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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: International Financial Architecture Should Ensure ‘Voices of All Countries Are Represented’, Says Deputy Secretary-General, at Sevilla Round Table

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the multi-stakeholder round table, in Sevilla, Spain, today:

    One overarching message has come out strongly from this morning’s opening segment:  sustainable development has slowed and the assumption of future progress can no longer be assured.

    Countries across the globe are struggling to fulfil their development aspirations, exacerbated by an increasingly challenging global environment.

    As many speakers have stressed, to overcome this crisis we need large-scale investments in sustainable development.  That must be combined with the reset of systems and governance that puts countries in the driving seat to implement their national plans.

    Building on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Sevilla Commitment sets out a renewed impetus for a financing framework to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The multistakeholder round tables, starting this afternoon, are an opportunity for leaders, ministers and other stakeholders to propose how they plan to implement the Sevilla outcome, across six priority areas.

    First, we must explore how to strengthen the mobilization of domestic resources.

    This means all countries raising revenue ratios to at least 15 per cent, fighting illicit flows and better aligning fiscal systems with sustainable development.  This will require domestic action combined with international support.  I am excited to hear your perspectives in the upcoming session this afternoon.

    Second, we must consider how we can fully tap the potential of private sector investment and innovation for sustainable development.

    The Sevilla Commitment puts the focus of private-capital mobilization on both quantity and quality.  I look forward to hearing how public and private actors intend to work together — to mobilize private investment at scale and to achieve the greatest impact.

    Third, amid falling aid budgets, we need to work towards a revitalized and reformed development cooperation architecture.

    An architecture that facilitates a shift from development assistance to investing in development.  That counters growing fragmentation.  And that incorporates all actors while placing developing countries at the centre.

    Fourth, with the global trading system under threat, we must send a strong signal — that supports the role of trade as an engine for development.  The Sevilla Commitment puts forward actions to leverage trade’s role, particularly for the most vulnerable countries, and including in strategic markets — such as critical minerals.

    Fifth, the Sevilla Commitment provides an ambitious set of actions to remake the debt architecture.  As one of the most critical deliverables of this conference, I look forward to hearing how stakeholders will urgently take forward these actions, as a priority.

    It is imperative that we take steps to ease the burden of debt service on struggling economies.  That we expedite the restructuring process when debt crises occur.  And that we prevent crises from unfolding in the first place.

    Last but not least, we must explore reform of the international financial architecture.  We need an architecture that is both effective and inclusive, in which the voices of all countries are represented.

    The Seville Commitment builds on the Pact for the Future, agreed by Heads of State at the UN General Assembly last September, and makes strides towards a more equal and just system for all countries.

    I commend you for coming to share your perspectives on transforming these ambitious commitments into reality, including within your countries. And I look forward to the discussions to follow.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Private Sector Partners Bring More Than Capital, ‘They Bring Creativity, Agility, Scale’, Deputy Secretary-General Tells International Business Forum

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the high-level session of the International Business Forum, in Sevilla, Spain, today: 

    It is a privilege to join you today at this pivotal moment for the future of development finance.

    Sadly, the world faces a sustainable development crisis.  Trade barriers are growing.  Aid budgets are shrinking.  Macroeconomic risks are mounting.  Debt burdens are dragging down growth.  Climate shocks are hitting harder and more often.  Development finance is at a critical inflection point.

    Official development assistance (ODA), long a cornerstone of international solidarity, declined by 7 per cent in real terms last year.  And further cuts are already on the table.

    But, the real picture is even starker.  Much of what is counted as ODA today is being redirected to cover domestic priorities, not long-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) investments.  At the same time, the SDG financing gap has ballooned to $4 trillion a year.

    Yet, amid this sobering reality lies an opportunity:  An opportunity to reimagine development finance for the world we live in now.  To move from a model built on assistance, to one driven by purpose and partnership.  From international assistance, to strategic, sustainable investment.

    In this new vision, public finance, national and international, remains essential.  Especially in sectors where market incentives are weak, but human needs are immense, like education, health, social protection.

    But public finance alone cannot carry the weight.  It must be used to unlock and leverage private investment, at scale and with speed.  The question we need to answer is clear:  What will it take for private capital to flow where it is most needed?

    The outcome document of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the “Sevilla Commitment”, puts forward a compelling action agenda that seeks to answer this question.

    First, we need an enabling business environment, supported by strong institutions, policy coherence and investment pipelines.

    Second, we need better blended finance vehicles that deliver sustainable development impact and align with developing countries’ national priorities.  This requires standardizing blended finance with replicable and scalable structures, a ready pipeline of bankable projects and more transparency in the development outcomes of transactions.

    Third, we need financial innovation.  Equity instruments.  Auction mechanisms.  Creative tools that allow public and private actors to share risk and reward more fairly.

    Fourth, we must scale up aggregation platforms that expand catalytic capital and reduce transaction costs by pooling resources from international financial institutions.

    Fifth, it is time to reassess prudential regulations that may unintentionally discourage long-term investments in developing countries. We need to engage with regulators to ensure risk is not mispriced and regulation enables greater use of risk-sharing tools.

    Let’s be clear:  we must dramatically expand our sources of development capital, and we must do so urgently and intentionally.  This is why the United Nations calls on all actors across the investment ecosystem to join us in a long-term, collaborative effort to reshape development finance.

    At the UN, we are taking concrete steps to strengthen partnerships to unlock capital for sustainable development.  Platforms such as the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance are bringing together private investors, foundations, policymakers and leaders across the development finance spectrum.  These leaders can shape sustainable finance frameworks, identify investment barriers and pilot innovative solutions.

    Working together, we can coordinate action, amplify impact and accelerate the global shift towards long-term, responsible development finance. Private sector partners bring more than capital.  They bring creativity, agility and scale.  They can power the transition to green energy, accelerate digital inclusion and revolutionize service delivery.

    Philanthropic partners are also uniquely positioned to take risks others cannot, test innovations and address gaps that markets and Governments may not reach.  They can back new models and ideas in early stage projects or help unlock larger flows of investment by building proof points and trust.

    Above all, our financing systems must work for those who have historically been excluded, and on a practical level that means that means removing structural barriers that keep capital out of the hands of women-led businesses, youth innovators and underserved communities.

    This is not about making tweaks here and there.  It is about rethinking the fundamentals.  The current financial system was not built for today’s world.  Let alone tomorrow’s.  We need a system that allocates capital not only by profit, but by purpose; not only by returns, but by impact.

    The next chapter of development finance is not yet written.  But, it must be a shared story written by all of us and accountable to all people.  So, let’s seize this moment and step into this new era not as donors or beneficiaries, but as equal partners, and deliver on the promise of sustainable development.  On behalf of the United Nations, I thank you for your leadership, your ideas and your resolve.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Break Cycle of Debit’ Urges Deputy Secretary-General at Financing for Development Conference Special Event, Calling for Common Agenda

    Source: United Nations 4

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the special event “Forging a Common Agenda to Achieve Debt Sustainability in Developing Countries”, in Sevilla, Spain, today:

    Ten years after countries adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), development faces formidable headwinds:  slowing global growth, the threat of a trade war and repeated global shocks from climate and conflict.

    But, the most unsettling challenge facing developing countries is the debt crisis.  Borrowing is critical for development.  It provides a means for Governments to invest boldly in a better future for their people.

    It is especially critical at a time when all countries are required to undertake one-off generational investments to green their economies and build twenty-first-century digital infrastructure.

    But, today, borrowing is not working for development. Over two thirds of low-income countries are either in debt distress or at high risk of it; 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education.

    The debt crisis is a silent crisis in two respects.  First, the crisis doesn’t impact the lives or economies of those in advanced economies.  The immediate effects of the crisis are contained and do not threaten the stability of global financial markets.

    Second, among global policymakers, there is a striking reluctance to acknowledge the crisis for what it is, perhaps driven by the increasingly unlikely hope that the problem will solve itself if interest rates came down.

    However, I’m pleased to report that, thanks to many of you, this is now starting to change.  Over the last several months, we’ve seen the launch of several bold initiatives — the African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative, the Expert Review on Debt, Climate and Nature, the Jubilee Commission and the Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Debt — that are making crisis increasingly hard to ignore.

    And through the Sevilla Conference and its outcome document, and the ongoing work of the South African Group of 20 (G20), this crisis is finally being seen and heard.  These efforts have laid bare the shortcomings of our debt architecture, and the harms they are causing in developing countries.

    They also identify actions that can arrest the debt crisis and enable debt to fulfil a supportive role in countries’ development success.  Now that we are finally getting the attention of policymakers, we still face the challenge of compelling action.

    Let me propose three things we, as a community, must do moving forward.

    First, consolidate our message and asks.  We have a rich set of analyses and recommendations but must find ways of bringing these together.  This includes borrowing language and recommendations from the Seville outcome document and bringing it forward into the outcome documents of this year’s G20 and the thirtieth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30).

    Second, everyone must do their part.  For instance, Spain has shown outstanding leadership on promoting debt swaps and debt pauses.  The UN stands ready to advance member states’ call for the creation of a platform for borrowers to share experience, build capacity and coordinate approaches and strengthen borrower countries’ voices.

    Third and finally, we must continue to expand our coalition. This includes winning the support of the leading board members at the international financial institutions.  It also means mobilizing civil society, as envisaged by the Jubilee campaign.

    With these three steps, I believe we can break the cycle of debt together and usher in a new era of debt sustainability for all countries.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Audience with members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church

    Source: The Holy See

    Audience with members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, 02.07.2025
    This morning, in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, to whom he delivered the following address:

    Address of the Holy Father
    In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
    Peace be with you!
    Beatitude, Your Eminence,
    dear brothers in the episcopate,
    After greeting the many pilgrims of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church gathered in Saint Peter’s Basilica last Saturday, today I have the joy of meeting you, celebrating your synodal assembly.
    This important moment for you is taking place in the context of the Jubilee year, which invites all the People of God to be renewed in hope. As Pope Francis liked to repeat, hope does not disappoint, because it is based on the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
    Of course, in the current historical context it is not easy to talk about hope to you and to the people entrusted to your pastoral care. It is not easy to find words of consolation for the families who have lost their loved ones in this senseless war. I imagine that it is the same for you too, who are in contact every day with people wounded in their heart and in their flesh.
    Despire this, I receive many witnesses of faith and hope on the part of men and women of your people. This is a sign of God’s strength, which manifests itself in the midst of the rubble of destruction.
    I am aware that you have many needs to meet, in both the ecclesial and humanitarian spheres. You are called to serve Christ in every wounded and distressed person who turns to your communities asking for concrete help.
    I am close to you, and through you I am close to all the faithful of your Church. Let us remain united in the one faith and the one hope. Our communion is a great mystery: it is also a real communion with all our brothers and sisters whose lives have been taken from this earth but are accepted in God. In Him everything lives and finds fullness of meaning.
    Dear friends, we are always comforted by the certainty that the Holy Mother of God is with us, aids us, and guides us towards her Son, who is our peace. By her maternal intercession, I pray that peace may return to your homeland as soon as possible.
    I thank you, and bless you from my heart.
    The other day we liked the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian. If you would like to sing for us, we can sing the Lord’s Prayer.
    [Singing of the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian]
    Blessing of the Holy Father

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

    Source: United States EUROPEAN COMMAND

    U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

    U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, U.S. European Command deputy commander, speaks with members of the European Strategy Conference and Workshop at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2024. Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in the event to discuss the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and considerations to implement and execute NATOS’s regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

    U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

    U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, gives opening remarks during the European Strategy Conference and Workshop at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2024. Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in event to discuss the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and considerations to implement and execute NATOS’s regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

    U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

    U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander provides remarks during the European Strategy Conference and Workshop at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2024. Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in the event to discuss the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and considerations to implement and execute NATOS’s regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

    U.S., European leaders endorse collective defense tactics at strategy symposium

    U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, U.S. European Command director of strategy, plans and policy, gives opening remarks during the European Strategy Conference and Workshop at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2024. Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in event to discuss the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and considerations to implement and execute NATOS’s regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

    Nearly 750 military and civilian leaders from more than 30 Allied and partner nations took part in the U.S. European Command Strategy Conference and Workshop to discuss security in Ramstein, Germany, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2024.

    In his keynote address, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of USEUCOM and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, highlighted the strength of the NATO Alliance and the command’s commitment to collective defense.

    “The Alliance continues to exhibit unprecedented cohesion, focus and determination during its transformation to conduct large-scale, theater-wide deterrence and defensive operations,” said Cavoli. “USEUCOM stands resolutely with the Alliance, committed to supporting its modernized system of collective defense every step of the way.”

    The week-long conference included two days of plenary sessions under the theme, “Unite, Adapt and Protect.” During the forum, leaders from NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense and USEUCOM discussed the impacts of malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic, and wide-ranging considerations to implement and execute NATO’s regional plans to enhance European security and stability.

    “This event was an opportunity for representatives from multiple nations to discuss strategies and initiatives to enhance capabilities within the NATO Alliance,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, USEUCOM’s director of strategy, plans and policy. “By bringing together experts and decision-makers from across the Alliance, we solidify our impactful partnerships and develop practical solutions and strategies to promote peace and stability.”

    In addition to Cavoli’s keynote address, plenary sessions were led by: U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander; NATO Military Committee Chair, Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer; NATO Defence Policy and Planning Assistant Secretary General, Angus Lapsley; and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.K. Navy Adm. Keith Edward Blount.

    Additional panel discussions and workshops throughout the week centered on the continued defense and deterrence of the Euro-Atlantic, NATO’s role in the 21st century and strategic planning for the year ahead.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 1 July 2025 Sakhalin Region to appear at EEF Far East Street as Asia-Pacific energy and logistics hub Sakhalin Region will again participate in the Far East Street exhibition, scheduled to take place on 3–9 September as part of the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The exhibition is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. The country’s only island region will present major investment and social projects, share its unique history and culture, and touch on the development of unmanned aviation.

    Source: Eastern Economic Forum

    1 July 2025

    Sakhalin Region to appear at EEF Far East Street as Asia-Pacific energy and logistics hub

    Sakhalin Region will again participate in the Far East Street exhibition, scheduled to take place on 3–9 September as part of the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The exhibition is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. The country’s only island region will present major investment and social projects, share its unique history and culture, and touch on the development of unmanned aviation.

    “Sakhalin Region is one of the Far East’s investment leaders. It ranks fourth on the National Investment Climate Rating and first out of the constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District. The manufacturing, coal, and construction industries are all growing. Awaiting entrepreneurs are TAD and free port benefits and preferential treatment in the Kurils. Science and technology are booming in the region. The President has ordered that an international campus be created. An engineering school and electrical engineering laboratory are currently in operation, the first phase of the Oil and Gas Industrial Park has been launched, and a scientific and production centre for the development of unmanned systems established, all contributing to new production facilities, new talent, and train for a new generation of specialists. The local master plan is reinventing Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. There’s no denying there is much to showcase and be proud of in the region,” Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said.

    The Sakhalin Region’s main pavilion on Far East Street, located next to the investor pavilion in the shape of a scallop shell, will take the form of waves and be decorated with installations related to logistics: a hydrogen train, a UAV, an aircraft, and the port of Korsakov.

    “The EEF has long played an important role in Sakhalin Region’s economic development. We have signed more than 60 agreements here in the past five years, good for some 5,700 jobs, and launched important projects in energy, transport, and education, modernizing the power grid, developing hydrogen energy, spreading gas throughout the region, modernizing port infrastructure, building medical clinics, and developing science as part of the construction of the SakhalinTech campus. It is important to us that Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands become more comfortable and that people want to visit and live here, a goal we will continue to pursue in the future,” Governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko said.

    Inside the pavilion, there will be an installation dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, with the exhibition ‘Roads to Victory’ telling the story of the Battle of Sakhalin and the Landing on Shumshu and a film about the expedition to the island and videos reconstructing battles in the Kholmsky and Smirnykhovsky.

    “The President of the Russian Federation has tasked us with creating a memorial complex on Shumshu, one the islands of the Kuril chain, dedicated to the Kuril landing operation, which essentially marked the end of World War II and the defeat of the Kwantung Army. Our soldiers defeated superior forces, demonstrated outstanding heroism, parachuted into the water fully equipped, and attacked tanks and firing points located on high ground. It is one of the most significant pages in our history,” Trutnev said.

    The Tourism zone will feature new historical tours like ‘The Battle of Shumshu’ and ‘The Liberation of Southern Sakhalin’, winter and summer holidays, culinary tours, and the ‘Far East – Land of Adventure’ project.

    The Sakhalin – Russian Showcase zone will feature important projects like the agglomeration master plan and regional development in medicine, science and education, logistics, culture, and the urban environment.

    Another zone has been dedicated to the results of the Sakhalin Region Development Corporation’s work over the last decade and will use multimedia technologies, among others, to report on initiatives by the Mersi Agro Sakhalin livestock complex, the Horizon residential complex, the Uyun territory development project, the agro-park, and the oil service park.

    The UAV and USV zone will showcase the island’s efforts to lead the development of unmanned systems in Russia, with a separate exhibition promoting Sakhalin’s achievements in the field.

    There are plans to host three international forums in Sakhalin Region in 2025: ‘Wings of Sakhalin’, ‘Energy of Sakhalin’, and ‘Islands of Sustainable Development: Climate’ at the new Pushisty Drone Port. The Sakhalin Expo exhibition will be dedicated to the development of congress and exhibition activities in the region.

    The main pavilion will be located next to the ‘Made in Sakhalin’ stand, which will showcase regional clothing, jewellery, souvenir, food, and health brands as well as achievements in the film industry and computer graphics. The pavilion will incorporate works by Sakhalin photographers and musicians into its design and feature a variety of murals, including an image of the Aniva lighthouse, the unofficial symbol of the region.

    The art installation ‘Happy Motherhood’ will symbolize family values in honour of 2025 as the Year of Happy Motherhood on the islands and the focus of the regional government’s social policy on demographic issues and the conditions necessary for women to be mothers without having to sacrifice their careers or their families.

    This year’s cultural programme from the Sakhalin Region will seek to promote local authors and musicians, with songs by Sakhalin composer and poet Georgy Zobov to be performed by artists from the Stage Academy and accompanied by the Aritmia dance studio and Dreambox band. Guests can look forward to performances by the duo Vishnya, who will present a combination of electronic music, songs, and ethnic music, the Larisa Dolina Academy of Pop Music ensemble, which will perform cover versions of well-known Russian hits, and stilt walkers from the 2233 theatre studio.

    A regional delegation will present a series of unique performances entitled ‘Sea Meditation’. Over the course of three days, Sakhalin artist Konstantin Kolupaev will employ his own unique technique to create paintings dedicated to the beauty and power of nature on a huge canvas as viewers observe the master at work.

    The Sakhalin Region sports programme will feature an interactive VR platform, where visitors can try their hand at downhill skiing, ski jumping, or parachuting, and the Beat the Champion chess platform.

    The Eastern Economic Forum will be held on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok from 3–6 September, during which time the Far East Street exhibition will be open to Forum participants, before opening to the general public on 7, 8, and 9 September. The Eastern Economic Forum is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Read more

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Showcases AI-Enhanced Appliances at First 2025 India Tech Seminar

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung hosted its first-ever India Tech Seminar in Gurugram. The landmark event was the first of its kind ever held by Samsung in the country, and it brought together around 30 journalists and tech influencers for an immersive, hands-on experience with Samsung’s latest AI-enhanced home appliances.
     
    The seminar included presentations from engineers specializing in refrigeration, laundry, and air conditioning, as well as a customer experience (CX) planner and software engineer. It showcased the enhanced capabilities of its latest products while reaffirming the company’s continued commitment to intelligent living through its “AI Home” vision.
     
    The event began with a welcome address by Ghufran Alam, Vice President, Digital Appliances Business, Samsung India, followed by a presentation from Saurabh Katyal, Head of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung India. He introduced the India 2025 Bespoke AI lineup, which includes models already available in the Indian market — such as the Bespoke AI WindFree Air Conditioner, Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator, Bespoke AI Top Load Washer and the recently released Bespoke AI Laundry Combo — as well as the soon-to-launch Bespoke AI Refrigerator with AI Home.
     
    To meet the high level of interest that consumers in India have for the SmartThings ecosystem, a live demo led by Samsung’s multi-device experience (MDE) team highlighted how connected technologies support Samsung’s four core values, which are Easy to Use, Saving, Care and Secured. The demo was conducted using the 9” display on the Bespoke AI Refrigerator, serving as a central control hub that ideally showcases the SmartThings experience.
     
     

     
    Key features that were demonstrated included Map View for intuitive device control, Bixby voice commands for seamless interaction, the Knox Security Dashboard for home monitoring, and SmartThings Energy for power usage tracking and optimization. The MDE team also showcased the convenience of SmartThings Routines, which are preset automations that manage devices when users leave their homes, with the capability to automatically turn off appliances and activate security features.
     
    Additionally, Samsung engineers introduced other enhanced features and explained how AI Energy Mode, which is part of SmartThings Energy, functions across the appliance lineup.
     
    Refrigerators
     
    • The Bespoke AI Refrigerator with AI Home features the upgraded AI Vision Inside, which recognizes a wider range of food items to help users manage groceries more efficiently.
     
    • The Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator is equipped with Twin Cooling Plus for independent fridge and freezer cooling, and the Convertible 5-in-1 feature, which allows users to flexibly adjust compartments to meet their storage needs. AI Energy Mode helps reduce power consumption through optimized temperature control.
     

     
    Washing Machines
     
    • The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is a heat pump washer-dryer newly launched in India, featuring AI Wash, which detects load weight, fabric type, and soil level to adjust washing performance, and a heat exchanger for faster, energy-efficient drying.
     
    • The Bespoke AI Top Load Washer is Samsung’s first top-load washer in India with AI features, offering AI Wash, AI VRT+ for noise and vibration reduction, and AI Energy Mode to optimize energy usage based on user habits.
     
     

    Air Conditioners
     
    • The Bespoke AI WindFree Air Conditioner offers draft-free cooling via 23,000 micro-holes, AI Fast & Comfort Cooling, and AI Energy Mode, which learns user behavior to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
     
    “The Tech Seminar was a great opportunity to deliver detailed insights into our innovative and trustworthy technologies directly from our engineers to the Indian media,” said Ghufran Alam, Vice President of the DA Business at Samsung India. “We’re proud to continue building meaningful connections with our customers through smarter, AI-enhanced experiences.”
     
    For more information on Samsung’s latest AI-powered home appliances and SmartThings innovations, please visit www.samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa issues first permit to vaccinate against Avian Influenza

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025

    South Africa is set to launch its first-ever poultry vaccination campaign in the coming days, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to minimise the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.

    This follows the Department of Agriculture’s approval of a vaccination permit issued to Astral Foods Limited on 30 June 2025, authorising the company to begin vaccinations against the HPAI virus at one of its broiler breeder farms.

    Making the announcement on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that the initial phase of the campaign will begin with 200 000 broiler breeders, representing approximately five percent of Astral’s total breeding stock, valued at approximately R35 million.

    Steenhuisen hailed this milestone as a testament to the strong partnership between government and the poultry industry in safeguarding national food security and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of South Africans.

    He emphasised that the vaccination campaign is a vital step to strengthen flock immunity and prevent the devastating economic losses witnessed during previous outbreaks.

    “The 2023 outbreak resulted in millions of birds being culled, which led to severe supply disruptions that affected both producers and consumers. The vaccine being used – targeting the H5 strain of the virus – is already approved for use in other countries implementing vaccination strategies against HPAI.

    In May, South Africa suspended imports of live poultry, eggs and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

    The decision followed a report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) on 15 May 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Gauteng deeds office remains open for business

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has reassured that the South Gauteng Deeds Office remains open and fully operational, despite recent media reports claiming the facility’s closure.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department acknowledged that while the facility is experiencing infrastructure challenges, services to the public and clients continue uninterrupted.

    “The department has previously acknowledged the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues in the building, which include, sometimes, dysfunctional lifts, intermittent poor lighting, and other challenges.

    “Additionally, we have indicated that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is in the process of securing a suitable building. It has been incorrectly reported by the media that services have been compromised,” the department said.

    The department said the area, which is currently experiencing delays, is the data capturing after registration.

    Despite these challenges, the department has assured that performance targets continue to be met and exceeded.

    “In terms of the target of 95% of deeds and documents made available within seven days from the date of lodgements for execution, the office performance is at 97%. The office exceeded the target.

    “In terms of the target of 95% of deeds delivered within 10 days from the date of registration, the office delivered 99% in 32 days. The backlog is due to the Occupational Health and Safety challenges,” the department said.

    To address the situation, interim alternative working arrangements have been implemented to ensure business continuity, and additional measures are underway to address the data capturing backlog.

    “Members of the public and clients requiring services at the South Gauteng Deeds Office are advised to note that the office is open and operational,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za   
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Hlabisa to present CoGTA Budget Vote to NCOP

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially present Budget Vote 3 for the department before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). 

    The budget will be delivered on Wednesday at 2 pm, under the theme “Every Municipality Must Work.”

    The Minister will be joined by Deputy Minister of CoGTA, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola.

    The budget presentation and engagement forms part of Parliament’s oversight function, providing a platform to transparently present the department’s financial allocations and strategic direction for the 2025/26 financial year.

    According to the department, the budget vote presentation will provide detail key areas of expenditure, offering a comprehensive breakdown of how the department’s resources will be allocated to drive impactful governance. 

    Central to the presentation will be CoGTA’s commitment to addressing critical challenges within local government, including capacity building, governance improvement, and enhanced service delivery mechanisms.

    Hlabisa is also expected to highlight strategic priorities aimed at strengthening the functionality of municipalities nationwide. 

    These include strengthening financial management practices, addressing infrastructure backlogs, and improving intergovernmental relations to create a cohesive framework for sustainable development. 

    “The Minister will also outline the department’s targeted interventions to promote accountability, innovation, and ensure municipalities are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of communities.” 

    In line with the theme, the presentation will emphasise the importance of collaborative efforts between all spheres of government to achieve integrated development.

    Members of the public may follow proceedings live on Parliament TV (DStv channel 408), or via live stream on the department and Parliament’s YouTube channels, Facebook, and Twitter pages. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: No fear or favour as Hawks swoop down on their own members

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Four police officials attached to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng and Gauteng Provincial SAPS have been arrested alongside two civilians for charges including fraud and corruption.

    All six suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today, where they are facing charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion and corruption.

    The arrests was effected by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team based in Johannesburg. 

    On Monday afternoon, the complainant in the matter alleged that he had received a phone call from one of his employees informing him that police officers were at the complainant’s shop. It is further reported that the complainant instructed his employee to request the police to wait until he arrived at the shop.

    However, shortly after the conversation between the complainant and his employee, the call was disconnected. The complainant then made his way to the shop and upon his arrival, the shop was closed. 

    He then proceeded to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was informed that his employees were arrested for Contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. The employee that he was in conversation with was also arrested for interfering with police duties. 

    The arrest of the four police officials and two civilians came after the complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. He alleged that the police officials took R900 000 from his shop while conducting their operations. 

    When following up on the information, the Hawks discovered that only 60 000 US dollars and R130 000 was booked into the South African Police Service (SAPS) register as the amount recovered by the police, instead of booking the entire amount of R900 000. 

    It is further alleged that the suspect, who was at the shop to exchange the money in question, also tried to entice the police officials with R60 000, which was also booked in the SAPS register. 

    After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Hawks’ SCI followed up the information and proceeded to Newtown, where they located the police officials involved in the theft. 

    The alleged corrupt officials were found in several vehicles. The Hawks searched the vehicles and found one of them with a substantial amount of cash. As a result, the four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene. 

    Meanwhile, the other six suspects, who are charged for contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, will also appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today.

    ”The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law. 

    “The arrest of these officers is a clear demonstration that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in the SAPS,” said the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SAPS welcomes ruling in Richmond municipal manager murder case

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025

    The South African Police Service (SAPS) has welcomed the judgment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court which found Sabelo Phewa guilty of murdering the late Richmond Local Municipality Manager, Sibusiso Sithole.

    Sentencing is expected to take place on 31 July 2025, at the Durban High Court.  

    Sithole was shot and killed at the Richmond licensing office in 2017 while on his way to attend a meeting with the then council to discuss issues he was investigating, which included fraud and corruption involving tenders and kickbacks in the municipality. 

    The SAPS Political Killings task team took over investigations in 2018 and this led to the arrest of Phewa. 

    “The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders, including that of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife had ordered the hit. The wife turned State witness and was sentenced to five years imprisonment,” SAPS said in a statement. 

    the Pietermaritzburg High Court found Phewa guilty of the murder of Sithole and Ngcobo; the attempted murder of police officers at the time they were effecting his arrest; possession of an unlicensed firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Positive progress of NRRP: European Commission gives positive assessment for payment of seventh instalment worth EUR 18.3 billion

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    Italy today received the European Commission’s positive assessment for payment of the seventh instalment of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), worth EUR 18.3 billion, with all required milestones and targets having been successfully met. The recent technical revision of the NRRP combined three objectives, related to measures regarding renewables, batteries and reform of the financial risk associated with renewable energy purchase agreements, into a single milestone, meaning 64 goals were planned and reached for this instalment: 31 milestones and 33 targets.

    “With the payment of the seventh instalment, Italy will confirm its leading position in Europe in terms of the progress of its NRRP, with over EUR 140 billion received, corresponding to 72% of the Plan’s total resources and 100% of the planned objectives for the first seven instalments, amounting to 334 milestones and targets, all of which have been achieved fully respecting the timeline set by the Commission. This is also a qualitative record, as we have demonstrated our ability to use the instruments Europe has provided us with in a virtuous way, becoming a model for other Member States.
    We should all be proud of the great work we have done so far. Our work is certainly not over; in fact, it must continue with the same determination, for an increasingly modern, productive and competitive nation that is strong and inclusive, aware of and ready for the global challenges of today and tomorrow”, stated President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni.

    The objectives achieved for the seventh instalment include several reforms, such as the competition law, measures to speed up public administration payments, and a review of the ‘universal civil service’. 

    “Several strategic investments are linked to the seventh instalment – stated the Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy, Tommaso Foti – including the new power interconnection between Sardinia, Corsica and the mainland (SA CO I.3), and the undersea power connection between Sicily, Sardinia and the mainland (Tyrrhenian Link). These infrastructure projects are crucial to implementing electricity transmission grids and strengthening Italy’s energy independence, with the goal of guaranteeing energy for households and businesses at more favourable conditions.
    The positive assessment for the payment of this instalment follows submission of the payment request for the eighth instalment, confirming the Italian Plan is in line with Europe’s NRRP roadmap, in full respect of its commitments, priorities and the final deadline of August 2026”.

    In addition to investments in energy infrastructure, other significant measures include: expansion of the fleet of zero-emission buses and trains for regional transportation and the strengthening of metropolitan hubs and major national links; the upgrading of many railway stations; cybersecurity measures; the launch of 480 ‘local operational centres’ (‘Centrali Operative Territoriali’, ‘COT’) to improve public health services; investments to better manage water resources; the assignment of 55,000 university study grants to deserving, underprivileged students; 7,200 PhD research scholarships and another 6,000 innovative PhD scholarships dedicated to business.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Iran enacts law suspending cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian put into effect on Wednesday a law passed by parliament last week to suspend cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, Iranian state media reported.

    Iran has threatened to halt cooperation with the IAEA, accusing it of siding with Western countries and providing a justification for Israel’s air strikes, which began a day after the IAEA board voted to declare Iran in violation of obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    The law stipulates that any future inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency needs approval by Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council.

    Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with CBS News that the U.S. bombing of Iran’s key Fordow nuclear site has “seriously and heavily damaged” the facility.

    (Reuters)

  • NIPCCD renamed as Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) has been officially renamed as the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development. The move reflects a renewed focus on region-specific, mission-driven support for the development of women and children across the country.

    Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, announced the renaming, describing it as a reaffirmation of the Ministry’s commitment to women and child-centric development across the country.

    The Ministry will inaugurate a new Regional Centre in Ranchi, Jharkhand on 4 July as part of its efforts to strengthen outreach and regional capacity-building. The Centre will address specialized training and research needs for the Ministry’s flagship programmes—Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0—with particular attention to the Eastern region, covering Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

    Earlier, training requirements for these states were partially met through Regional Centres in Guwahati and Lucknow, often causing logistical hurdles for field functionaries due to long travel distances. The Ranchi Centre is expected to ease these challenges by bringing training and capacity-building closer to over seven lakh frontline workers spread across 115 districts in the region.

    The Centre will also offer the Advance Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling and support research, counselling, and extension activities focused on child development, mental health, and adolescent well-being.

    Speaking on the occasion, Annpurna Devi said the renaming of the Institute is a tribute to the legacy of Savitribai Phule, one of India’s pioneering social reformers. The Minister noted that setting up new regional centres will decentralise capacity-building efforts and strengthen the implementation of the Ministry’s flagship programmes at the grassroots level.

    “The inauguration of the new Regional Centre in Ranchi marks a major step towards ensuring that no woman or child is left behind in our journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047,” she added.

    Headquartered in New Delhi, the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development currently has regional centres in Bangalore, Guwahati, Lucknow, Indore, and Mohali. The Institute serves as the apex body for training, research, documentation, and capacity building in the field of women and child development.

  • The Amarnath Yatra: Journey to Shiva’s Himalayan Abode

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley, marking the start of the 36-day pilgrimage, which officially begins on Thursday.

    Every year thousands of devotees embark on the Amarnath Yatra amid tight security arrangements in the Kashmir Valley.

    According to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Holy Amarnath Cave is situated at a high altitude of 3,888 metres in a narrow gorge at the end of the Lidder Valley. The Shrine is located approximately 46 kilometers from the Pahalgam base and 14 kilometers from the Baltal base.

    While ancient traditions prescribed Srinagar as the starting point for the pilgrimage, most modern-day pilgrims now start their Yatra from Chandanwari for a five-day trek. The traditional Pahalgam base camp itself is located about 96 kilometers from Srinagar.

    The cave shrine is considered one of the major Hindu Dhams and is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, according to the Shrine Board. Inside the cave, a naturally formed ice stalagmite, or lingam, symbolizes Lord Shiva. This sacred formation is said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon, enhancing its mystical allure for devotees.

    Although references to the Holy Cave appear in ancient texts such as the Puranas, its re-discovery is credited to a local shepherd, Buta Malik, says the Shrine Board. Since then, the site has become a major center of Hindu pilgrimage.

    The Amarnath Yatra can be undertaken via two routes: the traditional Pahalgam route, approximately 32 kilometers long, and the shorter, steeper Baltal route, about 14 kilometers in length. The Baltal base camp is located near Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, roughly 95 kilometers from Srinagar. The Pahalgam base camp is located at Nunwan in Anantnag district, around 90 kilometers from Srinagar.

    Access control gates for the Yatra are set up at Domail, 2.5 kilometers from Baltal, and at Chandanwari, 12 kilometers from Nunwan. Both Jammu and Srinagar offer year-round connectivity by road, rail, and air, making the pilgrimage accessible to devotees from across the country.

  • Japan PM says determined to protect national interests amid tariff stalemate

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday he was determined to protect his country’s national interests as trade negotiations with the U.S. struggled and President Donald Trump threatened even higher tariff rates on the Asian ally.

    “Japan is different from other countries as we are the largest investor in the United States, creating jobs,” Ishiba said in a public debate with opposition party leaders.

    “With our basic focus being on investment rather than tariffs, we’ll continue to protect our national interest,” he said.

    Trump on Tuesday cast doubt on a possible deal with Japan, indicating that he could impose a tariff of 30% or 35% on imports from Japan – well above the 24% rate he announced on April 2 and then paused until July 9.

    Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi reported on Wednesday that Japan’s tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa was organising his eighth visit to the United States for trade talks as early as this weekend.

    (Reuters)

  • Youth turning entrepreneurs with government-backed training & startup support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    n a fast evolving economic landscape, youth entrepreneurship is fast gaining momentum, driven by government-backed initiatives focused on skill development and startup support. With various schemes in place and partnerships between local administrations and organizations like SkillingYou, young Indians are being equipped with practical training, business mentorship, and financial guidance.

    These efforts aim to foster self-reliance, reduce unemployment and encourage innovation at the grassroots level. By providing structured support- from aptitude testing to startup launch assistance, the government is enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to country’s growth story.

    At district level also, such efforts are being made by the state administrations. To encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of the district, the District Industries Center (DIC) Ghaziabad and SkillingYou, an organization known for its quality technical and educational training, have signed an agreement.

    Through this partnership, young people will get practical business knowledge, structured training, mentorship, and continuous support to help them start and grow their own ventures. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyami Loan Yojana, eligible youth will also be guided in securing financial assistance for their businesses.

    The agreement was formalized in the presence of Abhinav Gopal (IAS), Chief Development Officer (CDO), Ghaziabad, who played a key role in shaping this initiative. Also present were Nath Paswan, General Manager, DIC Ghaziabad, and Praveen Kumar Rajbhar, Founder and CEO, SkillingYou.

    CDO Abhinav Gopal said, “We want our youth to have the right training and mentorship so they can confidently set up their businesses. Real change happens when timely information and support reach the right people.”

    The program begins with the selection of youth who wish to start their own businesses, for which they will fill out an application form. After applying, they will take a free Yuva Udhyami Aptitude Test through the SkillingYou mobile app to assess their skills in areas such as market understanding, business knowledge, learning mindset, risk-taking ability and financial awareness. Based on the test results, selected participants will be provided with a one-month business training program covering everything from launching a startup to marketing, sales, finance, legal requirements, social media, and the use of AI in business.

    After completing the training, they will receive certificates. Further support will be provided to help them access government loan schemes and set up their businesses with step-by-step guidance and handholding. This initiative is expected to boost new enterprises, create employment opportunities, and strengthen economic growth across the district.

  • Youth turning entrepreneurs with government-backed training & startup support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    n a fast evolving economic landscape, youth entrepreneurship is fast gaining momentum, driven by government-backed initiatives focused on skill development and startup support. With various schemes in place and partnerships between local administrations and organizations like SkillingYou, young Indians are being equipped with practical training, business mentorship, and financial guidance.

    These efforts aim to foster self-reliance, reduce unemployment and encourage innovation at the grassroots level. By providing structured support- from aptitude testing to startup launch assistance, the government is enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to country’s growth story.

    At district level also, such efforts are being made by the state administrations. To encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of the district, the District Industries Center (DIC) Ghaziabad and SkillingYou, an organization known for its quality technical and educational training, have signed an agreement.

    Through this partnership, young people will get practical business knowledge, structured training, mentorship, and continuous support to help them start and grow their own ventures. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyami Loan Yojana, eligible youth will also be guided in securing financial assistance for their businesses.

    The agreement was formalized in the presence of Abhinav Gopal (IAS), Chief Development Officer (CDO), Ghaziabad, who played a key role in shaping this initiative. Also present were Nath Paswan, General Manager, DIC Ghaziabad, and Praveen Kumar Rajbhar, Founder and CEO, SkillingYou.

    CDO Abhinav Gopal said, “We want our youth to have the right training and mentorship so they can confidently set up their businesses. Real change happens when timely information and support reach the right people.”

    The program begins with the selection of youth who wish to start their own businesses, for which they will fill out an application form. After applying, they will take a free Yuva Udhyami Aptitude Test through the SkillingYou mobile app to assess their skills in areas such as market understanding, business knowledge, learning mindset, risk-taking ability and financial awareness. Based on the test results, selected participants will be provided with a one-month business training program covering everything from launching a startup to marketing, sales, finance, legal requirements, social media, and the use of AI in business.

    After completing the training, they will receive certificates. Further support will be provided to help them access government loan schemes and set up their businesses with step-by-step guidance and handholding. This initiative is expected to boost new enterprises, create employment opportunities, and strengthen economic growth across the district.

  • Youth turning entrepreneurs with government-backed training & startup support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    n a fast evolving economic landscape, youth entrepreneurship is fast gaining momentum, driven by government-backed initiatives focused on skill development and startup support. With various schemes in place and partnerships between local administrations and organizations like SkillingYou, young Indians are being equipped with practical training, business mentorship, and financial guidance.

    These efforts aim to foster self-reliance, reduce unemployment and encourage innovation at the grassroots level. By providing structured support- from aptitude testing to startup launch assistance, the government is enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to country’s growth story.

    At district level also, such efforts are being made by the state administrations. To encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of the district, the District Industries Center (DIC) Ghaziabad and SkillingYou, an organization known for its quality technical and educational training, have signed an agreement.

    Through this partnership, young people will get practical business knowledge, structured training, mentorship, and continuous support to help them start and grow their own ventures. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyami Loan Yojana, eligible youth will also be guided in securing financial assistance for their businesses.

    The agreement was formalized in the presence of Abhinav Gopal (IAS), Chief Development Officer (CDO), Ghaziabad, who played a key role in shaping this initiative. Also present were Nath Paswan, General Manager, DIC Ghaziabad, and Praveen Kumar Rajbhar, Founder and CEO, SkillingYou.

    CDO Abhinav Gopal said, “We want our youth to have the right training and mentorship so they can confidently set up their businesses. Real change happens when timely information and support reach the right people.”

    The program begins with the selection of youth who wish to start their own businesses, for which they will fill out an application form. After applying, they will take a free Yuva Udhyami Aptitude Test through the SkillingYou mobile app to assess their skills in areas such as market understanding, business knowledge, learning mindset, risk-taking ability and financial awareness. Based on the test results, selected participants will be provided with a one-month business training program covering everything from launching a startup to marketing, sales, finance, legal requirements, social media, and the use of AI in business.

    After completing the training, they will receive certificates. Further support will be provided to help them access government loan schemes and set up their businesses with step-by-step guidance and handholding. This initiative is expected to boost new enterprises, create employment opportunities, and strengthen economic growth across the district.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to boost legal aid funding to support those at risk of eviction

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government to boost legal aid funding to support those at risk of eviction

    Vulnerable individuals at risk of eviction and homelessness will find it easier to access legal services, thanks to a historic boost in civil legal aid funding confirmed today (2 July) by Minister Sarah Sackman. 

    • Response to consultation sees first major funding rise for housing and immigration legal aid fees in 30 years 

    • Funding uplift aimed at helping those facing homelessness and speeding up asylum processing 

    • An additional £20 million a year investment marks next step in government’s Plan for Change to rebuild legal aid sector 

    Following feedback from a consultation into civil legal aid, the Government will uplift the rates paid for all housing and immigration legal aid work. Providers will see significant increases in all fees, with the overall spending in these categories increasing by 24% for housing work and 30% for immigration work. This represents a significant investment – the first since 1996 – resulting in an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.   

    This extra funding means more people will get the support they need, when they need it – reducing stress and preventing delays in housing cases. At the same time, it will help speed up decision-making in immigration cases, ensuring a fairer, faster process for everyone involved. This is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make the justice system more efficient, fair and accessible. 

    Justice Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:   

    This vital investment marks a turning point for civil legal aid by boosting funding to build capacity in the sector, helping to enable individuals, regardless of background or income, to uphold their legal rights.

    As part of our Plan for Change we are ensuring that our legal aid providers can deliver vital support where it’s needed most.

    This investment will help to ensure effective access to justice for some of the most vulnerable in our society, supporting a more stable and sustainable legal aid sector – one that is fit for the future and attracts and retains the brightest and the best practitioners.   

    Later this week a separate consultation on uplifting fees for criminal legal aid for solicitors by up to £92 million will conclude. It’s part of the Government’s wider work to invest in the legal aid system and deliver swifter justice for victims alongside Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of criminal courts. 

    Notes to editors:   

    On Civil Legal Aid Consultation    

    • The Government ran a consultation on increasing legal aid fees for those working in the housing (housing and debt) and immigration (immigration and asylum) sectors, proposing to increase fees to a rate in the region of £65/£69 per hour (non-London/London), or provide a 10% uplift, whichever is higher. Fixed fees will be uplifted by the same percentage as the increase in the underlying hourly rate for that work. This will be implemented as soon as operationally possible with costs scaling up to £20m at steady state. This will increase overall spend by 24% for housing and 30% for immigration.  

    • The changes would mean for example that the fixed fee for Housing work will increase by 42% from £157 to £223 and the fixed fee for asylum legal help will increase by 35% from £413 to £559.  

    • Evidence from the Review of Civil Legal Aid (RoCLA) Call for Evidence included responses from providers that aspects of the current Civil Legal Aid contractual requirements can be unnecessarily restrictive. The consultation sought to gather further evidence for improvements to arrangements for remote advice and face-to-face advice based on client needs.    

    • We plan to implement these fee uplifts as soon as operationally possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofsted publishes research on vulnerability commissioned from the National Children’s Bureau

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Ofsted publishes research on vulnerability commissioned from the National Children’s Bureau

    The report looks at how Ofsted might consider vulnerability in the context of its inspection and regulation work.

    Ofsted has today published a research report it commissioned from Research in Practice at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). Research in Practice undertook an evidence review to explore key messages from policy and research before holding 2 phases of stakeholder focus groups. Over 400 participants took part, including professionals from all the sectors Ofsted inspects, young people, parents and carers, and Ofsted staff.

    Read the full report: From trait to state: how Ofsted might consider conceptualising vulnerability for inspection and regulation.

    Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, said:

    I am grateful to Research in Practice at the National Children’s Bureau for carrying out this research for us. It provides useful insight as we continue to develop our work related to vulnerability in children and learners.

    I am committed to putting disadvantaged and vulnerable children at the heart of everything we do.

    Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice, said:

    We are hugely grateful to over 500 colleagues across the country for contributing to this fascinating project. The rich expertise of early years, education, further education and social care professionals has been invaluable in helping us at Research in Practice to think through what vulnerability means for children, young people and families. 

    We appreciate the opportunity Ofsted provided. It is rewarding to do work that is explicitly conceptual, whilst potentially being able to influence practice and policy.  

    The work colleagues do across the education and social care sector is as vital as it is complex. Vulnerabilities are varied and affect everyone in different ways. We are delighted to have been able to support critical thinking and reflection.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pride in London 2025 – information for businesses and residents | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Pride in London is taking place on Saturday 5 July. Pride has returned to the heritage route it has used since 2022: commencing on Piccadilly near to Hyde Park Corner, travelling along Piccadilly, crossing Piccadilly Circus, turning into Haymarket, then turning left towards Trafalgar Square and dispersing on Whitehall Place.

    View the Pride in London interactive parade map

    The event areas include:

    • Trafalgar Square – Main stage
    • Golden Square – The World Stage
    • Leicester Square – LGBTQI, Women and Non-Binary Stage
    • Dean Street – The Cabaret Stage
    • Soho Square – Trans and Non-Binary Stage, with Pride in London Community Market
    • Victoria Embankment Gardens – The Family Area

    All event areas run from 12pm to 8pm with the exception of the Family Area which will run from 12pm to 6pm.

    Road closures

    During the event, vehicle access and parking along the parade route and in the event areas, including Piccadilly and Soho, will be restricted.

    Find out more about road closures during the parade

    Once Piccadilly is closed to traffic, the only route into the area around St James’s Square/South of Piccadilly will be via Marlborough Road and St James’s Park. Local access into this area will be possible via St James’s Park roads during Pride due to the Royal Parks keeping the roads open (unlike a usual Saturday)

    There are also pedestrian crossing points across Piccadilly which go in both directions.

    Resident parking

    Zone G Permit holders will be able to park in Resident Parking Bays in E (Mayfair) and F (north of Oxford Street) zones during the event parking suspensions. This will be from 6:30pm on Friday 4 July 2025 to 8:30am on Monday 7 July 2025.

    Find out more about our parking zones.

    Information for businesses

    Businesses should be aware of road closures and arrange for any deliveries or waste collections to take place outside of the road closure times, as vehicles will not be allowed to travel through. Commercial waste should not be left out on street during the event and must either be collected outside of the road closure times or stored within the premises.

    Pride offers the opportunity for businesses to be involved in the event, which may include extending your business operation into the street. Full details on this is provided in the Pride Business Pack, including how to get in touch with the relevant Pride team and information on licensing.

    If you are a licensed premises, you must follow the conditions of your premises licence.

    If you are located in the Soho or surrounding areas and would like to do anything that impacts the highway (including pavements) outside of your normal operation, you must apply to do so. The Pride in London footprint can become very crowded and so it may not be possible to grant permission for some requests.

    In all other areas we ask you to consider if al-fresco street dining can be operated safely. Pride in London will not provide any barriers or security staff to enable you to manage al-fresco dining.

    For more information about licensing and conditions to be observed, please refer to the Business Information Pack or email rbl@prideinlondon.org for a copy. 

    Parks

    The following Westminster Parks and Gardens will have altered opening hours and may have sections closed for public access due to the set up of the event:

    Victoria Embankment Gardens

    • Bandstand paved area and some of the central pathway will be closed on Friday 04 July
    • The Gardens will be open to the public for the event from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 5 July
    • it will reopen at 7am on Sunday 6 July

    Leicester Square Gardens

    • East side of the Gardens will be closed on Friday 4 July
    • The Gardens will be open to the public for the event from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday 5 July
    • it will reopen at 10am on Sunday 6 July

    Golden Square Gardens

    • North and East side of the Gardens will be closed on Friday 4 July
    • The Gardens will be open to the public for the event from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday 5 July
    • it will reopen at 10am on Sunday 6 July

    Soho Square Gardens

    • North West side of the Gardens will be closed on Friday 4 July
    • The Gardens will be open to the public for the event from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday 5 July
    • it will reopen at 10am on Sunday 6 July

    St Anne’s Church Gardens

    • The Gardens will be closed to the public on Saturday 5 July
    • it will reopen at its normal time of 10am on Sunday 6 July

    Further Information

    If you wish to contact the Pride in London Resident and Business Liaison team, please email rbl@prideinlondon.org

    You can also contact them on the day of the event on 0204 576 9744

    To contact our Events and Filming Team please email: eventsandfilming@westminster.gov.uk

    If you have a noise or street problems to report on the night, please use the Report It webpage

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU teacher and student honored at celebration of St. Petersburg restorers

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    On July 1, 1945, a decree was signed in Leningrad on the creation of the Leningrad Architectural Restoration Workshops.

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Leningrad School of Restoration, at a gala event in the State Academic Chapel, the Governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, awarded the best specialists in the restoration industry.

    Among them are a teacher and a student of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

    The Governor’s gratitude for her great contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of architectural restoration and many years of conscientious work was awarded to Nadezhda Akulova, associate professor of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage of our university.

    Fifth-year student of the Reconstruction and Restoration of Architectural Heritage program, Maria Lagutina, was among those recognized by the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg for her excellent academic achievements.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Young CCP members become torchbearers of the country’s future

    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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — Despite a busy schedule of exams and end-of-semester papers, Lin Jiajun finds time every day to read articles in Qiushi, a leading journal of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to study the latest policies and guidelines for rural development in the country.

    The 22-year-old student majoring in urban and rural planning at Nanjing University of Technology in east China’s Jiangsu Province applied to join the Communist Party of China two years ago and plans to work in a field related to rural revitalization strategy after graduation.

    While doing fieldwork in Chinese villages earlier this year, Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province in southern China, native Lin Jiajun was deeply moved by what he saw.

    Like many young Chinese, he is inspired and proud of the Party’s work in rural areas: between 2013 and 2020, China lifted nearly 99 million rural people out of poverty, contributing more than 70 percent to global poverty reduction during that period.

    To consolidate the achievements in the fight against poverty, the party is now implementing a rural revitalization strategy in rural areas.

    “The CCP was the driving force behind this transformation. I remember reading in high school about how young party members, many of them college graduates, would go to villages to support local communities,” Lin Jiajun said.

    “There is still so much work to be done in the villages and I want to be part of that process,” he added.

    Like Lin Jiajun, a growing number of young Chinese are applying to join the party, inspired by its ideals and the country’s development prospects.

    Newly released data showed that more than 1.78 million people under the age of 35 joined the CPC, which celebrated its 104th anniversary on Tuesday, in 2024, accounting for 83.7 percent of the party’s net membership growth for the year.

    By the end of 2024, the number of young Party members in this age group exceeded 23 million, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total CPC membership.

    As a dynamic force, these members play a key role in the CPC’s modernization efforts. Since scientific and technological innovation is the centerpiece of China’s modernization, the Party aims to build a strong country in science and technology by 2035.

    In this process, the Communist Party emphasizes the role of young professionals, entrusting them with responsible tasks within the framework of major national initiatives.

    In 2020, during preparations for the launch of China’s Long March-5 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in southern China’s Hainan Province, 24-year-old Zhou Chengyu, the first female subsystem commander at the site, calmly directed operations.

    Zhou Chengyu’s rise through the ranks was rapid. In two years, she participated in five major launches, each in a different role, before being named commander.

    The young woman lived up to the trust placed in her. During one mission, she had to climb more than 180 nearly vertical steel steps to reach an 8-square-meter test chamber filled with cables and pipes.

    She made four such climbs a day for 60 days. In recognition of her dedication and results, her position was later designated as a “vanguard party member post.”

    “I have chosen the right path. As a representative of the younger generation of Chinese, our aspirations must go hand in hand with the goals of the country,” the young commander said.

    Official data show that the average age of key scientists behind China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system, quantum research and FAST radio telescope project is around 30.

    Indeed, a new generation of CPC members is coming to the forefront, responding to the demands of the times and realizing their potential.

    Deng Wenhao, a Communist Party member and doctoral student at Taiyuan University of Technology in north China’s Shanxi Province, remembers the day in 2024 when he gave a presentation at the United Nations headquarters in New York on his team’s technology aimed at solving climate change and food security.

    “It was incredibly exciting to turn the knowledge I had gained into something meaningful. There is no greater reward for a researcher,” he said.

    Born in 1991 in Datong, a traditional coal-producing city in Shanxi Province, Deng Wenhao grew up seeing how coal and coal-fired power plants affected people’s lives. Because his grandparents were farmers, he also saw vast stretches of barren, salt-marsh land covered in what he remembers as a “crust of salt.”

    When his supervisor suggested exploring more natural methods of capturing carbon emissions, Deng Wenhao immediately thought of these saline soils. “I thought, why not capture carbon emissions and use them to reclaim alkaline soils?” he said.

    His department found the idea unconventional, but the proposal received support. Li Ping, secretary of the CPC committee of the School of Safety Engineering and Emergency Management at Taiyuan University of Technology, said the topic met the needs of the local economy.

    “We encourage our researchers to innovate and solve practical problems. We do not limit them in their choice of research direction,” Li Ping added.

    “The CCP is constantly innovating and adapting to the spirit of the times. It is full of energy and vitality, and that is why it attracts so many young people,” Deng Wenhao said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New report: Uber shifted millions offshore, avoiding $56m in NZ tax – Workers First Union

    Source: Workers First Union

    A new report from the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR), commissioned by Workers First Union, argues that multinational rideshare and delivery giant Uber appears to be shifting hundreds of millions in misclassified profits out of New Zealand, costing the country millions in tax revenue.
    The report examines Uber’s local and global business practices and approach to revenue and taxation, concluding that Uber’s practice of misclassification ext

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: China: Authorities must end interference in Tibetan religious practices as Dalai Lama announces succession plan – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Responding to the Dalai Lama outlining the process for his spiritual succession ahead of his 90th birthday, amid longstanding efforts by Chinese authorities to control the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

    “The Chinese authorities’ ongoing efforts to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama are a direct assault on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Tibetan Buddhists, like all faith communities, must be able to choose their spiritual leaders without coercion or interference by the authorities.

    “The Chinese authorities have a long history of systematically suppressing religious freedom and tightening control over Tibetan Buddhism. For example, in 1995 the authorities forcibly disappeared Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama; Beijing has yet to properly explain his fate and whereabouts.

    “This climate of secrecy, coupled with the imposition of numerous state-appointed religious figures within Tibetan Buddhism, highlights a concerning pattern of state control over religion in China.

    “The Chinese authorities must immediately end political interference in Tibetan religious practices and cease using religious succession as a tool for control and coercion. Authorities must uphold the right of everyone to freedom of religion or belief. They must also immediately allow independent access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and take steps to end 30 years of impunity for his disappearance.”

    Background

    His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, announced on Wednesday (2 July) in Dharamshala, India that he will have a successor after his death. He said only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he founded, had the authority to recognize his future reincarnation.

    Chinese government policy asserts that all reincarnations of Tibetan Buddhist “Living Buddhas” must be approved by state authorities. This position is detailed in legal instruments such as the 2007 Measures on the Management of Reincarnation of Living Buddhas, which require official vetting and approval by multiple levels of government depending on the religious figure’s influence.

    In its March 2025 white paper, “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” the Chinese government reaffirmed this position, stating that the reincarnation system operates “under the guidance of Buddhist associations and the administration of the government.” The paper boasts that 93 reincarnated Living Buddhas had been confirmed following government approval by the end of 2024, highlighting state control as a key achievement.

    Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was six years old when he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama in May 1995. Three days later, he and his family were forcibly disappeared by Chinese authorities. He has not been seen in public since. The Chinese government has since made vague claims that he is “living a normal life”.

    Under international human rights law, including Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), all individuals and communities have the right to adopt and manifest a religion or belief of their choice without coercion. Although China has signed but not ratified the ICCPR, it remains obliged not to defeat the treaty’s object and purpose. Enforced disappearance is a continuous violation under international law until the fate of the individual is clarified.

    The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances have repeatedly requested information on the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has emphasized that religious communities must be free to determine their leadership without state interference.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USEUCOM Welcomes New Commander in Stuttgart Ceremony

    Source: United States EUROPEAN COMMAND

    STUTTGART, Germany – July 1, 2025 —U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command from U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli during a formal Change of Command ceremony at Patch Barracks today.

    As one of the United States’ six geographic combatant commands, USEUCOM plays a critical role in deterring aggression, supporting NATO allies, and defending U.S. national interests across a vast area of responsibility that includes Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East, and the Arctic.

    Cavoli, who led the command since June 27, 2022, oversaw a period marked by increased U.S. and NATO interoperability, rotational deployments, and defense posture adjustments in Eastern Europe.

    “Like many others, I have stood in awe of you,” Cavoli said speaking to members of USEUCOM. “The thing that drives you to great heights is that you perform for our country in front of others and with our allies. The one privilege I will always remember, I will always cherish, is the privilege to stand in the ranks with you, all of you at EUCOM.”

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, presided over the ceremony. He spoke to the importance of integrated operations, and both Cavoli’s and Grynkewich’s leadership, saying, “The world can shift in a matter of hours, and that’s why we prepare, why we shift, and why we train and operate as an integrated force – to be ready. General Grynkewich is prepared for this job. He is the right leader who is humble, credible and approachable to follow the great leader before him.”

    Grynkewich previously served as the Director of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff. He assisted the Chairman in carrying out responsibilities as the principal military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense. He has served as an instructor pilot, weapons officer and operational test pilot in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor. Grynkewich has commanded at the squadron, wing, and Air Expeditionary Task Force levels.

    “Today, a protracted war rages in Europe for the first time in decades, and our operations in the Mediterranean are helping to contain conflict in the Middle East. More broadly our adversaries are aligning, working together more than ever before as they seek to dominate their regions and even the globe, thus the good work done here across the command is more important than ever,” said Grynkewich. “These are consequential times, demanding bold and innovative leadership at all times. The men and women of EUCOM deliver this every single day, and my pledge to you is that I will do everything in my power to do the same for you.”

    USEUCOM is dedicated to proactively safeguarding the homeland while enhancing security across the Euro-Atlantic region. It is responsible for planning and executing military operations within its area of responsibility, which includes conducting joint and multinational training, providing military assistance to partner nations, and fostering military-to-military relationships with Allies and partners.

    For more information please contact USEUCOM public affairs at eucom.media@mail.mil

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USEUCOM Welcomes New Commander in Stuttgart Ceremony

    Source: United States EUROPEAN COMMAND

    STUTTGART, Germany – July 1, 2025 —U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command from U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli during a formal Change of Command ceremony at Patch Barracks today.

    As one of the United States’ six geographic combatant commands, USEUCOM plays a critical role in deterring aggression, supporting NATO allies, and defending U.S. national interests across a vast area of responsibility that includes Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East, and the Arctic.

    Cavoli, who led the command since June 27, 2022, oversaw a period marked by increased U.S. and NATO interoperability, rotational deployments, and defense posture adjustments in Eastern Europe.

    “Like many others, I have stood in awe of you,” Cavoli said speaking to members of USEUCOM. “The thing that drives you to great heights is that you perform for our country in front of others and with our allies. The one privilege I will always remember, I will always cherish, is the privilege to stand in the ranks with you, all of you at EUCOM.”

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, presided over the ceremony. He spoke to the importance of integrated operations, and both Cavoli’s and Grynkewich’s leadership, saying, “The world can shift in a matter of hours, and that’s why we prepare, why we shift, and why we train and operate as an integrated force – to be ready. General Grynkewich is prepared for this job. He is the right leader who is humble, credible and approachable to follow the great leader before him.”

    Grynkewich previously served as the Director of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff. He assisted the Chairman in carrying out responsibilities as the principal military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense. He has served as an instructor pilot, weapons officer and operational test pilot in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor. Grynkewich has commanded at the squadron, wing, and Air Expeditionary Task Force levels.

    “Today, a protracted war rages in Europe for the first time in decades, and our operations in the Mediterranean are helping to contain conflict in the Middle East. More broadly our adversaries are aligning, working together more than ever before as they seek to dominate their regions and even the globe, thus the good work done here across the command is more important than ever,” said Grynkewich. “These are consequential times, demanding bold and innovative leadership at all times. The men and women of EUCOM deliver this every single day, and my pledge to you is that I will do everything in my power to do the same for you.”

    USEUCOM is dedicated to proactively safeguarding the homeland while enhancing security across the Euro-Atlantic region. It is responsible for planning and executing military operations within its area of responsibility, which includes conducting joint and multinational training, providing military assistance to partner nations, and fostering military-to-military relationships with Allies and partners.

    For more information please contact USEUCOM public affairs at eucom.media@mail.mil

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education; Post Doctoral Fellow, Manna Institute, University of New England

    Suwatchai Pluemruetai/Shutterstock

    The horrific allegations of child abuse by an early childhood educator in Victoria came to light at a time when the early learning sector was already under fire for previous abuse revelations and safety breaches.

    Parents of young children in early learning services have good reason to be concerned, and it’s important to understand the way learning environments and grooming behaviours interfere with supervision.

    Recent worrying developments

    In March this year, an ABC Four Corners investigation revealed a rising number of breaches and safety concerns in Australian early childhood services.

    Recently, in Queensland, a paedophile was allowed to keep abusing children in services for years because agencies didn’t share complaints about an educator’s sexually abusive behaviour.

    In Australia, 50.4% of children aged five and under, and 35.3% of children aged 12 and under use approved care services such as daycare or after-school care. That’s more than 1.4 million children from more than a million families.

    The vast majority of services and educators are doing an excellent job of educating and caring for our children.

    But due to the recent spate of incidents, many parents have raised important questions about the level of supervision of children, and how acts of abuse can occur in busy services where there are a large number of people.

    Supervision policies and ratios

    There are national standards, laws and regulations about ratios applicable to services in all states and territories, with some very minor variations.

    The ratios between educators and children depend on the type of service and the age of the children. Babies up to 24 months need one educator for every four children. For 24-36 months, this generally increases to one educator for every five children.

    Preschoolers (3-5 years) require one educator for up to 11 children.

    According to government regulations, children should not be alone with educators.

    But challenges to active supervision include:

    • educator leave

    • a lack of casual educators

    • attrition

    • educator burnout and busyness

    • times of stress (including assessment and rating) when vast amounts of paperwork need to be done, reducing active supervision

    • loopholes such as “under the roof” ratios where every adult in the building (such as cleaners, administration staff and cooks) are illegally counted as educators

    • one-to-one times between children and educators, such as nappy changing and toileting

    • quiet and secluded spaces for children which can be very difficult to supervise, like tents and cubby houses.

    Grooming and supervision

    Grooming interferes with effective supervision in early childhood services.

    Abusers of children make the child feel special by giving them special presents, treats and sharing secrets with them. The child then feels cherished, seeking out the abuser.

    Using a variety of tactics, they usually isolate the child from those they are closest to, meaning they are less likely to disclose abuse.

    Abusers groom not only children but also parents, other educators and management. During this process, they are building trust and dependence.

    Children who are being groomed seek out the abuser, which means the child looks happy spending time with the adult, which seems innocent to those supervising.

    What changes are needed?

    While some improvements have been made, much more needs to happen to fix the long-neglected issues that allow abuse in early learning settings.

    Attracting more staff is a starting point, with more than 20,000 educators needed in Australia. This may require equal pay to school teachers with the same qualifications, and an overall improvement in wages.

    And the status of early childhood educators needs to be lifted within the community.

    Effective child protection training is also needed for educators that covers grooming behaviours.

    Additionally, parents need training on these behaviours and how to recognise signs their child might be being abused.

    Children need to learn ways to protect themselves from harm. They need to know what to do if someone asks them to keep secrets (different to surprises), pressures them to do something they don’t want to do, or uses threats.

    Overall, we need agencies responsible for child protection within and between states and territories to talk to each other and systems that work together to keep our children safe.

    If this story has raised any issues for you, please contact one of the services below:

    • 1800 Respect, National counselling helpline: 1800 737 732
    • Bravehearts, counselling and support for survivors of child sexual abuse: 1800 272 831
    • Child Wise, counselling provider: 1800 991 099
    • Lifeline, 24-hour crisis support and suicide preventio: 13 11 14
    • Care Leavers Australia Network: 1800 008 774
    • PartnerSPEAK, peer support for non-offending partners: (03) 9018 7872

    Marg Rogers received Commonwealth funding for her postdoctoral fellowship with the Manna Institute.

    – ref. Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done? – https://theconversation.com/supervision-gaps-can-lead-to-child-abuse-what-can-be-done-260284

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –