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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New affordable homes ready to welcome tenants

    Source: City of Derby

    Six new affordable and sustainable homes built on the site of a former day centre have been completed.

    Councillor Shiraz Khan officially took possession of the new homes on behalf of Derby City Council at a handover ceremony at Brentford Drive, Mackworth on Wednesday 16 July.

    The project saw the demolition of two older properties on a site identified as suitable for redevelopment to make way for the modern, energy-efficient residences which will help address the city’s housing needs.

    The six two-bedroom homes, funded by the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme, are owned by the Council and managed by Derby Homes.

    Built by appointed contractor Mercer Building Solutions Limited, these homes have been given A-rated Energy Performance Certificates due to high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels, all designed to keep energy bills low and to reduce carbon emissions. Each house also includes off-road parking for one car and car charging points.

    Providing new council homes is a key priority for the Council to address the large numbers waiting for suitable properties. As of 30 September 2024, 8,030 applicants were actively looking for affordable homes through the Council’s lettings system, Homefinder.

    Councillor Shiraz Khan, Derby City Council said:

    It is no secret that the UK is facing a major housing shortage, particularly for those seeking affordable accommodation to rent.

    In Derby, the need for more affordable housing is acute, and that’s why creating new Council homes is so vital. These properties play a key role in helping us meet some of that pressing demand, offering our tenants not just a roof over their heads, but a high-quality, modern, and energy-efficient living space.

    We’re dedicated to increasing our affordable housing provision, because we firmly believe that everyone deserves a secure and comfortable home.

    A lack of suitable and available land is one of the reasons for the shortage of properties, and the Council continually reviews its underused assets to assess their potential for redevelopment. Last year saw 208 additional affordable homes provided in the city and 102 of those were delivered by Derby City Council.

    Katy Mercer, Director at Mercer Building Solutions Ltd said:

    We’re incredibly proud to have delivered these high-quality, energy-efficient homes for Derby City Council.

    At Mercer Building Solutions, we are committed to building not just houses, but sustainable communities. These new homes reflect our dedication to innovation, environmental responsibility, and meeting the real housing needs of local people.

    It’s been a privilege to work on a project that will have such a positive and lasting impact.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells receives new flood warning service

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells receives new flood warning service

    New warning for Southborough Stream. 106 properties in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells to benefit. Households urged to register for new, more targeted, service.

    Southborough Stream, which now benefits from an improved flood warning system.

    The Environment Agency has announced that they’ll be offering a new flood warning service to 106 properties in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for the Southborough Stream.

    Parts of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells are at risk of flooding from the Southborough Stream, which drains the north of the main Tunbridge Wells urban area, flowing north towards its meeting with the River Medway, east of Tonbridge. This stream was previously included as part of a wider flood alert area for the middle Medway and had no existing flood warning service. A new flood alert and flood warning area has now been created for the stream to allow more than 100 properties to be better prepared for flooding.

    The new areas have been created by targeting groups of households where during periods of flood risk, the chances of flooding might be greater than the larger surrounding area. This will make the flood warnings they receive more targeted and enable the homeowners to take the steps they need to respond in good time. 

    Flood Warnings tell people about an imminent risk of flooding to their home or business and helps people make informed decisions about how to respond. There are three types of warning – flood alert, flood warning and severe flood warning. Each warning type is triggered by particular weather, or river or sea conditions that cause flooding.

    Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a flood alert, which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place.

    A flood warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety.

    A severe flood warning means you are in immediate danger and to follow advice from emergency services.

    Henry Bethell, Environment Agency flood resilience team leader for Kent, said:

    We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority. However, the climate emergency means we cannot prevent all flooding – so we’re working to make communities resilient to future flooding.

    We want to ensure that everyone has as much time as possible to prepare for flooding, which is why we’re pleased that people in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells will now be able to receive our free flood warning service for the Southborough Stream.

    Home and business owners will be automatically enrolled to the flood warning service via their mobile network. However, to get the most benefit out of the service the Environment Agency is encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings where they can register preferred contact details. 

    Background:

    • 6.3 million properties in England are at risk of flooding.
    • With climate change projections, 8 million properties could be at risk of flooding by mid-century.
    • The average cost of flood damage to a home is £30,000.
    • The average cost of flooding to a business is £82,000.
    • If you are flooded, temporary accommodation costs on average £10,000.
    • If you are flooded you are likely to be out of your home for an average of 5 months.
    • Know what to do when you receive a flood warning and download a personal flood plan – www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-alerts-and-warnings-what-they-are-and-what-to-do.

    All Environment Agency news releases, both area and national, can be found under Announcements at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency.

    Follow us on Twitter, now known as X: @envagencyse

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unemployment and underemployment statistics for April – June 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Unemployment and underemployment statistics for April – June 2025 
    Comparing April – June 2025 with March – May 2025, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Decreases were mainly seen in arts, entertainment and recreation sector; and professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities) while increases were mainly seen in construction sector and food and beverage service activities sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
     
    Total employment decreased by around 7 400 from 3 664 700 in March – May 2025 to 3 657 300 in April – June 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 7 000 from 3 800 500 to 3 793 500.
     
    The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in April – June 2025 was 136 200, about the same as that in March – May 2025 (135 800). The number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1 000 from 53 600 in March – May 2025 to 52 600 in April – June 2025.
     
    Commentary
     
    The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “While the unemployment and underemployment rates in April – June 2025 remained the same as those of the preceding three-month period, various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing transition and their respective unemployment rates have different trends.” Looking ahead, he said, “The trend of unemployment rate will hinge on the overall economic performance. The entry of fresh graduates and school leavers during the summer may impact the overall employment situation. Nevertheless, the continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy should provide support to the labour market.”
     
    Further information
     
    The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
     
    In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
     
    The survey for April – June 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of April to June 2025.
     
    Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
     
    Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html 
    For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email:     ghs@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Have your say on empty homes in Portsmouth

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    People living in Portsmouth are being asked to have their say on empty homes across the city. With an estimated 950 private homes currently standing vacant across the city, Portsmouth City Council is seeking input from the community on a draft strategy to shape its approach to bringing these houses back into use.

    There are many reasons why a home may lie vacant in the city, the owner may have left to move into sheltered housing, relatives may struggle to update a home so it is suitable to sell or rent, or the owners may be overseas or hard to contact.

    The empty homes consultation runs between Wednesday 16 July and Thursday 21 August 2025. The council will take all feedback received and use it to form the final strategy, that will be in place until 2030, subject to approval at the council’s housing and tackling homelessness decision meeting.

    The draft strategy explores ways to bring homes back into use as early as possible. This includes supporting property owners to rent or sell their empty homes and improving collaboration across council departments and external partners to identify empty homes more quickly. By working together, the council hopes to make dealing with empty properties a shared responsibility that will lead to more homes available for those who need them, such as those on the housing register.

    Residents and property owners are encouraged to take part by:

    • Completing the survey to share their views on the strategy
    • Reporting empty properties in their neighbourhood
    • Working with the council to bring their own empty properties back into use

    Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness: “Empty homes in the city can lead to issues such as overgrown gardens and homes looking rundown, which can have a negative impact on the neighbourhoods they are in. We understand that dealing with empty properties can be complex and, in some cases, emotionally challenging. That’s why this strategy aims to provide better support for owners and ensure a more joined-up approach across council departments.

    “Everyone can play their part. It really does take a village to solve the empty homes issue in the city.”

    For more information or to take part in the survey, please visit https://www.research.net/r/EmptyHomes_g or contact emptyproperties@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9260 6193.

    You can also report an empty home using our online form.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil Society Covenant: Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Civil Society Covenant: Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS)

    Improving services by measuring impact.

    Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) is a Scottish charity, supporting civil society organisations, trustees and funders, to measure and demonstrate their impact through evaluation. The aim is to use impact data and evidence to inform future policy development; it was created after research found that many third sector organisations and funders (including public bodies) lacked the skills and resources to undertake evaluations and to use the insights to inform decisions.

    Tailored support and resources

    ESS receive core funding from the Scottish Government to deliver open workshops, tailored support, free online self-directed learning modules, and a wealth of online resources. They have also developed multiple guides for funders and organisations, including the five principles for good evaluation, that enables organisations to gain real-time insights, adjust their work and remain responsive to feedback from communities and citizens. They also partnered with the Scottish Government to develop Principles for Positive Partnership, to enhance the relationship between grant managers and grant holders, providing practical advice to strengthen both parties.

    Preventing homelessness

    In 2023, ESS was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF), in response to the Scottish Government’s homelessness action plan, to focus on preventing homelessness in Glasgow and Edinburgh. With ESS’s support, organisations were able to better highlight the impact of their work which helped inform the targeting of future activity.  This included those who are at risk of being homeless:

    • being able to access services that meet their needs, including mental health support and youth outreach services

    • having more access to more suitable accommodation for their needs

    • having more influence on the systems that they are affected by, through the inclusion of lived experiences within housing association policies

    Outcomes

    ESS’s work has supported TNLCF to make decisions about funding future projects, and ensured that future funding streams were informed about effective support and interventions that had a real world impact on the people they were designed to support.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH highlights the importance of landlords understanding tenants’ homes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    RSH highlights the importance of landlords understanding tenants’ homes

    RSH’s standards require landlords to have a strong understanding of stock condition.

    A new report from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) sets out the importance of social landlords understanding the condition of tenants’ homes. The report concludes that this is essential for keeping tenants safe and underpins effective long-term investment planning.  

    RSH’s standards require landlords to have a strong understanding of stock condition. Through its regulatory activity, including inspections, RSH has found that landlords who demonstrated a stronger approach had some or all of the following features:  

    • Having up to date stock condition survey coverage of their homes, which they use to respond quickly to rectify hazards and Decent Homes Standard failures. 

    • Using stock condition data to build a strategic approach to investment and provide better value for money, by proactively addressing potential issues through planned major repairs, rather than fixing issues responsively. 

    • Demonstrating effective data management processes, by triangulating data from a range of sources to inform long-term financial planning and stress test business plans.    

    • Having effective governance processes and oversight, with clear reporting to boards or councillors.  

    • Using suitably skilled and accredited surveyors to carry out the work.  

    Almost all the C3 and C4 judgements that RSH has published since April 2024 related at least in part to the landlord failing to meet the Safety and Quality standard. In nearly three quarters of these cases, the issues included low stock condition survey coverage or a failure to demonstrate an understanding of tenants’ homes. Weaknesses in data quality has also been an important theme in governance downgrades, where some landlords have failed to use data to support key decisions including long-term investment planning. 

    Boards and councillors must ensure their organisation has an accurate, up-to-date and evidenced understanding of stock condition. This enables the provision of good quality homes and supports the strategic planning of major repairs programmes.  

    RSH will continue to use a range of regulatory tools to ensure landlords deliver the outcomes of its standards.  

    Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:   

    Many social landlords are putting significant time and resources into understanding and improving the quality of tenants’ homes. This is a crucial requirement of our standards and underpins good governance, sound financial decision making, delivering value for money, and providing good quality homes and services for tenants.  

    Having a strong understanding of tenants’ homes enables landlords to provide more and better homes for people who need them. All landlords should read this report and use the findings to improve their approach.

    Most landlords continue to improve stock condition survey coverage. The average landlord reported surveying 75% of homes in the last five years (as of 31 March 2024), compared with 68% reported as of March 2023. 

    The vast majority (87%) of housing associations reported that they had undertaken a stock condition survey within 2023/24. These landlords reported physically inspecting over half a million homes in their most recent survey – equivalent to 20% of the total homes they own. 

    Notes to Editors

    1. In April 2024 RSH introduced new consumer standards for all social landlords, as well as a programme of inspections for large landlords (those with 1,000 homes or more).  

    2. RSH gathers a range of information from landlords beyond its inspections. This includes the annual Statistical Data Return (which requires landlords to report on stock condition survey coverage and homes that do not meet the Decent Homes Standard). Landlords are also required to produce and publish Tenant Satisfaction Measures which include questions about stock quality.  

    3. All social landlords must deliver the requirements of the Safety and Quality Standard. This includes the following required outcomes:  

    • Registered providers must have an accurate, up to date and evidenced understanding of the condition of their homes that reliably informs their provision of good quality, well maintained and safe homes for tenants.   

    • Registered providers must ensure that tenants’ homes meet the standard set out in section five of the Government’s Decent Homes Guidance and continue to maintain their homes to at least this standard unless exempted by the regulator.  

    • Registered providers must have an accurate record at an individual property level of the condition of their homes, based on a physical assessment of all homes and keep this up to date.

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil Society Covenant: EUSS Vulnerability Programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Civil Society Covenant: EUSS Vulnerability Programme

    Leveraging data and transparency to bridge digital divides for vulnerable citizens.

    The EU Settlement Scheme’s (EUSS) digital-first design posed challenges for vulnerable EU citizens in the UK, including those facing language barriers, digital exclusion, mental health issues and homelessness. These issues posed a barrier to applying and securing settled status in the UK. Although many civil society organisations (CSOs) were uniquely placed to reach and support these individuals, they lacked accurate data to work with.

    Better data sharing

    In response, government launched a grant programme for CSOs to enhance data collection, sharing and transparency. This enabled better data sharing between the government and grantees for immediate assessments, established transparency standards, and offered support to smaller organisations for data management compliance. Data gathered from civil society informed policy changes and outreach, improving understanding of needs and enabling collaborative, evidence-based solutions. 

    Providing essential assistance

    Over £32.5 million was successfully allocated to over 70 civil society organisations, enabling them to provide essential assistance to more than 500,000 vulnerable citizens who might not have applied to the scheme otherwise. This critical initiative supported individuals with understanding the scheme, completing applications, and accessing legal or translation services.

    The grants also supported four national organisations (one each in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and a number of regional organisations, ensuring UK-wide access to services. An example includes Citizens Advice Scotland, with 1,000 advisers in 200 outreach locations, delivering EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) advice, including benefits, housing, and debt support, enhancing community wellbeing.

    Next steps

    Next steps include applying this model to future schemes and tracking long term impacts on community resilience.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil Society Covenant: Medrwn Môn Place Shaping

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Civil Society Covenant: Medrwn Môn Place Shaping

    Working together as an alliance.

    Medrwn Môn’s Place Shaping empowers Anglesey communities through community alliances to actively shape local services. Previously, traditional top-down service provision often overlooked unique community needs. This created a barrier to citizen participation, with citizens often feeling disengaged from the decisions that affected them.

    Medrwn Môn’s Place Shaping was developed with Anglesey County Council to help find a solution. Supported by funding from the Welsh Government and using the principles of Wales’ Third Sector Scheme, the programme set up Community Alliances which create a map of community assets in their area, including physical facilities and the availability of local skills and experiences. They would then work with statutory services to develop services based on local assets and needs.

    The benefits of Place Shaping have included an increase in attendance of community groups, use of community buildings, and more opportunities for volunteering. The Môn Community Link, a social prescribing programme for residents, has become the single point of access for early intervention and prevention services for statutory providers including the community mental health team, housing support providers, GPs, and the local police.

    One of the Community Alliances, the Seiriol Alliance, is now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation employing its own staff, running its own community transport scheme and is generating its own money for small-scale community-led projects. This has improved government and civil society relationships by facilitating greater trust and a culture of shared responsibility.

    Services, which are both devolved and reserved, have become more relevant and accessible, building stronger community resilience through active participation. Public sector partners remain committed to meaningful community planning, with Place Shaping now directly written into Anglesey Council executive job descriptions and duties and a commitment to ensure all council departments are aware of their responsibilities to sustain this way of working.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Five non-executive directors reappointed to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Five non-executive directors reappointed to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Board

    Two board members have been reappointed for two years, while three others have had their term extended by a year.

    Five non-executive directors (NEDs) have been reappointed to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) board, with the majority of their new terms to begin in September 2025. 

    The board advises on the Agency’s strategic direction and supports the Chief Executive by providing leadership, developing strategy, advising on policy delivery, maintaining high standards of corporate governance, scrutinising performance, and ensuring that controls are in place to manage risk. 

    Two directors have been reappointed for two years: 

    • Professor Graham Cooke, beginning 1 September 2025. 

    • Dr Paul Goldsmith, beginning 1 September 2025. 

    Three directors have been reappointed for an additional year: 

    • Dr Junaid Bajwa, from 1 September 2025. 

    • Rajakumari Long, from 1 September 2025. 

    • Michael Whitehouse OBE has been reappointed as a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for a further one year from 1 September 2026. 

    Two other board members – Amanda Calvert and Haider Husain – will be leaving the MHRA board at the end of their current terms, on 31 August 2025. 

    The appointments will continue to involve a time commitment of 2 to 3 days per month, and remuneration for the Non-Executive Director role will continue at a rate of £7,883 per year, with the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair continuing to receive £13,137 per year. 

    All appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. 

    The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

    The appointments are made on merit, and political activity played no part in the decision process. However, in accordance with the code, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. 

    None of the appointees have declared any political activity. 

    More information on the work of the Agency Board can be found on the MHRA’s Governance page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • PM to visit Bihar and West Bengal; inaugurate key infrastructure projects

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and West Bengal on Friday to launch a series of development projects worth over ₹12,000 crore, aimed at strengthening infrastructure, connectivity, and socio-economic growth in the two states.

    PM in Bihar

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation development projects catering to Rail, Road, Rural Development, Fisheries, Electronics and Information Technology sectors.

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity and infrastructure, Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation multiple rail projects. It includes automatic signalling between Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line that will enable efficient train operations in this section. Doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail line part of Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project worth over Rs 580 crore that will enhance the capacity of train operations and reduce delays.

    The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for multiple rail projects. These include the development of infrastructure for the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra, and the installation of automatic signalling on the 114 km Bhatni–Chhapra Gramin rail line to enable streamlined train operations. The upgradation of the traction system in the Bhatni–Chhapra Gramin section will allow higher train speeds by strengthening traction infrastructure and optimising energy efficiency. Additionally, the Darbhanga–Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project, worth around ₹4,080 crore, will increase sectional capacity, enable the operation of more passenger and freight trains, and strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country.

    Furthering road connectivity in the region, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Ara bypass of NH-319 and inaugurate the Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319. This corridor, which connects Ara Town to the Golden Quadrilateral, is expected to enhance both passenger and freight transport. He will also inaugurate a two-lane paved shoulder road from Sarwan to Chakai under NH-333C, which serves as a vital link between Bihar and Jharkhand.

    In the digital infrastructure sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility in Darbhanga and a state-of-the-art incubation centre in Patna. These facilities are designed to support the growth of the IT and startup ecosystem in Bihar, promoting software exports and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), several fisheries development projects will also be inaugurated. These projects include the setting up of hatcheries, biofloc units, ornamental fish farming units, and integrated aquaculture infrastructure. The new projects are expected to generate employment and uplift the rural economy through increased fish production and entrepreneurship.

    In line with the vision for a modern and accessible railway network, the Prime Minister will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains connecting key cities such as Patna, Motihari, Darbhanga, and Malda Town with major destinations like New Delhi and Lucknow, enhancing regional and interstate rail connectivity.

    Further, the Prime Minister will release ₹400 crore to approximately 61,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bihar under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). He will also hand over keys to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin as part of a Griha Pravesh event for 12,000 families, and release over ₹160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of the scheme.

    PM in West Bengal

    Later in the day, around 3 PM, the Prime Minister will visit Durgapur in West Bengal, where he will launch and dedicate several development projects in Oil and Gas, Power, Road, and Rail sectors, cumulatively worth over ₹5,000 crore.

    In a major push to energy infrastructure, he will lay the foundation stone for the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) City Gas Distribution project in Bankura and Purulia districts. The ₹1,950 crore project aims to provide piped natural gas to households and CNG for vehicles, boosting employment and supporting clean energy usage.

    He will also dedicate the 132-km Durgapur to Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation. This segment, worth over ₹1,190 crore, is part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project and will facilitate the supply of natural gas across multiple districts including Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia.

    In keeping with the focus on clean energy, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems at Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station under the Damodar Valley Corporation. These pollution control systems, worth over ₹1,457 crore, are expected to improve air quality and support sustainable power generation in the region.

    Rail infrastructure in West Bengal will also see enhancement with the inauguration of the doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila rail line, a 36-km stretch worth over ₹390 crore. The project will boost industrial connectivity from Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Dhanbad to Ranchi and Kolkata, improving logistics and reducing transit time.

    The Prime Minister will also inaugurate two road overbridges at Topsi and Pandabeshwar in Paschim Bardhaman, constructed under the Setu Bharatam programme at a cost of over ₹380 crore. These bridges are expected to ease traffic flow and reduce accidents at railway level crossings.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government commits over R1 trillion to infrastructure investment

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Government is following through on its commitment to invest more than R1 trillion in infrastructure over the next three years to renew the country’s roads, port, rail, energy and water systems.

    This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who presented The Presidency Budget Vote for the 2025/2026 financial year in the National Assembly in Parliament on Wednesday. 

    The Budget Vote focused on the 7th administration’s three strategic priorities, including promoting inclusive growth, job creation, tackling poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. 

    “South Africans benefit when the economy grows, when jobs are created, when established industries expand and new industries emerge,” the President said. 

    The President emphasised that government is hard at work to boost infrastructure investment to ensure that infrastructure development becomes the “true flywheel of economic growth.” 

    Through the Infrastructure Fund, he said government is investing in the roads that link communities to economic centres and the water projects that supply expanding cities and towns. 

    “We have amended the regulations for Public Private Partnerships to make it easier for the private sector to invest in infrastructure ranging from renewable energy generation to housing. 

    “This infrastructure has a direct impact on people’s lives, providing the services they need, reducing the cost of living, improving the business environment and encouraging economic activity,” the President said. 

    President Ramaphosa noted that the country continues to face high levels of unemployment and economic growth that is too low to create jobs and reduce poverty. In addition, the country faces the corrosive effects of corruption and pervasive crime, to which the poorest are most vulnerable.

    “It is with these challenges in mind that we formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) to place our country on a path of growth and transformation, a path of peace and prosperity. 

    “As we established the GNU, we understood that we were embarking on a new era in the life of our democracy. We understood that there would be complex dynamics and novel challenges that we would need to navigate,” he said.

    The President highlighted that the GNU adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), which outlines clear actions that will be undertaken over the next five years in pursuit of three strategic priorities. 

    “Across all ministries, all departments and all national entities, there is a commitment to implement the actions on which we have agreed and to move with urgency and purpose to address the needs of South Africans. 

    “Most importantly, there is a shared understanding that we need to rise above our differences and to work together to make progress on our most important challenges,” the President said. 

    The President explained that the approach of the Government of National Unity is to enhance national cohesion and nation building and to build partnerships across society to advance the common interests of all South Africans. 

    He said the National Dialogue is being convened in response to calls from individuals and formations from across society.

    The initiative has received wide support and has been endorsed by the GNU as a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan.

    “We are all called upon to use this National Dialogue as an instrument of development, transformation, progress, national cohesion and nation building. The National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by our Constitution, nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the Executive,” he said. 

    As the National dialogue process continues, the President said the GNU will continue to take action to address the immediate concerns that all South Africans share – to grow the economy, to create jobs, to tackle corruption and crime, and to fix local government.

    “Everything that this government does – from trade negotiations to economic reforms, from the professionalisation of the public service to support for farmers and small businesses – is directed towards meeting the needs of South Africa’s people and securing their future. 

    “The role of the Presidency is to coordinate the work of government towards this end, and to make sure that our commitments are translated into action. Our most important priority is to grow the economy and create jobs,” President Ramaphosa said. 

    The President added that efforts to improve visa administration, digital payments, tourism, and industrial diversification would unlock growth and investment. 

    “We are pursuing the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy recently approved by Cabinet to ensure that the country’s mineral wealth creates jobs and produces value here in South Africa,” the President said. 

    The development of new sectors was also a key focus. 

    “Our National Policy on the Commercialisation of Hemp and Cannabis aims to improve the livelihoods of people living in rural areas, targeting 10 percent annual growth in this emerging industry,” he said.

    Highlighting tourism’s recovery, he noted that over 9 million international tourists visited South Africa last year, spending more than R90 billion.

    “This is thanks in large part to reforms in our visa system, targeted tourism promotion in key markets and support to local companies,” he said. 

    President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that the Presidency continues to lead implementation of economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela. 

    In the energy sector, working together with all stakeholders, the President noted outstanding progress in reducing the severity and frequency of load shedding. 

    “There was a time when daily load shedding was the norm. Now, it is very much the exception,” he said.

    He said government is putting in place the foundations for a competitive electricity market to unlock massive new investment in energy generation. 

    “This will result in lower electricity costs for all South Africans and more renewable energy to power our economy.”

    In addition, the President said South Africa has received international pledges worth R230 billion towards its just energy transition, with investments in transmission, renewables and localised development. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government scales up youth-focused initiatives 

    Source: Government of South Africa

    As government pursues faster and more inclusive economic growth, the fight against youth unemployment remains a priority, with large-scale programmes underway to create opportunities for young people to earn an income, develop skills and gain work experience.

    Delivering the Presidency Budget Vote for the 2025/2026 financial year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the greatest challenge that faces South Africa today is youth unemployment. 

    “Approximately 3.8 million out of 10.3 million young people aged 15 to 24 years are not in employment, education or training. These are young people with energy, initiative and untapped potential,” President Ramaphosa said.

    In his address on Wednesday, the President said government has launched large-scale programmes to provide young people with income opportunities, skills development and work experience.

    “Through innovative and targeted interventions, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has continued to demonstrate that when a society invests in its people, the dividends are measured in hope restored and futures rewritten,” he said. 

    He cited the Basic Education Employment Initiative, which entered a new phase in June this year, placing over 200 000 young people as school assistants in more than 2 0000 schools. 

    To date, this initiative has created over one million posts for young people to serve as assistants in schools, supporting teachers in classrooms, school administration and school maintenance.

    “The programme has been designed to strengthen the learning environment and learning outcomes in schools. In the process, participants gain work experience and skills vital to finding employment and starting their own businesses,” the President said.

    He added that the SAYouth.mobi platform was launched in 2020 to tackle the barriers faced by young people such as experience and the lack of transport or lack of data money.

    “There are now over 4.7 million young people registered on the SAYouth network. Young people have been supported to access over 1.67 million earning opportunities.

    “A significant achievement of SA Youth is that the vast majority of earning opportunities have been accessed by the most excluded young people. Seventy percent of opportunities have been accessed by young black African women,” President Ramaphosa said.

    The President noted that around 65% of the platform’s users live in grant-receiving households, demonstrating that “we are reaching some of the people who have the greatest need.”

    Another impactful initiative mentioned was the Youth Employment Service (YES), which he said has become the largest corporate-funded youth jobs programme globally. 

    The programme has to date provided over 190 000 young people with year-long work experience opportunities.

    “Through all of these programmes coordinated by the Presidency, we are changing the way that government works and scaling innovative solutions to our unemployment challenge,” the President said. 

    Education 

    Turning to education, President Ramaphosa underscored its role in fighting poverty, with a focus on early childhood development, foundational learning, and access to well-run schools.

    “We continue our efforts to ensure that learners have a safe and conducive environment in which to learn. To date, we have completed 97 percent of the sanitation projects under the SAFE initiative aimed at getting rid of pit latrines in our schools.”

    He also confirmed the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, expansion of vocational training, and broader access to higher education through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

    Having come into effect in December last year, the Act amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.

    Through the NSFAS, government is expanding access for students from poor and working class families, and with the support of the National Skills Fund, assistance is being expanded to the ‘missing middle’.

    “This year, NSFAS is supporting over 800 000 university and TVET [technical and vocational education and training] college students. This provides opportunities to young people today that will, in time, transform our economy and society,” he said. 

    NHI

    On healthcare and the National Health Insurance (NHI), the President said government is addressing the poor state of health facilities and is hiring more professionals, while also permanently employing community health workers.

    “To address the severe challenges in the health system and in preparation for the implementation of the NHI, we are directing resources towards the hiring of more doctors, nurses and health professionals, the permanent employment of community health workers, and the purchase of new equipment and supplies.

    “We are determined to meet our HIV testing and treatment targets, despite the withdrawal of US funding,” he added, noting that Deputy President Paul Mashatile continues to lead the HIV/AIDS response through the South African National AIDS Council.

    Last week, Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said the National Treasury has allocated R753 million to the Department of Health — under Section 16 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) — to help bridge the shortfall caused by the United States’ decision to cut HIV and tuberculosis (TB) grants.

    READ | Treasury allocates emergency funding of R750m towards HIV and TB after US funding cuts

    The United States government’s withdrawal of funding to key health initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief P(EPFAR), which was established by former President George W Bush in 2003, led to a loss of R7.9 billion spent on HIV/Aids programmes annually.
     

    Governance 

    On governance, the President said building a capable and corruption-resistant state remains a priority. 

    “For us to effectively tackle any of these challenges, we need to build a capable state with institutions that are resistant to corruption or interference. 

    “The recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Bill by the National Assembly marks a crucial milestone, enhancing the independence and effectiveness of the Public Service Commission in promoting ethical governance,” the President said. 

    President Ramaphosa said the bill will allow the Commission to function as an impartial constitutional body and ensure that the executive is compelled to act on the Commission’s recommendations, thereby reinforcing accountability across the public sector. 

    Digital Transformation Roadmap

    He added that the Digital Transformation Roadmap launched in April 2025, is set to make government work more efficiently while also bringing it closer to the people.

    READ | Digital Transformation Roadmap to make it easier to access government services

    “The roadmap focuses on building digital public infrastructure including a digital identity for every South African citizen. 

    “It includes a digital payments system to enable instant, low-cost payments, and interoperable data systems to ensure that citizens only have to provide their information to government once,” said President Ramaphosa. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Communities urged to protect water resources

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, has called on the community of Winterveld, north of Tshwane, to refrain from polluting local watercourses and to take greater responsibility for safeguarding South Africa’s water resources.

    Seitlholo made the call during a river clean-up event held this week at a tributary of the Tolwane River, as part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Clear Rivers Campaign, in support of Mandela Month.

    “There is a huge crisis that we have in South Africa that we do not talk about, which is the state of our water resources. People do not protest because there is sewerage in the river or in the dams.

    “But they protest when there is no water coming from their taps. Ironically, it is the state of the water in our rivers and dams that determine the quality of the water that comes from our taps,” Seitlholo said.

    Highlighting the need for a holistic understanding of the water value chain, Seitlholo stressed that the condition of upstream water sources determines the quality of water that ultimately reaches households.

    “The public is focused and fixated on the end-product and seem to forget that there is a beginning of the value chain. If the community fails to take care of the beginning of the value chain, then definitely the end-product will be compromised.”

    The Deputy Minister expressed concern over the severe pollution of water resources in Gauteng, citing dumping of waste and foreign objects into rivers as a major contributor.

    “People have taken a decision that they are not going to be conscious enough about the state of our rivers and dams. They are just going to throw foreign objects into our river streams [and] that is the behaviour. We have messed up our environment as people,” the Deputy Minister said.

    He also reminded the community that water is irreplaceable, unlike electricity, which can be substituted with alternatives like gas or wood.

    “When there is no water, it just cannot be replaced,” he said.

    The river clean-up event saw participation from government officials, INCLUDING residents, local stakeholders, and the City of Tshwane, which assisted with waste collection and disposal.

    This collective approach reflects the shared responsibility in safeguarding South Africa’s water resources.

    Maintaining clean rivers and catchment areas is critical to reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water systems.

    The river clean-up comes at the backdrop of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s annual Clear Rivers Campaign in support of the Mandela Month, where everybody is called to dedicate their 67 minutes of goodwill activities towards cleaning up streams, wetlands, dams, canals, and any freshwater sources.

    The Deputy Minister noted that community-led initiatives like this not only improve environmental conditions but also help raise awareness and fosters lasting behavioral change toward responsible waste management.

    “Water is a vital enabler of economic growth, investment, and social development. Therefore, it is crucial for communities living near rivers and wetlands to protect these ecosystems, which are essential for livelihoods and resilience,” the Deputy Minister said.

    The Clear Rivers Campaign is observed under the theme: “South Africa is a water-scarce country – clean up and protect our water resources.”

    This year’s Mandela Month is commemorated under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt to resume land in Kowloon City

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    In accordance with the Lands Resumption Ordinance, the Lands Department today posted land resumption notices to resume land at Nga Tsin Wai Road/Carpenter Road in Kowloon City for implementing an urban renewal project.

     

    A total of 1,009 property interests will be resumed. The affected interests will revert to the Government on October 18.

     

    This urban renewal project, included in the Urban Renewal Authority’s Business Plan for 2022-23, is expected to help improve the overall living environment in the area.

     

    The 37,061 sq m project site will be redeveloped for residential use with retail/commercial facilities, at-grade landscaped diversified space, underground ancillary parking and loading/unloading facilities.

     

    The project will also provide a public vehicle park, as well as government, institution or community facilities.

     

    Apart from statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will also be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or a supplementary allowance as appropriate. Eligible domestic tenants will be offered rehousing or an ex-gratia allowance.

     

    Meanwhile, eligible commercial property occupiers, including owners and tenants, may opt for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to claim statutory compensation for business and related losses.

     

    If statutory claims made by the affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties cannot be settled by agreement, the owners and tenants may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Professional fees reasonably incurred by the claimants in making such claims may be reimbursed by the Government.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 17 July 2025 Departmental update Building local research capacity to advance sexual and reproductive health evidence

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Behind every policy and intervention that improves sexual and reproductive health outcomes and access to services, there is research. And behind that research, there must be skilled researchers. With evidence guiding decisions, health systems respond more effectively, services improve and rights are upheld.

    The HRP Alliance’s regional hubs have been demonstrating what it means to build sustainable research capacity in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Anchored in the mission to promote health and rights for all, the HRP Alliance, coordinated by the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), brings together seven regional ‘hubs’ that serve as catalysts for knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

    Since its establishment in 2017, the HRP Alliance hubs have been empowering local researchers and institutions through training, mentorship, fellowships and institutional support. Moreover, they enable context-specific responses to some of the world’s most pressing SRHR challenges. Seven impact stories document how locally-led research through this initiative has driven global progress.

    In Brazil, the hub for the Americas region at the Campinas Reproductive Health Research Center (CEMICAMP) responded to the Venezuelan migration crisis by training researchers across the region to study the SRHR needs of displaced populations. Their findings on access to care, HIV treatment and sexual violence helped close a major data gap which led to a more human-centred understanding of the needs of displaced populations.

    In Burkina Faso, the Francophone Africa hub, housed at the Health Science Research Institute (IRSS), is creating a regional data and training centre, with 50 Master’s and PhD graduates now leading research and public health efforts across West and Central Africa. Their studies on postpartum contraception and maternal care are informing health strategies.

    In Ghana, the Anglophone Africa hub, housed at the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health, launched a joint master’s programme with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The joint programme has built on years of investment by the HRP Alliance in developing a critical mass of skilled researchers in SRHR. Graduates have gone on to lead national SRHR units and contribute to major studies on adolescent maternal care and quality of services.

    In Kenya, the hub at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) developed a training programme to help researchers and health workers reflect on their personal beliefs and how these might affect their work on sensitive issues like abortion, sexuality and HIV. The model, called values clarification and attitude transformation training, is now being adopted across Africa.

    In Pakistan, the Eastern Mediterranean hub at Aga Khan University worked directly with hospitals during COVID-19, training researchers and influencing maternal care practices, as well as including the adoption of tools to detect maternal sepsis. Their adaptive, hospital-linked approach is now seen as a model for emergency-responsive research.

    In Thailand, the hub for the South-East Asian Region at Khon Kaen University focused its efforts on Myanmar, training a core group of researchers to generate evidence in a fragile setting. Their work on respectful maternity care and cervical cancer screening is now helping to shape maternal health policies, aimed at improving care quality, reducing mistreatment during childbirth and increasing access to lifesaving screening services.

    And in Viet Nam, the hub for the Western Pacific Region at Hanoi Medical University created a dedicated SRHR track within its International Master of Public Health programme, equipping researchers with the tools to address issues relating to adolescent health and gender-based violence. Graduates reported strengthened skills in data analysis, literature review and research presentation, and several went on to work in national health institutions, including the Ministry of Health.

    The stories capture how each hub has been working in its own way. Some prioritize formal academic pathways; others focus on skills development through short courses, mentorship or practical implementation research. All share a common goal: building lasting, regionally-led research ecosystems that respond to regional needs.

    Because when researchers are trained locally, mentored locally and supported to ask the right questions, health systems respond better. SRHR services improve. And people’s rights, choices and dignity are upheld.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China calls for strengthening SCO economic, trade cooperation

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

    BEIJING, July 17 — Gao Yunlong, chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, called for bolstering economic and trade cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) when speaking at the opening of the SCO business forum in Beijing on Thursday.

    Economic and trade cooperation is a powerful engine driving the SCO’s dynamic development, said Gao, also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

    Gao said China is ready to work with other parties to further align regional development strategies, enhance the quality and level of SCO economic and trade cooperation, and ensure the stability and efficiency of industrial and supply chains.

    He stressed that these efforts will promote the building of an SCO community with a shared future and contribute to lasting global peace and shared prosperity.

    Hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the forum attracted nearly 400 participants from government institutions and the business community both at home and abroad.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Geeking out, China’s high-tech factory floors adored as ‘industrial Disneyland’

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

    Robots work at Xiaomi’s automobile factory in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Getting a pass into Xiaomi’s car plant in suburban Beijing feels like snagging front-row tickets to the world’s hottest concert.

    “Application accepted!” Wang Shuang crowed, posting a screenshot to social media. “The last time I felt this giddy was when I landed a Taylor Swift ticket.”

    Welcome to China’s newest travel craze: high-tech factories have joined ancient palaces and world-class museums as the nation’s must-see destinations.

    China has dominated as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse for fifteen straight years. Yet, in just the past two years, the robust rise of smart manufacturing has revolutionized the country’s once dreary, clang-and-hiss assembly lines into a cultural phenomenon or “industrial Disneyland.”

    Chinese manufacturers aren’t pioneering this factory fascination. France’s Citroen ignited the trend in the 1950s. Boeing and Toyota plants remain the top U.S. and Japan draws.

    As the country’s industrial prowess ascends from the lower rungs of the global supply chain to a technology-driven frontier, a profound shift has taken hold. An increasing number of Chinese people now celebrate mechanical ingenuity with reverence, as their pride in homegrown sectors flourishes.

    The registration page of Xiaomi, a headline-grabbing newcomer to the electric vehicle (EV) sector last year, was still live ticking: beside the tiny line “20 spots only,” the counter read “4,060 already applied” as a scramble ensued to witness robotic arms assembling electric cars.

    Wang snagged that coveted ticket only after camping on the official website for days, finger tap-dancing like a twitchy trigger, until the confirmation flashed alive.

    Tech odyssey 

    Under the scorching sun, the lucky visitor Wang stepped into the factory complex as scheduled. The two-hour journey felt like a tech-filled odyssey. She rode a shuttle vehicle that zipped through the six major workshops: stamping, large die casting, body welding, painting, battery assembly and final assembly.

    In her experience, factories were enclosed, dusty, and filled with workers in safety helmets. This time, she saw robotic arms working with micron-level precision on the factory floor and AI-driven robots moving freely along planned routes to deliver battery cell components to their destinations.

    “It takes just 76 seconds to churn out a new car,” Wang exclaimed in amazement. “Quicker than whipping up a latte.”

    NIO, another domestic EV manufacturer, has opened its “Second Advanced Manufacturing Base” to the public since October 2023. Visitors can also tour the facility, which is filled with robotic arms, from an elevated corridor. In 2024, over 130,000 people visited the site, including about 900 from overseas.

    The moves to open production lines to the public came as China’s new energy vehicles have topped the global production and sales charts for nine consecutive years. Along with lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, they form China’s “new export trio,” showcasing the technological upgrades of “Made in China.”

    Freya Zhang, a research analyst at the investment consulting firm Tech Buzz China, told the journal Wired that China’s EV factory tour “offers a chance to not only see the production line up close, but also experience the human side of the brand.”

    Beyond EVs, emerging tech hubs are becoming pilgrimage sites. In Hangzhou, an innovative magnet in east China, robotics pioneers like Unitree Robotics draw curated tour groups.

    At the AG600 final-assembly plant in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai — host city of China’s premier airshow — a steady stream of visitors was filing through the country’s only extensive special-mission aircraft production line that is open to the public.

    The AG600 line attracts roughly 40,000 visitors a year, with open-day slots almost booked out to a crowd dominated by the young. The domestically developed amphibious aircraft, which has already entered mass production, can swiftly shuttle between water sources and fire sites, making it a powerful tool for forest firefighting.

    The destination of industry tourism is also emerging from unexpected origins: waste treatment plants. Not far from Zhuhai, Shenzhen, an economic hub of China, now welcomes visitors to four such “eco-parks.”

    One social platform user from Xiaohongshu posted about their visit: The true spectacle lies in the industrial-scale choreography of the facility’s central sorting hall, where a colossal hydraulic claw, operating with uncanny precision, plunges into mountains of refuse and sorts recyclables. “It provides a sense of satisfaction akin to that of playing a claw crane game.”

    New growth 

    China hosts over 40 percent of the world’s “lighthouse factories,” and more assembly lines have been digitally transformed, creating an ideal foundation for transforming humans on factory floors into a cultural canvas.

    More Chinese cities have made industrial tourism their new engines for growth. In February, Beijing vowed to create five national industrial-tourism demonstration bases by 2027 and become a leading destination by 2029.

    The city’s tourism blueprint includes opening high-level autonomous driving scenarios, rocket institutes, low-altitude economy, and green energy routes, while inviting research institutes to grant public access to select labs and assembly halls.

    Local governments are also looking to outfit industrial tourism itself with next-gen stagecraft: Shanghai is set to weave large language models, the metaverse and blockchain into richer cultural narratives, while Hunan province in central China will deploy AR, VR, AI, 5G, 3D cinema, and holography to build fully immersive worlds.

    “Industrial tourism is a nexus where secondary and tertiary industries converge,” said Chen Wei, an expert from Tsinghua University. “It can fuel consumption, expand domestic demand, and promote industrial science education.”

    Among the facilities listed as national industrial tourism demonstration bases are Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the aerospace supercomputing center in the island province of Hainan, and the Zhuzhou electric locomotive production line in Hunan, which is a cradle of China’s high-speed trains, according to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

    “Fast-tracking industrial tourism is a strategic move in building a modern industrial system, which serves to unlock growth potential for regional economic vitality,” said Chen. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council makes military service a ‘protected characteristic’

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It means serving personnel and veterans in the city will get special protections under the Equality Act, like those extended to other groups, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, and religious groups.

    The motion, presented by Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, to Full Council last night (Wednesday 16 July) sought to ‘recognise the Armed Forces Community with the same consideration and support as if they were a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010’, in the same way that children in care and care leavers have been recognised by the council.

    Councillor Craig Collingswood, Mayor of Wolverhampton and Chair of the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, said: “By recognising our Armed Forces community as a locally protected characteristic we are not only honouring their service, we are ensuring that our heroes have the dignity, security and support they deserve in the very country they fought to protect.

    “Our Armed Forces community has sacrificed so much for us. Yet too many return to lives marked by broken education, lost job opportunities, poor health, and the struggle to find a place to call home.

    “Our own assessments show that nearly 40% of veterans have a disability and 15% suffer from bad or very ill health – twice that of the regular population. These are not just challenges; they are injustices that we must address moving forward. 

    “As a council we already do a lot for veterans and serving personnel. We have received the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, we offer concessionary membership at our WV Active sites for veterans and serving personnel, along with a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans applying for council jobs and priority in social housing allocations through Wolverhampton Homes. As a city, we also run a full programme of commemorative events throughout the year.

    “But we want to do more; recognising them as a protected characteristic means we will include members of the Armed Forces community in Equality Impact Assessments, ensure their needs are considered in all policy and decision making and encourage co-production and collaboration with the community and stakeholders. We will also be calling on partner organisations across the city to do the same.”

    Councillor Ahmed added: “I am proud that my fellow councillors have supported a motion that speaks to the heart of who we are as a city – compassionate, inclusive, and committed to standing by those who have served our country.

    “We know that service life can bring real hardship – frequent moves, disrupted education for children, difficulties accessing healthcare, and barriers to employment.

    “By recognising this community as a protected group locally, we’re saying: your service matters, and so does your wellbeing. And, as a council, we will be embedding this commitment into how we design services, how we make decisions, and how we listen.”

    As lead for the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board for the city, the council co-ordinates support for the Armed Forces community across Wolverhampton.

    The council welcomes veterans and the wider Armed Forces community into the organisation and offers a range of supportive policies such as guaranteed interview schemes for veterans applying for job vacancies and an allowance of up to 24 days’ paid leave for reservists and adult cadet force volunteers. For details of current employment opportunities, please visit WM Jobs.

    Meanwhile, Armed Forces veterans in Wolverhampton can enjoy free bus travel and discounted rail travel. Travel for West Midlands is running an incentive scheme in collaboration with local bus operators enabling unlimited free travel on all buses, all day, in the Network West Midlands area for up to six months. To find out more, please email wolves.afd@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

    A Veterans Railcard is also available, offering discounts on rail travel in England, Wales, and Scotland. For further information please visit Veterans Railcard.

    For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, and the help and support that is available to members of the Armed Forces community in Wolverhampton, please visit Wolverhampton Armed Forces.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: How Africa’s First Group of Twenty (G20) is Mainstreaming Gender

    Source: APO


    .

    The G20 is a global economic forum with the potential to transform lives for women and girls globally. Here’s why South Africa’s leadership in 2025 represents a pivotal moment. We asked UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office Programme Analyst Neo Mofokeng how South Africa’s 2025 presidency could advance gender equality.

    What is the G20, and why should women care?

    The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum for governments and central bank governors from 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union. It was established in 1999 to bring together the world’s major economies to discuss and promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth. It brings together the world’s largest economies, representing 67 per cent of the global population and 85 per cent of global GDP. When G20 countries make decisions, they don’t just affect stock markets; they directly impact whether women can access credit to start businesses, find decent jobs, or receive social protection during crises. From climate financing to digital transformation, the G20’s policies ripple through national economies, determining whether women are empowered or excluded from economic opportunities. When these countries and regional entities commit to gender-responsive policies, the effects are systemic, not symbolic.

    What makes South Africa’s G20 presidency historic?

    South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025 marks a critical moment as it is the first time an African country has led the forum. This leadership comes just five years before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing renewed urgency to accelerate progress on SDGs, particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa’s presidency directly aligns with the global agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is worth noting that South Africa has prioritized debt sustainability for low-income countries – a key gender justice issue, as debt crises often trigger austerity measures that disproportionately affect women and girls by reducing access to healthcare, education, and social protection.

    What does gender mainstreaming mean in the G20 context?

    While the G20 includes a dedicated Working Group on Women’s Empowerment, true progress requires gender mainstreaming, which is the embedding of gender perspectives across all working groups, not just the one explicitly focused on women’s issues. This means finance ministers considering how monetary policies affect women differently, infrastructure discussions evaluating women’s mobility and safety, and trade negotiations assessing impacts on women entrepreneurs. There is no such thing as gender-neutral economic policy – all decisions have differentiated impacts on women and men.

    What are the priorities for gender mainstreaming for this year’s G20?

    To carry forward the Global South priorities from the previous G20 presidencies of Indonesia, India, and Brazil, the following priorities were adopted as the focus areas for gender mainstreaming into this G20 presidency. The first priority is to shift policy perspectives on the care economy around paid and unpaid care work and household responsibilities. The second is to promote financial inclusion of and for women, and the third priority is to address gender-based violence and femicide, which threaten the lives and livelihoods of women.

    How is progress on gender equality measured in the G20?

    Despite the growing recognition of the importance of gender equality, tracking progress remains challenging. The most prominent commitment is the 2014 “25×25 goal”, reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25 per cent by 2025. As this deadline approaches, it serves as a critical test case for G20 accountability. However, other dimensions like unpaid care work, gender-based violence, and women’s leadership receive less attention. Gender-related commitments sometimes appear in one year’s declaration but vanish in the next, making long-term progress difficult to track. This is another reason why mainstreaming gender in the G20 is so important.

    What makes the G20’s influence on gender equality so significant?

    In a world of countless international forums, the G20’s influence is unmatched. When G20 countries commit to closing gender gaps in labour force participation or expanding women’s access to finance, the ripple effects shift global economic patterns and influence international norms far beyond G20 borders. The G20 serves as a strategic lever with the capacity to drive policy coherence by integrating gender equality across economic, climate, and digital agendas, foster shared accountability through joint monitoring, and mobilize financing with intent, ensuring gender equality is resourced, not just referenced.

    What is UN Women’s role in the G20 process?

    UN Women plays a pivotal role by advocating for gender mainstreaming across all G20 policy areas, providing technical expertise and data to working groups, and engaging with key stakeholders like the Women 20 (W20) engagement group. The organization works to ensure that gender perspectives are systematically mainstreamed into G20 discussions, communiqués, and policy frameworks, with a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and ending violence against women and girls.

    How has UN Women supported South Africa’s G20 presidency?

    UN Women, through its South Africa Multi-Country Office, has provided comprehensive technical and financial support to the South African Government, made possible by backing from The Ford Foundation, the Government of Ireland, and the UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. This support has been crucial in advancing gender equality within South Africa’s G20 agenda.

    • Youth Engagement: In February 2025, UN Women partnered with the South African Institute of International Affairs youth division to organize the “Bridging the Gap for Global Impact” workshop in Johannesburg, bringing together 150 young leaders aged 18-25. The workshop provided tools for effectively engaging decision-makers and included panel discussions on gender advocacy, enabling participants to develop strategies for promoting gender equality.
    • Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities: In March 2025, UN Women hosted a dialogue on “Transforming Patriarchal Masculinities for a Gender-Equal World” in Pretoria, bringing together 150 students from universities, technical and vocational education and training institutions, and high schools. This dialogue compiled youth recommendations for the Women’s Empowerment Ministerial Working Group meeting.
    • Technical Working Group Support: UN Women provided crucial support to all three Empowerment of Women Working Group meetings throughout 2025. The February virtual meeting focused on setting the priorities of the care economy, financial inclusion, and gender-based violence. The May meeting in Sun City emphasized advancing financial inclusion and developing a Guidelines Framework for mainstreaming women’s priorities in global financial systems. The July meeting at Kruger National Park concentrated on the care economy – recognizing, reducing, and redistributing care work.
    • Private Sector Engagement: UN Women supported a groundbreaking Private Sector Breakfast in May, bringing together corporate leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to align business practices with G20 gender equality goals. Grounded in the Women’s Empowerment Principles, this initiative moved beyond symbolic participation to actionable commitments.
    • Disability Inclusion: Additionally, UN Women supported disability inclusion initiatives and the W20 inception meeting, demonstrating comprehensive engagement across all aspects of South Africa’s gender equality agenda.

    What does success look like for gender equality in the G20?

    Success in 2025 means moving beyond rhetoric to gender-transformative policies with robust accountability mechanisms. It requires recognizing gender as intersectional, addressing the diverse experiences of all women and gender-diverse individuals across lines of race, class, disability, and age. At the current pace, it will take over 123 years to close gender gaps globally. The G20 has the power to change this trajectory, but only if gender equality becomes a lived reality, not just a shared goal.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Nitish Kumar announces 125 units of free electricity for households in Bihar from August 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that every household in the state will receive 125 units of electricity free of cost every month, starting from August 1.

    In a post on social media platform X, Kumar said the move would benefit 1.67 crore domestic consumers across Bihar. “This step is aimed at providing relief and empowerment to the people,” he said.

    The announcement is part of the state government’s push to ease the financial burden on households while expanding access to affordable electricity.

    Kumar also laid out a roadmap for renewable energy in the state, saying that over the next three years, solar power plants would be installed on rooftops or nearby public land, with the consent of consumers. The target is to generate up to 10,000 MW of solar energy in Bihar.

    Under the existing Kutir Jyoti Yojana, the state will cover the full cost of installing solar panels for extremely poor families. Other households will receive financial support to adopt solar power.

    Reiterating the state’s focus on energy access, the Chief Minister said the government has consistently worked to keep electricity affordable, and the current step marks a further commitment toward sustainability and welfare.

    JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar called the move a “master stroke” ahead of the elections. He said the scheme would benefit people across caste and religious lines, and credited Kumar with improving energy access since assuming office.

    “When Nitish Kumar came to power, he removed the lantern from the homes of the poor and backward classes. Now he is removing the burden of electricity bills, helping the next generation study without interruption,” Neeraj said.

    Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he added, “This move will send a 33,000-volt current to those who want to keep Bihar in darkness.”

    Earlier, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had promised 200 units of free electricity if voted to power.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government posts land resumption notices for urban renewal project in Kowloon City

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Lands Department today (July 17) posted land resumption notices in accordance with section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) to resume land at Nga Tsin Wai Road/Carpenter Road in Kowloon City for the implementation of an urban renewal project.
     
    The project was included in the Urban Renewal Authority’s Business Plan for 2022-23, and its implementation will help improve the overall living environment in the area. The project site, with a gross area of about 37 061 square metres, will be redeveloped for residential use with retail/commercial facilities, at-grade landscaped diversified space, as well as underground ancillary parking and loading/unloading facilities. The project will also provide a public vehicle park and government, institution or community facilities.
     
    A total of 1 009 property interests at the project site will be resumed by the Government. The affected interests will revert to the Government on the expiration of three months from the date of affixing the land resumption notices (i.e. October 18, 2025).
     
    Apart from statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will also be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or a supplementary allowance as appropriate. Eligible domestic tenants will be offered rehousing or an ex-gratia allowance.

    Eligible commercial property occupiers, including owners and tenants, may opt for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to claim statutory compensation for business and related losses.

    If statutory claims made by the affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties under the Lands Resumption Ordinance cannot be settled by agreement, the owners and tenants may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Professional fees reasonably incurred by the claimants in making such claims may be reimbursed by the Government.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Trump says he’s not planning to fire Fed’s Powell

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is not planning to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but he kept the door open to the possibility and renewed his criticism of the central bank chief for not lowering interest rates.

    A Bloomberg report earlier Wednesday saying that Trump was likely to fire Powell soon sparked a drop in stocks and the dollar, and a rise in Treasury yields.

    Trump, who has been criticizing Powell on an almost daily basis for being “TOO LATE” to cut interest rates, said the report wasn’t true. But Trump confirmed he had floated the idea with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday evening, marking the latest chapter in an escalating campaign by Trump against the independent central bank and its embattled chief.

    “I don’t rule out anything, but I think it’s highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud,” Trump said, a reference to recent White House and Republican lawmaker criticism of cost overruns in the $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s historic headquarters in Washington. There has been no evidence of fraud, and the Fed has pushed back on criticism of its handling of the project.

    Powell, who was nominated by Trump during his first term in late 2017 to lead the Fed and then nominated for a second term by Democratic President Joe Biden four years later, has repeatedly said he intends to serve out his term, which runs through May 15, 2026. A recent Supreme Court opinion has solidified a long-standing interpretation of the law that the Fed chair cannot be fired over policy differences but only “for cause.”

    In an interview aired later on Wednesday, Trump was again asked if he was thinking of removing Powell. “I’d love it if he wants to resign, that would be up to him,” Trump told the Real America’s Voice. “They say it would disrupt the market if I did.”

    Treasury yields pared declines and stocks ended the day higher after Trump’s comments, which included the familiar complaint that Powell is a “terrible” chair for keeping the Fed’s short-term policy rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range since December while the central bank assesses the impact of sharply higher tariffs on inflation.

    Trump blames the Fed for higher long-term rates that increase the cost of U.S. government borrowing. His attacks on Powell have continued since his signing on July 4 of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the tax and spending bill that independent analysts say will add trillions of dollars to the U.S. deficit.

    “A HUGE MISTAKE”

    Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who opposed the tax bill and has since said he won’t run for reelection, on Wednesday delivered a spirited defense of an independent Fed, which economists say is the linchpin of U.S. financial and price stability.

    “There’s been some talk about potentially firing the Fed chair,” said Tillis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the Fed and confirms presidential nominations to its Board. Subjecting the Fed to direct presidential control would be a “huge mistake,” he said.

    “The consequences of firing a Fed chair, just because political people don’t agree with that economic decision, will be to undermine the credibility of the United States going forward, and I would argue if it happens you are going to see a pretty immediate response, and we’ve got to avoid that,” said Tillis.

    Other Republicans downplayed the possibility of Trump’s firing Powell.

    Asked if it would be a problem for Trump to fire Powell, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters: “My understanding is he doesn’t have any intention of doing that.”

    “President Trump’s own analysis and that of his Treasury secretary is that he cannot fire Jay Powell,” House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill told CNBC earlier on Wednesday.

    RENOVATIONS AT THE FED

    Last week, the White House appeared to try to lay the groundwork for firing Powell for cause when the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, sent Powell a letter saying that Trump was “extremely troubled” by the renovations of two Fed buildings.

    Powell responded by asking the U.S. central bank’s inspector general to review the project. The central bank also posted a “frequently asked questions” fact sheet, which rebutted some of Vought’s assertions about VIP dining rooms and elevators that he said added to the costs.

    “Nobody is fooled by President Trump and Republicans’ sudden interest in building renovations — it’s clear pretext to fire Fed Chair Powell,” Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee and herself a longtime critic of Powell, posted on X. Warren was the committee’s only member to vote against Powell’s renomination as chair in 2022, saying he had not done enough on regulation.

    Fed policymakers are worried that, with 40-year-high inflation only recently in the rear-view mirror, any bump up in inflation coupled with a too-early cut to short-term borrowing costs could ignite expectations that inflation is back, a potentially self-fulfilling prophecy that could weaken the economy and undermine progress on price stability.

    Analysts said they feared the pressure campaign on Powell would continue — with deleterious effects on the Fed’s ability to do its congressionally mandated job of both keeping prices stable and maximizing employment.

    “Any reduction in the independence of the Fed would likely add upside risks to an inflation outlook that is already subject to upward pressures from tariffs and somewhat elevated inflation expectations,” wrote JP Morgan chief U.S. economist Michael Feroli, who said he doubts the “saga” of the president’s repeated threats to remove Powell is over.

    Feroli and others noted that continued pressure on Powell would likely push up longer-term interest rates as investors demand more protection from the risk of higher inflation — making U.S. government borrowing more, not less, expensive.

    The “formal process” for identifying a successor to Powell is under way, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said. Bessent is one candidate for the job, along with White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and Fed Governor Christopher Waller.

    (Reuters)

  • Amit Shah to inaugurate cooperative and employment festival in Jaipur today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Cooperative and Employment Festival on Thursday in Dadiya village, Jaipur. The event is part of the International Cooperative Year celebrations declared by the United Nations General Assembly for 2025.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will also attend the programme. 

    The festival is being held as part of a nationwide initiative in which 54 cooperative-related responsibilities have been assigned to states. Rajasthan is among the key states hosting the event.

    During the Cooperative Conference, the Union Minister will inaugurate 24 food grain storage warehouses and 64 millet outlets virtually, and also review an exhibition of cooperative products. The focus remains on strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

    Alongside, the Employment Festival will see Shah distribute appointment letters to newly selected government recruits. He is also scheduled to interact with candidates and beneficiaries from four districts, reflecting the Centre’s push for employment generation.

    Preparations for the high-profile event were reviewed earlier this week by Rajasthan’s Cooperative Minister Gautam Kumar Dak, who conducted a thorough inspection of the venue. He instructed officials to ensure smooth arrangements and proper facilities for attendees, including seating, water, and refreshments.

    The festival is expected to draw large participation from cooperative institutions and stakeholders across Rajasthan and will serve as a major platform to promote cooperative development and employment initiatives in the state.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley-Led HALT Fentanyl Act Becomes Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today signed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act into law, permanently classifying illicit, fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I. The bipartisan and bicameral legislation was led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

    “The HALT Fentanyl Act is now the law of the land, marking a major victory in America’s fight against fentanyl,” Grassley said. “By permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I, the HALT Fentanyl Act will save American lives and prevent deadly fentanyl knockoffs from making their way into Iowa communities. I applaud President Trump’s action today, as well as his ongoing commitment to turning the corner on the Biden administration’s disastrous policies and creating a safer America.”  

    Download photos HERE. 

    Download bill text HERE and a fact sheet HERE.  

    Background:

    The HALT Fentanyl Act was introduced by Grassley, Cassidy and Heinrich in January, advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February, passed by the Senate in March and passed by the House of Representatives in June. Both houses of Congress passed the bill by overwhelming margins.

    The bipartisan bill is supported by over 40 major advocacy groups, including a coalition of over 200 impacted family groups and law enforcement organizations representing over a million officers. Learn more about the bill’s widespread support HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates University of Southampton’s India campus in Gurugram

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton in Gurugram

    This marks the first foreign university to establish a campus in India under the University Grants Commission’s new regulations,

    Describing the event as a “momentous milestone” in the internationalisation of education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Pradhan said the development also deepens the education pillar of the India–UK strategic partnership, as outlined in the India–UK Roadmap 2030.

    “Southampton University’s campus in Gurugram will create new synergies, foster a new culture of curiosity and excellence, and present an added choice to students to access world-class education at a more affordable cost and nearer to home and family,” he said.

    Pradhan also urged the university to introduce STEM programmes and contribute to India’s vision of becoming a global innovation hub.

    The launch event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Lord Patel OBE, Chancellor of the University and a member of the UK House of Lord, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron, and UGC Chairman Dr. Vineet Joshi.

    Pradhan commended the university for establishing the state-of-the-art campus within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent.

    Highlighting the growing educational ties between India and the UK, Pradhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of this relationship as a “living bridge” that connects the two nations.

    UGC Chairman Dr. Vineet Joshi called the Gurugram campus a proud milestone and a model for future international collaborations under NEP 2020. He said it reaffirms India’s emerging role as a global hub for education.

    The new campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aligned with UK academic standards. Fields of study include Computer Science, Business Management, Economics, Accounting and Finance. Students will also have the flexibility to pursue parts of their education in the UK or Malaysia.

    Academic programmes at the campus are scheduled to begin in 2025, with the inaugural cohort comprising students from India, the UAE, and Nepal. Undergraduate offerings include BSc degrees in Computer Science, Economics, Accounting & Finance, and Business Management, while postgraduate options include MSc degrees in Finance and International Management.

    The university said over 75 faculty members from leading global institutions will join the Gurugram campus, ensuring international academic quality. Its global alumni network of over 290,000 graduates, including more than 1,700 from India, is also expected to play a key role in mentoring students and facilitating industry engagement.

  • MIL-OSI China: Neymar shines as Santos beat leaders Flamengo

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

    Neymar struck late as Santos edged to a 1-0 home win over leaders Flamengo in Brazil’s Serie A championship on Wednesday.

    The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, turning sublimely after receiving Guilherme’s pass and firing into the far corner.

    It was the 33-year-old’s first goal of a Serie A campaign disrupted by injury, with only three starts so far.

    “I want to play 90 minutes of every game,” Neymar said after the match. “I want to be better physically but that takes time, both in terms of playing and training.”

    Neymar admitted he remains some way off recapturing his best form, having suffered a series of leg muscle injuries since returning from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last October.

    “My body is still adapting, getting used to everything again,” said Neymar, who spent more than a year on the sidelines after sustaining the injury while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

    “It’s not easy to deal with the injury I had. I’m very happy to be able to contribute in every way, both attacking and defending. I’m not 100%, but I’m getting better all the time,” he added.

    Wednesday’s result leaves Santos 13th in the 20-team standings with 14 points, 13 points behind Flamengo, which is ahead of second-placed Cruzeiro on goal difference.

    “Flamengo, in my opinion, is the best team in the league,” Neymar said. “Tactically they are very good, they defend and attack very well. They have very high-quality players.

    “Today we showed that we can be better than our current league position suggests. It’s a fresh start for us. We had time to work. We showed that we can compete with any team in the competition.”

    In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Wednesday, Palmeiras drew 1-1 at home to Mirassol, Corinthians won 1-0 at Ceara, Botafogo was held to a goalless home draw by Vitoria and Sao Paulo drew 2-2 at Bragantino. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Water Reservoirs in Central Region in Good Condition

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    Eng. Abraham Daniel, head of Agricultural Infrastructure in the Central Region, reported that the dams and micro-dams in the region are in good condition.

    Indicating that there are 87 dams and 45 micro-dams in the region, Eng. Abraham said that they have collected a total of over 70 million cubic meters of water. He further noted that 12 of the dams, with a combined capacity of over 50 million cubic meters, are supplying potable water to urban and rural residents, while the remaining ones are serving agricultural development and household needs.

    Eng. Abraham also said that the construction of the dams in Arberobu’e and Dirfo have been finalized this year, while construction of the dam in Adi-Hawush is ongoing.

    He noted that the dams constructed in collaboration with the public and members of the Defense Forces have brought satisfaction to residents and are contributing to the enrichment of underground water in the areas. He also called on the public to conduct regular follow-ups to ensure the sustainability of the dams and micro-dams.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrean Community Festival in the Netherlands

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    The 2025 annual Eritrean community festival was colorfully conducted with patriotic zeal on 10 and 11 July in Rotterdam under the theme “Our Cohesion – Our Armour.” The festival was officially opened by Mr. Negasi Kassa, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the European Union and Benelux countries.

    Mr. Zeray Gebru, Chairman of the Eritrean Community, congratulated the participants and commended those who contributed to the successful organization of the festival, particularly the Holidays Coordinating Committees from various cities, Eritrean communities, national organizations, individuals, and institutions.

    Ambassador Negasi also conducted a seminar for the participants focusing on the prevailing situation in the homeland and the region. He noted that, despite external hostilities, the Eritrean people remain steadfast and focused on national development programs. He provided a detailed briefing on the progress of the national development programs and called on nationals to reinforce unity, resilience, and active participation in national affairs.

    Highlighting the importance of festivals in fostering unity and passing on noble societal values to the younger generation, Mr. Kibreab Tewolde, Head of Consular Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy, gave an overview of the consular services being provided and the procedures nationals should follow.

    The festival featured cultural and artistic performances, a traditional fashion show, and various programs reflecting the unity in diversity of the Eritrean people.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Western community leaders, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) confer on security situation and political roadmap

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    Fifteen representatives of communities from across the Western region met with the Special Representative of the Secretary General to further discuss the security situation and share their opinions on the way forward to develop a political roadmap on Monday. 

    Participants, which included municipal leaders and notables, stressed that the transitional period needs to come to an end, and that any political process must move forward in an environment free from security tensions. The participants suggested weapons be withdrawn from Tripoli to protect civilian lives and the security institutions of the government secure the capital.  

    Participants were briefed on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the  Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s report,  the options include:     

    1. Option 1: Presidential and legislative elections are to be conducted within two years, commencing once a political settlement is reached on the legal status and financial independence of HNEC, the necessary amendments to the constitutional and legal framework for elections, and a unified government. The political settlement should include provisions for adopting a permanent constitution for the country.  
    2. Option 2: A bicameral legislative council will be elected within two years, with the drafting and ratification of the constitution entrusted to the Senate. The new constitution will regulate all subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections.  
    3. Option 3: Adopt a constitution, prior to elections. This option involves examining the challenges associated with the 2017 draft constitution and exploring the feasibility of drafting a new constitution.  
    4. Option 4: Activate the dialogue mechanism and replace existing institutional stakeholders with a constituent assembly through LPA Article 64 dialogue process. 

    “We support fourth option put forward by the Advisory Committee because previous and current governments have supported militias, which has contributed to the deterioration of the security, political and economic situation in Libya,” said one representative. 

    Others said that elders were working across communities to continue local mediation and avoid further violence, and that 143 mukhtars from 11 municipalities wanted to convey the message that war should be avoided and dialogue promoted to resolve differences peacefully. 

    Highlighting deficient infrastructure and basic services, representatives also said citizens in their areas were seriously suffering from shortcomings in the educational and health sector.  

    “Certain individuals do not want the Libyans to move on,” said one representative. “At this critical juncture, our priority should be focused on a process that leads to a unified government that effectively addresses security and economic issues, as well as citizens’ concerns, in the western region and across Libya.”

    – on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Kenya kick starts a UNESCO NFiT project on Safeguarding Kenya Lake System’s Unique Ecological Gem

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service, officially held the first inception meeting on the project titled “safeguarding Kenya Lake System’s Unique Ecological Gem,” in Nairobi on 20 January 2025. The meeting had representatives from the Government of Kenya County Government of Baringo, County Government of Nakuru, the Embassy of the kingdom of the Netherlands, wardens from the Lake system, Community members and other stakeholders. Funded by the Government of the Netherlands within the Netherlands Funds in Trust, this project will take place at the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley in 2025.

    The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011.  The site is a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita) in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya that covers a total area of 32,034 hectares. The property is home to 13 globally threatened bird species1 and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging site for the Lesser flamingo in the world with about 1.5 million individuals moving from one lake to the other. The property contains all of the key habitats and features that contribute to its Outstanding Universal Value.

    The project seeks to promote sustainable resource management through community engagement, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among local populations. By integrating scientific research with Indigenous Knowledge, the initiative aims to develop conservation strategies that align with the needs of both biodiversity and the local communities dependent on the lake system. Ultimately, the project aspires to ensure the ecological integrity and long-term sustainability of this unique natural heritage site while contributing to global biodiversity goals.

    The inception meeting was instrumental in bringing together key stakeholders to address the project’s primary objective of tackling critical environmental challenges to safeguard the Kenya Lake System. The initiative focuses on the discussion on how to conserve migratory waterbirds, including the Lesser Flamingo, while promoting sustainable resource management. Additionally, the meeting contributed to enhancing community engagement and increasing awareness of pressing environmental issues. All levels of the stakeholder’s participation from the outset of the project contributed to ensuring a comprehensive approach to the conservation of this vital ecosystem.

    Speaking at the inception, Mr Hoseah Wanderi, Head of World Heritage Sites at National Museums of Kenya,  highlighted that the project aligns with key international frameworks and decisions to guide its implementation. It responds directly to the World Heritage Committee Decision 45 COM 7B.7, which calls for urgent measures to address deforestation, land degradation, and uncontrolled developments in sensitive buffer zones around the lake system. Additionally, the project adheres to the principles of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAWA), focusing on protecting migratory waterbirds by mitigating threats from agriculture, aquaculture, and other human activities impacting critical habitats. 

    Mr Pim van der Male, Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the critical need for coordination and alignment of ongoing efforts to safeguard the Rift Valley Lakes. He highlighted the dynamic nature of these lakes and the increasing pressures from urbanization, climate change, and land-use changes. Pim underscored the importance of institutional frameworks, particularly at the basin level, to ensure sustainable water management.

    We stand ready to share our experiences and foster partnerships to unlock the lakes’ potential sustainability while preserving their beauty for future generations…Preserving the Great Rift Valley lakes is not just an environmental duty but an investment in cultural heritage, tourism, and livelihoods.

    Two experts were officially introduced as the primary specialists who will lead the project, in close cooperation with all stakeholders involved, to ensure the success of the project. The Wildlife Expert, an authority in wildlife conservation, will spearhead initiatives aimed at preserving the unique flora and fauna surrounding the Kenya Lake System. Their expertise will be crucial in identifying effective conservation strategies to protect endangered species and ensure the sustainability of biodiversity in the region. Meanwhile, the Environmental Experts, with their extensive knowledge in environmental management and ecosystem preservation, will focus on developing strategies to address environmental threats such as pollution and climate change. Their work will ensure a balanced approach to safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Kenya Lake System. Both experts will play pivotal roles in driving the project’s implementation, ensuring that conservation efforts are grounded in sound scientific and environmental principles.

    As threats to biodiversity intensify, this initiative marks a critical step in safeguarding the Kenya Lake System, ensuring it remains a thriving ecosystem and a beacon of conservation excellence. Reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to global environmental stewardship, the project underscores the importance of collaboration as a cornerstone for effective conservation.

    The meeting was concluded with the participants’ confirmation of their cooperation towards the successful implementation of the project.

    This project has come at the right time. Through the various collaborations and working together with local communities and referencing to multilateral environmental agreements ensures long-term success for wetland ecosystems.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –