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Category: Sport

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney

    GettyImages skynesher/Getty

    Australia’s superannuation regulator has written to Australian superannuation funds raising concerns their spending might not be benefiting members.

    The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not just concerned with the type of expenses, but with the corporate governance around their approval, evaluation and reporting.

    The letter refers to a “lack of robust governance and oversight of fund expenditure” and funds making “decisions not supported by an expenditure management framework”.

    Concern about funds’ spending and governance has grown since construction industry super fund, CBUS, last year admitted it spent A$387,000 of members’ retirement savings on a 40th birthday bash attended by 750 guests.

    At the same time the fund was being criticised for its links with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime Employees Union as three of its board members were members. The union was alleged to have been infiltrated by criminal elements.

    Protecting members

    Since July 1 2021, legislation requires regulated superannuation funds – industry and retail funds, but not self-managed funds – to act in the best financial interests of their members. This is referred to as their “best financial interest duty”.

    In the superannuation industry, what economists call the principal-agent problem – in this case, ensuring super fund trustees (agents) protect the financial interests of members (principals) whose retirement savings they manage – is particularly acute.

    Compared to public company shareholders, for example, super fund members have little opportunity to monitor and challenge management decisions. This includes spending decisions that affect their super balance. There is no annual general meeting at which members can vote or question their fund’s trustees.

    Fund members also cannot rely to the same extent as shareholders on the market to optimise the performance of management. The threat of takeover and replacement of executives tends to be lower than for publicly listed companies. Apart from switching funds, the regulator’s oversight and enforcement are the main protection for members against trustee maladministration or malfeasance.

    There is also a significant public interest in ensuring each super fund meets its financial duty obligations. The squandering of a member’s retirement savings increases the likelihood they will need to rely on the public pension, a cost for all taxpayers.

    Can super fund expenses be justified?

    It has been reported that spending under the regulator’s microscope includes “sports sponsorships, travel, conferences and other payments to affiliated unions or employer groups”.

    Whether or not such expenses are compatible with members’ best financial interests is often difficult to judge. That is why funds are being asked to report and justify expenses more transparently.

    For example, a fund’s spending on marketing and travel might be consistent with best financial interest duty if there is scope associated with increased membership and funds under management.

    There are significant fixed administration and regulatory costs associated with running a super fund.

    Core customer service functions, such as processing death benefit claims, require sensitive (and expensive) handling.

    Spreading such costs over more members likely helps reduce fees charged to members and can encourage investment in improved customer service.

    Large super funds are increasingly investing in alternative assets such as private equity and taking direct stakes in bespoke projects (such as airport ownership and apartment construction). While such investments can enhance returns, they usually require access to significant financial firepower.

    Bigger may not always be better

    In short, if size matters, and if, for example, sports sponsorship allows super funds to grow cost-effectively, then marketing and travel expenses may be compatible with best financial interest requirements. That might even include an executive’s travel to the AFL Grand Final to network with potential co-investors.

    Neverthless, there may also be disadvantages associated with increased fund size. Larger funds are likely to find it harder to outperform the market and their peers, at least when investing in listed equities. So spending to grow membership may not always be in members’ interests.

    Whether super fund payments to affiliated unions or employer groups are justifiable is complicated by legislative requirements. While a fund cannot give benefits to an employer or union, it can give benefits to a firm’s employees or a union’s members. This might include preferential death benefits or financial literacy seminars.

    Questionable expenses

    Some fund expenses might reflect the pursuit of “private benefits” by super fund executives or trustees. They might, for example, approve questionable investments that burnish their CVs for their next corporate gig. Or they might approve sponsorship of a football team so they can network with potential future employers or business partners at a game.

    More innocently, but no less perniciously, the executive remuneration consultants super funds hire may define key performance indicators that are inappropriate for super fund executives (for example, membership growth at all costs).

    What can the regulator do?

    The superannuation regulator has broad powers to license and supervise superannuation funds to ensure they “keep the financial promises” made to their members.

    Ultimately, a fund’s trustees are responsible for ensuring the fund is meeting its financial interests obligations.

    One tool at the regulator’s disposal is to seek a court enforceable undertaking from an offending fund. This is a legal promise to address governance and legislative breaches. Failure to deliver can jeopardise a fund’s licence to operate.

    Ultimately, the legal burden of proof in any civil legal action to show they have met their best financial interests responsibilities, now lies with the trustees.

    Now the Prudential Regulation Authority has put super funds on notice to lift their game.

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

    – ref. Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be? – https://theconversation.com/australias-superannuation-regulator-is-worried-about-your-funds-spending-should-you-be-259881

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Community-Led Local Development Fund distributes over £900k to support projects in Highland

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) met in June 2025 and considered and agreed funding for 28 projects submitted to the Community-Led Local Development fund (CLLD), which makes up part of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) programme.

    CRF is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by The Highland Council.  Decisions on which projects are to receive CLLD funding are taken by the Highland Strategic Local Action Group. This decision-making group is made up of third sector representatives, public agencies, and private organisations.    

    Chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “It is the fourth year in a row that we have been successful in securing a large allocation of CLLD funding from the Scottish Government. This funding is essential to support grass roots economic regeneration, allowing communities to grow and develop new opportunities.”

    “We welcome the continued investment by the Scottish Government in our  rural communities and are proud to support community groups and witness the significant and lasting impact these projects have across the Highlands.

    “I wish everyone working hard to turn their plans into reality all the very best.”

    The CLLD Fund continues to play a vital role in supporting grassroots initiatives that foster resilience, inclusivity, and innovation in rural communities. From Caithness down to Lochaber, the funding will empower local groups and organisations to deliver impactful projects tailored to the unique needs of their communities. These include feasibility studies, building renovations, renewable energy installations, youth services, and community transport programmes.

    This follows on from a successful 2024/25 CLLD round where over £1.4 million was allocated to 52 community groups across the Highlands. Across Highland, the overall social return on investment for the 2024/25 CLLD round was £3.46 for every £1 of funding invested. In total projects spent returned a social value of £6,065,874. 

    CLLD 2025-26 approved projects:

    The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company: The Dornoch Community Transport Project –  £36,861.00 
    Lochview Rural Training Centre: Land Based Training Equipment – £12,954.00 
    Fearn Amenities SCIO : Groundworks At Fearn Pavillion  – £14,685.00 
    Edinbane Community Company:  Edinbane Shop Technical Design –  £15,000.00 
    Linnhe Leisure:  Sound & Lighting  –  £83,331.97 
    Lochaber Hope:  New Connections  –  £11,439.52 
    Poolewe and District Swimming Pool association: Sustain the Pool  –  £21,000.00 
    Wick Community Hub:  Sensory Room Space –  £30,000.00 
    Farmer Jones Academy c.i.c : Sensory Dome and Play Equipment –  £57,000.00 
    Rosemarkie Amenities Association (RAA): Upgrading of Rosemarkie Promenade – £35,357.00 
    Dornie & District Community Trust:  Dornie Hub – £31,329.84 
    Mallaig & Morar Community Centre Association: Energy Efficiency Improvements – £2,961.99
    Arisaig Community Trust:  Playpark Project –  £22,343.32 
    Evanton Community Cinema:Equipment Purchase and Installation – £32,201.20 
    Wick Development Trust: Path Upgrade & Motorhome Waste Service – £52,329.24 
    Mallaig Pool & Leisure: Upgrade of Gym and Sauna – £100,000.00 
    Dementia Friendly Communities Ltd: Dinner To Your Door Delivery Vehicle – £27,279.00 
    Ormlie Community Association Ltd: New Meeting Room & Services –  £6,694.00 
    North Kessock Village Hall: North Kessock Village Hall Renovation –  £17,000.00 
    Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust:  New Signage and Trails  –   £9,945.00 
    Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust: Net Zero Housing – Phase 2 (NZH-2) – £76,596.00 
    Go Golspie Development Trust: New Electric Community Car – £34,369.00 
    Farr North Community Development Trust: Community Transport – Farr Goes –  £17,664.00 
    Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust: Glenelg Playpark – £27,077.00 
    Fox & Friends Highland: Disabled Friendly Bathroom –  £38,000.00
    Sutherland Resilience Initiative: Community Transport – £57,260.00
    Applecross Community Company:  Affordable Housing Project –  £44,600.00 
    The Place Youth Club:  Disabled Access Project  –  £50,000.00 

     

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream Officially Launches: Natural Fast-Acting Solution in US, CA, UK, AU, NZ and IE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Arthro MD+, a trailblazer in innovative health solutions, proudly announces the official launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, a groundbreaking topical treatment designed to alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility for individuals seeking a natural, effective solution to joint discomfort. This cutting-edge product marks a significant milestone in Arthro MD+’s mission to empower people to live active, pain-free lives through science-backed wellness innovations.
    Addressing the Growing Need for Joint Health Solutions
    Joint pain affects millions of people worldwide, with conditions like arthritis, overuse injuries, and age-related wear-and-tear impacting daily activities and quality of life. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 54 million adults in the United States alone suffer from arthritis, making it one of the leading causes of disability. As the global population ages and active lifestyles become more prevalent, the demand for safe, non-invasive, and effective joint pain relief solutions has never been higher. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream was developed to meet this need, offering a scientifically formulated, non-prescription topical cream that delivers fast-acting, targeted relief without the side effects commonly associated with oral pain medications. By combining clinically studied ingredients with advanced delivery technology, Arthro MD+ sets a new standard in joint care, addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of joint discomfort.
    The Science Behind Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream
    At the core of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is a proprietary blend of natural and scientifically validated ingredients designed to work synergistically to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness while promoting long-term joint health. Unlike many over-the-counter creams that provide only temporary relief, Arthro MD+’s formula penetrates deeply into the skin to target the source of discomfort, delivering lasting results.
    Key ingredients include:

    • Menthol: A natural cooling agent that provides immediate soothing relief to sore, aching joints by stimulating thermoreceptors in the skin, creating a cooling sensation that distracts from pain signals.
    • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): A naturally occurring compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM supports joint flexibility and reduces swelling, helping to restore mobility.
    • Glucosamine Sulfate: A well-researched compound that supports cartilage health and promotes joint lubrication, aiding in long-term joint function.
    • Arnica Montana Extract: A plant-based ingredient with a long history of use in traditional medicine, arnica helps reduce bruising, swelling, and pain associated with joint injuries.
    • Boswellia Serrata Extract: Derived from the frankincense tree, this extract is clinically shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways, reducing joint discomfort and supporting overall joint health.
    • Hyaluronic Acid: A key component of synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid helps lubricate joints, reducing friction and improving ease of movement.
    • Turmeric Extract (Curcumin): A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin helps combat oxidative stress in joints, supporting long-term joint health.

    The cream utilizes advanced transdermal delivery technology, allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin and reach affected joints and tissues. This ensures rapid onset of relief while maximizing the bioavailability of each ingredient. The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula leaves no residue, making it ideal for daily use.
    Why Arthro MD+ Stands Out
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is not just another topical pain reliever—it’s a comprehensive joint health solution designed with the consumer in mind. Here’s what sets it apart:

    • Clinically Inspired Formula: Each ingredient in Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is backed by scientific research, ensuring efficacy and safety. The formula was developed in collaboration with leading experts in joint health, including rheumatologists and pharmacologists, to create a product that delivers measurable results.
    • Natural and Safe: Free from parabens, artificial fragrances, and harsh chemicals, Arthro MD+ is gentle on the skin and suitable for long-term use. It is also non-addictive, unlike some oral pain medications that carry risks of dependency.
    • Targeted Relief: The cream’s advanced delivery system ensures that active ingredients reach the affected area, providing fast-acting relief where it’s needed most.
    • Versatility: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is suitable for a wide range of users, from athletes recovering from intense workouts to seniors managing chronic joint conditions like osteoarthritis.
    • Made in the USA: Manufactured in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility, Arthro MD+ adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.

    For more information, visit (This Link To Read And ORDER).
    The Development Journey
    The journey to create Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream began with a simple yet ambitious goal: to provide a safe, effective, and accessible solution for joint pain that empowers individuals to reclaim their mobility and live life to the fullest. Arthro MD+’s research and development team spent over two years conducting rigorous testing, refining formulations, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to perfect the product.
    “We wanted to create a product that not only relieves pain but also supports long-term joint health,” said Dr. Emily Carter, Chief Scientific Officer at Arthro MD+. “Our team was driven by the stories of millions of people struggling with joint pain, from active individuals to those managing chronic conditions. Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is the result of cutting-edge science and a deep commitment to improving lives.”
    Consumer feedback during the development phase was overwhelmingly positive. In a pre-launch clinical trial involving 200 participants with mild to moderate joint pain, 92% reported a significant reduction in pain within 10 minutes of application, and 87% noted improved mobility after two weeks of daily use. Participants also praised the cream’s pleasant scent and non-greasy texture, making it a convenient addition to their daily routines.
    Who Can Benefit from Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream?
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is designed for anyone experiencing joint discomfort, whether due to aging, physical activity, or chronic conditions. It is particularly beneficial for:

    • Seniors: Those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or general age-related joint stiffness can find relief and improved mobility.
    • Athletes: Runners, weightlifters, and other active individuals can use Arthro MD+ to recover from joint strain caused by intense physical activity.
    • Office Workers: Prolonged sitting or repetitive motions can lead to joint discomfort, which Arthro MD+ can help alleviate.
    • Individuals with Minor Injuries: Sprains, strains, and bruises can benefit from the cream’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

    The cream is easy to use: simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage gently until absorbed. For best results, use two to three times daily or as directed by a healthcare professional.
    A Commitment to Empowering Active Lifestyles
    Arthro MD+’s mission goes beyond providing pain relief—it’s about empowering individuals to live active, fulfilling lives. “Joint pain shouldn’t hold anyone back from doing what they love, whether that’s playing with their grandkids, hiking, or simply getting through the day without discomfort,” said Michael Thompson, CEO of Arthro MD+. “With Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, we’re giving people the tools to take control of their joint health and embrace life without limitations.”
    To support this mission, Arthro MD+ is launching a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate consumers about joint health, the importance of early intervention, and lifestyle strategies to maintain mobility. The campaign includes partnerships with physical therapists, fitness experts, and community organizations to provide resources and support for those managing joint pain. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Availability and Pricing
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is now available for purchase exclusively through the official Arthro MD+ website (www.arthromd.com) (www.arthromd.com) and select online retailers. The product is offered in two sizes: a 2 oz. jar for $29.99 and a 4 oz. jar for $49.99. For a limited time, customers can take advantage of a special launch offer, including a 20% discount on their first order and free shipping on purchases over $50.
    Arthro MD+ also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try the product risk-free. “We’re confident in the effectiveness of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream,” said Thompson. “If it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll refund your purchase—no questions asked.”
    The Future of Joint Health with Arthro MD+
    The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is just the beginning. Arthro MD+ is committed to expanding its product line to include additional solutions for joint and muscle health, with plans to introduce oral supplements and wearable supports in 2026. The company is also investing in ongoing research to explore new ingredients and delivery methods that could further enhance joint care.
    In addition, Arthro MD+ is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The company uses eco-friendly packaging and partners with suppliers who share its commitment to environmental responsibility. A portion of every sale is donated to arthritis research and advocacy organizations, furthering Arthro MD+’s mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by joint pain.
    Join the Arthro MD+ Movement
    As Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream hits the market, the company invites consumers to join its movement toward pain-free, active living. By combining cutting-edge science with a passion for wellness, Arthro MD+ is redefining what’s possible in joint care.
    For more information about Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, including detailed ingredient information, Click Here To visit Official Website To stay updated on product launches, promotions, and joint health tips, follow Arthro MD+ on social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
    About Arthro MD+
    Arthro MD+ is a Los Angeles-based health and wellness company dedicated to developing innovative, science-backed solutions for joint and muscle health. With a focus on natural ingredients, rigorous quality standards, and consumer education, Arthro MD+ empowers individuals to live active, pain-free lives. The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream marks the company’s first step toward transforming the joint care industry.
    Media Contact
    Project name: Arthro MD+
     Tel.: +1 (434) 425-7300
     Company Number: 306178201
     Full Name: Harry Bailey
     Website: https://arthromdplus.com
    Email: support@arthromd.com 
    #8909, Lakeland, FL 33804, USA

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 9th Annual Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament Welcomes Lofa Tatupu

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Thursday, July 10th, the 9th Annual Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Anchorage Golf Course and will feature celebrity guest, Lofa Tatupu.

    As a former Seattle Seahawk, Tatupu’s NFL career included a Super Bowl appearance and three Pro Bowl selections as a linebacker. Tatupu is committed to education and training as was evident when he went on to serve as an assistant coach with the Seahawks where he demonstrated healthy habits, hard work, and perseverance.

    Tatupu will help kick off the inaugural youth golf clinic this year following the Tournament to celebrate and encourage Alutiiq youth to stay active and participate in community activities.

    To date, the Tournament has raised over $500,000 for Tribal youth programs operated by the Native Village of Afognak and the Native Village of Port Lions in the Kodiak Archipelago. Tournament hosts support the following Tribal youth development programs as part of a responsibility to strengthen Ag’wanermiut “Afognak people”:

    • Dig Afognak Camp – Alutiiq youth culture camp established in 1998 for youth ages nine to 14 and families; Alutiiq Language & Music Camp and Harvesting & Survival Camp are highlights of the summer camp season.
    • Afterschool & Alutiiq Week Cultural Activities
    • Cultural Workshops – traditional food preparation and processing
    • Alutiiq Language Resources – supports family language nights and other programs
    • Preschool Program Activities – supports preschool graduation and other activities
    • Family Activities Program – supports youth activities with family engagement several times per week

    These programs are an invaluable way for young people to learn the Alutiiq language and to practice traditional harvest, survival skills, and healthy relationships. They provide intergenerational opportunities for the Alutiiq community to share cultural learning, skill building in their homelands, and to celebrate and invest in Alutiiq youth.

    The Tournament provides a great networking opportunity for participants to connect with leaders of Alaska Native Corporations, the resource development industry, large financial institutions, and many other Alaska business leaders, such as GCI, Koniag, Inc., KeyBank, Delta Airlines, Southern Glazers, and Odom. To learn more or to become a valued sponsor, visit the Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament webpage at www.afognakgolf.com.

    Afognak Native Corporation is an Alaska Native village corporation serving the Kodiak Alutiiq people of Afognak and Port Lions.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 9th Annual Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament Welcomes Lofa Tatupu

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Thursday, July 10th, the 9th Annual Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Anchorage Golf Course and will feature celebrity guest, Lofa Tatupu.

    As a former Seattle Seahawk, Tatupu’s NFL career included a Super Bowl appearance and three Pro Bowl selections as a linebacker. Tatupu is committed to education and training as was evident when he went on to serve as an assistant coach with the Seahawks where he demonstrated healthy habits, hard work, and perseverance.

    Tatupu will help kick off the inaugural youth golf clinic this year following the Tournament to celebrate and encourage Alutiiq youth to stay active and participate in community activities.

    To date, the Tournament has raised over $500,000 for Tribal youth programs operated by the Native Village of Afognak and the Native Village of Port Lions in the Kodiak Archipelago. Tournament hosts support the following Tribal youth development programs as part of a responsibility to strengthen Ag’wanermiut “Afognak people”:

    • Dig Afognak Camp – Alutiiq youth culture camp established in 1998 for youth ages nine to 14 and families; Alutiiq Language & Music Camp and Harvesting & Survival Camp are highlights of the summer camp season.
    • Afterschool & Alutiiq Week Cultural Activities
    • Cultural Workshops – traditional food preparation and processing
    • Alutiiq Language Resources – supports family language nights and other programs
    • Preschool Program Activities – supports preschool graduation and other activities
    • Family Activities Program – supports youth activities with family engagement several times per week

    These programs are an invaluable way for young people to learn the Alutiiq language and to practice traditional harvest, survival skills, and healthy relationships. They provide intergenerational opportunities for the Alutiiq community to share cultural learning, skill building in their homelands, and to celebrate and invest in Alutiiq youth.

    The Tournament provides a great networking opportunity for participants to connect with leaders of Alaska Native Corporations, the resource development industry, large financial institutions, and many other Alaska business leaders, such as GCI, Koniag, Inc., KeyBank, Delta Airlines, Southern Glazers, and Odom. To learn more or to become a valued sponsor, visit the Afognak Youth Charity Golf Tournament webpage at www.afognakgolf.com.

    Afognak Native Corporation is an Alaska Native village corporation serving the Kodiak Alutiiq people of Afognak and Port Lions.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Summer Fun at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 2, 2025

    Looking for something fun and exciting to do this summer? Look no further than the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) They have exciting exhibits, programing and activities for the whole family. 

    “The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is an exciting destination to visit this summer and learn about the natural world we live in,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “The Museum has fun-filled activities and programs for guests of all ages, in addition to the permanent exhibits and displays such as Scotty, the world’s largest T.rex. There is always something new and exciting at the RSM.”

    Whether it is fan-favourites like Scotty, the World’s Largest T. rex or new additions like the Saskatchewan – North to South or Animal Sounds exhibits, there is always an adventure waiting around the corner.

    Daily exhibits and programming: 

    SaskTel Be Kind Online Learning Lab – weekdays (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and weekends and holidays (10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)

    Drop-in and explore, discover and learn with our museum educators. There will be different themes bi-weekly tailored for all ages, from toddlers to adults. 

    Scotty Talk – Monday and Friday (11a.m.)

    Ask Scotty, the world’s largest T. rex questions and learn more about dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period.

    Field Station – Open daily (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

    Build a creature with dino building blocks or on the magnet board. For ages 10 and under. Children must be supervised.

    Science on a Sphere – Tuesdays and Thursdays in July at 11 a.m.

    Join a museum educator for a 20-minute presentation about life on our planet. Presented on our globe projection screen. For ages 12 and over. 

    Storytime and Silly Stories – Wednesdays (10:30 to 11 a.m.)

    Join us outside the museum on Wednesday for Storytime, designed for children aged six and under and their caregivers. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. In case of bad weather, it will move indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

    • Gail will share Silly Stories about animal characters from our exhibits on July 9, 23 and August 20.
    • Tammy will lead Storytime on July 2, 16 and 30 and August 6, 13 and 27.

    Star of the Week – Available daily

    Find the museum exhibit marked as the Star of the Week. Tell the front desk where you found it to receive a handstamp. For ages six and under.

    Scavenger Hunts – Available daily

    Pick up a scavenger hunt while you explore the museum. Match all the pictures and receive a sticker – there are five different stickers to collect.

    The RSM is Saskatchewan’s provincial natural history museum. Discover our shared history through engaging display and exhibits.

    The RSM is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.

    To learn more about the RSM’s exhibits, events, programming and world class research, visit: https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/. 

    Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on different themes throughout the summer.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 16 ‘Anti-Tren’ Members and Associates Charged with Cocaine and Firearms Trafficking

    Source: US FBI

    HOUSTON – Several foreign nationals illegally residing in the Houston area are now in custody for drug trafficking and weapons charges following a law enforcement operation targeting Venezuelan nationals and alleged members or associates of the Anti-Tren transnational criminal organization, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Most are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m.

    The charges allege Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of Tren de Aragua (TdA). Similar to TdA, purposes of Anti-Tren allegedly include preserving and protecting the power and territory of the organization and its members and associates through attempted murder, other acts of violence and threats of such. This includes targeting members and associates of TdA and enriching the members and associates of Anti-Tren through, among other things, the trafficking of firearms and controlled substances, according to the charges.

    Two criminal complaints charge 14 Anti-Tren members and associates with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. These include Luis Miguel Claros Sarmiento, 26, Dany E. Rojas, 28, Ismael Leon Belbin, 24, Andy Luis Alvarez Herrera, 28, Cesar Oskeiber Cabezas Pacheco, 26, and Cesar Mauricio Velasquez, 27; Venezuelan nationals Raul Armando Ramirez Correa, 24, Darwin Martinez, 37, Peter Davila, 34, Otis Jose Rodriguez Garcia, 31, Pedro Hernandez Delgado, 19, Jesus F. Fernandez Troconiz, 26, Embeer J. Gutierrez Ternawskyj, 24, as well as Raul Antonio Claros Sarmiento, 30, Honduras.

    According to the allegations, two groups of individuals agreed to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine in exchange for $15,000 for each load with each group accepting half as payment in advance.

    “The Southern District’s twin priorities are securing our border and the eradication of violent crime. This case implicates both,” said Ganjei. “Operation Take Back America means going on the offensive against transnational criminal organizations to ensure that they cannot take root in our community and endanger public safety. SDTX is going to be unapologetic in carrying out that mission.”

    “These arrests are the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members and associates by the FBI, so far, and they happened right here in Houston,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office. “These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf war with TdA members and carrying out numerous violent crimes throughout our city, including a mass shooting at a local sports bar that left six people wounded. Fortunately, for the good and safety of our community, these individuals are now in federal custody facing U.S.  justice.”

    If convicted, they face up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine.

    Correa, Ternawskyj, Garcia, Delgado and Pedro Jose Ramirez Delgado, 26, are also charged separately with various weapons offenses based on their alleged possession and sale of firearms. If convicted of those charges, they could receive up to 15 years in prison.

    Jose Miguel Briceno, 25, a Venzuelan national who resided in Houston illegally, is charged separately with unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien. The criminal complaint alleges he was involved in a mass shooting at the Latinas Sports Bar club in Houston in March where six people were wounded, four of whom were in critical condition. According to the complaint, Briceno used a firearm to shoot inside the doorway of the bar and then discarded the firearm which law enforcement never located. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.

    The FBI Houston field office conducted this investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Enforcement and Removal Operations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz are prosecuting the case along with Jason Harley from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV). 

    JTFV, which was created to combat MS-13 and now expanded to TdA under Attorney General Bondi, has been comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern District of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Ohio; Eastern District of Virginia; Southern District of California; District of Columbia and Districts of New Jersey, Utah, Massachusetts, Nevada and Alaska as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security and Criminal Divisions. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; ICE-Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; and Federal Bureau of Prisons have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV’s investigations.

    This case is also a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Provides Update on State of Missouri’s Continued Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 2, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe shared the following updates on the State of Missouri’s support for communities recovering from the severe weather and flooding that has affected much of the state in 2025.  

    “Our state team members have done an outstanding job this year, working shoulder to shoulder with local counterparts to aid Missouri families and businesses recovering from an unprecedented string of damaging storms,” Governor Kehoe said. “These efforts—along with the work of our faith-based and volunteer disaster response partners, and the federal disaster support approved by President Trump—are making a tremendous difference as we move forward together as a state.”

    On Monday, Governor Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-27 extending a State of Emergency in Missouri through August 31, 2025. The extension will help further assist with disaster recovery efforts, as additional flooding and severe storms occurred in Southwest Missouri over this past weekend. Governor Kehoe first declared a State of Emergency on March 14, 2025, through Executive Order 25-19 in preparation for severe weather. The State of Emergency declaration in Executive Order 25-19 was subsequently extended by Executive Order 25-22, Executive Order 25-23, and now Executive Order 25-27.

    Some recent highlights on the state’s response include:

    • More than $22 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) assistance has been provided to over 4,600 families in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis, and Scott counties. This funding follows President Trump’s June 9 approval of a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the May 16 tornado and severe storms that devastated parts of Missouri.
    • During the activation of the Missouri National Guard to the City of St. Louis, guard members supported debris management collection at four drop-off sites and hauled hundreds of dump truck loads to the landfill. This support enabled the city and its residents to remove the equivalent of well over 200 football fields piled one foot high with debris.
    • On June 14, Governor Kehoe signed Senate Bill 1 into law after the special session, allocating $100 million to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for disaster relief to help the City of St. Louis recover from the May 16 tornado that damaged or destroyed thousands of homes.
    • More than $3.8 million in FEMA/SEMA assistance has been provided to over 750 households impacted by the March 14-15 storms and wildfires in Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Louis, Wayne, Webster, and Wright counties. President Trump approved Governor Kehoe’s federal Major Disaster Request for this disaster on May 21.
    • Currently eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open for residents impacted by the May 16 or March 14-15 severe storms to help with disaster assistance applications, answer questions, and upload required documents. Search Missouri locations at fema.gov/DRC. The fastest way to apply is at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If residents were impacted March 14-15, the deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 22. For those impacted on May 16, the deadline is August 11.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: KGV Football Complex scores twice at prestigious awards ceremony

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    These awards recognise the outstanding collaboration and integration that underpinned the successful delivery of the £8.1 million KGV Football Complex. Delivered by Portsmouth City Council thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, the project transformed the area into a state-of-the-art football and youth facility in the north of Portsmouth.

    These awards recognises the strong teamwork behind the creation of the £8.1 million KGV Football Complex. Portsmouth City Council and the Football Foundation worked together to create a modern football and youth centre, replacing an outdated, vandalised pavilion with no all weather pitches.

    Funded by Portsmouth City Council, the UK Government (including the Youth Investment Fund and Changing Places Fund), and the Football Foundation, the project exemplifies how early engagement, a shared vision, and integrated delivery can overcome complex challenges and deliver exceptional outcomes.

    From the outset, Portsmouth City Council brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including funders, community groups, and technical experts, to co-create a facility that meets the strategic needs of the city. The project was supported by the council’s in-house teams, including parks and open spaces officers, procurement experts, architects, landscape architects, construction inspectors, quantity surveyors, mechanical & electrical engineers, and buildings services professionals.

    In addition, the appointment of Hampshire FA as the future operator of the complex took place at the same time as the procurement of LST Projects as the design and build contractor. This unique but critical collaborative arrangement ensured that the design was informed early on by operational insight.

    Key to the project’s success was:

    • Early and ongoing engagement with all partners and the local community to shape the scheme.
    • Integrated delivery across disciplines, ensuring design, construction, and operational needs were aligned.
    • Effective risk management and resolution of complex land ownership issues through collaborative decision-making.
    • Fair and transparent supply chain practices, including prompt payments and clear communication across all tiers.

    Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said:

    “These awards are a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved when we work together. The KGV Football Complex is a shining example of collaboration, bringing together partners, professionals, and the community to create something truly special for Portsmouth.”

    Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport said:

    “This demonstrates our commitment to providing excellent sports facilities across Portsmouth, which are accessible to all and support a wide range of activities. We are only part of the way through on our journey, with more exciting developments to come in the coming years which will provide a sustainable future for sport and leisure across the city.”

    Jimmy Marsh, Senior Quantity Surveyor from LST Projects said:

    “It was a real pleasure and privilege for the LST team to work collaboratively with PCC and the FA throughout the entire build process.  Re- purposing the derelict pavilion and surrounding areas into an excellent sporting and amenity facility has been a source of huge pride and to be recognised by the SECBE with two awards is a fantastic achievement for all of us involved.”

    Neil Casser, Hampshire FA CEO said:

    “We are delighted that King George V Football Complex was recognised as a winner at the SECBE Construction Industry Excellence Awards in the Integration and Collaborative Working category. It is a fitting tribute to the team effort that made the project possible.  King George V Football Complex is a fantastic hub site and will be enjoyed by many generations in the city and surrounding areas for years to come.  We also congratulate Portsmouth City Council for also scooping the “Client of the Year” award making it a double success.”

    Since opening in October 2024 under the stewardship of Hampshire FA, the KGV Football Complex has welcomed over 70,000 visits, with peak usage reaching 81% capacity. It is already transforming grassroots sport and youth engagement in the city, providing a vibrant, inclusive space for positive activity.

    The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.

    The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring every community has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.

    Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has invested £1.2 billion to improve grassroots facilities across the country – including 1,200 3G pitches, 14,000 grass pitches and 1,600 changing rooms. This has attracted an additional £1.5 billion of partnership funding – totalling over £2.7 billion investment in grassroots football so far.

    In partnership with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders, the Foundation has created Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England. These Plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves across the country.

    Visit footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation and view the Plan for your local area.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: World Humanoid Robot Games to expand with new competition programs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — The organizing committee of the first World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG), scheduled for August in Beijing, has released an updated competition program that will include wushu, MMA (mixed martial arts) and group dance, the Beijing Evening News reported Tuesday.

    “These new types will once again demonstrate the technological prowess and unique charm of humanoid robots, reflecting the deep integration of robotics into people’s lives,” the newspaper quoted Zhang Hua, head of the competition department of the WHRG organizing committee, as saying.

    The first series of competitions in various disciplines, including football, athletics, floor exercises, badminton, basketball and table tennis, were previously confirmed, the statement said.

    The Beijing Masters of the RoboCup Asia Pacific (RCAP) is currently considered the premier and most watched football tournament among humanoid robots worldwide. According to Zhou Zhaoda, a technical officer of the competition department of the WHRG organizing committee, 30 robot teams from around the world have submitted preliminary applications to participate.

    WHRG, which will take place in mid-August, will be the world’s first multi-sport competition for humanoid robots.

    “These games will demonstrate how close robots’ capabilities are to the human ideal,” said Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Administration of Economy and Information Technology. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ16: Improving English information channels

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Starry Lee and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 2):
     
    Question:
     
         The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee) has adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, in which it is pointed out that Hong Kong needs to further capitalise on its strengths and become an international hub for high-calibre talents. There are views that attracting international talents requires efforts on various fronts, among which, the creation of an international living environment and the setting up of well-established English information channels for demonstration of Hong Kong’s cultural diversity, openness and inclusiveness are particularly important. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the percentage of broadcast time in foreign languages out of the total broadcast time in respect of the public broadcasting services in Hong Kong at present, and how the relevant time and percentage compare with those in other international metropolises;
     
    (2) of the specific policies and whether resources have been allocated to encourage local television and sound broadcasters to produce more quality English-language programmes, especially those with contents showcasing the business environment, cultural characteristics, lifestyle, etc, in Hong Kong;
     
    (3) whether it has evaluated the effectiveness of the existing English media contents in attracting and retaining international talents; whether it has conducted relevant surveys to understand the information needs of international talents;
     
    (4) whether it will consider setting up an additional 24-hour English channel on Radio Television Hong Kong and producing more English programmes to present a soft and down-to-earth introduction of the policies and development opportunities in Hong Kong, so as to enable international talents and inbound tourists to obtain local information more conveniently; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (5) of the Government’s plans to enhance Hong Kong’s international image and visibility by arranging additional media coverage in English, given that the 15th National Games and other international events are about to take place; and
     
    (6) apart from traditional television broadcasters, whether it has plans to make use of emerging publicity channels, such as digital platforms and social media, to produce more information contents about Hong Kong in English, so as to strengthen Hong Kong’s international communication capability, thereby creating a more attractive international living environment; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The HKSAR Government has been striving to showcase the unique characteristics of Hong Kong, being an international metropolis, from various perspectives to attract international talents and tourists by telling the good stories of Hong Kong through diverse television and radio programmes, as well as different promotion measures. Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, our consolidated response is as follows:
     
         Hong Kong’s broadcasting market is under steady development. The three domestic free television programme service (free TV) licensees, two sound broadcasting licensees and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) are providing a total of 15 television channels and 14 radio channels respectively, which include five TV channels and three radio channels in English. The general public (including non-Chinese-speaking persons in Hong Kong) can choose and enjoy diverse television and radio programmes (including English-language programmes) with a wide variety according to their needs. The HKSAR Government does not maintain related information in other regions.
     
         Under the current broadcasting regulatory framework, licensed broadcasters shall provide English programmes through their designated English channels in accordance with their licence conditions. Considering the sustainable development of licensed broadcasters and the needs of different audience, the three domestic free TV English channels are currently required to broadcast English programmes for at least 55 per cent of the broadcasting hours. Although licensed broadcasters can exercise suitable flexibility to broadcast non-English programmes for not more than 45 per cent of the broadcasting hours on their English channels, free TV licensees must broadcast English programmes during prime time on their English channels as required to cater for the needs of the general public and non-Chinese-speaking persons in Hong Kong. We also note that the current English programmes offered by licensed broadcasters cover a wide range of genres, including news, current affairs, sports, cultural features, lifestyle and arts, etc.
     
         On the other hand, RTHK also proactively offers English programmes through its radio and TV channels, including launching English programme time slots on RTHK TV 31 and 32; providing 24-hour relay of the China Global Television Network Documentary and English Channels under the China Media Group on RTHK TV 34 and 35; providing 24-hour broadcasting with diverse English programmes on RTHK Radio 3; and broadcasting bilingual programmes featuring fine music and arts information on RTHK Radio 4, etc. These help exhibit Hong Kong’s diversity and global vision, proactively telling good stories of the country and Hong Kong and enabling non-Chinese speaking persons in Hong Kong to have a better understanding of various information about Hong Kong and Mainland China.
     
         Since the three free TV licences will expire in 2027 and 2028, the Communications Authority (CA) has commenced the renewal exercise of the free TV licences and will conduct a public consultation exercise in the third quarter of 2025. In processing the renewal applications, subject to actual circumstances, the CA will consider revisions to licence conditions and regulatory requirements on free TV services (including requirements on English channels and programmes) taking into account views from the industry and the public as well as the latest market development and submit recommendations on licence renewal to the Chief Executive in Council.
     
         Regarding the attraction of talents, talents are generally concerned about employment and business start-up opportunities, children’s education and social integration when considering pursuance of development in Hong Kong. Media in English, being an international language, helps disseminate relevant information to international talents, alleviating their concern about integration into local society. To facilitate social integration of international talents in a more proactive manner, the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) of the LWB has been providing comprehensive support services to help them stay in the city for development. With a view to ensuring that the comprehensive information about living and working in Hong Kong are accessible to international talents, the HKTE’s promotional and publicity materials, including its online platform, TV Announcements in the Public Interest, social media posts, etc, are already fully available in English, and its themed seminars on living in Hong Kong also offer online livestreaming and simultaneous interpretation services. On the other hand, the HKTE launched the Talent+ Volunteer Programme in September 2024, and has been collaborating with various non-governmental organisations, working partners and corporations to provide incoming talents with diverse volunteer service opportunities, strengthening their connections with the local community and fostering their sense of belonging to the city.
     
         As for promotion of mega events, the CSTB, in collaboration with relevant government departments and organisations, has been devising extensive publicity campaigns through diverse means for the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), including various overseas promotional initiatives with the support of the Information Services Department (ISD), such as running advertisements in overseas media and at a number of major overseas international airports, engaging overseas key opinion leaders to publish promotional posts, and inviting overseas journalists and guests to visit Hong Kong through thematic media visit programmes and the Sponsored Visitors Programme so that they can spread their positive visiting experiences in their hometown afterwards, with a view to raising the international profile and popularity of Hong Kong and attracting more overseas spectators to the events. RTHK will also fully engage in the promotion, production and live broadcast of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG. Besides, for organisation of major events, depending on the nature of the events, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will invite media in English and other foreign languages to participate in press conferences or carry out promotional campaigns, and will also collaborate with local and international media organisations and event partners (such as relevant Consulates-General in Hong Kong, cultural organisations stationed in Hong Kong as well as the overseas Economic and Trade Offices) to promote the events. The LCSD will make good use of its social media platforms for promotion and support bilingual content so as to promote featured events to local and overseas audiences.
     
         Apart from the above promotion measures, the ISD has been setting up accounts on various social media platforms and producing more English social media posts for promotion. The ISD has also co-operated with the national media to make use of their multi-language new media platforms to promote Hong Kong to more countries through different foreign languages. Besides, the ISD will continue to work with suitable overseas media organisations to produce content on Hong Kong’s latest development in key areas, such as innovation and technology, sports, shipping, and culture and arts, etc, with the aim of expanding the reach of overseas promotional efforts through their readers’ network and social media platforms. Through monitoring of the latest market development and global trend, the ISD will continue to make use of appropriate platforms to raise the international profile of Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ20: Cross-boundary marine tourism

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Tang Ka-piu and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (July 2):

    Question:

    It is learnt that the Mainland is actively developing the Nan’ao checkpoint pier project in the Dapeng New District of Shenzhen (the Nan’ao checkpoint), with plans to set up a number of routes to and from Hong Kong. On the other hand, the SAR Government has been promoting multi-destination cross-boundary tourism in recent years, while the Urban Renewal Authority has proposed to develop the waterfronts of Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay, Kai Tak and To Kwa Wan along the Victoria Harbour into a world-class bay region known as “Victoria Cove Area”. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether the Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone set up under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy under the Guangdong-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation mechanism has discussed the development of the Nan’ao checkpoint and the routes to and from Hong Kong; if so, of the relevant progress; whether, in view of the opening of the Nan’ao checkpoint, it will consider setting up more sea control points in the eastern part of Hong Kong and introducing more streamlined immigration measures and policies, so as to create favourable conditions for multi-destination cross-boundary marine tourism across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (2) as it has been reported that the Nan’ao checkpoint will set up a route connecting to Ma Liu Shui via Tung Ping Chau, which is only four kilometres away, while Tung Ping Chau, a tourist hotspot in Hong Kong, is yet to be supplied with tap water and electricity, whether the SAR Government will take advantage of the opportunity arising from the development of the Nan’ao checkpoint to work with the Shenzhen Municipality in providing Tung Ping Chau with infrastructure such as tap water and electricity to promote the development of the island; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) given that the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy proposes the establishment of the Mirs Bay/Yan Chau Tong Eco-‍recreation/tourism Circle, and there are views pointing out that the infrastructural facilities on the islands in such waters, particularly piers or landing facilities, are relatively outdated, whether the Government will allocate resources to upgrade the infrastructure on such islands so as to serve tourists’ needs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (4) given that the Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Yacht Industry (2024-2027) announced by the Guangdong Provincial Government proposes to strive for the implementation of a pilot prorgamme for the free flow of yachts among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, of the progress of the SAR Government’s discussion with the Mainland authorities on the implementation of the plan, and whether additional measures conducive to cross-‍boundary high-end marine tourism will be pursued at the same time for Hong Kong’s tourism industry;

    (5) whether, in the light of the establishment of the Nan’ao checkpoint, adjustments will be made to the planning for the Northern Metropolis to dovetail with the relevant development; and

    (6) whether it will consider creating a “cross-boundary marine eco-‍tourism belt along the eastern waters of Hong Kong” through a multi-destination tourism approach, including but not limited to the development of tourism routes connecting the Nan’ao checkpoint with various scenic spots, such as Sai Kung, Lei Yue Mun (the Sam Ka Tsuen Ferry Pier), Kwun Tong (the Kwun Tong Public Pier and the Kwun Tong Ferry Pier), Kai Tak (the Runway Park Pier and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal), the Kwun Tong Waterfront Water Sports Centre, the Kai Tak Water Sports Centre and the proposed yacht club in Yau Tong Bay, with a view to utilising existing or planned facilities in combination with eco-tourism and water sports activities in Hong Kong’s eastern waters to attract high-value added visitors to come and spend money in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    As set out in the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) promotes in-depth integration of Hong Kong’s unique world-class resources with tourism, leveraging Hong Kong’s position as an international metropolis and tourism hub to promote the development of multi-destination travel itineraries and tourism products with other cities inside and outside the Greater Bay Area (GBA). According to the Northern Metropolis (NM) Action Agenda published in 2023, the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle situated in the easternmost part of the NM comprises Robin’s Nest, Lin Ma Hang, Sha Tau Kok, Yan Chau Tong as well as coastal villages and the outlying islands. With abundant blue and green resources including country parks, marine parks and a geopark as well as a number of traditional rural townships, this zone has the potential for recreation and tourism development.

    Having consulted the CSTB, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Security Bureau, and the Transport and Logistics Bureau, a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Tang Ka-piu is as follows:

    (1) and (5) The Working Group for Sha Tau Kok Co-operation Zone (the Working Group) under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy aims to promote cultural and tourism collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in Sha Tau Kok. The development of the proposed Nan’ao checkpoint, as mentioned in the question, includes routes to and from Hong Kong and is outside the scope of work of the Working Group. As regards setting up sea travel control points in the eastern part of Hong Kong and developing cross-boundary ferry routes between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, these will involve quite a number of considerations, including the long-term market demand for the ferry routes concerned and the carrying capacity of the region, the required infrastructure and supporting facilities and the cost-effectiveness, and the potential impacts on the ecological environment, etc, which warrant careful consideration.

    (2) Regarding the power supply to Tung Ping Chau, the Scheme of Control Agreements signed between the Government and the two power companies stipulate that the power companies are obliged to contribute to the development of Hong Kong by providing, operating and maintaining sufficient electricity related-facilities and supplying electricity to meet the demand. This includes the conducting of feasibility studies and putting forward of proposals for supplying electricity to remote areas. The Government will conduct comprehensive assessments on the two power companies’ proposals, taking into account such factors as the supply method, cost-effectiveness and the impact on the environment, etc, with a view to achieving the balance of the four objectives of our energy policy, namely, safety, stability, reasonable prices and environmentally friendliness.  Regarding the electricity supply to Tung Ping Chau, the Government has approved the proposals in the 2018-2023 Development Plan of the CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) to supply electricity generated from solar power systems for Tung Ping Chau. The Government has also urged the CLP to maintain close liaison with the local residents.

    Regarding the water supply to Tung Ping Chau, as the permanent residence of the island is sparse, if a treated water supply system is to be constructed irrespective of whether the submarine pipeline is constructed from Shenzhen or Hong Kong to Tung Ping Chau, it is expected that the low water consumption will likely lead to stagnant water in water mains,  resulting in deterioration of water quality. Preliminary study shows that the capital cost per capita for the construction of treated water supply system for Tung Ping Chau is very high. Factors such as cross-boundary project and management should also be considered for laying the cross-boundary submarine pipeline. In view of technical and financial feasibility of the water supply system, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) is actively exploring using technology to provide water supply to Tung Ping Chau. To this end, the WSD is providing assistance to a non-governmental organisation to carry out pilot use of domestic seawater filter devices to provide an alternative water source for the villagers of Tung Ping Chau.

    (3) The Government launched the policy of Pier Improvement Programme (PIP) in 2017, aiming to upgrade the structural safety and facilities of a number of existing public piers at remote areas in the New Territories and outlying islands, with a view to enhancing accessibility of some scenic spots and natural heritage as well as meeting the basic needs of local villagers relying on boats as their main transportation mode and fishermen’s operation. Under the PIP, eight public piers are located within the Mirs Bay/Yan Chau Tong in the NM, of which the construction of Lai Chi Chong Pier, Sam Mun Tsai Village Pier and Sham Chung Pier are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. The remaining five piers are at the investigation and design stage. Upon completion of the detailed design, the Government will apply to the Legislative Council for funding for individual pier projects at appropriate time, based on the resource priority and related engineering deployment of the public works projects.

    (4) The CSTB supports the development and co-operation of yacht tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, with a view to expanding and promoting high value-added tourism activities in Hong Kong and demonstrating the role of Hong Kong as a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism. The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the departments under its purview would make appropriate preparation in relation to land use planning and hardware for disembarkation and shores facilities so as to support the future development of yacht tourism in Hong Kong. With regard to the hardware facilities, the DEVB invited the market to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for the proposed yacht berthing facilities at the ex-Lamma Quarry site and the expansion area of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter in the first half of this year, and are currently consolidating and analysing the feedback collected. The target is to firm up the development parameters and requirements, conduct the relevant statutory procedures as needed, and invite tender by the end of 2026 and 2027, or even earlier, for the two projects mentioned above respectively. At the same time, the DEVB released in April this year the preliminary land use proposals for the sites around Hung Hom Station and its waterfront areas, proposing to make use of the water body to the west of the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard site to provide yacht berthing facilities. The DEVB is currently consulting the public on the whole land use proposal which includes, amongst others, the yacht berthing facilities. The target is to commence town planning and other statutory procedures in the second half of 2026.

    To promote yacht tourism, apart from providing more yacht berthing facilities to address the shortage of berths, the Government will also need to consider whether there is any need to improve the immigration clearance procedures for yachts, the visa requirements for crew members, as well as arrangements and ancillary facilities such as ship repairing and maintenance, which involve the work of various bureaux and departments. In this relation, the DEVB has already made use of the opportunity of the EOI exercises mentioned above to collect the industry’s views and improvement recommendations on the development of yacht tourism and the related ancillary facilities. We are currently consolidating and analysing the feedback collected, and will provide them to the relevant bureaux and departments for reference, with a view to facilitating the formulation of more facilitating measures in the future to promote yacht tourism.

    (6) At present, Mainland visitors can conveniently enter Hong Kong through various boundary control points to join local tours, including eco-tourism itineraries in Hong Kong. The Government will, under the premise of striking a balance between ecological conservation and tourism development, unveil Hong Kong’s precious ecological resources to visitors and develop island tourism. We will also make good use of the coastline and waterfront resources and encourage the trade to develop diversified tourism products.

    Under the Tourism Commission’s Lei Yue Mun Waterfront Enhancement Project, the public landing facility was opened for public use in June. It has provided better supporting facility for developing tourism products in the eastern waters of Victoria Harbour, and promoting the development of marine tourism. In particular, for the licensed ferry route plying between Sai Wan Ho and Sam Ka Tsuen, some of the existing departures from Sai Wan Ho to Sam Ka Tsuen has been operated via the new public landing facility at Lei Yue Mun on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The service has commenced since June 28 on a trial basis for six months.

    In addition, the Legislation Council approved the amended Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (Cap. 531) recently. The introduction of a streamlined mechanism under the amended Ordinance has facilitated small-scale reclamations to promote harbourfront enhancement and to strengthen harbour functions. We will explore suitable locations for taking forward harbour enhancement works that can upgrade ancillary tourist facilities on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, by capitalising on the streamlined mechanism, with a view to better leveraging harbourfront resources and promoting tourism.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council partnership secures long-term base for Coundon Court FC

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry City Council has partnered with Coundon Court Football Club to secure its future at Coundon Hall Park, establishing the site as the long-term home of the local club.

    After being accepted onto the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme, the club is set to take on a 25-year lease of the pitches at Coundon Hall Park.

    The Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme is supported by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. It aims to support grassroots clubs and organisations across the country to take on long-term leases or licences of the sites they play at.

    The club will also have the opportunity to apply for up to £250,000 in grant funding from the Foundation to improve the facilities at Coundon Hall Park. This could include security fencing, storage units, grounds maintenance machinery and catering cabins.

    Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “It’s been fantastic to work with Coundon Court Football Club to secure their future at Coundon Hall Park.

    “Supporting local sports clubs which give members of our community the opportunity to get out, get active and take part in something they enjoy is really important.

    “This support from the Football Foundation and the Home Advantage Programme will make a real impact and firmly cement the club’s future. In addition, it will show how this could be a model across the city of best practice.”

    Coundon Court FC is a 3-star England Football-accredited club with over 30 teams, and disability and community programmes. Named ‘Club of the Year’ by Birmingham County FA, it’s proudly rooted in the local community.

    Barry Morris, Club Secretary at Coundon Court Football Club, added: “We see this as a huge opportunity for our club to have a home of its own, enabling us to offer more football provision within the local community.

    “After collecting the ‘Club of the Year’ accolade from Birmingham FA for the second time in 4 years, we already have a fantastic foundation to work from and will continue to progress.

    “Thanks to Coventry City Council and the Football Foundation for their support and confidence in working with our club on this exciting and innovative project.”

    The planned Coundon Cycleway has also been designed to accommodate the improvements at the park.

    Councillor Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “We have planned the route of the Cycleway to allow for a full range of activities in the park – this includes allowing room for the exciting new multi-use games area and future football pitches – spaces where local young people can come together, be active, and have fun.

    “The Coundon Cycleway scheme, funded by Active Travel England, will create a new cycleway through the park by utilising existing paths and well-trodden pedestrian routes. The project will also enhance the area with new lighting, benches, and tree planting. Additional improvements include the installation of extra bins and CCTV in both car parks, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable environment for all visitors.”

    Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to unlock the power of pitches for more grassroots clubs and enable them to take pride in the place they call home.

    “We know that local authorities often lack the resources to maintain their grass pitches to a high standard, and yet the process of transferring management is often seen as complicated, expensive and therefore unattractive.

    “Through our Home Advantage Programme, the Foundation plans to provide the support and funding needed to transfer over 1,750 grass football pitches like the ones at Coundon Hall Park from local authorities to grassroots clubs and organisations across the country.

    “As well as a higher chance of success on the pitch, home grounds provide a space for people to come together through sport and help strengthen communities based on a shared sense of belonging.”

    To find out more about the programme visit the Football Foundation’s website.

    Image caption: Ant Hasker – Facilities and Investment Lead, Birmingham County FA, Eddie Gormley – Coundon Court FC Club Chairman, Peter Howarth – Coundon Court FC Volunteer, Barry Morris – Coundon Court FC Secretary, Lee Garratt – Coundon Court FC Club Manager Coordinator, Councillor Patricia Hetherton – Cabinet Member for City Services and Tim Wetherhill – Coventry City Council Parks Manager

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry Music and Go CV strike a chord with new partnership

    Source: City of Coventry

    Following the success of the city’s first-ever Coventry Schools’ Arts Week, Coventry City Council is proud to announce an exciting new partnership between Coventry Music and Go CV.

    This initiative, launching in September 2025, will open up more opportunities for young people and families across Coventry to engage with music, helping to break down financial barriers to participation.

    As part of this new collaboration:

    • Go CV+ members will receive a 25% discount on direct billed music lessons with Coventry Music.
    • All Go CV card holders – regardless of card type – will enjoy free access to nearly all Coventry Music Groups.

    This partnership represents a significant step towards making music education and community engagement more accessible and inclusive for all.

    Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council said: “Music has the power to inspire, unite, and transform lives. This new partnership between Coventry Music and Go CV will ensure that more children and young people can access high-quality music opportunities, regardless of their background. It’s another step towards a fairer, more creative Coventry.”

    The announcement follows a hugely successful Coventry Schools’ Arts Week, which saw schools across the city come together in a vibrant celebration of creativity. The new partnership builds on this momentum, strengthening the Council’s commitment to cultural growth and lifelong learning.

    Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing said: “It’s fantastic to see another exciting expansion of the Go CV scheme. Go CV continues to make a real difference for people across our city — helping families save money, access fantastic opportunities, and enjoy all that Coventry has to offer. It’s a great example of how we can support local communities and promote health, wellbeing and inclusion.”

    Go CV, which is used by over 125,000 residents in the city, gives access to discounts and offers when visiting local attractions. Through the Go CV mobile app, savings can be made when shopping at local businesses too.

    Residents living in Coventry can join Go CV for free via the Go CV website. Businesses interested in partnering with Go CV and creating an offer for Coventry residents can register for free via the business portal.

    More about Coventry Music

    To keep up to date with the latest news, sign up for the Your Coventry email newsletter or follow the Council on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three circus tents “Summer in Moscow” were visited by more than 40 thousand spectators

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the first month of work circuses tents gave 59 performances, which were seen by more than 40 thousand spectators. As part of the project “Summer in Moscow” Three tents have opened in the capital: in the Moskino cinema park, Izmailovsky Park and the Yuzhnoye Butovo landscape park. They will be open until mid-September. Tickets can be purchased at website using the Mosbilet service and on official website project.

    The program includes breathtaking performances consisting of acts from different genres of circus art. Gymnasts demonstrate their incredible physical fitness and flexibility, acrobats perform dizzying somersaults, equilibrists perform the most difficult balancing routines, and clowns perform comic scenes. The highlight of the program will be acts with four-legged artists – majestic lions, cute dogs, graceful tigers and bears.

    On June 1, the first performances took place in the tent in Izmailovsky Park and the Moskino cinema park. They drew full houses.

    A tent in the Moskino cinema park offers to see the program “The Lions of Algiers”, which takes you to the atmosphere of the picturesque African savannah. The artists demonstrate exciting elements of aerial gymnastics, virtuoso juggling and clowning. The highlight of the show is the animal acts. Geese, dogs and Algerian lions perform. The circus is located on the Festival Square and can accommodate over 800 spectators at a time.

    Performances of the program are being held on the southern square near the Round Pond in Izmailovsky Park “Striped Flight”. It features mighty tigers and acrobatic bears under the direction of a renowned family of circus performers. Spectators will also enjoy a juggling show, equilibrist performances and aerial gymnasts.

    On June 20, the premiere performance of the circus divertissement took place in a tent in the landscape park “Yuzhnoye Butovo”. The program “Circus Magic” The artists of the Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue under the direction of People’s Artists of Russia Edgard and Askold Zapashny are taking part. Among the main elements of the show is an act on an aerial pole with the participation of the winner of the golden crown of the International Festival of Circus Arts “Princess of the Circus” Maria Bakalkina and a performance of acrobats on a trampoline under the direction of Mansur Salakhetdinov. The tent is located opposite house 63, building 2 on Admirala Lazareva Street.

    Three tent circuses will operate in the capital as part of the Summer in Moscow projectThe Summer in Moscow program was compiled taking into account the suggestions of city residents

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

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Attracting Mainland and overseas residents to visit Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ12: Attracting Mainland and overseas residents to visit Hong Kong 
    Question:
     
    It has been reported that in recent years, our country has continued to expand the scope of its visa-free policy by, apart from expanding its unilateral visa-free policy to 47 countries, implementing a visa-free transit policy for 55 countries, thereby facilitating overseas visitors’ travel to the Mainland. For Hong Kong, the Central Government added 10 Mainland cities (such cities) eligible for travelling to Hong Kong under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) in March and May last year, and resumed and expanded the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong in December. Regarding efforts to attract Mainland and overseas residents to visit Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of, each month since June last year, (i) the number of overseas travelers entering the Mainland via Hong Kong, (ii) the number of overseas travelers leaving the Mainland via Hong Kong, (iii) such travelers’ average length of stay in Hong Kong, and (iv) their nationalities (i.e. the top 10 nationalities with the highest number of visitors);
     
    (2) in light of our country’s relaxation of its visa-free transit policy for overseas travelers and extension of their maximum stay on the Mainland to 240 hours, whether the authorities have sought from the Central Government the inclusion of all Hong Kong checkpoints into the scope of the aforesaid national policy to further enhance Hong Kong’s role as a tourism hub, thereby attracting more overseas travelers to enter and leave the Mainland via Hong Kong, and to travel around and consume in Hong Kong;
     
    (3) of the monthly number of visitors from such cities to Hong Kong and their average length of stay in Hong Kong during the period from May last year to May this year;
     
    (4) of the measures taken by the authorities (including publicity and promotional campaigns, encouraging airlines to increase flights between Hong Kong and such cities, and promoting co-operation between the tourism industries of Hong Kong and such cities) to attract more visitors from such cities to Hong Kong;
     
    (5) since the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents in December last year, of the monthly number of Shenzhen permanent residents and Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits visiting Hong Kong and their average length of stay in Hong Kong; and
     
    (6) whether the authorities has discussed with the Central Government and sought to open up the multiple-entry IVS for residents of Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai to visit Hong Kong, with the aim of promoting trade and business exchanges and attracting more overnight visitors to Hong Kong; if so, of the details and the results of the discussions; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) expressed gratitude to the Central Government for the high regard and care for the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry as well as rolling out a number of measures benefiting Hong Kong’s tourism industry in 2024, including the optimisation of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) to cover all provincial capitals in our country, and the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen. The HKSARG will continue to make good use of the Central Government’s measures benefitting Hong Kong to reinforce the Mainland visitor source market, and continue to liaise with the Mainland on facilitating international visitors’ entry arrangements to the Mainland via Hong Kong, thereby underpinning Hong Kong’s role as the international gateway to our country.
     
    In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Security Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD), the consolidated reply to the question raised by Hon Yiu Pak-leung is as follows:

    (1) and (2) According to the statistics provided by the ImmD, from June 2024 to May 2025, the number of overseas visitor arrivals entering and leaving the Mainland via Hong Kong is tabulated below by month:
     

    Month 
    The ImmD does not maintain information on the average length of stay of the above visitors in Hong Kong. According to the information provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), amongst the inbound non-Mainland visitors from June 2024 to May 2025, 7.62 million arrivals were overnight visitors and their average length of stay in Hong Kong was 3.2 days.

    According to the statistics provided by the ImmD, from June 2024 to May 2025, the top 10 nationalities of overseas visitors entering the Mainland via Hong Kong are tabulated below by month:
     

    Month/ Ranking2024202420252025According to the statistics provided by the ImmD, from June 2024 to May 2025, the top 10 nationalities of overseas visitors leaving the Mainland via Hong Kong are tabulated below by month:
     

    Month/ Ranking20242024202520252025Hong Kong has long been the gateway for overseas visitors to enter the Mainland, as well as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” linking up the Mainland with the rest of the world. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has been committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international tourism hub, and has been closely monitoring the visa-free policies introduced by our country. The CSTB will, on the basis of the existing 144-hour visa-free policy for Guangdong province, continue to discuss with the relevant ministries of the Central Government the arrangements to facilitate international visitors to enter the Mainland via Hong Kong, with a view to attracting more international visitors to take Hong Kong as their first stop or transit point in their multi-destination travel itineraries to our country, leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a connector.

    (3) to (6) The The IVS was expanded to Xi’an and Qingdao on March 6, 2024, and further expanded to Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi on May 27, 2024. For the period from May 2024 to May 2025, the number of Mainland visitor arrivals from the aforesaid 10 newly added cities is tabulated below by month:
     

    MonthThe number of visitor arrivals to Hong Kong holding the multiple-entry IVS since its resumption and expansion in Shenzhen on December 1, 2024, is tabulated below by month:
     

    MonthThe ImmD does not maintain information on the average length of stay of the above visitors in Hong Kong. According to the information provided by the HKTB, of the inbound Mainland visitors from May 2024 to May 2025, overnight visitors and same-day visitors were 16.11 million and 21.94 million respectively, and the average length of stay of overnight Mainland visitors in Hong Kong was 3.1 days.

    To attract more residents from the 10 cities to visit Hong Kong, the CSTB, in collaboration with the HKTB, have rolled out a series of promotional activities.  After the expansion of the IVS to Xi’an and Qingdao in March 2024, the CSTB and the HKTB led a delegation to visit the two cities, and launched large-scale advertisements in local commercial districts, achieving a total exposure of 23.8 million views. After the expansion of the IVS to all provincial capitals, trade representatives from the eight newly added IVS cities, including Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin and others, were invited for a familiarisation trip to Hong Kong in June 2024 to have an in-depth exploration of Hong Kong’s local culture.
     
    Starting from April 2024, the HKTB has distributed over 40 000 sets of discount vouchers, each valued at HK$200, to visitors from the 10 newly added IVS cities through travel agents and airlines, stimulating visitor spending in Hong Kong.
     
    Moreover, the TLB has been working closely with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) to strategically attract both local and non-local airlines to open new routes and increase flight frequencies through outreach teams, incentive schemes and policy facilitation measures, thereby further strengthening the air connectivity between Hong Kong and Mainland cities. Notably, the AA launched in June last year the Air Network Development Programme, which has so far attracted 29 airlines to open 60 new routes and increase flight frequencies to 14 destinations, including passenger flights to Xi’an, Qingdao, Lhasa, Lanzhou, and Urumqi. The current passenger flight services between the Mainland and Hong Kong have completely covered the 10 newly added the IVS cities last year. Compared to the period before the expansion of the IVS, the total number of flights to and from these cities has increased by 80 per cent.
     
    Regarding the promotion of trade collaboration, the CSTB provided funding support to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to organise trade visits to Harbin and Taiyuan in February and June 2025 respectively and will visit Xi’an in October 2025.  Through business exchanges with the representatives from the cultural and tourism departments and trade organisations of those cities, we foster business co-operation between the tourism trade of Hong Kong and those cities, facilitating exchange of visitors and developing business opportunities.
     
    In terms of suggestions to orderly optimise the IVS, namely the expansion of the multiple-entry IVS to other Mainland cities, the CSTB will continue to discuss with relevant ministries of the Mainland, with a view to enabling Mainland visitors to visit Hong Kong in a more convenient and flexible manner, thereby fostering the development of the tourism-related industries.
    Issued at HKT 15:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Five sports facilities with swimming pools will be opened by the end of the year after major repairs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Swimming remains one of the most popular sports among the capital’s residents. As part of the strategy for the modernization and development of the sports sector until 2030, Moscow plans to expand the network sports infrastructure, including increasing the number of swimming pools.

    During this time, 175 sports facilities will be renovated in the city under the comprehensive capital repair program, including 58 with swimming pools. This year, five centers with swimming pools will be opened for visitors after renovation. In 2026, repairs are planned for six more such facilities.

    During the works, the facades of buildings, utility networks, pool bowls and entrance groups will be modernized. Modern heating and water filtration systems will be installed. To improve safety, floor markers indicating the depth will appear in bypass zones.

    For visitors with limited mobility, there will be special lifts with a hydraulic mechanism and a ladder for an assistant. Electronic timing boards will be installed in the pools, displaying not only the time, air and water temperature, but also the results of the swims. In addition, the sports facilities will be equipped with modern equipment: starting blocks, turnaround stands, handrails. There will also be updated inventory: fins, pull-pull boards, noodles and rowing paddles.

    “Today, the capital pays much attention to the development of sports infrastructure and improvement of water facilities. Modern anti-slip tiles are appearing in the pools, the water filtration system and other communications are being improved, and the inventory is being updated. All this makes visiting the pool comfortable for visitors,” shared Vladislav Ivanov, instructor of the Pegas sports complex.

    As part of the implementation of the Moscow sports development strategy, in 2024, after major repairs, it resumed operations Moskvorechye swimming poolThe complex’s facades and swimming pool bowls were renovated, the roof was replaced, electrical installation work was carried out, and waterproofing was improved.

    Today, there are more than 2,700 free swimming groups for Moscow residents, organized by the capital Department of SportsYou can sign up through the “Services” section on the portal “Moscow Sport”.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Theatrical Boulevard’s productions on Patriarch’s Ponds will be held in a unique format

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On July 1, a new stage of the International Open Festival opened at Patriarch’s Ponds “Theater Boulevard”. Cultural events will be held here. The program focuses on a rare, unique theatrical format, where chamber performances involve contact between artists and spectators, and includes small productions and one-man shows, poetry readings and creative meetings.

    The first events were a one-man show “A Man Needs a Man” and a concert featuring theater and film stars. Honored figures in education, healthcare, and culture of the capital, as well as outstanding athletes, were invited to the opening – all those who make a significant contribution to the future of Moscow and Russia through their work.

    The stage is located in one of the most popular places in the city. For several years, concerts and other mass events have been held on Patriarch’s Ponds. Everyone can join in with art in the unique atmosphere of old Moscow.

    The program of events can be found atofficial website of the festival.

    The “Teatralny Bulvar” festival began on June 1 as part of the “Summer in Moscow” project and will last until autumn. The program includes more than 600 theatrical productions that will take place on city streets with the participation of more than three thousand artists.

    A special program has been prepared for the young guests of the Teatralny Boulevard festival

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

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

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  • Australia’s fit-again Steve Smith set to play second test vs West Indies

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Australia are set to be reinforced by Steve Smith’s return to their top order but may miss his reassuring presence in the slip cordon in the second test against West Indies in Grenada this week.

    Smith missed Australia’s victory in the series opener in Bridgetown with a dislocated finger in his right hand, an injury suffered during the World Test Championship final against South Africa last month.

    The 36-year-old has reunited with the squad at the National Cricket Stadium and is likely to replace Josh Inglis, who managed five and 12 batting at number four in Bridgetown, in the second test beginning on Thursday.

    “Anytime you add 10,000 runs back into the line-up, you’re going to be pretty happy with it,” Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey said of Smith’s impending return after their training on Tuesday.

    “He seems pretty confident, so he’s excited to get back in.

    “It’s been tough at the top of the order, so to add a little bit more experience is good for the group, but I think they’ve (been) doing a pretty good job as well.”

    Australia were all out for 180 in the first innings in the opening test and were 65-4 in the second before fifties by Travis Head, Beau Webster and Carey propped them up.

    Smith did some catching practice but ESPNcricinfo reported he would not take his usual position in the slip cordon.

    West Indies have a bigger headache with their slip cordon having spilled seven catches in the opening match to let Australia off the hook.

    “I think the biggest thing is we shot ourselves in the foot,” West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said.

    “You cannot drop seven catches against the world’s number one team and expect to compete.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Training sessions for game sports are held at the Summer in Moscow venues

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Table tennis and badminton will help you spend time outdoors in an interesting and useful way. Training in these game sports takes place on the project’s sites “Summer in Moscow”.

    Develop coordination and concentration

    Table tennis classes help improve the health of the entire body. They improve the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, strengthen various muscle groups, and also develop coordination and concentration. Training has a positive effect on the brain, since a tennis player must not only constantly focus on the game, but also think through the next action in advance.

    Those who are interested in more active sports should take up badminton. It is suitable for those who want to lose weight and at the same time gain muscle mass, and will also help replace cardio training. Like table tennis, badminton improves coordination, reaction speed and agility.

    Both sports help reduce stress levels and improve mood.

    Where can I train?

    Everyone is invited to free table tennis training as part of the project’s summer season “My Sports District”. They take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 20:15 and on Saturdays from 11:15. Both children from 10 years old and adults over 18 years old can take part.

    You can join the classes at 10 locations:

    — Avangard stadium (Entuziastov Highway, Building 33);

    — Krylatskie Kholmy street, building 35, building 1a;

    — Zelenograd, building 1123;

    — Koptevsky Boulevard, building 21;

    — Sviblovo Park (Sviblovo Stadium in Tenisty Proezd (building 6/8));

    — Torfyanka Park (Izumrudnaya Street, Building 34);

    — Oak Grove “Mayak” Park (Touristskaya Street, Building 2, Block 5);

    — Yu. M. Luzhkov Park (Kolomensky Proezd, Building 16);

    — Kuzminki-Lyublino Park (Kuzminsky Park, Building 1, Building 8);

    — Perekopskaya street, house 34, building 2.

    Badminton classes are held at eight My Sports District courts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 20:15 and on Saturdays from 11:15. Children aged 10 and over and adults aged 18 and over are invited to the training. Court addresses:

    — Kuskovskaya street, building 31, building 1;

    — Vasilisa Kozhina street, building 14, building 6;

    — Beskudnikovsky Boulevard, building 25, building 4;

    — Marshal Tukhachevsky Street, building 21, building 2;

    — Semenovskaya embankment, building 3/1, building 4;

    — Rossoshanskaya street, building 9, building 1a;

    — Rozhdestvenskaya street, building 19, building 2;

    — 2nd Yuzhnoportovy proezd, building 13;

    — landscape park “Yuzhnoye Butovo” (Yuzhnobutovskaya street, house 96).

    All classes are led by experienced instructors. To participate, you must register atproject websiteYou need to bring equipment with you – table tennis or badminton rackets.

    You can also play table tennis or badminton as part of the festival of urban sports. From Tuesday to Friday (from 12:00 to 20:00), as well as on weekends (from 11:00 to 21:00), everyone is welcome at eight sites: in the parks “Pechatniki”, “Fili”, “Sosenki”, 850th Anniversary of Moscow, Northern River Terminal, in the recreation area “Troparevo”, as well as in the public space on Akademika Yangelya Street and at the Bolshoi Gorodskoy Pond and in the 40th Anniversary of Victory Park in Zelenograd. There, equipment can be rented for free.

    Detailed information about the urban sports festival can be found atwebsite.

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

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

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Developing tourism projects with distinctive intellectual properties

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ11: Developing tourism projects with distinctive intellectual properties 
    Question:
     
    There are views that Hong Kong has a number of intellectual property (IP) projects with local characteristics, among which the film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” has been well received both locally and overseas. In Japan, a restaurant has even launched peripheral food products inspired by the film, which sell out every day. Moreover, many film fans have visited Hong Kong for sightseeing due to the film, demonstrating the unlimited business opportunities of IP tourism. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of visitors attracted to Hong Kong by IP projects, cultural events and mega-events with local characteristics in the past three years, as well as their places of origin, length of stay in Hong Kong, and consumption amounts and patterns; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will consider compiling such statistics;
     
    (2) as some members of the industry and academics have pointed out that tourism projects dominated by a single IP are difficult to sustain, and that the long-term strategy should be linking up multiple IPs of the same type to create synergy effects (e.g. Hong Kong can explore combining the IP of “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” and those of a number of classic Hong Kong films to build a “Hong Kong version of Universal Studios”, with a view to maximising the cultural benefits of Hong Kong films), whether the Government has considered formulating a strategy to promote collaboration between different IP holders and the tourism industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) whether the Government has formulated a dedicated strategy for IP tourism, such as strengthening the protection and promotion of existing distinctive IP projects and related attractions, and actively introducing measures to encourage and support IP creation and the development of related attractions; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will consider formulating relevant strategies?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The current Government has established the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) to promote the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism. The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the CSTB proactively strengthens its support towards the industrialisation development of the cultural and creative industries and provides a platform to foster cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaborations among cultural and creative sectors for cultural intellectual property (IP). We fully encourage industries such as catering, retailing and tourism to make use of the rich IP resources in Hong Kong to achieve synergy, attract tourists and explore business opportunities.
     
    My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Jeffrey Lam’s question, in consultation with the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), is as follows:
     
    There are a number of attractions in Hong Kong with local characteristics and tourism appeal, such as Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL), the Ocean Park (OP), the Peak Tram, the Hong Kong Ferris Wheel, Ngong Ping 360. They are also IPs with strong Hong Kong’s cultural characteristics. The CSTB and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have been striving to promote tourism by making good use of these cultural IPs and the international image of Hong Kong.
     
    In 2024, Hong Kong hosted over 240 mega events, attracting about two million visitors from mainly the Mainland and Southeast Asia region, and bringing a total spending of about HK$7.5 billion and added value of about HK$4.5 billion to the economy. Many of these mega events featured local characteristics and made good use of well-known IPs, such as the “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS” Tour, Pokémon GO City Safari, PANDA GO! FEST HK, ComplexCon Hong Kong, Hypefest Hong Kong, Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong (ACGHK), and “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial • The World of Wuxia”, etc. In 2025, we continue to welcome events filled with IP elements, such as “CHIIKAWA DAYS” Exhibition, the opening of CR7® LIFE Museum Hong Kong, ACGHK 2025, “Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics” showcasing various local comics and Hong Kong Fashion Fest.
     
    We have been making use of attractive IP-themed events to enrich visitors’ travel and entertainment experience and stimulate spending. The HKTB proactively collaborates with event organisers to provide all round support, including driving local tourism through events. For example, during “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS” Tour, the HKTB partnered with the exhibition organiser to present “Anywhere Door” at ten tourist spots in Hong Kong, attracting visitors and locals to explore the city and take photos. The HKTB also collaborates with IPs in flagship events and integrates with signature IPs to further promote tourism. For example, in organising the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in 2023 and 2024, the HKTB collaborated with the world’s popular IP, LINE FRIENDS, to set up LINE FRIENDS dragon boat photo spots along the Avenue of Stars to attract visitors and locals to take photos and enjoy the races. Both visitors and locals could also purchase Hong Kong-exclusive merchandise designed for the races during the event period. 
     
    In terms of tourism promotion through leveraging movie IPs, the HKTB collaborated with the movie producer and relevant units to launch a movie exhibition titled “Live out the Cinematic Charm of Hong Kong” Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. The exhibition was first staged at the Hong Kong International Airport and then AIRSIDE at Kai Tak, Kowloon City. In parallel, merchandise vendors on site offered classic dishes, nostalgic toys and movie merchandise to create business opportunities. The CCIDA also organises the three-year “Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey” Movie Set Exhibition at the Kowloon Walled City Park, showcasing more movie sets and local traditional craftsmanship displays, recreating scenes of the Walled City. Over 42 000 locals and tourists were attracted in the first month since its opening in May this year, driving catering and retailing spending in the vicinity.
     
    In terms of theme parks, the HKDL, a landmark attraction with rich IP features, has been introducing various unique facilities and events to attract visitors, including the opening of the world’s first ever and largest Frozen-themed land, the new Marvel-themed area under planning, the 20th anniversary celebration and an all-new Pixar entertainment experience. On the other hand, the OP, capitalising on its advantage of being home to the largest number of giant pandas outside the Mainland, has created the giant pandas’ IPs according to the physical traits of the six giant pandas and launched giant panda-related promotional activities, merchandise, cultural and creative products, video games, tourism products, etc, with Hong Kong’s characteristics. In addition to the extensive use of the giant pandas’ IPs in OP’s social media content and merchandise, the OP will continue to make use of the relevant IP to launch giant panda-themed festive events, immersive experience activities, light shows, thematic performances, amusement facilities, etc, and partner with different organisations to promote the IPs.
     
    Separately, the CCIDA, through the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI), has funded and promoted various IP projects that integrate local animation and comic culture with tourism. These include the two-year AniCom Sports Park which showcases 36 locally created AniCom characters from different eras, each paired with a sports-themed design, such as “Old Master Q” with snooker, “Dragon Shik” with boxing and “My Boy” with table tennis, echoing the Olympic Games Paris and the National Games to promote the innovative experience of integrating culture, sports and tourism in Hong Kong. Since its launch in July 2024, the project has attracted about 460 000 locals tourists. The Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars, with the theme of local original comics, has drawn over three million visitors to date. The project was enhanced and updated in late 2024, now featuring 76 coloured figurines of local comic characters created by 100 artists, such as “Wang Xiao Hu”, “Hero Wah” and “MinBao Gor”, along with a 50-meter-long large-scale comic wall and interactive installations. In half a year, it attracted over 850 000 visitors with approximately 40 per cent of them being tourists. The annual mega event, the ACGHK, brings together comics and animation, mobile/computer games and art toy creations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, attracting about 250 000 tourists from the Mainland and overseas annually. The ACGHK 2025 will feature four projects, namely the Hong Kong International Art Toys Expo, the International Comic Artist Conference and Exhibition, the Comics Masters Gathering Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Comics Support Programme Pavilion. Apart from showcasing over 100 art toys and comic works from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, there will also be sharing sessions and workshops led by comic masters. The CCIDA will strengthen publicity in order to attract visitors from the Mainland and overseas.
     
    On upholding and strengthening IP protection, the Government continues to drive the development of local IP (including cultural IP), enhance the local IP regime, ensuring that it keeps abreast of the times, aligns with international trends, and meets Hong Kong’s economic needs, including the implementation of the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 to strengthen copyright protection in the digital environment, and a comprehensive review of the local registered designs regime and plans to launch a public consultation within this year. A robust IP protection regime can foster the sustainable development of local cultural and creative industries, as well as help drive the growth of related industry chains, including tourism, thereby spurring the development of the economy. The CCIDA is also actively supporting cultural IP projects, including those related to tourism, through CSI, and driving applicants to make applications for IP protection for their cultural and creative products, formulate IP agreements and manage IP portfolios, etc, so as to assist creators in exploring business opportunities.
     
    The IPD advocates for the messages of respecting creativity and IP protection through producing and disseminating promotional materials and videos. At the same time, it is committed to implementing the “No Fakes Pledge” Scheme and the “I Pledge” Campaign to encourage the selling and buying of genuine goods among local retailers, tourists and consumers. The “No Fakes Pledge” Scheme has garnered widespread support from local businesses over the years, with an average annual participation of over 1 500 retail merchants and 7 000 outlets/online shops.
     
    The Government will continue to support IP creation, construction and cross-over through innovative thinking, combining with our edges in technology, animation and comics, the performing arts, film and television culture to attract more tourists to come to Hong Kong to experience the unique local cultural connotation. We also hope that the catering, retailing and tourism industries can make good use of IP projects to explore business opportunities and implement the concept of “tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong” together.
    Issued at HKT 14:22

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A sports base will be built on Saltykovskaya Street in the Eastern Administrative District

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A multifunctional complex will appear in the Kosino-Ukhtomsky district in the east of the capital, including a sports base and a physical education and health center. This was announced by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    The future sports base is intended for training athletes with the possibility of long-term residence in it. It will be built at the address: Saltykovskaya Street, land plot No. 4a.

    “The complex-shaped building will have 12 floors, one of which will be underground. The total area of the facility will be 43.7 thousand square meters. The sports and fitness center will occupy an area of over 10 thousand square meters, its main premises will be concentrated on the lower floors of the building. More than 27 thousand square meters have been allocated for the hotel. The remaining space will be allocated for cafes and shopping pavilions,” said Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    In addition, the multifunctional complex building will be equipped with three gyms, a swimming pool, coaching rooms, a sporting goods store and a medical center.

    A parking lot for 241 cars will be built on the territory adjacent to the sports complex. Two of them will be for buses, and 25 for people with limited mobility.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156141073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Olympic Solidarity and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) support Dakar 2026 Learning Academy opportunities for African National Olympic Committees (NOCs)

    Talent from territories from all African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will have the opportunity to join the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) through the Learning Academy (https://apo-opa.co/3TjYgCR). This will be made possible thanks to the support of Olympic Solidarity and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). This major new opportunity, aimed at ensuring broad representation and greater capacity-building across the continent, was announced to the IOC (www.Olympics.com/IOC) Executive Board (EB) this week by Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange.

    Learning Academy opens doors for African NOCs at Dakar 2026

    Recognising the potential impact of the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy NOC programme on the next generation of sports professionals in Africa, and in line with Olympic Solidarity’s objective to strengthen NOC capacities, Olympic Solidarity and ANOCA will jointly contribute funding for Learning Academy scholarships. These scholarships will contribute towards travel and accommodation costs, ensuring broad engagement from African NOCs and potential participants. Details on the application process will be shared with NOCs after the summer, with selected participants expected to begin the Learning Academy in early 2026 before starting their roles within the YOGOC.

    The Learning Academy is designed to give promising young professionals from across Africa hands-on experience in sports management and event delivery. Each African NOC will be invited to nominate young professionals to join the Learning Academy. Selected participants will receive intensive two-week training in Dakar and then take up roles within the Organising Committee, helping to strengthen NOCs and building capacity across the continent. Over the next 16 months, a total of up to 400 young professionals, including the 53 candidates selected via the African NOCs, will be trained and integrated into the YOGOC – the first 41 participants have already taken up their roles. 

    Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange said: “Through the Learning Academy, we are creating a lasting legacy for the Olympic Movement, and one that could serve as a model for future host cities of the Youth Olympic Games or the Olympic Games, beginning here in Dakar.”

    The YOG Dakar 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4eDY77e) will take place over two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world’s best young athletes up to the age of 17. The Games will be held across three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).

    Additional information:
    https://apo-opa.co/44d8tY0

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hainan Island Allocates 40 Million Yuan in Summer Tourism Subsidies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    HAIKOU, July 2 (Xinhua) — South China’s island province of Hainan on Tuesday launched a campaign to promote summer tourism, providing 40 million yuan (about 5.59 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies to spur consumption during the tourist season, local authorities said.

    According to the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, the campaign will run from July to September and will provide targeted subsidies for travel to and from the province, accommodation, meals, and tickets to tourist attractions.

    Tourists can upload receipts to prove their spending on dedicated online platforms. Subsidized funds ranging from 150 to 3,060 yuan will be returned directly to travelers’ personal bank accounts.

    This summer, Hainan is expected to host more than 100 cultural, tourism and sports events, including festivals, live performances and sports competitions, showcasing the island’s diverse charms.

    Hainan Island, famous for its year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, is looking to revitalize its tourism industry. China aims to turn the province into a global tourist and consumer destination by 2035.

    By the end of 2024, Hainan’s total tourist flow, including both domestic and foreign tourists, exceeded 97.2 million person-times, up 8 percent from the previous year. According to official data from the above-mentioned department, total tourism spending in the province last year increased by 12.5 percent, reaching 204 billion yuan.

    The province is expected to receive more than 100 million tourists, both domestic and international, this year.

    As part of its broader economic strategy, China is turning Hainan into a free trade port. With Hainan set to begin independent customs operations by the end of the year, the province is poised to become not only a tourist haven but also a key gateway to China’s opening up. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rosanna Law to visit France

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law will depart tomorrow for France, where she will visit Paris and Bordeaux with a view to enhancing collaboration between Hong Kong and France in the areas of culture and tourism.

    Miss Law will meet French government officials and representatives of the wine trade to explore opportunities for co-operation and exchange. She will also visit museums and tourist landmarks.

    The culture chief will head back to Hong Kong on July 9. During her absence, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Raistlin Lau will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

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

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST to visit France

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, will depart for France to visit Paris and Bordeaux in the early hours tomorrow (July 3) to enhance collaboration between Hong Kong and France in the areas of culture and tourism.
     
    During her stay in France, Miss Law will engage with French government officials and trade representatives of the wine industry to explore opportunities for co-operation and exchange. She will also visit museums and prominent tourist landmarks.
     
    Miss Law will depart for Hong Kong on July 9 (Wednesday). During her absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Top honours for CFA led research team

    Source:

    A CFA research scientist and her team have won top honors at the inaugural Natural Hazards Research awards for their work in predictive fire mapping.

    The research award was presented to Dr Chloe Begg (CFA) and her team which is made up of personnel from three Australian universities and representatives from emergency management organisations from across the nation. 

    The project, funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia, is being led by CFA and the Victorian Department of Education and explores how predictive fire spread maps can assist the public in making decisions in emergency situations like bushfires.  

    The project was born after the 2019/2020 bushfire season when NSW and the ACT released “Red Maps” to the public but due to the number and scale of fires, there was a need identified to show the current and potential impact of them.  

    Dr Begg said fire spread predictions had already been used in Victoria, NSW, and the ACT but there is interest from other jurisdictions to use them in the future.  

    “The project provides an opportunity to use research and collaboration between fire agencies to ensure that the future use of these products is well considered and evidence-based,” she said.  

    Dr Chloe Begg said the team has conducted multiple studies with community members across Australia to understand what information Australian’s are looking for when using maps during an emergency.  

    “Predictive fire spread maps are different to existing warnings, such as those on platforms like VicEmergency,” she said.  

    “We are exploring how fire spread predictions can exist within the current warnings landscape to provide even more information on what is likely to happen to give people more time and context to make decisions about their safety.” 

    The research is already being used to inform fire agency practice.  

    “At the end of last year, Emergency Management Victoria asked us to provide guidance based on the research to support the creation of predictive fire spread maps,” Dr Begg said. 

    “This guidance was used to support the creation of maps that were published ahead of severe weather conditions forecasted for Boxing Day. ”  

    The next phase of community research focuses on testing a range of different designs to understand how best to present the maps with information that community members are looking for.  

    The team will continue to work together to ensure the research findings are useful and usable for all Australian fire agencies. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2026. 

    • An example of the mapping developed
    • An example of the mapping developed
    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ13: Admission of sports professionals

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ13: Admission of sports professionals 
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that in recent years, several international and Mainland sports stars have come to Hong Kong for development or settlement one after another through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) or the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS). There are views that Hong Kong possesses the advantage of attracting sports talent, and the Government should further assist sports professionals coming to Hong Kong for development, so as to promote the development of Hong Kong’s sports industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the number of overseas and Mainland sports professionals who have applied over the past five years for coming to Hong Kong for development through QMAS and TTPS respectively, and among them, the number of applications approved, together with a breakdown by the sports disciplines in which the professionals are involved; whether it has compiled statistics on the employment status of professionals in Hong Kong in the approved cases;
     
    (2) when sports professionals have come to Hong Kong through QMAS or TTPS, how the Hong Kong Talent Engage will follow up on their development and needs in Hong Kong (including support services and development strategies (if any) provided to such professionals);
     
    (3) as it has been reported that several world-renowned billiard players have become Hong Kong residents one after another through QMAS over the past year, whether the authorities will consider launching further initiatives to assist these billiard players in promoting billiards or developing their careers in billiards in Hong Kong, such as opening billiard saloons or training programs, so as to help Hong Kong become an “international billiard hub”; and
     
    (4) whether it will consider optimising QMAS or TTPS, or providing incentives (such as providing tax concessions to international sports stars or sports professionals coming to Hong Kong on a short-term or long-term basis), so as to attract more international sports talent to come to Hong Kong for development?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         To build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent, the Government has been implementing various talent admission schemes with different positioning to proactively trawl for talent with diversified backgrounds to come to Hong Kong to build a quality talent pool for meeting Hong Kong’s development needs.
     
         Among them, the Achievement-based Points Test (APT) under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) aims to attract individuals with exceptional talents or skills, as well as outstanding achievements, to come to Hong Kong for settlement. To be eligible for APT, the applicant must have received an award of exceptional achievement (e.g. Olympic medal, Nobel prize, national/international award) or can show that his/her work has been acknowledged by his/her peers or have contributed significantly to the development of his/her field (e.g. lifetime achievement award from industry). Successful applicants will normally be granted a stay of eight years upon first entry. In the past, the majority of international and Mainland sports celebrities who had won awards in major sports events and had come to Hong Kong for development were admitted through the above channel.
     
         Our reply to the Member’s questions, in consultation with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD), is as follows:
     
    (1) In the past five years (from 2020 to 2024), among the approved cases that have successfully passed the selection exercise under the QMAS, a total of 42 retired or serving athletes have been approved to come to Hong Kong under the APT, including Olympic medalists, Asian Games medalists, and winners of other international sports events.
     
         As the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) aims to attract individuals with high income or full-time bachelor’s degree from top universities/institutions around the world, the ImmD does not have the number of applications from retired/serving athletes.
     
         Persons admitted to Hong Kong under the QMAS or the TTPS are not required to have secured offers of employment before coming to Hong Kong. During the validity period of the first visa, the talent are not required to inform the ImmD when they are employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong. When applying for extension of stay, successful applicants under the TTPS are required to provide the ImmD with concrete supporting information and documents to prove that they have been employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong so that an extension of stay can be granted. The ImmD does not maintain statistics on the employment situation of successful applicants under the above two schemes when they first arrived in Hong Kong, as well as other statistical breakdowns mentioned in the question.
     
    (2) Since its establishment on October 30, 2023, Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) has been providing comprehensive one-stop support to talent coming to / staying in Hong Kong under the various talent admission schemes (including the TTPS and the QMAS) through both online and offline means. Apart from providing comprehensive information on living and working in Hong Kong as well as handling enquiries from outside talent through its online platform (www.hkengage.gov.hk 
         Earlier on, many internationally renowned sports professionals (such as Judd Trump, the world’s number one snooker player, and Stephon Marbury, former National Basketball Association (NBA) player) have settled in Hong Kong. HKTE has invited them to participate in promotional activities to give first-hand sharing of their reasons for coming to Hong Kong, thereby promoting Hong Kong’s unique strengths and development opportunities to attract more global talent with diverse backgrounds to pursue development in Hong Kong.
     
    (3) Several internationally renowned snooker players have settled in Hong Kong, drawing public attention and interest for the sport. The Government will actively promote the development of local billiard sports, maintain connections with top snooker players pursuing development in Hong Kong, and provide appropriate support when needed to foster the development of billiard sports in Hong Kong together.
     
         The Government is committed to sports development through the five policy objectives of promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and developing sports as an industry. For the promotion of community sports, the Government organises various types of recreation and sports activities and encourages public participation to cultivate a strong sporting culture in the community, helping them develop a healthy lifestyle.
     
         The Government will continue to devote resources to expand the audience base of sports enthusiasts (including snooker fans) and support the organisation of major sports events through the “M” Mark System. The Major Sports Events Committee awarded the “M” Mark status to the World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 in March this year. It was the first time for the event to be held outside the United Kingdom. In addition to promoting the development of billiard sports in Hong Kong, the event also underlines Hong Kong’s status as the centre for major international sports events.Issued at HKT 11:22

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 1000 lives saved and counting

    Source:

    Over the past month, CFA members have helped save more than 1000 lives, not on the fireground but from the donor chair.

    Since 1 June volunteers from across the state have been busy rolling up their sleeves as part of Lifeblood’s Emergency Services Blood Drive, with each donation capable of saving up to three lives.  

    The drive, which runs from June to August, sees CFA compete alongside other emergency services nationwide in a friendly challenge to donate blood and plasma for patients in need.  

    So far, Ringwood has emerged as the most frequented donor location and O-positive the most donated blood type, making up 37 per cent of all CFA donations. 

    The milestone comes at a crucial time, with O-negative and O-positive supplies currently at their lowest levels since 2023. 

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated members for their ongoing contribution to the cause.  

    “CFA volunteers don’t just serve their communities during emergencies, they also show up in important ways like this,” Jason said.  

    “Every blood or plasma donation can help save multiple lives, so we encourage our members continue to make a meaningful difference by donating to Lifeblood.” 

    Among CFA’s most committed donors is Creswick Fire Brigade member Phil Greenbank, who recently made his 650th donation. 

    “I started donating with my dad in 1984 after he took part in a blood drive with his local football umpiring group,” Phil said. 

    “It became something we did together for years, and I’ve just kept going ever since.” 

    Phil has donated whole blood, plasma and platelets, and has also been a bone marrow donor once helping save the life of a young man who went on to celebrate his 21st birthday after a successful transplant. 

    “If I’m in a position to help someone, I see it as a privilege to do so,” he said. 

    “It’s an easy way to make a difference and I’d absolutely encourage others to give it a go.” 

    Phil also reminded CFA members to ensure they’re registered as part of the CFA team when donating, so their contributions count toward the organisation’s tally. 

    “We’ve been beaten by Victoria Police the last few years, we’re behind again now but there’s still two months to go,” Phil said. 

    “Let’s see if we can reclaim top spot for CFA”. 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –