Agriculture Committee rapporteur Carmen Crespo Díaz will brief journalists on Tuesday on the upcoming reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).
Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES) will hold a press conference on the future of EU agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy, following the adoption by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of a report setting out MEPs’ demands on Monday 7 July evening.
When: Tuesday 8 July at 9.00 CEST
Where: European Parliament in Strasburg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N-1/201) and online, with interpretation to and from English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish.
How: Accredited journalists can join the press conference in person. Those wishing to actively participate and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and become available on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.
Background
The European Commission plans to announce the 2028-2034 common agriculture policy proposal together with the next long‑term budget in mid-July 2025. The report by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will be put to a vote by the whole Parliament in a next plenary session.
Using Interactio to ask questions
Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video.
Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used in the areas of migration and asylum. These technologies promise to increase efficiency, reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making. In the asylum context, AI applications are meant to reduce pressure on national asylum systems and contribute to fairer and more consistent asylum decisions. Despite potential benefits, these technologies come with significant risks. Inaccurate or biased AI applications may jeopardise the right to asylum, increase or reinforce discrimination, and diminish procedural safeguards built into the asylum process. These risks depend on the type and complexity of applications used, their role in asylum procedures, and the way in which decision-makers interact with technologies. Although the deployment of AI applications in EU asylum systems is still in the early stages, the debate about the legal, social and ethical challenges posed by these new technologies is well under way. For instance, several Member States have started using AI technologies for dialect recognition to verify information, or obtain further information, on asylum applicants’ country or region of origin. There are also examples of Member States using AI applications for name transliteration, automatic transcription of speeches and case matching. The introduction of AI technologies in EU asylum systems raises several major risks, relating to: (i) inaccuracies, bias and discrimination; (ii) undermining fairness and due process; and (iii) unlawful interference with privacy and data protection.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used in the areas of migration and asylum. These technologies promise to increase efficiency, reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making. In the asylum context, AI applications are meant to reduce pressure on national asylum systems and contribute to fairer and more consistent asylum decisions. Despite potential benefits, these technologies come with significant risks. Inaccurate or biased AI applications may jeopardise the right to asylum, increase or reinforce discrimination, and diminish procedural safeguards built into the asylum process. These risks depend on the type and complexity of applications used, their role in asylum procedures, and the way in which decision-makers interact with technologies. Although the deployment of AI applications in EU asylum systems is still in the early stages, the debate about the legal, social and ethical challenges posed by these new technologies is well under way. For instance, several Member States have started using AI technologies for dialect recognition to verify information, or obtain further information, on asylum applicants’ country or region of origin. There are also examples of Member States using AI applications for name transliteration, automatic transcription of speeches and case matching. The introduction of AI technologies in EU asylum systems raises several major risks, relating to: (i) inaccuracies, bias and discrimination; (ii) undermining fairness and due process; and (iii) unlawful interference with privacy and data protection.
Home » Latest News » Council leader hits out at South East Water after days of disruption
It is just not good enough.
That’s the message from Leader of the Council Cllr Alan Baldock in an open letter to South East Water Chief Executive David Hinton after days of no water for hundreds of people in parts of the district.
Cllr Alan Baldock tells Mr Hinton that the disruption has seriously disrupted the lives of hardworking families, put the vulnerable at serious risk of harm, sparked serious concerns for the health of animals and livestock and deeply damaged the businesses affected at a time when they need help not hindrance.
It asks the water company to outline how people can claim compensation and asks for it to pay for increased recycling collections caused by huge volumes of empty plastic water bottles.
The letter says:
David Hinton Chief Executive Officer South East Water Rochford Road Snodland ME6 5AH
Dear Mr Hinton
Yet more disruption to water supplies in our district
For the third time this year, twice privately and this time openly, we have felt compelled to write to you to express our deep disgust and frustration at prolonged disruption to water supplies in our district.
The disruption does not seem be confined to one area or one season.
Canterbury and Herne Bay suffered in the freezing winter months. Herne Bay, Dargate, Yorkletts and Seasalter have suffered during the hottest days of the year.
At a time when water bills are going through the roof, we should not have to point out that having no water:
seriously disrupts the lives of hardworking families
puts the vulnerable at serious risk of harm
sparks serious concerns for the health of animals and livestock
deeply damages the businesses affected at a time when they need help not hindrance
We have even been forced to close our public toilets in Faversham Road, Seasalter, because there is no water and keeping them open is a public health hazard.
Everyone is forced to pay extra – whether buying their own bottled water or using their own fuel and time to drive to and queue at bottled water stations.
We believe in protecting the planet. So we are committed to recycling all of the plastic bottles that will need to be disposed of because of South East Water’s failure.
But that will cost the council taxpayer for extra recycling crews and the hire of extra refuse collection vehicles.
We have also supplied residents with clear sacks to help them recycle.
We call on you to foot that bill – where should we send the invoice?
Yet again, despite previous promises, in the early days of this incident you did not pick up the phone to keep us updated on the latest situation.
You know, because we’ve made the point repeatedly in our previous correspondence, our officers and councillors are always on hand to advise you on the best locations for bottled water stations.
Your choice created jams at the Altira Park in Herne Bay.
Your choice caused queues and saw patients unable to access the Estuary View Medical Centre which includes an urgent treatment centre. Liaising with doctors there would have been a huge help.
Your choice of Sainsbury’s in Chestfield was a huge distance from Dargate, Yorkletts and Seasalter, especially if you do not drive.
A second bottled water station was needed. We are glad you, eventually, heeded our advice. But it should not have taken so long.
This is simply not good enough and your organisation needs to do much better.
Please let us know how you intend to do so and how you will adequately, and quickly, compensate residents and business owners for an extremely poor service. Along with an apology and an action plan, it is the very least they deserve.
I have to say, you made a number of promises in previous correspondence which, again, you have failed to live up to and I find that very disappointing.
We will be writing to the water regulator Ofwat and the Minister of State for Water and Flooding Emma Hardy calling on them to take all appropriate action against South East Water to make sure this does not happen again.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely Cllr Alan Baldock Leader Canterbury City Council
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As per the Securities market risk parameters methodology, on 07.07.2025, 10-19 (MSK) the lower bound of the REPO rate for tenor Y0/Y1Dt (up to -70.13 %), penalty rate and IR Risk Rate (up to -0.492 rub) for the security MTSS were changed. New values are available here
Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Creating conditions for innovative development of science and higher education, optimizing management and information exchange in scientific research, simplifying the procedure for providing certain public services in this area – the achievement of these and other goals is provided for in the updated version of the strategic direction in the field of digital transformation of science and higher education until 2030. The order approving such a document was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
The strategic direction involves the implementation of a number of projects. One of them is the continuation of work on the creation of the Science and Innovation domain within the framework of the unified digital platform GosTech. In particular, it is planned to finalize the unified state system for recording scientific research, experimental design and technological work for civil purposes. Its services will optimize management and information exchange in the field of scientific developments in related areas based on common information models.
“Access to them is open to companies and enterprises so that they can choose the best solutions for practical application and eliminate duplication of costs for similar developments,” Mikhail Mishustin noted, commenting on the adopted document atmeeting with deputy prime ministers on July 7.
In addition, due to the development of the Federal Information System of State Scientific Certification, it is planned to transfer a number of state services in the field of science to a registry model. This means that after submitting an application on the state services portal, the applicant will receive not paper documents, but their digital versions in their personal account and then send them electronically to where they will be requested. Such optimization is envisaged, among other things, for the procedure for issuing a certificate of recognition of an academic degree or academic title obtained in a foreign state.
In addition, through the public services portal, it will be possible to submit an application for tax benefits for organizations when performing research work and an application for a state housing certificate, which is provided to scientists. By the end of 2025, the share of applications submitted in this way should be half of their total number. By 2030, 90% of applications for tax benefits and 80% of applications for housing certificates should be submitted through “Gosuslugi”.
“It is important to simplify access to government services for people and businesses so that these procedures are not burdensome and convenient,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Another project is the creation and commissioning of a national genetic information database. This work will be carried out in several stages. By the end of 2025, the database should be 100% filled with genetic data produced before September 1, 2025. It is expected that at least 60 organizations conducting research in the field of genetic technologies will provide the specified information, the total volume of which will be at least 1 petabyte by the end of 2025 and will constantly increase, and by 2030 will reach 35 petabytes.
Other projects include the development of a national dictionary fund. By the end of 2025, seven standard dictionaries of the Russian language will be loaded into this state information system, and by 2027 – 33 standard dictionaries. After that, the GIS of the national dictionary fund will be launched into operation.
Strategic directions for digital transformation of key sectors of the economy and social sphere are sectoral strategic planning documents developed by the Government on the instructions of the President. They are synchronized with current state programs and national projects and are approved for the period up to 2030. In order for the documents to remain relevant, amendments may be made to them once a year.
The document will be published.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Resolution of July 1, 2025 No. 987
Document
Resolution of July 1, 2025 No. 987
The program for providing state guarantees for loans and bonds attracted by organizations for capital investments and support of their production activities has been extended until the end of 2025. This resolution was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Extending this support measure will increase the attractiveness of capital investments in various sectors of the economy and will allow businesses to solve a number of important problems, including those related to the development of production and the construction of new facilities.
In the federal budget for 2025, the total amount of funds for the provision of state guarantees is 286 billion rubles.
Within the framework of this program, the state guarantee ensures the obligations of organizations on loans and bond loans attracted for a period of three to seven years to support current production activities and capital investments. Such state support helps reduce the risks of creditors and increase the attractiveness of capital investments in areas important for the development of the country.
Commenting on the decision takenmeeting with deputy prime ministers on July 7, Mikhail Mishustin noted that such a mechanism will allow entrepreneurs to reduce risks and increase the attractiveness of investments in many important areas, implement large-scale plans both to launch new enterprises and to modernize existing ones, increase their efficiency and reduce the burden on the environment, which in turn will have a positive effect on the standard and conditions of life of citizens.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Order dated July 2, 2025 No. 1763-r
Document
Order dated July 2, 2025 No. 1763-r
The government continues to support veterans and participants of the special operation who, after returning from the combat zone, decided to open their own business in the agricultural sector. In 2025, within the framework of the Agromotivator program, another 10 regions will receive funds to pay grants to such aspiring entrepreneurs. An order to this effect has been signed.
The funding is intended for Adygea, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Crimea, Yakutia, North Ossetia, Tuva, Khakassia, Belgorod Oblast and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Its total volume will be 64.2 million rubles.
“We hope that such measures will help our children find something to do that they enjoy and will contribute to the creation of new jobs in Russian regions,” Mikhail Mishustin noted, commenting on the decision taken atmeeting with deputy prime ministers on July 7.
The grant support program for veterans and participants of the special military operation “Agromotivator” has been in effect since the beginning of 2025. 200 million rubles have already been allocated from the federal budget for these purposes, which were sent to 19 regions.
The size of the Agromotivator grant for cattle breeding for meat and dairy production will be up to 7 million rubles, and for agribusiness in other areas – up to 5 million rubles. The selection of grant recipients will be handled by regional commissions that will evaluate the submitted projects.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Orders from July 1, 2025 No. 1743-r and No. 1744-r
Documents
Order dated July 1, 2025 No. 1743-r
Order dated July 1, 2025 No. 1744-r
Almost 1.8 billion rubles will be allocated from the federal budget in 2025 to the Altai Territory, Oryol and Pskov Regions to co-finance the construction of hospitals. The orders to this effect were signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
The bulk of the funds – almost 1.3 billion rubles – is intended for the Oryol region. With the help of the subsidy, the construction of the multidisciplinary medical center “Oryol Clinical Hospital” will be completed in the region. These funds will be allocated from the federal budget a year ahead of schedule, which will speed up the opening of the medical institution. In addition to the allocated funds, the federal budget in 2025 provides over 2 billion rubles for the construction of the Oryol hospital.
About 260 million rubles will be transferred to the Pskov region. With the help of federal funds, the construction of the hospital complex of the Pytalovsky branch of the Ostrovskaya interdistrict hospital will continue, as well as the reconstruction of the hospital complexes of the Gdovskaya and Sebezhskaya district hospitals.
About 250 million rubles will be allocated to the Altai Territory, which will be used to continue the construction of a 165-bed surgical building at the Altai Regional Clinical Center for the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood, located in Barnaul.
Subsidies will be provided within the framework of the federal project “Development of Healthcare Infrastructure”, which is part of the state program “Development of Healthcare”.
“We will continue to assist regions with the construction and development of healthcare institutions. This is important for increasing the availability of medical care throughout the country and achieving the national goal set by the President to improve people’s health,” the head of government emphasized.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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On the agenda: development of healthcare infrastructure, support for agro-industrial projects of veterans and participants of the Second Military Military District, extension of the program of state guarantees for loans to support the production activities of enterprises, updating the strategic direction in the field of digital transformation of science and higher education.
Opening remarks by Mikhail Mishustin:
Good morning, dear colleagues!
Operational meeting with deputy prime ministers
11 hours ago
First of all, I would like to talk about the development of infrastructure for domestic healthcare.
The President emphasized that modern, well-equipped medical institutions are one of the areas of systematic work to improve the efficiency of domestic healthcare. And the Government continues to help regions with the construction of such facilities.
Participants of the meeting
List of participants of the operational meeting with deputy prime ministers, July 7, 2025
A multidisciplinary medical center is being created in the Oryol region. I examined it carefully during my trip to Oryol. And we discussed with the governor the difficulties that existed at that time. These were problems with contractors and with design and estimate documentation. I gave instructions to correct this situation.
Construction is currently underway, including using federal budget funds. Over 2 billion rubles have been allocated for this in the current year. And next year, it was planned to provide the region with almost 1.3 billion rubles more. We will allocate them in 2025 so that the work can be completed ahead of schedule and the center can be opened for citizens as soon as possible. The corresponding order has been signed.
We also support other Russian regions. The Pskov region will receive a subsidy of approximately 260 million rubles to create a new building for the inter-district hospital and to reconstruct two district hospitals.
Operational meeting with deputy prime ministers
July 4, 2025
Operational meeting with deputy prime ministers
July 4, 2025
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Operational meeting with deputy prime ministers
We will distribute about 250 million rubles to the Altai Territory. The funding is needed for the construction of a surgical department of the maternity and childhood center in Barnaul. Such an order has also been approved.
We will continue to assist regions in the construction and development of healthcare institutions. This is very important for increasing the availability of medical care throughout the country and achieving the national goal set by the President to improve people’s health.
On another topic – about supporting our defenders.
The head of state noted that in the regions everyone is trying to create the best possible conditions for family members and for the guys themselves who are returning from the combat zone.
And of course, they should have the opportunity to adapt to civilian life, go to work or open their own business.
Therefore, starting this year, the assistance system has been supplemented with a grant that can be received by veterans and retired participants of the special military operation. These funds will be used to implement agricultural projects.
We have already allocated 200 million rubles for such purposes. And we will provide funding to 10 more regions. These are Adygea, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Crimea, Sakha, North Ossetia, Tuva, Khakassia, Belgorod Region and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
We hope that such measures will help our children find something they enjoy doing and will contribute to the creation of new jobs in Russian regions.
The government continues to stimulate entrepreneurial initiative. This is a very important factor for ensuring the sustainability of the development of both specific projects of our business and the supply economy as a whole, which the President spoke about.
Until the end of this year, we will extend the rules for providing state guarantees for loans and bond loans. Those that are attracted for a period of three to seven years and are used to support current production activities and capital investments. We will allocate almost 290 billion rubles for these purposes.
Such a mechanism will allow entrepreneurs to reduce risks and increase the attractiveness of investments in many important areas. To implement large-scale plans both for the launch of new enterprises and for the modernization of existing ones. To increase their efficiency and reduce the burden on the environment. Which in turn will have a positive effect on the standard and conditions of life of our citizens.
And also about the decision that concerns the development of digital technologies in such key sectors as science and education.
These sectors have been using foreign software products and corresponding hardware systems for several years. In recent years, a number of Western companies have left our market and stopped servicing their developments.
The President emphasized that it is necessary to increase the production of services on our own basis. To create our own original services and software, to apply them in practice, especially in critically important areas.
The strategic direction in the field of digital transformation of science and higher education solves these problems. It is aimed at increasing the efficiency of fundamental research and expanding the capabilities of educational institutions using modern technologies, including processing large amounts of information. Thanks to this, the super service “Admission to a University” was launched on the single portal of state services. Applicants submit documents to the institute without leaving home, track the status of their application, and receive an electronic student ID.
On the instructions of the President, the “road map” of the strategic direction for the next six years was updated. Including in terms of refining the state information system, which contains the results of all domestic research and development work. Access to them is open for companies and enterprises so that they can choose the best solutions for practical application and eliminate duplication of costs for similar developments.
The changes will also affect the Federal Information System of State Scientific Certification, the services of which are planned to be transferred to a registry model, which will allow receiving electronic documents instead of paper ones when submitting applications through the state services portal. This also applies to the procedure for issuing a certificate of recognition of an academic degree or title awarded in a foreign country, and applications from scientists for housing certificates.
Organizations engaged in scientific research activities will be able to submit an application for tax benefits through a single portal.
It is important to simplify access to government services for people and businesses so that these procedures are not burdensome and convenient.
We will continue to do everything necessary to implement technological projects in priority sectors for the country in order to achieve national development goals.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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July 7, 2025 marks the professional holiday – Architect’s Day.
Dear friends!
Please accept my congratulations on Architect’s Day.
Today, this professional holiday unites those who determine the appearance of megacities, cities and towns, design industrial buildings, microdistricts, social facilities, draw up plans for districts, streets, gardens and parks, and also restore architectural monuments.
Development and improvement of territories, implementation of large-scale projects, creation of a high-quality urban environment for our citizens largely depends on the professionalism of architects. You make the lives of millions of Russians safe and comfortable. And this daily work is worthy of respect and sincere words of gratitude.
I am confident that your experience, knowledge, creative approach to business, as well as the use of modern project approaches, the introduction of innovative technologies and developments will help you cope with the most difficult tasks.
I wish Russian architects further success, good luck in all their endeavors. Happiness, health, well-being to you and your families.
M. Mishustin
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street”. The large-scale cultural event will take place from September 3 to 9 as part of the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Chukotka will present guests with information about the largest projects, urban renovation, investments, and opportunities for work and travel in the region. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District.
“Based on the results of last year, Chukotka demonstrated positive dynamics in a number of indicators. Industrial production and investments in fixed capital grew by 9%, and mineral extraction by 3%. The Russian government provides support to the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. Three preferential regimes are in effect in the region: the Chukotka Priority Development Area, the Vladivostok Free Port, and the Arctic Zone regime. The consolidated budget revenues and the region’s own revenues have grown. These northern lands are home to strong-willed, courageous, and purposeful people who work in manufacturing and mines, develop deposits, preserve the traditions of reindeer herding, and provide our country with copper and tin, coal and gas, fish and seafood. Thanks to the measures taken by the government, people’s lives are changing. Anadyr is being updated according to the master plan approved by the President. Facilities are being built and reconstructed within the framework of national projects and the presidential single subsidy. The main task is to ensure that people’s lives change qualitatively and that an appropriate level of social infrastructure is created,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.
The space of the main Chukotka pavilion will be divided into thematic zones in several areas: history, culture, economy, tourism. Visitors will be able to get to know the region through real stories of local residents. The pavilion will feature interviews with entrepreneurs and representatives of rare professions, such as an Arctic farmer or caviar taster. It is also planned to place materials about the projects of Rosatom and the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant in the zones, including interactive maps, architectural plans and development prospects for these enterprises.
“This year we celebrate three significant dates: 95 years of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, 80 years of the Great Victory, and 10 years of the Eastern Economic Forum. Our exhibition on Far East Street reflects this connection of times: the memory of the past, the dynamics of the present, and plans for the future. We invite guests of the forum and everyone to Far East Street to discover the unique Arctic,” said Vladislav Kuznetsov, Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
The region is developing a rich business program. In particular, it is planned to hold presentations of Arctic brands for potential investors and foreign partners, round tables and strategic sessions, an interregional meeting of cultural representatives.
The creative products zone will feature local brands, and visitors will be able to see authentic products from the region and purchase them as souvenirs.
In addition, a “Chukotka for Victory” zone will be created to show video materials about the region’s contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. An interactive wall with images of defenders of the Fatherland – a pilot, a reindeer herder and a soldier – will be installed in the zone. The central element will be an art object dedicated to the participants of the special military operation.
The street exhibition will be decorated with monumental compositions. Three abstract vertical steles will be installed here, reaching into the sky. St. George ribbons, logos of Chukotka and the Eastern Economic Forum will be placed under each figure. The art objects will reflect three anniversary dates: 95 years of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, 80 years of the Great Victory, 10 years of the EEF.
In addition, a sculpture of a walrus, a symbol of the region, will be installed at the stand. Nearby, there will be glowing Eskimo balls, personifying the sun among the indigenous peoples of Chukotka. The State Academic Chukchi-Eskimo Ensemble “Ergyron” and artists from the District House of Folk Art will also perform for the guests of the forum.
The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.
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.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dear veterans, colleagues!
I sincerely congratulate the workers of the sea and river fleet on their professional holiday.
Russia occupies a unique place in the world in terms of water resources. There are 62 ports in our country, and the length of inland waterways in Russia is 102 thousand km. Sea and river transport are an important part of the unified transport complex of Russia and often play a key role in providing communication between hard-to-reach areas of the country, especially in the Far East and Siberia. They successfully solve important problems in the interests of the state and citizens, making a significant contribution to achieving national development goals.
This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Heroic sailors and river workers made a huge contribution to the common victory. We honor the memory of industry veterans and pass on glorious traditions to new generations of workers.
Thank you for your tireless work and dedication to your cause, I wish you good health, success and new achievements for the benefit of Russia.
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.
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The meeting of the BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as a meeting of their deputies, took place in Rio de Janeiro. The participants summed up the work of the BRICS financial track during the Brazilian presidency and discussed prospects for further cooperation.
The focus was on such areas of cooperation as the cross-border payment initiative, settlement and depository infrastructure, reinsurance company, Contingent Reserve Pool, transition financing and information security of the association countries. Within the framework of the BRICS Innovation Hub, the prospects for using artificial intelligence in the activities of central banks, as well as approaches to its regulation in the financial market of the association, were discussed.
Director of the Department of Cooperation with International Organizations of the Bank of Russia Gulnara Khaidarshina noted that common priorities and trust allow the association to develop expert interaction and remain an example of effective international cooperation.
In the second half of 2025, central banks will continue their expert interaction. In 2026, the BRICS presidency will pass to India.
Preview photo: Shutterstock / Fotodom
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.
JUBA, South Sudan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) began airdropping emergency food assistance to thousands of families in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, where surging conflict since March has forced families from their homes and pushed some communities to the brink of famine.
These distributions mark WFP’s first access in over four months to deliver life-saving food and nutrition assistance to more than 40,000 people facing catastrophic hunger in the most remote parts of Nasir and Ulang counties, areas only accessible by air.
“The link between conflict and hunger is tragically clear in South Sudan and we’ve seen this over the past few months in Upper Nile,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. “Without a major scale-up in assistance, the counties of Nasir and Ulang risk slipping into full-blown famine. We urgently need to get food to these families, and we are doing everything possible to reach those who need it most before the situation spirals.”
More than one million people across Upper Nile are facing acute hunger, including over 32,000 people already experiencing Catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5) – the highest level of food insecurity. This figure has tripled since armed conflict flared in March, triggering mass displacement, including across the border into Ethiopia where WFP is providing life-saving food aid to around 50,000 people who have fled from Upper Nile in search of food and safety.
WFP aims to reach 470,000 people in Upper Nile and Northern Jonglei through the lean season – the hungriest time of year, which runs through August – but continued fighting and logistical constraints have hindered access and a comprehensive response. WFP has only been able to reach 300,000 people in Upper Nile so far this year.
The main river routes into the state must be reopened urgently in order to reach hungry families with sustained humanitarian support. These routes are the most cost-effective way to reach large swathes of Upper Nile and northern Jonglei states to deliver crucial assistance but have been blocked by active fighting since mid-April. WFP has 1,500MT of food ready to transport once river routes are operational again.
“Where we have been able to consistently deliver, we’ve seen real progress,” McGroarty said. “In the first half of this year, we pushed back catastrophic hunger in areas of Jonglei State through regular deliveries of food assistance, and we can do the same in Upper Nile. But if we can’t get the food to people, hunger will deepen and famine is a real and present threat.”
A global funding slowdown is worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Nationwide, 7.7 million people – 57 percent of the population – are facing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic levels of hunger. An unprecedented 2.3 million children are at risk of malnutrition.
Due to funding gaps, WFP has prioritized assistance with reduced rations for only the most vulnerable 2.5 million people—just 30 percent of those in acute need – to stretch limited resources. WFP urgently needs US$274 million to continue life-saving operations through December.
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfp_SouthSudan
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 7 — China on Monday released a plan to expand the domestic service industry as part of its broader efforts to promote all-around rural revitalization.
The plan, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and eight other government agencies, aims to increase supply in the domestic service sector, stimulate consumer demand for domestic services, improve people’s livelihood, and stabilize employment.
The plan outlines 14 specific measures, including expanding rural employment by encouraging rural workforce participation in the domestic service industry, enhancing vocational training to improve skills, and strengthening social security for rural laborers.
It stated that the country will increase the supply of affordable housing, facilitate access to urban affordable housing for domestic service migrant workers, ensure equal access to basic public services, and support their integration into cities as soon as possible.
China had nearly 300 million rural migrant workers at the end of 2024. The domestic service sector, a key driver of employment, now employs more than 30 million professionals, with over one million enterprises generating a market size exceeding 1.1 trillion yuan (about 153.83 billion U.S. dollars).
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANGZHOU, July 7 — East China’s Zhejiang Province has elevated its typhoon emergency response to Level III at 10 a.m. Monday, as Typhoon Danas, the fourth typhoon of this year, moves closer.
According to the province’s meteorological observatory, the center of Typhoon Danas made landfall along the coast of Taiwan’s Chiayi City in the wee hours on Monday. After making landfall, Danas continued to move northward.
At 7:00 a.m., its center was located over the sea, approximately 258 km southeast of Wenzhou, Zhejiang. It is expected to make landfall again along the coast between Taizhou in Zhejiang and Fuzhou in neighboring Fujian Province, sometime between the afternoon and night of July 8.
From July 7 to 9, central and southern Zhejiang, as well as nearby coastal regions, are expected to receive total rainfall of 60 to 90 mm due to Danas, with precipitation in some areas potentially exceeding 350 mm.
Zhejiang has urged all coastal regions and departments to closely monitor the typhoon’s path, strengthen joint consultations, and implement prevention measures in line with the contingency plan. These include sheltering ships, suspending sea routes and halting construction projects.
China’s national observatory also renewed a yellow alert for Typhoon Danas on Sunday as it is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain.
China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for typhoons, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
With one month to go until the opening of the 12th World Games, Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is entering the final stages of preparation for the premier global event for non-Olympic sports. Venue readiness, volunteer training and public engagement are all progressing steadily.
FINAL PREPARATIONS
At the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Public Fitness Gymnasium – the venue for squash and racquetball competitions – the installation of temporary seating and lighting is nearly complete.
“The venue renovation is relying on existing facilities and the way of rental is also introduced down the stretch,” said Huang Gang, head of operations at a local construction company.
According to organizers, all 27 competition venues are finished and undergoing final inspections. Eighteen are existing facilities, while nine were temporarily constructed in parks and lakeside areas to keep costs down.
In line with a frugal approach, Chengdu 2025 will not feature a dedicated Athletes’ Village. Instead, athletes will be accommodated in hotels near their competition venues.
Nearly 10,000 volunteers have been recruited for the Games, supported by more than 500 urban service stations to assist athletes and visitors.
“We are ready to welcome guests with full enthusiasm and showcase the energy of young students,” said Hu Ke, a volunteer trainee from Sichuan University. “Keeping a smile is part of the training,” she added. “We’re doing our best to prepare for guests from around the world.”
All competition schedules and event programs have been finalized. Technical teams are stationed at venues, full-scale rehearsals are underway, and 24 test events across 20 sports have already been held.
For the first time in World Games history, a torch relay will be held on July 26. The relay will pass through Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan, covering 11 kilometers and featuring 120 torchbearers. The route includes landmarks such as the Jinsha Site Museum and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Since November 2024, Chengdu has rolled out a range of community programs to promote the Games and boost local involvement. Sports such as flying disc and archery have been introduced in residential neighborhoods, reaching over 600 communities and attracting more than 120,000 participants.
“I never thought I could try archery in my neighborhood,” said a local resident surnamed Li. “It’s harder than I imagined but really fun.”
In March, a campus outreach initiative introduced sports like parkour, lacrosse and flying disc to 120 schools. Thirty “urban mini-sites” have also been set up across the city, offering interactive experiences and event information.
The Games are also providing a lift to the local economy. In 2024, Chengdu’s sports industry reached a market size of 130 billion yuan (about 18 billion U.S. dollars), with sports-related consumption growing by 13 percent year-on-year to 75 billion yuan.
To enhance the visitor experience, the city has launched six themed cultural and tourism programs, encouraging exploration beyond the sports venues.
ANTICIPATION BUILDING
Scheduled for Aug. 7-17, the 12th World Games will feature 255 events across 60 disciplines and 34 sports. It will be the first global sporting event held in western China since the 2023 Chengdu Universiade.
Anticipation is growing both at home and abroad.
“We are extremely impressed by the professionalism and commitment demonstrated by the Chengdu LOC,” said International World Games Association (IWGA) vice president Tom Dielen during the fifth Coordination Committee meeting in June.
“The preparations are progressing with remarkable efficiency and attention to detail. We are confident that Chengdu is ready to deliver an unforgettable edition of the World Games,” he added.
Around 5,000 athletes from an estimated 110 countries and regions are expected to take part, including approximately 330 Chinese athletes – the country’s largest-ever delegation to the World Games.
For Muay Thai athlete Laura Burgos, representing Mexico at the event is an unexpected honor. “I’m excited to prove myself in Chengdu,” she noted.
Daria Chernegova, an international student in Chengdu, said she’s especially looking forward to the flying disc and cheerleading competitions.
“I’ve played flying disc and worked as a cheerleader. These are sports not seen at the Olympics or Universiade, so I’m excited to watch them live,” she said.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“The Pilot Scheme will be launched at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital for the first time, which will not only bring another breakthrough to the EHCV Scheme but also provide eligible elderly persons with additional choices in healthcare services,” said a Government spokesman. With the four additional service points in the above table, the number of service points in the GBA where EHCVs can be used will increase to 15, benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong elderly persons.
EHCVs are applicable for outpatient healthcare services provided by 12 designated departments at the ZSHTCM, including Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Gynecology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Clinic, Health Management Center, Psychology Department, Department of Sleep Medicine, Department of Stomatology and Emergency Department.
Supporting fleet renewal and tourism sector growth in Greece
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) subscribed EUR 15 million in the second bond issued by Aegean Airlines S.A. (AEGEAN), Greece’s national flag carrier. The EUR 250 million bond issue is earmarked towards the financing of the airlines’ fleet renewal program, including the acquisition of new, energy-efficient aircraft equipped with extended range capabilities and high-comfort configurationsand also working capital requirements.
The BSTDB funding aims to strengthen AEGEAN’s competitive position in the region, enhance Greece’s connectivity, and generate broad economic benefits across the tourism and infrastructure sectors—two of the most dynamic pillars of the Greek economy.
This marks BSTDB’s second investment in AEGEAN, following its participation in the company’s debut bond issue in 2019. The continued partnership underscores BSTDB’s commitment to supporting Greece’s strategic enterprises and sustainable development objectives.
“Our investment in AEGEAN reflects our confidence in the company’s vision and the vital role it plays in strengthening regional connectivity and economic resilience,” said Dr. Serhat Köksal, President of BSTDB. “By supporting fleet modernisation and energy efficiency, we are contributing to both climate goals and long-term growth in a sector central to Greece’s economy.”
“We are grateful to BSTDB support and participation in our recent bond issuance, and we remain committed to honoring that trust as we continue to execute our strategy,” said Mr. Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of AEGEAN. “Our second bond issuance marks an important milestone for AEGEAN, not only purely on the grounds of the financial success of the transaction but primarily because it comes at a time when our Company is much stronger than our debut issue in 2019 in all aspects of network coverage, financial performance and overall contribution to the Greek economy, after being able to navigate one of the most severe crisis in our industry. We welcome BSTDB participation to this important milestone and we look forward to further strengthening our relationship”.
AEGEANoperates a fleet of 85 aircraft and provides scheduled, chartered, and cargo services across 158 short and medium haul destinations. Listed on the Athens Stock Exchange since 2007 with a market capitalisation of EUR 1.18 billion, AEGEAN is considered one of Greece’s blue chip corporates. It has been a member of Star Alliance since 2010 and has been consistently recognised as Europe’s Best Regional Airline by Skytrax, receiving the distinction 14 years in a row. For more details: www.aegeanair.com
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.
Supporting fleet renewal and tourism sector growth in Greece
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) subscribed EUR 15 million in the second bond issued by Aegean Airlines S.A. (AEGEAN), Greece’s national flag carrier. The EUR 250 million bond issue is earmarked towards the financing of the airlines’ fleet renewal program, including the acquisition of new, energy-efficient aircraft equipped with extended range capabilities and high-comfort configurationsand also working capital requirements.
The BSTDB funding aims to strengthen AEGEAN’s competitive position in the region, enhance Greece’s connectivity, and generate broad economic benefits across the tourism and infrastructure sectors—two of the most dynamic pillars of the Greek economy.
This marks BSTDB’s second investment in AEGEAN, following its participation in the company’s debut bond issue in 2019. The continued partnership underscores BSTDB’s commitment to supporting Greece’s strategic enterprises and sustainable development objectives.
“Our investment in AEGEAN reflects our confidence in the company’s vision and the vital role it plays in strengthening regional connectivity and economic resilience,” said Dr. Serhat Köksal, President of BSTDB. “By supporting fleet modernisation and energy efficiency, we are contributing to both climate goals and long-term growth in a sector central to Greece’s economy.”
“We are grateful to BSTDB support and participation in our recent bond issuance, and we remain committed to honoring that trust as we continue to execute our strategy,” said Mr. Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of AEGEAN. “Our second bond issuance marks an important milestone for AEGEAN, not only purely on the grounds of the financial success of the transaction but primarily because it comes at a time when our Company is much stronger than our debut issue in 2019 in all aspects of network coverage, financial performance and overall contribution to the Greek economy, after being able to navigate one of the most severe crisis in our industry. We welcome BSTDB participation to this important milestone and we look forward to further strengthening our relationship”.
AEGEANoperates a fleet of 85 aircraft and provides scheduled, chartered, and cargo services across 158 short and medium haul destinations. Listed on the Athens Stock Exchange since 2007 with a market capitalisation of EUR 1.18 billion, AEGEAN is considered one of Greece’s blue chip corporates. It has been a member of Star Alliance since 2010 and has been consistently recognised as Europe’s Best Regional Airline by Skytrax, receiving the distinction 14 years in a row. For more details: www.aegeanair.com
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.
The “mushroom murder trial”, as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it’s prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed “body language experts” assessing defendant Erin Patterson’s every move.
There’s an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom.
But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has?
On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef wellington.
She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather’s husband Ian. Erin’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend.
Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either.
Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted.
Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms.
Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant.
The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister?
Public obsession
These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention.
Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50.
That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began.
This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist.
The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive.
Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend.
The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It’s hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live.
However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth.
One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture.
For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1,244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas.
Then there was Erin Patterson’s unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone.
There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable.
The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance.
The courtroom as a stage
Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty.
The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident.
The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page.
Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold.
There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn’t.
The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial.
It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide.
The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday July 7.
The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier.
Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the “bodies in the barrell” murder case), Kendall in New South Wales (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes.
While the trial is over, there’s much more content still to come, the public’s appetite yet to be satiated.
But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally.
Amid the spectacle, it’s easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve.
Xanthe Mallett 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.
The “mushroom murder trial”, as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it’s prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed “body language experts” assessing defendant Erin Patterson’s every move.
There’s an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom.
But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has?
On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef wellington.
She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather’s husband Ian. Erin’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend.
Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either.
Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted.
Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms.
Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant.
The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister?
Public obsession
These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention.
Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50.
That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began.
This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist.
The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive.
Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend.
The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It’s hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live.
However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth.
One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture.
For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1,244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas.
Then there was Erin Patterson’s unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone.
There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable.
The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance.
The courtroom as a stage
Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty.
The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident.
The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page.
Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold.
There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn’t.
The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial.
It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide.
The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday July 7.
The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier.
Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the “bodies in the barrell” murder case), Kendall in New South Wales (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes.
While the trial is over, there’s much more content still to come, the public’s appetite yet to be satiated.
But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally.
Amid the spectacle, it’s easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve.
Xanthe Mallett 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.
Anthony Albanese seems to find himself on eggshells whenever the Australian-American relationship comes up.
After the G7 debacle, he’s persistently pursued – to his obvious irritation – by journalists asking when he’ll have his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. It’s a question he has so far been unable to answer, as he prepares for his fourth meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
There is no Washington meeting lined up, so Albanese just talks about the various occasions when their paths are due to cross. The next time is the Quad in India later this year (there is no fixed date).
Trump’s deadline for deals on his tariffs has now been moved from this week to August 1. Despite the months of negotiation, the government (as of now) is not expecting to receive a concession on the hefty 50% steel and aluminium tariffs, nor on the general 10% tariff. That will invite a fresh round of criticism that the government has not been able to leverage Australia’s advantages on critical minerals with the Trump administration.
And now the PM has stirred controversy with his John Curtin Oration, delivered on Saturday night.
Curtin is at the top of Labor’s pantheon of heroes, and generally regarded as one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers, by many as the greatest. Labor PMs regularly pay homage. (Bob Hawke and Paul Keating once had a spectacular falling out after Hawke considered Keating had slighted Curtin’s memory.)
In the second world war Curtin famously stood up to United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill to insist Australian troops be returned home, rather than diverted to Burma as Churchill wanted. And in those dark wartime days, Curtin dramatically “looked to America” for Australia’s security.
In delivering Saturday’s oration, Albanese painted the Curtin course as an example of Labor forging an independent foreign policy, and identified with it.
He said Curtin was the “founder” of the Australia-US alliance (contested by those who date the alliance from the Menzies years, when ANZUS was signed).
Albanese said “Curtin’s famous statement that Australia ‘looked to America’ was much more than the idea of trading one strategic guarantor for another”.
“It was a recognition that Australia’s fate would be decided in our region.
“It followed the decision Curtin had made in 1941 that Australia would issue its own declaration of war with Japan.
“Speaking for ourselves, as a sovereign nation.”
“We needed an Australian foreign policy anchored in strategic reality, not bound by tradition.”
“So we remember Curtin not just because he looked to America. We honour him because he spoke for Australia.
“For Australia and for Labor, that independence has never meant isolationism, Choosing our own way, doesn’t mean going it alone,” Albanese said.
Curtin’s biographer John Edwards, writing in the Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter, says Albanese’s oration “adroitly positions Australia for a testing time on foreign policy.
“Albanese’s speech affirms that in the competition between the United States and China, Australia will act in its own interests.”
Edwards puts the December 1941 appeal to the US against a particular background. The context of the article was a meeting then taking place in Washington between Churchill and US President Roosevelt, he writes.
Churchill was anxious the US not be distracted from the European conflict by the Pacific war. “Curtin’s article was a demand for Australia – not the United Kingdom – to be America’s principal partner in the war against Japan,” Edwards writes.
Others, notably the Australian’s foreign editor Greg Sheridan, have accused Albanese of misrepresenting the history.
But apart from details of the historical argument, the timing, emphasis and context of Albanese’s remarks are what’s relevant.
Sheridan writes, “Who on earth is Albanese messaging in this speech? Because it implies greater Australian strategic distance from the US, it will be welcomed in Beijing.”
Former ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos (a Liberal government appointee but usually objective in his observations) said the speech made clear the bipartisan support for the alliance.
But “given the context of Australia-US relations at present, the speech will need careful explanation to our American friends to avoid a misconception that was hyped that the speech would be a declaration of independence from the US,” Sinodinos said.
An interpretive job that will presumably fall, in part, to ambassador Kevin Rudd.
If the oration will require “careful explanation”, how much more carefully will the prime minister have to be in what he says in China next week and the messages he sends indirectly to Washington?
It all serves to reinforce the importance of Albanese meeting the president as soon as feasible. The more time elapses, the more the fog needs to be cleared from the relationship.
Michelle Grattan 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.
Anthony Albanese seems to find himself on eggshells whenever the Australian-American relationship comes up.
After the G7 debacle, he’s persistently pursued – to his obvious irritation – by journalists asking when he’ll have his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. It’s a question he has so far been unable to answer, as he prepares for his fourth meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
There is no Washington meeting lined up, so Albanese just talks about the various occasions when their paths are due to cross. The next time is the Quad in India later this year (there is no fixed date).
Trump’s deadline for deals on his tariffs has now been moved from this week to August 1. Despite the months of negotiation, the government (as of now) is not expecting to receive a concession on the hefty 50% steel and aluminium tariffs, nor on the general 10% tariff. That will invite a fresh round of criticism that the government has not been able to leverage Australia’s advantages on critical minerals with the Trump administration.
And now the PM has stirred controversy with his John Curtin Oration, delivered on Saturday night.
Curtin is at the top of Labor’s pantheon of heroes, and generally regarded as one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers, by many as the greatest. Labor PMs regularly pay homage. (Bob Hawke and Paul Keating once had a spectacular falling out after Hawke considered Keating had slighted Curtin’s memory.)
In the second world war Curtin famously stood up to United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill to insist Australian troops be returned home, rather than diverted to Burma as Churchill wanted. And in those dark wartime days, Curtin dramatically “looked to America” for Australia’s security.
In delivering Saturday’s oration, Albanese painted the Curtin course as an example of Labor forging an independent foreign policy, and identified with it.
He said Curtin was the “founder” of the Australia-US alliance (contested by those who date the alliance from the Menzies years, when ANZUS was signed).
Albanese said “Curtin’s famous statement that Australia ‘looked to America’ was much more than the idea of trading one strategic guarantor for another”.
“It was a recognition that Australia’s fate would be decided in our region.
“It followed the decision Curtin had made in 1941 that Australia would issue its own declaration of war with Japan.
“Speaking for ourselves, as a sovereign nation.”
“We needed an Australian foreign policy anchored in strategic reality, not bound by tradition.”
“So we remember Curtin not just because he looked to America. We honour him because he spoke for Australia.
“For Australia and for Labor, that independence has never meant isolationism, Choosing our own way, doesn’t mean going it alone,” Albanese said.
Curtin’s biographer John Edwards, writing in the Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter, says Albanese’s oration “adroitly positions Australia for a testing time on foreign policy.
“Albanese’s speech affirms that in the competition between the United States and China, Australia will act in its own interests.”
Edwards puts the December 1941 appeal to the US against a particular background. The context of the article was a meeting then taking place in Washington between Churchill and US President Roosevelt, he writes.
Churchill was anxious the US not be distracted from the European conflict by the Pacific war. “Curtin’s article was a demand for Australia – not the United Kingdom – to be America’s principal partner in the war against Japan,” Edwards writes.
Others, notably the Australian’s foreign editor Greg Sheridan, have accused Albanese of misrepresenting the history.
But apart from details of the historical argument, the timing, emphasis and context of Albanese’s remarks are what’s relevant.
Sheridan writes, “Who on earth is Albanese messaging in this speech? Because it implies greater Australian strategic distance from the US, it will be welcomed in Beijing.”
Former ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos (a Liberal government appointee but usually objective in his observations) said the speech made clear the bipartisan support for the alliance.
But “given the context of Australia-US relations at present, the speech will need careful explanation to our American friends to avoid a misconception that was hyped that the speech would be a declaration of independence from the US,” Sinodinos said.
An interpretive job that will presumably fall, in part, to ambassador Kevin Rudd.
If the oration will require “careful explanation”, how much more carefully will the prime minister have to be in what he says in China next week and the messages he sends indirectly to Washington?
It all serves to reinforce the importance of Albanese meeting the president as soon as feasible. The more time elapses, the more the fog needs to be cleared from the relationship.
Michelle Grattan 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.
In response tothe Inter-American Court of Human Rights decisiontoday setting out governments’ obligations in regard to the climate crisis, Gloria García-Parra, Oxfam’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean said: “The Inter-American Court has sounded the alarm, declaring a climate emergency and for the first time pronouncing that governments have a legal obligation to ensure the right to a safe climate. It stated that governments must protect present and future generations of people, as well as nature and other species from dangerous human-caused emissions.”
“Oxfam has consistently insisted on the need to address climate and inequality in tandem. We are delighted that the Court has confirmed this is a legal obligation, declaring that there must be no disproportionate burdens caused by climate change for anyone, whether in the present and for future generations.”
“The Court states that governments must adopt binding emissions reduction targets with specific deadlines, based on their historic contributions, with those States most responsible adopting the most ambitious targets. States must take urgent and effective steps to regulate, supervise, and monitor corporations within their borders to minimize their adverse impacts on climate change.
“The Court also observed that States are responsible for the impacts of carbon emissions within their borders have on the human rights of people wherever they are. And that governments have a legal obligation to cooperate with other countries, including by providing technical and financial assistance to States and peoples with less resources. The Court confirmed that governments must ensure people affected by climate harms have the right to a remedy that holds to account those responsible for climate harms, even if those people are in a different country.”
“The Court confirms that States must have a specific set of strong protections for environmental defenders. It recognizes that governments must respect and take into account traditional, ancestral, and local knowledge systems, including those of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendent communities, in climate decision-making.”
“The Court has confirmed binding requirements in international law that go beyond those contained in the Paris Agreement. Governments in the Americas must immediately review their climate plans and amend them to comply with this decision. If they do not, it is clear that communities around the world – not only in the Americas – have a powerful new tool to challenge their governments failures to protect their human rights and the climate.”
This is a full-time permanent position based in Manila Office. Candidates who have the legal right to work and live in the Philippines are encouraged to apply.
The Campaigner is a key role in Greenpeace. This role leads the development and implementation of high impact campaign strategies and plans with the goal of achieving big and lasting wins in the policy and public perception spheres, towards systemic changes.
This role works together with a cross-functional team to co-create and drive proactive and responsive initiatives that will influence policy, change mindsets and mobilize communities, groups and networks.
The incumbent is expected to be knowledgeable in climate, energy and environmental issues, as well as cross-cutting social justice issues. They must be well-versed in local and international climate and energy policy and developments. In certain situations, as determined by internal and external events and upon the consideration and advice from the Country Director, the campaigner is expected to support other initiatives under the Greenpeace Philippines Program.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop and implement smart, innovative and people-powered campaign strategies and projects in line with both the short and long term goals of the Climate Campaign, and the GPPH program in general, consistent with national, regional and international objectives and including detailed strategy, activities, timelines and budgets.
Maintain a working knowledge of technical information and be able to present the information to a variety of audiences within and outside the Philippines.
Maintain a working knowledge of mindset sciences, and political, legislative, regulatory and economic frameworks relevant to climate, energy, and the environment.
Lead the development and implementation of campaign plans and tactics
Initiate cross-issue campaign discussions for integrated project development, planning and implementation
Work with engagement focal points to strengthen the campaign’s people participation and audience journey components. Organize and oversee the work of campaign/project volunteers, interns and short-term contractors as required
Work with the communications focal points in preparing a variety of communications materials and provide assistance in the formulation of regional and international materials when necessary, and assist in planning communications and engagement strategies for the campaign
Respond to and engage in internal as well as external regional challenges beyond his/her normal issue/campaign area as circumstances require
Participate in campaign discussions and planning regarding strategic issues within Greenpeace Philippines, GPSEA, with other Greenpeace offices and with GP International (GPI) staff. This will include both written and verbal discussion as well as attendance at specific meetings
Keep the Philippine Country Director, Regional and other Campaigners, unit leads and project team members well-informed of activities in the campaign interventions (including the preparation of monthly reports and work plans) and recommend changes in tactics, or strategies as necessary
Represent Greenpeace and the campaign at relevant public events, movement events and at meetings with political decision makers, local citizens and affected communities; act as spokesperson for the campaign, and develop pro-active relationships with relevant media to increase campaign outreach
Build alliances and/or support relationships with partner organizations, relevant affected groups, grassroots organizations, academic and professional groups, labor unions and others as identified in strategic planning
Build, connect and/or catalyze relevant climate movements by creating, building and/or supporting networks, coalitions, and groups in support of campaign goals and in line with agreed campaign strategies
Direct, organize and participate in non-violent direct action to support and advance campaign goals and organization objectives
Reliably deliver on project engagement plans in line with the country strategy, campaign and engagement objectives and KPIs
Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the campaign and implement progress reviews and end-point evaluations
Skills and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field
At least 6 years work experience on environmental campaigning or any related field
Extensive knowledge about climate, energy, biodiversity and environmental issues
Proven experience in campaigning and project management, open campaigning, mass mobilization, public speaking, activist training, strategic planning and organizing people around an issue
Proven experience in directing a project from conception to completion
Proven ability to work both independently and in close coordination with a team
Excellent networking skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of organizations and communities
Functional Skills:
Strong strategic thinking and planning skills; proven experience in analyzing and planning campaign strategies
Strong personal organizational skills including ability to participate in multiple projects with competing priorities and timelines, strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to handle constantly evolving work
Knowledge and/or experience in working with volunteers
Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and Filipino
Greenpeace’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Greenpeace values diversity as essential to its mission and success. The organisation fosters an inclusive environment that respects varied cultural experiences and perspectives, promoting solutions rooted in social and environmental justice.
Australia overwhelmed the West Indies by 133 runs in the second test in Grenada on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match remaining.
The touring side dominated after a promising morning for the hosts during which Shamar Joseph gave West Indies hope with a superb four-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 243.
Set 277 for victory on a deteriorating track, however, the West Indies slumped to 143 all out.
“We never really got those partnerships going,” skipper Roston Chase said. “The new ball was the biggest challenge – we lost too many wickets. If we could avoid a few wickets in the first 10-15 overs, we would have a better chance.
“Two hundred and seventy was always a challenging task.”
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood struck with his fifth delivery, trapping John Campbell lbw for a duck and Mitchell Starc removed Keacy Carty for 10.
Beau Webster dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite for seven in his 100th test, a milestone match he will not look back on fondly.
Cummins then delivered the knockout punch, bowling Brandon King (14) with a delivery that straightened just enough to clip off stump.
Shai Hope’s dismissal for 17, caught and bowled by Hazlewood attempting a pull, put West Indies in deeper trouble.
Roston Chase made a spirited 34 that included a magnificent six off Starc, but his lbw dismissal on the stroke of lunch effectively ended any realistic hopes of a recovery.
Justin Greaves fell lbw to Starc for two and although Alzarri Joseph struck back-to-back sixes off Nathan Lyon and Shamar Joseph hit three maximums in his 24 the end was inevitable.
“We had to graft our way in both matches,” Cummins said. “I’m pretty proud. The new ball has been pretty tricky for both teams.
“The pitch deteriorated a bit, so it got a bit simpler for our plans. We hit good areas ball after ball, and waited for the game to come to us.”
Australia overwhelmed the West Indies by 133 runs in the second test in Grenada on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match remaining.
The touring side dominated after a promising morning for the hosts during which Shamar Joseph gave West Indies hope with a superb four-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 243.
Set 277 for victory on a deteriorating track, however, the West Indies slumped to 143 all out.
“We never really got those partnerships going,” skipper Roston Chase said. “The new ball was the biggest challenge – we lost too many wickets. If we could avoid a few wickets in the first 10-15 overs, we would have a better chance.
“Two hundred and seventy was always a challenging task.”
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood struck with his fifth delivery, trapping John Campbell lbw for a duck and Mitchell Starc removed Keacy Carty for 10.
Beau Webster dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite for seven in his 100th test, a milestone match he will not look back on fondly.
Cummins then delivered the knockout punch, bowling Brandon King (14) with a delivery that straightened just enough to clip off stump.
Shai Hope’s dismissal for 17, caught and bowled by Hazlewood attempting a pull, put West Indies in deeper trouble.
Roston Chase made a spirited 34 that included a magnificent six off Starc, but his lbw dismissal on the stroke of lunch effectively ended any realistic hopes of a recovery.
Justin Greaves fell lbw to Starc for two and although Alzarri Joseph struck back-to-back sixes off Nathan Lyon and Shamar Joseph hit three maximums in his 24 the end was inevitable.
“We had to graft our way in both matches,” Cummins said. “I’m pretty proud. The new ball has been pretty tricky for both teams.
“The pitch deteriorated a bit, so it got a bit simpler for our plans. We hit good areas ball after ball, and waited for the game to come to us.”
Australia overwhelmed the West Indies by 133 runs in the second test in Grenada on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match remaining.
The touring side dominated after a promising morning for the hosts during which Shamar Joseph gave West Indies hope with a superb four-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 243.
Set 277 for victory on a deteriorating track, however, the West Indies slumped to 143 all out.
“We never really got those partnerships going,” skipper Roston Chase said. “The new ball was the biggest challenge – we lost too many wickets. If we could avoid a few wickets in the first 10-15 overs, we would have a better chance.
“Two hundred and seventy was always a challenging task.”
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood struck with his fifth delivery, trapping John Campbell lbw for a duck and Mitchell Starc removed Keacy Carty for 10.
Beau Webster dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite for seven in his 100th test, a milestone match he will not look back on fondly.
Cummins then delivered the knockout punch, bowling Brandon King (14) with a delivery that straightened just enough to clip off stump.
Shai Hope’s dismissal for 17, caught and bowled by Hazlewood attempting a pull, put West Indies in deeper trouble.
Roston Chase made a spirited 34 that included a magnificent six off Starc, but his lbw dismissal on the stroke of lunch effectively ended any realistic hopes of a recovery.
Justin Greaves fell lbw to Starc for two and although Alzarri Joseph struck back-to-back sixes off Nathan Lyon and Shamar Joseph hit three maximums in his 24 the end was inevitable.
“We had to graft our way in both matches,” Cummins said. “I’m pretty proud. The new ball has been pretty tricky for both teams.
“The pitch deteriorated a bit, so it got a bit simpler for our plans. We hit good areas ball after ball, and waited for the game to come to us.”