Source: European Parliament
The World Trade Organization (WTO) works to guarantee a rules-based international trading system. Despite the impasse in trade negotiations, ways to modernise WTO rules and address new global challenges are being explored. Under the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament legislates jointly with the Council, has to approve any changes or new WTO agreements and has an important scrutiny role on international trade policy.
Source: European Parliament
The Trans-European Networks (TENs) are jointly funded by the European Union and the Member States. Financial support from the EU serves as a catalyst, with the Member States providing the bulk of the financing. The financing of the TENs can be complemented by Structural Fund assistance, aid from the European Investment Bank (EIB) or contributions from the private sector. A major reform was introduced across the TENs with the establishment of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in 2013, renewed in 2021.
Source: European Parliament
The origins of the European Parliament lie in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which became the common assembly of the three supranational European communities that existed at the time. The assembly subsequently acquired the name ‘European Parliament’. Over time, the institution, whose members have been directly elected since 1979, has undergone profound changes: evolving from an assembly with appointed members to an elected parliament that is recognised as a political agenda-setter of the European Union.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
DASA launches Phase 2 (Cycle 5) of Innovation in Support of Operations – we’re seeking fast paced scalable proposals across five challenge areas
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch Phase 2 (Cycle 5) of our fast paced Themed Competition Innovation in Support of Operations. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition is looking for innovative proposals that are cost competitive, designed for manufacture, and can be scaled in an approximate twelve-month timeframe.
Phase Two – expected to consist of three cycles:
| Cycle 4 | Cycle 5 | Cycle 6 | |
| Competition Launch | Closed | 3 June | 19 August |
| Open For | 7 Weeks | 9 Weeks | 8 Weeks |
| Comp Closes | 20 May 12:00 | 5 August 12:00 | 14 October 12:00 |
All above time BST
The UK Government continuously evaluates insights from global events, to rapidly implement solutions that strengthen military and economic advantage.
This competition aims to identify and accelerate innovative solutions and techniques, ensuring they can be scaled and deployed faster than our adversaries.
If you think you have an innovation that could be deployed at pace, please read the full Competition Document and submit a proposal
This competition has five challenge areas:
In this challenge area we are looking for:
We are not looking for the UAS platforms themselves, but you will need to demonstrate your solution on a representative platform or in another appropriate form of demonstration.
We are looking for innovative solutions to repair or recondition 155mm artillery barrels in order to extend barrel life under these conditions.
In this challenge we are seeking autonomous navigation systems for air vehicles and/or maritime surface vessels.
We are looking for novel systems directed against:
This challenge relates to the ability to:
Detect UAS. We are seeking solutions to detect (and potentially defeat) UAS, including those that are not reliant on RF links.
Destroy UAS. We are looking for novel solutions to destroy UAVs around the Class 1(d) size, once detected.
Proposals could address either Detect or Destroy or both.
These challenges are designed to identify innovations that could be deployed, at an appropriate scale, in operational areas within 12 months.
For full details of the competition Challenge Areas, please read the Competition Document
For this competition we are seeking technology output and demonstration to reach at least technology readiness level (TRL) 6 by the end of the project.
If you think your innovation could meet one of the Challenges, why not read the full Competition Document and submit a proposal?
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Each year, Dr Jeffrey Cummings and colleagues compile the data for Phase 1,2 and 3 trials currently active in the Alzheimer’s drug space. This year, we had experts at the Science Media Centre to talk us through his latest paper and what drug development for Alzheimer’s looks like right now. While we’ve all heard a lot about the monoclonal anti-amyloid antibodies (aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab) over recent years, there’s a great deal more happening with multiple trial results expected in 2025, including twelve phase 3 trials. The paper was published in the journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions.
Journalists came to this briefing to hear:
Speakers included:
Sheona Scales, Director of Research, Alzheimer’s Research UK
Emma Mead, Chief Scientific Officer for Oxford Drug Discovery Institute
Prof James Rowe, Professor of Cognitive Neurology at the University of Cambridge and Consultant Neurologist
Source: Scottish Greens
Scotland belongs to us all. Our land must benefit everyone.
Scotland’s communities desperately need more powers to hold wealthy landowners to account, says Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess.
Ahead of the next stage of scrutiny of the Land Reform Bill, the Greens have set out their plans to hold Scotland’s land owners to account. Proposals lodged would force landowners to listen and respond to community concerns, impose robust Land Management Plans, and set out clear plans for nature recovery.
Green amendments would also stop landowners who repeatedly break these rules from receiving hefty public subsidies. Additional proposals lodged would quadruple the number of landholdings subject to the new rules and regulations in the Bill.
Ms Burgess said:
“This Land Reform Bill has the potential to be a huge step forward for rural communities in addressing the historic wrongs that continue to block fairer distribution of Scotland’s land today. But so far, the Bill falls short.
“Vast swathes of Scotland are owned by a very small number of extremely wealthy people. Scotland’s communities desperately need more powers to hold these landowners to account and challenge this unfairness.
“Our proposals would ensure that more landowners than ever before would have responsibilities to use their land in ways that benefit our communities, our nature and environment. Landowners that repeatedly break the rules will be fined and barred from receiving hefty government handouts.
“For too long, poorly regulated land ownership in Scotland has left communities disempowered, nature depleted, and too much of our beautiful landscape is at risk of harm from negligent land owners.
“Scotland belongs to all of us – it is in everyone’s interest to ensure that our land is used for the benefit of all.
“The Scottish Greens will fight against powerful vested interests, and for a Land Reform Bill which delivers for communities and nature.”
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The mos.ru portal has been modernized service for submitting applications for the preparation and issuance of urban development plans for land plots (UPPL)This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“On June 2, the mos.ru portal added automatic online checks of real estate objects in the information systems of Rosreestr, the State Inspectorate for Real Estate and the state information system for supporting urban development activities when submitting an application for the issuance of urban development plans. With their help, it will be possible to check the presence of capital and unauthorized construction objects on a land plot, the absence of a duly approved territorial planning project and changes made to the land use and development rules for the purpose of implementing the integrated territorial development program. This will reduce the number of refusals to issue GPZU by informing the applicant when filling out the electronic application. Previously, such information could only be obtained based on the results of the application review within 14 working days,” said Vladimir Efimov.
GPZU is an urban planning document that specifies the types of permitted use, technical and economic indicators of construction and restrictions on the use of a land plot.
“The said revision will simplify the procedure for submitting an application on mos.ru and reduce the number of refusals to provide government services. In addition, the possibility of accepting applications from individuals who are authorized representatives of applicants – individuals has been implemented,” she added. Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the capital’s Committee for Architecture and Urban Development.
As reported by the capital Department of Information Technology, the updated service is already posted onmos.ru portalTo use it, you need to go to the section “Construction, reconstruction and repair” in the catalog of services for business, go to the subsection “Construction” and click “Urban development plan of the land plot”.
The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.
Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.
Please note: This information is raw content 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.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154730073/
Source: Greenpeace Statement –
Nairobi, Kenya —
In a historic moment ahead of World Environment Day, Greenpeace Africa, civil society groups, interfaith leaders, youth movements, and the Maasai community from Kajiado County have joined forces to urge the government of Kenya to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty — a bold, justice-centered global mechanism aimed at phasing out fossil fuels and accelerating a fair, financed transition to renewable energy.
At a press conference held today in Nairobi, stakeholders rallied behind the call for Kenya to join the bloc of 16 nations currently participating in discussions for the Treaty. The event follows the release of a joint press statement which highlights growing multi sectoral support within Kenya for a global commitment to phase out coal, oil and gas.
“Our African nations are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis they didn’t cause,” said Fred Njehu, Pan African Political Strategist at Greenpeace Africa. “Kenya has already shown climate leadership through its renewable energy goals — now is the time to go further. We need global mechanisms like the Fossil Fuel Treaty that support African nations with the finance, technology, and justice they deserve.”
In a landmark move, the Maasai community of Kajiado became the first Indigenous Peoples outside of Latin America to publicly back the Fossil Fuel Treaty, joining 11 Amazonian Indigenous nations. Their support underscores the growing momentum for a legally binding mechanism to end fossil fuel expansion and deliver a just energy transition.
“As the Maasai community, we have lived in harmony with nature for generations,” said Moses Ole Kipaliash, Maasai community leader and environmentalist. “But now, the rains are unpredictable, the land is drying up, and our livestock are perishing. We support the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty because we want to protect our land and our future from further damage.”
The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is built on three pillars:
Support for the Treaty is growing globally, with 16 nation states, over 130 cities and local governments, including Lilongwe, Freetown, Dar es Salaam, and Lusaka, backing the initiative. It is also endorsed by over 600 parliamentarians, 4,000 organizations, including the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, and trade unions representing over 30 million workers.
“With its track record of climate leadership and a bold target of 100% renewable energy, Kenya is uniquely positioned to lead the continent,” said Prince Papa, Africa Campaigner for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. “Backing the Treaty would align with Kenya’s national ambitions, help unlock international finance and technology, and ensure Africa’s needs are prioritized in shaping this global solution.”
As the global movement builds momentum, Greenpeace Africa and its partners call on the Kenyan government to:
“This is not just about emissions; it’s about equity,” concluded Njehu. “We have a responsibility to ensure a liveable future, not just for Kenya, but for the whole world. The Fossil Fuel Treaty offers us a seat at the table to do exactly that.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sherie Gakii, Communications and Storytelling Manager, Greenpeace Africa, [email protected], +254702776749
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk, [email protected]
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
In a major step to support Agniveers after their short-term military service, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved a 20 percent reservation for them in recruitment for various posts in the state police force and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.
According to the official statement, the reservation will apply to recruitment in categories such as constable (civil police), constable PAC, mounted police, and fireman. The move is aimed at providing employment opportunities to Agniveers who will complete their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme.
The Agnipath scheme, launched by the Centre in June 2022, allows youth to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years. While 25 percent of Agniveers are to be absorbed into regular military service, the remaining 75 percent are released from duty after their term. The first batch of Agniveers is expected to complete its term in 2026.
To further aid their transition into civilian life, the UP government has also decided to grant age relaxation of up to three years for Agniveers applying for these police and PAC posts.
According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh Police is expected to announce recruitment for nearly 28,000 posts soon, including positions such as sub-inspector, jail warden, computer operator, and more. With this new provision, Agniveers will be eligible to apply for a substantial number of these positions.
Uttar Pradesh joins Haryana in offering post-service support to Agniveers. Earlier, the Haryana government also approved 20 percent reservation for Agniveers in several government jobs.
The move is being seen as a crucial step in providing job security to youth who have served in the armed forces under the new military recruitment framework, while also strengthening the manpower in state police departments.
-IANS
Source: Samsung
As Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Season 4 sweeps across the nation, its message is clear – innovation is not confined to metro cities; it belongs to every young dreamer with a problem to solve. After energizing campuses in the North, South, and North-East, the programme has now reached the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, drawing hundreds of students into the fold of purposeful innovation.
At the heart of this new chapter were three prestigious institutions in Ranchi Gossner College, St. Xavier’s College, and Marwari College where design thinking open houses transformed classrooms into idea labs. Meanwhile, students from IIT Patna joined virtually, proving that geography is no barrier when it comes to shaping India’s future.
For Suraj, a student from Marwari College, the workshop was an eye-opener. “It was the first time I saw how structured thinking could turn the problems around me into actual projects. I’ve always been aware of local issues — lack of sanitation, waste management — but now I feel equipped to do something about them,” he said, his notebook filled with early sketches of a waste-segregation solution designed for small towns.
At Gossner College, the energy was electric as students engaged in empathy mapping and rapid prototyping. Neha, who is pursuing her graduation, couldn’t stop smiling as she shared her idea to build a low-cost, solar-powered attendance system for rural schools. “This workshop showed me how ideas can grow when you collaborate and think beyond the obvious,” she said. “It gave me the courage to believe my solution can work — not just in Ranchi but in every village with a chalkboard.”
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide contest designed to inspire students to create innovative solutions to address some of society’s most pressing challenges by leveraging technology.
Samsung ‘Solve for Tomorrow 2025’ will provide INR 1 crore to the top four winning teams to support the incubation of their projects, along with hands-on prototyping, investor connects, and expert mentorship from Samsung leaders and IIT Delhi faculty.
Prashant, who joined the online session from IIT Patna, was deeply moved by the larger purpose behind Solve for Tomorrow. “It’s not just about tech or startups. It’s about building the India we want to live in. I want to create a platform that helps farmers access real-time data about soil health and crop cycles — something my own family has struggled with,” he shared.
In every city Solve for Tomorrow has touched, it has brought with it not just tools and techniques, but also belief. In St. Xavier’s College, Adnan, a computer science undergraduate, found his mission. “There’s so much talk about AI and automation — but very little about using it for people at the margins. I’m working on a chatbot that can assist elderly people in accessing government healthcare schemes. This programme made me realise that innovation is not just a Silicon Valley word. It belongs to us too.”
A Movement for Nation Building
Since its launch on April 29, Solve for Tomorrow has rapidly grown from a competition to a nation-building movement. With students from metros, towns, and heartland cities like Ranchi and Patna now thinking critically, ideating boldly, and designing empathetically, the next generation of changemakers is rising — from every corner of the country.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is not just nurturing ideas — it’s nurturing a mindset. A belief that young Indians, no matter where they come from, have what it takes to solve for India and the world.
Source: Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa is now also offering unlimited free chatting on its intercontinental flights. Passengers can send and receive any number of messages from their own smartphone or tablet via the familiar apps, regardless of their travel class during the flight, including photos.
Many passengers would like this free service to be introduced because they want to stay in touch with family and friends via text messages even on long flights.
The new free service is offered with the support of Mastercard. To use it, passengers have to log in to FlyNet with a Miles & More service card number or an email address registered with Lufthansa Group Travel ID. They can also sign up or register during their flight.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 3 June 2025, approved aumolertinib (Aumseqa) for adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Aumolertinib can be used in patients who have tested positive for a mutation in a gene called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and who have not yet received treatment for their cancer which has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer). In certain circumstances it can be used even if the metastatic cancer has been treated before.
This medicine is administered in tablet form, to be taken orally.
“Patient safety is our top priority, and I’m pleased to confirm that aumolertinib has met the MHRA’s standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.
“This approval offers a new treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have tested positive for EGFR mutations – a group for whom targeted therapies can be particularly important.
“As with all products, we will keep aumolertinib’s safety under close review.”
Aumolertinib works by blocking EGFR and may help to slow or stop the lung cancer from growing. It may also help reduce the size tumour.
In a Phase 3 clinical trial, aumolertinib was found to reduce the risk of disease progression or death by 54% in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who had specific EGFR mutations, when compared to an already-approved cancer treatment called gefitinib.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects in some people. A full list of side effects can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), available on the MHRA website within 7 days of approval.
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Cardv scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
The new marketing authorisation was granted on 3 June 2025 to SFL Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH.
This product was submitted and approved via a national procedure.
More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Serious Fraud Office announces investigation into Rockfire Investment Finance Plc
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today issued a series of Section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information on its newly opened investigation into alleged fraud committed against Thurrock Council.
Between 2016 and 2020, Thurrock Council invested millions into solar farms, via a bond scheme sold by the UK-based Rockfire Investment Finance Plc and other companies operating within the Rockfire Group.
Rockfire offered multiple investment opportunities in solar farm bonds, offering a return on investment between 3-6% as well as the return of the initial bond purchase cost. The group has since entered administration.
Thurrock Council was effectively declared bankrupt in December 2022 impacting local residents through council tax rises and cuts to services.
Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM, said:
Today’s action is a significant step in our investigation concerning this suspected criminality.
We are grateful for the assistance of Essex Police, Thurrock Council and others in the early stages of this enquiry.
Press Office
Email news@sfo.gov.uk
Out of hours press office contact number +44 (0)7557 009842
Source: City of Winchester
Two inspiring days of inclusive sport and achievement are set to take place in the district.
Winchester Personal Bests will take place in Winchester Sport & Leisure Park and the University of Winchester sports stadium on Thursday 4 September 2025.
The event, which was previously known as Paralympic Personal Bests, is for adults with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities. It offers them the opportunity to try accessible sports and challenge themselves while creating connections and having fun in a supportive environment.
Each participant will have an opportunity to try a range of different sports including squash, athletics, low level circuits, rugby, football, cricket, yoga and boxing, and they will receive a T-shirt, reusable water bottle, certificate and a medal for taking part.
Winchester Personal Bests is the first event of its kind to be officially recognised as Autism Friendly by the National Autistic Society.
Then on Thursday 30 October 2025, brand-new event Winchester Aqua Bests in Winchester Sport & Leisure Park will offer adults with learning disabilities an opportunity to take part in various inclusive and fully accessible water-based activities.
Betty Chadwick, Executive Director of Active LD, said: “We know how important being active is for people with learning disabilities. Taking part in regular physical activity builds confidence, grows social networks and supports good physical and mental health. Access to inclusive and enjoyable physical activity is absolutely key to having a happy, healthy life.
“We’re so excited about this year’s event, and that Personal Bests continues to grow. Aqua Bests has come about because of valued feedback from our past participants, and we can’t wait to witness the achievements in the pool.
“We’d like to send huge thanks to all the coaches, participants, volunteers and event management team for making these events happen.”
Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities Cllr Kathleen Becker said: “Personal Bests helps its participants to build lasting connections with different sports and their coaches, highlighting pathways to, and encouraging people with learning disabilities to engage in, regular physical activity.
“By championing them for taking part and doing their best, it also helps to build confidence, grow their social networks, and support their mental health. I’d encourage anyone thinking about signing up to join in and give it a go – you’ll have a great time!”
Alison Lewis, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “Winchester Sport & Leisure Park is proud to host the upcoming events, Personal Bests and Aqua Bests, reflecting our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessible sport. These events embody our dedication to providing meaningful opportunities for individuals of all abilities to participate, achieve, and thrive.”
Register for a place now via the Active LD website.
To volunteer at the events, visit https://www.activeld.org/volunteers
Further information can be found at https://www.winchester.gov.uk/winchester-personal-bests.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Police Force, in collaboration with its counterparts in Macau, Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, conducted the first joint operation of FRONTIER+, a cross-boundary anti-scam platform.
During the month-long operation that began on April 28, 1,858 individuals were arrested, involving 9,268 cases of online shopping scams, telephone deceptions, investment scams, rental scams and employment scams, with a total loss amounting to US$225 million.
Moreover, 32,607 bank accounts were frozen and approximately US$20 million in fraudulent funds were intercepted, effectively disrupting criminal cash flows.
At a press conference this afternoon, Hong Kong Police Force Commercial Crime Bureau Chief Superintendent Wong Chun-yue said investigations revealed that scams across different jurisdictions showed notable similarities.
For instance, the impersonation of customer service representatives emerged as a widespread scam tactic in Hong Kong in 2024, and became less prevalent in 2025 after police intervention. Also in 2025, similar fraudulent schemes employing identical scripts and excuses began to appear in Singapore and Macau.
This observation underscores the critical need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration and intelligence sharing to combat scam syndicates effectively, Mr Wong pointed out.
Established by various anti-scam centres in October 2024, FRONTIER+ now comprises 10 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Indonesia, the Macao SAR, Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
By strengthening intelligence exchange and co-ordinated actions, the platform aims to combat scams, cyber-related crimes and money laundering. It will continue to conduct real-time intelligence analysis and sharing, carry out cross-boundary joint operations, and expand its network by inviting more countries and regions to join, in order to enhance enforcement efficiency.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Tuesday announced a major expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), with plans to add three lakh new cadets across the country.
The announcement came during the inauguration of a conference of Special Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JS R&A/D) of the NCC in Bhopal.
Speaking at the event, Seth emphasized the NCC’s role in nation-building and youth development. “The NCC instills a spirit of nationalism and service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to raise the number of cadets to between 17 and 20 lakh. With support from all states, we will soon achieve this target,” he said.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, several states have already expressed support for the initiative and have committed to fast-tracking the development of training infrastructure.
Seth also highlighted new initiatives such as the recruitment of ex-servicemen as instructors, noting that it creates employment opportunities for military veterans.
He lauded the NCC’s active participation in national missions such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Naya Savera scheme, and the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. The minister also congratulated the NCC’s Mount Everest Expedition team, which successfully reached the summit on May 18, calling it “a powerful example of cadet courage and resilience.”
Underscoring the importance of centre-state cooperation, Seth urged state governments to fulfill their commitments in terms of manpower, infrastructure, and funding to ensure the success of the NCC expansion plan.
During the event, Director General of NCC, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, outlined the organisation’s achievements and future plans. He stressed the need for robust training and camping infrastructure nationwide and emphasized efforts to boost youth participation and enhance cadet performance.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to adopt a holistic and technology-driven approach to tackle smuggling and narcotics trade amid increasingly complex geopolitical environment and security threats.
In her address at the inaugural event of the DRI’s new headquarters, the Finance Minister said there was a need to go beyond surface-level enforcement and focus on uncovering deeper systemic threats.
“Investigate holistically, keeping the big picture in mind, leverage all available resources to uncover deeper systemic risks and threads by connecting the dots,” she said.
She emphasised that dismantling the entire smuggling syndicates must be the end-goal of any investigation, which must not stop at peripheral seizures.
“It’s no good if you catch the small fish. The bigger smuggling chain has to be tracked and acted upon. We must take down those nefarious chains,” she added.
Sitharaman identified narcotics as the most serious national threat and called for urgent coordination with state law enforcement agencies to prevent schools and colleges from being targeted by drug traffickers.
She also underlined the importance of internal collaboration: “Internal coordination, when well managed, makes outcomes better.”
The Finance Minister cited PM Modi’s ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ mantra as the spirit with which the enforcement agencies should move forward.
She spelt out three guiding principles for the agency’s approach: the rules must be applied fairly, public confidence in the trade system must be maintained, and the enforcement must be intelligent and high-impact.
“Value- and trust-based compliance is important, not fear-induced compliance,” Sitharaman pointed out.
She highlighted the need for deeper and faster integration of modern technology into enforcement frameworks. “There’s a lot of talk around AI, but I now want to see concrete output using AI,” she said, pressing for data-driven, intelligence-led action. “More modern technology use needs to be deeply and well integrated into the system – data analytics and so on,” she added.
(With inputs from IANS)
Source: United Nations secretary general
Download the video:
https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+21+May+25/3399096_MSG+SG+AUSTRIAN+WORLD+SUMMIT+21+MAY+25.mp4
Excellencies, friends,
President Van der Bellen, thank you for your leadership.
And my thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It is fitting that the world’s one and only Terminator is focussing our attention on terminating pollution – continuing his history of political leadership and action.
Unfortunately, our world looks less like an action hero movie and increasingly more like a horror show.
We face a triple-whammy of woe:
Pollution clogging rivers, contaminating land, and poisoning our ocean;
Biodiversity destroyed at record pace;
And record levels of greenhouse gases catastrophically disrupting our climate.
We salute the real-life heroes on the front-lines when these crises strike:
The firefighters taking-on infernos…
The rescuers saving lives as floods sweep communities…
And the United Nations staff providing food, shelter, and care when crops fail, hurricanes hit, or people are forced from their homes.
No country – whether rich or poor – can escape these crises.
And no country can solve them alone.
But together, we can reap the rewards of action – from cheap, secure power, to better health.
The science is on our side. The economics are behind us.
Almost everywhere, solar and wind are the cheapest source of new electricity.
The world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels.
An energy revolution is underway across the globe.
We must unite for action to accelerate it, and drive down global emissions:
With new national climate plans from countries this year and new transition plans from business.
These must align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius – to avoid the worst of climate change.
We must unite in action to drive finance to developing countries so they can make the leap to renewables, adapt to our changing climate, and respond to disasters.
And we must unite in action to end biodiversity loss and pollution.
Particularly, countries must agree a new global treaty this year to end plastic pollution.
Friends,
United in action we can terminate pollution and protect people and planet.
Let’s come together and make that a reality.
Thank you.
***
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
A new issue of the SPbGASU newspaper “For Construction Personnel” has been published. In the latest issue, read:
How to become a highly paid specialist in a year and a half
SPbGASU graduate and practicing expert Veronika Zamaeva shared her personal experience. She gave advice that will be useful to all students regardless of their field of study.
The initiative of a master’s student may reach the State Duma
A graduate student at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Alexandra Polyanskaya, talks about how she initiated changes to the federal law that will eliminate a legal gap in regulating the activities of zoos located on the territories of cultural heritage sites.
Defense of a final qualifying work project as a real work process
We tell you first-hand how defending a final qualification work in the format of TIM projects helps students acquire practical skills and build interactions with related specialists.
Why is it beneficial to be a target?
Students are guaranteed work, industries are in-demand personnel. We discuss all the positive effects of targeted training with the participants of this program.
Construction is a great place to work
We provide feedback from students who work, do practical training and internships at construction sites. The guys told us what is interesting about their work and why adaptation to production is easy and successful.
New functionality for textile factories
Olga Tsepilova, a lecturer at the Department of Urban Development at SPbGASU, suggested giving a second life to the objects, preserving their historical value but changing their functionality in accordance with modern regulatory requirements. Read more about the scientific justification in our article.
Read the newspaper on the university website!
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.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
A young man in a tailcoat and shirt front sits at a table with a goose feather in his hand and watches the Dragonfly flutter across a forest clearing, and the Fox coaxes a piece of cheese from the Crow: this is what the production of Ivan Krylov’s fables looks like at the Special Theatre. All the actors are people with mental disabilities, wards of the daytime employment resource centre “House under the Sun” in Yasenevo. The project was created by the charitable foundation for the promotion of social and cultural initiatives and guardianship “Lifestyle”, helps them develop their thinking, memory and speech, adapt to society, feel busy with something important, write a story about their own life. In 2024, the project of the Special Theatre Foundation won the competition “Moscow is a kind city”, and its authors received financial assistance for its implementation.
mos.ru correspondents visited the Special Theatre and found out how children learn to transform into fairy tale characters, what talents they display and what they dream about.
The Special Theatre operates in the House Under the Sun resource centre located on Golubinskaya Street (31, building 1), next to the Bitsevsky Forest natural and historical park. The Lifestyle Charity Foundation received this two-storey building free of charge from the Moscow Government, having won a competition for premises in 2020.
Inside the “House in the Sun” we see painted houses on a bright green forest background, wicker balls similar to nests are hung from the ceiling. There are flowers in pots everywhere, stands with drawings of the wards, shelves with toys. And in one of the rooms, a wall is occupied by a felt glade-carpet “Magic Forest”: you can attach multi-colored oaks, frogs, swallows, squirrels on Velcro to it, creating your own universe. At the same time, visitors to the center try to remember the names of animals and plants.
In the hall there is a motivational sign “Rules of the House in the Sun”: “Make each other happy. Believe in yourself. Always move forward. Do what you love.” Here all this works out.
When we came to the Special Theatre, the guys were preparing for a performance based on Ivan Krylov’s fables. 30-year-old Igor Kotelnikov plays a fabulist. According to the plot, he has to observe his characters and then read a moral, for example: “How many times have we told the world that flattery is vile, harmful, but it’s all to no avail…” Despite his mental peculiarities, the young man was able to learn the text by heart.
“This is not my first production. I used to play the bear in “Teremok”, the king in “The Bremen Town Musicians”, and the cat Basilio in “Buratino”. I also write a column called “Igor’s Chronicles” in our wall newspaper. I tell you what I have achieved here, how I help my mother clean the house, and how I take care of my family. In general, I can do a lot. I graduated from college, learned how to make notebooks, and won prizes in various nominations of the Abilympics competition,” admits Igor Kotelnikov, an actor at the Special Theatre and a protégé of “House Under the Sun”.
Another young man, 29-year-old Ivan Pronin, has also achieved success. It is difficult for him to speak, but in the role of the host he recites from memory a philosophical text written by the teachers of the House under the Sun: “Each of us chooses which road to walk or drive, what good deeds to do.” These words have meaning: they concern, first of all, the guys from the House under the Sun. Any of them can choose a role in the Special Theater depending on their abilities and interests.
Thus, 18-year-old Sergey Rogov is interested in zoology and takes excellent photographs of nature, but he has difficulty speaking and avoids people. In the play, he is a silent and serious Ant: he collects plastic fruits in a basket, drags a beanbag along the floor, where, according to the script, provisions for the winter are stored. And his peer Alisa Popova is fluent in written Russian and writes fairy tales, but has difficulty communicating – she is close to the roles of the Crow, Dragonfly and Cuckoo. To play such characters, the girl does not need to pronounce many words. For example, in a dialogue with the Rooster, she says only: “I am ready to listen to you, my godfather, forever.” And Ilya Shragin cannot speak, but he also found a role: he portrays a tree in an excerpt from the fable “The Pig Under the Oak.”
“The theatrical project allows the wards to feel confident, needed, overcome shyness, learn the text as much as possible. They are very nervous before each performance and are happy when they are applauded,” says Inga Zhgenti, deputy director of the charitable foundation “Lifestyle”.
Children from the special family centers “Rose of the Winds” and “Sem-Ya” came to the show. They laugh and clap their hands, watching the heroes of Ivan Krylov’s fables replace each other on stage. After the show, which lasts only 20 minutes, so as not to tire the actors and spectators, the guests are invited to a disco, and the little ones, together with the adults, happy and satisfied, dance.
“We recently went on an excursion to the educational center of the Moscow Art Theater School. On the way back, the guys asked: when will their plays be shown on the big stage? Of course, we cannot promise them this, but we plan to hold such meetings regularly. In addition, we will continue to invite guests to us. We want to show the world that people with mental disabilities are just a little different. They are cheerful and sincere. It is easy with them,” says Olga Stukalova, head of the Dom pod Solntsem center and deputy director for educational programs at the Obraz Zhizni charity foundation.
Currently, 55 Muscovites from their teens to 40s are studying at the House Under the Sun. About 20 people come here every day. In addition to rehearsals and performances, the center’s guests learn to draw, make felt dolls, dance, sing, and cook simple dishes at the Special Theater. This is how they develop fine motor skills, learn new words, and learn to take care of themselves.
“Creativity helps people with mental disabilities to open up and learn to communicate. Most of our wards have poor speech, some can only count to 10, not everyone is able to move around the city independently. But here they have a goal – creation, they feel like real artists, musicians, actors,” says Olga Stukalova.
A lesson in the creative studio lasts 45 minutes. As Inga Zhgenti explains, to make it easier for participants to understand what lessons they have today, the staff makes a personal visual schedule for each person every day. These are cards with images of what they have to do today (for example, a treble clef and the word “Music”), which are placed under the students’ photos on the board. After the lesson, each participant puts the card in a basket.
We enter the music classroom. There are green and yellow paper ribbons with red carnations hanging from the ceiling: they set a positive mood. The students at their desks try to answer the teacher’s questions: “What kind of instrument is this? That’s right: spoons! And this? A tambourine! Well done!” Then everyone sings the songs “Sunny Circle, Sky Around” and “Let’s Go to the Garden to Pick Raspberries” in chorus.
In another class, young people are making pictures out of plasticine; one makes a boat, another a peacock. Each person chooses the theme of the picture themselves. One young man is blind and has almost no memory or speech; he recognizes people by putting their hands to his face. However, he managed to make a pink screwdriver and a capybara out of plasticine.
One of the favorite activities of the wards of “House under the Sun” is cooking. It is both creativity and acquisition of basic household skills.
“I’ve been coming here since the center opened. I sculpt, draw, play music, and attend a book club. I love cooking. I’ve already baked a pie, made scrambled eggs, shawarma, salad, pizza, and pancakes in an electric pancake maker,” Ivan Pronin shares.
According to Inga Zhgenti, the most effective way to teach people with mental disabilities is through play. At the same time, teachers make it clear that they value and respect their students and are happy to communicate with them. “Our main rule is let’s be friends,” the mos.ru interlocutor clarifies.
You can support “Lifestyle” and other Moscow non-profit organizations (NPOs) with the help of charity service on mos.ru. In category “For people with disabilities” 13 verified NPOs are presented that help children and adults with special needs, including mental disabilities. To make a donation, simply select a program of assistance and indicate the amount of the transfer. You can support one organization, several, or all programs in a category at once: in this case, the amount will be equally distributed between the NPOs of the selected section.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
On May 19, the opening ceremony of the lake was held on the shore of Lake Namtso as part of the cultural and tourist festival “Ancient City of the Snowy Land – Sacred Lhasa-2025”. The event presented unique activities: a mass wedding ceremony “100 newlywed couples”, an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage, master classes on folk traditions. This attracted many tourists and local residents, strengthening the influence of the cultural and tourist brand of Namtso.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHANGSHA, June 3 (Xinhua) — More than 28,000 people representing 48 African countries, nine international organizations, 27 Chinese provincial-level regions and more than 4,700 Chinese and African enterprises, chambers of commerce and financial institutions have applied to participate in the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, according to a press conference held by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Hunan Province, central China.
Held every two years, the expo will be held from June 12 to 15 under the theme “China and Africa: Together for Modernization” in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province. As an important platform for implementing the agreements reached at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in economic and trade, the expo will host 30 related events in areas including industrial chain cooperation, green mining, infrastructure, traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals, cultural industries and trade in cultural products, and innovation and youth entrepreneurship.
According to the organizers, the number of specific exhibitions will increase significantly during the upcoming EXPO. For the first time, such events as the exhibition of famous Chinese and African brands, the exhibition of high-quality African goods, the China-Africa cultural and tourism exhibition, the exhibition dedicated to the cooperation of China and Africa in the field of traditional Chinese medicine will be held. 25 African countries and 23 Chinese regions will set up stands with their symbols.
During the exhibition, agreements are expected to be signed on the implementation of 199 projects for a total amount of USD 16.032 billion. Presentations of 36 results in various profiles will also take place.
According to the data, 336 cooperation projects worth a total of US$53.32 billion were signed during the first three EXPOs.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2024, trade between China and African countries set a new record and reached US$295.6 billion, up 4.8 percent from 2023. In particular, China’s imports from Africa amounted to US$116.8 billion, up 6.9 percent, and China’s exports to Africa amounted to US$178.8 billion, up 3.5 percent. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
URUMQI, June 3 (Xinhua) — A plane carrying 160 passengers landed at Tianshan International Airport in Urumqi at 7:00 a.m. Sunday. They became the first passengers from Uzbekistan to visit China since the Agreement on Mutual Exemption from Visa Requirements between China and Uzbekistan came into force.
The flight time from Tashkent to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region /Northwest China/, is about five hours. According to an Uzbek citizen named Tadjibayev, he plans to take a tourist trip around Xinjiang for 21 days. He is extremely interested in visiting Lake Sairam-Nur, the ancient city of Kashi /Kashgar/ and other picturesque areas.
Currently, every week, planes of the two countries’ airlines operate 18 flights on routes connecting Urumqi and Uzbek cities.
The local customs service promised to do everything necessary to help passengers resolve any problems they may encounter during inspection.
Under the agreement, citizens of both countries are exempt from visa requirements when entering, leaving or transiting through the territories of the two countries for a period of no more than 30 days for each individual stay and for a total period of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.
Moreover, the duration of each entry and stay on the territory of the states of both parties must not exceed 30 days.
If citizens need to stay for more than 30 days, they must obtain an entry visa in advance. The visa-free regime does not apply to work, education, and media activities, as well as other activities that require prior approval from the competent authorities of the other party. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 (Xinhua) — The Trump administration on Monday filed an appeal with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn a federal court’s ban on massive staff cuts and reorganization of federal agencies.
On appeal, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer argues that “control over federal agency personnel is fundamental” to the president’s powers, and “the Constitution does not create a presumption against presidential control over agency personnel, and the president does not require specific congressional authorization to exercise” his core constitutional powers.
On May 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the Trump administration’s appeal, upholding a temporary injunction issued earlier by Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The judge’s order prevents federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from making sweeping cuts and reorganizations.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the massive layoffs and reorganizations would cause serious harm to many areas, including the nation’s food safety system and veterans’ health care, and should therefore be stayed pending litigation.
On May 9, S. Illston issued a two-week injunction requiring federal agencies to cease enforcing the executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February and a subsequent memorandum issued by OMB. The court ordered agencies to cancel all notices of termination issued pursuant to the order, reinstate employees placed on administrative leave, and compensate them appropriately.
In her ruling, S. Illston said that D. Trump must get congressional approval to reform federal agencies, which in turn cannot carry out massive reorganizations or layoffs without congressional permission.
On May 22, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered the ban extended indefinitely. The next day, the Justice Department appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. –0–
Source: World Health Organisation
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year globally.
In February 2025, WHO marked the 20th anniversary of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), providing a legal framework and comprehensive package of tobacco control measures. The WHO FCTC now has 182 Parties covering more than 90% of the world’s population.
In 2007, WHO introduced a practical, cost-effective initiative to scale up implementation to reduce tobacco use called MPOWER. Today, 5.6 billion people are covered by an MPOWER measure which includes: monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; protect people from tobacco use; offer help to quit tobacco use; warn about the dangers of tobacco; enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and raise taxes on tobacco.
MPOWER has helped to reduce global deaths from tobacco use and created a global partnership on tobacco control focused on supporting the highest burden countries in the world, with WHO recognized as a global leader.
Thanks to commitment and powerful action in countries, and with support from key donors, tobacco use is declining across all WHO regions. Here are some stories from across the WHO regions demonstrating the impact of WHO’s work in this area.
Tobacco free farmer from Migori County, Kenya. Photo by: WHO
A record 349 million people are facing acute food insecurity globally. Food insecurity is further exasperated by tobacco production. Tobacco is grown in over 124 countries, taking up 3.2 million hectares of fertile land that could be used to grow food. Tobacco farmers often lack the confidence to shift away from tobacco due to market variability for alternative crops.
WHO, in collaboration with partners, launched the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative in 2021 in Kenya and 2023 in Zambia.
The initiative has supported over 8 600 farmers in Kenya and over 500 farmers in Zambia.
The initiative seeks to move smallholder farmers away from tobacco growth and into nutritious food crops, by creating an ecosystem which could improve household food security and income generation. It may simultaneously add value to farmers’ land through rehabilitation of climate smart and other good agricultural practices.
Read more about the initiative
Since the entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the MPOWER technical package that supports it, global tobacco use prevalence has dropped by one-third. The WHO FCTC has helped to save millions of lives through strengthened tobacco control measures around the world.
Up to 5.6 billion people are now covered by at least one tobacco control policy and studies have shown a decline in global smoking rates. 138 countries require large pictorial health warnings on cigarettes packages because of the Convention and dozens more countries have implemented plain packaging rules on cigarette packages. Both measures serve as powerful tools to reduce tobacco consumption and warn users about the dangers of tobacco use.
Over a quarter of the world’s population is now covered by smoke free policies which require bans in indoor and workspaces, saving millions of lives from the dangers of the second-hand smoke.
More than 66 countries have implemented bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship which include bans on tobacco advertising in the media and sponsorship deals.
In 2022, WHO trained 157 law enforcement officers and 15 national trainers from five districts in Uganda to raise awareness and help enforce the smoking ban in public places. Photo by: WHO
In 2007, Uganda signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a legally binding treaty that requires countries to implement evidence-based measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. In 2015, the country passed its Tobacco Control Act, which regulates tobacco products and their use, including in public places.
These dual interventions have delivered notable results. Between 2014 to 2022, Uganda saw a 51% drop in the prevalence of tobacco use.
WHO played a key role in supporting the Ugandan government’s efforts, building the capacity of tobacco control focal people in government entities since 2015.
“Quitting smoking is the best decision I’ve ever made for my health and I’m very proud of it,” says Ifrah. “Giving up smoking is difficult, but not impossible. With willpower and determination, it can be done.” Photo by: WHO
In 2018, Mauritania introduced legislation in line with WHO recommendations stipulating that all tobacco products on sale in Mauritania must carry a health warning covering at least 70% of the surface area of both sides of the packaging.
These legal steps to introduce graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging are changing the status quo. The 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) shows that between 2012 and 2021, tobacco use in Mauritania has declined by 8%, from 18% to 10%. Nearly 25% of smokers in Mauritania first noticed health warnings on cigarette packages, while 14% of smokers thought about quitting because of warning labels.
With WHO support, Mauritania’s Health Ministry has provided tobacco control training to 15 regional governors. Mauritania is also implementing awareness campaigns around the dangers of tobacco consumption, a ban on smoking in public places, and the introduction of tobacco taxes.
Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Latin America, contributing to high rates of non-communicable diseases. Despite clear evidence that tobacco taxation is one of the most effective public health interventions to reduce consumption, its use is still limited in many Latin American countries.
PAHO/WHO, with partners brought together policymakers from 15 countries to participate in the 3-day workshop, “Advancing Tobacco Taxes in Latin America”.
The meeting focused on addressing the ongoing public health and economic challenges posed by tobacco consumption in Latin American countries, emphasizing the potential of tobacco taxes as a cost-effective tool to reduce the burden of tobacco use. Participants included delegates from ministries of health and finance from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Indonesia Report 2021 presents detailed information on tobacco use and key tobacco control indicators, using globally standardized protocols and methodologies. The report found that 34.5% of adults – 70.2 million people – used tobacco. Use of electronic cigarettes increased by 10 times in the last 10 years, from 0.3% in 2011 – when the last GATS was conducted – to 3% in 2021.
Across Indonesia, WHO continues to advocate for implementation of strong tobacco control measures. This includes increased taxation of tobacco products, expansion of subnational bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and stronger, more effective implementation and enforcement of smoke-free policies.
WHO encourages policy makers and public health researchers in Indonesia and globally to access and utilize the GATS Indonesia Report 2021, to better control tobacco and achieve a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Every year on 31 May, World No Tobacco Day highlights the dangers of tobacco use, exposes harmful business practices of tobacco companies, and empowers individuals to claim their right to health and protect future generations.
In Thailand, a troubling trend is rising among the youth: the growing popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping, driven by aggressive marketing and appealing designs. A sharp rise in e-cigarette use was observed amongst Thai school-aged children (13–15 years), with prevalence increasing from 3.35% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022, despite the sale of e-cigarettes being banned in Thailand. Children and young people are aggressively targeted through marketing that relies heavily on social media and influencers.
The campaign exposed the tobacco industry’s deceptive practices and the real dangers of e-cigarettes, aiming to empower Thai youth to resist the lure of smoking and vaping. WHO urged all stakeholders – readers, parents, educators, policymakers – to unite in this fight, support anti-smoking campaigns, advocate for strict regulations, and educate communities to protect youth and secure a smoke-free future.
Minister of Health in Jordan delivering speech at the National Strategy to combat tobacco and smoking in all its forms launch. Photo by: WHO
Jordan’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, officially launched the National Strategy to Combat Tobacco and Smoking in All Its Forms 2024–2030 and an accompanying action plan for 2024–2026. The landmark launch event was held on 6 June 2024 under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister of Jordan Dr Bisher Khasawneh.
A startling 66.1% of males in Jordan are smokers, according to the 2019 Jordan National Stepwise Survey. A further 15.9% of males use electronic cigarettes. According to the WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030, published in 2023, Jordan is one of just 6 countries globally where tobacco use is still growing.
The Ministry of Health developed the strategy in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Jordan and incorporated contributions from various ministries, nongovernmental organizations and international experts. This approach has ensured that the strategy is a comprehensive, evidence-based road map tailored to the Jordanian context.
In January 2023 in Manila, legislators of the Philippine Government, members of the Action for Economic Reforms and the Sin Tax Coalition, and representatives from WHO, development partners and civil society organisations marked the 10th anniversary of the passage of Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated the Philippines on putting this tax reform and other measures in place for tobacco control. As a result of the many measures taken, tobacco use has dropped from 30% in 2009 to 20% in 2021.
“The taxes are having a clear impact. More smokers are trying to quit because of the high price of cigarettes. The Philippines is a great example for other countries of how raising tobacco taxes can save lives, reduce health costs, and raise revenues”, said Dr Tedros.
Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety’s announcement today on gutting WorkSafe’s enforcement capability signals a return to a failed approach, that will weaken our health and safety system, said the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi.
“A soft approach to poor health and safety was a critical failing that led to the Pike River mine disaster, one of the worst health and safety failings in New Zealand history,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“Brooke van Velden continues to systematically gut WorkSafe to help protect businesses from enforcement of breaches of the law, rather than protecting the workers who suffer huge rates of injury and fatality as a result of work.
“WorkSafe was established in the wake of the Pike River mine disaster. It was clear that we needed a well-resourced, effective, and strong regulator, that was prepared to prosecute where necessary, as this was clearly lacking.
“Every week a worker is killed on the job on average in New Zealand, and 17 more are killed from the impact of work-related illnesses and diseases. Every year there are over 30,000 injuries suffered that require more than a week away from work. Nothing in these announcements will have a positive effect on these numbers.
“In the past few years, WorkSafe has endured cuts to the tune of millions of dollars, resulting in fewer staff. Since it was established the WorkSafe inspectorate has reduced from 8 per 100 thousand employees to 6.5, amongst cuts to the wider WorkSafe staffing levels.
“The Minister’s decision to gut WorkSafe is a reflection of a government that is prioritising profits over people,” said Wagstaff.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Hung Nguyen-Viet, Program Leader (ai), HEALTH at ILRI / CGIAR, International Livestock Research Institute
The world is facing daunting health challenges with the rise of zoonotic diseases – infections that are transmissible from animals to humans. These diseases – which include Ebola, avian flu, COVID-19 and HIV – show how the health and wellbeing of humans, animals and ecosystems are closely connected.
Zoonotic diseases have become more and more common due to factors such as urbanisation, deforestation, climate change and wildlife exploitation. These dangers are not limited by borders: they are global and demand a coordinated response.
By looking at health holistically, countries can address the full spectrum of disease control – from prevention to detection, preparedness, response and management – and contribute to global health security.
The World Health Organization has a basis for such an approach: One Health. This recognises the interdependence of the health of people, animals and the environment and integrates these fields, rather than keeping them separate.
I lead the health programme at the International Livestock Research Institute, where we are looking for ways to effectively manage or eliminate livestock-related diseases, zoonotic infections and foodborne illnesses that disproportionately affect impoverished communities.
My work focuses on the link between health and agriculture, food safety, and infectious and zoonotic diseases.
For example in Kenya we are part of an initiative of the One Health Centre in Africa to roll out canine vaccination and have so far vaccinated 146,000 animals in Machakos county.
In Ethiopia and Vietnam we worked in a programme to improve the hygiene practices of butchers in traditional markets.
In another project we work in 11 countries to strengthen One Health curricula in universities.
The lessons from the One Health projects implemented with partners across Asia and Africa are that there’s an urgent need for action on three fronts. These are: stronger cross-sectoral collaboration; greater engagement with policymakers to translate research findings into actionable strategies; and the development of adaptable and context-specific interventions.
But, having been active in this area for the last decade, I am impatient with the slow pace of investment. We know that prevention is better than cure. The cost of prevention is significantly lower than that of managing pandemics once they occur. Urgent steps, including much higher levels of investment, need to be taken.
In 2022 the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Organisation for Animal Health developed a joint One Health plan of action. They identified key areas to respond more efficiently to health threats. These included:
Reducing risks from emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics. Actions include, for example, tightening regulations around farming and trade in wildlife and wild animal products.
Controlling and eliminating endemic, zoonotic, neglected tropical and vector-borne diseases by understanding the attitudes and knowledge of communities bearing the greatest burdens of these diseases. And boosting their capacity to fight them.
Strengthening action against food safety risks by monitoring new and emerging foodborne infections.
Curbing the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance, one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.
Other collaborations include the Prezode (Preventing Zoonotic Disease Emergence) initiative to research all aspects of diseases of animal origin. This was launched in 2021 by French president Emmanuel Macron.
The Africa One Health University Network operates in ten African countries to address One Health workforce strengthening in Africa.
One Health has gained traction globally. But there’s still a great deal to be done.
According to a 2022 World Bank estimate, preventing a pandemic would cost approximately US$11 billion per year, while managing a pandemic can run up to US$31 billion annually. So the investment return of 3:1 is an important reason to call for investment in One Health.
The Pandemic Fund was launched in November 2022 by leaders of the Group of 20 nations and hosted by the World Bank Group to help low- and middle-income countries prepare better for emerging pandemic threats. US$885 million has been awarded to 47 projects to date through the two rounds in the last three years.
However, relative to the US$11 billion per year required for prevention, this investment is modest. Urgent investment in One Health needs to be made by countries themselves, in particular low- and middle-income countries.
The last two World One Health congresses (in Singapore in 2022, and in Cape Town in 2024) called for investment in One Health. There were also calls for investment in One Health at regional level to prevent zoonotic diseases and the next pandemic.
At the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) formally adopted by consensus the world’s first Pandemic Agreement. The landmark decision culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is major global progress in One Health and disease prevention.
But the lessons of COVID-19 have shown us that the cost of inaction is incalculable in terms of lives lost, economic turmoil and societal disruption. To date, there have been over 777 million cases of COVID-19, including more than 7 million deaths worldwide.
According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund, COVID will have caused a cumulative production loss of US$13.8 trillion by 2024.
The choice is clear: invest today to prevent tomorrow’s pandemics, or pay a heavy price in the future.
– Preventing the next pandemic: One Health researcher calls for urgent action
– https://theconversation.com/preventing-the-next-pandemic-one-health-researcher-calls-for-urgent-action-255229