NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supporting New Zealanders into work

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy.
    Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions.
    “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
    “That’s because this Government is focused on a Going for Growth strategy which includes a key emphasis on developing the talent of our people. 
    “These events reinforce that. They’re about people, about maximising the potential of Kiwis, about raising their earning potential while also ensuring businesses can access the people they need to help them complete globally and grow.
    “The Government has an ambitious target to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit by 50,000 by 2030. MSD and employers are key to this.
    “We know we can’t do it alone, and need support from the community, employers and training organisations to achieve this goal. 
    “To continue discussions about how we can work together to achieve the Jobseeker reduction target, MSD will host a number of events to bring together employers, providers and community organisations.
    “The focus for the Levin/Horowhenua Supporting New Zealanders Into Work event was ensuring employers and partners are motivated to invest in the good of their communities by training or employing MSD clients, and that they know how MSDs products and services can support them. 
    “It provided a great opportunity for local employers and organisations to discuss how we can all work together to understand workforce needs and address workforce challenges.
    “This week, I’m attending two more MSD-hosted events in the Hutt Valley and in Gisborne, with additional dates to be confirmed around the country.
    “Again, I want to acknowledge the work of MSD staff in getting people into jobs, with work exits up 11 per cent on the same time a year ago.    As we saw in Levin last night, MSD are doing a great job engaging proactively with both Jobseekers and with employers.
    “We know the faster we can help beneficiaries – especially young people – find sustainable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy.
    “That’s why we’ve introduced more early intervention through a new phone-based employment case management service which includes 6,000 18-24-year-old clients in this service, we’ve got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
    “The new Relocate for Work Support payment will also make it easier for people to move to take up sustainable employment. 
    “All of these initiatives are helping on the frontline, and that matters because  ‘work’ is about more than money. It also gives people a sense of purpose, independence, connectedness – leading to a better future and helping families break out of the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Housing Authority re-enters three construction sites

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Housing Authority re-enters three construction sites      The Housing Department is now arranging for other qualified and capable contractor(s) to finish the remaining construction works in the hope that the affected projects can be completed as soon as practicable.  

         The HA will continue to take various measures to expedite the completion of other public housing projects in order to reduce the impact as far as possible. On the other hand, as various Light Public Housing projects have been progressively completed and are becoming available for allocation, the composite waiting time (CWT) will decrease steadily, and the target of reducing the CWT to 4.5 years in 2026/27 remains unchanged.  
    Issued at HKT 12:55

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Community urged not to touch bats after rare case of Australian bat lyssavirus

    Source: Australian Green Party

    ​NSW Health is reminding the community to avoid touching or handling bats, following the first confirmed case of Australian bat lyssavirus in NSW.
    The man in his 50s from Northern NSW is in a critical condition in hospital. 
    Keira Glasgow, a Director in Health Protection at NSW Health said lyssavirus is transmitted from infected bats to humans when virus in bat saliva enters the body through a bat bite or scratch. 
    “This is a very tragic situation. The man had been bitten by a bat several months ago and received treatment following the injury. Further investigation is underway to understand whether other exposures or factors played a role in his illness,” Ms Glasgow said.
    “We know 118 people required medical assessment after being bitten or scratched by bats in 2024, but this is the first confirmed case of the virus in NSW, and the fourth case in Australia.
    “It is incredibly rare for the virus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment.”
    Ms Glasgow urged people to assume that any bat in Australia could carry lyssavirus, and said this is why only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats.
    “If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial. You will need to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes right away with soap and water and apply an antiseptic with anti-virus action, such as betadine, and allow it to dry. You will then require treatment with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.”
    Australian bat lyssavirus is a close relative to the rabies virus. The virus has been found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating ​microbats.
    The best way to protect yourself from infection is to not touch bats. If you see a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it. Instead, contact trained experts WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue group. 
    For more information about lyssavirus refer to the Rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection fact sheet.
    For more information on protecting yourself around wildlife, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/be-careful-around-wildlife.aspx

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – University of Technology Sydney

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    KATHLEEN BAIRD, HEAD OF SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY: Good morning, everyone. Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation on whose land UTS stands. And I welcome you all to UTS. I’m Kathy Baird, Professor Kathy Baird, and I’m the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. It is an absolute honour to welcome the Minister for Education, the Honourable Jason Clare, to UTS this morning.

    I do also want to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s ongoing support through the placement payment for our student nurses and midwives. This initiative will provide much-needed financial support to our students during their clinical placements. It will help to ease the burden they face while they gain the practical skills required. Their dedication, resilience and compassion are the foundation of the future of nursing [indistinct] will be built.

    I’d also like to thank the students that came here this morning. And I would like to hand over to Minister Clare. Thank you.

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks very much. And a big thank you to UTS for letting me visit today to talk about something which is dear to my heart and I think is going to be really important in supporting the teachers and nurses and midwives and social workers that are training in our universities now that are getting an education in our universities right now to help them with their studies, with the cost of living while they’re studying, and help them to complete their degree.

    When I got this job a couple of years ago, I remember talking to some nursing students who talked to me about placement poverty. It was something that I hadn’t heard of before. Now I understand. And it’s because of the stories that they told me. There’s a lot of nursing students who work in our hospitals right now as assistants in nursing, and it’s a part-time job where they’re getting paid to work in a hospital while they’re studying here at university. But a big part of their degree is also prac, practical training. And it’s something like 800 hours of practical training that they have to do as part of their degree.

    And often that prac will happen at the same hospital where they’ve got a part-time job, but while they’re doing their prac, they can’t do that job. So, they’re working in the same hospital, but they’re no longer being paid. And that’s what placement poverty looks like. It means that you don’t have the money that you ordinarily would have to pay the bills, to pay for parking, pay for public transport. And it can make life harder.

    The end result of that is that some students who start a degree, like nursing or teaching, don’t finish it. For some students, prac also means you have to move away from home to do it. And that can make life more difficult as well. It can mean giving up your part-time job because you’re not living around the corner while you’re doing the practical training.

    This was a key recommendation of the Universities Accord, which is a big report. It’s a blueprint for how we reform higher education in Australia over the next decade and the decade after that. And I released that report early last year, and at the budget last year, I announced that we’d allocate almost over a half a billion dollars to fund paid prac. I think I was here to talk about that then. And it’s terrific to be back at UTS on the week that it starts, where we’re bringing the words from that report to life and making it real. And, most importantly, making a difference to the sort of people I got to meet today.

    This applies to teaching students, to nursing students, to midwifery students and social work students. These are some of the most important professions in our country. These are young people who one day will teach our kids or look after us when we’re sick, who will help women giving birth, who’ll help women fleeing domestic violence. And this is a bit of practical help while you do your practical training.

    Can I just pass over to Dorsa who I got the privilege to meet this morning, who’s a third-year midwifery student here at UTS, to tell your story about what drew you to midwifery and how you think this payment might help.

    DORSA NEMATIAN: Thank you so much, Minister Clare. So I am a refugee from Iran who has been doing a midwifery course for the past three years. I started off with a degree in Bachelor of Medical Science, which helped made me realise that it wasn’t for me, and I was more drawn to midwifery and childbirth, which is the reason why I made the switch. Obviously, this Commonwealth Prac Payment will make the difference between surviving through the practical part of our degree to just enjoying it and being able to learn while we’re undertaking our practice.

    JOURNALIST: So there has been a huge slump in the number of students on youth allowance, and experts are warning that we may not meet our tertiary education targets if low-education and regional students aren’t going to uni. Would you consider raising the rate of those payments or loosening eligibility requirements?

    CLARE: We’ve already increased youth allowance as well as rental assistance. You are right that what we do need to do over the next decade and beyond is help more young people finish school and then go on to TAFE or university to get the qualifications that the jobs that are in demand now and that are going to be in even more demand in the decades ahead. There’s no part of the economy where jobs are growing faster than in nursing and in health care. That’s for sure.

    Yesterday I formally announced the creation of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission in its interim reform, and it kicked off yesterday, headed up by Professor Mary O’Kane, who is the author or the lead author of the Universities Accord. And she makes the point there that we’re not going to have the workforce that we need – something like four out of five workers in the economy with a university degree or a TAFE qualification – unless we break down that barrier that stops a lot of young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, from poorer backgrounds and from the regions and the bush, from getting a crack at university in the first place and then going on and finishing their degree.

    And that’s why the prac payment is part of this. It’s definitely part of it, support for people while they do their practical training, but it’s not the only thing that we’re doing. Next year, you’ll see the rollout of funding reform for the way our universities are funded. And, in particular, funding reform to help the sort of people that you mentioned in your question, people from disadvantaged backgrounds. And part of that is developing and rolling out a needs-based funding system a little like the Gonski model for schools for universities.

    JOURNALIST: What do you think that slump is due to?

    CLARE: We’ve seen over the course of this year and last year an increase in the total number of young people enrolling in courses at university. That’s a good sign. The number of people going to university, the number of Australians going to university, has been in decline pretty much since 2017. There was a bump during COVID. That was a bit of an anomaly where people were locked at home and enrolled in courses. But overall, we’ve seen a decline in the number of Aussies enrolling in uni degrees until last year when it jumped up, and now it’s jumping up again this year. It’s on track to be the highest number of Australians enrolling in either an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree on record. So that’s a good thing.

    As I say, it’s not just people leaping out of school to study at university; it’s also people going back to uni to reskill, to upskill, get more skills. So that’s a good sign. But the Universities Accord is about building on that and what more we need to do it to support more people into university and into TAFE. I mentioned the funding reforms that will take place next year. Another part of it is making sure that TAFE and university work better together. We shouldn’t see them as two separate systems; we should be thinking about how they can be more joined up or integrated, how some of what you do at TAFE can be counted when you go to university and vice versa.

    We were having a chat, Dorsa mentioned that she did another course before she went into midwifery. Some of that is counted towards this course. That means that the degree is shorter than it otherwise would be, and costs less. But that’s a good example of what we can do more of here.

    In terms of helping people with the cost of higher education, the best example I can really point to is the cut to HECS that I’ll introduce into the Parliament in the next few weeks. The first bill that we’ll introduce into the Parliament will cut the student debt for 3 million Australians by 20 per cent. This will cut $16 billion dollars off the debt of ordinary Aussies. For the average Australian, it will cut their debt by more than five and a half grand. And that’s a big deal that will make a big difference.

    JOURNALIST: Do you want to move into child care now?

    CLARE: I’ll just make some comments off the top. Any Australian who heard the news from Victoria yesterday would be sickened by what they heard. And for every parent that is directly affected by this in Victoria, they would be frightened and they’d be angry. They would be bloody angry. And I know that they’re angry because one of those parents is a friend of mine, and her two little girls are directly affected by this. And I won’t tell you what she told me last night because you can’t repeat it on television. But she’s right to be mad. I’m mad. I think anyone who works in the early education system, and there’s hundreds of thousands of fantastic people who do, would be angry today as well. And my friend is mad because of all of the stress and the trauma and the crap that she and her girls are going to have to go through in the weeks ahead.

    This is serious, and it requires serious action. I was informed about this by the Victorian Government a little over a week ago. It’s one of the reasons why I put this on the top of the agenda when Education Ministers met last week. Let me be clear, when Education Ministers met to discuss child safety last week, we didn’t discuss this case, but we discussed what are the next steps that we need to take as a nation to make sure that our kids are safe in early education and care.

    There are things that we’ve already done. We’ve banned the use of personal mobile phones and devices in child care centres, and we did that for a reason. We’ve also changed the rules around mandatory reporting from seven days to 24 hours where there are complaints about sexual or physical abuse. I’ve got to tell you, we did that for a reason.

    And there are other things that are also underway. I mentioned yesterday and again this morning the legislation that I’ll bring to the Parliament which is about making sure that if services aren’t up to scratch, that they aren’t meeting the safety and the quality standards that we expect as a country, that we have the power as a Government to cut their funding off. And that’s important, too, because there’s nothing more important than the safety of our kids in early education and care.

    And there’s more to do. That’s what the meeting of Education Ministers on Friday was all about. We’ve seen the awful revelations out of the Four Corners investigation led by Adele Ferguson only a couple of months ago, and the Wheeler Report that was released last Thursday. Ministers had the opportunity at that meeting to be briefed by Chris, to be briefed by Mr Wheeler, and to go through his recommendations. But we were also briefed by Gabrielle Sinclair, who’s the head of ACECQA, about the actions she recommends we take in the light of the Four Corners investigation. And now Ministers are working together on a package of further reforms that are needed to make sure that our early education and care centres are as safe as they need to be.

    JOURNALIST: Minister, on that legislation you’re planning to introduce, how serious would a breach have to be for a centre to have their funding cut? What sort of threshold are we talking about?

    CLARE: All of that will be set out in the legislation that we’re working on right now. I mentioned to David on RN this morning that I’ve directed my Department to get that legislation drafted as quick as possible. It will deal with a number of things. As we announced back in March when we announced our intention to legislate in this area, it’s about that, it’s about cutting off funding to centres where there’s egregious behaviour by a centre. It’s also about stopping them from getting permission to expand and open other centres. But not just that; it’s also about stopping a provider or an employee who works in a centre who’s been found to be a bad actor from moving out of the child care sector into another part of the care economy, for example, in the NDIS. And we saw examples of that in the Four Corners investigation.

    JOURNALIST: Do you think there should be a tougher background checking process for those who have a working with children check?

    CLARE: I said this morning that it’s taken too long to do the work necessary to make sure that our working with children check system is up to scratch. And I’ve spoken a number of times with the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, the new Attorney-General, and I think I can safely speak on her behalf that she agrees and is determined to take the action necessary here to make sure that our working with children checks across the nation are up to scratch. That will be something that will be discussed by Attorneys-General when they meet next month. The Attorney-General is doing a press conference at the moment, and she’ll have more to say on that.

    The only other point I would make on working with children checks is that they’re not the only thing that we need to fix or reform. They’re not a silver bullet. There are too many examples where a perpetrator is eventually caught and arrested and sentenced. They’re somebody that got a working with children check because they had no prior criminal record. And so it’s only one of the things that we need to focus on here if we’re serious about making sure that we keep our kids

    JOURNALIST: You mentioned you wanted those – that legislation through as fast as possible. Can we expect to see these changes made this year?

    CLARE: Yes.

    JOURNALIST: Do you – the National Children’s Commissioner says the sector’s regulators need to be stronger, need more teeth to act. Has the government been slow to respond to these calls?

    CLARE: You can never be fast enough here. And the honest answer is the work here will never be done. There will always be bad people that try and break through the system and the safety. And so the work here will never be done. But what the Commissioner is talking about there are one of the things that Ministers are focused on and looking at right now.

    JOURNALIST: So will the Government make nationally harmonised working with children checks a priority? So those were recommended in 2015. How complicated will they be to enact, and why hasn’t it been done yet?

    CLARE: Similar answer to the one I gave just a moment ago. And the Attorney-General will be able to speak to that in more detail. But this is one of the things that Attorneys are looking at when they meet next month. They’re looking at what you described as harmonisation or mutual recognition, the sharing of information across borders, but also potentially near real-time updates to working with children checks, where criminal record checks or criminal records change. There’s a big piece of work that’s going on nationally with all the states and territories here. But as you rightly point out, the work can’t happen soon enough.

    JOURNALIST: Would you support the introduction of mandatory CCTV in child care centres?

    CLARE: CCTV itself was the subject of a recommendation by Chris Wheeler in his report that was handed down on Thursday. And that recommendation was about installing CCTV in centres where there has been previous breaches, where there is concern by the regulator about safety and quality in those centres. The New South Wales Government has given in-principle support for that recommendation. The Victorian Government I think, will have more to say about that today. And this is one of the things that Ministers are looking at across the board as we develop nationwide reforms. That’s different, though, to the question you asked about making it mandatory. The advice from experts at the moment is targeted based on centres which have demonstrated that they’re not up to scratch.

    JOURNALIST: The Victorian Greens have been calling for a royal commission into the sector. Do you – would you support that?

    CLARE: We’ve had a royal commission. We’ve got the recommendations. After Australia’s worst paedophile was arrested and convicted in Queensland just over two years ago, I commissioned a review into child safety. We’ve got those recommendations as well. Now we’ve got the Wheeler Report. We’ll get more evidence and more information out of what the Victorian Government is announcing today. We know what we need to do. It’s how we do it and how we pull all of that together and get the whole country acting as one.

    Okay, thanks very much, everybody.
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is aflatoxin, the toxic chemical behind Coles’ peanut butter recall?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University

    Helen Camacaro/Getty

    Coles is recalling two of its homebrand peanut butter products, over concerns they have been contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic chemical linked to liver cancer.

    The supermarket chain has issued the recall notice for Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg, with the best before date of February 5 2027. They were sold in supermarkets and online nationally between May 1 and June 30 this year.

    Aflatoxin can cause injury or illness if eaten, according to Australia’s food safety authority.

    But what is aflatoxin? How does it get into food? And what is the risk if you eat it?

    What is aflatoxin? Where does it occur?

    Aflatoxins are a toxic chemical (a mycotoxin) produced by fungi. The mould-like fungi that produce aflatoxins belong to a large group called Aspergillus.

    These fungi are found in all environments, for example in soils, compost, building surfaces and on crops and other plants, and can cause infections or poisoning in humans and animals.

    Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which produce aflatoxins, thrive mainly in agricultural crops but also in soils, rotting food and compost. The fungi emerge as spores and form networks of microscopic filaments that can grow on products such as grains and nuts.

    As these fungi grow they release a range of chemicals, including aflatoxins, that can lead to contamination of produce before and after harvest, or after processing.

    Aflatoxins are some of the most poisonous types of mycotoxin.

    Different kinds of aflatoxins usually affect contaminated food (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1), crops (G2) and milk (M1).

    Which foods are most risky?

    Crops produced and stored in warm, humid or moist tropical locations are most at risk, as toxin-producing moulds thrive in these conditions.

    High-risk foods include peanuts, corn and tree nuts (such as brazil, walnut and pistachio nuts). The toxin-producing fungi can also grow on wheat, rice, sorghum and spice crops such as turmeric, chilli, ginger and coriander.

    If animals graze on contaminated crops, their milk and meat can also become contaminated.

    Internationally, the Joint Food and Agriculture Administration and World Health Organization is responsible for setting guidelines and monitoring standards for mycotoxins via its expert committee on food additives.

    In Australia, aflatoxin food contamination is not common. In the past decade, there have only been a handful of recalls.

    Why are aflatoxins dangerous?

    Aflatoxins can damage your liver and cause cancer.

    Eating a lot of contaminated foods over a short period of time can lead to aflatoxicosis, acute poisoning that immediately damages the liver. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and convulsions, and may be life-threating.

    Over a long period, smaller amounts of contaminated foods can lead to liver cancer, birth defects, kidney disease and immune system dysfunction.

    There is no specific treatment for alfatoxins. Management after acute or long-term exposure focuses on addressing symptoms and monitoring liver health.

    How can I stay safe?

    There is not much individuals can do to control the presence of aflatoxin and other mycotoxins in foods, as contamination occurs during agriculture and processing.

    You should store nuts and nut products in a way that stops mould growing. Use well-sealed containers kept in dry and cool conditions.

    Freezing and cooking may kill the fungi, but the toxin can survive extreme temperatures.

    Unfortunately, it is difficult to see the fungi with the naked eye. However you should avoid visibly mouldy foods and throw away nuts and grains that are shrivelled or discoloured.

    What should I do if I’ve bought or eaten these products?

    Coles has advised customers to return the products to stores and contact its hotline for more information (1800 061 562).

    If you’re concerned you may have eaten contaminated peanut butter, speak to a health professional.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is aflatoxin, the toxic chemical behind Coles’ peanut butter recall? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-aflatoxin-the-toxic-chemical-behind-coles-peanut-butter-recall-260194

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Parents are feeling anxious about men in childcare centres. Stronger rules would make everyone feel safer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martyn Mills-Bayne, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, University of South Australia

    Getty Images

    Horrific allegations of child sexual abuse in childcare centres across Melbourne have put the role of men in early childhood education back in the spotlight.

    Coming after other major media reports of child mistreatment in care, many parents are feeling very anxious about the safety of their children.

    Some may be deeply suspicious of men working so closely with children. That caution is totally justified.

    But there are many innocent, well-intentioned and caring men working in centres across the country. They’re playing a vital role in a sector already plagued by well-documented staff shortages.

    Driving them out of the workforce would be a mistake for the sector, for parents and for children.



    Read more:
    Parents of kids in daycare are terrified following Melbourne abuse allegations. What can they do?

    Hyper-viligant behaviour

    Men are still a rarity in childcare centres nationally.

    The latest workforce data show about 8% of early childhood educators are male, though that statistic could include men who don’t work with children directly.

    We don’t know precisely how many early childhood educators are male, but best estimates are somewhere between 2–4% of the total workforce.

    Given there are so few of them, male educators often report being hyper-vigilant about how they do their jobs.

    I was once an early childhood teacher myself. Now in my academic research, I’ve spent almost 20 years mentoring men in the sector, including close to 100 male students coming through initial teacher education programs.

    They are extremely aware of protecting children and themselves. They talk about trying to make sure they’re never alone with children and use distancing strategies to keep themselves safe and in full view of colleagues and parents.

    If they’re changing nappies, they do so in open spaces, where others can see them. If a child is hurt or needs support, they often think twice about the most appropriate way to provide it.

    The men I hear from feel they are surveilled and monitored more closely than their female colleagues. Male educators must use a heightened degree of caution in their day-to-day caring work due to broad (largely unspoken) suspicions of sexual misconduct. This is an inherent part of being a male early childhood educator.

    There’s been no research done to determine whether men are watched more closely than women, but regardless, most don’t begrudge it. They fear ever harming a child, and would rather the extra supervision, perceived or real, to make everyone feel safer.

    Leaving the sector

    But early childhood education has an issue with worker attrition.

    This is especially concerning as pre-school for three-year-olds is rolled out in South Australia, Victoria and the ACT, increasing the demand for staff and pressure on services to meet staff ratios and keep children safe.

    Against this backdrop, it’s crucial we stem the tide of workers leaving the sector, including men.

    Unfortunately, men are often the first to leave, especially after cases of sexual abuse at other centres.

    In New Zealand, Peter Ellis was jailed in the 1990s for child sexual abuse in a creche, though his conviction was overturned posthumously in 2022.



    Read more:
    What are working with children checks? Why aren’t they keeping kids safe at daycare?

    The high profile case had long lasting negative impacts. Less than 1% of the childcare workforce in the country are men – one of the lowest participation rates in the world.

    Parental and societal concerns around the risk of abuse have a profound impact on retaining and attracting more male educators in early childhood education.

    This is also true at the student level. Typically, I see very few men enrol to study early childhood education (about four in a cohort of 150), but only about half that graduate. Many of these potential early childhood teachers drop their studies or move into primary teaching programs after they experience a sense of distrust during their professional placements in childcare.

    Keeping children safer

    Children who are abused experience lifelong trauma. Keeping them safe at all times should be the number one priority of educators and society at large.

    The Melbourne case has left many parents rightly cautious and feeling uncertain about leaving their children in the care of men. We may well see less interest from centres in employing men, as has happened after similar cases in the past.

    This would build on existing suspicions parents have of male educators.

    There’s no easy answer to this. But there are some things that may make early education safer.

    The first is to strengthen working with children screening checks, something the Victorian government has already flagged it will do.

    Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also announced a statewide register of childcare workers to introduce “an extra layer of checks and balances”.

    Another is to ensure no educator, regardless of gender, is ever alone with a child. Though this may be challenging to achieve within tight staffing levels, it’s needed to prevent future abuse.

    The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted the need to make sure the physical environment minimises opportunity for abuse to occur. This includes glass walls around toilet and nappy change areas and no blind spots in centres.

    And finally, for parents to be scared and angry about this is to be human. But it’s also important to remember many men are doing the right thing, and male educators in the sector are also angry and concerned about this.

    Better processes and regulations would help restore confidence in parents that their children are safe in a man’s care. But it would also help male educators, who can do their work safe in the knowledge they’ve passed a robust set of requirements to get there.

    The Victorian government has set up a dedicated website and advice line for parents whose children may have been involved in the alleged offences.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Lifeline on 131 114, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts (counselling and support for survivors of child sexual abuse) on 1800 272 831.

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

    – ref. Parents are feeling anxious about men in childcare centres. Stronger rules would make everyone feel safer – https://theconversation.com/parents-are-feeling-anxious-about-men-in-childcare-centres-stronger-rules-would-make-everyone-feel-safer-260282

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • EU to add international CO2 credits to next climate goal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Commission will on Wednesday propose an EU climate target for 2040 that for the first time will allow countries to use carbon credits from developing nations to meet a limited share of their emissions goal, a draft of the proposal showed.

    The draft, seen by Reuters, said the European Union executive would propose a legally-binding target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, from 1990 levels – with the aim of keeping the EU on course for its core climate aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

    But following pressure from governments including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, the draft EU proposal includes flexibilities that would soften the 90% emissions target for European industries.

    Previous EU emissions targets have been based entirely on domestic emissions cuts.

    Reflecting Germany’s public stance, up to 3 percentage points of the 2040 target can be covered by carbon credits bought from other countries through a U.N.-backed market, the draft said, reducing the effort required by domestic industries.

    The carbon credits would be phased in from 2036, and the EU will propose legislation “setting robust and high integrity criteria and standards, and conditions on origin, timing and use of such credits,” the draft said.

    Countries would also get more flexibility on choosing which sectors in their economy contribute most towards the 2040 goal, it said.

    Climate change has made Europe the world’s fastest warming continent and a heatwave this week has caused wildfires and disruption across the continent, but Europe’s ambitious policies to combat temperature rise have stoked tensions within the 27-member bloc.

    While the European Commission has pitched its climate agenda as a way to improve Europe’s competitiveness and security, some governments and lawmakers say industries reeling from U.S. tariffs and high energy costs cannot afford tougher emissions rules.

    “Decarbonisation is not only crucial for the planet, but also a key driver of economic growth when integrated with industrial, competition, and trade policies,” the draft said.

    A Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the draft, which could change before it is published.

    Carbon credits are generated by projects that reduce CO2 emissions abroad – for example, forest restoration in Brazil, and raise funds for such projects. However, investigations have shown some credits failed to deliver the environmental benefits they claimed.

    The EU’s climate science advisers have opposed counting them towards the 2040 target, and said spending money on foreign carbon credits would divert investments from local industries.

    EU countries and lawmakers must negotiate and approve the 2040 goal. That lawmaking process can take years, but the EU faces a deadline of mid-September to submit a new 2035 climate target to the U.N. – which the Commission has said should be derived from the 2040 goal.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Giant LED screens assembled using unique modular technology have been installed in the NSU flow auditorium building

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    In the building of the NSU flow auditoriums, which is related to the objects of the second stage of the new NSU campus, built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, real giants among LED screens have appeared. These huge screens measuring 7.4 by 4.64 m are assembled using modular technology. NSU will become the only university in the Novosibirsk region, where such equipment is used for educational purposes.

    There are five such screens in the new building: four in the flow classrooms and one in the conference hall. They not only complement the educational process, but also improve it, taking the image quality to a fundamentally new level. LED screens will replace the traditional lamp projectors that are installed in the flow classrooms of the current NSU educational building.

    Marina Shashkova, Head of the Academic Policy Department at NSU, notes:

    — Based on the infrastructure of the new campus, we create comfortable conditions for students to study and work on projects. Providing them with modern equipment is an important element for fulfilling this task.

    LED screens are not only high-quality images, but also reliable and durable, as their service life is 100 thousand hours. Each of these screens is 638 modules combined into a single whole. They are easy to maintain, and if necessary, only the damaged module can be replaced without affecting the entire structure. This reduces repair costs and equipment downtime. Delivery, installation and warranty support were carried out by the Novosibirsk integrator company IVERT.

    Thus, the new building of the NSU campus becomes not just a place for obtaining knowledge, but also a platform for modern technological solutions and innovations. LED screens are just one example of how technologies can improve the educational process. Like living canvases, they bring a fresh stream to lectures and presentations, making them brighter and more memorable.

    The total area of the NSU flow auditorium building is 16 thousand square meters, permission to put the facility into operation was received in December 2024, and work is currently underway to equip it with furniture and technical equipment. Classes in the new building will begin in September 2025.

    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 New Zealand: Economy – Appointments to Board of Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    1 July 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua welcomes the appointment of Grant Spencer and the reappointment of Byron Pepper to its governing Board.

    Mr Spencer will serve for a five-year term, from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030. Mr Pepper will serve for a five-year term from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030.

    Mr Spencer and Mr Pepper were appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance following their participation in a public appointment process run by Te Tai Ōhanga – The Treasury.

    Grant Spencer brings extensive expertise in central banking, financial stability, and monetary policy. He held several senior roles at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, including Deputy Governor, Head of Financial Stability (2007–2017), and Acting Governor (2017–2018). His international experience includes active participation in OECD and EMEAP forums, as well as contributions to the development of New Zealand’s capital markets.

    In addition to his professional experience, Mr Spencer is an Adjunct Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, with academic interests in financial regulation and macroeconomics. He holds advanced qualifications in economics and econometrics.

    “Mr Spencer’s appointment will enhance the Board’s expertise in prudential regulation, macro-prudential policy, and financial market operations, offering complementary strengths to existing board members, particularly in the context of New Zealand’s central banking landscape,” RBNZ Board Chair Professor Neil Quigley says.

    Byron Pepper continues to bring strong governance and financial expertise to the Board. An independent investment banking advisor and director, Mr Pepper has more than 25 years’ experience advising corporate and government clients, particularly in the financial services sector across New Zealand, Australia, and internationally.

    He is the former director of Ando Insurance Group Limited and currently serves as a director or trustee of several New Zealand-based entities. Mr Pepper is also the founder of Vorigo Advisory, following a 22-year career at Goldman Sachs in its global investment banking business.

    “We’re pleased to reappoint Mr Pepper to the Board,” says Professor Quigley. “His financial and governance experience continues to add valuable insight to the RBNZ’s decision-making.”

    The Reserve Bank welcomes the contributions of both Mr Spencer and Mr Pepper to its governing Board and looks forward to their support in delivering on Te Pūtea Matua’s strategic objectives.

    More information

    Our Board members – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=886fb7c291&e=f3c68946f8

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Indian stock market opens higher, IT stocks shine

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Wednesday amid positive global cues, with buying seen in the IT and auto sectors during early trade.

    At around 9:23 am, the Sensex was trading 225.5 points or 0.27 per cent higher at 83,922.79, while the Nifty added 58.75 points or 0.23 per cent to reach 25,600.55.

    According to analysts, after breaking out of the 24,500–25,000 range, the Nifty has moved into a new range of 25,200–25,800.

    Positive news about a possible trade deal between India and the US could help the index break the upper limit of this range, but sustaining the Nifty at higher levels may prove challenging, they added.

    Nifty Bank was down 45.20 points or 0.08 per cent at 57,414.25 in early trade. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 59,809.25 after gaining 59.20 points or 0.25 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 19,082.10 after rising 26.40 points or 0.14 per cent.

    “The charts of Bank Nifty indicate that it may find support at 57,300, followed by 57,000 and 56,800. If the index advances further, 57,650 would be the initial key resistance, followed by 57,800 and 58,000,” said Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Broking.

    In the Sensex pack, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, ICICI Bank, TCS, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel, HCL Tech and Adani Ports were the top gainers. Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, BEL and Eternal were among the top losers.

    Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their selling on July 1, offloading equities worth Rs 1,970.14 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued their buying, purchasing equities worth Rs 771.08 crore on the same day.

    In Asian markets, Bangkok, China, Japan, Seoul and Jakarta were trading in the red, while only Hong Kong was trading in the green.

    In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones in the US closed at 44,494.94, up 400.17 points or 0.91 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a loss of 6.90 points or 0.11 per cent at 6,198.05, while the Nasdaq closed at 20,202.89, down 166.85 points or 0.82 per cent.

    –IANS

  • ‘Looking forward to interacting with world leaders’, PM Modi embarks on historic 5-nation tour

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister on Wednesday departed on a week-long visit to five countries — Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia — with an aim to deepen India’s ties across the Global South and expand partnerships in key sectors including trade, investment, energy and capacity building.

    In the first leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will be in Ghana from July 2 to 3 at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama. Describing Ghana as a valued partner in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Prime Minister said discussions would focus on strengthening historical ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation in investment, energy, health, security and development partnership. He will also address the Parliament of Ghana during the visit.

    On July 3-4, the Prime Minister will visit Trinidad & Tobago, marking a significant moment in India’s relations with the Caribbean nation. He will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who recently began her second term in office. Highlighting the shared cultural and historical bonds, the Prime Minister noted that the visit coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians in Trinidad & Tobago and would help rejuvenate the special ties of ancestry and kinship.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Argentina, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 57 years. In Buenos Aires, he will hold talks with President Javier Milei. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology and investment. Argentina is one of India’s key partners in Latin America and an important collaborator in the G20.

    The Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. As a founding member, India remains committed to BRICS as a platform for strengthening cooperation among emerging economies. On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders. He will subsequently travel to Brasilia for a bilateral State Visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Brazil in nearly six decades — to hold discussions with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on advancing common priorities for the Global South.

    In the final leg of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit Namibia, underscoring the shared history of struggle against colonialism between the two nations. He will hold talks with President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to chart a new roadmap for cooperation in diverse areas. He is also scheduled to address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament to mark the enduring solidarity between India and Namibia.

    Expressing confidence ahead of his departure, the Prime Minister said the visit will reinforce India’s bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen partnerships across the Atlantic, and deepen engagement with multilateral forums such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and CARICOM.

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN receives President of ERIA

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat, to discuss the continued ASEAN–ERIA collaboration in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans.
     
    The meeting underscored the outcomes of the recent 18th ERIA Governing Board Meeting and ERIA’s contributions to ASEAN’s strategic priorities, particularly in areas such as supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and energy transition. Dr. Kao also acknowledged ERIA’s growing role in capacity-building efforts for the ASEAN Member States and noted the importance of continued support to sustain and deepen collaborative initiatives.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN receives President of ERIA appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • Quad ministerial meeting very productive, will strengthen Indo-Pacific stability: EAM Jaishankar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Quad ministerial meeting on Tuesday was very productive and will strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    After the meeting, he shared on X that they “discussed how to make Quad more focused and impactful on contemporary opportunities and challenges”.

    “Just finished a very productive meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers in Washington DC. Discussed how to make Quad more focused and impactful on contemporary opportunities and challenges. Today’s gathering will strengthen strategic stability in the Indo – Pacific and keep it free and open,” he said about the meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia and Takeshi Iwaya of Japan, representing the major democracies in the region.

    Before the meeting, he said, “India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that”.

    Rubio, who hosted the meeting, said, “There are many global problems, but also problems that we face in our respective countries that can be solved by us cooperating together”.

    He said that he has met Jaishankar “a number of times now in just six months on the job”.

    “I was just telling how much he travels. I follow the news, and every time I see (he is) somewhere else in the world. So he’s been very busy,” he said.

    Rubio said the other Quad nations “are very important strategic partners and allies of the United States, and together, we have a lot of shared priorities, a lot of things we care about in the world”.

    The Quad is not only about security but also about economic development, he said.

    He said that he had “personally been very focused on diversifying the global supply chain of critical minerals, not just access to the raw material, but also access to the ability to process and refine it to usable material”.

    “Having a diverse and reliable global supply chain of these is just one example of many that we can focus on and build upon and achieve some real progress on,” he said. “So that’s the hope for this partnership”.

    Rubio said a challenge was to turn meetings “where we talk about ideas and concepts into a vehicle for action, into a vehicle for actually being able to take concrete actions”.

    “The next step in this great partnership is to actually begin to see concrete actions and steps being taken in conjunction with one another, in coordination with one another, in partnership with one another for the benefit of our respective countries, and ultimately of many other countries in the world,” he said.

    “There are many countries that are going to benefit from this partnership, even though they’re not members of it,” he added.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Quad ministers demand bringing Pahalgam terrorists to justice, renew commitment to counterterrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Renewing their commitment to work together to fight terrorism, the Quad foreign ministers on Tuesday demanded that all those responsible for the “reprehensible” Pahalgam terror attack be immediately brought to justice and countries concerned cooperate with the authorities.

    In a joint statement after their meeting on Tuesday, they said, “We call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs (Security Council Resolutions), to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.”

    “The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation,” the statement said.

    External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia and Takeshi Iwaya of Japan representing the major democracies of the Indo-Pacific region met for their second ministerial meeting of the year.

    They said, “We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extend our heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery to all those injured.”

    The statement did not name any country while calling for bringing the perpetrators of the massacre to justice, but the nation was obvious because The Resistance Front, which carried out the attack, is an arm of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is sheltered by Pakistan.

    Before the ministers met, Jaishankar said, “India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right.”

    “We expect our quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” he emphasised.

    The top diplomats said they looked forward to the Quad summit to be hosted later this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be attended by US President Donald Trump and Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Shigeru Ishiba of Japan.

    The ministers said that they “plan to launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership in Mumbai this year.”

    “To ensure the Quad’s enduring impact, we are pleased to announce today a new, ambitious, and strong agenda focused on four key areas: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response. Through this renewed focus, we will sharpen the Quad’s ability to leverage our resources to address the region’s most pressing challenges,” the ministers added.

    The four areas are maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

    While their joint statement repeatedly spoke of threats to countries in the region from the use of force and coercion by China, they did not name it.

    “We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea. We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion. We express our serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of the freedoms of navigation and overflight, and the dangerous maneuvers by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels, especially the unsafe use of water cannons and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea,” said the joint statement.

    While China was not mentioned, it had carried out all those actions against the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea, and it has been involved in disputes with Malaysia over offshore oil drilling.

    “These actions threaten peace and stability in the region”, they said. “We are seriously concerned by the militarisation of disputed features.”

    The ministers expressed concern over the disruptions to the supply chain, particularly of critical minerals and said it was important to diversify supplies.

    They announced a concrete measure to deal with this problem: “We are launching today the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, an ambitious expansion of our partnership to strengthen economic security and collective resilience by collaborating to secure and diversify critical minerals supply chains.”

    To strengthen the Quad’s ability to carry out relief in natural disasters – a mission that gave initial shape to the group – the ministers said they plan to host the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise this year.

    It aims “to strengthen shared airlift capacity and leverage our collective logistics strengths to respond to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently, providing support for regional partners,” the statement said.

    They condemned North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programmes and demanded that it follow United Nations Security Council resolutions and end them.

    They also expressed “grave concern over North Korea’s malicious cyber activity, including cryptocurrency theft and use of workers abroad to fund North Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.”

    Pyongyang has sent its citizens to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine.

    Closer to home, the ministers said they were “deeply concerned by the worsening crisis in Myanmar and its impact on the region.”

    They called on the military regime and all groups involved “to implement, extend and broaden ceasefire measures.”

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Oil, Watercolor and Gallic: Participants of the Art in the Metro Project Talk Creativity and Inspiration

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moscow metro is not only a popular means of public transport, but also a cultural venue for talented Muscovites. The project has been underway in the capital for nine years now “Music in the Metro”, and recently another project for creative people – “Art in the Metro”— celebrated its first anniversary. It united more than 250 artists working in different genres and techniques, who can create paintings at 10 sites at metro stations, as well as take part in off-site events and even try their hand at creating a new design for the Troika card. The second season of the project is currently underway, and the recruitment of artists continues.

    A mos.ru correspondent spoke with the participants of the “Art in the Metro” project and found out how they are inspired by the architecture of the stations and passengers rushing about their business.

    Pandas on Michurinsky Prospekt

    Artist Yulia Ershova painted a passenger reading enthusiastically in a train car, sculptures of Romulus and Remus at the Rimskaya station, and flying seagulls on the ceiling of Mayakovskaya on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line. Another of her paintings depicts three pandas chewing bamboo at the Michurinsky Prospekt station on the Big Circle Line (BCL).

    “This is my favorite station. It is decorated in an oriental style: it has red columns and lamps with Chinese ornaments. I thought, what can you imagine in such an environment? Why not put pandas there, who came to

    Moscow Zoo from China? Now this painting can be seen at the exhibition “Red” in the gallery of the creative association “Artists of Chertanovo”, – says Yulia Ershova.

    She learned about “Art in the Metro” from her artist friends who got into the project during the first recruitment, successfully passed the in-person round and created about 30 works in a year. Yulia Ershova prefers to work in oil, but when she needs to make a quick sketch, she takes up watercolor.

    “The artist’s mission is to draw people’s attention to beauty that they may not notice in the rhythm of a big city. I remember a passenger on the Aminyevskaya BKL saw my work on an easel and at first could not understand where such beauty came from. And then she recognized the station ceiling. She often rides here, but did not notice how unusual it is, and now she looked up for the first time,” says Yulia Ershova.

    This season she continues to participate in the project. “The metro is interesting to draw, and I am glad that I have been given such a unique opportunity to create in this atmosphere,” the mos.ru interlocutor emphasizes.

    “Dostoevskaya” with salt and ink

    Another participant of the last season, Ekaterina Bulgakova, was inspired by the Dostoevskaya metro station of the Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya line. The artist was struck by its marble slabs. She managed to convey their texture using a special technique.

    “To depict a marble pattern, I first began to combine acrylic paints, watercolors and the author’s technique “gallitika”. It uses ink and salt, which gives beautiful textured streaks. Now I plan to further develop this method of drawing,” says Ekaterina Bulgakova.

    During her year of participation in the project, she created about 20 works. The artist was especially inspired by the BKL stations. In her paintings, she depicted the art object “Moscow Rings”, located at the entrance to “Nizhegorodskaya”, and the interiors of “Khoroshevskaya”.

    “I also dedicated one of my works to passengers. I depicted a stream of people hurrying at the Kitay-Gorod station, wrote down their possible thoughts, and added an old map of the area. It turned out to be a collage. It is impossible to imagine the metro without passengers. People often even came up to watch me draw and asked questions. Someone admitted that they were 20 years old and it was boring to study in their chosen specialty. And someone wanted to learn to draw at 60. I supported them and said that it is not too late to start at any age,” the interviewee notes.

    The artist did not initially plan to engage in creative work either. She received a higher education in economics, then completed an internship with teachers from the Russian State University of Art and Industry named after S.G. Stroganov, graduated from the School of Design of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and began to paint. This year, she is preparing to capture the capital’s metro on canvas again.

    “The metro is developing at a rapid pace, but the new stations are not inferior to the old ones in terms of design. They are incredible. I am grateful to the project organizers for the fact that we can draw here,” shares Ekaterina Bulgakova.

    “Art in the Metro”: the project’s artists worked in a tram depot for the first timeParticipants of the Art in the Metro project depicted stations of the Big Circle LineParticipants of the Art in the Metro project created works of art on digital tablets for the first time

    Walk through the tunnel and trains from different eras

    Project participant Ekaterina Gavrilova also considers the metro an invaluable source of ideas for paintings. The artist is fascinated by the architecture of the last century, so she is especially inspired by the very first stations and their design.

    “The main goal of the Art in the Metro project is to draw people’s attention to what surrounds them every day. For example, you can take a closer look at the doors of the Oktyabrskaya metro station. Every detail in their patterns is thought out, forming a single composition,” says Ekaterina Gavrilova.

    The interviewee of mos.ru has been drawing since childhood and was inspired by the works of Isaac Levitan, so she entered the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture of Ilya Glazunov and successfully graduated from it. Ekaterina Gavrilova has been participating in the project since its inception. In the metro, she has created more than 20 works in a realistic style with elements of minimalism. Most of all, she liked to draw at the Komsomolskaya, Park Kultury and Taganskaya stations of the Circle Line, as well as at Kievskaya on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line.

    “Thanks to the project, we didn’t just go down to the metro to draw, but went to interesting and unusual events. One night, we visited the tunnel of the Shelepikha station of the Big Circle Line (the Delovoy Tsentr – Shelepikha – Khoroshevskaya section of the Big Circle Line has been temporarily closed since June 22. – Note from mos.ru). We had a couple of hours after the contact rail was disconnected. Under the supervision of the shift supervisor, we walked through the tunnel. In addition, I attended an event at the Izmailovo depot. There, I created a painting called “Two Epochs”, where trains from the last century and our time stand side by side,” recalls artist Ekaterina Gavrilova.

    In her work, she uses not only oil, but also watercolour markers, tempera and gouache. She likes to experiment. For example, the artist depicted the Maryina Roshcha BKL station digitally – on a tablet, since she considers the space itself futuristic. And while working at Kievskaya, Ekaterina Gavrilova noticed two city women enthusiastically talking to each other. This scene formed the basis for the work “Morning News”.

    “The lobby of the Kyiv station is an atrium space framed by Corinthian capitals in a semicircle. The architects’ concept is a place for a temporary break from the road and meetings. The interior is pompous: columns, mosaics, gold. I think the space itself suggested the plot to me. The most wonderful thing in such walls is to engage in creativity. And passengers feel it. That is why the projects “Art in the Metro” and “Music in the Metro” have so many viewers,” the mos.ru interlocutor notes.

    Engage passengers in creativity

    Nikolay Bazunov also took part in the first season of the project. He found inspiration in metro trains.

    “I like the design of rolling stock from the 1940s to 1970s, which is attractive in its simplicity – smooth lines, round headlights. Thanks to my participation in the “Art in the Metro” project, I visited the Severnoye and Izmailovo depots, where I drew historical trains. I even managed to sit in the driver’s cabin of a retro train that runs on the Sokolnicheskaya line,” the artist says.

    Nikolay Bazunov associates the metro with the Great Patriotic War and memories of his relatives. During the bombing, his grandmother and mother hid at the Mayakovskaya station. The artist found a black-and-white photograph taken in 1941 and painted a picture for the anniversary of the Great Victory, where he depicted Muscovites hiding in the metro.

    “There is an interesting incident connected with this work. I was painting it at the Park Kultury station and stepped away for five minutes. I came back and there was a girl standing next to the painting and trying to make the image lighter with my brush. She explained that she found the work gloomy. And I smiled,” recalls Nikolai Bazunov.

    The artist prefers to work with oil on canvas. He compares his work to a musician’s performance. The palette is a turntable with discs, like a DJ’s, the brush is a conductor’s baton. While working, Nikolai Bazunov stands with his back to the passengers so that they can see his painting and express their opinion.

    “I have been participating in the Art in the Metro project since its inception, and have painted about 10 works. This season, I have joined it again not only as a participant, but also as a jury member. I help select artists. It is important to me that a person finds himself in the project, that he finds it interesting, that he can enjoy creativity and inspire others with his example,” emphasizes Nikolai Bazunov.

    This year he plans to paint a series of pictures based on a series of science fiction novels about the metro.

    The recruitment of artists for the second season of the project “Art in the Metro” is ongoing. To become a participant, you need to apply towebsite. The selection of finalists is carried out by an expert commission with the participation of representatives of the capital Department of Transport and Development of Road Transport Infrastructure and associations “Exhibition halls of Moscow”.

    Three new venues for the Art in the Metro project have appeared on the Big Circle LineParticipants of the Art in the Metro project created paintings at the Kitay-Gorod stationPortrait of Dostoevsky and a sketch of a stranger: what works were created by participants of the project “Art in the Metro”Artists of the Art in the Metro project will develop a New Year’s design for thematic Troika cards

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

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156113073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Territory of reasonable decisions: how Muscovites are helped to improve their financial literacy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The popularity of educational projects on financial literacy is growing in the capital. Master classes, games, quizzes, film lectures and other interactive activities help city residents of all ages understand financial issues. The events are held by the capital’s Department of Finance together with the financial literacy center and partners.

    “We talk to Muscovites about finances where it is convenient for them and in a way that interests them: in schools and universities, libraries, festivals and parks. In 2024 alone, over 560 events of various formats were held in the capital. And this year there will be even more. It is important that Muscovites receive not only new knowledge, but also practical skills: they learn to handle money wisely and make thoughtful financial decisions,” she noted.

    Elena Zyabbarova, Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Finance.

    The meetings go beyond the usual spaces and are already becoming part of the urban environment. Thus, this summer, financial literacy days were held at the Northern and Southern river terminals – these are new city platforms for such conversations.

    Another major event is Festival of financial literacy and entrepreneurial culture in Moscow. It has been held since 2017 by the capital’s departments of finance, education and science, as well as the Bank of Russia, and has become a traditional city educational event for city residents of all ages who want to improve their level of financial literacy and learn the basics of entrepreneurship. Last year, the festival lasted a whole week and covered more than 200 sites, including the Moscow Center for Education Quality, schools, colleges, universities, Moscow Longevity Centers, My Work and My Career employment centers, libraries and the Digital Business Space. More than 500 thousand people took part in online and offline events. This coming autumn, the festival will return with a rich program.

    Classes to improve financial literacy are integrated into major events and festivals, including Biblionight, Night at the Museum, and Red Square. Most often, city residents are interested in how to avoid being scammed, invest, and plan their personal budget.

    Modern formats make such events more lively and exciting. In 2024, a financial stand-up and a VR simulator appeared, with the help of which you can practice your personal finance management skills.

    Financial Literacy in Libraries

    For more than two years now, thematic meetings have been held for residents of the capital near their homes. As part of the project “ABCs of Financial Literacy”, which covers all age groups, lectures, business games, film lectures and other events are organized in Moscow libraries.

    City residents discuss familiar life situations with experts, including how to plan a family budget, what to consider when applying for a loan, and how not to become a victim of fraudsters. Event announcements can be found on social networks and city library websites.

    Name for the project Muscovites themselves chose. More than 170 thousand people took part in the voting on the Active Citizen platform.

    Financial Literacy in Film

    One of the most original formats is film lectures in Moscow cinemas. This is an unusual way to involve city residents in managing their personal finances, even if they have not been seriously interested in this before.

    Together with experts, viewers watch famous Soviet and Russian films, including “Courier”, “Moneychangers”, “Russian Money”, “Domovoy”, “Family Budget”. And then they analyze the behavior of the characters from the point of view of financial literacy: what went wrong, and could it have been done differently?

    Soviet films raise topics that remain relevant today, they are simply presented through the prism of modern realities. For example, the film “Beware of the Car” raises questions about car insurance.

    The project is being implemented with the support of the Moskino cinema chain and Department of Culture of Moscow.

    Financial Literacy at Work

    The rhythm of the metropolis does not always leave time for self-education, so a project for financial education of employees of work collectives has appeared in Moscow. Organizations can invite experts to conduct lectures and master classes directly at workplaces – offline or online. All events are free, and the topic can be chosen depending on the request of employees.

    The focus is most often on cybersecurity, personal budget management, consumer protection, investment basics, taxation and lending. Listeners can choose from interactive lectures, master classes, financial quizzes and case studies.

    You can determine the topic, format and time of classes, as well as sign up for the waiting list by link.

    Financial Literacy for Children and Youth

    The upbringing of a financially literate person begins at an early age. Thematic classes and events with elements of financial literacy are organized by Department of Education and Science of the City of MoscowIn addition, children can take part in Olympiads and quizzes, quizzes and quests, meet with representatives of large Russian companies and attend lessons taught by representatives of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring).

    The capital’s Department of Finance is implementing several projects on financial literacy for children and young people. Kindergartens regularly host events for preschoolers, schools host open lessons on financial and budget literacy, and children’s city camps host interactive classes during the holidays. Starting this year, they can be visited not only in the summer, but also in the spring and fall. Primary school students will learn about the origin of funds, rules for financial security and rational purchases, and will also create a model of their bank card and take part in a quiz.

    Experts can also be invited to colleges and universities. Heads of educational institutions choose what will really interest students, including quizzes, educational lectures or cartoons on financial topics. Questions related to budget planning, the history of money, financial security and lending remain popular with young people. You can send an application to link.

    Separate tracks for children’s audiences were also provided at citywide events. While adults listen to lectures on smart family budget planning, children can play the tactile game “Guess What?”, analyze the financial behavior of popular cartoon characters, or take part in the quiz “Secrets of Financial Security.”

    Financial Literacy for the Older Generation

    Older city residents actively participate in educational events with experts, which take place in Moscow longevity centers, libraries and other venues, as well as at major festivals. Muscovites of the “silver” age learn how to make purchases on the Internet, protect personal data and avoid spontaneous spending.

    Experts also talk about aspects of inheritance law in Russia, forms of wills and the specifics of drafting them. It is important that listeners can get answers to their questions on the spot and analyze their personal financial situations.

    In addition, the Moscow Longevity project offers regular classes on financial and legal literacy. The course programs are designed to take into account the interests of the older audience. You can find out more at the Moscow Longevity Centers and on the portal Mos.ru.

    Financial Literacy for People with Disabilities

    Special attention is paid to financial education of citizens with disabilities. Muscovites with visual impairments will be able to attend lectures at the Russian State Library for the Blind and listen to educational programs recorded by the Department of Finance on Internet radio. People with hearing impairments have the opportunity to access educational videos with sign language interpretation. This allows us to cover all segments of the population and create a truly inclusive educational environment.

    Tax deductions and banking products: Moscow launches financial literacy project for the visually impairedMoscow projects to improve financial literacy are recognized as the best in Russia

    Financial literacy in new formats

    Technology is an important component of educational formats. In 2024, an updated version of the financial checkup was presented – an online test that helps assess your knowledge. More than 4.3 thousand people took it. This can be done at any time by linkBy answering a few questions, everyone will find out their level of financial literacy and receive personal recommendations and links to useful materials for further self-education.

    The VR simulator is no less popular. Participants get the opportunity to immerse themselves in a virtual space, where they try themselves in the role of a tax consultant or bank employee and make important decisions on loans and tax deductions. You can practice budget management skills at the events of the Department of Finance.

    Economically active Muscovites have a high level of financial literacy

    Financial Literacy Online

    Those who prefer to study remotely can also easily find the necessary information. Useful materials, event announcements and links are published on the portal “Open Budget of the City of Moscow” and in the same name telegram channel.

    Budget literacy

    Budget literacy projects are also being developed in Moscow. One example is the “Budget for Citizens” competition. The participants are mainly schoolchildren and students. They make guidebooks, draw comics, brochures and posters, develop educational websites, create educational videos and cartoons, and come up with business, board and computer games.

    The organizers analyze the competition entries and try to take into account useful suggestions. The most interesting ideas are implemented in educational projects. Department of FinanceThe works of the winners of the capital competition are also highly valued at the federal level.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summer of a young volunteer: how to spend your holidays usefully

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The resource center invites young city residents to spend their holidays usefully and with interesting activities “Mosvolonter”. Summer is the perfect time to try volunteering and gain invaluable experience. Children and teenagers can participate in city events, learn about volunteering with their parents, attend master classes in“Good Places”.

    “Volunteering helps children develop and acquire important social skills, and cultivate leadership qualities. They learn to interact in a team, be proactive and responsible. Volunteering gives children a unique opportunity to discover new and interesting areas of activity, choose a future profession, create their first good projects and find like-minded people,” says Alexander Levit, director of the Mosvolonter resource center.

    Volunteering can be introduced from an early age. Caring for the world around you and wanting to help others will naturally become part of your child’s life.

    Where to start as a volunteer

    Anyone can become a volunteer in the capital. To do this, you need to register on the website Mosvolonter.ru, create a personal account and choose an event to your liking. You can help in volunteer projects independently from the age of 14. Younger children participate with their parents. Volunteers under 18 will need written consent from official representatives.online learning platform At the Mosvolonter resource center you can learn the basics of volunteer work, get acquainted with all its areas and the history of the city.

    Parents can help a young city dweller choose a direction for volunteering. A mother or father, like no one else, can inspire a child to participate in volunteer activities by their own example. This will become a good family tradition or one of the options for joint leisure. For example, you can collect waste paper, plastic and bottle caps with your children and hand them over to a special box in one of the volunteer centers “Good Place”.

    During the holidays, families often take part in clean-up days, creative workshops, sports events, restore books in libraries, walk dogs in shelters, create toys, leashes and other things for them. Together, you can join the initiatives of charitable organizations. This will allow children to feel that they themselves can change the world for the better, give joy and warmth to those who need it. The children will spend their holidays brightly and interestingly – they will learn new skills, meet other volunteers and find friends.

    The Mosvolonter Resource Center has developed educational materials for children cartoons about volunteering. In them, the characters show that everyone has the power to help not only the people around them, but also the entire city. Young viewers will learn that good deeds can be done even on a walk with friends and classmates.

    For children, Mosvolonter has compiled list of good deeds for the holidays. These are simple and exciting tasks. The fairy tale characters tell you how to complete them.

    The children will learn how to make a bird feeder, why it is necessary to collect plastic caps, how to support the elderly, and where to find those who are ready to fix their favorite books.

    Young volunteers can also do their first good deed at the children’s volunteer center “Good Place” in the KidZania Career Park. There, children will learn how to help people and nature, and try themselves out as zoo volunteers.

    Where to apply your talents?

    The website of the resource center “Mosvolonter” not only introduces areas of volunteer activity, but also allows you to choose event to their liking. Children explore the possibilities of professional application of their abilities in the future, learn about the activities of capital organizations, choose an interesting area of assistance and inspire friends to participate together.

    For example, on July 5, a workshop on Family, Love and Fidelity Day will be held at Dobroe Mesto. SZAO.paintings on ceramics. Participants will learn the secrets of the Russian folk craft “Gzhel” and create unusual plates painted with acrylic paints together with their children. Parents will receive useful tips on how to have fun and educational time with their child at home. Experts will tell about unusual creative techniques and new ideas for joint leisure. The event is free, pre-registration is required.

    In addition, you can join the volunteer corps of humanitarian aid collection headquarters “Moscow helps”, and also to bring essential goods to residents of new and border regions. As part of the project “Summer in Moscow” “Houses of Kindness” have been opened throughout the city, where they accept gifts for participants in the special military operation, children living in new territories, and also goods for animals.

    This year, young volunteers are indispensable helpers inInternational Volunteer Corps 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The brightest summer event was the patriotic action “Memory Line” on the Krymskaya embankment, where many took part together with their parents.

    Start from the school desk

    Many volunteer teams in schools do not go on vacation. Thanks to teachers, children continue to participate in volunteer events and do good deeds for the residents of their district and region. Young Muscovites can learn about the volunteer team and summer activities from the teacher-organizer or educational advisor at their school.

    Volunteering is also useful for those who are already thinking about their future studies at a university. In the summer, you can start accumulating volunteer hours to receive additional points when entering a university. Each university or institute has the right to independently set the number of points (from one to 10). Participation in volunteer activities to receive additional points when entering must be confirmed. This will help to do the main document of the volunteer – personal e-book of a volunteer.

    Schools and other organizations that develop volunteerism are constantly improving their competencies and have access to the most modern educational materials and manuals. Helps in their selection special serviceIt presents the “ABCs of a Volunteer”, a collection of good deeds, the “Moscow Guide” publication, the board games “Volunteers in the City” and “Five Keys”, “A Guide to a Moscow Volunteer”, as well as a practical course for managers, manuals for trainers and organizers of volunteer associations.

    Organizing volunteer activities and involving residents in city events are in line with the objectives of the national project “Youth and Children” and the federal project “We are together”.

    You can find out more about volunteering on the resource center website “Mosvolonter”, as well as on the social network page “VKontakte” and in telegram channel.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Experts talk about city projects for pets

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On International Dog Day, which is celebrated on July 2, experts from the Department of Information Technology and the Veterinary Committee of the capital told about city projects for pets, and also prepared a number of useful recommendations that will come in handy in the summer.

    “The capital is developing an ecosystem of services and digital projects for pets, thanks to which owners can take care of the health of their pets, make appointments with veterinarians at state clinics, learn more about nearby dog parks and rules for walking in public places. For example, on the page of the super service “My Pet” you can study the recommendations of veterinarians on the proper care and responsible keeping of pets, view the outpatient card of your pet with dates and information about the results of appointments, prescriptions and vaccinations,” the press service said.

    Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    Summer is a special time for dogs and their owners. This is the time when you can run through the forest, swim in ponds, explore the corners of the city with your four-legged friend. However, it is very important to take into account the weather conditions and the characteristics of your pets. In the heat, they can become dehydrated and even suffer from sunstroke. In such weather, the animal should have access to drinking water, but you should not wet the dog’s head and back – this can cause overheating, because the fur protects the pet, and when water gets in, the sun’s rays instantly warm it up to the skin. You can wet the dog’s nose and lower part with water: armpits, stomach and paws.

    Veterinarians also do not recommend cutting the animal, unless it is provided for by the breed characteristics. The coat performs an important function of thermoregulation: it creates an air layer that helps the dog to stay cool and protects the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight, preventing sunburn and the development of skin diseases. Experts recommend combing the undercoat of pets more often in hot weather, reducing physical activity and changing the walking schedule so that the animal is in the sun as little as possible. And if the summer is cool, then after cutting some dogs may begin to freeze and even catch a cold.

    Treatment against ticks and other parasites is another important point that must be taken into account before a walk in the park, forest or going out into nature. These can be collars impregnated with a special composition, drops on the withers or tablets for oral administration.

    “Not a single antiparasitic agent can guarantee complete protection against ticks. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly examine your pet during a walk, as well as after it, to make sure that there are no parasites in the fur and on the skin. Finding the pest can be difficult, especially on a thick-haired dog or cat, but you should not neglect this. If you find a tick, you should remove it yourself or seek help from a veterinary clinic,” the press service of the Moscow City Veterinary Committee noted.

    You can study veterinarians’ advice on keeping and caring for animals and view your pet’s outpatient card in the super service “My pet”.

    If the animal feels unwell, refuses to eat, and its activity has sharply decreased, it is necessary to contact a veterinarian. You can call him at home by phone: 7 495 612-12-12.

    You can find out more about the rules for walking pets, as well as view a map with the addresses of specialized sites in all areas of the capital on the special project page “To the park – with the dog” on the mos.ru portal.

    Many public spaces, cafes and shops in the capital allow visiting with a pet. If the owner plans to explore new corners of the city with their four-legged companion, it is important to remember that the collar or harness should have an address tag with the owner’s phone number and contact information. The presence of a microchip, which is installed in clinics, will also help find the animal if it gets lost. If the pet runs away during a walk and then ends up in a veterinary clinic or shelter, specialists will read the chip with a scanner, find the owner’s contact information in the database and contact him. The chip is absolutely harmless to animals, and its installation takes only a few minutes. You can make an appointment with a doctor at the nearest state clinic to install a chip at mos.ru portal.

    And within the framework of the capital project “Summer in Moscow” More than 200 events for owners of four-legged friends are planned. They will meet with dog handlers, zoologists and veterinarians. In addition, 10 family and sports festivals “Tailed Starts” will be held during the summer. On weekends, experienced specialists give lectures in an equipped veterinary mobile about the health and maintenance of different breeds of dogs, talk about disease prevention, proper nutrition, the need for regular examinations and vaccinations of pets. There is also a mobile office “Mobile Grooming”, where specialists will carry out a set of procedures for the care of the coat, skin, claws, ears and eyes of dogs free of charge.

    The super service “My Pet” began operating in the summer of 2023. It was created jointly by the capital’s State Services Committee, the Veterinary Committee and the Department of Information Technology.

    The use of digital technologies to improve the quality of life of city residents is in line with the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital in official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Several embankments and streets in the city center will be closed on July 5

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In connection with the Moscow Night Bike Festival, traffic will be temporarily closed on a number of embankments and streets in the city center on July 5.

    Thus, from 21:00 on July 4 to 18:30 on July 5 and from 00:01 to 07:00 on July 6, one traffic lane will be closed on Luzhniki Street from house 8 (building 1) to Luzhnetskaya Embankment, as well as on the section of Luzhnetskaya Embankment from Luzhniki Street to the Third Transport Ring.

    In addition, on July 5 from 18:30 until the end of the event, traffic on Luzhniki Street will be temporarily restricted. This will affect the section from house 8 (building 1) to Luzhnetskaya Embankment. From 21:00 on July 5 until 00:30 on July 6, it will be impossible to drive along the section of Bogorodskoye Highway from Veteranov Avenue to 1st Polevoy Lane.

    In addition, on July 5 from 10:00 pm until the end of the bike festival, Veteranov Avenue and several embankments will be closed to traffic: Luzhnetskaya (from Luzhniki Street to the intersection with Luzhnetskaya Embankment), Prechistenskaya, Kremlevskaya, Moskvoretskaya, Podgorskaya, Bernikovskaya, Nikoloyamskaya, Andronyevskaya, Zolotorozhskaya, Krasnokazarmennaya, Golovinskaya, Gospitalnaya, Semenovskaya, Preobrazhenskaya and Gannushkina Embankment.

    Parking will be temporarily prohibited in all restricted areas from 00:01 on July 5 until the end of the event.

    Drivers are advised to plan their route in advance, taking into account traffic changes. Full details can be found on the website Traffic Management Center.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: First steps in a career: more than 70 thousand ninth-graders received career guidance this academic year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow helps schoolchildren better understand their interests, abilities, strengths and consciously choose a specialty to build a career. For this purpose, the center “Professions of the Future” a comprehensive career guidance program for ninth-graders is in operation. More than 70 thousand children have completed it this academic year.

    “The ninth grade is a very important stage in the life of every schoolchild, when he or she first independently determines their career path. At the Professions of the Future center, as part of the comprehensive career guidance program, teenagers can get a quality start for their development and a real idea of the situation on the labor market. Last academic year, the center welcomed more than 70 thousand schoolchildren, and the number of participants in the comprehensive career guidance program since its launch has exceeded 130 thousand. As Sergei Sobyanin noted in

    development strategies for the social protection system of Moscow until 2030, the capital will continue to scale up the comprehensive career guidance program. Every teenager will be able to make an informed choice of their future profession,” said Andrey Tarasov, director of the Moscow employment service and head of the Professions of the Future center.

    The first stage of the program introduces in-demand professions. Schoolchildren are immersed in the world of professions with the help of an interactive 5D cinema, which has no analogues in Russia, and a VR simulator, allowing them to try on the professions of a welder, turner, barista, baker, waiter, electric train driver and other professions.

    Then, ninth-graders undergo career guidance testing and receive individual consultations from representatives of Moscow colleges and career guidance specialists. Over the past academic year, schoolchildren’s interest in industrial specialties has grown by 1.5 times compared to the previous period, and in construction professions – by two times.

    Professional trials occupy a special place in the comprehensive career guidance program. Schoolchildren visit modern workshops and laboratories of 48 Moscow colleges, where they can try their hand at different areas. This academic year, ninth-graders have passed professional trials in colleges more than 57 thousand times. In addition, over 20 thousand children have visited excursions to more than 250 of the largest organizations and enterprises of the capital. Schoolchildren got acquainted with potential employers and production processes in various fields.

    In addition, the Professions of the Future center developed a special career guidance program for parents of teenagers. During the school year, experts held PROSubbota meetings every month, where they talked about promising professions and gave practical recommendations on choosing a career path. At such events, parents and children could communicate with representatives of colleges and leading employers in Moscow, ask questions and learn about the requirements of the modern labor market.

    The Moscow City Employment Service is the largest state personnel operator that helps residents of the capital find work. Its structure includes employment offices, many of which are located in the My Documents government service centers. The flagship centers are open at the following addresses: Kuusinen Street, Building 2, Building 1, and Shabolovka Street, Building 48. The specialized My Career employment center is located on Sergiya Radonezhskogo Street (Building 1, Building 1).

    At the Professions of the Future center (38 Shchepkina Street, Building 1), you can master one of 75 in-demand specialties in various sectors of the economy in a maximum of three and a half months. Career mentors will help you find a job after completing your training. The center’s partners include more than three thousand employers. In addition, a comprehensive career guidance program for ninth-grade students is being implemented here.

    The admissions campaign in Moscow colleges began on June 26. Applicants can apply online at mos.ru portal simultaneously for five specialties in one educational institution or distribute the choice between several colleges. Detailed information about the professions and specialties taught in the capital’s colleges is posted onwebsite, in the telegram channel“Colleges of Moscow” and the community of the same name on the social network “VKontakte”.

    The admissions campaign has begun at the Moscow Government UniversityGraduates will be able to choose a university and specialty with the help of “MES”Moscow Fashion Week experts give advice to future fashion university studentsMoscow State Pedagogical Univ. will host a summer festival for applicants, students and graduates

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rozhdestvensky and Strastnoy Boulevards invite you to art master classes

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Decorating and painting products, making cards with floral decor, watercolor painting and 3D appliques – on Rozhdestvensky and Strastnoy Boulevards as part of the project “Summer in Moscow” unique creative workshops operate. All those who wish are taught the main modern artistic techniques there. The program is suitable for all ages, and participation in it is free.

    Masks with decor and smalt mosaic on Rozhdestvensky Boulevard

    Rozhdestvensky Boulevard This summer, it became one of the most vibrant cultural venues in the capital. There is a creative workshop here, where classes are held in a variety of decorative and fine arts. Everyone will be able to not only learn more about artistic techniques, but also create a full-fledged art piece with their own hands – a painted mask, a painted canvas, as well as a mosaic made of smalt or graffiti.

    Master classes on Thursday, July 3, will be devoted to decorating and painting cardboard products. From 13:00 to 14:00, participants will decorate masks in the form of a rabbit or ice cream, using gouache, felt-tip pens and colored pencils. The final touch will be decorative elements – pompoms, confetti, dried flowers and glitter. This work will suit even the youngest participants, who will make a unique souvenir with their own hands.

    On Friday, July 4th, at the same time, a master class “Paintings by Famous Artists in Acrylic” will be held. Participants will be able to choose one of several reproductions of works by classic artists to create their own version of a masterpiece on canvas. They will paint on tabletop easels under the guidance of a professional artist. All materials will be provided by the organizers, and the finished painting can be taken home.

    The program will continue on Saturday, July 5, at 16:00 with a lesson dedicated to Russian folk painting. Participants will create compositions in the style of “Gorodets” or “Northern Dvina” on wooden boards. The teacher will tell about the history of the crafts, their symbolism and traditional colors. As a result, each guest will receive not only new knowledge, but also their own unique work.

    On Sunday, July 6, from 15:00 to 16:00 and on Monday, July 7, from 13:00 to 14:00, a mosaic studio will be open on the boulevard. Guests will create a panel from smalt using the direct set technique. First, participants will come up with and draw a sketch of the future work, and then select and fix the mosaic elements on the base. Such classes not only develop artistic thinking, but also introduce one of the oldest interior design techniques.

    Those wishing to try their hand at street art are invited to graffiti master classes, which will be held on Friday, July 11, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and Saturday, July 12, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The classes will include two stages. First, participants will learn about the history and aesthetics of graffiti, and create sketches. Then, under the supervision of a professional, they will try to implement their idea on a specially prepared wall. All participants will be provided with protective masks and gloves.

    Geometric paintings and 3D appliques on Strastnoy Boulevard

    Passionate Boulevard has also turned into a cozy art space. There is an art workshop here, where anyone can try their hand at decorative and applied art – learn to draw and create panels in different styles.

    A rich program awaits guests. Thus, on July 3, 8, 9 and 10 from 15:00 to 15:45, a master class “Gems” will be held. Participants will create a three-dimensional picture using the 3D applique technique. They will have to use bright materials, as well as develop fine motor skills and compositional thinking.

    On July 4 and 11 from 15:00 to 15:45 there will be a class “Summer Day”Under the guidance of mentors, visitors will work on a landscape using the dot mosaic technique.

    On July 5 from 14:00 to 14:45 it will be the turn of the master class “Bright colors”Participants will paint pictures in a geometric style – with clear shapes and rich colors.

    On July 12 from 17:00 to 17:45 there will be a lesson called “Blooming Garden”. Guests will make an interior panel with summer motifs using the pebble mosaic technique. They will work with natural materials.

    All materials will be provided by the organizers; participation in the classes is free.

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

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientists study the biodiversity of water bodies in the Losiny Ostrov National Park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Large-scale field research continues in the Moscow part of the Losiny Ostrov National Park. Specialists are studying the ecological and recreational state of the Kazenny Pond.

    “Regular environmental research is the basis for competent management of the capital’s natural areas. The city actively supports scientific projects that help track changes in the state of flora and fauna under the influence of humans and climate. This allows us to make effective decisions – not for the short term, but taking into account the future of Moscow as a green, environmentally friendly city,” said Yulia Urozhaeva, head of the capital’s

    Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection.

    Last year, a unique large-scale ecological and biological survey was conducted in Losiny Ostrov Park, in which more than 80 specialists from five scientific institutes took part. They identified more than 1,500 species of animals and plants, of which over 200 are rare and protected. Based on the survey results, experts gave recommendations for supporting vulnerable animal species. In addition, programs for their conservation and restoration were developed.

    This year, comprehensive studies of the park’s nature continue. In April, a group of scientists, including specialists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, began studying the biodiversity of Losiny Ostrov’s water bodies. Experts took samples of phyto- and zooplankton from Babaevsky Pond, as well as benthic organisms living in the soil. Then hydrobiologists took samples of water and bottom sediments in Kazenny Pond, as well as samples of the upper layer of bottom sediments. This is done in order to assess the current ecological and recreational state of the water bodies. It can change under the influence of external factors, which often has a negative impact on biodiversity, since the life cycle of many organisms is directly related to water.

    From frog to newt: what amphibians live in Moscow’s water bodies

    At the next stage, scientists in the laboratory analyze the species composition of two groups of organisms: testate amoebae (benthic organisms living on the bottom) and cladocerans (representatives of plankton). These microorganisms are bioindicators, the presence of which and the structure of their populations can be used to judge the degree of pollution of a reservoir.

    Testate amoebae are particularly sensitive to heavy metals, petroleum products and road salt. Cladocerans respond to the general organic load.

    If plankton shows that the water is relatively clean, and bottom organisms indicate the opposite, this indicates the need for careful and targeted work with bottom sediments, hydrobiologists note.

    Experts also collect cores—deep samples of silt—that allow them to study how the state of the reservoir has changed over the past decades.

    According to scientists, the Kazennyi pond has a high degree of overgrowth, accumulation of organic matter and oxygen deficiency in winter. Such conditions can cause damage to aquatic fauna, so it is necessary to conduct regular monitoring of the reservoir’s condition.

    Based on the data obtained, specialists develop recommendations for improving the condition of the pond. One possible measure is to increase the flow rate, for example by supplying additional volumes of clean water or cleaning the drainage channels. This will reduce the concentration of organic matter and restore the ecosystem. It is also important that the pond is not cleaned once. Without a comprehensive approach and regular monitoring, the pond’s condition may deteriorate in a few years.

    “If you simply clean a reservoir, in 10 years it will be in the same condition again. It is important to improve the functioning of the entire ecosystem – so that aquatic organisms themselves process excess organic matter. This will ensure clean water, sustainable biodiversity and a favorable environment for city residents,” the experts noted.

    The data collected during field work will form the basis for long-term environmental monitoring and the development of solutions for the restoration and maintenance of the capital’s water bodies.

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

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156110073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Information on 1,67 thousand city objects appeared on the Moscow Government’s open data portal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moscow City Bureau of Technical Inventory (MosgorBTI) is involved in filling Moscow Government Open Data Portal. The institution published information about city blocks. This will allow organizations and Muscovites to receive up-to-date information about the boundaries and characteristics of city territories.

    “Since February 2025, specialists from MosgorBTI have been publishing a catalog of registration blocks on the Moscow government’s open data portal, which today includes information on 1.67 thousand objects. They are used to determine the addresses of real estate located outside of populated areas and not connected to streets. Such objects have the numbers of registration city blocks in the structure of the official address,” she said.

    Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property.

    The data.mos.ru portal is a free digital platform that hosts key information about Moscow, its infrastructure, events, and much more. The service helps residents of the capital receive information about department reception schedules, traffic restrictions due to road works, social card replenishment points, and other useful information, including cartographic information.

    The resource can also be used to determine whether the name of the property will use the name of the locality or the number of the city block. In addition, you can find out about its location and connection with localities and municipalities. This data will help application developers integrate information about real estate objects into their own services through API tools.

    The data.mos.ru portal contains more than a thousand data sets and analytical reports, which are available for viewing in catalogs for both users and information systems through a special mechanism for automatic exchange of information – API.

    “You can use the catalog of registered city blocks on the open data portal: the information is posted in the section

    “Territorial division”. There you can also find a collection of materials onarchival elements of the planning structure, which were valid until January 1, 2025. MosgorBTI regularly updates the information on the portal from the Address Register of Moscow Real Estate Objects, so that up-to-date information on the addresses of Moscow real estate is always publicly available. This data set can be found in the section “Land and Property”“, said the general director of MosgorBTI Dmitry Tetushkin.

    The Moscow City Bureau of Technical Inventory provides a wide range of services to city residents – it carries out cadastral and geodetic work, property appraisal and acceptance of apartments. In addition, specialists prepare documents for the approval of redevelopment and the transfer of garden houses into residential ones. You can get detailed information and place an order on the website Mosgorbti.ru or at one of five customer centers.

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

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156148073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Independence Day is of fundamental importance for Belarusians – A. Lukashenko

    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

    MINSK, July 2 (Xinhua) — Independence Day is of fundamental importance for Belarusians, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a ceremonial meeting ahead of Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus in Minsk on Tuesday. The corresponding information was published by the press service of the Belarusian head of state on the same day.

    “Independence is a free and peaceful life, security and confidence in the future. This is how we should understand our independence. The Belarusian people remember well what it means to lose all this overnight. And they know what it means to lay down one’s life on the altar of the future of one’s native Fatherland. This has happened more than once in our history. But the date of Minsk’s liberation from the fascist occupation – July 3 – became a milestone. A milestone in the spiritual and civil development of a nation that established its status through fire and blood,” A. Lukashenko noted.

    According to him, the Great Patriotic War, the most inhuman of all wars, turned the consciousness of the entire world community upside down. The head of the Belarusian state noted that the example of Belarus alone, which lost a third of its population in less than three years, including the weakest and most defenseless – women, the elderly and children – divided history into before and after.

    “We continue the history of the unconquered people. The memory of their feat is a matter of national dignity, without which talk of independence, sovereignty, freedom is just words. We rely on real experience and real achievements,” the Belarusian leader said.

    A. Lukashenko recalled that it was on Belarusian soil that the invaders encountered massive and comprehensive resistance, witnessed the unparalleled courage of strong-willed and unbroken people. He also noted that only in Belarus is Independence Day celebrated on par with the Great Victory Day.

    “Because then, in the most critical period, in the most critical moment of the victorious offensive of the Red Army, the day of the liberation of Minsk became the harbinger of the victorious May 9, a symbol of the revival of the Belarusian land and the entire Soviet people. The choice of the date of our main state holiday is historically justified and accepted by the heart of each of us, every Belarusian. This choice is the will not only of us, contemporaries, who could not act otherwise, but of our fathers and grandfathers,” A. Lukashenko emphasized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹Following is a question by the Hon Stanley Ng and a reply by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, in the Legislative Council today (July 2):
     
    Question:
     
         There are views that the first Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month held last month enabled members of the public and tourists to experience the vitality and charm of Hong Kong’s ICH, and that transmitting ICH skills and the economic benefits brought about by the related cultural and creative intellectual property rights (IP) are conducive to the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s ICH. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the number of participants or visitors to the various activities of the first Hong Kong ICH Month, and the proportion of travellers among them; whether an assessment has been conducted on the effectiveness of Hong Kong ICH Month;
     
    (2) as it has been reported that the Government will announce a system for designating Hong Kong ICH bearers this year, whether the system will cover designation for both categories of bearer and bearer organisation; whether a mechanism will be established to revoke the status of bearers, ensuring that ICH remains vibrant and relevant over time, as well as maintaining the vitality of the transmission system and the enthusiasm of bearers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that the rapid development of IP of ICH in the Mainland has generated considerable economic benefits, of the mechanism put in place by the Government to regularly follow up on, incubate, support, protect and compile statistics on cultural and creative IP projects derived from Hong Kong’s ICH, so that they can sustainably create cultural value and economic benefits?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is an essential part of the fine traditional Chinese culture, and a lively witness to the continuous transmission of Chinese culture. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are committed to safeguarding, transmitting and promoting the ICH of Hong Kong, while actively supporting the national policies on furthering the safeguarding of ICH and implementing enhanced measures. Targeting ICH items across various domains, different aspects of work such as identification, documentation, research, preservation, promotion and transmission of ICH are strengthened to enhance the public’s understanding of ICH and engage the community in safeguarding ICH. The above work includes the ICH Funding Scheme of the LCSD, which supports eligible local organisations and individuals in implementing meaningful local ICH projects. In addition, the LCSD released in December 2024 the updated Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong (Representative List), with an increase in its number of items from 20 to 24, and the updated ICH Inventory of Hong Kong, with an increase in its number of items from 480 to 507.
          
         The 2024 Policy Address proposed two measures to promote the safeguarding and transmission of ICH, whereby the LCSD will develop a mechanism and criteria in 2025 for recognising the bearers of the items on the Representative List, as well as organise the Hong Kong ICH Month in June every year.
          
         In response to the Hon Stanley Ng’s three-part question, my replies are as follows:
     
    (1) The inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month was successfully held from May 31 to July 1, 2025. Activities include over 80 ICH performances, 60 interactive experiential booths on ICH and 24 field trips under “ICH Highlight Tours”, covering more than 100 ICH items. By invitation of the LCSD, over 20 community organisations participated in organising activities during the Hong Kong ICH Month so as to expand the coverage of the event and extend its reach in the community. 
     
         With the attendance of the activities of the inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month already surpassing 85 000 as at June 21, 2025, the final total attendance of the event is estimated to be more than 100 000. Despite the unavailability of figures on the percentage of visitors, since the tourist-filled Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui was chosen as the venue of the opening ceremony and the ensuing ICH carnival of the inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month, and both activities fell on the Mainland’s long weekend holiday in celebration of the Tuen Ng Festival, many visitors were attracted to the ICH carnival. Among others, around one-third of the “ICH Highlight Tours” quotas were given to visitors, and their feedback was very positive. The LCSD will continue to make efforts in this area in the future to enhance the integration of culture and tourism. A breakdown of the attendance of the Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 by activity is set out at Annex.
          
         The inaugural Hong Kong ICH Month successfully enriched the public’s understanding of the ICH items of both Hong Kong and the Mainland. Through the collaboration between the Government and community organisations, as well as the active participation of local and Mainland ICH organisations and practitioners, the public and visitors were provided with an experience of “ICH Around Town”.

    (2) The LCSD has studied the national guidelines for the recognition and management of ICH bearers. It has also completed its collection of and gained insight into relevant information on the planning, formulation and implementation of the mechanism for recognising ICH bearers or bearer organisations, the management system and the cancellation mechanism for the recognised ICH bearers or bearer organisations, etc in Guangdong Province, Macao and other neighbouring regions. Currently, the national guidelines include a cancellation mechanism, while Guangdong and Macao also have their own relevant cancellation mechanisms. The LCSD will take into account the aforementioned information and consider the current transmission of Hong Kong’s ICH to prepare a proposal that is in accord with the actual situation of Hong Kong. The proposal will cover the requirements for applicants for the status of ICH bearer or bearer organisation to follow, the mechanism and criteria for recognition, as well as a cancellation mechanism where applicable. The LCSD will consult the ICH Advisory Committee on the draft proposal to ensure that a set of stringent recognition mechanism and criteria suitable for Hong Kong is formulated to effectively recognise high-quality bearers or bearer organisations that are committed to transmitting ICH, thereby enhancing the protection and transmission of Hong Kong’s ICH. The mechanism and criteria are expected to be promulgated within this year.

    (3) As regards intellectual property based on ICH, the ICH Office has actively assisted cultural and creative industry brands in Hong Kong in launching creative cultural merchandise in recent years. For example, it has co-operated with a local fashion brand since 2024 to present Hong Kong’s ICH elements in a novel way to bring fashion lovers a series of new-style cheongsams that revitalise traditions, and clothing created with ICH elements. In addition to a publicity and promotional campaign launched in Hong Kong, fashion shows were organised in places outside of Hong Kong, such as London, Shanghai and Shenzhen, to showcase Hong Kong’s ICH. The ICH Office will continue to provide information on ICH for suitable cultural and creative industry brands to assist them in transforming ICH into value-‍added cultural and creative products through revitalisation.

         Furthermore, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the CSTB, through the CreateSmart Initiative, provides funding support and drives to foster cross-sectoral collaboration between local cultural and creative industries and ICH bearers, promote Hong Kong’s ICH at cultural and creative exhibitions and events staged in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and support Hong Kong designers to create cultural and creative products themed on ICH. These collaborations promote the ICH of Hong Kong, as well as facilitate the development of cultural and creative sectors as industries. Examples include the “Palace Museum Collections x Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage” Exhibition held during the Shenzhen Reading Month in November 2024 and the Hong Kong Reading Week in April 2025, the Hong Kong Pavilion themed “Strolling through Hong Kong: Intangible Cultural Heritage and Urban Memories” set up at Beijing International Book Fair in June 2025, and the Hong Kong’s ICH-themed new art toys created by Hong Kong original art toy designers to be showcased in the “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2025@Kuala Lumpur” in November 2025.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Development of “Zero Waste Bay Area”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ22: Development of “Zero Waste Bay Area” 
    Question:
     
         It is learnt that the Government is exploring with other Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to take forward the development of “Zero Waste Bay Area”, and that Guangdong and Hong Kong will tackle waste management issues through regional strategies and enhance regional recycling of recyclable materials in the GBA by leveraging each other’s competitive advantages and complementing strengths. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the specific work directions and strategies of the Special Panel for Building “Zero Waste Bay Area” established by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong in January this year, and the latest progress of its work;
     
    (2) given the opportunities arising from the “Zero Waste Bay Area”, how will the Government capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantage of connecting the country with the world to facilitate the development of green industries and a circular economy in the GBA, and whether it has assessed the difficulties and challenges that may arise in the process; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) whether the HKSAR Government has started to explore the arrangements for the cross-boundary transportation of waste to other Mainland cities in the GBA, such as the mode of transport (i.e. sea or land) and daily handling capacity; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,

    (1) According to the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Ecological Environmental Protection Plan” promulgated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government continuously works with the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to develop a “Zero Waste Bay Area” and explore regional co-operation models for achieving “Zero Waste City”. The Special Panel for Building “Zero Waste Bay Area” (the Special Panel) was established by Guangdong and Hong Kong at the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection and Combating Climate Change meeting held in January this year, serving as a standing mechanism for advancing solid waste management and resources circulation co-operation between the two places, thereby strengthening policy co-ordination, technical exchanges and project collaboration, as well as elevating the capability in jointly handling solid waste.
     
         The first meeting of the Special Panel, held on March 27 this year, was co-chaired by the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government and the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province. It mainly focused on exploring strategies leveraging on the complementary advantages of the region, to promote resources circulation of recyclable materials in the GBA and foster collaborative development of green industries and related facilities through deepening the collaboration by a joint “project-based” model. At present, the Special Panel has commenced initial discussions on topics such as regional co-operation in resources circulation and waste management policy, and is actively discussing how to promote the co-ordination of regulations and market integration between the two places.
     
    (2) and (3) The co-operation direction with the Mainland cities of the GBA is to promote resources circulation through the joint development of “Zero Waste City”, instead of transferring the municipal solid waste (MSW) to the Mainland cities of the GBA for treatment.
     
         Under the co-operation framework of the Special Panel, Hong Kong will fully capitalise on our distinctive advantage of having strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world to further deepen the co-operation with other Mainland cities of the GBA in areas such as developing a “Zero Waste City” and promoting resources circulation. Hong Kong will introduce advanced recycling technologies and large-scale industrial expertise from the Mainland on one hand; and integrate its international market environment with its mature environmental management system to jointly explore the development pathway of a regional circular economy on the other. For example, the paper pulping facility and the retired electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility currently under construction in EcoPark, Tuen Mun, both incorporate mature Mainland technologies to process local waste paper and retired EV batteries. This not only strengthens Hong Kong’s role in the regional green industry chain, but also fosters collaborative development of green technologies and mutually beneficial co-operation in the environmental industry of the GBA.
     
         As for the local treatment of MSW in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government is pressing ahead with the development of a network of advanced and highly efficient modern waste-to-energy facilities. The first modern incineration facility for treating MSW currently under construction near Shek Kwu Chau, I∙PARK1, will commence operation within this year. In addition, the HKSAR Government is pushing forward the development of I∙PARK2 at full steam. The open tender for the project was invited in last December and will close on July 18 this year. We will seek funding from the Legislative Council for the project in a timely manner.
    Issued at HKT 12:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: A look at Belconnen school upgrades

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Hawker Primary School’s newly built ramp winds through the school’s garden.

    In brief:

    • There is a lot of work happening at public schools in Belconnen.
    • This includes building a brand-new school, school upgrades and an oval refresh project.
    • This story gives an overview of this work.

    There’s a lot happening at public schools in the Belconnen region.

    From facilities upgrades to a brand-new school, we look at some of the work that’s:

    • been recently completed
    • currently taking place
    • planned.

    This work will ensure every child has access to great, accessible, sustainable facilities and infrastructure that support high-quality education in the ACT.

    Progress on Strathnairn School

    Construction is well underway on what will be the ACT’s 93rd public school.

    The new Strathnairn School will be co-located with an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.

    It will cater for:

    • 780 students from preschool to year 6
    • 130 ECEC places.

    The school’s foundation principal, Nicole Nicholson, and other executive staff have been announced.

    When will the school open?

    Strathnairn School will open in stages.

    • It will open for students in preschool to year 2 at the start of 2026.
    • It is expected students from all year levels will be able to attend in 2027.

    This will offer families in the Ginninderry region high-quality public education close to home.

    Who can enrol?

    The planned School Priority Enrolment Area (PEA) for the new school includes:

    • Strathnairn
    • Macnamara
    • Ginninderry Stage 3
    • a portion of new development in Holt, west of the golf course bounded by Fullston Way and Lionel Rose Street.

    Enrol your child at Strathnairn School

    Find out more about the school on the Built for CBR website

    The Strathnairn School site in May 2025

    Have your say on a refreshed Fraser oval

    The dryland oval beside Fraser Primary school is getting a refresh. This will make it more useful for students as a learning and play space.

    The community can use it too. Outside school hours, sporting groups and locals can head there for exercise, sports and recreation.

    Canberrans are now invited to share ideas on how best to refresh this popular space. Children and young people are encouraged to get involved.

    How to share your views

    Visit the YourSay Conversations website to take a survey and/or mark your ideas on an online map.

    You can do this until Wednesday, 13 August.

    The ACT Government has sought early ideas from staff and students at Fraser Primary School. Traditional Owners have also shared feedback on what is important to them in this new space.

    Your feedback will help shape a concept design for the refreshed oval. This will be shared through the YourSay platform.

    You will then have further opportunity to give feedback before the designs are finalised.

    Have your say now via the YourSay Conversations website.

    Fraser oval will be refreshed for both student and community use.

    Hawker Primary School upgrades

    Hawker Primary School students and staff are benefitting from recent upgrades.

    The school has welcomed new accessible car parking bays. There is also now a ramp leading to its entrance.

    The front office has had a makeover with:

    • a new two-door entrance
    • new furniture
    • LED lighting
    • upgrades to the sick bay and nearby toilet.

    The school now has a new printer facility room. Upgrades to the boardroom and principal’s office are also complete.

    This work has been completed as part of the ACT Government’s Asset Renewal Program.

    The Hawker Primary School front office has had a makeover.

    Upgrades ahead for Melba Copland Secondary School

    The 2025–26 ACT Budget includes support for the master planning, design and construction of priority upgrades at Melba Copland Secondary School.

    These will include an upgrade to the foyer at the College campus, and a plan for future works.

    Read more like this:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are working with children checks? Why aren’t they keeping kids safe at daycare?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosemary Sheehan, Professor of Social Work, Monash University

    Catherine Falls Commercial/ Getty Images

    Disturbing allegations have emerged about a Melbourne childcare worker, who has been charged with more than 70 offences, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material.

    Health authorities have urged about 1,200 children to get screening for potential infection.

    The man who has been charged, Joshua Dale Brown, had a valid working with children check.

    What is a working with children check? And how can they be reformed to keep children safe in the wake of yet more claims of abuse in childcare centres?



    Read more:
    Parents of kids in daycare are terrified following Melbourne abuse allegations. What can they do?

    Working with children checks

    Working with children checks are done on a state-by-state basis, but every jurisdiction approaches it in much the same way.

    In Victoria, it involves a simple application and proof of identity. There is no cost if it is for a voluntary position (for example, coaching your child’s soccer team) and a small fee if you are doing it as paid work (for example, as an early childhood educator or school teacher).

    It will then look at:

    • your criminal record in all Australian states and territories, including any charges, regardless of the outcome

    • your professional conduct as determined by groups such as the state’s institute of teaching

    • whether you’re required to report under sex offender legislation.

    But does it work?

    Regulation of the working with children check system is poor. Once you get your card, it lasts five years. There are no interim measures to check whether an offence has emerged in the meantime. So people can be flying under the radar.

    There is also a high threshold for issues to come to the surface. It might be possible for someone to have complaints made against them, that don’t reach the level of charges laid. These would not necessarily show up in a police check.

    On Wednesday, federal Education Minister Jason Clare said governments were working to improve information sharing between states “when there’s changes to people’s criminal history”.

    He also suggested there should be a national register of early childhood educators: “there’s a register for teachers; there’s not a register for educators in centres”.

    In 2015, the royal commission into child abuse did a specific report on working with children checks. It cautioned against an over-reliance on the checks. The report noted they can “provide a false sense of comfort to parents and communities”, who may believe people who have undergone the checks do not pose any risk to children.



    Read more:
    There’s a new ban on vaping in childcare centres, but what else do we need to keep kids safe?

    Employment history is important

    We need to have more checks in place beyond the police system.

    As the child abuse royal commission also noted in 2015, working with children checks are an “important tool” but only one component of making organisations safe for children.

    Employers must exercise due diligence in hiring staff, checking with previous employers, asking about staff performance, and ensuring proper staff supervision.

    According to the Victorian government, Brown worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne between January 2017 and May 2025. Some of this was casual work.

    This type of employment history – where someone has cycled through many employers – may be a red flag.

    If someone has such a fragmented employment history, it is difficult to check they can perform properly and appropriately in a role. It also goes against childcare wellbeing standards, which prioritise stability and continuity of care.

    How many staff are around?

    Supervision of staff is also important to keep children safe.

    There are set ratios for educators and children in childcare, depending on the ages of the children.

    But this may vary, depending on where children are in a centre. For example, does a child need particular help with toileting or have they had an accident or need first aid?

    Staff also need certain levels of qualifications to work in childcare centres. But there can be waivers if an individual is “actively working towards qualification” – so they may not have completed a formal childcare training certificate yet.

    We also need to make sure there is compulsory ongoing training for staff so they stay on top of best practice in terms of safety as well as education and care.

    The bigger question

    On Wednesday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen announced an urgent review into child safety.

    There are also growing calls for a national inquiry into childcare, including from National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds.

    She told the ABC, “child safety and wellbeing is not a priority in this country”.

    Any inquiry would need to look at the systemic factors that shape the provision of childcare as well as what checks and balances need to be in place.

    Brown worked at centres run by two major private childcare chains: Affinity Education and G8 Education. Both say they followed the required security protocols.

    About 70% of daycare centres in Australia are run by for-profit services, which on average employ fewer qualified staff and are rated lower by the national quality system. We need to closely examine why an essential social service to vulnerable people can be provided for private profit.

    The Victorian government has set up a dedicated website and advice line for parents whose children may have been involved in the alleged offences.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Lifeline on 131 114, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts (counselling and support for survivors of child sexual abuse) on 1800 272 831.

    Rosemary Sheehan receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is chair of Pathways Response Victoria, an organisation which receives complaints of abuse by officers of the Catholic Church.

    – ref. What are working with children checks? Why aren’t they keeping kids safe at daycare? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-working-with-children-checks-why-arent-they-keeping-kids-safe-at-daycare-260209

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Palestinian Occupied Territories – Five months of forced displacement and escalating humanitarian needs amid advancing annexation in the West Bank – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

    2 July, Jerusalem – More than 40,000 people in the northern West Bank remain forcibly displaced, cut off from their homes and left with very limited access to basic services and healthcare five months after the launch of the Israeli military operation ‘Iron Wall’. 

    This large-scale military campaign has seen Israeli forces raid and violently empty well-established refugee camps in northern West Bank. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that people are facing deteriorating health and living conditions, as the Israeli forces are still causing widespread destruction, and occupying the three refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams – preventing any return and barring access.

    “After five months, the military operation continues. The camps remain sealed off, with Israeli soldiers actively preventing anyone from entering. Families are still in limbo, and we’re worried that humanitarian needs will keep escalating,” says Simona Onidi, MSF project coordinator in Jenin and Tulkarem.

    To mark this grim milestone, MSF is releasing a new advocacy briefing note, Five Months Under Iron Wall, highlighting the human toll of prolonged displacement in the West Bank. The note draws on MSF’s field presence, operational data, and nearly 300 interviews conducted in mid-May across 17 locations where MSF works in northern West Bank, with forcibly displaced refugees from the three camps.

    Findings show that displacement-affected communities face growing instability and unmet needs such as access to healthcare and to regular food and water. Nearly half of the people spoken to have been forcibly displaced three or more times in four months, while nearly three out of four are unsure if they can stay where they currently are. Over a third report feeling unsafe where they currently reside. Mental health needs are also mounting, especially among women and children, as repeated displacement, uncertainty, and being violently displaced compound distress.

    “We live in a constant state of fear. Israeli forces frequently patrol the area near where I’m staying. My family and I keep our bags packed at all times, ready to flee if we’re displaced again.” – Displaced woman from Nur Shams Refugee Camp.

    MSF’s findings also reveal a disturbing pattern of violence and obstruction targeting displaced residents attempting to return to their homes in the camps, with over 100 incidents of indiscriminate violence reported. This includes shootings, assault, and detentions and is affecting people of all ages and genders. Some families found their homes burned, looted, or occupied; others were explicitly threatened and told never to come back. Returns are heavily restricted, with only limited time granted or access denied altogether.

    “When I came back to my home in the camp, it had been burned down — and my neighbour had been killed.” – Displaced man from Tulkarem Refugee Camp.

    One in three people could not reach a doctor when needed – mainly due to cost, distance, or lack of transport. Nearly half spoken to report inconsistent access to food and water, and 35 per cent of those with chronic illnesses are unable to get regular medication.

    In response to the unfolding crisis, MSF set up mobile medical teams which run in more than 40 public sites, displacement shelters in Jenin and Tulkarem and basic health care centres run by Ministry of Health facilities, offering basic health care services as well as mental health support and health promotion activities.

    The Iron Wall military operation is neither the beginning nor the end of the violence endured by Palestinians in the West Bank. This latest escalation comes on top of an already dire situation that has been steadily deteriorating, particularly since October 2023. As MSF’s February 2025 report Inflicting Harm and Denying Care shows, the West Bank has long been the site of repeated violations against civilians and medical organisations, and the current humanitarian crisis in the northern governorates cannot be understood in isolation from the broader context of coercive, violent measures and annexation.

    “What we’re seeing in the northern West Bank is not just a humanitarian emergency; it’s a man-made crisis, prolonged by design, and worsening by the day,” says Simona Onidi. “Humanitarian assistance is insufficient and inconsistent, organisations must step up their response to provide people with shelter, medical care, mental health support, and protection. We also call for an end to the Israeli military operations and lethal use of force, leading to death and injuries, and for displaced communities to be allowed to return safely and with dignity”.

     

    “Five Months Under Iron Wall: The Human Toll of Prolonged Displacement & Territorial Fragmentation in the West Bank” ( https://www.msf.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/202506_Briefing_Note_Iron_Wall_5_Months_After%201.pdf )

     

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Statement on Israel’s Blacklisting of DAWN to Stifle Accountability for War Crimes

    Source: DAWN

    (July 1, 2025 Washington, D.C.)  In response to reports of a new Israeli directive to ban employees of DAWN, along with other respected human rights and legal advocacy organizations including Al-Haq Europe, Law for Palestine, and Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR), from entering Israel, aiming to punish and suppress accountability efforts for war crimes, apartheid, and genocide, DAWN issues the following:

    “Israel is now banning human rights organizations from even entering the country to expose and seek accountability for the atrocities and crimes it is committing,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, DAWN’s executive director. “Israel’s ban against organizations seeking accountability for IDF abuses is only the latest indication of its growing isolation in the international community” 

    “Israel’s decision to blacklist DAWN is a desperate attempt to block scrutiny of its crimes against the Palestinian people,” said Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at DAWN. “We will not be intimidated by authoritarian tactics and will continue our work to expose Israel’s violations of international law until there is full accountability and justice.”

    “It’s hard to imagine greater validation of DAWN’s work to hold accountable Israeli officials and soldiers than being banned from entering the country specifically because of that work,” said Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, director for Israel-Palestine at DAWN. “This is nevertheless a worrying harbinger of even greater Israeli repression of human rights defenders, be they Palestinian, Israeli, or American.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –