

    For example, Angelo Agrizzi, former chief operating officer of African Global Operations (Pty) Ltd (formerly known as Bosasa), testified that Bosasa won about US$129 million in government tenders by paying about US$4 million in bribes to politicians and government officials. He said that every contract in which Bosasa was involved was linked to bribery and corruption.

    The new law is designed to prevent this from happening.

    If a person associated with a member of the private sector or an incorporated state-owned entity gives, agrees or offers to give a bribe (or gratification) to another person, the company could be held liable. This applies to companies as well as individuals, partnerships, trusts and other legal entities.

    The bribe must be given by the associated person to get business for the company or to gain a business advantage for it. Importantly, a company can be found guilty even if it didn’t know about the bribe.

    What counts as a bribe?

    A bribe (or gratification) is not just money. It includes avoiding a loss or other disadvantage, releasing any obligation or liability, or giving any favour or advantage.

    The bribe does not actually have to be given. It is enough if the associated person agrees or offers to give the bribe.

    It is not clear yet if hospitality or promotional expenditures count as bribes.

    Under the UK Bribery Act a hospitality payment is not regarded as a gratification unless it is disproportionate. In my view South Africa should follow the same approach.

    For example, if paying for transport from the airport to a hotel for an on-site visit, taking clients to dinner, or giving them tickets to an event aligns with the norms for the industry, this probably will not be seen as a bribe.

    Facilitation payments is another tricky area. These are small bribes made to minor officials to get routine administrative tasks done, such as applying for visas, clearing customs or getting licences.

    The new law doesn’t say whether facilitation payments are regarded as bribes. In my view, they should be.

    What companies need to do

    Companies can avoid liability under the new law if they can prove that they had adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery by associated persons.

    But the law doesn’t explain what “adequate procedures” are. Until the South African government provides guidance on this, it is useful to look at the guidance provided under the UK Bribery Act. It recommends the following:

    • Companies should adopt procedures that are proportionate to the bribery risks they face and the nature, scale and complexity of their activities.

    So a larger company operating in a high-risk market where bribery is known to be common must do more to prevent bribery than a smaller company in a low-risk market where bribery is less common.

    • The company’s board of directors should foster a culture where bribery is never acceptable.

    • Companies should periodically assess their exposure to potential bribery risks.

    • Companies should carry out due diligence procedures on their associated persons.

    • Companies should communicate their anti-bribery polices internally and externally. They should also provide training to ensure that everyone understands their anti-bribery position.

    • Companies should monitor their procedures and improve them where necessary.

    The way forward

    The South African government should urgently publish official guidelines to help companies understand what they must do to comply with the new law.

    The principles of South Africa’s corporate governance code, the King IV Report, can also be used to help companies comply with the new law. These principles promote ethical leadership, an ethical culture, risk management, accountability and transparency.

    Guidelines are also important for small and medium enterprises. They also have a legal duty to put in place adequate procedures to prevent bribery.

    Companies that have not already put in place anti-bribery procedures should act quickly. And they should check that their corporate hospitality policies are reasonable and proportionate to their businesses.

    Companies should also evaluate their relationships with the people associated with them.

    Setting up anti-bribery procedures may have cost implications. But not having them could cost far more. Having adequate procedures in place is the only defence under the new law.

    The Conversation

    Rehana Cassim does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Bribery in South Africa: law now puts a duty on companies to act – https://theconversation.com/bribery-in-south-africa-law-now-puts-a-duty-on-companies-to-act-260148

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Join the celebrations! Applications now open for the 2026 National Multicultural Festival

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 16/07/2025

    Want to celebrate your culture, share your organisation’s valuable work, or take the stage at one of Canberra’s most beloved events? Applications are now open for performers and stallholders wishing to participate in the 2026 National Multicultural Festival, which will return from 6 – 8 February 2026.

    Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Michael Pettersson MLA, encouraged members of the community who are interested in being involved in the festival to participate in the open application process.

    “Canberra’s diverse community is the heartbeat of the National Multicultural Festival. I encourage individuals and organisations who want to help celebrate the ACT’s inclusiveness to apply to be part of the festivities,” Minister Pettersson said.

    “The fact that the National Multicultural Festival is community-led is what makes it such a vibrant and unique event, one that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Canberra City each year,” Minister Pettersson said.

    “Participating in the National Multicultural Festival is a fantastic way to reach new audiences and make new community connections. In 2025, more households than ever attended the festival, with 83,420 – or 41% – of Canberra households attending.”

    The National Multicultural Festival promotes equality, social cohesion and the sharing of culture through music, dance, language, cultural displays, food, learning, and interaction.

    Stallholder applicants can apply under four different categories:

    • Community (Food and Beverage; Retail Cultural Market Items; or Club – Food and Beverage)
    • Information (Multicultural; Diplomatic; or General)
    • Commercial (Food and Drink; or Retail Market Items)
    • Market Stalls (Community; or Commercial)

    The festival team, which sits within the ACT Government’s Health and Community Services Directorate, will hold information sessions over the coming weeks to help prospective applicants.

    The festival also welcomes local, national and international performer applications from a wide range of genres, including music, dance, song, spoken word, performance art, roving performers and ceremonies. Community Groups, professional and volunteer performers are encouraged to apply in the following categories:

    • Cultural showcase
    • Stage performance
    • Community workshop
    • Cooking demonstration
    • Parade participation

    Minister Pettersson said non-profit community organisations could apply for grants ranging from $100 to $10,000 for projects that promote community participation, inclusion and cultural diversity at the festival. The ACT Government’s National Multicultural Festival Grant Program is available for community organisations to assist with performance costs, materials, costumes, performer and rehearsal fees, travel expenses and Public Liability Insurance.

    Applications to participate as a stallholder or performer at the festival close on 26 August.

    More information on the application process and information sessions is available at www.multiculturalfestival.com.au.

    For more information about the ACT Government’s National Multicultural Festival, go to www.multiculturalfestival.com.au and subscribe to the newsletter.

    Quote attributable to Canberra Juventus Football Club:
    “As a first-time entrant to the 2025 National Multicultural Festival, the experience of the many volunteers of the Canberra Juventus Football Club was both a memorable and special time for the club. The festival provided the opportunity and surroundings that brought together so many families and friends, as well as both past and present members and players of the long-established Italian based heritage of the Canberra football club. This coming together is what the club believes in and shows the true essence of the ‘community of Canberra Juventus’. The opportunity allowed us to showcase our Italian heritage and passion, through our specialty food and sweets, our famous Aperol Spritz with fun Italian music. Importantly, we were able to express our passion for family and football which encapsulates the club’s objectives in strengthening community. We certainly hope to do it all again in 2026!”

    Quote attributable to Robin Zirwanda, Founder of the Assyrian Australian band Azadoota:
    “The vibe of the National Multicultural Festival is really welcoming. The festival audience is really responsive and eager to experience the culture we share through our music. And because the festival attracts people from so many different cultures, there is a real sense of collaboration and sharing between the audience and the performers. It’s a great energy.”

    – Statement ends –

    Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Grants supporting community gardens now open

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 16/07/2025

    The ACT Government has today opened the 11th round of the Community Garden Grants, which supports the growth and vitality of local gardens in the Territory.

    A total of $40,000, up to $10,000 per project, is available through this program for projects of different garden types including traditional food gardens, Indigenous bush tucker gardens, landscape gardens and sensory gardens.

    Applications for Round 11 of the Community Garden Grants program are now open and close on 5 September 2025.

    For more information and to apply, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr:

    “Over the past ten years, the Community Garden Grants program has supported many projects across Canberra.

    Community gardens help reduce the urban heat island effect in our suburbs, as well as supporting the ACT to cope with the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.

    That is why we have added the removal of artificial grass and replacement with more environmentally friendly alternatives as a priority of this program. Artificial grass can degrade into microplastics, displace natural systems that support biodiversity, and negatively impact greenhouse gas emissions and landfill.

    These grants can help with purchasing or hiring materials, equipment and tools, and to employ specialised contractors to build new gardens or enhance existing ones.

    I encourage everyone who manages a community garden or is thinking of starting one, to apply for one of these grants, which will not only promote healthy living supporting our environment, but also encourage our local communities to come together, get involved, and socialise with their neighbours.”

    Quotes attributable to Victoria Jewett and Tom Sutton, Old Narrabundah Community Centre:

    “The community garden in Narrabundah is in the heart of our suburb. The garden is overseen by the Old Narrabundah Community Council Inc which has a strong community base.

    The aim of the garden is to foster organic homegrown food and broader community involvement in the form of school participation and cooperation with local groups.

    In addition to growing vegetables, the Narrabundah Community Garden has fruit trees, berry fruits, communal plots and bee friendly areas of flowers and native habitat. Providing shelter, water and food for beneficial insects, has enriched the gardening experience in this space.

    As the gardens establish, workshops on composting, fruit tree care and soil improvement will be offered to local residents.

    Thanks to the Community Garden Grants, we have added new plots and members, repaired our shed roof and increased sustainability by installing a 5,000 Litre rainwater tank. We have also assured the future of the gardens with a new fence.

    In addition to members with plots, Friends of the Garden can also participate in working bees and growing food in some of the community plots on site. The garden is more than a place to grow food, it’s a place enjoy and be.”

    – Statement ends –

    Suzanne Orr, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • Air India to restore some international flights following reduction over crash

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Air India said on Tuesday it would partially restore its international flight schedule that was scaled back following the crash involving its flight last month that killed 260 people.

    As part of the restoration, Air India will start a thrice-weekly service between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow from August 1 to September 30, replacing the currently operating five-times-a-week flights between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick.

    A Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London from the Indian city of Ahmedabad began to lose thrust and crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. All but one of the 242 people on board and 19 others on the ground were killed.

    Air India reduced some of its international flights following the crash as part of a “safety pause” that the carrier said allowed it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft.

    The partial service resumption will see some flights being restored from August 1, with full restoration planned from October 1, 2025, Air India said.

    As part of the partial resumption, Air India has reduced flights to some destinations in Europe and North America. These include reductions in the frequency of Delhi-to-Paris flights to seven times a week from 12, effective August 1.

    Flights on the Delhi-Milan route have been reduced to three times a week from four earlier.

    The frequency of flights from Mumbai and Delhi to New York JFK has been cut to six times a week from seven earlier, the airline said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Huge majority deliver ‘leave Portsmouth alone’ message

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The people of Portsmouth have delivered a clear directive to Government to leave Portsmouth alone.

    In a recent survey, 82% said they’re against Portsmouth being forced into Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and having to merge with other councils.

    Just under 4,000 Portsmouth residents responded to the council-run survey, with over four-fifths voicing their objection. The short survey ran for ten days to capture local opinion ahead of a region-wide LGR survey across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

    “The result speaks for itself and it’s one of the most decisive answers we’ve ever had to a survey, and by far the biggest response in such a short time,” said Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt.

    “It was vital that we gave Portsmouth residents a say and the message to Government is clear, we don’t need council reorganisation here, leave Portsmouth alone.

    “Portsmouth already has one council that’s financially stable and delivers all of the council services to residents. There’s no evidence that a bigger new council will bring any benefits, but what we know is, the cost of reorganisation will be on tax-paying residents.”

    Under its national LGR plans, the Government wants to replace two-tier council areas with single, larger councils that deliver all council services. Portsmouth already has a single council, but because the Government wants new councils to deliver to an average of around 500,000 people, bigger than Portsmouth’s population, it has been told it must take part.

    The Government may not listen to Portsmouth residents and could force the city to be part of LGR. Considering this, the survey asked if Portsmouth has to merge, who it should be with. Of those who expressed a preference, 61% agree that, if forced, Portsmouth should merge with Fareham, Gosport and Havant councils.

    All other options to merge with other councils received under 10% of support.

    Individual councils must submit a final, preferred LGR option for the region to Government by September.

    So, Portsmouth City Council is working as part of a group of 12 councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on options that would create four new, larger single councils to cover the mainland, with the Isle of Wight remaining separate. All options propose Portsmouth joins with Fareham, Gosport and Havant.

    A region-wide survey on these options is live and closes on Sunday 27 July. Take the survey here: https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is/

    Read the full Portsmouth LGR survey results.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: Moscow is the only region where a graduate received 400 points on the Unified State Exam

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Sergei Sobyanin congratulated graduates on the end of the period unified state exam (USE), in Moscow more than 90 thousand people passed it. He wrote about this in his telegram channel.

    “For the second year in a row, the capital remains the only region where graduates showed the highest results.

    400 points Nadezhda Yashmolkina, a student at school No. 1514, scored 100 points in one subject, 1,651 Muscovites received 200 points for two exams, and four received 300 points for three subjects,” the Moscow Mayor said.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin 

    More and more schoolchildren are taking the Unified State Exam in natural sciences and technical subjects. The results are also improving. The number of those who scored 100 points in computer science has increased sixfold, twofold in chemistry, and 1.2 times in biology.

    For admission, graduates from the capital choose the country’s leading universities. For example, Nadezhda Yashmolkina will study at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, and Stefania Nechaeva from School No. 1535, who received 300 points, chose the Chemistry Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    The high achievements of young Muscovites are also the result of a special approach to preparing graduates for the Unified State Exam in the capital’s schools. Special practical training takes up at least 40 percent of the study time, and on the Moscow Electronic School platform you can watch video analysis of assignments and take tests with automatic checking.

    “The kids, together with their parents and teachers, have done a great job. Good luck and further success!” the Mayor of Moscow wrote.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US to impose 19 percent tariff on Indonesian goods – D. Trump

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    NEW YORK, July 16 (Xinhua) — Indonesia will pay a 19 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States, while American exports to Indonesia will be exempt from tariff and non-tariff barriers, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday.

    “I have completed a major deal with the Republic of Indonesia after speaking with its highly respected President Prabowo Subianto. This landmark deal opens the entire Indonesian market to the United States for the first time in history,” he wrote.

    As part of the agreement, Indonesia committed to purchasing energy resources worth $15 billion and agricultural products worth $4.5 billion on the American market, as well as 50 Boeing aircraft, the head of the White House added.

    According to D. Trump, as a result of the deal, the United States will for the first time gain full access to the Indonesian market, where more than 280 million people live. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Afghan authorities destroy 65 tons of expired food products in Kabul

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KABUL, July 16 (Xinhua) — Afghan authorities collected and destroyed 65 tons of expired and substandard food products in the capital Kabul on Tuesday, Mohammad Masoud Rahimi, an official with the Food and Medicine Department of the Health Ministry, said.

    “Today, in the presence of representatives of the Intelligence Directorate and the Kabul Municipality, 65 tons of /expired and low-quality/ products, approximately 11,000 packages, were destroyed,” he said.

    The Ministry of Health is committed to protecting public safety and is determined to destroy such food and medicines, M. M. Rahimi said, adding that legal action will be taken against violators.

    According to him, since March 21, the department has collected and destroyed 140 tons of expired and low-quality food and medicine in Kabul. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Australia sign memorandum of understanding on implementation and review of free trade agreement

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — China and Australia on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation and review of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    The document was signed by Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Australian Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ian Adams in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

    Since the China-Australia free trade agreement came into effect in 2015, it has greatly contributed to the fruitful development of trade and economic relations between the two countries, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.

    The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Australia FTA coming into force. The two sides will take this opportunity to maintain close cooperation, continue high-quality implementation of the FTA, and jointly review the FTA to identify areas for further improvement or expansion, the Commerce Ministry said.

    This will increase the level of liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, thereby providing a higher level of institutional guarantees for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the department added. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A helicopter that went missing on its way to Magadan has been found in Russia’s Khabarovsk Krai

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Vladivostok, July 16 (Xinhua) — The Mi-8 helicopter that went missing on Monday en route from the village of Okhotsk in Khabarovsk Krai to Magadan has been found near Cape Gadikan in Khabarovsk Krai, TASS reported, citing the press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry.

    The helicopter was found destroyed with traces of fire 130 km northeast of the village of Okhotsk on a mountain slope. There is no information about the fate of the crew yet. Rescuers are heading to the site to survey the area where the helicopter was found. A criminal case has been opened into the disappearance of the helicopter.

    On Monday, the Mi-8 helicopter took off from Okhotsk to Magadan to its permanent deployment location. The crew failed to make contact at the appointed time, and the emergency radio beacon did not work. There were five people on board — three crew members and two technical specialists. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump announced the introduction of a single tariff for small countries in the amount of slightly more than 10 percent

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    NEW YORK, July 16 (Xinhua) — The United States will impose a flat tariff of just over 10 percent on smaller countries, including many in Africa and the Caribbean, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

    “We’ll probably put a single tariff on all of them,” he told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. That could be a duty of just over 10 percent on goods from at least 100 countries, the Associated Press quoted the president as saying.

    Earlier in the day, Trump announced a deal with Jakarta in which Indonesia will pay a 19 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States, while American exports to the Asian country will be exempt from tariff and non-tariff barriers.

    The White House chief recently sent letters to leaders of several countries, including a number of major US trading partners, announcing 20-50 percent tariffs effective August 1.

    D. Trump also said that he could announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals at the end of July. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel strikes Syrian forces in As-Suwayda

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    JERUSALEM, July 16 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday they had ordered the military to strike Syrian forces in Syria’s southern province of As-Suwayda, claiming to protect the local Druze population.

    The move came shortly after Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire in As-Suwayda after Syrian forces entered the area.

    In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz said they had ordered the military to “immediately strike” Syrian forces and weapons in the area to “prevent the Syrian regime from harming” the Druze because of their “deep fraternal alliance with the Druze citizens of Israel and their family and historical ties to the Druze in Syria.”

    The Israeli military said in a separate statement that it had targeted Syrian armored vehicles and rocket launchers. It said that columns of armored vehicles and tanks heading toward As-Suwayda were identified on Monday evening and their routes were also targeted in an effort to prevent them from reaching the area.

    The military added that they continue to monitor developments and are prepared for defense and various scenarios. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS visits Heilongjiang Province (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

        The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, arrived in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province yesterday afternoon (July 15), to continue his visit.

        Mr Chan met with the Secretary of the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, Mr Xu Qin, to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang Province. Mr Chan said that over the past year, Hong Kong and Heilongjiang have had mutual engagements, close exchanges and co-operation efforts that have reached an unprecedented level. At the Heilongjiang-Hong Kong Investment Cooperation Conference held in Hong Kong in March this year, the two places signed Memoranda of Understanding for strengthening co-operation on education, economics and trade, culture and tourism, sports and youth, and other fields, breaking new ground and laying a solid foundation for future co-operation. He said that Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle and a business environment that is highly market-oriented and internationalised, underpinned by the rule of law and an array of global professional talent and services. Mr Chan said he eagerly looks forward to deepening co-operation in all aspects between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang, complementing each other’s strengths,and achieving mutual benefits to make greater contributions to building a great country and realising the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

        Afterwards, Mr Chan attended the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Patriotic Education Heilongjiang Study Tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, he expressed gratitude to the Heilongjiang Provincial Government for its strong organisational support work for the study tour, which travelled to and from Harbin by chartered flights arranged by Greater Bay Airlines. With over 130 participants, this study tour is the largest tour in scale since the launch of the Strive and Rise Programme. Mr Chan said at the event that given the rapid advancements in the country’s science and technology sectors, Heilongjiang Province has also developed various high-tech industries. He encouraged the participants to engage in different activities on the study tour to deepen the understanding of the country’s history, culture and economic development, and experience fascinating technological innovations. These will help the participants set goals for their future and strive for upward mobility.

        This morning (July 16), Mr Chan and members of the study tour visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army, which is one of the first batch of 100 demonstration bases for patriotic education in the country. The visit allowed the participants to gain a deeper understanding of the crimes of Unit 731 through the displayed objects, pictures, archives, multimedia materials etc. Mr Chan said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, and the exhibition hall is an important place for patriotic education. He said he hopes that members of the study tour will take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships in national development and building a strong nation, cultivate a deeper and firmer patriotic sentiment through recognising historical facts, and consciously shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding national security.

        In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with the Secretary of the CPC Harbin Municipal Committee, Mr Yu Hongtao. They exchanged views on promoting exchanges and co-operation in various aspects between the two places in the future. Noting that Harbin has been added as one of the Mainland cities eligible for the Individual Visit Scheme since May last year, and that direct flights between Hong Kong and Harbin have been launched, Mr Chan said that the partnerships between the two places have become closer. He expressed his hope for the two cities to work together to explore more co-operation opportunities. In addition, Mr Chan mentioned that the HKSAR Government is steadfastly carrying out the work of patriotic education, including organising more Mainland exchange and study tours. He said he expected more Hong Kong young people to visit Harbin for exchanges and study, with an aim of enhancing Hong Kong young people’s sense of identity with, sense of belonging to, and pride towards the country.

        Mr Chan will conclude his visit and return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ 15: Formulating a comprehensive population policy

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Nixie Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):
     
    Question:

    According to data from the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong’s total fertility rate in 2024 was only 0.841, far below the 2.1 level required for population replacement. Furthermore, a survey by a youth service organisation indicated that only 36 per cent of young people in Hong Kong who had responded in the survey expressed a preference for marriage or childbearing. Another survey showed that just around 23.27 per cent of respondents aged between 19 and 29 expressed a desire to have children, ranking among the lowest levels globally. There are views that the Government should adopt measures to enhance marriage and fertility rates among young people and develop a comprehensive population policy to avoid population ageing and workforce shrinkage. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will commence a systematic survey and study on the marriage and fertility situation of young people in Hong Kong, so as to deeply analyse the core factors influencing their decisions regarding marriage and childbearing, particularly through assessment in areas such as financial burdens, housing difficulties and job stability, with a view to gaining a more precise understanding of their concerns and expectations; if so, of the direction and timetable of the survey and study; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) as there are views pointing out that young people’s lack of knowledge and confidence in future planning and gender relations indirectly undermine their willingness to marry and have children, whether the Government will consider, through cross-departmental collaboration, integrating existing fertility support measures for young people (e.g. child-rearing subsidies, priority quotas for public housing allocation, and childcare services for working families) and consolidating such information within the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau’s “HKYouth+” mobile application, as well as adding a designated information corner to the application that covers topics such as reproductive health, sex education, and marriage and fertility support, with a view to strengthening support for young people in the aspects of affective education and reproductive health information; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as there are views pointing out that although the Government has established the Human Resources Planning Commission to follow up on population policy, Hong Kong’s current population policy still lacks comprehensiveness, whether the Government will review the Commission’s work or establish a task force coordinated by an official at the level of Secretary of Department to institutionally integrate cross-departmental resources, with a view to formulating more comprehensive population policy objectives for Hong Kong to address the long-term challenges of population development?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    In consultation with the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), the Housing Bureau (HB), the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Health Bureau (HHB), the consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Hon Nixie Lam is as follows:
     
    (1) & (2) The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) has been regularly collating data related to marriage and fertility trends across different age groups. The C&SD also publishes feature articles from time to time, giving a brief account of the marriage and fertility trends in Hong Kong and analysing the factors underlying such trends.
     
    Hong Kong and many countries or places worldwide are facing a decline in fertility rate. In the face of this challenge, the Government must formulate measures to raise fertility rate. As such, the Chief Executive (CE) announced in his 2023 Policy Address a host of measures to promote fertility and create a conducive environment for childbearing through a “combination punches” approach. These measures include providing Newborn Baby Bonus, giving families with newborns priority on flat selection and allocation, enhancing child care support and increasing tax concessions. Office/ bureaux implementing the measures include the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the HB, the LWB, the HHB, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the FSTB.
     
    The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has implemented the Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme and the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme to encourage childbearing by giving incentives to family applicants of public rental housing (PRH) and subsidised sale flats (SSF) sale exercises.  
     
    Regarding the allocation of PRH, the HA has implemented the Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme since April 1, 2024. PRH family applications with babies born on or after October 25, 2023 and aged one or below are credited one year of waiting time. As at end-June 2025, about 5 000 PRH applications have been credited one year of waiting time under the scheme, of which about 420 families have already been successfully housed to PRH.
     
    As for SSF, starting from the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2024 (HOS 2024), the HA has implemented the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme which was announced in the 2023 Policy Address. A quota of about 40 per cent of the new flats for sale (i.e. 2 900 flats) under HOS 2024 were set aside for eligible applicants under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme and the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members for balloting and priority flat selection. Family applicants of HOS with babies born on or after October 25, 2023 are eligible if their children are aged three or below on the closing day of the application.
     
    During the application period of HOS 2024, the HA received a total of around 106 000 applications. Among them, around 50 000 were family applicants, of which around 19 000 (i.e. about 40 per cent) applied under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme. Among these 19 000 applicants, 800 applicants have successfully purchased flats through the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme. If eligible families applying under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme fail to purchase a flat under HOS 2024, they may still apply under the Scheme for priority flat selection as long as their children are aged three or below on the closing day of the application in subsequent SSF sale exercises.
     
    The Government announced in the 2023 Policy Address that a cash reward of $20,000 will be provided to eligible parents for each baby born from October 25, 2023, for a period of three years. Starting from October 25, 2023, parents can submit an application for the bonus at the same time when registering the birth of their baby and applying for a birth certificate. As of end-June 2025, a total of 49 567 qualified applications have been received, and the bonus has been distributed to 48 984 applicants, at a total amount of approximately $979 million. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office is carrying out a review of the Newborn Baby Bonus Scheme.
     
    The Government has been supporting parents who cannot take care of their children temporarily through subsidising non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide a variety of day child care services, including Child Care Centres (CCCs), the After School Care Programme and the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP). To strengthen support for working families in childbearing, the Government has announced the setting up of additional 11 aided standalone CCCs in phases, doubling the total number of service places to reach around 2 000. The Government is extending the After School Care Programme for pre-primary children to cover all districts in phases, and increasing the number of service places under the NSCCP to 2 500 with the estimated number of beneficiaries increasing to 25 000. The Social Welfare Department will also provide information and assistance to private organisations applying for registration to operate CCCs, and encourage private organisations to provide child care support for their employees. Meanwhile, the Government reviews the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme from time to time. The rates of the household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme have been increased by 15 per cent across the board with effect from April 2024, benefiting all households receiving the WFA. The WFA Scheme provides additional allowances for relevant childbearing families, and increasing the rates of the WFA helps further alleviate the burden of grassroots working families. Taking a four-person household with two eligible children as an example, the maximum monthly WFA they may receive have increased from the original amount of $4,200 to $4,830 at present.
     
    As regards tax concessions, starting from the year of assessment (YA) 2023/24, the basic child allowance and the additional child allowance for each child born during the YA have been raised from $120,000 to $130,000. In addition, starting from YA 2024/25, for taxpayers who live with their children born on or after October 25, 2023 and meet the prescribed conditions, the deduction ceiling for home loan interest or domestic rents will be raised from $100,000 to $120,000 for a maximum of 19 YAs. These measures can encourage childbearing by helping taxpayers to alleviate their financial burden from raising children.
     
    As regards antenatal services, currently the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments of the Hospital Authority and the Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the Department of Health (DH) provide free antenatal services for all local pregnant women who are eligible persons (who generally refer to holders of Hong Kong Identity Cards or such other persons as may be approved by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority/ Director of Health) to ensure the health of the pregnant women and their foetuses. The scope of services includes the first antenatal check-up, personal and family medical history, as well as various investigations and vaccinations conducted by doctors according to the clinical needs of individual pregnant women.
     
    Besides, as announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the DH will revamp maternal and child health and family planning services to strengthen pre-pregnancy counselling and parental education and promote healthy fertility. The DH will provide the new pre-pregnancy health services to reproductive age group women at the MCHCs in phases, support women in preparing for pregnancy through health consultation and counselling, health assessments, arrangement of blood tests and other investigations, and provide nutritional dietary and lifestyle advice, to align with the Government’s policy of encouraging and promoting healthy fertility, as well as protecting and advancing maternal and child health. Details on the above initiatives will be announced at an appropriate juncture. In addition, the DH will review and adjust the scope of the subsidised family planning service currently provided by NGOs, so as to dovetail with the Government’s policy of encouraging and promoting healthy fertility.
     
    The HYAB has been supporting the work of the Family Council (the Council) in promoting a culture of loving families to the general public through organising different publicity programmes and activities. In October 2024, the HYAB and the Council launched the five-year Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education (the Scheme). With an annual funding of $8 million, the Scheme subsidises non-profit-making community projects in promoting family education. NGOs may, based on societal needs, apply to the Scheme for funding to implement projects related to topics such as family building, new parents, and marriage-related. On the other hand, the Council has been encouraging the wider adoption of more diversified and flexible family-friendly employment practices (FFEPs) in the community. Measures include launching promotional videos entitled “Family-friendly Workplace”, which feature various FFEPs adopted by local companies, and collaborating with the Radio Television Hong Kong to produce radio programmes to promulgate different types of FFEPs. These measures will also help foster a pro-family environment.
     
    The HYAB launched the first release of the “HKYouth+” youth mobile application in March 2024, and has been continuously updating it to cater to the needs of young people. Its content cover various areas, including personal development opportunities, local hot topics, national development, world news, arts and leisure, innovation and technology, physical and mental wellness. It aims to help young people expand their knowledge, explore interests and enrich themselves in different aspects. The HYAB will work with relevant bureaux and departments to encourage them to make use of “HKYouth+” for strengthening promotion of various support measures to the youth community.
     
    (3) The population policy straddles a wide range of policy areas, involving various bureaux. For the current term of the HKSAR Government, in addition to the standing committees, the CE and Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of Departments are now providing high-level steer as necessary through various channels, such as working groups and inter-departmental meetings, to coordinate relevant inter-departmental work.
     
    Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Human Resources Planning Commission (HRPC) consolidates resources and efforts of the Government and various sectors to examine, review and holistically co-ordinate policies and measures on human resources, including issues pertaining to the population policy. The HRPC is a high-level policy platform, with eight policy secretaries, including Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Secretary for Health, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Secretary for Security; the Government Economist; the Commissioner for Census and Statistics and the Chairmen of the Employees Retraining Board, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and the Vocational Training Council as ex-officio members; and non-official members drawn from a diverse mix of experts and stakeholders from different fields and sectors. Since its establishment in 2018, the HRPC has looked into a number of issues to tackle the demographic challenges, facilitating the Government to formulate and refine the relevant policies and measures.
     
    Currently, population policy measures have been subsumed under the portfolios of various bureaux as part of the ongoing efforts. As the Government’s existing steering and inter-departmental co-ordination mechanism are flexible and effective, the Government does not consider it necessary to set up a separate structure for the work on the population policy.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Facilitating enterprises to list in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ3: Facilitating enterprises to list in Hong Kong 
    Question:
     
         To dovetail with the latest economic trends and corporate needs, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) are conducting a comprehensive review of the listing regime, including reviewing the listing requirements, improving the vetting process and optimising the thresholds for dual listings, so as to further facilitate the emerging sector and overseas enterprises to raise capital in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will drive the HKEX and the SFC to adjust the listing thresholds for companies with weighted voting right structures and enterprises from the innovative sector, so as to further attract new economy as well as innovation and technology companies to list in Hong Kong;
     
    (2) whether it will consider driving the HKEX to enhance the public float and market capitalisation requirements for listed companies, so as to facilitate more large-scale and overseas enterprises to list in Hong Kong; and
     
    (3) whether it knows the strategies put in place by the HKEX to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the vetting process for listing, as well as to provide stronger support and clearer guidance for overseas quality enterprises, in response to the increasingly competitive environment of the international capital market?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         As an international financial centre, Hong Kong has been taking forward high-quality development of its capital market through institutional innovation, thereby enhancing the role as a global fundraising hub. In recent years, the Government has driven the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) to introduce a series of reforms to the listing regime. These include tailored listing mechanisms for new economy enterprises with weighted voting rights (WVR) structures and technology companies, the establishment of a regulatory framework to facilitate dual primary or secondary listing of overseas listed issuers in Hong Kong, etc.
     
         With the implementation of the series of listing reforms, the primary market has shown notable vibrancy this year. In the first half of the year, Hong Kong recorded 42 initial public offerings (IPOs), raising over HK$107 billion in total, approximately 22 per cent more than the full-year total for last year and ranking first globally in the year-to-date. The number of listing applications is also increasing rapidly. At the end of June, the HKEX was processing over 200 listing applications, the highest level since the same period in 2021. Riding on the positive momentum in 2025, the HKEX and the SFC are taking forward further enhancements to the listing regime so as to boost the vitality and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s listing platform.
     
         In consultation with the SFC and the HKEX, my response to the three parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) To closely follow market developments, the SFC and the HKEX continuously review their listing regime and related requirements, with a view to attracting more high-quality enterprises including overseas and new economy companies to list in Hong Kong, while balancing relevant risks and investor protection. Notably, the HKEX relaxed the market capitalisation requirement for Greater China issuers seeking secondary listing in Hong Kong and removed the relevant condition of being an “innovative company”. “Grandfathered Greater China issuers” and “non-Greater China issuers” with WVR or variable interest entity structures that meet the secondary listing requirements have also been provided with greater flexibility to obtain primary listing status in Hong Kong.
     
         In September 2024, the HKEX and the SFC lowered the market capitalisation threshold at the time of listing for specialist technology companies to enhance the flexibility of the relevant listing framework. In addition, a dedicated “technology enterprises channel” (TECH) was launched in May this year to provide tailored guidance to specialist technology and biotechnology companies before they submit their listing applications, thereby providing support to issuers in their listing preparation process. The issuers may also submit listing applications confidentially, taking into account the unique characteristics of relevant enterprises. These measures are also applicable to overseas technology companies. The HKEX and the SFC will allocate resources flexibly based on application volumes to ensure efficient processing.
     
         The HKEX and the SFC are committed to improving Hong Kong’s listing regime to facilitate listing of more high-quality companies, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness and vibrancy of Hong Kong as a listing venue. We are conducting a comprehensive review, with the scope of review to cover multiple aspects of the listing regime. In addition to supporting fundraising by enterprises, it also has to safeguard protection of investors’ interests and the overall market quality so as to attract more investors to invest in Hong Kong, which requires in-depth engagement with different stakeholders. We are aware that Dr the Hon Starry Lee and two other Members published a report last week putting forward various recommendations to further enhance the Listing Rules to attract listing of high-quality overseas issuers in Hong Kong. The relevant areas such as reviewing the specific requirements for primary, secondary and dual primary listing, as well as post-listing continuing obligations, etc, are already covered in the scope of the ongoing review by the HKEX and the SFC. Specific proposals will be considered as part of the process. The HKEX will announce relevant enhancement measures with public consultation to be conducted as appropriate once they are ready.
     
         In addition, the HKEX launched a consultation on proposals to enhance IPO price discovery and open market regulation in December 2024, which include a tiered approach to minimum public float requirements at the time of listing based on issuers’ market capitalisation, and seeking views on whether issuers should be allowed greater flexibility to maintain a lower public float post-listing. The HKEX is currently consolidating and reviewing the feedback received, and will conduct further consultation on specific proposals regarding the ongoing public float requirements.
     
    (3) We are committed to attracting companies of various sizes and with growth potential from around the world to list and raise funds in Hong Kong. To this end, the HKEX has streamlined the listing requirements for overseas issuers and introduced a set of core shareholder protection standards applicable to all issuers to facilitate compliance. The HKEX has also issued guidance for overseas issuers seeking to list in Hong Kong and published further jurisdiction-specific explanatory notes on a need basis. To facilitate fundraising by more high-quality companies in Hong Kong, the SFC and the HKEX implemented the enhanced timeframe for approval of new listing applications last year (Note), thereby improving the transparency and efficiency of the listing application process, and providing greater certainty on the vetting time. Enterprises with dual primary listing that meet the relevant eligibility criteria are currently also eligible for inclusion in Southbound trading of Stock Connect.
     
         Building on the various enhancements to the listing regime for overseas issuers, HKEX continues to review the scope of recognised stock exchanges to enable companies listed on overseas main markets to seek secondary listing in Hong Kong. Following the inclusion of the Saudi Exchange, the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market onto the list of recognised stock exchanges in 2023 and 2024, the HKEX further added the Stock Exchange of Thailand in March this year, bringing the total number of recognised overseas exchanges on the list to 20.
     
         Looking ahead, the Government, together with the SFC and the HKEX, will continue to step up external promotion efforts to showcase the latest developments and strengths of Hong Kong’s financial services sector, including the listing platform. Meanwhile, the HKEX will explore further expansion of the scope of recognised stock exchanges and simplification of the listing process for overseas issuers, while more proactively providing guidance to facilitate their preparations for listing in Hong Kong.
     
         Thank you, President.
     
    Note: Including confirmation within 40 business days for general new listing applications, or within 30 business days for eligible A-share companies, on whether there are any major regulatory concerns.
    Issued at HKT 14:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Air Marshal Harv Smyth appointed new Chief of the Air Staff

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Air Marshal Harv Smyth appointed new Chief of the Air Staff

    Air Marshal Harv Smyth will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton in August 2025.

    The Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of the new Chief of the Air Staff.

    Air Marshal Harv Smyth will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton in August 2025. He joined the RAF in 1991 as a direct entrant and then spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor having flown hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Since his promotion to Air Commodore in 2015, Air Marshal Smyth has held a range of command positions and is currently the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations.

    The appointment comes at a transformative time for the RAF as it moves to warfighting readiness following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, including the recent announcement that the UK will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s nuclear mission as the government delivers greater security for working people through its Plan for Change.

    The Chief of the Air Staff is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all Royal Air Force operations, people and capability. The position is accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the RAF.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said:

    I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force.

    Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally.

    I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton’s superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.

    The RAF is always globally deployed and ready to defend the nation. RAF pilots and aircrew are currently deployed on Operation SHADER to combat Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria, in Qatar as part of our joint Typhoon squadron, and in Eastern Europe as part of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission to deter Russia.

    Incoming Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, said:

    I am absolutely delighted that Air Marshal Harv Smyth has been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff, and I have every confidence that he will lead the Royal Air Force brilliantly and make sure we are ready to fly and fight. 

    As I hand over to Air Marshal Smyth, I know that under his command the Royal Air Force will go from strength to strength to ensure that we are always ready to protect and promote our national interests on the world stage. I wish him every success and look forward to working with him in leadership of our Armed Forces.

    This announcement comes following Sir Rich Knighton’s promotion to Chief of the Defence Staff, a role he will take up in September.

    Air Marshal Harv Smyth, said:

    I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the Service at such a crucial point in our history. 

    I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our Whole Force as we deliver outstanding Air and Space Power for the UK and NATO.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reports 4.8-percentage-point rise in employment rate for people with disabilities over 3 years

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China has made steady progress in expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, with the national employment rate for this group increasing by 4.8 percentage points during the past three years, according to official data released Wednesday.

    These gains were achieved under the country’s first three-year action plan to promote employment of persons with disabilities (2022-2024), which helped create nearly 1.65 million new jobs for such people in both urban and rural areas, said Li Dongmei, vice chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), at a press conference.

    Almost 1.43 million people with disabilities received verified vocational training during this period — significantly improving their job readiness and skill levels, Li noted.

    In higher education, progress has also been sustained. For five consecutive years, all college graduates with disabilities have been included in employment support databases. Notably, among those seeking work, more than 85 percent have successfully secured jobs.

    To build on this momentum, the General Office of the State Council has issued a new three-year action plan (2025-2027), jointly formulated by the CDPF and 30 government departments. This plan outlines 10 targeted actions aimed at further improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

    According to Ren Zhanbin, director of the CDPF’s education and employment department, the new phase will follow a more precise and customized approach.

    “We aim not only to expand job opportunities, but also to ensure these jobs are well-matched to the abilities and needs of people with disabilities, and offer greater long-term stability,” Ren said.

    Under the plan, relevant government agencies and local authorities will continue to improve public services, strengthen employment support, and help the country’s 85 million people with disabilities access more and higher-quality employment opportunities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign arrivals in China continue to surge in H1 via visa-free expansion

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Foreign tourists wait for entry inspection at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Foreign nationals made 38.05 million cross-border trips to and from China in the first half (H1) of 2025, up 30.2 percent year on year, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on Wednesday.

    Visa-free entries continued to rise sharply, with 13.64 million foreigners entering China without a visa in the first six months of the year. This category accounted for 71.2 percent of total foreign entries and represented a 53.9-percent year-on-year increase.

    Overall, immigration authorities across China had processed 333 million inbound and outbound trips from January to June, marking a 15.8-percent rise year on year, the NIA said at a press conference.

    This figure included 159 million trips by mainland residents and 136 million made by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan — up 15.9 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively.

    The NIA noted that immigration authorities across the country are steadily advancing openness and improving service efficiency.

    As part of ongoing policy changes, China recently added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit policy, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 55. This policy allows travelers from these countries to transit through China without a visa for up to 240 hours.

    A new regional visa-free policy has also been introduced, allowing tourist groups from ASEAN countries to enter Xishuangbanna in southwest China’s Yunnan province without a visa.

    China has further expanded its visa exemption arrangements, signing new mutual agreements with Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, and extending unilateral visa-free entry to nine more countries — Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US launches section 301 probe against Brazil

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Tuesday that it will open an investigation into Brazil’s trade policies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

    The investigation, launched under U.S. President Donald Trump’s direction, will look into “Brazil’s attacks on American social media companies as well as other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers, and technology innovators,” said the office in a statement, citing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

    Greer determined that Brazil’s tariff and non-tariff barriers “merit a thorough investigation, and potentially, responsive action” after consulting with other government agencies, cleared advisers and Congress.

    The investigation will seek to determine “whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of Brazil related to digital trade and electronic payment services; unfair, preferential tariffs; anti-corruption interference; intellectual property protection; ethanol market access; and illegal deforestation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce,” said the statement. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN chief deeply concerned over continued violence in southern Syria

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned over the continued violence in the Druze-majority area in Suweida governorate in southern Syria, which has resulted in dozens of casualties, including among civilians, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, on Tuesday.

    “He is disturbed by reports of arbitrary killings of civilians, sectarian incitement, and looting of private property. He condemns all violence against civilians, especially acts that risk inflaming sectarian tensions,” Dujarric said at a daily briefing.

    The spokesman said the secretary-general urges Syria’s interim authorities and local leaders to immediately de-escalate, protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent further incitement, and further urges the interim authorities to transparently and openly investigate and hold to account those responsible for violations.

    Guterres is also concerned about Israel’s airstrikes on Syrian territory and calls on Israel to refrain from violations of Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Dujarric.

    “The Secretary-General underscores that it is imperative to support a credible, orderly and inclusive political transition in Syria in line with the key principles of resolution 2254 (2015),” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is Israel bombing Syria?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    Conflict in Syria has escalated with Israel launching bombing raids against its northern neighbour.

    It follows months of fluctuating tensions in southern Syria between the Druze minority and forces aligned with the new government in Damascus. Clashes erupted in the last few days, prompting Israeli airstrikes in defence of the Druze by targeting government bases, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    Israel Minister Amichai Chikli has called the Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa –

    a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay.

    Despite the incendiary language, a ceasefire has been reached, halting the fighting – for now.

    Syrian forces have begun withdrawing heavy military equipment from the region, while Druze fighters have agreed to suspend armed resistance, allowing government troops to regain control of the main Druze city of Suwayda.

    What do the Druze want?

    The Druze are a small religious minority estimated at over one million people, primarily concentrated in the mountainous regions of Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan.

    In Syria, their population is estimated at around 700,000 (of around 23 million total Syrian population), with the majority residing in the southern As-Suwayda Governorate – or province – which serves as their traditional stronghold.

    Since the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime, the Druze have maintained a degree of autonomy, successfully defending their territory from various threats, including ISIS and other jihadist groups.

    Following Assad’s fall late last year, the Druze — along with other minority groups such as the Kurds in the east and Alawites in the west — have called for the country to be federalized.

    They advocate for a decentralised model that would grant greater autonomy to regional communities.

    However, the transitional government in Damascus is pushing for a centralised state and seeking to reassert full control over the entire Syrian territory. This fundamental disagreement has led to periodic clashes between Druze forces and government-aligned troops.

    Despite the temporary ceasefire, tensions remain high. Given the core political dispute remains unresolved, many expect renewed conflict to erupt in the near future.

    Why is Israel involved?

    The ousting of the Assad regime created a strategic opening for Israel to expand its influence in southern Syria. Israel’s involvement is driven by two primary concerns:

    1. Securing its northern border

    Israel views the power vacuum in Syria’s south as a potential threat, particularly the risk of anti-Israeli militias establishing a foothold near its northern border.

    During the recent clashes, the Israeli military declared

    The Israeli Defence Forces will not allow a military threat to exist in southern Syria and will act against it.

    Likewise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has stated he will not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus:

    We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them [the Druze] and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria.

    In line with these warnings, the Israeli Air Force has conducted extensive strikes against Syrian military infrastructure, targeting bases, aircraft, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    These operations are intended to prevent any future buildup of military capacity that could be used against Israel from the Syrian side of the border.

    2. Supporting a federated Syria

    Israel is backing the two prominent allied minorities in Syria — the Kurds in the northeast and the Druze in the south — in their push for a federal governance model.

    A fragmented Syria, divided along ethnic and religious lines, is seen by some Israeli policymakers as a way to maintain Israeli domination in the region.

    This vision is part of what some Israeli officials have referred to as a “New Middle East” — one where regional stability and normalisation emerge through reshaped borders and alliances.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently echoed this strategy, stating:

    A single Syrian state with effective control and sovereignty over all its territory is unrealistic.

    For Israel, the logical path forward is autonomy for the various minorities in Syria within a federal structure.

    The United States’ role?

    According to unconfirmed reports, Washington has privately urged Israel to scale back its military strikes on Syria in order to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

    The US is promoting increased support for Syria’s new regime in an effort to help it reassert control and stabilise the country.

    There are also indications the US and its allies are encouraging the Syrian government to move toward normalisation with Israel. Reports suggest Tel Aviv has held talks with the new Sharaa-led regime about the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords (diplomatic agreements between Israel and several Arab states), which the regime in Damascus appears open to.

    US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has described the recent clashes as “worrisome”, calling for de-escalation and emphasising the need for

    a peaceful, inclusive outcome for all stakeholders – including the Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government, and Israeli forces.

    Given the deep-rooted political divisions, competing regional agendas, and unresolved demands from minority groups, the unrest in southern Syria is unlikely to end soon.

    Despite another temporary ceasefire, underlying tensions remain. Further clashes are not only possible but highly probable.

    Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why is Israel bombing Syria? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-israel-bombing-syria-261259

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is Israel bombing Syria?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    Conflict in Syria has escalated with Israel launching bombing raids against its northern neighbour.

    It follows months of fluctuating tensions in southern Syria between the Druze minority and forces aligned with the new government in Damascus. Clashes erupted in the last few days, prompting Israeli airstrikes in defence of the Druze by targeting government bases, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    Israel Minister Amichai Chikli has called the Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa –

    a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay.

    Despite the incendiary language, a ceasefire has been reached, halting the fighting – for now.

    Syrian forces have begun withdrawing heavy military equipment from the region, while Druze fighters have agreed to suspend armed resistance, allowing government troops to regain control of the main Druze city of Suwayda.

    What do the Druze want?

    The Druze are a small religious minority estimated at over one million people, primarily concentrated in the mountainous regions of Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan.

    In Syria, their population is estimated at around 700,000 (of around 23 million total Syrian population), with the majority residing in the southern As-Suwayda Governorate – or province – which serves as their traditional stronghold.

    Since the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime, the Druze have maintained a degree of autonomy, successfully defending their territory from various threats, including ISIS and other jihadist groups.

    Following Assad’s fall late last year, the Druze — along with other minority groups such as the Kurds in the east and Alawites in the west — have called for the country to be federalized.

    They advocate for a decentralised model that would grant greater autonomy to regional communities.

    However, the transitional government in Damascus is pushing for a centralised state and seeking to reassert full control over the entire Syrian territory. This fundamental disagreement has led to periodic clashes between Druze forces and government-aligned troops.

    Despite the temporary ceasefire, tensions remain high. Given the core political dispute remains unresolved, many expect renewed conflict to erupt in the near future.

    Why is Israel involved?

    The ousting of the Assad regime created a strategic opening for Israel to expand its influence in southern Syria. Israel’s involvement is driven by two primary concerns:

    1. Securing its northern border

    Israel views the power vacuum in Syria’s south as a potential threat, particularly the risk of anti-Israeli militias establishing a foothold near its northern border.

    During the recent clashes, the Israeli military declared

    The Israeli Defence Forces will not allow a military threat to exist in southern Syria and will act against it.

    Likewise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has stated he will not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus:

    We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them [the Druze] and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria.

    In line with these warnings, the Israeli Air Force has conducted extensive strikes against Syrian military infrastructure, targeting bases, aircraft, tanks, and heavy weaponry.

    These operations are intended to prevent any future buildup of military capacity that could be used against Israel from the Syrian side of the border.

    2. Supporting a federated Syria

    Israel is backing the two prominent allied minorities in Syria — the Kurds in the northeast and the Druze in the south — in their push for a federal governance model.

    A fragmented Syria, divided along ethnic and religious lines, is seen by some Israeli policymakers as a way to maintain Israeli domination in the region.

    This vision is part of what some Israeli officials have referred to as a “New Middle East” — one where regional stability and normalisation emerge through reshaped borders and alliances.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently echoed this strategy, stating:

    A single Syrian state with effective control and sovereignty over all its territory is unrealistic.

    For Israel, the logical path forward is autonomy for the various minorities in Syria within a federal structure.

    The United States’ role?

    According to unconfirmed reports, Washington has privately urged Israel to scale back its military strikes on Syria in order to prevent further escalation and preserve regional stability.

    The US is promoting increased support for Syria’s new regime in an effort to help it reassert control and stabilise the country.

    There are also indications the US and its allies are encouraging the Syrian government to move toward normalisation with Israel. Reports suggest Tel Aviv has held talks with the new Sharaa-led regime about the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords (diplomatic agreements between Israel and several Arab states), which the regime in Damascus appears open to.

    US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has described the recent clashes as “worrisome”, calling for de-escalation and emphasising the need for

    a peaceful, inclusive outcome for all stakeholders – including the Druze, Bedouin tribes, the Syrian government, and Israeli forces.

    Given the deep-rooted political divisions, competing regional agendas, and unresolved demands from minority groups, the unrest in southern Syria is unlikely to end soon.

    Despite another temporary ceasefire, underlying tensions remain. Further clashes are not only possible but highly probable.

    Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why is Israel bombing Syria? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-israel-bombing-syria-261259

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Open collaborative ecosystem needed to drive robotics, AI: Unitree CEO

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    An open collaborative ecosystem is needed to spur the development of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, told a press conference on Tuesday.

    “The global vision for humanoid robotics technology and product development remains largely aligned, while countries may differ in cultural and industrial backgrounds,” he said, citing that China boasts strong capabilities in hardware and manufacturing, while the United States leads in AI software ecosystems.

    “These complementary strengths make international collaboration both necessary and beneficial,” he said.

    Unitree Robotics has made strides in open-sourcing its software, enabling many clients to develop a wide range of applications and innovations on the robotic platforms, Wang said, stressing that both robotics and AI still face significant challenges.

    The leading humanoid robotics firm, based in east China’s Hangzhou, last year released the humanoid robot G1, which has seen outstanding performance worldwide.

    Looking ahead, Wang said that general-purpose robots powered by artificial general intelligence will become a dominant trajectory in future technological development.

    The firm aims to integrate robots into a wide range of real-world scenarios, including industry, service and consumer markets, Wang added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi announces ex-gratia for victims of Pithoragarh road accident

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the deaths in a road accident in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased.

    “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.

    According to police, eight people were killed when a vehicle carrying 13 passengers crashed near the Suni bridge in Muwani town on Tuesday.

    Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav said rescue operations are underway. “Police officials have reached the spot and rescue operations are underway,” she said.

    Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed grief over the incident and said the district administration has been directed to ensure proper and timely treatment for the injured. He wished them a speedy recovery.

    — ANI

     

  • MIL-OSI Russia: World hits will sound new at the festival “Non-classical Classics”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The music festival “Non-classical classics” will take place on Bolotnaya Square on July 26. It will be part of the festival “Youth Point”. The artists will present modern world hits in original instrumental arrangements. Registration for the concert is open on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    “The festival “Non-classical classics” is a unique combination of modern musical culture and classical forms of sound. We are happy to invite young people and all residents of the capital to “Youth Point” to enjoy the atmosphere of creativity, inspiration and summer mood together. “Youth of Moscow” creates a space where everyone can find themselves – in music, sports or creativity,” said Margarita Savinkina, head of the project “Youth of Moscow”.

    Live music and master classes

    Festival participants will also be able to take part in creative master classes on music themes. Thus, at 14:00 in the Development hub, there will be a quilling class called “Treble Clef”. Here, you can master the technique of making flat or three-dimensional compositions from long and narrow strips of paper twisted into a spiral. At 15:00, guests will be taught how to make quick drawings at a musical sketching session. At 16:00, those who wish will be able to make a 3D postcard in the shape of a grand piano, and from 17:00 to 18:00, they will learn how to make a tambourine.

    At 2:00 PM, the Creative hub will teach you how to play the guitar and make origami. At 5:00 PM, there will be a master class on improvisation on the percussion instrument hang. Entrance to all master classes is free.

    The evening will culminate in an open-air concert starting at 21:00. The QuintElle instrumental group, the Nella Musica Ensemble, the Limoncello and Spirit OFF Streets groups will present their own interpretations of world hits, combining classics and modern musical trends.

    Festival “Youth Point” will last in the capital until September 14. Bolotnaya Square hosts creative and sports spaces, a rollerdrome is open, and discos with invited artists and popular DJs are held every Friday and Saturday.

    Moscow is a city of youth. The capital offers wide opportunities for its development, creative self-expression, comfortable life and interesting leisure. It has a developed infrastructure, thousands of events of different scale and focus are held here.

    More opportunities for young city dwellers can be found on the portal “Youth of Moscow” and project pages insocial networks.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sports and dance training is carried out within the framework of the project “Summer in Moscow”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Muscovites are invited to free roller sports and dance training. These classes help strengthen muscles and improve coordination. The training is part of the project “Summer in Moscow”.

    Roller sport is riding on roller skates with the performance of combinations of various exercises and elements. Regular training helps to improve balance. During training, athletes actively use the muscles of the body and pump up the stabilizing muscles that help maintain balance.

    Roller sports training is being held as part of the capital’s project Department of Sports “My sports district”. Classes are held by professional trainers twice a week: on Wednesdays and Sundays at 19:00. Anyone over 18 can participate. You can find a suitable site and sign up for a class atwebsite.

    Dance training is held within the framework of the project “Sports Weekend”, implemented by the Department of Sports of the City of Moscow together with the public service centers “My Documents”. Participants practice movements from various styles: hip-hop, samba, bachata and jazz-funk. Such training not only develops coordination, but also improves the work of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helps to lose weight and relieve stress.

    Classes are held at over 50 locations, including city parks, festival areas and public spaces. For addresses and schedules, and to sign up, visitwebsite.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Resolving conflicts and caring: what social protection specialists learn in advanced training courses

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Resolving family conflicts and caring for children in family centers, caring for people with special needs and providing first aid are taught in Institute of Continuing Professional Education for Social Workers in Moscow, which celebrates 17 years since its foundation. During this time, the institution has improved the qualifications of more than 70 thousand social protection specialists.

    This expert platform in the field of social technologies and professional training of specialists offers more than 70 advanced training programs for social security employees, which can be completed both in person and online on the IDPOznanie platform.

    “We train employees of family centers, the Social Treasury, institutions providing home care services, and other important projects and institutions.

    Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Moscow“Our mission is to promote human well-being by developing employees and teams in the social sphere through education, enlightenment, science and technology,” said Igor Timofeev, Director of the Institute of Continuing Professional Education for Social Workers.

    The institute has four competence centers for training specialists and managers. You can improve your qualifications in such areas as “Rehabilitation and Social Integration”, “Family and Childhood Support”, “Home Care”, “Long-Term Care” and “Personal Effectiveness”.

    Institute student Natalya Senkina is taking the Mediation in Social Work program. After completing her studies, she wants to help Moscow families resolve conflict situations.

    “I am not new to mediation; I have been working as a trainer for teenagers in the “School of the Young Mediator” project for three years now. The training allows for a deeper understanding of the principles of conflict development, interaction with children and their parents. It is very important to help people find constructive solutions and save families,” she shared.

    The institute has programs that are available to all city residents. For example, in school of related careRelatives of people with limited mobility and the elderly learn how to provide quality care for them at home: safe movement, proper feeding, and help with hygiene. The program can be completed both in person and online. The project also includes psychological mutual assistance groups.

    Every year, the institute hosts a professional skills competition called “Moscow Masters” among social workers. Participants demonstrate skills in long-term care, digital literacy, first aid, and other important skills.

    The winner of the Moscow Masters competition in the profession of social worker, Maria Titikina, admitted that she was able to get ahead of her colleagues thanks to the knowledge she received in advanced training courses. According to her, studying at the institute allows her to be confident in her abilities and professional competencies. The first aid course was especially useful to her. She also learned to understand the concerns and needs of older people in the classes.

    On the eve of the 17th anniversary of the institution, specialists from the Institute of Continuing Professional Education for Social Workers held survey. It was attended by students of the institute and city residents receiving social services at home. They said that they especially value politeness, reliability, hard work and knowledge of digital services in social protection workers. More than 70 percent of the participants highlighted these qualities. 71 percent of respondents believe that social workers should improve their qualifications at least once a year.

    Igor Timofeev said that the important accents in the educational process are relevance and practical application. He explained that, on the one hand, the institute teaches applied skills of a social protection specialist, such as long-term care and first aid, and on the other hand, it teaches the use of new technologies that influence the development of professions in the social sphere.

    The Institute of Continuing Professional Education for Social Workers implements educational programs and provides consulting services for organizations subordinate to To the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow. The Institute is the operator of the project “School of Nursing” and the online platform for training “IDPOznanie”. The full list of programs is available aton the institution’s websiteYou can ask a question by email: ipk@mos.ru.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Investor to build school near Belomorskaya metro station

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A school for a thousand students will be built in the Left Bank District in the north of the capital. Land use and development rules have been changed for this purpose, said the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The new school building will appear on a 1.65-hectare site. It will be able to accommodate a thousand students. The building will have universal and specialized classrooms. The project also provides for the creation of a media library, a dining and sports hall, and an event hall. The adjacent territory will be equipped with sports and recreation areas. The investor will be responsible for the construction of the facility,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    Land use and development regulations set requirements for design and construction, determine how a site can be used and what objects are permitted to be built on it.

    “The educational institution will be located near the Belomorskaya station of the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line on land plot 57/10. This will allow teachers and students to easily get to the school from other areas of the city,” she added.

    Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development of the City of Moscow.

    Earlier, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that a new building would be built in the Sokolinaya Gora district. kindergarten.

    The construction of social facilities in Moscow corresponds to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 90 thousand quotation sessions have taken place on the supplier portal since the beginning of the year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Almost 93 thousand quotation sessions took place on the supplier portal in January-June 2025. This figure increased by more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year, Maria Bagreeva, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Head of the Moscow Department of Economic Policy and Development.

    “Quotation sessions are an effective tool for small-volume procurement, which is convenient and beneficial for both businesses and government customers. In the first half of the year, almost 93 thousand mini-auctions were held on the supplier portal – 22 percent more than in the first six months of 2024. The procedures allowed state and municipal institutions to save 3.5 billion rubles by reducing the initial contract price. On average, seven entrepreneurs bid for one transaction during quotation sessions, and the purchase price is reduced by 14 percent. In the first half of the year, construction and household goods, household appliances, information technology products, communications equipment and electronics were most often purchased on the portal – the total number of sessions for them amounted to almost 25 thousand,” said Maria Bagreeva.

    Moscow customers can purchase goods worth up to five million rubles, and works and services worth up to three million rubles, as part of mini-auctions on the supplier portal. The platform concludes contracts with both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals, which contributes to the development of small and medium-sized businesses and an increase in offers in the catalog.

    “The supplier portal works like a digital store – contracts are concluded and executed remotely, without paper documents, using an electronic signature. Thanks to the resource, businesses have quick access to participation in government procurement and expansion of sales markets, and the city, in the face of growing competition, receives the best offers in terms of price and quality from suppliers throughout Russia. The leaders in terms of the volume of contracts concluded during quotation sessions in the first half of this year included entrepreneurs from Moscow, who concluded more than 48.8 thousand transactions for 11.6 billion rubles, the Moscow Region – 15.9 thousand contracts for 3.9 billion rubles, St. Petersburg – 1.9 thousand contracts for 448 million, the Ryazan Region – 297 transactions for 171.7 million and the Perm Territory – 1844 contracts for 166.1 million,” noted the head of the capital’s Department of Competition Policy.

    Kirill Purtov.

    How neural network algorithms help entrepreneurs

    The supplier portal attracts businesses with the opportunity to participate in small-volume interregional purchases, high digitalization and transaction efficiency. Thanks to the online format, suppliers can often start shipping products on the day the contract is signed. The platform develops additional services using artificial intelligence – neural network algorithms help when filling out product cards, automatically determining the category of the uploaded product based on its image.

    In the capital Department of Information Technology also reminded about other digital opportunities of the supplier portal. Thus, in 2022, an automatic bidding bot was launched on the resource – a convenient online tool that allows entrepreneurs to participate in several quotation sessions at once, without interfering with other participants making their offers. And in 2023, Moscow customers became able to purchase identical products through joint quotation sessions. Thanks to this, state and municipal institutions of Moscow can combine their needs and, by increasing the volume of purchases, attract more suppliers to the session. This increases competition between entrepreneurs and allows customers to save budget funds.

    Moscow’s contract system consistently demonstrates high efficiency. The capital is the leader inNational Procurement Transparency RatingBy standardizing procedures, introducing digital technologies and involving small businesses, Moscow government procurement ensures savings at all stages of the process.

    Moscow is actively developing interregional cooperation in the field of procurementMore than 215 thousand contracts were concluded using the trading bot on the supplier portalMoscow Signs Cooperation Agreements with Three Regions

    The functional customer of the portal is the capital Department of Competition Policy, and its technical development is supervised by the Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    Development of electronic services for business corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government investment for mentoring, funding access and skills development to spark tech innovation outside capital

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Government investment for mentoring, funding access and skills development to spark tech innovation outside capital

    Tech entrepreneurs outside London will get support to grow their businesses, as the government launches a £1 million programme which is set to ignite innovation and bolster growth beyond the capital.

    Government investment to boost tech innovation across the UK.

    • New programme to supercharge tech growth in UK regions including Scotland, the North East, Humber and East, and South Yorkshire, and bolster local economies.
    • £1 million government investment will provide mentoring, funding access and skills development for entrepreneurs outside of London.
    • Programme launched as government looks to drive economic growth and prosperity in every part of the UK, under the PM’s Plan for Change.

    The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has today (Wednesday 16 July) announced the launch of the Regional Tech Booster programme, aimed at accelerating the growth of tech clusters and early-stage digital startups in regions including Scotland, the North East, Humber and East, and South Yorkshire.

    While London remains Europe’s leading tech hub, the new programme will help close the gap between the capital and regional tech ecosystems by addressing key challenges including entrepreneur support, access to finance, and skills development.

    It will do so by delivering tailored support programmes for tech founders, such as mentoring, investment promotion events, and workshops to share best practices across regional tech communities.

    Minister for Tech and Future Digital Economy, Baroness Jones said:

    Tech innovation doesn’t stop at the M25 and we’re choosing to invest in the talent and ideas flourishing across the UK.

    This investment forms an important part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth in every part of the UK. By supporting regional tech entrepreneurs, we’re creating the conditions for innovation and prosperity to flourish.

    The initiative complements existing government support for regional development, including Project Gigabit, the Local Innovation Partnership Fund, AI Growth Zones, and digital skills programmes. It demonstrates a strategic choice to invest in regional tech ecosystems as part of the government’s wider Industrial Strategy.

    Katie Gallagher, chair of the UKTCG and managing director of Manchester Digital, said:

    The UK’s nations and regions are home to a diverse and growing network of tech ecosystems. They already make a vital contribution to the economy and with the right support, they can do even more.

    We’re pleased that DSIT has selected the UK Tech Cluster Group to pilot a new approach. This programme will focus on collaboration, connecting clusters, sharing best practice, supporting founders and entrepreneurs and creating a practical playbook for building strong, sustainable regional tech economies.

    With members from across the UK’s nations and regions, UKTCG is uniquely placed to deliver this work ensuring every part of the country benefits from the UK’s thriving tech sector.

    UK Tech Cluster Group will focus on ensuring the programme delivers sustainable benefits that continue beyond the initial funding period, working closely with industry, academic institutions and local tech leaders to strengthen regional tech communities. Information on how regional tech clusters can apply for the programmes will be announced later this year.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –