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  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EBA reviews standardised terminology in relation to payment accounts and concludes it remains fit-for-purpose

    Source: European Banking Authority

    The European Banking Authority (EBA) today published a report, in which it reviewed the standardised terms for the most common services related to payment accounts, as mandated by the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD). These standardised terms, which the EBA had issued in 2018, aim at making it easier for consumers to make informed choices by being able to compare payment accounts fees and offers, including on a cross-border basis. The review finds that the standardised terms remain fit-for-purpose across the European Union.

    The standardised terms are set out in Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) developed by the EBA in line with the requirements in the PAD. The EBA is required to regularly review those standardised terms. The EBA carried out its review in the first half of 2025 using a methodology that involved assessing recent EU payments laws, collecting information from National Competent Authorities (NCAs), consulting with relevant stakeholders such as the EBA Banking Stakeholder Group (BSG), and analysing internal data from recently published EBA reports.

    The findings of the review indicate that the current list of standardised terms remains suitable and does not require immediate changes. In the review process, the EBA acknowledged that there would be potential benefit for the standardised terms to be amended to include instant credit transfers, due to their increasing prevalence following the implementation of the Instant Payment Regulation (IPR). However, the EBA is of the opinion that the benefit is outweighed by the costs involved, for NCAs and for the industry as a result of the need to make available amended disclosure documents to all of their customers and NCAs. The EBA, therefore, concluded not to amend the RTS and instead to revisit the findings in four years’ time or when significant other market or legislative developments occur to ensure the terminology remains relevant and effective.

    Background and legal basis

    Article 3(4) of the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD) mandates the EBA to draft RTS setting out the Union standardised terminology for those services that are common to at least a majority of Member States. Article 3(6) of the PAD requires the EBA to review and, where necessary, update the standardised terminology.

    The PAD mandates the EBA to regularly review if the standardised terminology in the RTS remains fit-for-purpose and provides clarity and consistency for consumers and stakeholders.

    The RTS adopted by the European Commission as a Delegated Regulation are available here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Community support boosts Angola’s cholera response

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola’s capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of concerned women eager to contribute to the response.

    With support from local authorities, they began educating neighbours, distributing hygiene products and promoting cholera prevention practices. “We live in a community,” she says. “We must find time and support each other to protect our health and save lives.”

    Community involvement in this low-income urban neighbourhood has helped to curb the outbreak: no new cholera cases have been reported for four consecutive weeks, since 19 May.

    “At first, many families didn’t seek health services. Lack of information was the biggest challenge,” says the municipal administrator of Ingombota, Mika Kaquesse. Local authorities organized 800 community awareness sessions, built water tanks, distributed hygiene products and implemented sanitation sensitization campaigns.

    “We know that prevention is key in cholera control ‒ clean water, sanitation and information,” says Dr Genoveva Mafu, clinical coordinator at the Boa Vista cholera treatment centre. “It was frightening at first, but teamwork and partner support made all the difference.”

    The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment.

    Health authorities have conducted sensitization campaigns with community and religious leaders, community listening sessions, and engaged with multiple sectors such as environment, fisheries, water and energy, youth and the military to ensure a coordinated and culturally appropriate response. This has resulted in more than 8 million people reached with messages on cholera prevention.

    “Community-based activities have increased public trust in health services and strengthened local epidemiological surveillance,” says Mateus Mariano Miguel, president of the Boa Vista Residents Committee. “The community responded massively. We continue working, even without new cases, because we know prevention must never stop.”

    Health authorities have also trained 1000 health workers and activated almost 140 surveillance teams conducting case management, active case finding, and infection prevention and control. Nationwide, 166 rapid response teams have been deployed and 180 cholera treatment centres have been established to manage and treat cases.

    In just over five months, Angola has recorded over 26 000 cases and nearly 750 deaths. This marks the worst cholera outbreak in the country in almost two decades. Thanks to a multisectoral and multipronged approach, the past two weeks have shown encouraging trends. As of 14 June 2025, the number of new weekly cases has dropped to 826 – the lowest levels since March. Weekly deaths have decreased to the lowest levels since January and the weekly case fatality rate has declined to 1.5% from a high of 8.8% in January 2025.

    “While the situation remains serious, these improvements demonstrate the impact of the ongoing response and provide hope that the outbreak can be brought under control soon. We must continue to reinforce collaboration because when communities are empowered and engaged, lives can be saved and dignity restored,” says Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.

    – on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Upstream E&P Track to Foster Dialogue and Deals Amid African Exploration Surge

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Amid Africa’s ongoing exploration and production surge, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will host a dedicated Upstream E&P Track. The track – taking place as part of the main conference agenda from September 29 to October 3 – will tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the upstream oil and gas sector, delving into topics such as deepwater development, onshore prospects, the role of independent firms and balancing African priorities with global supply dynamics. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 represents the platform of choice for Africa’s upstream sector.  

    Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector is on the precipice of significant growth, boosted by a $54 billion capital expenditure drive expected by 2030. Across the continent, both established oil and gas markets and frontier players are seeking capital to bolster production while unlocking new basins in deepwater and onshore basins. The continent’s exploration surge is further supported by growing demand in African markets as well as a rise in global gas imports. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track will explore these shifting dynamics, offering a platform for new exploration and production deals to be signed.  

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    To entice greater spending across the upstream sector, many African countries are laying the foundation for new investments by both majors and independent energy companies. A string of licensing rounds is being launched in 2025, offering exploration opportunities across a variety of acreage. Licensing rounds are planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritania and South Africa, while Libya, Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia have already launched their respective bid rounds. The Upstream E&P Track will explore the impact of these rounds. Sessions include What’s Next for African Upstream in 2026; Exploration Hotspots; and Basins Without Borders: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cross-Border Basins in the Transform Margin. Additionally, panel discussions will examine emerging prospects in frontier basins, with sessions taking place on Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins; Offshore and Deepwater Plays; and Unlocking Africa’s Onshore and Shallow-Water Potential. 

    While global energy majors expand their portfolios in Africa, independent oil and gas firms are taking on a more prominent role in exploration and production. International oil company divestment has opened-up new pathways for African independents, and as such, more companies are taking the lead on asset development. AEW: Invest in African Energies will host panel discussions on The Making of an African Independent; Technology and Innovation: Rethinking Asset Development to Accelerate Upstream Success; as well as Crude Value Benchmarking with Ever-Changing Light, Heavy Balance, exploring opportunities for independents in Africa.  

    Meanwhile, with global gas demand projected to increase 10% between 2021 and 2030, African countries are strategically positioned to accelerate exploration and play a more central role in global supply chains. With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves on the continent – most of which remains under-developed – Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its resources to produce low-carbon, cost-effective fuel. Panel discussions on Decarbonizing Pathways for African Oil and Gas; The Outlook for Global LNG; and The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market will address these opportunities, while a session on Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets, will examine how the continent can leverage its resources for domestic growth.  

    The track will also feature panel discussions on strategic oil and gas markets in Africa, including Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and more. These sessions are geared towards companies seeking growth opportunities in proven markets and are expected to unlock new deal-signing and partnerships prospects. Beyond panel discussions, the Upstream E&P Track will feature a series of fireside chats, with participating companies including Renaissance Africa Energy, Northern Ocean, Seplat Energy and more.  

    “Africa’s upstream oil and gas market is witnessing a surge of investment, as operators seek to expand their portfolios and governments target near-term production. Amid this growth, strategic financing gaps have emerged. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track seeks to address these challenges by bringing together major players from the market to engage and sign deals,” says Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. 

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mobile clinics enhance access to health care services in Niger

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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    In Niger, West Africa’s largest country by land surface, access to health care services is a major challenge. Just one in two people has access to health services. One of the ways to bridge the gap is through mobile clinics in remote areas and deploying medical teams from health districts to villages. 

    Among the main beneficiaries of the initiative are pregnant women. They are now able to receive emergency assistance and care for timely detection of any complications. Mariama, 42, who suffered complications after a fall, is grateful to have received care thanks to a mobile clinic. Ordinarily, she would have had to travel for a whole day to the nearest district health facility in Dosso town from her home in the southwest of Niger. 

    “As I was preparing to make the trip, I was informed of a mobile clinic in our area, and I went there the very next day. The team midwife consulted me and discovered that I had premature rupture of membranes,” she recounts. 

    Under the initiative “mobile clinic teams visit villages that are hard to reach for health care in general and reproductive health services for women and children in particular,” says Nafissatou Salifou Panga, midwife and Reproductive Health Focal Point for Dosso health district. “It is a huge relief that pregnant women are able to benefit from care that detects risks in time and provides them with appropriate care.” 

    Thanks to the care and follow-up she received, Mariama gave birth safely. Like Mariama, 267 pregnant women in Dosso and Filingué districts benefited from mobile clinic consultations in 2024. In all, almost 28 000 people were consulted and 3767 women received reproductive health services. Around 16 000 women were sensitized by community outreach teams on reproductive, maternal and neonatal health in the two districts. In Mariama’s case, the community health teams shared awareness messages that enabled her to be informed in time of the arrival of the mobile clinic.

    By reaching populations far from health centres, the mobile clinic initiative also helps to improve health coverage at district and national levels. For example, the maternal mortality ratio fell from 441 per 100 000 live births in 2017 to 350 in 2023, according to World Bank data. 

    Dr Aissatou Laouali, in charge of the reproductive health programme with World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger, says the initiative helping to accelerate efforts towards health for all. “For vulnerable populations, rapid access to quality health care is vital. Through these initiatives, we hope to move forward in solving the challenges particularly faced by mothers and children living in remote areas.”
    To ensure service quality, the district, in collaboration with WHO, organizes planning meetings and field supervision trips and supports the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene in improving maternal and child health, in particular by providing technical guidelines, standards and protocols for reproductive, maternal and child health. 

    Other support includes training health workers and improving the facilities in mother-and-child health centres, regional and district hospitals, and integrated health centres. WHO also supports training of health providers to ensure quality of care and health surveillance to curb maternal mortality.  

    Niger has maintained the mobile clinics introduced earlier. In 2024, with support from WHO and donor financing, operational and medical equipment and supply needs of the mobile clinics were catered for. Additionally, 56 health workers and community outreach officers were trained in reproductive health in Dosso and Filingué districts.

    “I was very satisfied with the care provided … I encourage the women in my community to come to the mobile clinic for any health problem,” says Mariama. “If I hadn’t gone to the centre after the incident, I would have had an infection with the risk of losing my baby.”

    – on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Côte d’Ivoire Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé Opens 16th African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) General Assembly in Abidjan

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Abidjan hosted the opening of the 16th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) (http://www.UAR-AUB.org) on June 19, 2025. The ceremony, held under the high patronage of Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, brought together a plethora of distinguished guests, including ambassadors, directors-general, ministers, academics, media professionals, students, and civil society members from around the world.

    Under the impactful theme “Developing Media: Strategies for Financial and Technological Resilience, and Innovative Content,“ this assembly promises crucial discussions for the future of the African media landscape.

    In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Mambé highlighted the essential role of media in societal transformation: “Media represents a true opportunity for our country. We are counting on you to preserve and strengthen this asset, through the consultation framework offered to you. It is from this dialogue that the right answers to our questions will emerge.” This was a clear call for collaboration and the search for collective solutions.

    For Cléophas Barore, President of the AUB Executive Council, the funding challenge is omnipresent: “The financing of production and broadcasting remains a daily struggle. These challenges are marked by resource scarcity, fierce competition from new media, information multinationals, and many others.” This observation underscores the urgent need for innovation in a constantly evolving media environment.

    Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, for his part, urged broadcasters to embrace new media to better capture the African audience. “With the AUB, your Union, I urge you to work tirelessly to sustainably retain the African audience, in its diversity, by notably taking into account new communication and broadcasting channels such as social media, streaming, OTT, and podcasts, by innovating and valuing local content, our historical, cultural, tourist, and socio-economic values. I commit you to this!” he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the promotion of local content in the face of information globalization.

    The productive first day also featured a visit to the exhibition stands, offering participants the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in content creation and to forge partnerships.

    The 16th AUB General Assembly continues on June 20, 2025, with the Union’s statutory proceedings and the Awards ceremony.

    Grégoire NDJAKA
    Director General

    – on behalf of African Union of Broadcasting (AUB).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Committee Corridor, Episode 5 out now 🎧

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    “We live in a country where not a single river is not polluted”

    In episode 5 of Committee Corridor, Feargal Sharkey joins Toby Perkins MP to discuss the issues of our waterways, and how select committees are holding the sector to account.

    Listen and subscribe whever you get your podcasts

    #CommitteeCorridor #WaterCrisis #UKRivers #CleanWaterNow #UKPolitics #SelectCommittee

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nGocJOPapwM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa addresses the 30th Anniversary of the Constitutional Court

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the 30th anniversary since the establishment of the Constitutional Court in South Africa.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJUel2hioRw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s first high-speed railway in extremely low temperatures transports 1 bln passengers

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

    World’s first high-speed railway in extremely low temperatures transports 1 bln passengers

    The world’s first high-speed railway operating at high latitudes and extremely low temperatures in winter, Harbin-Dalian high-speed railway, has transported 1 billion passengers since it began service in 2012.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Oxford City Council publishes results from Annual Housing Complaint Performance & Service Improvement Report

    Source: City of Oxford

    Oxford City Council has published its annual Housing Complaint Performance & Service Improvement report. 

    The report was discussed at Cabinet this week. It covers all complaints about our function as a landlord to over 8,000 households, and any that would come under the jurisdiction of the Housing Ombudsman, handled from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 by the Council or ODS.   

    It does not include complaints about other Council services which would come under the scope of the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman. 

    Key findings  

    Stage 1 complaints for 2024/25 were down 26.7% but there were more Stage 2 and more Housing Ombudsman determinations. The majority of all complaints were responded to within timescales.  

    Detailed findings from the report are: 

    • The total number of Stage 1 complaints handled in 2024/25 (414), is lower than the previous year (565)
    • The total number of Stage 2 complaints during 2024/25 was higher (51) than the previous year (30)
    • ODS handled 188 (down from 431 in 23/24) and the Council handled 226 (up from 134) Stage 1 complaints
    • ODS handled 13 (up from 11 in 23/24) and the Council handled 38 (up from 19 in 23/24) Stage 2 complaints
    • For ODS, of the complaints responded to within 2024/25 at Stage 1 and 2, 100% were responded to within target
    • For complaints handled by the Council within that period, 48.6% of Stage 1and 83.8% at Stage 2 were responded to within target. This was due to vacancies within the Customer Care & Complaints team, staff absence in the team and in other service areas, and the increased volume of enquiries
    • Seven Housing Ombudsman determinations were received. Within those, there were six findings of service failure, three of maladministration, one of no maladministration, and two of reasonable redress.  

    Learnings and next steps 

    The Council aims to improve its complaints process in 2025/26 with a focus on resident involvement, transparency, and service improvement.  

    As part of a wider review of its Tenant Involvement Strategy, it will explore new ways to involve residents in shaping and monitoring the complaints process — including the formation of a quarterly resident panel to review data, spot trends, and ensure accountability. 

    The Council will also improve how it captures and uses complaints data, with upgraded IT systems. 

    IT improvements made in 2024/25 have already had an impact, particularly within ODS, where clearer processes, improved communication, and better identification of service requests have led to a reduction in complaints.  

    In 2025/26, a more stable staff team will support a new work programme focused on embedding learning and tackling root causes of issues raised through complaints. 

    Comment 

    “We know that when things go wrong, it can be frustrating and complaints are one of the most important ways we can learn, improve, and rebuild trust with our tenants. 

    “I’m pleased to see that fewer residents needed to complain overall, and that changes already made – especially at ODS – are having a real impact. 

    “But we also recognise there’s more to do. We’re committed to improving response times, involving tenants more directly in shaping services, and making sure we act on what complaints are telling us. Every complaint is a chance to get better, and we’re determined to make that happen.” 

    Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Refugee Week: Scotland must stand up for refugees

    Source: Scottish Greens

    20 Jun 2025 Human Rights

    More in Human Rights

    The Scottish Government must challenge the UK Labour Government’s plans to extend refugee camps and displace people living in hotels, say the Scottish Greens.

    Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs, Angus Robertson, calling on him to use his influence to make it clear that Scotland believes the UK Government’s plans for migrant camps are morally wrong.

    The SNP wrote to Westminster last year while the Conservatives were still in power, making clear its position in favour of using hotels over “large sites” such as camps or boats. In the letter, the Scottish Government described these as “unsuitable and entirely counter to integration principles.”

    In her letter to Angus Robertson, Maggie has called on the Scottish Government to stand “firmly and vocally” against these plans, to maintain Scotland’s history as a welcoming, compassionate country for people rebuilding their lives after fleeing their home country.

    Maggie said:

    “We must not surrender to the normalisation of anti-migrant hate. The majority of Scots want to live in a welcoming country, one that values people and community over scapegoating and exclusion.

    “If the Scottish Government means what it says, that it wants to lead a progressive Scotland, then they must show it. It is time they stick to their words, represent the people of Scotland, and tell the UK Labour Government that we say “not in our name” to unsafe, dehumanising camps.

    “Since dropping the commitment to introduce a Human Rights Bill for Scotland, the Scottish Government has to work hard to build back trust and show they really do stand up for people’s freedoms. The bare minimum they must do is prove that they are a cut above this spineless UK Labour Government.

    Text of letter sent by Maggie Chapman to Angus Robertson, Cab Sec for External Affairs

    Dear Angus,

    Scotland has a long history of being a warm and welcoming home to the millions who live here. We have tried to uphold the principles of belonging and sanctuary in the Scottish Parliament, and you and I have both welcomed all that Scotland has done to protect the most vulnerable, including those seeking refuge here.

    It is these shared values that prompt me to write to you today. As Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and a proud representative of Scotland’s Parliament, I urge you to stand firmly and vocally against the UK Government’s proposals to displace refugees into asylum camps. Refugees have the same rights to dignity, respect and safety as everyone else. And asylum seekers, those fleeing persecution and violence, have the right to seek sanctuary and safety here. The proposed camps are in no way a solution to the issues of underfunded public services, the housing emergency or anti-social behaviour, for which immigrants and refugees are too often blamed.

    It is not certain that these camps would save public money, and even if they do, they are still wrong – in terms of human rights and ethics. The human and social costs of these camps: disruption to local communities, increased threats to those forced into the camps, and negative mental health effects for those made unnecessarily vulnerable, cannot be justified.

    Less than a year ago asylum hotels were attacked. Bricks and mortar served there as something to protect those inside, but they should be protected by a government who stands for them. Shirley-Anne Somerville wrote to the UK Government last year and made clear that the Scottish Government does not support using large sites, such as camps, to house refugees. I ask that you reaffirm that belief, and that you make it clear to this new UK Government.

    The best thing that can be done to support asylum seekers out of hotels is to lower their barriers to integrating into society. From cruel policies like No Recourse to Public Funds and preventing access to work to lack of access to legal aid and other public services, asylum seekers are not supported to contribute to our society, never mind recover from the trauma they will have experienced before arriving in the UK. Asylum seekers want to contribute to public life but are being held back by policies crafted by those who most vocally criticise their inability to give back to the UK.

    The majority of people support the UK being a safe haven for refugees. If we allow other narratives to dominate, we risk stoking the far-right tide that your own party has claimed is a threat to Scotland as we know it. You have the power to stand for something better.

    This is a test of our principles and values. If we do not choose to stand for and with the most vulnerable, then we fail our moral duty as politicians to ensure Scotland is on the right side of history.

    I look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Higher School of Economics and the Government of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug signed a strategic agreement at SPIEF-2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum – 2025, the Higher School of Economics and the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug signed an agreement on strategic cooperation. The document was signed by the First Deputy Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Irina Novoselova and the Director HSE University – Saint Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya. The agreement is aimed at developing scientific research activities, improving the quality of education and training personnel in accordance with the priorities of the socio-economic development of the region.

    “The main focus of our agreement is to support school education in Yamal. Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and HSE are long-standing partners, but for the St. Petersburg campus, this is a new stage in building systemic interaction. Starting in September, 120 high school students in the region will be involved in additional education programs in IT and creative industries. In the new academic year, 60 teachers of the humanities and social sciences will take advanced training courses at the Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg. We also plan to organize special shifts for high school students at our university. The success of any region begins with high-quality school education, with the environment where motivated young people are formed. And we are grateful to our partner for trusting us with the most valuable thing – their future,” said Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg.

    The signing of the agreement was a continuation of the strategic cooperation between HSE and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. In 2024, HSE students were given the opportunity to complete internships in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug authorities as part of the GosVyshka project. In early 2025, the university’s experts took part in developing design solutions for the modernization of the Yamal College in Salekhard, and in the summer, HSE – St. Petersburg held an educational intensive course for 50 students from diplomatic classes in Yamal schools.

    “The Higher School of Economics and Yamal have been linked by years of friendship and effective partnership. We have jointly developed concepts for modern student campuses in Salekhard and Tarko-Sale, and prepared programs for the personnel project “YASHKR. Education”. The signing of the agreement will allow us to strengthen our work to improve the quality of general and vocational education in Yamal. The cooperation will be mutually beneficial. HSE students will be able to complete an internship in our district – they will receive practical skills that will open up career opportunities even before graduating from the university,” said Irina Novoselova, First Deputy Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

    The HSE University in Saint Petersburg will act as the coordinator of key educational projects. The university will implement specialized and educational programs for Yamal schoolchildren, teachers and managers. The Center for Pre-University Programs and Projects will participate in the project “Educational Certificate for High School Students” aimed at developing talented schoolchildren. In addition, the Saint Petersburg HSE will become a place for exchanging experience and providing methodological support to teaching and management personnel of Yamal.

    The signing of the agreement with the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug confirms the systematic approach of the HSE University to strengthening educational and scientific partnerships with the regions of Russia. Over the past three years, the university has begun implementing strategic projects in the Pskov, Novgorod, Murmansk, Lipetsk, Smolensk regions, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and other regions.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Resilient and rising: India in global economic big league

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    If we compare growth projections with actual data, Indian economy looks all set to achieve milestones well ahead of schedule. The journey to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, to graduate to third-largest and, ultimately, to attain developed-nation status now appears firmly on track for the coming years.

    The projections-versus-reality data confirm the resilience of its economy, putting it on the growth track, be it swift recovery after the COVID-19 crisis and its global after-effects or other global conflict points. The resilience gives Indian economy a positive push needed for the economic surge. India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy, keeping inflation largely in check, even as the price pressure marker climbed worldwide and hit a 40-year high in the United States.

    The economic resilience that helps India endure negative outcomes – headwinds such as persistent trade frictions—including reciprocal tariff measures by the United States and global debate around it—and geopolitical shocks such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and broader West Asian turbulence including the recently started Israel–Iran war.

    While these events are sending aftershocks through a global economy still battered by the pandemic, India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, strong infrastructure build-out, healthy financial sector and vast domestic market—underpinned by solid consumer demand, consistent policy, and an improving business climate—the underlying factors behind its resilience—have helped it weather the storm.

    While the global economy, on a whole, decelerates, India has managed to sustain a growth rate above 6 per cent year after year—an unparalleled feat for a major economy in the current gloomy economic scenario.

    Remains a Bright Spot

    Borge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, remarked in a recent television interview that India remains a bright spot among the world’s major economies, citing its young, tech-savvy workforce. His interview was done after a WEF analysis that warned that the 2025 global economic outlook was clouded by deep uncertainty. Back in January 2024, he had described India as a bright spot amid global doom.

    The International Monetary Fund echoes this view. Its 2023 World Economic Outlook named India the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economic scenario, stressing that the country will be a key driver of growth in the years ahead.

    The World Bank is very bullish on India’s economic growth and will remain so, said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank Country Director for India, in February 2025. India is the shining light in the world, according to World Bank analysts.

    The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP), a report released by the United Nations on 15 May 2025, states that while the global economy is slowing down, India remains the only bright spot—a point the IMF had made back in 2022.

    Positive projections followed by assessments—that have been reiterated in credible analytic reports by different global agencies.

    An Economic Resilience that Performs

    According to an EY projection, India is expected to surpass Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The assessment, “India — towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world”, states that India is expected to surpass both Japan and Germany in nominal GDP terms by 2027. The projection to surpass Japan’s economy comes two years in advance—by the 2025 financial year. The EY analysis also estimates that India’s economy will cross the USD 5 trillion mark by that year, with a projected GDP size of USD 5.2 trillion.

    According to the assessment, which compares nominal and PPP international dollar GDPs of six major economies—the United States, China, Japan, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom—from 2022 to projections until 2028—India leads in GDP growth rate. The country is projected to have an 8.7% compound nominal growth rate (between 2022 and 2028), outstripping China’s growth rate of 7.2%, and more than double the United States’ growth rate of 4.1% for the same period.

    In PPP international dollar terms, India is already the third-largest economy, ahead of Japan and Germany, and is fast closing the gap with the United States and China. The EY analysis says India’s PPP economy is expected to register a growth rate of around 8.5% a year and will add nearly USD 7.5 trillion to its economy between 2022 and 2028—equivalent to Japan’s entire current annual PPP output in 2028. By 2028, India will further narrow this gap with China, the country with the largest economy globally in PPP international dollar terms.

    The report further predicts that by 2027, in PPP terms, the United States’ economy will be just 1.7 times larger than the Indian economy, while another EY assessment estimates that by the late 2040s, with a real growth rate of 6 to 7%, India will surpass the United States to become the world’s second-largest economy in PPP terms.

    Another assessment, released by Morgan Stanley in March 2025, suggests India will become the third-largest economy in the world by 2028. According to the global financial services firm, India’s economy is expected to reach USD 4.7 trillion by 2026, overtaking Japan to become the fourth-largest economy. When compared with real data, the country is expected to achieve this milestone sooner.

    By 2028, India is projected to surpass Germany to become the third-largest economy globally, at USD 5.7 trillion. The analysis further states that India’s share in the world’s GDP, currently at 3.5%, is projected to rise to 4.5% by 2029.

    The growth rate of the last quarter—or real GDP growth rate from January 2025 to March 2025—further confirms the resilient nature of the Indian economy. The real growth rate for the last quarter was calculated at 7.4%, outperforming expectations. In nominal GDP terms, the Indian economy was estimated to have expanded by 10.8%. A composite annual growth rate for the year 2024–25, in real GDP terms for the country, was estimated at 6.5%, in line with expectations, while in nominal terms it was estimated at 9.8%.

    According to projections made in another EY analysis, the country’s GDP has the potential to cross the threshold of USD 5 trillion by 2026, USD 10 trillion by 2033, USD 20 trillion by 2042, and USD 30 trillion by 2047 in market exchange terms—a dataset that matches with projections made in India on its developmental journey to become a developed nation by 2047. In PPP terms, by 2047, India’s economy is expected to cross the USD 40 trillion-threshold. Its share in the world GDP is expected to reach 19.6% by that financial year.

    India’s per capita GDP in PPP terms, which was 50% of the world’s average per capita GDP in 2022–23, is expected to become equal to it by the 2040s and 1.5 times higher by 2057.

    According to a Goldman Sachs economic research report released in December 2022 on long-term economic forecasts, China, the US, India, Indonesia, and Germany are projected to be the world’s five largest economies in real GDP terms. By 2075, India is expected to replace the United States to become the second-largest economy behind China.

     

  • ECB unveils Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy ahead of India’s series in England

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday unveiled the new Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy ahead of India’s five-match series in England, which begins on June 20. Both legends were present at the unveiling ceremony. The trophy features imagery of James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar in action, along with their engraved signatures.

    The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy is a joint initiative between the ECB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and will replace the previous trophies awarded in bilateral series — the Pataudi Trophy in England and the Anthony De Mello Trophy in India.

    While the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy replaces the historic Pataudi Trophy, the legacy of the Pataudi family will continue through a newly instituted accolade — the Pataudi Medal — which will now be awarded to the winning captain of the England-India Test series.

    Legends Who Redefined the Game

    James Anderson, England’s premier fast bowler, brought his illustrious Test career to a close last year following a five-match series against India. Over 188 Tests, Anderson took a remarkable 704 wickets — the third-highest in Test history. Against India, he was particularly effective, taking 149 wickets in 39 Tests at an average of 25.47, including six five-wicket hauls.

    “It’s a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself,” Anderson said. “The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special — full of history, intensity, and unforgettable moments. To be recognised in this way is a real honour.”

    India’s batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, remains the highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 15,921 runs, including 51 centuries, from 200 matches — a milestone yet to be matched. Tendulkar’s record against England is equally impressive, with 2,535 runs at an average of 51.73, and a top score of 193 at Headingley — which is set to host one of the upcoming Tests.

    “For me, Test cricket embodies life — you give your best, and if things go wrong, it gives you another day to regroup, think, unlearn, and bounce back,” Tendulkar said. “India and England have played a big role in shaping Test cricket in a way that it remains an evolving inspiration for subsequent generations.”

    “And now, as I share this recognition with my on-field challenger and off-field gentleman James, I hope that the world celebrates the essence of Test cricket even more — allowing it to traverse boundaries yet untrodden”, the former cricketer added.

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Refugee protection is both a shared responsibility and a legal obligation, OSCE human rights head says

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Refugee protection is both a shared responsibility and a legal obligation, OSCE human rights head says

    Refugees, digital watercolour, 2025. (Shutterstock )

    WARSAW, 20 June 2025 – Greater joint efforts and international co-operation are crucial to safeguard the protection of refugees guaranteed in international law, with the challenges displacement and migration pose both unique and fundamental to our common future, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on today’s World Refugee Day.
    “Refugee protection is our shared responsibility. And closer international co-operation is vital to protect human lives and ensure the right to seek asylum is respected,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “States must uphold the legal obligation to protect those fleeing conflict, persecution, and violence. Despite the challenges, we must work together to find sustainable solutions that respect the human rights of every individual.”
    Forced displacement has doubled over the past decade, with more than 122 million people displaced worldwide in mid-2024. Within the OSCE region alone, there were almost 25 million people forcibly displaced or stateless. Everyone has the right to seek safety in another country, no matter where they come from or who they are. All OSCE participating States must uphold this right as well as the principle of non-refoulement, which is the obligation not to return anyone to a country where they may face persecution or worse. At the same time, a safe and supportive environment is needed for human rights defenders working to help refugees and displaced people.
    ODIHR supports countries across the OSCE region to ensure the human rights of people crossing borders is respected and to uphold the right to seek asylum. The Office’s work in this area includes targeted publications as well as events to foster international co-operation on refugee issues. This year’s courses include training for National Human Rights Institutions on human rights at borders, and a series of training courses for local authorities on good practices in migrant and refugee integration.
    All OSCE participating States have committed “to respect the right to seek asylum and to ensure the international protection of refugees” and to promote the “dignified treatment of all individuals wanting to cross borders”.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Think before you drive — alcohol can linger until morning 20 June 2025 Think before you drive — alcohol can linger until morning

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Festival-goers are being urged to think carefully before getting behind the wheel the morning after drinking, as part of a summer safety campaign.

    With the Isle of Wight Festival underway and other summer events just around the corner, the Isle of Wight Council is reminding drivers that alcohol can remain in your system well into the next day — and that driving while still over the limit can have serious consequences.

    Partners from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safer Roads Partnership, will be raising awareness through targeted messaging and face-to-face engagement at ferry terminals in Lymington, Portsmouth and Southampton.

    As part of the campaign, drivers are being introduced to the Morning After calculator — a free online tool designed to help people estimate how long it takes for alcohol to leave their system.

    Lewis Campbell, the council’s road safety officer, said: “We know many people wouldn’t dream of drink driving on a night out — but they may not realise they’re still over the limit the next morning.

    “The Morning After calculator is a helpful tool for understanding how long alcohol can remain in your system. But it’s not a guarantee — and it certainly shouldn’t be used to justify getting behind the wheel.

    “If you’re drinking any amount of alcohol — even just one drink — you should leave the car at home and plan alternative transport. And remember, the calculator won’t help you if you are caught drink driving.

    “What it can do is give you a rough idea of when it might be safe to drive the next day. It can also help you decide when to stop drinking if you know you’ll need to drive in the morning. However, to be clear, there is no safe level of alcohol when it comes to driving.”

    The consequences of drink driving can be severe. Offenders face fines, driving bans, and even prison. And it’s not just about being caught while driving — simply being found in a stationary vehicle while intoxicated, with the keys in the ignition, could result in a £2,500 fine, a three-month prison sentence, and a driving ban.

    Red Funnel and Wightlink support this campaign by offering the vehicle ferry ports as engagement venues. And this year, Red Funnel is providing additional support by offering free advertising space on screens at terminals and onboard vessels, helping to spread the message to both residents and visitors.

    Nigel Lane, operations manager for Red Funnel, said: “We’re proud to support this important campaign. With so many people travelling to and from the Island for events, it’s vital that everyone understands the risks of morning-after drink driving.”

    Colin Evans, road safety programme manager for National Highways South-East, added: “We want people to enjoy the festival season, but we also want everyone to get home safe and well and that means making smart choices about when to stop drinking if you plan to drive the next day.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK envoy celebrates King Charles’ birthday in Malaysia

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK envoy celebrates King Charles’ birthday in Malaysia

    High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma CMG hosted a grand reception in Kuala Lumpur today to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s 77th birthday.

    British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma CMG delivering his welcome remarks.

    The reception also celebrated the deep connection between UK and Malaysia. YB Dato’ Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantation and Commodities, was the guest of honour representing the Malaysian Government at the event.

    This was the first King’s Birthday Party reception hosted by High Commissioner Ajay Sharma in Malaysia – having arrived in the country only a few weeks ago.  The reception was attended by over 700 guests including members of the Malaysian royalty, senior government officials, the diplomatic corps and the business community.

    The reception kicked off with Minister Dato’ Seri Johari leading a toast to the good health and wellbeing of His Majesty King Charles III. The High Commissioner then reciprocated with a toast to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.   

    In his speech, High Commissioner Ajay Sharma spoke about the strategic partnership between the UK and Malaysia:

    Our two Prime Ministers share an ambitious vision and have agreed to elevate the relationship between the UK and Malaysia to a Strategic Partnership, in particular in the areas of education, energy, defence and trade.

    The list of our bilateral co-operation is endless. And most importantly, we shouldn’t take the relationship between our two countries for granted. We need to keep working at delivering for our people through this relationship.

    The High Commissioner concluded his speech by expressing his hope for more shared success in the UK-Malaysia relations.

    The theme of the celebration this year is the Great British Fantasia, inspired by King Charles’ interest in literature, and drawing inspiration from the fantastic and magical in UK literature – from the Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter, from Alice in Wonderland to The Chronicles of Narnia. Guests were treated to the best of British food; and were entertained by the UK’s Royal Marine Band and the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Groceries Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Amazon

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Groceries Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Amazon

    Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) in relation to certain of its practices.

    The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has today launched a targeted investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) has breached paragraph 5 (No delay in Payments) of the Groceries Code.

    The GCA has reasonable grounds to suspect that Amazon has breached paragraph 5 of the Code (No delay in Payments) from 1 March 2022 to 20 June 2025. This is based on evidence from a range of sources.

    The investigation will cover the extent to which paragraph 5 of the Code may have been breached; any impact of Amazon’s conduct on suppliers; and the root causes of any issues. In particular it will focus on the nature, extent and impact of practices which may have resulted in delays in payments including Amazon’s receipt of goods and payment processes, its processes for managing supplier concerns relating to deductions from payments, and its use of settlements of deductions in its commercial negotiations with suppliers.

    The investigation will cover the period between Amazon’s designation (1 March 2022) and 20 June 2025 but will focus on the period since 1 January 2024, in order to have the fullest understanding of Amazon’s contemporaneous practices.

    The Adjudicator Mark White said:

    Delays in payment can significantly harm suppliers. The alleged delays could expose Amazon suppliers to excessive risk and unexpected costs, potentially affecting their ability to invest and innovate.

    I decided to launch this targeted investigation based on the range of evidence I have seen from multiple sources. It will allow me to determine whether Amazon has breached paragraph 5 of the Groceries Code and the root cause of any breach.

    I encourage all direct suppliers and other stakeholders to respond to my call for evidence and provide information about your experiences with Amazon. All responses will be completely confidential.

    Prior engagement with Amazon

    Having heard from suppliers reporting Code issues, the Adjudicator, Mark White, told Amazon in 2024 that it must take swift and comprehensive action to demonstrably comply with the Code.

    The GCA then monitored actions taken by Amazon and heard further detailed evidence about experiences with Amazon. Based on this evidence it was clear that an investigation into compliance with paragraph 5 of the Groceries Code specifically was required.

    Other Groceries Code issues at Amazon

    The GCA has also received information about other issues at Amazon. The GCA is continuing to engage with Amazon as part of its ongoing collaborative approach and expects Amazon to take action to address these issues.

    If a further investigation is necessary to resolve these issues, the GCA will not hesitate to launch one.

    Next steps

    The Adjudicator has called for direct suppliers and other stakeholders to respond to the GCA’s call for evidence to share experiences of supplying Amazon.

    Submissions may be made by completing the GCA’s confidential questionnaire, or on paper or in electronic form submitted to the GCA at:

    Groceries Code Adjudicator
    7th Floor, The Cabot
    25 Cabot Square
    Canary Wharf
    London
    E14 4QZ
    E-mail to: enquiries@GroceriesCode.gov.uk

    The call for evidence will close on 8 August 2025. All responses to the call for evidence will be treated as completely confidential.

    Confidentiality and data protection

    The GCA has a statutory duty to keep information, including information provided in response to its call for evidence confidential. The statutory guidance provides that information which identifies a supplier will be confidential unless that supplier waives confidentiality.

    This means that no individual supplier or respondent to the call for evidence will be named, or otherwise be identifiable either in the report or in any other way to Amazon.

    The GCA may refer in its investigation report or elsewhere to evidence from submissions in an anonymised way. That means that the GCA might refer to evidence provided, but not in any way that makes individuals or businesses identifiable. 

    The GCA may, under its statutory powers, request further information from respondents arising from the call for evidence.

    Please be aware that information provided in response to the call for evidence may be the subject of a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (or other UK legislation). 

    The GCA will process personal data in accordance with all applicable data protection laws and its privacy notice.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government appoints HKEX Risk Management Committee members

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Government appoints HKEX Risk Management Committee members 
         “Ms Kwok and Mr Sun are experienced professionals with profound knowledge in the financial services sector. We believe that they will continue to provide insightful advice to the RMC and contribute to formulating appropriate risk management policies for the HKEX,” the spokesman said.
     
         The RMC was established in March 2000 with the role of formulating policies on risk management matters relating to the activities of the HKEX and its subsidiaries for submission to the Board of the HKEX for consideration.
     
         The RMC is chaired by the Chairman of the HKEX, Mr Carlson Tong Ka-shing. Other serving members are Mrs Susan Chow Woo Mo-fong, Mr Hugo Leung Pak-hon, the Executive Director (Supervision of Markets) of the Securities and Futures Commission, the Executive Director (Monetary Management) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited.
    Issued at HKT 17:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Be part of the solution to plastic pollution

    Source: South Australia Police

    This Plastic Free July, take the pledge to reduce your plastic waste and make a positive impact – small changes really do make all the difference!

    Throughout the month, the City is hosting a range of free workshops where you can learn what happens to your waste, discover simple ways to reduce it and find out how to live more sustainably in your everyday life.

    Let’s work together for cleaner streets, healthier oceans and thriving, beautiful communities.

    Event dates and times

    Ditch the gladwrap! Fabric food cover sewing workshop

    The Waste Education team are hosting a pop-up workshop where you can stop by and learn to create your own fabric food covers.

    10am to 11am, Tuesday 1 July at Yanchep Central Shopping Centre. Register here.

    3.30pm to 4.30pm, Tuesday 1 July at Yanchep Central Shopping Centre. Register here.

    10.30am to 12.30pm, Saturday 5 July at Yanchep Library. Register here.

    Plastic Free It’s All About Play

    Join us for a fun filled program packed with multi-sensory toys, craft, dress ups and tactile experiences designed to keep your child engaged and entertained as they learn through play.

    9am to 11am, every Monday in July at Yanchep Library.

    No registration required, find out more via our website.

    Community tour of the Cleanaway Material Recovery Facility and CLAW Environmental

    Learn how your recycling is sorted and processed on this interactive tour of these two waste facilities.

    8.45am to 3pm, Thursday 17 July, departing Wanneroo Civic Centre.

    Register online via the City of Joondalup website.

    Earthside Eco Bums modern cloth nappy workshop

    Learn what cloth nappies are all about, how they work and what you’ll need to get started at this free workshop.

    11am to 12pm, Wednesday 30 July at Yanchep Library

    Register here.

    MIL OSI News –

  • PM flags off first export locomotive from Marhowra Plant, Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    This marks the first export locomotive manufactured at the plant. These locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control systems, and ergonomic cab designs, incorporating features such as regenerative braking technology.

    On the same day, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur, via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.

    During a public meeting in Siwan, the Prime Minister was felicitated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects across the water, rail, and power sectors.

    To strengthen railway infrastructure in the region, he inaugurated the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, worth over ₹400 crore, and flagged off a new train service on this route.

    The Prime Minister also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange programme, with a total outlay of over ₹1,800 crore. These plants aim to serve the population across the region.

    In addition, he laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation, and sewage treatment infrastructure worth over ₹3,000 crore in several towns across Bihar. These projects aim to provide clean and safe drinking water to residents.

    The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Bihar. Standalone BESS units will be installed at 15 grid substations across the state, including in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan. The capacity of each battery system will range from 20 to 80 MWh. These systems are expected to reduce electricity procurement costs for distribution companies by supplying stored energy to the grid during peak demand, ultimately benefiting consumers.

    The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries as part of the Grih Pravesh ceremony for over 6,600 completed houses under the scheme.

  • PM flags off first export locomotive from Marhowra Plant, Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    This marks the first export locomotive manufactured at the plant. These locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control systems, and ergonomic cab designs, incorporating features such as regenerative braking technology.

    On the same day, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur, via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.

    During a public meeting in Siwan, the Prime Minister was felicitated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects across the water, rail, and power sectors.

    To strengthen railway infrastructure in the region, he inaugurated the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, worth over ₹400 crore, and flagged off a new train service on this route.

    The Prime Minister also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange programme, with a total outlay of over ₹1,800 crore. These plants aim to serve the population across the region.

    In addition, he laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation, and sewage treatment infrastructure worth over ₹3,000 crore in several towns across Bihar. These projects aim to provide clean and safe drinking water to residents.

    The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Bihar. Standalone BESS units will be installed at 15 grid substations across the state, including in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan. The capacity of each battery system will range from 20 to 80 MWh. These systems are expected to reduce electricity procurement costs for distribution companies by supplying stored energy to the grid during peak demand, ultimately benefiting consumers.

    The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries as part of the Grih Pravesh ceremony for over 6,600 completed houses under the scheme.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofqual launches public consultation on apprenticeship assessment regulation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Ofqual launches public consultation on apprenticeship assessment regulation

    Ofqual launches consultation on new regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessments, seeking views from employers, providers and apprentices.

    Ofqual is today launching a public consultation seeking views on its proposed approach to regulating apprenticeship assessments, including those for foundation apprenticeship assessments.

    The consultation, titled “Regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment”, invites awarding organisations, colleges and training providers, employers and apprentices to comment on the future regulatory framework.

    The framework has been developed to reflect the new apprenticeship assessment principles published by the Department for Education earlier this year. It has been designed to accommodate the new apprenticeship assessment plans being put in place by Skills England.

    The proposed framework would allow awarding organisations more flexibility in assessment design and delivery to enable them to be more responsive to the needs of employers. This includes greater responsibility for decisions about how assessments are structured, delivered and marked.

    Ofqual will regulate both the assessments and the awarding organisations that develop and deliver them.

    Catherine Large, Executive Director for Vocational and Technical Qualifications at Ofqual, said:

    We want to hear from everyone with an interest in apprenticeships to ensure our regulatory approach is effective, proportionate and supports the development of valid and reliable assessment.

    Ofqual understands the significance of potential changes to the current end point assessment model, and the important role that employers and providers play in the system. We are working to ensure quality is upheld throughout this transition.

    The consultation opens on Friday 20 June and will run until Wednesday 27 August.

    Interested parties can contribute by completing the online consultation form available on GOV.UK or by emailing their responses directly to consultations@ofqual.gov.uk.

    Following the consultation, Ofqual will publish a summary of responses and outline next steps for implementing the regulatory framework.

    Background information:

    1. Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England.

    2. The Department for Education is responsible for the introduction and overall implementation of the reform to apprenticeships, including the assessment principles.

    3. Skills England is responsible for the streamlining of assessment plans and ensuring that the views of employers are represented.

    4. The consultation document is available here at GOV.UK.

    5. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, Ofqual will consult later in 2025 on the detail of the rules and guidance that will put our proposals into effect.  

    6. For further information, please contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3344 or press.office@ofqual.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU discussed the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage to African countries from colonialism

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education held a meeting dedicated to the activities of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) and the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage caused to African countries during colonialism. Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and leading Russian universities, including the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSEU), the Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI), and the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, took part in the discussion.

    The main topic of the meeting was the development of a methodology for calculating damage, including economic, environmental and cultural losses. As noted by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, this project has not only scientific but also important political significance: We must unite the efforts of universities with expertise in this area and offer African countries a tool for an objective assessment of the consequences of colonialism.

    Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, by agreement with the Ministry of Education and Science, will head the working group to create the laboratory. Vice-Rector for International Work at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics Elena Gorbashko emphasized: We will have to develop a comprehensive methodology that takes into account not only direct economic losses, but also indirect factors – lost profits, environmental damage, consequences for human capital.

    Rector of MGRI Yuri Panov shared preliminary calculations: We have already estimated the damage to Zimbabwe and Mozambique – 52 and 74 billion dollars respectively. At the same time, direct export of resources gave only 3-4% of the total amount, the main part is lost profits and environmental consequences.

    The Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences proposed to include digital archives of cultural heritage in the study. Deputy Director Natalia Sokolova noted: Digital twins of monuments will help to record the destruction and prove the scale of the damage. We already have successful experience of such work in Syria, and we are ready to replicate it in Africa.

    The next steps are to form a working group, prepare a concept and select countries for pilot projects. The final proposals will be presented to the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov in July.

    This project is not only a scientific task, but also an important step in strengthening cooperation between Russia and African countries, said Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, summing up the meeting.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University strengthened its position in the international QS World University Rankings

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The results of the QS World University Rankings by the British company Quacquarelli Symonds have been published. This year, 1,501 universities from 106 countries of the world were included in the ranking. It is worth noting that at the moment, the general trend of participation of Russian universities shows negative dynamics. Currently, Russia is represented in the ranking by 40 universities, which is 7 universities less than last year. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University retained its position among domestic universities, ranking 12th in Russia and 609th in the world.

    Peter the Great Polytechnic University showed steady growth in all rating indicators, with a particularly strong jump noted in the Sustainable Development criterion — plus 40.4 points. It was this positive dynamic that led to an increase in SPbPU’s overall score and allowed it to strengthen its position in the rating.

    Sustainable development is the university’s contribution to the quality of life of society, and our Polytechnic University is really successful in this. It is gratifying that experts note our progress in criteria directly related to the social sphere, technological development and improving people’s living standards. Recognition by QS, as well as other rating agencies, assessing the contribution of universities to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), confirms the effectiveness of our work, noted SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy.

    The growth of Polytechnic University’s indicators in the QS WUR ranking is the result of the coordinated and systematic work of all institutes and departments of our university. I would like to note that despite the global difficulties, our academic reputation is growing, that is, researchers from other countries recognize the contribution of our university to science and education, – comments Vice-Rector for Human Resources Policy Maria Vrublevskaya.

    The QS World University Rankings assess universities based on a number of indicators, each of which to varying degrees determines a university’s position in the ranking. The main indicators include the academic reputation of the university, the ratio of faculty to students, and the university’s reputation with employers. In addition, the ranking evaluates citation indicators, sustainability, the proportion of international students and international faculty.

    You can find more detailed information about the rating results follow the link.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: It’s time to become the main character! Start of the 2025 admission campaign

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On June 20, the acceptance of documents for admission to secondary vocational education programs, bachelor’s, specialist and master’s degrees at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University began.

    Graduates of grades 9 and 11 can enroll in the college at the Polytechnic University. This year, 530 budget and 481 contract places have been allocated for 9 full-time SPO specialties and 90 contract places for 3 correspondence specialties.

    When submitting documents, applicants select no more than 3 specialties for admission to budget places and no more than 1 specialty for contract places, which are arranged in order of priority for enrollment. Enrollment in the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education is carried out based on the results of the competition, based on the average grade point average of the certificate of applicants on the basis of basic or secondary general education. In 2025, a new specialty 09.02.09 “Web Development” was opened, which trains specialists in the creation and support of websites and web applications.

    For applicants to full-time bachelor’s and specialist’s degree programs in 2025, 3,395 budget places and 3,399 fee-paying places have been prepared. Within the target quota, 535 places have been prepared, 359 places for special quota places and the same number for applicants to separate quota places. Applicants can choose up to five areas of preparation for admission, which must be arranged in order of priority in the application.

    One of the innovations in admission to the first level of higher education was the “Petrovskaya Wave”, which gives applicants an additional opportunity to enroll in the university. Applicants whose scores exceed the indicator set by the university are guaranteed admission. The passing score will be regularly updated on the official website, and it can only decrease during the admission campaign, making the conditions for admission more accessible. Even if an applicant does not get a state-funded place, but exceeds the “Petrovskaya Wave” score, the university guarantees him a place at its own expense.

    To take advantage of this opportunity, you need to follow three steps.

    Select in the application directions, participating in the Petrovskaya Wave. Collect the sum of competition points higher than the announced passing score of the “Petrovskaya Wave”. Submit consent for enrollment before August 5, 12:00 Moscow time and do not withdraw it until the end of August.

    In addition, in 2025, to confirm the intention to study at SPbPU, it is necessary to submit consent for enrollment (in electronic form via the State Services portal or in person to the Admissions Office). This replaces the submission of the original educational document, which makes the process more convenient and modern. The innovation also applies to admission to master’s programs.

    The Polytechnic University maintains and expands its program to support talented applicants. In 2025, first-year students can apply for grants of two levels. Winners and prize winners of Olympiads, as well as applicants with USE results of 290-300 points upon admission to the Polytechnic University, receive a one-time payment of 120,000 rubles. And students of engineering, natural sciences, and information technology with USE results of 270-289 points – 50,000 rubles. An additional motivation for such students will be a grant for excellent academic performance after the first session in the amount of 50,000 rubles.

    Those wishing to continue their career at the Polytechnic University can apply for more than 170 master’s programs, for which 2,376 budget places have been allocated. There are four ways to enroll: win the SPbPU Portfolio Competition, become a winner or medalist of the All-Russian Olympiad “I am a Professional”, become a winner of the All-Russian Engineering Competition, or successfully pass the interdisciplinary exam. This year, 20 new programs have been developed for future masters, including the digital master’s programs “Industrial and Civil Engineering” and “Russian as a Foreign Language and Intercultural Communication”, as well as the program for training teaching staff “Physics and Applied Mathematics in Science and Education”. This year, the Polytechnic University is also accepting applications for 15 partner programs jointly with PJSC Gazprom Neft, Rosatom State Corporation, JSC UEC-Klimov, etc.

    To enter the Polytechnic University, you need to complete 3 steps.

    Prepare required documents— an education document, a passport (along with the registration page), SNILS (if available), documents confirming individual achievements, Olympiads, benefits (if available), a photograph. Submit an application in one of the convenient ways in set deadlines. Through the super service “Online University Admission” on Gosuslugi (mandatory for citizens of the Russian Federation). Through your personal account on the university website. In person at the Main Academic Building (29 Politekhnicheskaya St., Main Academic Building) for admission to higher education programs. In person at the ISPO Academic Building (23 Engels Ave.) for admission to secondary vocational education programs. By mail (address: 195251, St. Petersburg, 29 Politekhnicheskaya St., Admissions Committee). Monitor the competition situation and provide consent for enrollment in the university within the established time frame.

    Dear applicants! Admission is an important stage in your life. This is not only a step towards knowledge, but also a chance to open the doors to new opportunities and self-realization at Peter the Great Polytechnic University. Strive for high goals, believe in yourself and take the initiative. Remember that persistence and perseverance will definitely lead to success! Now the process of admission to the university for bachelor’s, specialist, master’s and postgraduate programs is increasingly moving to a remote format. This is a wonderful opportunity for the most talented students from all over the country and from anywhere in the world to apply for admission, monitor the competition situation, receive advice from the admissions committee, and submit consent for enrollment. Which, by the way, is an innovation this year, to which we ask you to pay close attention. We sincerely wish you good luck and outstanding exam results. Remember that the admissions committee is always there to help you go through this important and difficult path! — the responsible secretary of the admissions committee of SPbPU Vitaly Drobchik supported the applicants.

    For a personal consultation on admission issues, applicants can come to the Main Academic Building of SPbPU at 29 Politekhnicheskaya St. and ask questions to the admissions committee staff, as well as representatives of the Polytechnic institutes.

    on weekdays – from 10.00 to 16.00 on Saturday – from 10.00 to 14.00

    All up-to-date information about admission is presented on a special section of the university website. “Admission 2025″, and also inVKontakte group Polytechnic Applicants.

    For all questions, applicants can also contact the call center at the following numbers:

    8 (812) 775-05-30 (for calls from St. Petersburg), 8 (800) 707-18-99 (calls from any region of the Russian Federation are free), 8 (812) 294-06-98 (secondary vocational education).

    The Admissions Office accepts calls from 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays, from 9:30 to 14:00 on Saturdays.

    The application process for admission to higher and secondary vocational education programs has started! This is a time of opportunities and hopes. May your path to knowledge be filled with courage and determination. This year, Polytechnic University announced unprecedented support measures for talented youth — grants for applicants based on Olympiad results, as well as for those applying to the university with high Unified State Exam results, have increased significantly. The “Petrovskaya Wave” has appeared, which gives applicants a chance for guaranteed admission to our university. Be sure to use these opportunities to start your professional career. Believe in yourself, set ambitious goals and strive to achieve them. Your efforts and persistence will definitely lead to success! I wish you good luck in this important step towards your dream, — Varvara Sotova, Director of the Center for the Formation of the Contingent of Students, gave her parting words.

    The concept of this year’s admission campaign is “You are the main hero!” And this is a new season, in which new heroes create their future, make discoveries and change the world for the better! Polytechnic University provides students with a huge number of opportunities, among which everyone chooses their own path to success.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation: Xi

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi: China, New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation

    Xinhua | June 20, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation.

    For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, Xi said.

    As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

    Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change, and infrastructure.

    He encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expels Philippine vessel at Huangyan Dao 2025-06-20 16:16:29 The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Friday expelled the official Philippine vessel 3006 from China’s territorial waters around Huangyan Dao in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, a CCG spokesperson said.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Friday expelled the official Philippine vessel 3006 from China’s territorial waters around Huangyan Dao in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, a CCG spokesperson said.

      The Philippine vessel disregarded China’s repeated dissuasion and warnings, insisting on approaching and intruding into Chinese territorial waters around Huangyan Dao, said spokesperson Liu Dejun.

      The CCG employed gradually escalating measures, including verbal warnings, tracking, monitoring and expulsion actions, as well as water cannon warning shots, to expel the Philippine ship. All on-site actions were professional, standardized and legitimate, Liu noted.

      The actions of the Philippine vessel seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty and constituted a serious violation of international law and relevant provisions of Chinese law, Liu added, while stressing that frequent provocations and harassment by the Philippine side cannot alter the fact that Huangyan Dao belongs to China.

      The CCG will take all necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson noted.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai Animation Film Studio, Disney Studios China team up for ‘Zootopia’ promotional shorts

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

    Shanghai Animation Film Studio (SAFS) and Disney Studios China are joining forces for “A Day in the Life of Zootopia,” a collection of four animated shorts spotlighting fan-favorite characters from Disney’s blockbuster “Zootopia,” the two companies announced Thursday in Shanghai.

    (From left) Directors Wu Wencong and Fan Wen; Zhang Ming, senior vice president and managing director of The Walt Disney Company (China) Co., Ltd.; Wang Jun, chairwoman of Shanghai Film Group Corporation; and directors Liu Hu and Chen Lianhua pose for a group photo at a press event in Shanghai, June 19, 2025. [Photo by Zhang Rui / China.org.cn]

    The four shorts will be released nationwide across major social media and video platforms in November 2025, coinciding with the global premiere of “Zootopia 2.”

    To showcase never-before-seen sides of the animal metropolis in a fresh and locally relevant way, four Chinese animators and their teams from SAFS will each bring a unique approach to the project. Each team will employ a distinct style of traditional Chinese animation — stop-motion, ink wash, 2D and paper-cut animation.

    “In this collaboration with Disney Studios China, we will blend Eastern and Western cultures, using diverse traditional Chinese animation techniques to creatively reimagine globally beloved characters,” said Wang Jun, chairwoman of Shanghai Film Group Corporation. “This will provide audiences with a fresh visual experience.”

    “We hope future cross-cultural collaborations will allow us to share compelling stories and iconic animated characters with more viewers worldwide,” Wang noted.

    The executive said working with Disney felt like a natural next step. “At SAFS, we’ve always maintained an open approach, collaborating with all animation creators committed to quality content. Together, we strive to create outstanding works for audiences,” she said. “This partnership came at the perfect time — it was both inevitable and opportune.”

    Zhang Ming, senior vice president and managing director of The Walt Disney Company (China) Co., Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to partner with Shanghai Animation Film Studio to present a series of delightful shorts set in the widely loved world of ‘Zootopia.’

    “Using authentic local artistic techniques, these stories transform moments from the everyday lives of today’s youth into animated tales that bring smiles to everyone,” she added.

    Zhang said she watched SAFS classics such as “The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven” as a child, and that these works have become cherished memories for generations of Chinese viewers.

    “These outstanding animated works made me appreciate the emotional power of storytelling and their cultural significance,” she said.

    Posters for four “Zootopia” shorts. [Image courtesy of Disney Studios China & Shanghai Animation Film Studio]

    The project brings popular characters from the film into contemporary Chinese settings through four animated shorts, each in a distinct style.

    Wu Wencong’s stop-motion short, “A Fur-Tive Exchange,” features Mr. Big in a snowy rendezvous with a clandestine business associate. Fan Wen’s ink wash animation, “Super-Leopard Delicious,” follows Officer Clawhauser on a culinary adventure. Liu Hu’s 2D short, “Concert Paws,” shows superfans Duke Weaselton and Finnick scrambling for Gazelle concert tickets. Chen Lianhua’s paper-cut animation “You Ashleep Yet?” depicts former Assistant Mayor Bellwether struggling with insomnia. Each short reimagines the “Zootopia” universe for Chinese audiences using a unique animation technique.

    Chen Lianhua, an animation director, comic artist and instructor at the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy, serves as general director of the four shorts. He said the team focused on strong storytelling while remaining faithful to the original character designs, working closely with Disney throughout the project.

    Chen further revealed that each short will be about 90 seconds long, as “the highly stylized form of animation is especially suited to short formats.”

    The original animated feature “Zootopia” grossed $1 billion worldwide, including 1.53 billion yuan ($236 million) in China, making it the most successful foreign animated film in the country. The film’s popularity led to the opening of the world’s first Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort in late 2023. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Phase 2 of transport programme for job seekers launches in Western Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Government has initiated Phase 2 of the “Getting You to Work” Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme, which aims to address one of the biggest barriers faced by unemployed residents, which is the cost of transport.

    The provincial government launched the initiative at the Mitchells Plain Town Centre Library, where over 300 unemployed job seekers attended and registered for Gold Cards. 

    These cards will enable them to travel free of charge using Golden Arrow Bus Services across the Cape Metro to access job opportunities.

    The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme was launched in February 2024, and since then, over 3 700 unemployed residents have registered through more than 150 employer partners.

    “The programme is rooted in a simple but powerful goal – removing the barrier created by the cost of public transport for residents to get jobs,” said the provincial government in a statement.

    It further reported that Phase 1 showed a particularly high uptake in communities such as Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Delft, Gugulethu, and Philippi, highlighting the significant demand for this type of intervention.

    Expanding reach

    The Western Cape Mobility Department has noted that many capable and willing residents remain unemployed, not due to a lack of skills or motivation, but because they cannot afford to attend interviews, training centres, or even their first day of work.

    “Transport becomes the obstacle to residents achieving their full potential. This programme is about opening doors and restoring dignity. It is about recognising that every person deserves a fair shot at opportunity. Phase 2 aims to expand our reach, making it easier for more job seekers to register, access support, and get to where they need to be,” said the provincial department. 

    According to the department, job seekers can now register online directly, removing the previous requirement to go through a registered employer. 

    The vouchers now include six free trips, which can be used between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday to Friday, until 31 March 2026. 
    The department has encouraged employers in Cape Town to register as partners and offer these travel vouchers to prospective employees. 

    This initiative is part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which aims to foster an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy.

    “By assisting job seekers with free transport, the programme not only helps individuals and families, but strengthens the provincial economy by connecting people to opportunities.”

    Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said: “We know from our data that those who received vouchers had a greater chance of attending interviews, securing work, and participating in skills development. That is the pathway from unemployment to opportunity. That is the Growth for Jobs agenda in action.”

    Sileku said no one should be left behind because they cannot afford to get to an interview. 

    “We will continue to innovate, to listen, and to work together to create a mobility system that serves all the people of the Western Cape.”

    The Western Cape Mobility Department and Golden Arrow Bus Services are dedicated to ongoing collaboration and enhancing access to employment.

    How to apply:

    Job seekers can register online by filling out the registration prompts on the portal at Your FREE RIDE to opportunity | Western Cape Government .

    After completing the registration, they must present their identity document (ID) at Golden Arrow kiosks to collect their Gold Card. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nyhontso calls for bold action to reverse Native Land Act legacy

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has called for bold and decisive steps to reverse the legacy of the Native Land Act of 1913.

    Reflecting on the 112th anniversary of the enactment of the Natives Land Act of 1913 in South Africa, which came into effect on June 19, 1913 (Act No. 27 of 1913), Minister Nyhontso said the legislation left an indelible mark on the country’s history.

    “This legislation had a profound and devastating impact on the lives of Black people. It was a calculated, cruel instrument and strategy of mass dispossession, that successfully entrenched racial segregation and economic inequality,” Nyhontso said.

    The Native Land Act restricted Black South Africans to only 7% of the land, forcing them into designated “native reserves”, while reserving the rest of the country’s land for white ownership.

    Crucially, it prohibited Black citizens from owning land outside these areas, stripping millions of their ability to farm and sustain their families.

    The Minister said through the prohibition of Black South Africans, from owning land outside the designated so called native reserves, the act “stripped millions of their ability to sustain themselves, their families, and communities, through farming which was the main economic activity”.

    “The immediate aftermath of the passing of the Native Land Act was the violent and merciless eviction of people from their land, their cattle and crops were confiscated, and their homes were destroyed. Up until that point in history, the African had led a lifestyle of self- sufficiency.  

    “Black people were stripped of their dignity, effectively forcing them into exploitative farm labour contracts. The act laid the foundation for the migrant system that provided a constant supply of cheap labour for the mines and industries,” the Minister said.

    Nyhontso reaffirmed the department’s commitment to reversing this legacy through the implementation of appropriate legislation, policies and land reform programmes.

    He said the department will intensify its efforts to restore land rights to the historically dispossessed and the equitable redistribution of land.  – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –