NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Whitecap Resources Inc. to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSX: WCP; OTCQX: WCPRF), a leading Canadian oil & natural gas company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market.

    Whitecap Resources Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “WCPRF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    About Whitecap Resources Inc.
    Whitecap Resources Inc. is a leading Canadian oil & natural gas company focused on the development of high impact resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Whitecap’s objective is to deliver significant returns to shareholders through a combination of profitable organic growth, a sustainable base dividend, opportunistic share repurchases, and investment grade financial strength.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.
    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited™ Market. Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peter Kyle’s speech at Google Cloud Summit London

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Peter Kyle’s speech at Google Cloud Summit London

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, delivered a speech at Google Cloud Summit London on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

    Thank you for having me, and thanks also for acknowledging the GOV.UK App, which I’m sure you’ve all downloaded.

    If you haven’t already, then you should be doing so now. And I don’t if you’re looking down at your phones while I’m speaking, if what you’re doing is downloading the GOV.UK App – which is already outselling the Bible on the app store, I’m reliably told.

    When I came into office a year ago, I was told to deliver an App, with a digital wallet, with a chatbot, and with a digital driving licence attached to it, I was told it couldn’t be done in one parliament, that it couldn’t be done in one 5 year period.

    My response was I’m sure Google and others don’t take that long to design and deploy their technology. Let me see a timeline.

    The timeline came back to me a week later, and it was now 3 years.

    We did all of this, the start of the deployment of GOV.UK App, within one year of government.

    Within 15 months, all of those services I’ve just outlined will be deployed and put to the benefit of citizens right around the country.

    And that for me is a source of huge pride, because we’ve used technology to wrap services around individual citizens needs.

    Right now, as all of you know, too often citizens are being wrapped around the needs of services themselves.

    And this is a profound change as we go forward.

    Now, sometimes I’m accused of being “too close to big tech”.

    And I could have no better place to have this argument out on the table with you now.

    In May, The Guardian criticised me for meeting with the sector 70% more than my predecessor. Now, to this crime, I plead guilty.

    In truth that was just 28 times over the course of a 6-month period, that equates to around twice a week over that time.

    As Technology Secretary I simply will not apologise for meeting with technology companies – that is the job.

    Just as meeting with the families of victims of social media, regulators, founders, overseas governments and the creative sector, it’s all part and parcel of what I’m paid to do on behalf of the people’s government.

    But I don’t do these meetings just because I’m paid to do it.

    I do them because they matter:

    keeping children safe or from social media – it matters;

    making sure Britain is the best prepared for developments at the frontier of AI – that matters;

    and securing better deals for the taxpayer for the billions of pounds spent every year on software, cloud services, devices and information technology – that matters.

    So today, I’m here to acknowledge our agreement for an entirely new way of working with Google – and how that will impact our public services.

    It’s an agreement that recognises our value as the UK government as a huge client to their organisation.

    And how important their technology is to help us deliver the changes to public services to make them more in-touch and more in-tune with citizens. And better value for money for taxpayers.

    The agreement signals and signifies our determination to exploit the full potential of a partnership between government and Google, with much more collaboration between their UK AI lab, DeepMind, and my own AI developers in my department, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology with a new digital centre of government.

    We’ve already used Gemini to build “Extract”, a specialist AI tool to help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes.

    It could be pivotal in our plans to stop bureaucracy from holding up the construction and ultimately help us build 1.5 million homes that we’ve pledged over this parliament.

    We know that tools using the same technology are capable of transforming Whitehall itself, the NHS, and other essential services that millions of people across our country rely on.

    So, with more hands-on support, I can’t wait to see what our 2 teams deliver together.

    Google are also aiming to train up 100,000 public sector professionals with the skills that they need to use this technology by 2030.

    That’s going to help us hit the target the Prime Minister set earlier this year, where we’ve committed to double the number of digital experts across government…

    …essential to shaking up decades old processes and making public services work in the way people expect services to work in the 2020s – whether that’s in the NHS, policing, benefits or tax.

    And, perhaps most importantly, we are looking to the sector to help shake off the legacy technology that costs the taxpayer an absolute fortune and leaves us vulnerable to outages and to cyberattacks.

    More than one in 4 public sector systems run on this “ball and chain” tech – rising to 70% in some police forces and NHS trusts.

    With contracts signed decades ago, and a high costs of exit, we’ve seen a few tech companies really taking liberties with the public sector.

    In the worst cases, contracts have made it impossible for public sector organisations to move on. They’ve locked up their data up in vulnerable, archaic servers…

    …only to have the price of maintaining the tech hiked up, year-on- year, with no sign of light at the end of the tunnel.

    Now, as Technology Secretary, I am determined to break free from these costly chains once and for all.

    Through agreements like this we can transition public sector organisations trapped by the ball and chain of legacy products and services, and to migrate to the cloud.

    That move alone will liberate public service organisations and use the latest technology, and more freely explore the wider market moving forward. That is what I am determined to do.

    All in all, this partnership could see Google invest hundreds of millions of pounds in Britain’s public sector technology.

    Helping to deliver my ambition to bring the public services people use every day, drag it into the 21st century.

    Without deals like this in place, we had hundreds of public sector organisations…

    …police forces, NHS trusts, local councils, government departments and many, many more…

    They were simply just going it alone in negotiations with big tech companies.

    And they just don’t have the experience and market clout they need to drive the best deal for taxpayers.

    They end up paying the full shop-front rate or even being entirely mis-sold tech that doesn’t work for them in the first place.

    But they’re all buying on behalf of the same client: you, the British taxpayer.

    And that taxpayer is footing the bill for an annual £21 billion for buying the same technology time and time again.

    That’s why I’m determined to secure a new deal for buying tech for the British taxpayer.

    For too long, too many governments haven’t done enough to build the positive business relationships that Britain needs to prevent the taxpayer being short changed when it comes to procuring tech – from healthcare services, policing systems right through to benefits processes, and bin collections, right down to street sweeping.

    Just as with Google on this strategy, when I negotiate with Tech companies, I am negotiating on behalf of the British taxpayer.

    Britain will be using technology in more areas and more than ever before.

    So, my message to big technology companies is clear: bring us your best ideas, bring us your best tech, and bring it at the best price.

    In return, you’ll get access to the biggest client in the country, one that will be increasingly intelligent and increasingly digital.

    And as we start to operate as a more intelligent buyer of technology, new opportunities are going to emerge.

    The first one that I’m pushing for, is to make sure that, whenever possible, UK technology companies- large and small – get a fair shot at winning a contract.

    Our upcoming marketplace – the national digital exchange – will make sure more and more UK tech companies can get their slice of the £21 billion pie.

    That means more money for companies operating here in the UK, workers and founders.

    It will help us to achieve the economic growth upon which Britain’s future prosperity lies. And it will improve the public services on which British citizens depend.

    Now I want to acknowledge the foresight of Google in signing this key agreement, and I want more to follow. I want it to stimulate many similar co-operation agreements with the full range of international and domestic technology companies.

    That is in the interests of higher economic growth, more jobs, better public services and greater value for taxpayers.

    Thank you very much for having me along today.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster’s green makeover: £500,000 funding boost for public spaces | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council has selected 16 local projects to receive funding through its Greening Westminster grants programme — a community-led initiative to make the city’s public spaces greener, healthier, and more welcoming. 
     
    This year, almost £500,000 has been awarded to a range of local groups and partner organisations to deliver green projects in parks, on highways and housing estates.   

    From tree planting and pollinator-friendly flowers to edible gardens and greener play areas, the chosen projects showcase a creative, community-driven approach to bring more nature into Westminster’s built-up urban environment. 

     The Greening Westminster programme is a key part of the Council’s Fairer Westminster strategy, which helps improve the environment and supports communities to make positive changes in their neighbourhoods. The programme also aims to give residents greater access to high-quality green spaces that benefit their health and wellbeing.  

     Projects include:  

    • The Onion Garden (Victoria): Adding more plants and wildlife features to a popular community garden.
    • Charfield Court in Bloom  (Amberley Estate): Residents are adding greenery to their housing estate.
    • Covent Garden Playground: Making the playground greener with plants and showcasing a sustainable approach
    • University of Westminster: Improving green spaces on campus and along Marylebone Road.
    • North Paddington Food Bank – The Roots Garden Kitchen: Creating a garden to grow food for the community by the community.  
    • Parish of St Marylebone: Turning church gardens into greener, more welcoming public spaces.
    • Paddington Now BID: Putting up flower baskets with pollinator-friendly plants on Eastbourne Terrace. 

    Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said:  

    “We’re proud to support these inspiring community-led projects that will help make Westminster greener, healthier, and more welcoming for everyone.  

    “By working together with local groups, we’re transforming public spaces into vibrant places that bring people closer to nature and to each other, which is part of our Fairer Environment commitment.” 

    For more information and a full list of funded projects, visit: 
    www.westminster.gov.uk/greening-westminster 

    ENDS 

    • The Council received 20 applications for its Greening Westminster grants programme and approved 16  
    • Since 2017, Greening Westminster has supported 51 projects across Westminster  

    The 16 recipients who have successfully been awarded funding: 

    Walterton and Elgin Community Homes (WECH) 
    Parish of St Marylebone
    Covent Garden Playground
    St Augustine’s School
    St Barnabas Church
    St Stephens Church 
    North Paddington food bank
    The Onion Garden
    University of Westminster
    Stone Wharf Gardens
    Charfield Court Resident Group – Amberley Estate 
    Grosvenor Residents Association – Edric House
    Hallfield Estate
    Oldham’s Walk
    Community 4 All – Lydford Hall garden

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Safeguarding employment of local workers

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Luk Chung-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
     
    Question:
     
         According to the general requirements of the sector-specific labour importation schemes and the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), employers shall fulfil a manning ratio of 2:1 for full-time local employees to imported workers (the manning ratio), and the ESLS also requires applicant employers to undertake a four-week local recruitment exercise and accord priority to employing suitable local workers to fill the job vacancies. However, some workers have reflected that some employers have taken advantage of the loopholes in the relevant policies to dismiss local workers or switch them from full-time to part-time after submitting their labour importation applications to the Labour Department (LD), and some employers even have no intention of recruiting local workers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that in the reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on 18th of last month, the Government indicated that upon completion of the four-week local recruitment procedures, the LD would contact each of the local job seekers who was not employed by the employers and assess whether the employers are genuinely committed to recruiting local workers, of the number of contacts made by the LD with job seekers who were not employed since the launch of the ESLS, and the reasons for the relevant employers’ refusal to employ them; the criteria adopted by the LD for assessing the validity of the employer’s reasons for refusal to recruit;

    (2) whether it has taken the initiative to investigate if employers have made “excessive demands” on local job seekers (i.e. excessively high recruitment thresholds and heavy workload but relatively low salary, etc); if so, of the number of investigations conducted by the LD and the follow-up actions taken; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) of the mechanism in place to monitor whether employers have strictly adhered to the requirement for conducing four-week local recruitment; whether employers will be required to, before applying for the ESLS, publish the job vacancies on the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website and retain for at least four weeks;

    (4) since 2023, (i) of the number of labour importation applications rejected by the LD due to the failure of the information submitted by the employers to meet the manning ratio; and (ii) of the number of complaints received by the LD regarding employers allegedly failing to continuously meet the manning ratio, the follow-up actions and the corresponding penalties;

    (5) since 2023, of the respective numbers of (a) surprise and (b) non-surprise inspections conducted by the LD (i) at workplaces with imported workers, and (ii) cases detected and follow-up actions taken in respect of non-compliance with the manning ratio requirement, with a breakdown as set out in the table below; and
     

    Year (a) (b)
    (i) (ii) (i) (ii)
    2023        
    2024        
    Since 2025        

     
    (6) of the measures in place to combat the non-compliant acts under various labour importation schemes in order to prevent abuse of the labour importation policy; whether employers will be required to report to the LD the number, name, working hour, wage and so on of their local employees and imported workers on a monthly basis after their labour importation applications have been approved; if so, of the details; if not, not reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,

         To cope with the challenges brought by manpower shortage and on the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government has enhanced the mechanism for importation of labour. Apart from launching sector-specific labour importation schemes for the construction sector, transport sector, and residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities, the Labour Department (LD) has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 4, 2023, to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years.

         The reply to the Member’s question is as follows:

    (1) To safeguard the employment priority for local workers, applicant employers of the ESLS must undertake a four-week local open recruitment and accord priority to employing qualified local workers to fill the vacancies at a salary not lower than the prevailing median monthly wage of a comparable position in the market. Upon employers’ completion of the local recruitment procedures, the LD will contact each of the unsuccessful local job seekers to verify the interview details and confirm if the reasons for not employing the job seekers as reported by the employers are consistent with the facts and reasonable, so as to assess whether the employers have sincerity in recruiting local workers. The most common reason for job seekers not being employed is failing to meet the entry requirements, such as not having relevant work skills and lacking relevant experience.  Depending on the circumstances, the LD will contact each unsuccessful job seeker several times to follow up on the interview results.

    (2) and (3) The LD stringently processes each application under the ESLS, and conducts initial screening for each applied post and reviews the employment terms, including the scope of duties, entry and academic requirements, work locations, monthly salary and hours of work, to ensure that the salary offered by an employer meets the median monthly wage and the recruitment terms are reasonable.

         After passing the initial screening, employers shall adopt the recruitment terms as agreed by the LD and undergo four-week local recruitment. During this period, the LD will publish the job vacancies on the Interactive Employment Service website, conduct job matching for relevant vacancies and disseminate the vacancy information to members of the Labour Advisory Board, relevant trade unions and training institutions to facilitate their referrals of suitable local job seekers for application. Employers shall in parallel place recruitment advertisements in local newspaper(s) or on other recruitment platform(s). The ESLS requires that employers taking on local job seekers through any recruitment channels during the local recruitment period must not offer employment terms less favourable than those agreed by the LD, nor can they impose on job seekers any restrictive requirements such as age or gender, or other entry requirements not approved by the LD.

        Upon completion of the local recruitment procedures, employers shall report the results and submit the recruitment advertisements to the LD for verification. The LD will contact each of the local job seekers who is not employed to verify the interview details. If there is evidence showing that an employer has violated the requirements of local recruitment or refused to employ qualified local job seekers without reasonable grounds, the LD will terminate the processing of the relevant application. The LD will also impose administrative sanction on the employer and refuse to process any other application(s) submitted by the concerned employer in the following year.

    (4) The ESLS requires relevant employers to meet the manning ratio requirement of full-time local employees to imported workers of 2:1 (manning ratio requirement) on a continuous basis. Full-time employees refer to local employees who are directly employed by an employer and work not less than 35 hours per week for operating the relevant business, excluding part-time staff, staff of subcontractors or self-employed persons providing services to the employer. From September 4, 2023, to June 2025, the LD refused 29 applications for labour importation that failed to meet the manning ratio requirement. In addition, the number of imported workers approved for each application must also comply with the manning ratio mentioned above.

         From September 4, 2023, to April 2025, the LD did not receive any complaint against employers for non-compliance with the manning ratio requirement. As for the 31 related complaints received between May and June 2025, the LD is conducting investigation, including inspecting the workplaces of imported workers and verifying relevant employment records. If violation of the requirement is substantiated, the LD will impose administrative sanction and refuse to process other application(s) submitted by the employer in the following year.

    (5) and (6) In 2023, 2024 and from January to May 2025, Labour Inspectors of the LD conducted 5 695, 5 417 and 2 873 inspections respectively to workplaces of imported workers and imported workers’ accommodation provided by employers in Hong Kong to protect the employment rights of imported workers. The LD will not give prior notice to the responsible persons of relevant premises before conducting workplace inspections.

        Since June 17 this year, the LD has implemented a series of new measures to strengthen the protection of the employment priority for local workers, including launching an online complaint form on the ESLS dedicated webpage to enable local employees and imported workers to lodge complaints against employers for suspected breaches of the requirements of the ESLS, displaying the names of applicant companies when publishing job vacancies on the Interactive Employment Service website, launching a special inspection campaign to check whether establishments employing imported workers have continuously met the manning ratio requirement, and requiring employers to report information on full-time local employees and imported workers as well as the relevant manning ratios based on a risk-based approach.

        To safeguard the employment priority for local workers, the ESLS requires employers not to displace local workers with imported workers and meet the manning ratio requirement on a continuous basis. In the event of redundancy, imported workers should be retrenched first. If there is evidence substantiating violation of the requirement of the ESLS, the LD will impose administrative sanction on the employers, including withdrawal of approvals for importation of labour previously granted and refusal to process other applications submitted by the employers (debarment period up to two years), etc.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: Arrangement for approving property lettings under Mortgage Insurance Programme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Louis Loong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
     
    Question:
     
         In order to help homeowners under the Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) meet their special needs arising from changes in personal or family circumstances, the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMC) announced in August last year a new arrangement, in which a waiver of the owner occupancy requirement under MIP will be granted, on a case-by-case basis, to an eligible homeowner applying for renting out the property subject to the fulfilment of one of the following three conditions: (i) the homeowner’s family is expecting newborn(s) or adopting child(ren), resulting in a change in housing needs; (ii) the homeowner has become unemployed and requires more flexible housing or financial arrangements; or (iii) the homeowner has other special needs to rent out the property, and has been residing in the relevant property for not less than 12 months. In addition, homeowners whose applications are approved will be subject to undertakings that so long as the waiver is in effect, they or their spouses or cohabitants who are also obligors under the MIP should not purchase any additional residential properties in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the respective numbers of applications received and approved for waiver of the owner occupancy requirement by HKMC on the basis of the conditions (i), (ii) and (iii); and
     
    (2) whether consideration will be given to the enhancement of the existing arrangement to provide further assistance to homeowners under MIP who wish to seek alternative accommodation by waiving their restriction on purchasing additional residential properties in Hong Kong for a period of up to 12 months, so as to give them a window of time to dispose of their properties under MIP upon acquisition of new properties; if not, of the reason for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) is administered by the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) for promoting home ownership in Hong Kong. In August 2024, the HKMCI put in place a new arrangement under the MIP to approve on a case-by-case basis eligible homeowners’ applications for renting out their self-occupied properties, so as to help them meet their special needs arising from changes in personal or family circumstances (new arrangement).
     
         After consulting the HKMCI, our reply to the two parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) As of end-June 2025, the HKMCI has received about 1 800 applications for the new arrangement. Among them, 1 697 applications were approved, while the remaining applications were either rejected for not meeting the eligibility requirements or are under processing. The breakdowns of the applications approved are as follows:
     

    Reason for application Number
    The homeowner’s family is expecting newborn(s) or
    adopting child(ren), resulting in a change in housing needs    		 336
    (20%)
    The homeowner has become unemployed and requires more
    flexible housing or financial arrangements    		 41
    (2%)
    The homeowner has other special needs to rent out his/her property, and has been residing in the relevant property for
    not less than 12 months    		 1 320
    (78%)
    Total 1 697
    (100%)

     
    (2) As the aim of the MIP is to promote home ownership, the owner occupancy requirement remains a key eligibility criterion of the MIP. The new arrangement is an exceptional measure that seeks to assist those with special needs. In fact, the MIP by nature is an insurance product, with credit risk being one of the key factors of consideration. If homeowners who have been given consent to rent out their properties under the MIP are allowed to purchase additional residential properties without having sold their existing ones, it is likely for the respective homeowners to take on extra financing liabilities on top of their current high loan-to-value ratio mortgage loans. This will bring additional credit risk to the MIP.
     
         The new arrangement has been launched for around one year and operating smoothly, offering substantial assistance to homeowners with special needs. The HKMCI has no plan to make changes to the new arrangement at the moment, and will keep the MIP under review from time to time in the light of the market circumstances.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Hong Kong elderly people spending retirement years in the Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Erik Yim and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):

    Question:

         The 2024 Policy Address proposes to strengthen elderly services and foster an elderly-friendly building environment. There are views pointing out that the choice of Hong Kong elderly persons to spend their retirement years in the Mainland, particularly other Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), can not only improve elderly persons’ quality of life, but also free up valuable living space in Hong Kong and ease the burden of public welfare on the Government. Moreover, amid the recent significant adjustments in property prices in the Mainland, such as areas like Huidong County in Huizhou and Shaxi Town in Zhongshan, some members of the public have proposed that the SAR Government may study the construction or purchase of buildings in the Mainland with better views, affordable rents, and more spacious and brighter interiors at lower costs for use as public rental housing (PRH), so as to provide Hong Kong elderly people with new opportunities to spend their retirement years in the Mainland. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it will consider acquiring vacant properties pending sale in the Mainland cities of GBA for use as PRH flats with which the elderly people can replace their existing PRH flats in Hong Kong, thereby encouraging them to spend their retirement years in the Mainland cities of GBA; if so, of the details;

    (2) given that at present, under the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, arrangements can be made for patients to be transferred directly from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong in a point-to-point mode, whether the Government will further deepen the collaboration mechanism concerned by expanding the scope of the pilot scheme this year to cover other major cities in GBA and include emergency cases, so that emergency transport to Hong Kong can be arranged when necessary for elderly patients retiring in such cities, with a view to increasing the incentive for them to go north for retirement; and

    (3) whether it will strengthen collaboration with the Mainland cities of GBA, such as jointly promoting remote diagnosis and AI medical consultation, to enhance healthcare service efficiency, as well as driving the development of gerontechnology and relevant industries, thereby better supporting Hong Kong people in spending their retirement years in such Mainland cities?

    Reply:

    President,

         The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been following the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits to enhance co-operation with Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), on the premise of benefitting the development of Hong Kong and the Mainland, so as to provide more options and convenience for Hong Kong residents who choose to work, reside or retire on the Mainland.

         Having consulted the Housing Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority (HA), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Erik Yim is as follows:

    (1) The Housing Bureau has all along been supporting the implementation of various strategies and policies to cope with an ageing population. In order to strengthen the support to those who choose to retire on the Mainland, the Housing Bureau makes flexible arrangement for elderly public rental housing (PRH) residents who are required to surrender their PRH flats or delete their names from the tenancies upon receiving portable cash assistance. Considering Hong Kong elderly persons may encounter adaptation issues after moving to the Mainland, the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society allow elderly persons to retain their PRH flats or their names in the tenancies for no more than six months, with the grace period starting from the date of the elderly persons’ departure from Hong Kong. The above measure could address elderly persons’ concern about moving to the Mainland and help release PRH flats for turnover.

    (2) The study on the provision of land-based cross-boundary transfer for non-emergency and non-critically ill patients and the exploration of rolling out a pilot co-operation scheme for cross-boundary referral of patients between designated hospitals were put forward in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR also put forward in his 2023 Policy Address the initiative to explore cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements between hospitals in the GBA. With the support of various national ministries, the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Macao SAR Government, officially launched the one-year Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme) on November 30, 2024.

         The Pilot Scheme starts by arranging direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer of patients from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao (i.e. the University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. Upon assessment and agreement by the teams of designated cross-boundary collaborating hospitals, arrangements can be made for patients with specific clinical needs and suitable clinical conditions (including that the conditions are relatively stable) to be transferred directly to Hong Kong between designated hospitals in a point-to-point mode without the handover of patients between ambulances at boundary control points, thus minimising risks posed to patients during transfer. Indeed, persons with urgent medical needs should receive treatment at the nearest medical facility. Therefore, the Pilot Scheme does not cover emergency cases.

         Subject to the effectiveness and operational experience of the Pilot Scheme, the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will consider how to extend the Pilot Scheme, such as including more designated hospitals (including those in GBA Mainland cities other than Shenzhen) and/or extending the Pilot Scheme to a two-way arrangement.

    (3) As mentioned above, the HKSAR Government will follow the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits to strengthen the collaboration with Mainland cities of the GBA. Indeed, the resources, needs, relevant laws and regulations, and regulatory regimes differ between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The HKSAR Government will explore cross-boundary facilitation measures on the premise that these cross-boundary measures are feasible and mutually beneficial.

         Specifically, the Government has been implementing various measures to facilitate the retirement of Hong Kong elderly persons in Mainland cities of the GBA, including providing subsidised residential care services and portable cash assistance. Among them, the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong provides an additional choice for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons to receive subsidised residential care services. The Labour and Welfare Bureau signed a “Letter of Intent on Collaboration to Expand the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong” with the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province in November 2023 to co-operate in selecting suitable residential care homes for the elderly operated by Mainland organisations in Mainland cities of the GBA for joining the Scheme. With the assistance of the relevant authorities, the number of residential care homes for the elderly in Guangdong joining the Scheme has increased to 15, scattering in six Mainland cities within the GBA. The Government has, starting from this May, commissioned a non-governmental organisation to provide Social and Care Support Service for the elderly participants of the Scheme and their families, and will launch a two-year pilot arrangement by the end of this year to share part of the medical expenses that the elderly participants of the Scheme need to bear on their own under the National Basic Medical Insurance Policy.

         In terms of healthcare services, the public or subsidised healthcare services provided by the HKSAR Government are based on catering for the needs of local Hong Kong residents, rather than the healthcare needs of Hong Kong residents on the Mainland or overseas. Nevertheless, the Government has been actively promoting GBA healthcare collaboration in recent years to provide Hong Kong residents, who regularly travel to and from Mainland cities in the GBA for work or living, with additional choices of subsidised healthcare services comparable to those in Hong Kong at designated service points on the Mainland. Such measures, however, are not intended to fully cater for the healthcare services required by Hong Kong residents who choose to settle on the Mainland. Examples include:

    (i) The Government launched the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme in 2024 to extend the coverage of the Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs) to seven integrated medical/dental institutions in Mainland cities of the GBA, offering more convenience and flexibility for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons by providing more service points in the GBA for them to better use their EHCVs on primary healthcare services to improve health conditions. The Government announced this May to extend the said Pilot Scheme and to increase 12 additional pilot medical institutions to cover all nine Mainland cities in the GBA. Among the 12 additional pilot medical institutions, four (viz. two located in Zhuhai and one each in Zhongshan and Guangzhou) launched the service on June 26 and July 9 respectively, while another two new service points in Foshan will launch the service on July 17. It is expected that the remaining six pilot medical institutions will launch the service gradually in the second half of this year. By then, together with the two existing service points operated by the HKU-SZH, eligible Hong Kong elderly persons can use the EHCVs at a total of 21 service points in Mainland cities of the GBA.

    (ii) The Government announced this March the extension of the Pilot Scheme for Supporting Patients of the HA in the GBA till March 31, 2026, with a view to enabling eligible patients of the HA to choose to receive subsidised consultation services at the designated collaborating healthcare institution in the GBA. The Scheme aims to provide Hong Kong people with more choices when receiving HA’s services, and is currently applicable to the HKU-SZH. The Government and the HA will evaluate the effectiveness and the scope of services of this Pilot Scheme each year and make necessary adjustments in a timely manner.

    (iii) In order to enhance the continuity of medical care for elderly persons through facilitating their secure use of electronic health records across the boundary, the Government has progressively launched the new functions of “Cross-boundary Health Record” and “Personal Folder” of the eHealth mobile application (eHealth App) at the HKU-SZH and the seven medical institutions under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme since July 2024. The two functions have will be progressively extended to the new medical institutions under the said Pilot Scheme this year. In addition, elderly persons and their carers can also use the eHealth App to check their EHCV balance and usage record, as well as access at any time important information stored in the eHealth App, such as their medications, allergies and adverse drug reactions.

         Separately, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Healthcare Security Administration promulgated the Interim Measures for Participation in Social Insurance by Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents on the Mainland in 2019, allowing eligible Hong Kong residents to participate in the national health insurance schemes on the Mainland.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Final preparations underway for commissioning of newly constructed temporary water mains at Ping Che Road on Sunday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    To decommission water mains with bitumen lining at Ping Che Road, which supplies water to the area of Queen’s Hill, the preparations for connecting the temporary water mains will enter a final stage this Saturday (July 12) for its commissioning on Sunday (July 13), the Water Supplies Department announced.

    The WSD is thankful for the co-operation of various sectors of the community and road users, which has facilitated the full expedition and completion of the project on laying new temporary water mains as scheduled over a two-week time period.

    The WSD will carry out a number of work processes on Saturday to connect the new water mains to the existing water supply system. Those processes include closing the existing valves, draining off the water in the water supply system, changing pipe fittings and welding the fittings to the new water mains, reopening the valves in phases and thoroughly flushing the water supply system. During the construction period, the water supply will have to be temporarily suspended so that the water supply route can be diverted to the newly laid temporary water mains.

    To expedite the work processes so that the temporary water suspension duration can be shortened, the WSD will mobilise a workforce of about 200 to carry out the water main connection works during off-peak water usage hours, from 10pm on Saturday to 8am on Sunday, during which time the supply of fresh and flushing water to residents at the areas of Queen’s Hill will be temporarily suspended. Affected areas will include Queens Hill Estate, Shan Lai Court, as well as 68 villages located at Sha Tau Kok Road (from Hung Leng Tsuen to Sha Tau Kok Town), Ping Che Road (from Hung Leng Tsuen to Wun Chuen Sin Kwoon), Ng Chow Road, Wo Keng Shan Road and Luk Keng. Since Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court have water tanks acting as buffers, the actual duration of the water suspension may be shortened from 11pm on Saturday to 7am on Sunday.

    Owing to the above situation, the WSD appealed to affected consumers to finish major daily cleaning and store water as needed before 10pm on Saturday. During the water suspension period, the WSD will provide sufficient temporary water supply which includes:

    • A total of 28 water tanks will be placed (before noon on Saturday) in Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court with the assistance of the Housing Department; 
    • Co-operation with the North District Office (NDO) of the Home Affairs Department and placement of water tanks (before noon on Saturday) at 26 temporary water supply collection points in the affected rural areas; and
    • As some villages are remote with scattered populations, it may not be convenient for the residents to collect water at the designated water tanks. Therefore, the WSD, with the assistance of the NDO, will provide large bottled water to the affected villages through various distribution points. 

    Please see the Annex for the affected premises or villages, relevant locations of water tanks and distribution points of large bottled water.

    To allow households to make early preparations, the WSD and the NDO have communicated with members of the North District Council, Rural Committees and Care Teams on the arrangements of the water suspension to put in place appropriate assistance measures for affected households. These measures include progressively distributing water suspension leaflets and affixing notices at conspicuous locations, and visiting households in need and social welfare organisations to remind them of making arrangements ahead of the suspension. Moreover, Care Teams will set up street counters again this weekend at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court to provide the latest information and assistance. As for the rural areas, Care Teams will set up street counters at the community halls in Sha Tau Kok Town and Ta Kwu Ling. Residents in need may also seek assistance from Care Teams by phone or instant messaging applications.

    Before the resumption of the water supply by 8am Sunday, the WSD will flush the related water mains to ensure that the water quality is clear. When the water supply resumes, drinking water in the water mains may contain more air which will form numerous air bubbles, thus making the water look milky. Individual consumers may encounter milky or slightly turbid water in the early stage of the water resumption, which is normal. The WSD suggests that consumers first remove strainers of water taps, continuously run the taps for a few minutes and reinstall the strainers after the water becomes clear. Alternatively, consumers can let the water stand in a container for a while. The water will become clear again as the air bubbles dissipate.

    For enquiries regarding water supply matters, consumers may call the WSD’s 24-hour hotline: 2824 5000. Residents of Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court may also call the respective 24-hour hotline of the estate/court at 2537 0001 or 2713 9530.

    The WSD will also strive to replace the exposed temporary water mains which occupy part of the road with permanent underground water mains by end of this year. By that time, the section of temporary water mains will be relocated to other locations for reuse. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Roadside skips

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pui-leung and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):

    Question:

    There are views that roadside skips unlawfully occupying public roads not only affects the safety of road users, but also poses environmental hygiene problems. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the information on the enforcement actions taken by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Lands Department against roadside skips in the past five years, including the number of complaints or referrals received, the number of statutory notices posted or warnings issued to operators, as well as the number of skips removed; among them, the number of cases in which prosecutions were instituted and the number of convicted cases, as well as the relevant penalties imposed;

    (2) of the current utilisation situations of the four sites made available for use by the trade for storing skips; as the Government indicated in its reply to a question raised by this Council in May 2023 that the skip storage site in Tseung Kwan O Area 137 would become part of the new community, and that the Government would make arrangements in due course, of the progress of the relevant arrangements, including whether alternative sites will be identified for the operation of the skips trade; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as there are views that the regulation of roadside skips involves a number of government departments, whether the Government will consider assigning a designated department to take full responsibility so as to improve enforcement efficiency; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    Construction waste is generated from construction sites, buildings under maintenance and shops under renovation, which is then transported to landfills or public fill banks for handling. Before skips emerged in the market, most construction waste from construction and renovation sites were piled up at roadside before it was collected for delivery. This not only affected the environmental hygiene, but also caused nuisance to residents and pedestrians, and even affected the road safety. Skips could store relatively large quantity of waste, in particular, construction waste. Using skips can avoid waste being placed everywhere and help maintain a clean and hygienic environment and road safety. It also helps the construction and renovation industry handle construction waste in a neat and orderly way.

    Skips are primarily placed at site of use, such as construction sites, renovation sites, shopping malls, housing estates and designated locations nearby, to collect construction waste generated by construction or renovation works in the buildings nearby. Skips that are not being used need to be stored. According to the result of a questionnaire survey with the trade, there are about 1 500 roadside skips in Hong Kong. Among these, about half of them need to be stored while there is only storage space for 330 skips on four pieces of land provided. Under such a circumstance, some skip operators may place the skips at roadside or other improper locations.

    Management of skips involves various bureaux and departments. Through the Joint Working Group on Management of Roadside Skips (Working Group), the Government coordinates the work on enhancing management of roadside skips among the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Lands Department (LandsD), the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Home Affairs Department. Since skips placed on at roadside is also a problem of district concern, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration also looks into this problem with the bureaux and departments concerned through inter-departmental meetings. 

    In response to the question raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung, in consultation with the HKPF and the LandsD, a consolidated reply is as follows:

    (1) Currently, the HKPF handles complaints involving roadside skips in accordance with the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228). Over the past five years, the HKPF has received a total of 5 913 complaints about skips. Police officers will, in light of the circumstances at the scene, make assessments and issue advice and/or warnings to the skip operators concerned if found. In most cases, the operators would remove the skips on their own within hours after receiving the advice and/or warning, with five cases requiring the HKPF to engage contractors to remove the skips. A total of 18 cases were prosecuted under police summons and were convicted. The convicted persons were fined between $300 and $9,000 by the court.

    Over the past five years, the LandsD has received a total of 3 674 complaints concerning skips. Among these complaints, 3 per cent were referred by other departments (including the HKPF), and the other 97 per cent were lodged by the public. Within two working days upon receiving a complaint or referral, the LandsD will conduct an on-site inspection and post a notice according to Section 6 of the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28) requiring the person concerned to remove the skip and to stop occupying the government land before the specified deadline no less than one clear day, otherwise it will be removed by the LandsD’s contractor. Over the past five years, the LandsD has removed a total of 27 skips, with the remaining removed by relevant persons on their own before the deadlines.

    (2)  As mentioned above, there are about 1 500 skips in Hong Kong. Considering factors such as job rotations, the trade estimates that about 600 to 700 idling skips would require space for storage each day. At present, the Government has provided four sites to the trade for storage of idling skips through short-term tenancy mechanism. These sites are located at Pak Shing Kok, an area next to the Tseung Kwan O Area 137 (TKO 137) Fill Bank, Siu Lang Shui in Tuen Mun, and adjacent to Tsing Nam Street in Tsing Yi respectively, altogether providing storage space for a total of 330 skips. The site at Pak Shing Kok can store about 110 skips; the site next to the TKO 137 Fill Bank can store about 120 skips; the site at Siu Lang Shui in Tuen Mun can store about 80 skips; and the site at Tsing Nam Street in Tsing Yi can store about 20 skips.

    To tie in with the future residential development of TKO 137, according to the current development timetable, the site leased to the trade under short-term tenancy for storing skips is expected to be returned in the second quarter of 2026 the earliest. Meanwhile, the Government has completed the open tendering process for a site at Tsing Chau Wan on Lantau Island, which is initially expected to accommodate approximately 100 skips and to be awarded within this year. To further improve the situation that some skip operators placed their skips at roadside or other improper locations, the Working Group also strives to find more suitable sites for skip storage by the trade through short-term tenancy tenders.

    (3) The management of roadside skips involves works of different departments and various pieces of legislation. Hence, the Government has its reason and need to coordinate relevant departments’ work through the Working Group. The Government is adopting a multipronged approach and looking for more effective ways to improve the problem of improper placement of skips. At the current stage, the Government focuses on enhancing enforcement on illegally placed skips that pose safety risk to road users. 

    Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Korea-Hong Kong Business Luncheon (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Korea–Hong Kong Business Luncheon held in Seoul, Korea, today (July 9): 
     
    Mr Joo Yong-tae (Deputy Mayor for Economy, Seoul), Mr Kevin Lee (Director of the International Trade Division of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

         Annyeonghaseyo. Good afternoon. It is both a pleasure and honour to be here with you today in Seoul.
     
         Let me begin by extending my warmest greetings and heartfelt appreciation to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our ETO (Economic and Trade Office) colleagues for organising this luncheon.
     
    Hong Kong: good for business
     
         Allow me to start by offering a brief snapshot of where Hong Kong stands today.
     
         Hong Kong has been back on a path of growth following the global challenges of the pandemic.  In 2024, we recorded a GDP growth of 2.5 per cent. This year, despite continued global uncertainties from tariff war to geopolitical tensions, our economy recorded a 3.1 per cent growth in the first quarter. Our merchandise exports continued to register strong double-digit growth.
     
         Foreign businesses continue to cast a vote of confidence in our city. In 2024, the number of overseas and Mainland companies operating in Hong Kong reached an all-time high at nearly 10 000.  American and European companies rose by around 10 per cent, while Korean companies rose by 9 per cent year on year.  
     
         Hong Kong continues to shine in international rankings. We are among the world’s top three global financial centres. The latest IMD (International Institute for Management Development) World Competitiveness Ranking places us as the third most competitive economy worldwide. Last October, the Fraser Institute reaffirmed our position as the world’s freest economy. These accolades are no coincidence. They are the result of persistent hard work to drive our competitiveness forward, backed by transparent, consistent and predictable policies, market openness and global connectivity.
     
         A critical foundation of our success is a stable and secure environment. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. It restores law and order in Hong Kong and provides confidence to the international business community. Indeed, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (in Hong Kong) in January this year showed that (more than) 80 per cent of its members expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law.  And 70 per cent reported that the National Security Law had no impact on their business operations.
     
         Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong continues to be an open, diverse and international city. We are a free port, uphold a freely convertible currency pegged to the US dollar, ensure the free flow of capital, goods, information and talent, and practise the common law system.
     
         President Xi Jinping and the Central Government of China have made clear that the “one country, two systems” framework is here to stay for the long term. 
     
         Investor confidence is reflected in hard data. Our stock market, for example, rose by 18 per cent last year, and has gained another 20 per cent this year. Initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange have raised about US$16 billion so far this year, making Hong Kong the top IPO venue globally to date. The total bank deposits grew by 7 per cent last year and another 7 per cent this year, now exceeding US$2.3 trillion, six times our GDP.
     
    The Greater Bay Area
     
         Meanwhile, Hong Kong is the international gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or GBA, which is an economic powerhouse with 87 million people and a combined GDP of US$2 trillion. With a per capita GDP of US$23,000, or US$40,000 on a purchasing power parity basis, the GBA is not just a manufacturing base, but also a sophisticated, high-growth consumer market.
     
         The region is deeply interconnected. High-speed rail puts us just 15 minutes from Shenzhen and 45 minutes from Guangzhou. With seven international airports and a combined annual passenger throughput of over 200 million, the GBA sits within a five-hour flight radius of half the world’s population. Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo airport, now operates with a third runway and is gearing up to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2035.
     
         The GBA is also a cradle of innovation. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster ranks second globally in innovation, and has done so for five consecutive years. Hong Kong excels in basic research, anchored by five universities ranked among the world’s top 100. Three of them are in the global top 20 for data science and AI; our two medical schools are ranked among the top 40. Meanwhile, Shenzhen and Guangzhou lead in commercialisation and advanced manufacturing. Together, the GBA is like fusing the financial power of New York with the innovation energy of Silicon Valley.
     
    Opportunities for Korean businesses
     
         So, what does this mean for Korean businesses?
     
         First, Hong Kong’s financial markets offer unparalleled connectivity and liquidity. We serve as a two-way platform, connecting international capital with Mainland markets and vice versa. Through our Connect Schemes, including Stock Connect, Bond Connect, and ETF (Exchange-traded Fund) Connect, and more, Mainland investors can access Hong Kong’s markets, while global investors can access the Mainland through Hong Kong.
     
         The recent surge in our stock market reflects two important trends. First, the rebalancing act of international investors to diversify risks out of global economic uncertainty, particularly in the US; and second, optimism about China’s technology prowess demonstrated by DeepSeek and others. Korean investors have already taken note. And they are apt in taking actions. In February this year, we saw the highest level of Korean investment into our stock market in over three years.
     
         Beyond the stock market, asset and wealth management is another area where we are seeing rapid growth. Hong Kong now manages over US$4 trillion in assets. With a growing ecosystem of related financial services, we are on track to become the world’s largest cross-border wealth management hub by 2028. For Korean firms in private banking and asset management, the opportunities are significant. Indeed, many American and European asset and wealth managers have been expanding their hiring and office accommodation in the city.
     
         Hong Kong also serves as a powerful springboard for Korean goods, not just into the GBA or the Chinese Mainland, but across the entire ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. As a duty-free port with seamless customs clearance and unmatched connectivity, Hong Kong offers Korean exporters a fast, cost-effective and reliable route to high-growth markets. From electronics and cosmetics to food products and fashion, Hong Kong is your launchpad.
     
         In innovation and technology, Hong Kong is making strategic and forward-looking moves. We are placing particular emphasis on the development of key sectors such as artificial intelligence and biotech. In addition to our world-class research capabilities, Hong Kong is where Mainland and international data converge. This is a distinct competitive advantage for data-intensive industries.  
     
         Our close collaboration with other cities in the GBA is further accelerating this momentum.  Along our boundary with neighbouring Shenzhen, we are developing a joint innovation and technology park, where we are piloting innovative policies to facilitate the seamless flow of data, talent, capital and even biosamples. We have also established joint clinical trial centres to expedite drug development and streamline cross-boundary regulatory approvals. For Korean tech and pharmaceutical firms seeking expansion and collaboration opportunities, Hong Kong is your ideal location. 
     
    The pleasures of life
     
         Beyond business, Hong Kong is a city alive with culture, diversity, and global connectivity. We are a true melting pot of East and West.  Korean culture, from K-pop to kimchi, has found a warm and enthusiastic following in Hong Kong.  And we are glad that more and more Korean visitors are coming to our city to see for themselves our vibrancy. In the first half of this year, Hong Kong welcomes more than half a million of Korean visitors, a 25 per cent increase year on year.
     
         The pleasures of life are part of our fabric. With more than 200 Michelin-recognised restaurants, hiking trails minutes from the city, and a coastline that rivals the best in the region, Hong Kong offers not only opportunity, but quality of life. Above all, Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world, a place you can walk freely, day or night.
     
         And we are just getting started. The newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park offers a world-class, multipurpose venue for sport and entertainment events. In January next year, we’re excited to welcome BLACKPINK to our stage. And who knows, NewJeans and aespa may not be far behind!
     
         Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I’ve been able to offer you a fresh perspective on Hong Kong, not just as a financial centre or trade hub, but as a dynamic, welcoming city filled with opportunity, energy and creativity. A city where Korean businesses, investors and talents can thrive.
     
         If I may, let me now share a short video that captures the vibrancy, openness and possibilities of Hong Kong today.
     
         That is Hong Kong – dynamic and welcoming. A city that means business, and a city that celebrates life. We look forward to welcoming you soon, to Hong Kong.
     
         Kamsahamnida. Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata’s Statement in Support of Minnesota Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is expressing support for the bipartisan resolution sponsored by the Minnesota delegation to Congress deploring political violence in the wake of the recent shocking attack on two state legislators and their spouses. 

    Led by Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03) with the bipartisan support of the other seven Members of the delegation, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), H. Res. 519 condemns the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and calls for unity and the rejection of political violence in Minnesota and across the United States. 

    “I was grieved to hear of this terrible attack while I was home in American Samoa. I support my Minnesota colleagues in this, and I appreciate the bipartisan spirit of this Resolution to express the sense of the full House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Americans reject political violence. Instead, we embrace constitutionally protected free dialogue, and advancing change through voting, advocacy, representation, and lawmaking.”

    She continued, “I will never forget the shock of the news of the 2017 attack on Republican Members of Congress preparing for the yearly charitable congressional baseball game, about this time of year that June, where my friend Majority Leader Steve Scalise was severely wounded and Capitol Police officers performed their duties admirably to save lives. Every time I drive to the Capitol, I pass right by that park, a reminder of that terrible event, but also a reminder of courage and resilience in the face of violence.”

    “I support our leadership’s important efforts on stepping up and reviewing security measures, as congressional security is an ongoing concern, and I appreciate our Capitol Police who train to keep Members, staff and visitors to the Capitol safe,” Amata concluded. 

    Congresswoman Amata’s father, the late Governor Uifa’atali Peter T. Coleman, served on the Capitol Police force, between his World War II service and his years in leadership in the Pacific.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Home Affairs to submit ‘Digital ID’ policy to Cabinet for approval

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Home Affairs to submit ‘Digital ID’ policy to Cabinet for approval

    Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says government is laying the foundation for an ambitious plan to create South Africa’s first ever Digital ID system.

    “Home Affairs will shortly submit a Digital ID policy to Cabinet for approval to conduct public hearings. Beyond the material benefits, such as clamping down on fraud and enhancing inclusion, the Digital ID system will also restore the integrity and pride of our cherished South African identity,” said the Minister.

    He was delivering the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

    Schreiber said the department plans to deliver digital versions of enabling documents that can be accessed online and on smart devices.

    “[The] Digital ID will also enable users to remotely authenticate themselves, laying the foundation for a digital revolution not only for government services, but also for critical private sector services like banking, finance and insurance.”

    The Minister said government was committed to the digital transformation of the department – called Home Affairs @ home.

    “We call this vision Home Affairs @ home… Our goal is nothing less than revolutionising the way citizens interact with their government by moving from manual to digital,” said the Minister.

    He said building a new reform model – based on decentralisation, modernisation, digital transformation and remote access – will “restore the hope that South Africa as a whole can work”.

    The constant investments being made in the reform of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority and Government Printing Works, is starting to compound and grow.

    “During the past year, we have delivered nearly 3.6 million Smart IDs – almost half a million more than the previous annual record. We cleared a visa backlog of over 306 000 applications dating back over a decade.

    “We deported over 46 000 illegal immigrants, the highest number in five years and more than countries like France and Germany combined. We used drones and body cameras to increase the number of attempted illegal crossings that were detected and prevented by up to 215%.

    “We empowered naturalised citizens and permanent residents to obtain Smart IDs for the first time, expanding inclusion and making our country less reliant on the green ID book that is 500% more vulnerable to fraud than the Smart ID.

    “If this is just some of what Home Affairs could do in one year. Just imagine what we can do in five,” said Schreiber.

    Now that the department is enabling all qualifying categories of persons to obtain Smart IDs, “the next step will be to dramatically scale up access to this critical and more-secure enabling document”.

    In line with the Medium-Term Development Plan adopted by Cabinet, the department will do so by expanding the successful pilot project that currently delivers Smart ID and passport services in about 30 bank branches across the country.

    “We will use digital transformation to integrate the Home Affairs IT platform onto banks’ networks, thereby enabling many more bank branches to deliver this service around the country.

    “Our target for this financial year is to expand this service to at least 100 more branches.”

    This same technology reform will enable South Africans to order Smart IDs and passports through their banking app, just like they already when buying electricity or data.

    The department will further introduce the option of home delivery for Smart IDs and passports, using advanced facial recognition technology to secure the process.

    “Through scaling up the existing collaboration with banks, we will rapidly accelerate access to Smart IDs with the goal of ending the production of new Green ID books by the end of this year.

    “This will be a momentous step towards delivering dignity for all, while simultaneously clamping down on fraud,” said the Minister.

    He announced that, by the end of this month, Home Affairs will launch new facilities abroad to assist South Africans living and working overseas. These new facilities will ensure a five-week turnaround time for IDs and passports.

    “We are starting in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, followed by France, Germany and The Netherlands later this year, and North America in the new year.”

    He said the ultimate aim is to deliver “Home Affairs @ home”, which will enable every South African, no matter where they are in the world, to obtain services from their government online. – SAnews.gov.za

    Janine

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU regulatory environment, artificial intelligence and competitiveness – E-001181/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report[1] warns that Europe risks falling behind in the area of innovation. In response, the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass[2] includes targeted actions, such as a new EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy and a 28th regime to address the obstacles preventing new companies from emerging and scaling up .

    The Single Market Strategy[3] presents an action plan to improve the functioning of the Single Market and promote cross-border provision of services and cross-border movement of goods and to support competitiveness and innovation more broadly.

    The Commission is simplifying EU rules and their implementation to reduce complexity and compliance costs for businesses, including sustainability reporting[4].

    Further measures are planned in the Commission’s 2025 work programme[5]. In addition, the Commission’s goal is to make Europe the ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Continent’.

    The AI Act[6] ensures market access, legal clarity and stronger consumer trust, while safeguarding EU citizens’ safety and fundamental rights. The AI Continent Action Plan[7], launched on 9 April 2025, will boost the EU’s AI innovation capabilities.

    Evaluations and fitness checks will allow evaluating the potential to simplify, consolidate and codify the EU acquis and find opportunities to cut costs.

    As part of its simplification agenda, the Commission will conduct an ambitious and comprehensive screening of existing EU legislation to stress-test the EU acquis and identify overlaps, contradictions, and obsolete provisions.

    The Commission will also apply the new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and competitiveness checks with a strong sector focus, and analysis on SMEs impacts.

    • [1] The 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report, COM(2025) 26 final.
    • [2] A Competitiveness Compass for the EU, COM(2025) 30 final.
    • [3] The Single Market: our European home market in an uncertain world. A Strategy for making the Single Market simple, seamless and strong, COM(2025) 500 final.
    • [4] Sustainability Omnibus: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/commission-simplifies-rules-sustainability-and-eu-investments-delivering-over-eu6-billion_en.
    • [5] 2025 Commission work programme: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/strategy-documents/commission-work-programme_en.
    • [6] Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689.
    • [7] AI Continent Action Plan, COM(2025) 165 final.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Removing obstacles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises – E-001400/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As acknowledged by the Honourable Member, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy. There are 26.1 million SMEs in the EU, providing jobs to more than 89.8 million citizens.

    The Commission is paying particular attention to SMEs’ access to EU funding. The scale of SMEs’ involvement can be illustrated by their participation in EU programmes.

    Between 2021 and 2024, Horizon Europe[1] funded around 10 077 SMEs, of which approximately 1 450 (14%) funded under the European Innovation Council[2], with a total of EUR 7.4 billion in grants (of which EUR 3.9 billion for SMEs only).

    InvestEU[3] has supported over 55 000 SMEs in its first two years. The SME Pillar of the Single Market Programme[4] has provided assistance to 292 000 SMEs through the European Enterprise Network[5] alone.

    In the 2023 calls under the European Defence Fund[6] (EDF), SMEs represented around 50% of the total number of entities, requesting approximately 30% of the total grant amount. For the period 2023-2027, the EDF is expected to fund SMEs with up to EUR 840 million.

    The Commission sees SMEs as a priority target of its policies. The recently published Single Market Strategy[7] sets out a number of actions, including to address SMEs’ difficulties in accessing sustainable finance.

    Finally, the recently published EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy[8] contains a comprehensive set of measures to improve framework conditions, including access to finance for startups and scaleups, many of whom are the most promising SMEs.

    Furthermore, the Commission pays particular attention to the specific needs of SMEs with international ambitions and deploys several tools to support them trade internationally, such as the Access2Markets platform[9] or dedicated SME chapters in trade agreements.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0695.
    • [2] https://eic.ec.europa.eu/about-european-innovation-council_en.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02021R0523-20240301&qid=1749143262375.
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0690.
    • [5] https://een.ec.europa.eu/.
    • [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02021R0697-20240301.
    • [7] European Commission: The Single Market: our European home market in an uncertain world A Strategy for making the Single Market simple, seamless and strong — 21.5.2025 COM(2025) 500 final.
    • [8] European Commission: The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy Choose Europe to start and scale — 28.5.2025 COM(2025) 270 final.
    • [9] https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on children: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on children: UK statement to the OSCE

    Deputy Ambassador James Ford condemns the grave violations Russian armed forces and authorities have committed against children in Ukraine, including through attacks on schools and hospitals.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr Chair.  I would also like to thank the speakers for their insights on the important and emotive topic we are dealing with today. 

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world.  More grave violations against children were verified by the UN than ever before in 2024, and instances of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children increased by 35% compared to 2023. 

    Regrettably, Madam Chair, our own region has not been immune from this trend.  Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continues to have a harrowing effect on Ukraine’s 7.5 million children – on their health, education, family life and prospects for their futures. 

    In 1999, UN Security Council Resolution 1261 defined ‘Six Grave Violations’ most frequently affecting children in times of war. According to the latest UN report on children and armed conflict, there is mounting evidence that Russian authorities and Russian armed forces have committed at least five of these Six Grave Violations in Ukraine.  For consecutive years, the UN Secretary General has reported that under two categories – the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals – the violations committed by Russian armed forces are prolific enough to warrant formal listing in his annual report.

    A case in point is the attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.  Yesterday marked one year since a Russian KH-101 cruise missile struck the hospital. It was the biggest children’s medical facility in Ukraine and the country’s primary provider of specialist paediatric care.

    According to UNICEF’s report from November 2024, the war has killed or injured over 2,406 children – an average of sixteen children every week.  The UN verified 222 cases of children being killed or injured in Ukraine between 1 March and 31 May 2025 – three times more children killed than during the previous quarter. In April this year alone, 97 children were killed or maimed. According to UN statistics, that is the highest monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.

    It is not just death or injury that Ukrainian children face on a daily basis.  According to the Government of Ukraine, the Russian authorities and armed forces have deported nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories.  UN reports detail the treatment of Ukrainian children in these territories. Russian authorities have systematically forced the introduction of Russian language curriculum in schools, as well as ‘military-patriotic’ training. They have also forced Ukrainian children to adopt Russian citizenship.  Save the Children estimates that Russian attacks destroyed or damaged 576 education facilities in 2024 – more than double the 256 of the year before.

    UN and Save the Children reports also underline that children fleeing the fighting in Ukraine are at significant risk of family separation, abuse, violence, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.  Countless people will bear the social and psychological trauma for years to come.  

    Moscow continues to try to disguise these crimes through a campaign of denial and disinformation.  But these abuses have all been verified by independent sources, including the UN, ODIHR and reports commissioned under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.

    As we all know, and as the speakers have detailed today, children are uniquely vulnerable and disproportionately affected by conflict.  We welcome the OSCE’s work to hold Russia accountable for its actions and to support Ukraine, including through the SPU, the Support Programme for Ukraine.  And we call on Russia to cease this unprovoked, illegal war and immediately and unconditionally return forcibly deported children to Ukraine. 

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Housing emergency in Italy for vulnerable groups and students – E-002620/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002620/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Valentina Palmisano (The Left)

    In Italy, a worsening housing emergency is severely affecting vulnerable households, individuals with disabilities, people struggling socio-economically and university students. Despite the use of EU resources (National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)), many municipalities are reporting delays to public housing and urban regeneration projects, with particularly serious effects in the south.

    At the same time, the right to study is being severely undermined by the high cost of renting: in the main Italian university cities, average rent for a single room exceeds EUR 600, making attending university increasingly less accessible to people from low-income families.

    In the light of these problems:

    • 1.What is the state of play of the NRRP-funded university housing programme and what steps have been planned to ensure it has been implemented in full by June 2026?
    • 2.What steps will be taken to ensure that European Investment Bank and cohesion policy funds have a tangible impact on housing supply in towns and cities experiencing high housing pressure, and is a social impact assessment being planned?
    • 3.Why are municipalities not fully involved in the affordable housing initiative decision-making processes, and will their operational and financial role be stepped up?

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    Last updated: 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Trump criticizes Putin after approving more weapons for Ukraine, Kremlin says it is ‘calm’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had approved sending U.S. defensive weapons to Ukraine and was considering additional sanctions on Moscow, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the growing death toll in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

    Trump, who pledged as a presidential candidate to end the war within a day, has not been able to follow through on that promise and efforts by his administration to broker peace have come up short.

    Trump directed his ire at Putin on Tuesday during a meeting with cabinet officials at the White House.

    “I’m not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now,” Trump said, noting that Russian and Ukrainian soldiers were dying in the thousands.

    “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin … He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said

    Trump said he was considering whether to support a bill in the Senate that would impose steep sanctions on Russia over the war.

    “I’m looking at it very strongly,” he said.

    The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, would also punish other countries that trade with Moscow, imposing 500% tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports.

    DEFENSIVE WEAPONS AGAINST RUSSIAN ADVANCES

    Trump said on Monday that the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help it defend itself against Russian advances. On Tuesday he said he had approved such a move.

    “We’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that,” he said.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had ordered an expansion of contacts with the United States to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defence.

    “We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions,” he said.

    “These are critical deliveries that mean saving lives and protecting Ukrainian cities and villages. I expect results from these contacts very soon. And this week, we are preparing formats for meetings of our military and political teams.”

    Zelenskiy has repeatedly urged Ukraine’s Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow to force the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire as a step towards reaching an end to the war, now 40 months old.

    A decision by the Pentagon to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv last week that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    Trump, who was seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was asked on Tuesday who had ordered that pause.

    “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Trump responded.

    The Kremlin, asked on Wednesday about U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Moscow was “calm” regarding the criticism, and that it would continue to try to fix a “broken” U.S.-Russia relationship.

    Trump has in recent days accused Putin of not taking U.S. efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine seriously, and suggested that the U.S. will continue supporting Kyiv.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Woman prosecuted for illegally subletting Birmingham council home

    Source: City of Birmingham

    A former Birmingham City Council tenant has been fined and lost her council home after pleading guilty to unlawfully subletting.

    Ms Strauja advertised her council home to rent on social media; she told her sub-tenant that she owned the council property and was moving out to live with her partner.

    Birmingham City Council was alerted to the situation when Ms Strauja gave her sub-tenant notice to leave, and the tenant reported themselves as homeless.

    On 24 August 2023, Ms Strauja pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to one offence of unlawfully subletting a council property and one associated Council Tax fraud offence.

    Ms Strauja was fined £100 for the sub-letting offence, was ordered to pay £900 in unlawfully obtained profits as a result of sub-letting the property and a £40 victim surcharge.

    At a hearing on 20 May 2025, at Birmingham County Court, Ms Strauja stated that she regretted her actions and understood that she had broken the terms and conditions of her tenancy agreement, but wanted to remain in the property as private rental prices were high. 

    It was pointed out that by unlawfully subletting the property, Ms Strauja had automatically broken the security of her tenancy and that this cannot be restored. The District Judge therefore granted a possession order for the property and a payment plan to recover the outstanding occupancy charges. Ms Strauja’s tenancy ended on 8 June 2025.

    Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: 

    “The fabric of our society is based on having a good home. It is fundamental to people’s sense of place, health and wellbeing.

    “To sublet one of our homes deprives people of a much-needed home – we will not tolerate it and will use the full extent of the law to root out people abusing the system.

    “There are 25,000 people on the housing register in Birmingham waiting for a good and safe home.

    “We hope this acts as a warning for tenants considering subletting a council property. If you sublet a property, you can receive a criminal record, potentially face imprisonment, be fined, and be ordered to repay the money you earned.

    “Once you’ve sublet a council property, you’ve automatically broken the security of tenure, and that cannot be restored – you will lose the property.

    “We urge all residents to respect council homes and report suspected fraud. Together, we can ensure fair provision of social housing.”

    People who suspect someone of unlawfully subletting a council home can report this online via report a fraud.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Debt Financing in USA for Venture, Business, and Real Estate Loan Options Explained

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 50KLoans, a leading US based loan comparison and matchmaking platform, has announced the official launch of its nationwide debt financing service, providing individuals, startups, and real estate investors with fast access to capital while retaining full ownership of their assets.

    In today’s economic climate, securing funding without giving up equity is critical. Through this new offering, 50KLoans connects borrowers with vetted lenders offering various types of debt financing, including real estate debt financing, venture debt financing, and small business term loans. Applicants can secure funding ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 with flexible terms and competitive interest rates.

    Check Your Eligibility for Debt Financing >>

    What Is Debt Financing and Who Is It For?

    For those unfamiliar, what is debt financing? Simply put, it refers to borrowing money that must be repaid over time with interest. According to the debt financing definition, this model allows businesses and individuals to raise capital without selling ownership stakes.

    • Real estate developers seeking property funding
    • Entrepreneurs avoiding early equity dilution
    • Businesses needing expansion capital or equipment loans
    • High-growth startups seeking venture debt financing to extend runway between equity rounds

    Types of Debt Financing Offered via 50KLoans

    50KLoans helps users explore different types of debt financing through its streamlined platform:

    • Real Estate Debt Financing – Funding for residential, commercial, or fix-and-flip property purchases.
    • Venture Debt Financing – Designed for startups with venture backing, without giving up more equity.
    • Short-Term Loans – Quick funding for temporary cash flow issues.
    • Installment Business Loans – Fixed monthly repayment plans from 6 to 60 months.
    • Line of Credit – Flexible access to revolving funds for ongoing operational needs.

    Check Your Eligibility for Debt Financing >>

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing

    Before applying, it’s crucial to understand the advantages and disadvantages of debt financing:

    Advantages:

    • Retain full business ownership
    • Tax-deductible interest payments
    • Fixed repayment terms provide financial clarity

    Disadvantages:

    • Requires consistent cash flow for repayment
    • Missed payments can impact credit or lead to collateral loss

    Real Estate and Commercial Debt Financing Options

    With the surge in property investments and developments, commercial real estate debt financing has become a major segment. 50KLoans helps users connect with lenders for:

    • Fix-and-flip loans
    • Multi-family and commercial property loans
    • Bridge financing for property transitions

    How to Apply for Debt Financing with 50KLoans

    1. Visit 50KLoans and select the “Debt Financing” option from the homepage.
    2. Complete a short 2-minute application with basic business or personal financial details, no credit check required.
    3. Get instantly matched with trusted lenders offering various types of debt financing, including real estate and venture debt financing.
    4. Compare personalized loan offers, repayment terms, and interest rates—all in one place.
    5. Select the best offer for your needs and receive funds, often within 24 hours of approval.

    FAQs

    What is debt financing and how does it differ from equity?
    Debt financing means borrowing money with a promise to repay, while equity financing involves selling shares in your company.

    Is real estate debt financing available nationwide?
    Yes, applicants across the USA can access real estate loans through partnered lenders.

    Are there risks to debt financing?
    Like any loan, repayment is mandatory. It’s important to assess your repayment capacity before applying.

    Media Contact:
    Mukesh Bhardwaj
    Email: mukesh@paydayventures.com

    Disclaimer: 50KLoans is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. Loan approvals, rates, and terms are set by third-party lenders based on individual eligibility and underwriting criteria.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Faculty of Information Technology of NSU has graduated the first master’s students of two new programs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Yesterday, the first Master’s students graduated from two new programs Faculty of Information Technology NSU, launched in 2023, are “Internet of Things” and “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science”. The programs are distinguished by their interdisciplinary nature and in-depth training, which allows solving a wide range of problems in in-demand IT areas.

    The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that can be connected using various technologies and sensors to collect and analyze data. This data can be used to optimize processes, improve quality of life, and manage resources. The development of IoT opens up new opportunities for business, industry, transportation, healthcare, and many other areas. However, to realize all these opportunities and benefits, a qualified team of specialists is needed who have deep knowledge in a wide range of areas, from programming and data analytics to communications technology and security, and also understand the operation of the sensors themselves and the subject area in which they are used.

    — IoT is one of the trends in the development of modern IT. When preparing to create and design solutions for the Internet of Things, a master’s student must demonstrate a whole range of knowledge. Firstly, it is necessary to learn how to work in conditions of limited computing performance and electricity, since Internet of Things devices must provide a long battery life. Secondly, in order for your system to work, a computer is not enough, you must ensure the transfer of this data. Thirdly, where we deal with data, the task arises to ensure its safety and protection. I will give an example from the healthcare sector. We all know smart watches that measure the pulse, count the number of steps, etc. In order for them to perform tasks, for example, monitoring the health of the elderly, it is necessary to implement more complex Internet of Things tools. The question arises: since this is personal, medical data, it is necessary to provide for its correct protection. Thus, in order to work in the IoT field, you need to be able to solve a whole range of problems and be an expert in different sections of modern information technology. Within the framework of the new direction, we are training exactly such specialists, — the dean of the NSU FIT, Corresponding Member, spoke about the features of the program. RAS Mikhail Lavrentiev.

    The new program is also distinguished by the fact that during their studies, master’s students participate in the implementation of projects that are carried out on order or in cooperation with businesses working in the IoT area. Thus, the university’s partner in organizing the new master’s program was the company “Laboratory of the Internet of Things”, which develops ground equipment for satellite systems, as well as the company YADRO.

    Denis Enes, a graduate of the Master’s program “Internet of Things” at the NSU Institute of Information Technologies, shares his impressions of the training:

    – I graduated from the NSU FIT Bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science and Systems Engineering. At the same time, a new program appeared in the FIT Master’s program – Internet of Things. I wanted to study something new, so I applied. The workload was heavy, especially in the first year, so it was difficult to combine study and work. However, it was worth the effort: as a result, I acquired knowledge that was different from what I received in my Bachelor’s degree, so now I have more opportunities for further career development.

    In the second program, “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science,” students received the necessary knowledge to work with artificial intelligence. They learned to develop intelligent solutions by participating in real company projects, as well as to apply AI and Data Science technologies in information and analytical activities for a wide range of areas of the digital economy.

    — We have developed a program that allows our master’s students to understand what artificial intelligence is, what needs to be done to make its systems work, how to construct a database, how to estimate the size of the required hardware base that will support the system. So, now AI is increasingly penetrating into people’s everyday lives — these are solutions for automatic face recognition when entering an office or an entrance, recognizing car numbers to open a barrier, garage, etc. Such systems require a minimal hardware base. We are preparing students for the fact that it is necessary not only to build an artificial intelligence system, but to understand what is sufficient to solve a specific range of problems, — explained Mikhail Lavrentyev.

    The new educational program is actively supported by partners, including Postgres Professional, YADRO, institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other companies.

    Graduates of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science program talk about their learning experiences and future plans.

    Ilya Stetsky:

    — Studying on the program was very interesting and useful. If before admission I thought that neural networks were something narrow, then during the master’s program this area was presented more broadly, from different sides, I discovered different areas of AI application. In general, the training was comprehensive and deep. In the future, I plan to work in the field of real-time data stream processing.

    Chinese student Aisaiti Baishan:

    — I am very glad that I spent these two years in Akademgorodok! Before NSU, I studied at Chongqing University. I decided to enroll here because NSU is very famous in China, everyone knows that it has a high level of education, including in mathematics and IT, and professional teachers. I plan to return home to China and continue my postgraduate studies. I received my diploma and now I want to thank everyone for these two years at the university!

    Material prepared by: Varvara Frolkina, NSU press service

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New Forest Standard for Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to leverage responsible forest management

    Source: APO

    The DRC could soon unlock access to global markets for certified forest products and increase the value of verified ecosystem services impact, especially carbon, water, biodiversity, recreation, and culture, with the new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS) (www.Africa.FSC.org) for the DRC.  The standard promotes responsible forest management through FSC certification. It would not only strengthen the conservation of DRC’s rich biodiversity but also contribute to reducing the increasing illegal logging driving deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and help the country meet its climate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 21% by 2030. By conforming to the standard’s requirements, forest managers can increase the benefits they generate from the forest resources they manage. FSC certification is a core stepping stone to align with the European Union (EU) Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), a legislation requiring companies to ensure their products are not linked to deforestation. Once stakeholders utilize the FSC certification system in the DRC, this alignment allows their forest products to compete in the growing market for sustainably sourced forest products.

    DRC boasts over 155 million hectares (67% of DRC’s total area and 60% of the Congo Basin’s Forest area), representing 18% of the world’s tropical forests and storing around 8% of the world’s forest carbon. These forests, which are mainly comprised of equatorial rainforests, dry forests, swamp forests, and mountain forests, are home to incredibly rich biodiversity with over 23 million hectares of protected areas and play a crucial socio-economic role for over 40 million people.

    So far, over 6 million hectares of forest in the Congo Basin have been certified as sustainably managed under FSC certification (which represents roughly 12% of exploitable forests estimated at 47.5 million ha by OFAC). Different studies demonstrate that FSC-certified forests in the Congo Basin help protect large mammals and critically endangered species, such as gorillas and elephants. Embracing the new FSC standard for DRC offers an excellent opportunity for the sustainable management and protection of these high conservation value forest areas, promoting long-term environmental sustainability.

    This could create a pathway for the DRC government, the private sector, and development partners to unlock the potential of the country’s forest sector.

    The development process of this FSS began in 2015 with the creation of a chamber-balanced standard development group in the DRC. The standard development group developed the national standard following a multi-stakeholder engagement process with companies, NGOs, civil society organizations, and social stakeholders, including representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The new Standard was subjected to field testing and stakeholder involvement to ensure its applicability in the country, address concerns, give equal opportunities for feedback, and foster consensus from economic, environmental, and social perspectives to ensure sustainability.

    The standard will provide independent evidence of responsible forest management and promote continuous improvement in addressing key issues like maintaining intact forest landscapes, preserving the country’s biodiversity, and protecting the rights of local communities, Indigenous, and Traditional Peoples.

    For any queries on the standard, please get in touch with Pepe DUNGU, FSC Standard Development Group Coordinator, DRC. email address: pepedungu@gmail.com

    The FSS for the Democratic Republic of Congo (English and French versions) can be consulted in the FSC Document Center (https://apo-opa.co/4lFUjo3).

    Visit FSC Africa website (https://apo-opa.co/46Ab93t) for more related news.

    Links to some news feeds on the standard development process:

    Meeting to finalize FSC standard concludes in DR Congo (https://apo-opa.co/44BEub1)

    Relaunch of the National Forest Stewardship Standard development process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (https://apo-opa.co/3GDzyul)

    “After a long development process, the DRC has received approval of its FSC certification standard. This is a strong signal and an unforgettable achievement in the history of forest management in our country.

    This tool will serve as a lever to ensure the sustainable management of our forests, guaranteeing high production and opening up to more profitable timber and carbon markets. The momentum of forest certification in the DRC is aligned with the vision of the forest regime at a time when the country is developing its first-ever forest policy, which will lead to the revision of the Forest Code and its implementing measures. 

    We commend the efforts made by the FSC Policy Manager in Africa, as well as all the members of the Standard Development Group (SDG-DRC) since the beginning of the process.” 

    (Pepe DUNGU, DRC Standard Development Group Chairperson).

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council.

    Media contacts:
    Israel Bionyi
    Senior Regional Communications Manager
    FSC Africa
    i.bionyi@fsc.org

    FSC Africa
    www.Africa.FSC.org
    T: +49 (0) 228 367 66 0 
    F: +49 (0) 228 367 66 65 

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCIO briefing on China’s economic performance in May 2025

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    中文

    Speaker:

    Mr. Fu Linghui, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS

    Chairperson:

    Zhou Jianshe, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

    Date:

    June 16, 2025

    Zhou Jianshe:

    Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is a regular briefing on China’s economic data. Today, we are joined by Mr. Fu Linghui, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS. Mr. Fu will brief you on China’s economic performance in May 2025 and then take your questions.

    Now, I’ll give the floor to Mr. Fu.

    Fu Linghui:

    Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am very pleased to attend today’s press conference. I will start by briefing you on the main economic indicators for this May and then take your questions.

    In May, China’s economy remained stable while making further progress.

    In May, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all regions and departments conscientiously implemented the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. Adhering to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, we fully and accurately implemented the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerated the construction of the new development pattern, solidly promoted high-quality growth, and accelerated the implementation of more proactive and effective macro policies. The national economy withstood the pressure and operated steadily, with production demand growing steadily, employment remaining stable, new drivers of growth becoming stronger, and high-quality development moving toward excellence and innovation.

    First, industrial production registered stable growth and equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing grew quickly.

    In May, the total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew by 5.8% year on year, or 0.61% month on month. In terms of sectors, the value added of mining went up by 5.7% year on year, manufacturing up by 6.2%, and the production and supply of electricity, thermal power, gas and water up by 2.2%. The value added of equipment manufacturing increased by 9.0% year on year, and that of high-tech manufacturing increased by 8.6%, which were 3.2 percentage points and 2.8 percentage points faster than that of the total value added by industrial enterprises above designated size. In terms of ownership, the value added of state holding enterprises increased by 3.8% year on year; that of share-holding enterprises increased by 6.3%; that of enterprises funded by foreign investors or investors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan increased by 3.9%; and that of private enterprises increased by 5.9%. In terms of products, the outputs of 3D printing devices, industrial robots and new energy vehicles (NEVs) grew by 40.0%, 35.5% and 31.7% year on year, respectively. In the first five months, the total value added of industrial enterprises above designated size went up by 6.3% year on year. In May, the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.5%, an increase of 0.5 percentage point from the previous month. The production and operation expectation index was 52.5%, up by 0.4 percentage point. In the first four months, the total profits made by industrial enterprises above designated size were 2.117 trillion yuan, up by 1.4% year on year.

    Second, the service sector grew quickly, with the modern services sector gaining momentum.

    In May, the index of services production (ISP) increased by 6.2% year on year, 0.2 percentage point faster than that of the previous month. In terms of sectors, that of information transmission, software and information technology services, and leasing and business services, wholesales and retails grew by 11.2%, 8.9% and 8.4% year on year, respectively, which were 5.0 percentage points, 2.7 percentage points and 2.2 percentage points faster than that of the ISP. In the first five months, the ISP increased by 5.9% year on year. In the first four months, the business revenue of service enterprises above designated size went up by 7.2% year on year. In May, the business activity index for the service sector was 50.2%, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month; and the business activity expectation index was 56.5%, rising by 0.1 percentage point. Specifically, the business activity index for sectors like railway transportation, air transportation, postal service, telecommunication, broadcast, television and satellite transmission services, internet software and information technology services, stayed within the high expansion range of 55.0% and above.

    Third, market sales recovered and sales of products under the trade-in program grew rapidly.

    In May, the total retail sales of consumer goods was 4.1326 trillion yuan, up by 6.4% year on year, 1.3 percentage points faster than that of April; or up by 0.93% month on month. Analyzed by different areas, the retail sales of consumer goods in urban areas reached 3.6057 trillion yuan, up by 6.5% year on year; and that in rural areas reached 526.9 billion yuan, up by 5.4%. Grouped by consumption patterns, the retail sales of goods were 3.6748 trillion yuan, up by 6.5%; and the income of catering was 457.8 billion yuan, up by 5.9%. Sales of basic living goods and some upgraded products showed good growth. Retail sales in units above designated size of grain, oil and food products, jewelry, and sports and entertainment goods grew by 14.6%, 21.8% and 28.3%, respectively. The effect of trade-in of consumer goods continued to show results, with the retail sales of household appliances and audiovisual equipment, communication equipment, cultural and office supplies, and furniture by enterprises above designated size growing by 53.0%, 33.0%, 30.5% and 25.6%, respectively. In the first five months, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 20.3171 trillion yuan, up by 5.0% year on year. Online retail sales reached 6.0402 trillion yuan, up 8.5% year on year. Specifically, the online retail sales of physical goods were 4.9878 trillion yuan, up 6.3%, accounting for 24.5% of the total. In the first five months, the retail sales of services grew by 5.2% year on year.

    Fourth, fixed-asset investment continued to expand, with manufacturing investment growing fast.

    In the first five months, fixed-asset investment (excluding rural households) reached 19,194.7 billion yuan, up 3.7% year on year. Excluding real estate development investment, fixed-asset investment grew 7.7%. By sector, investment in infrastructure grew 5.6% year on year, manufacturing investment rose 8.5%, and real estate development investment fell 10.7%. Nationwide, sales of newly built commercial buildings totaled 353.15 million square meters, down 2.9% year on year. Sales of newly built commercial buildings were 3,409.1 billion yuan, a decrease of 3.8%. By sector, primary industry investment grew 8.4% year on year, secondary industry investment rose 11.4%, and tertiary industry investment fell 0.4%. Private investment was flat from a year earlier. Excluding investment in real estate development, private investment increased 5.8%. Within high-tech industries, investment in information services rose 41.4% year on year; investment in aerospace vehicle and equipment manufacturing grew 24.2%; investment in computer and office device manufacturing increased 21.7%; and investment in professional technical services climbed 11.9%. In May, fixed-asset investment (excluding rural households) increased 0.05% month on month.

    Fifth, goods imports and exports continued to grow, and the trade structure kept improving.

    In May, total goods imports and exports reached 3,809.8 billion yuan, up 2.7% year on year. Of this total, exports hit 2,226.7 billion yuan, up 6.3%, while imports were 1,533.1 billion yuan, down 2.1%. In the first five months, total goods imports and exports reached 17,944.9 billion yuan, up 2.5% year on year. Of this total, exports reached 10,668.2 billion yuan, up 7.2%, while imports were 7,276.7 billion yuan, down 3.8%. In the first five months, general trade imports and exports grew 0.8%, accounting for 64.2% of the total trade value. Imports and exports by private enterprises grew by 7% year on year, accounting for 57.1% of the total trade value, up 2.4 percentage points from the same period last year. Exports of mechanical and electrical products grew 9.3% year on year, accounting for 60% of the total export value.

    Sixth, employment remained generally stable and the surveyed urban unemployment rate declined.

    In the first five months, the average surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.2%. In May, the surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5%, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The surveyed unemployment rate for people with local household registration was 5%, and the rate for those with non-local household registration was also 5%. The rate for people with non-local agricultural household registration was 4.9%. The surveyed urban unemployment rate in 31 major cities was 5%, down 0.1 percentage point from April. The average weekly working hours for employees at enterprises nationwide was 48.5 hours.

    Seventh, consumer prices remained low, while the core consumer price index (CPI) rebounded modestly.

    In May, the CPI fell 0.1% year on year and 0.2% month on month. By category, prices for food, tobacco and alcohol rose 0.1% year on year; clothing prices increased 1.5%; housing prices were up 0.1%; prices for household goods and services rose 0.1%; transportation and communication prices fell 4.3%; education, culture and entertainment prices increased 0.9%; health care prices rose 0.3%; and prices for other goods and services jumped 7.3%. In terms of food, tobacco and alcohol prices, fresh vegetable prices fell 8.3%, grain prices dropped 1.4%, pork prices rose 3.1%, and fresh fruit prices increased 5.5%. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, went up 0.6% year on year, 0.1 percentage point higher than that of the previous month. In the first five months, the CPI dipped 0.1% year on year.

    In May, the national producer price index (PPI) fell 3.3% year on year and 0.4% from the previous month. Purchasing prices for industrial producers dropped 3.6% year on year and 0.6% from the previous month. In the first five months, both the national PPI and the purchasing price index for industrial products fell 2.6% from a year earlier.

    Overall, in May, as the effects of a combined policy package continued to materialize, efforts to stabilize the economy and promote growth showed clear results. The national economy maintained a generally stable trajectory with steady progress, fully demonstrating its resilience and vitality. It should also be noted that there are many external uncertainties and destabilizing factors, domestic demand’s internal growth momentum still needs to be strengthened, and the foundation for sustained economic recovery and improvement needs to be further consolidated. Moving ahead, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. We must fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development paradigm, coordinate domestic economic work with international economic and trade efforts, and unswervingly handle our own affairs well. We will give greater priority to the expansion of domestic demand and the strengthening of the domestic economic cycle, concentrate on stabilizing employment and the economy, and promote high-quality development to advance sustained and healthy economic development. Thank you.

    Zhou Jianshe:

    Thank you, Mr. Fu. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your media outlet before asking your question.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New strategy approved for city centre car parking A comprehensive new strategy has been approved to guide the future of car parking in Lancaster city centre to maintain the number of spaces available to support local businesses and the economy.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    A comprehensive new strategy has been approved to guide the future of car parking in Lancaster city centre to maintain the number of spaces available to support local businesses and the economy.

    Car Park in Lancaster

    The plan, approved by Lancaster City Council’s cabinet on Tuesday (July 8), was developed following extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement, and sets out an assurance that the council will maintain 1,584 general use council-operated car parking spaces by 2028. This is an increase on the current number of spaces available, which stands at 1,329.

    The strategy has been developed so that the planned release of car parks in the Canal Quarter to make way for much-needed affordable housing does not reduce the number of spaces available. In addition, there is no effect on the number of spaces available on-street or in private car parks.

    To realise this ambition, a series of targeted investments – including the reopening of Castle Car Park (287 spaces), expanding provision at Edward Street (112 spaces), and converting current office leased parking to general use (100 spaces) – will ensure that overall parking capacity is maintained.

    Introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology will also provide real‑time occupancy data so motorists can see first-hand which car parks have capacity to make best use of the available spaces.

    Councillor Nick Wilkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for Lancaster regeneration and the local economy, said: “We know that businesses and organisations in the city centre rely on our car parks for their customers and visitors. That’s why we’re going to great lengths to ensure we continue to provide enough capacity within the city and the aim of the strategy is to ensure we are striking the right balance.

    “On the one hand we need to provide enough car parking spaces, while on the other we are in desperate need of much needed new affordable housing – something else that people tell us is a priority.

    “This strategy provides certainty for the future, ensuring car parking remains a key part of Lancaster’s infrastructure as the city evolves, while allowing us to regenerate the Canal Quarter into a thriving new neighbourhood.

    “We’ll also be closely monitoring the impact of any changes on city centre businesses so we can take action in the events that the changes have a negative impact.”

    The investments set out in the parking strategy will allow the release of car parks for development while maintaining the number of parking spaces available. The first of these – Nelson Street – is currently the subject of a planning application by South Lakes Housing for the building of 39 much-needed new affordable homes for local people.

    Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, added: “The proposals approved at cabinet mean that, along with the recent announcements by Marco Living and Axis-RE following their purchase of the former Mitchell’s Brewery site, we are making steady progress on redevelopment of the Canal Quarter.

    “Over the next 10 years our vision for this area, which has been so blighted by long term dereliction, is to see it transformed into a vibrant new neighbourhood that has long lasting benefits for the people of Lancaster.”

    Last updated: 09 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Wildfire loses intensity in southern France, firefighters continue battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A wildfire that reached the northwestern outskirts of France’s second city of Marseille lost intensity overnight, but firefighters were still battling the flames on Wednesday.

    Residents who had been told on Tuesday to stay in their homes for their own safety were once again allowed out.

    “With the fire in northern Marseille now clearly under control, we can announce this morning that the 16th arrondissement is no longer on lockdown,” Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said in a post on social media platform X.

    “I call on all Marseille residents to exercise the utmost caution in the area, as emergency services are hard at work,” he said.

    Martine Vassal, head of the area council, said firefighters had worked through the night to control the fire, which she said remained a cause for concern.

    “It is not finished. Weather conditions are worrying for us,” Vassal told broadcaster BFM.

    Local officials said the airport for France’s second-largest city could close for commercial flights to prioritise air resources if the fire flared up again.

    It was too soon for the hundreds of residents who had fled from the wildfire to return, officials said.

    Hundreds of firefighters, aided by helicopters and aircraft, have been fighting the flames, which have been fanned by winds of up to 70 kph (43 mph) that brought plumes of smoke over the southern coastal city. Officials said the blaze was caused by a car that caught on fire.

    The fire had burnt through 700 hectares (2.7 square miles) but no fatalities had been reported, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said late on Tuesday.

    Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told reporters late on Tuesday that the fire had been fast-moving, affecting 60 houses and burning down 10.

    The fire in Marseille and a separate one near Narbonne, another southern French city, were the first major fires of the summer, Sophie Primas, the government’s spokesperson, said in an interview with RTL on Wednesday, adding that wildfire season had come early this year.

    Climate change has made wildfires more destructive in Mediterranean countries in recent years.

    This week and last week, fires have also raged in northeastern Spain, on the Greek island of Crete, and in Athens.

    Philippe, a victim of the fires whose surname was not given, told BFM that he had slept poorly after evacuating and hoped to return to his home at noon on Wednesday.

    “There is nothing we can do,” he said. “It is very very, very hard.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expanding care for patients at home

    Source: Scottish Government

    Improving the flow of patients through hospitals.

    A new £85 million investment will be targeted at front line NHS frailty services, helping to improve the flow of patients throughout hospitals and providing care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.

    The ‘Hospital at Home’ service is to be expanded to 2,000 beds by December 2026. It predominantly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes and who may be suffering with acute illnesses and health conditions, including respiratory and cardiac conditions, infections, or treatment after a fall.

    Keeping patients in their own homes ensures they can stay in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets while also helping to reduce some of the risks associated with hospitalisations such as acquiring infections and lessening delayed discharge from hospital due to waits for appropriate care provision.

    The funding will also be used to support the introduction of frailty services in every A&E department by the end of summer 2025, aiming to cut the average length of stay for vulnerable patients.

    Speaking during a visit to Falkirk Community Hospital, where he met clinicians leading the Hospital at Home service across NHS Forth Valley, First Minister John Swinney said:

    “I am resolutely focused on taking the necessary action to reduce wait times and clear the blockages leading to delayed discharges across our NHS. This investment will ensure many patients can receive first class NHS care in the comfort of their own homes and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.

    “Expanding Hospital at Home to 2,000 beds by December 2026 will create the largest ‘hospital’ in the country, thereby improving the flow of patients throughout the NHS and generating greater capacity for staff. The staff delivering this service at Falkirk Community Hospital are testament to the success of Hospital at Home and it’s been eye opening to see the effort that goes into provide this first class care.

    “The NHS is Scotland’s greatest treasure but we know we must do better to ensure patients get the care they need, when and where they need it. The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for Health and Social Care services – with NHS boards across Scotland receiving an additional £2 billion to deliver key front line services.”

    Dr Sarah Henderson, Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home Service, said:

    “Our local Hospital at Home team do an amazing job to help ensure that patients, who in the past would have to come into hospital, are able to remain in their own homes and access the specialist clinical care and support they require.

    “Over the last four years the service has helped thousands of local patients and the feedback we have received from them and their families has been overwhelmingly positive as they really appreciate everything the team does to help them stay out of hospital and in familiar surroundings at home, close to their family, friends and pets.

    “I am delighted that the additional funding announced today will help us expand the Hospital at Home service further as well as develop local heart failure, respiratory and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services to help more people remain at home and still access the specialist care they require.” 

    Marion Denholm’s husband Bill was recently supported by NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home team after he developed a chest infection. Ms Denholm said:

    “There are no words to adequately describe the care and attention my husband received while under the care of Hospital at Home. We’ve had doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian and a speech and language therapist all visit our home to provide the care and treatment he required so he didn’t have to go into hospital.

    “This meant he was able to stay in familiar surroundings with his family around him at all times and still receive the same type of care he would have received in hospital. I also felt very supported as I could contact the Team direct if I had any worries or concerns. I can’t praise the Hospital at Home service enough and I am sure many other local families feel the same. It also makes so much more sense to treat people in their own homes if you can rather than occupy a bed in a busy hospital – it’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”

    Background

    NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 2,600 Afghan refugee families returned home on Tuesday

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KABUL, July 9 (Xinhua) — More than 2,600 Afghan refugee families returned to their homeland on Tuesday, the state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported on Wednesday.

    According to him, 2,604 refugee families returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday. 98 of them arrived from Pakistan, and another 2,506 from Iran.

    All returnees received the necessary assistance from the interim government of Afghanistan at checkpoints, the statement said. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Flash floods in New Mexico resort town kills three, traps dozens in homes and vehicles

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Torrential rains triggered flash floods in New Mexico that killed at least three people on Tuesday, including two young children, and trapped dozens in homes and vehicles in the resort village of Ruidoso, a state emergency official and a village statement said.

    The children, aged four and seven years old, and a man were swept downstream and later found dead, the mountain resort village said late Tuesday on its website, adding that rescue operations were underway.

    Dramatic video footage on social media and various news outlets showed an entire house, ripped from its foundations, careening downstream through the brown, muddy waters of the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso, side-swiping trees as it went.

    “I’ve seen the video. We don’t know if anyone was in the house,” said Danielle Silva, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

    Emergency teams organised by local law enforcement and the National Guard conducted at least 85 swift-water rescues in and around Ruidoso, many of them people stranded in cars and homes by elevated flood waters, Silva said.

    Silva said the river had quickly risen by a provisional record of 20.24 feet (6.2 metres) at the peak of the flood, and as waters began to recede in the evening, authorities began searching for survivors in the debris.

    The latest floods come just four days after a deadly flash flood triggered by heavy rains along the Guadalupe River killed at least 109 people and left scores missing after ravaging a swath of Texas Hill Country.

    In New Mexico, Silva said the severity of the debris flow was heightened by a flame-scarred landscape stripped of vegetation in a wildfire which was then followed by flooding that eroded the soil.

    Ruidoso, a popular summer retreat as well as ski resort nestled in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of south-central New Mexico, is located about 115 miles (185 km) south of Albuquerque, the state’s largest city.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ13: Making good use of public housing resources

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
     
    Question:　

         According to the latest information of the Housing Department (HD), as at the end of March this year, the average waiting time for general applicants who were housed to public rental housing (PRH) in the past 12 months maintained at 5.3 years, reflecting that PRH supply is still in severe shortage. However, the Office of The Ombudsman, Hong Kong, launched a direct investigation in 2023 into the Housing for Senior Citizens (HSC) and converted one-person (C1P) units, which were introduced by the HD in the 1980s, pointing out that these units are outdated in design due to the need to share facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens, resulting in persistently high vacancy rates and failure to make effective deployment of public housing resources. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: 
    (2) Information on the vacancy period of HSC units is listed in Annex 3.
     
    (3) The total number of PRH applicants who were allocated HSC units, and the number of refusals in the past three years are listed in Annex 4.
     
    (4) The number of HS1 and C1P units converted into ordinary PRH flats in the past five years (from 2020 to 2024) and the respective PRH estates/courts are listed in Annex 5.
     
    (5) It is the objective of the Government and the HA to provide PRH to low-income families who cannot afford private rental accommodation. Existing PRH resources (including HSC) should, as far as possible, be allocated to families or individuals on the PRH waiting list in accordance with established mechanisms to address their housing needs more directly and sustainably. Under the current policy, the purpose of existing transit centres and interim housing aim to meet temporary and transitional housing needs, and the current supply is sufficient to meet the demand. Currently, we have no plan to convert the vacant units into transit centre or interim housing.
     
         The Light Public Housing (LPH) initiative has progressed well, with about 9 500 units completed for intake this year, and around 20 300 units and the remaining 200 units expected to be completed by 2026 and early 2027 respectively, steadily moving towards the goal of completing about 30 000 LPH units by 2027. Converting the remaining small and scattered vacant units across various estates into LPH is not cost-effective. We will continue to work closely with the Social Welfare Department and social welfare organisations to encourage tenants residing in HS1 and C1P units to consider transfer by offering incentives and benefits, including joining the “Full Rent Exemption Scheme for Elderly Households” to enjoy lifetime rent exemption and domestic removal allowance, and appropriate support provided based on individual housing and welfare needs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH downgrades Sustain to V3

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    RSH downgrades Sustain to V3

    The Regulator of Social Housing has downgraded Sustain (UK) Ltd to V3 meaning that the landlord does not meet the financial viability requirements and there are issues of serious regulatory concern.

    Sustain provides supported housing in Birmingham through short term leases. It has not demonstrated it is able to manage its financial risk and that its business planning is sufficiently robust to ensure its long-term viability.   

    The regulator’s previous G3 grading remains unchanged. Its governance arrangements are not effective to ensure adequate oversight of third parties it relies on to deliver services to its tenants and to ensure that it is not inappropriately advancing third party interests.   

    The previous judgement that Sustain is not delivering the outcomes of the Rent Standard also remains unchanged.   

    Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of RSH, said:  

    It is disappointing that Sustain has not made the necessary improvements in its governance since the last judgement.   

    Failing to meet the requirements of the rent standard in this case has given rise to serious financial risks.  

    It must now take effective action to demonstrate a financial plan that is based on appropriate and reasonable assumptions that protects its homes and delivers quality services for its tenants.” 

    Separately, RSH has placed Phoenix Community Housing Association on its gradings under review list. 

    RSH is currently investigating matters which may indicate serious failings in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard and the Consumer Standards. The outcome of the investigation will be confirmed in a regulatory judgement, once completed. 

    Notes to Editors

    1. The regulatory standards page provides information about the economic and consumer standards that registered providers must meet. 

    2. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.  

    3. If RSH is investigating a landlord due to suspected serious failings, we may place them on the gradings under review list. This is likely to be where our engagement is ongoing and we think it is appropriate to alert stakeholders to the fact that we have serious concerns about that landlord’s delivery of the standards outcomes, which we are investigating. More information about the gradings under review list and RSH’s approach is available on its website.  

    4. Phoenix Community Housing Association’s current regulatory grades are G2/V2/C1.

    For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Schools recognised for championing emotional wellbeing

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The event, held at Fordhouses Cricket Club, marked a significant milestone in Wolverhampton’s journey to embed emotional wellbeing and trauma-informed practice at the heart of education through the Wolverhampton ATTUNE Project — a two-year City of Wolverhampton Council-led programme that supports schools in embedding sustainable, trauma-informed practices.

    Schools progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, each recognising deeper integration of the ATTUNE principles – to be attachment-aware and trauma-informed, to build trust and understanding individual needs, to use nurturing and consistent approaches, and to ensure emotional wellbeing is a whole-school priority.

    The seven schools – Loxdale Primary, Broadmeadow Special School, Khalsa Academy, St Peter’s Collegiate Academy, St Michael’s C of E Primary, Christ Church Infant and Junior School, and Low Hill Nursery – were part of the original trauma-informed pilot and have now successfully achieved an ATTUNE award.

    Their efforts have led to meaningful changes in school culture, teaching practices, and student support systems, and each school was invited to receive their award and share stories of transformation, from improved student engagement to stronger staff-pupil relationships.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “We came together to recognise and celebrate the incredible efforts of several local schools in achieving the ATTUNE Charter. These schools have shown what it truly means to be attachment-aware, trauma-informed, and nurturing in their approach to education.”

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “This has been a wonderful opportunity to hear first-hand about the positive changes these schools have made. I would encourage schools who are not already part of ATTUNE but would like to be, to register their interest for the next programme beginning in spring 2026.”

    To register an interest, schools should please visit ATTUNE. 
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Connaught Extension Project Inquiry Wednesday 09 July 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date: 8th July 2025

    Connaught Extension Inquiry

    In line with its previously stated commitment, the General Services Committee sanctioned an independent inquiry into the perceived failings on the delivery of the recently completed Connaught Care Home Extension project.

    The report highlights that while the project governance was correctly structured, there were a number of shortcomings in the project’s administration and management. It also provides key learnings in the form of recommendations that the General Services Committee will endorse and apply to its future major capital projects.

    Iain MacFarlane, Chair of the General Services Committee said; “The report highlights issues with oversight and communication across various responsible bodies and third parties, however we can now be responsible and accountable to learn and move forward from the findings of the inquiry and create a framework that can be applied when the States of Alderney takes on major capital projects.”

    He continued; “I would also like to acknowledge the diligent and professional manner in which Martin Thornton has conducted and presented his findings.”

    General Services Committee recognises the public interest in this matter and therefore it has been agreed for the inquiry to be published in full on the States of Alderney website which can be found via the following link Connaught Extension Project or alternatively via the banner on the States of Alderney homepage.

    The Connaught is hosting an open day today, July 9th and the community is able to take a tour of the new facility. To arrange your place on the tour, please contact the Connaught on 01481 822756.

    Ends

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –