NewzIntel.com

Category: Sport

  • MY Bharat portal integrates WhatsApp chatbot to boost youth engagement, service access

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major step towards enhancing digital engagement, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched a WhatsApp chatbot integration with the MY Bharat portal, aimed at streamlining access to youth-centric services and boosting participation in national programs.

    The chatbot, now live on the MY Bharat portal and accessible directly via WhatsApp at 7289001515, allows users to explore a range of features such as experiential learning programs, volunteering opportunities, CV creation, mentorship, organisation creation/joining, issue reporting, and platform support. Users can simply initiate a session by sending ‘Hi’ to the WhatsApp number and verifying their identity through OTP.

    Upcoming features will include in-app registrations, media uploads for events, downloadable notifications, reminders, task completion tracking, and delivery of certificates and official documents. The chatbot will also provide real-time updates on government schemes, events, and volunteering opportunities, keeping users informed and involved.

    This integration is part of the government’s broader vision to embed public services into the digital platforms most commonly used by the youth, offering a convenient, mobile-first interface for faster access and interaction.

    MY Bharat, developed by the Department of Youth Affairs and the Digital India Corporation under MeitY, is a technology-driven platform designed to empower India’s youth through the ethos of ‘Seva Bhav’ and ‘Kartavya Bodh’, promoting active participation in nation-building through capacity building, mentorship, and service-oriented initiatives.

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Outstanding local government achievements recognised

    Source: Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions

    Outstanding achievers in local government have been recognised today, with 13 category winners announced for the 2025 National Awards for Local Government. 

    Now in their 39th year, the awards celebrate inspirational service delivery, acknowledging the important role local government plays in improving the daily lives of Australians.

    Ninety-five local governing bodies across Australia made a total of 192 submissions for projects addressing critical topics such as regional growth, road safety and environmental sustainability.

    Joining these topics as a category for the first time this year was affordable housing, to recognise projects addressing housing needs for communities. 

    The outstanding rural and remote council category was also new this year, to honour the achievements of smaller remote or rural councils with a population of 15,000 people or less, who entered any of the other 12 award categories.   

    The list of this year’s category winners is below, with more details on each project available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/local-government/national-awards-local-government.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

    “This year saw the most submissions ever received in the history of these awards, showcasing the hard work of local governments in delivering targeted, quality services to their communities – even in the face of adversity like natural disasters. 

    “I’d like to congratulate the category winners, and all the applicants, for this year’s local government awards. 

    “Your projects and the enormous efforts behind them are having real and positive impacts for communities, bringing them together and elevating local amenity.”  

    2025 National Awards for Local Government category winners:

    Category Winning Council Winning project name
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Recognition West Arnhem Regional Council West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit
    Addressing Violence against Women and Children City of Stirling Naala Djookan Healing Centre
    Affordable Housing Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Palm Island Housing Investment Scheme
    Arts and Culture City of Gosnells 2024 Fusion Food and Culture Festival
    Cohesive Communities City of Stirling Walking Together Local Convos
    Disaster Readiness and Recovery City of Wanneroo Mariginiup Bushfire – From preparedness to recovery, a community-first approach
    Environmental Sustainability Town of Victoria Park Bird Waterers – Cockitroughs
    Outstanding Rural and 
    Remote Council    		 Parkes Shire Council Fleet Optimisation and Innovation – A smarter approach to asset management
    Productivity through Infrastructure City of Stirling Hamersley Public Golf Course Redevelopment
    Regional Growth Shire of Murray The Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra
    Road Safety Blacktown City Council Risks of NOT planting trees along our streets
    Women in Local Government City of Wanneroo Kirsten Thrush & Katie Russell – Leading the disaster recovery from Mariginiup Bushfire
    Workforce and Skills Burwood Council Breaking Barriers – Growing the Learn to Swim workforce

    Photographs from the award ceremony available here: https://communicationsgovau.box.com/s/j5ljark5bnehu4au5pn6zwlzx7k0vxlg

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Bauple

    Source: NGARKAT HIGHWAY, NGARKAT (Grass Fire)

    CATHERINE KING MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Well, good, okay, thanks, everybody. I’m Catherine King. I’m the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and I’m delighted to be here, joined today by my Queensland counterpart, Brent Mickelberg. 

    We’ve been working very closely together since the election of the Queensland Crisafulli Government to make sure we honour the commitment that Prime Minister Albanese and I, and the Treasurer made just down the road from here in Gympie back in January this year, that we’re going to fix the Bruce Highway.

    Our $7.2 billion commitment now also contributed to by the Queensland Government, bringing it up to a $9 billion Bruce Highway safety package. And we’re delighted to be here today in Bauple with the early works package well and truly underway.

    What we’re trying to do with this package is to improve, particularly the widening of the road, intersections, so improving behind us, right hand and left hand turning lanes, making sure that we can get this road as safe as we possibly can.

    We know on the Bruce Highway, this is unfinished business for both levels of government, where we want to make sure that we see a reduction in road deaths on this highway.

    It was a tragedy that last year we saw over 42 people die along the Bruce Highway.

    This is affecting communities right the way along the highway, families who have not had loved ones at their Christmas table, communities that are affected every time this happens, emergency service workers as well. 

    So, this $9 billion package is really starting to get underway.

    Announced in January, we announced the $9 billion.

    Back in March, I think it was, we announced the fairly first tranche was out for tender, and here we are with construction well and truly underway.

    I want to particularly acknowledge the Queensland minister, Brent, for the work that he’s done, but also TMR, I know that many of the people who are working on this road live locally, live in this community, so they are building safety for not just their families, but generations of families to come, I’ll hand over to the state minister.

    QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS BRENT MICKELBERG: Thank you very much.

    Brett Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads. 

    Well, it’s tremendous to be here today with the Federal Minister, showcasing the work that is happening here on the Bruce Highway. 

    We’re really, really pleased that we’re able to get work underway to make the Bruce Highway better and safer.

    And these works here at Bauple are just one of 16 projects up and down the Bruce Highway part of the $200 million early works package.

    I’ve got another $100 million of work going underway in relation to designing future stages of work here on the Bruce Highway.

    And we simply cannot accept that the spine of Queensland the Bruce Highway can be dangerous.

    As the minister said, 42 people lost their lives on the Bruce Highway last year.

    We won’t accept that.

    As the Queensland Government, I know the federal government have the same view as well, and our communities expect us to deliver a safe and resilient Bruce Highway, and that’s exactly what we are focused on doing. Hand in hand with the federal government, we’re really pleased that the federal government have listened to our call for 80:20 funding and the $7.2 billion commitment from the federal government, along with the $1.8 billion commitment from the Queensland Government, will make a meaningful difference to making the Bruce Highway safer. 

    Over 60% of Queensland has used the Bruce Highway every single year, and I know Queenslanders understand how important this road is, both to our economy but also to our communities, and I want to reassure people that the Queensland Government understand that as well.

    We’re focused with getting on with the job.

    All of the money in this $9 billion package will be spent north of Gympie.

    All of it will be spent upgrading safety and capacity on the Bruce Highway.

    And I think it’s also important to note that this is just one part of our commitment to the Bruce Highway.

    We’re also doing additional work, both in relation to the disaster recovery works after recent disaster impacts, but also building capacity up and down the Bruce Highway on those important areas that simply can’t cope with the volume of traffic on the Bruce Highway.

    So it’s a really pleasing day to be able to stand here with the federal minister getting on with the job of building a better Bruce Highway, happy to take any questions.

    JOURNALIST: So there’s aspects of widening the lane, but is there actually possibilities to double lane majority of the Bruce Highway?

    BRENT MICKELBERG: So this package is about upgrading safety on the Bruce Highway, so things like wide centre line treatment, overtaking lanes, rest areas, intersection upgrades, pavement strengthening, those areas of the highway that are simply unsafe to drive on because the pavement is not up to the required standard.

    That’s what this work will deliver.

    While we’re doing that, we’re always mindful of ensuring that wherever we build these upgrades, they’re going to be able to future proof as well.

    So, in areas where, for example, we might be able to build overtaking lanes off the existing line of traffic to then potentially down the track be duplicated, that’s also areas that the work that is going on within the Bruce Highway upgrade program office to ensure that whatever we do through this massive program effort lasts for the long term as well. 

    JOURNALIST: How are you determining these areas of the Bruce Highway [indistinct]

    BRENT MICKELBERG:  Sorry, yeah, great question.

    So, one of the commitments we made before the last state election was to re-establish the Bruce Highway Advisory Council.

    We’ve had two meetings of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council already, and I’m really pleased the federal minister attended the last meeting I attended and chaired it as well.

    We’ve had involvement with the federal government at each of those meetings that we’ve had.

    So on the Bruce Highway Advisory Council, we have industry representatives, people like the Queensland Trucking Association, the RACQ local government representation through the Local Government Association of Queensland.

    But perhaps even more importantly, we have local representatives from each of the regions that the Bruce Highway passes through, and we’ve used that body to talk about how we can make the Bruce better. 

    So, it’s not just about building a better Bruce, it’s also about how we can manage the highway better.

    And at our last meeting in Rockhampton, we worked through what are the current issues on the Bruce Highway, and how can we best allocate this money to get the best bang for our buck in building a better Bruce.

    We literally went through from north to south and looked at each of the different sections of the Bruce Highway.

    What are the issues, what are the priorities?

    And off the back of that input, the Bruce Highway upgrade program office within my department, have then worked up a package of works.

    Now this initial work that we’ve got on with already is projects that had already been advanced and were ready to go.

    We just didn’t have funding for so we’re able to pull the trigger on them quite quickly.

    The next package of works are things where we’ve had to do the design work and we’re going to get on with the job in relation to fixing those projects as well.

    What we want to see is a rolling package of works over coming years, where local contractors in particular, can deliver a lot of this work.

    So, a lot of work has been done in relation to the procurement method to ensure that, rather than give all of this money to one big contractor, we can ensure that local involvement is a big part of this program as well.

    And we think that’s a really important contributor to our regional economies, but also important message to our communities, as the Minister spoke about, many of the people working on these projects live in these communities, and they understand the challenges, and it’s great to see upgrades which will benefit not just the regional communities, but all Queenslanders who use the Bruce Highway so frequently.

    JOURNALIST: And just here locally, these works that are underway now, is there a rough timeline as to when they’ll be complete? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Look, there’s about another 12 months of work here at this particular site.

    I think it’s really important to know, and it was remiss me not to say we have tragically lost lives on this section of the Bruce Highway.

    So, these upgrades will make the Bruce Highway safer, and we want to see a reduction.

    We want to see zero lives lost on the Bruce Highway.

    That’s ultimately the goal.

    But look, there will be inconvenience to motorists as we do these works.

    I want to acknowledge that inconvenience, but I just ask motorists to be patient with us as we work to build a better Bruce Highway.

    JOURNALIST: [indistinct]

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Yeah, look, I was really pleased to be able to meet with the Tiaro community a couple of months ago now, with John Barounis and the federal member here as well to listen to their concerns in relation to the current highway through Tiaro, it’s well acknowledged that it doesn’t have the capacity and there have been significant safety issues.

    And every peak period of the year, whether it’s Christmas or Easter or the school holidays.

    Tiaro is a well known bottleneck, and hence why the Tiaro bypass is so necessary.

    It’ll also build flood immunity as well into this section of the Bruce Highway.

    So, we committed, as part of our 2032 delivery plan to delivering the Tiaro Bypass.

    We expect to go to procurement, early stage procurement in early 2026 and we will be working with the federal government in relation to the environmental approvals and future stages for that project.

    But I want to make it really, really clear, we’re committed to delivering the Tiaro Bypass.

    We know how important it is to build capacity into this part of the Bruce Highway and also to deliver those safety upgrades. It’s not tenable to have heavy vehicles such as those we see passing behind us going through school zones and areas like Tiaro.

    You’ve got a pedestrian crossing there, every time someone wants to use it, it creates a traffic jam.

    That’s what the Tiaro Bypass will fix, and we’re focused with getting on with the job of delivering those important upgrades. 

    JOURNALIST: And the notorious Walker Street intersection [indistinct] what was the process of that?

    Because originally there was a roundabout.

    What’s the update? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Yeah.

    Look, we’ve, I think I’ve gone to Walker Street about four times since I became the minister.

    Look, the reason it’s such a focal point is tragically, they’ve been lives lost there in recent years, and we’re focused on delivering upgrades to the Walker Street intersection.

    It is unsafe as it sits right now, and what do those upgrades look like?

    Well, that works currently underway.

    That design work is underway.

    What I want to see is a solution that will ensure that we don’t have a repeat of multiple lives lost at that intersection, as has happened a couple of years ago.

    It’s something that John Barounis, our local state MP, has been campaigning for very strongly, both before the election, and one of the reasons I’ve been there four times since the election is because John is incredibly passionate to deliver this for his community.

    We know it’s a genuine safety risk, and we know it is also an important upgrade that will support the Maryborough community. 

    And we will come back to the community once we have those finalised designs on what it looks like. 

    JOURNALIST: So, the 60 kilometre is kind of a temporary fix at the moment? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Yeah, look, obviously we make we change speed limits to mitigate risk wherever it’s deemed necessary.

    And having lost lives there at that particular intersection in recent times, those decisions have been made with the with the recommender on the recommendations of a road safety experts and engineers. 

    What I want to see in the long term is a solution that makes that section of road safer, and not just mitigations that reduce the risk right now. 

    JOURNALIST: Are you able to take questions on something else? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Yeah, okay, or if you’ve got anything else on this? Yep, what else have you got for me? 

    JOURNALIST: Your response to the CFMEU protests entering their second day?

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, I think Queenslanders have had enough of the CFMEU and their bullying and thuggery, and that was recognised with the decision of the High Court two days ago.

    The CFMEU need to get on with the job of building the infrastructure that we need here in Queensland. Queenslanders are not going to tolerate the intimidation and the approach taken by the CFMEU over recent days.

    The Queensland Government are not going to tolerate that behaviour.

    It’s one of the reasons that we removed the CFMEU tax, the BPIC CFMEU tax in November, and we have also removed and reintroduced 24 hour right to entry provisions so they cannot be using those disruptive and bullying tactics on job sites.

    I will not stand by and watch CFMEU thugs intimidate workers who are just trying to get on with their job, and I will not stand by and watch CFMEU thugs disrupting our commuters in Brisbane.

    This is nothing more than a dummy spit by the CFMEU because the court ruled correctly that their conduct was unacceptable, and my message to the CFMEU is, get back on with the job.

    JOURNALIST: And how much does each day of this lost work actually cost?

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, we know there’s a massive program of works required here in Queensland already underway, big jobs, but also smaller jobs as well.

    And there is a real cost to the disruptive and bullying behaviour by the CFMEU.

    If I look at the Centenary Bridge upgrade, a large project on the western side of Brisbane, the actions of the CFMEU.

    And I’m not going to quantify it in terms of dollars, but it is multiple millions of dollars that the CFMEU have added to the cost of that project.

    We have had to hire additional security because workers were unsafe and not thought they were unsafe.

    They were unsafe.

    We have had workers threatened by CFMEU on that job site.

    I want to make it really clear, the majority of our construction workers just want to get on with the job and deliver the infrastructure that we need here in Queensland.

    It is that small minority of CFMEU thugs who are deliberately trying to destroy productivity here in Queensland and across Australia, and we won’t stand for it.

    JOURNALIST: So, you said just that one project is millions of dollars.

    How about all those other projects across the state?

    A rough figure at all?

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, as I said, I’m not going to put a dollar figure on it, but you can see through the delays that have occurred under the former government and what we’re dealing with now, the cost is in the many millions of dollars due to the CFMEU’s conduct.

    And it is their business model.

    Let’s be very clear, they rely on disrupting job sites in order to be able to get the outcomes that they seek.

    Now, I have no problem with unions who want to conduct themselves and advocate for their members in accordance with the law.

    Unions are an important stakeholder in Queensland’s industrial relations environment, but the CFMEU.

    And I will single out the CFMEU, the conduct of the CFMEU relies on bullying and thuggery, and we will not accept that here in Queensland. 

    JOURNALIST: Do you think anyone will actually feel sympathy towards these workers or just [indistinct]

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, I suspect anyone sitting in traffic just trying to get to work today in Brisbane or across Queensland will only feel resentment towards the CFMEU for their conduct, and let’s be clear, they did it yesterday.

    They tried to make their point yesterday.

    They’re going to do it again today, and no doubt, they’ll continue with this campaign of trying to disrupt and cause fear in our community.

    We’ve seen instances where people have been assaulted on job sites by CFMEU thugs in recent months here in Queensland, we won’t stand by and let this continue.

    It’s why we took action quickly upon forming government, and we’ll continue to ensure that our job sites are safe and that the community are able to go about their business, getting to work, getting on with the job, just as they should be able to.

    And if the CFMEU are genuinely committed to trying to build the things that we need here in Queensland, the message is just get on with the job.

    Get back on the tools. Get on with the job, and Queenslanders will recognise that as it sits right now, I think all they’re doing is driving people away from their course. 

    JOURNALIST: [indistinct]

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Look, we have an ongoing conversation with the federal government in relation to the priorities that we are delivering through the program of works here in Queensland.

    As I made it clear on Tuesday when I spoke about the format that QTRIP will be reported in, we are making some changes in order to drive better value for money for the taxpayer, and we’re working collaboratively with the federal government to deliver projects here in Queensland, but we also deliver a lot of projects that are not federally funded as well.

    And ultimately, my job as the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, is to ensure that we deliver on those priorities, those commitments we took to the Queensland public before the last election, things like the Bruce Highway upgrade program, the Olympics infrastructure required to deliver a successful games in 2032 in relation to the transport projects, that’s my focus, and we’ve been very clear with Queenslanders that that will require us to make some hard decisions in relation to potentially delaying projects that we might have otherwise done.

    But I want to make it really clear there will be no cuts in QTRIP next week.

    What we need to do is manage a program.

    We commissioned an independent reviewer, Rodd Staples to give us advice on the best way to deliver the significant program of works here in Queensland.

    QTRIP next week will be the largest QTRIP Queensland’s ever seen.

    So that that is without doubt, and it will only grow in coming years, as well as we need to build more as we approach 2032 we’ve made some commitments in relation to the Bruce Highway here.

    We’ve said that this work will be done, and we want it done as soon as possible, but that, but if everything is a priority, nothing is a priority, and my job as the Minister of Transport and Main Roads is to manage all of those works, ensuring that we address the critical concerns and those commitments we made, and we’ll be open and transparent with Queenslanders as we do that.

    JOURNALIST: For the project, should there be details [indistinct]?

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, in relation to I take you referring to the changes we’ve made in QTRIP?

    So what we’ve one of the recommendations we received was that we needed to drive better competition, better competitive tension in the pre-tendering stage, or in the tendering stage.

    Once a contract is awarded, we’re going to publish that number, and Queenslanders will be able to see that in black and white on QTRIP.

    But what we don’t want to do is signal to contractors that we’re prepared to pay a certain amount.

    No one goes and to a builder and says, Hey, I’ve got $500,000 to build new house.

    What can you build for me?

    You say, I’d like a four bedroom house with two bathrooms.

    What’s the cost?

    And that’s what we’ve been doing today.

    We’ve been saying, Hey, I’ve got $500,000 to build a new house.

    What can you build for me?

    That’s not where we need to be.

    And the advice that we received from Rodd Staples was the that was that this would introduce better competitive tension.

    We’re still going to be signalling to the market that this is the kind of job that they’ll be able to compete for, that this sits within the price bracket of jobs and capability that they’re capable of bidding on, and we’re still going to be engaging with industry face to face as we as we have done over recent months as well.

    So this is just one part of trying to restore value for money for the taxpayer, respecting taxpayer, respecting taxpayer dollars.

    And my job, we made some really clear commitments around being open and transparent.

    I’ll be publishing the contracted amount for these projects.

    You’ll see it next week in QTRIP.

    But what I’m not going to do is destroy value for money for the taxpayer by signalling to the market beforehand that we’re prepared to pay more than they might otherwise be able to build some of these jobs for. 

    JOURNALIST: For e-scooters, RACQ has made a submission to the state’s e-mobility safety inquiry, calling on the government to urgently address safety concerns.

    What’s your response to this submission? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, I welcome RACQ’s submission to the e-mobility inquiry.

    The reason we established the inquiry is it’s very clear there’s considerable community concern, whether it’s e-bikes or e-scooters or other e-mobility devices.

    Community concern in Queensland is justified.

    Tragically, eight people lost their lives using these devices on Queensland footpaths and roads last year, and we’ve seen a considerable increase in the number of people being injured as well, over 100% increase between 2021 and 2024 so we had to do something different.

    This inquiry is about listening to the voices of the community.

    RACQ are a really important stakeholder when it comes to the use of these devices, and obviously, road safety matters, and I welcome their submission, but so too, and I’d encourage those, albeit submissions close today, but I would encourage people to make a submission to the inquiry, whether it is the family who’s concerned about what it might mean for their children getting to and from school, or medical experts who have had to deal with the fall out of injuries and potentially fatalities as a consequence of e-mobility devices.

    Anyone who has an opinion in relation to this matter should make a submission to the e-mobility inquiry.

    We will also, after those submissions have been received, be doing public hearings up and down the Queensland coast and across Queensland to ensure that people have an opportunity to have their say.

    We’ll listen to those recommendations of the committee and we’ll act on them when we receive them, and I think that’s what Queenslanders expect. 

    JOURNALIST: I just have one more question, yeah, on the secret polling.

    So over half a million dollars to spend on behalf of research [indistinct].

    Why did the government spend more than half a million dollars on secret polling [indistinct]? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Look, I think it’s really important that we are listening to the voices of Queenslanders, and part of that is doing quantitative research and qualitative research.

    Another part is things like the parliamentary inquiry in relation to e-mobility I just mentioned.

    So, we will use whatever tools are available to us to listen to the voices of Queenslanders and then act on them.

    This is one tool, but it’s only one part of the way that Queensland Government listen to the community and then act on their concerns, 

    JOURNALIST: [indistinct] pushing the Labor party [indistinct] to release their results to the market research.

    Do you think that the Crisafulli government should do the same? 

    BRENT MICKELBERG: Well, we made it very clear that we intend to be open and transparent with Queenslanders.

    The premier has made that very clear to me as the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, that wherever possible, we should be releasing information, and we’re committed to do that.

    JOURNALIST: Would you be able to provide a response on those CFMEU [indistinct]

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, certainly, you know, we were very pleased, and you would have seen Amanda Rishworth, the Industrial Relations Minister.

    We’ve welcomed the High Court decision, which has upheld the legislative basis on which the Commonwealth has moved to put the CFMEU into administration.

    We have no tolerance for illegal activity within the union movement, and certainly not on any of our building sites.

    I understand that people are not happy about that decision, but that is the decision of the High Court, and it allows now the administrator to get on with their job with surety, because we want people to have safe workplaces.

    We want people to come into the construction industry.

    We want to grow the industry.

    We want it to be a place where people get decent pay and conditions, but we don’t want it to be a hotbed for illegal activity, for bullying or behaviour that we have seen, and what has caused the CFMEU to be put into administration in the first place.

    So, my message really clearly, is that, you know, construction workers want jobs.

    They want safe, secure jobs.

    They want to go home to their families.

    They don’t want to see the sort of activity we saw from the CFMEU that put it into administration in the first place.

    And protesting the decision of a high court?

    Well, that’s a decision for the people who are protesting, but I don’t think that it’s particularly helpful in getting the building industry back into actually being an industry that is a safe, secure and great place for people to work.

    JOURNALIST: What funding will the federal government provide for transport and infrastructure [indistinct]  

    CATHERINE KING: Well, we are already providing $27 billion of infrastructure here in Queensland, more than any other state in the country.

    And then, in addition to that, our $3.4 billion package of games infrastructure is being delivered as well.

    On transport infrastructure, of that $27 billion there’s $12 billion already going into transport infrastructure.

    We don’t have a budget until next year.

    States and territories across the country continue to put their transport bids to us, and we’ll work with state governments on that, but we’re already doing a lot here in Queensland. 

    JOURNALIST: I just have some questions from Canberra.

    Is the government happy with how the social media age range trial is working? 

    CATHERINE KING: Well, obviously, we’ve seen reports today around the social media trial that will now go to the E-Safety Commissioner for her to have a look at we do think, as you’ve heard us say, you know, this is a really important commitment that we have made, to really clean up the safety of social media for particularly young people and our teenagers.

    And that work is continuing, but the trial work, the results of that will now go to the E-Safety Commissioner, and we’ll have more to say once she’s had a look at it.

    JOURNALIST: After that trial has been complete, is it still the same plan to have that implemented by December?

    CATHERINE KING: Certainly, that’s my understanding from the Minister, but you’d need to direct that question directly to Minister Wells the Minister for Communication.

    JOURNALIST: And now we discuss some questions about Rex. 

    CATHERINE KING: Yep.

    JOURNALIST: How close do you think we are to finding a successful [indistinct] Rex?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, we know that it’s progressing really positively in terms of the administration.

    They have narrowed the bidders in terms of the commercial bidders for Rex, but they have asked the federal court for some additional time to get that work finalised.

    That will be a matter for the federal court, in order to make sure that that actually occurs, we’ll await the decision of the federal court, but it has been, as I understand it, from the administrators, progressing positively. 

    JOURNALIST: And if we take that kind of turn, how close is the government to taking over and maybe even bailing it out?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, as we’ve said, really clearly, we’re in a voluntary administration process at the moment.

    What we have said, you know, it’s unusual for a government to engage itself in an administration of what is a private company, but we know how important Rex is to regional aviation.

    In some areas, it is the only airline that actually flies in to a community, and so we have stepped in to assist in the administration to get an outcome.

    Our preference has always been for a commercial outcome, and that’s what the administration is aimed to.

    But we have clearly said, if that is not able to be delivered, we will then step in, but we’re still in the process of the voluntary administration and seeking a commercial outcome at the moment.

    JOURNALIST: And what do you expect Rex 2.0 to look like?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, I want to see it continue to fly into the regions.

    I’d like to see at some point it expand its services.

    But at the moment, we’re in the decision making process of a voluntary administration to keep Rex going, but what the Commonwealth has been at pains to do is ensure that we provided a guarantee to Rex passengers, that they could continue looking with surety to continue to get those services.

    And I’m incredibly grateful to the many loyal Rex customers who continue to use the airline, continue to book with surety, because that has allowed the possibility of a commercial opportunity for Rex to continue, and we’re really pleased to have been able to provide that continue to give my message that that guarantee is in place.

    Continue to book with surety as we work our way through the administration process.

    JOURNALIST: And do you see issues arising with the airline’s aging fleet and Saab aircraft?

    Quite a few have been out of service for a while? 

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, obviously that is one of the issues that any potential bidder has had to consider.

    I think the aging fleet, you know, Saabs are aging everywhere, so that is certainly one of the issues that any potential bidder has had to put into place, about what does fleet extension and fleet renewal – what does that look like? And that’s really been an important part, I know of the administrators assessing each of the bids as they’ve come forward.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government powers Australia’s push to 2026 Paralympic glory

    Source: NGARKAT HIGHWAY, NGARKAT (Grass Fire)

    The Albanese Government is investing more than $2 million dollars to drive Australia’s Winter Paralympians to gold in Italy early next year.

    The $2.058m in funding will enable an athlete-focused approach to the delivery of the Australian Team for next year’s Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. 

    It will ensure the team’s high-performance, operational, medical, logistical and communications needs are met so athletes perform at their best when it matters most.

    The investment will support Paralympics Australia to plan, secure and deliver the following core functions for Milano Cortina 2026, including sports medicine services such as physiotherapy, nutrition and psychology, comprehensive travel arrangements for athletes and their equipment, the procurement of strategically located village and out-of-village accommodation and other extensive operational and logistical requirements.

    Australia is aiming to take one of its largest ever Australian Teams to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games next March and will compete in four sports for the first time: Para-alpine skiing, Para-snowboard, Para-cross country, and Para-biathlon.

    The Winter Paralympic Games begin on 6 March.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

    “This $2.058m investment reflects the Albanese Government’s deep belief in the power and potential of the Australian Paralympic Movement.

    “Milano Cortina 2026 is a critical opportunity to build on Australia’s proud Paralympic legacy and inspire a new generation of Winter Paralympians.

    “We aren’t interested in only helping athletes get to the Games, we want them to thrive while there.

    “This Milano Cortina funding ensures our athletes have the support they need to prepare and perform in Italy.

    “In our first term, the Albanese Government invested $55m into Paralympic high performance – the largest commitment a government has ever made.”

    Quotes attributable to Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray:

    “On behalf of Paralympics Australia and our Winter athletes, I thank Minister Wells and the Albanese Government for once again stepping up for our Movement.

    “This funding is vital to deliver the complex and wide-ranging support needed for a world-class Winter Games campaign. From outfitting and medical services to athlete wellbeing, village operations and critical logistics – every aspect of our team’s preparation and performance has been considered.

    “We’re grateful for Minister Wells’ leadership and for the Albanese Government’s sustained and meaningful investment in Para-sport.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: I Am Artemis: Patrick Junen

    Source: NASA

    For some people, a passion for space is something that might develop over time, but for Patrick Junen, the desire was there from the beginning. With a father and grandfather who both worked for NASA, space exploration is not just a dream; it remains a family legacy.
    Now, as the stage assembly and structures subsystem manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the BOLE (Booster Obsolescence Life Extension) Program — an advanced solid rocket booster for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) heavy lift rocket — Junen is continuing that legacy.
    “My grandfather worked on the Apollo & Space Shuttle Programs. Then my dad went on to work for the Space Shuttle and SLS Programs,” Junen says. “I guess you could say engineering is in my blood.”
    In his role, he’s responsible for managing the Design, Development, Test, & Evaluation team for all unpressurized structural elements, such as the forward skirt, aft skirt, and the integration hardware that connects the boosters to the core stage. He also collaborates closely with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to coordinate any necessary modifications to ground facilities or the mobile launcher to support the new boosters.
    Junen enjoys the technical challenges of his role and said he feels fortunate to be in a position of leadership — but it takes a team of talented individuals to build the next generation of boosters. As a former offensive lineman for the University of Mississippi, he knows firsthand the power of teamwork and the importance of effective communication in guiding a coordinated effort.
    “I’ve always been drawn to team activities, and exploration is the ultimate team endeavor,” Junen says. “On the football field, it takes a strong team to be successful — and it’s really no different from what we’re doing as a team at NASA with our Northrop Grumman counterparts for the SLS rocket and Artemis missions.”
    As a kid, Junen often accompanied his dad to Space Shuttle launches and was inspired by some of the talented engineers that developed Shuttle. Years later, he’s still seeing some of those same faces — but now they’re teammates, working together toward a greater mission.
    “Growing up around Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, there was always this strong sense of family and dedication to the Misson. And that has always resonated with me,” Junen recalls.
    This philosophy of connecting family to the mission is a tradition Junen now continues with his own children. One of his fondest NASA memories is watching the successful launch of Artemis I on Nov. 16, 2022. Although he couldn’t attend in person, Junen and his family made the most of the moment — watching the launch live beneath the Saturn V rocket at Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center. With his dad beside him and his daughter on his shoulders, three generations stood beneath the rocket Junen’s grandfather helped build, as a new era of space exploration began.
    In June, Junen witnessed the BOLE Demonstration Motor-1 perform a full-scale static test to demonstrate the ballistic performance for the evolved booster motor. This test isn’t just a technical milestone for Junen — it’s a continuation of a lifelong journey rooted in family and teamwork.
    As NASA explores the Moon and prepares for the journey to Mars through Artemis, Junen is helping shape the next chapter of human spaceflight. And just like the generations before him, he’s not only building rockets — he’s building a legacy.

    Jonathan DealMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. 256-544-0034 jonathan.e.deal@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government honours Mama Abigail Kubeka with tribute concert

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government honours Mama Abigail Kubeka with tribute concert

    The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), through its Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, will host a landmark tribute concert in honour of the iconic Mama Abigail Kubeka, celebrating an extraordinary 68-year contribution to South Africa’s music, arts, and cultural landscape.

    This tribute forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to “give them their flowers while they can still smell them” — a core principle of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series. 

    Launched in 2023, the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series recognises artists whose work has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural heritage. It also provides sustainable support through platforms such as the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust (LLLFT). 

    This one-night-only event will unite more than 25 legendary performers, all offering their time and talent in tribute to a woman whose voice, grace, and artistic influence have helped shape the soul of South African culture.

    Directed by renowned saxophonist and composer Khaya Mahlangu, the concert will feature performances from luminaries, such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, and Stella Khumalo. 

    The audience can also look forward to musical contributions from icons, including Sipho Mabuse, McCoy Mrubata, Babsy Mlangeni, and Fana Zulu, with a powerful opening performance by Zenzi Makeba Lee alongside the Miriam Makeba Band.

    “Mama Abigail Kubeka is more than a performer — she is a living archive of our nation’s cultural memory. For nearly seven decades, her voice has carried the spirit of resistance, healing, and hope. Honouring her is both a duty and a privilege, reminding us that our greatest cultural treasures still walk among us, guiding us with wisdom and unmatched artistry.

    “The Van Toeka Af programme is about legacy, memory, and dignity. It says to our artists: we see you; we thank you, and we honour you. It ensures that future generations know whose shoulders they stand on and gives recognition to those who created beauty and meaning during some of South Africa’s darkest hours,” the department said.

    Kubeka’s career began in the 1950s, and she remains one of the last surviving artists to have performed alongside greats such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela during the apartheid era. Her body of work spans film, television, jazz, theatre, and activism — a legacy that continues to uplift and inspire generations.

    The concert will take place on Saturday, 5 July 2025, at 6pm at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.

    This tribute follows in the footsteps of past Van Toeka Af honours bestowed on cultural giants, including Dr John Kani and Dr Tete Mbambisa. 

    These recognition events serve not only as emotional homecomings for the honourees, but also as national moments of reflection on the country’s cultural journey and future – SAnews.gov.za

    nosihle

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Extravaganza! When Brazil Meets Hong Kong (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Extravaganza! When Brazil Meets Hong Kong (English only) 
         Good morning.
     
         It is a great pleasure to join you today at this fascinating celebration: Extravaganza! When Brazil Meets Hong Kong. With the joyful rhythms of samba echoing along Victoria Harbour, this event brings a refreshing burst of Brazilian spirit to the heart of our city.
     
         I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Stefan for bringing this world-renowned carnival to Hong Kong for the first time. My thanks also go to the talented Brazilian performers who have travelled across the globe to be here, and to our colleagues in the Government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and all supporting partners for your good work in making this festival a reality.
     
         Hong Kong is a city of contrasts and connections – where East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and urban energy coexists with nature. Our cultural offerings continue to grow. Consider the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which showcases the richness of Chinese heritage, or M+, which has quickly become a landmark for contemporary visual art in Asia. Or the stunning hiking trails which are just minutes away from the city. 
         To those visiting us – a very warm welcome. Seeing Hong Kong firsthand is the best way to understand that our city is as open, diverse, vibrant and international as ever.
     
         I’m glad that this festival has brought energy and joy to communities across the city, from school visits to lively street performances at our most iconic attractions. You are helping to enrich our cultural landscape and deepen cross-cultural connections.
     
         Looking ahead, we are committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s events capital. With the new Kai Tak Sports Park, a world-class infrastructure, we will be hosting a wide range of international events. More than concerts and rugby, we are welcoming a number of top-class football matches there. I certainly hope we can host the Brazilian national football team sometime soon.
     
         Of course, beyond that, it requires imagination, innovation and inspiration to make our city even more attractive to tourists and residents. We need more events like this one, and more joint efforts of the business community, including the tourism, catering and retail sectors to create new experiences for consumers and visitors.
     
         Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a joyful and memorable Extravaganza. May this celebration of culture and creativity continue to build lasting bonds between Hong Kong and Brazil, Brazil and Hong Kong.
     
         Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 12:20

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Local Cantonese opera elites to present two classic Three Kingdoms operas in July (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Local Cantonese opera elites to present two classic Three Kingdoms operas in July  
         Details of the performances are as follows:

    “Zhou Yu Thrice Humiliated”
    ———————————————————————————————–
    Date and time: July 26 (Saturday), 7.30pm 
    “The Battle at Changbanpo”
    ———————————————————————————————–
    Date and time: July 27 (Sunday), 7.30pm
     
         “The Battle at Changbanpo” was originally devised by Yuen Siu-fai for the reopening of Ko Shan Theatre in 1996. The story recounts Cao Cao’s pursuit of Liu Bei at Changbanpo after defeating Lu Bu, focusing on Zhao Yun’s heroic fest of charging seven times through Cao’s army alone to rescue his master’s infant heir. This time, the production again stars Lee Lung, who originally played Zhao Zilong, alongside Yuen Siu-fai as Liu Bei. A new generation of actors has also been cast, including Alan Tam as Lu Bu and Ng Kwok-wa as Zhang Fei. The play has a cast that covers the full range of role types, with some arias preserved in classic singing style. The performers will showcase the Xiqu art skills of the Southern School and the Northern School, enhanced by live music and powerful rhythms of gongs and drums to deliver the dramatic moments of the play.
     
    　　The two performances will be held at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Lyrics and part of the dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $180, $280, $380 and $480 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
    　　The programme will also feature a meet-the-artists session (in Cantonese) to be held at 7.30pm on July 24 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include Yuen Siu-fai, Lee Lung and Wan Fai-yin, while Barbara Tang will be the moderator. Admission is free. Since the quotas for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue’s entrance for a standby quota on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
    　　The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the COF, “Tan Dun WE-Festival”, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit     www.ccf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 1,000 kids get active at Coventry Children’s Mile

    Source: City of Coventry

    The Coventry Children’s Mile event returned once again last weekend with more than 1,000 children from 33 Coventry primary schools completing a mile to fundraise.

    Home education students also took part in the event for the first time. 

    Students, teachers, support staff and parents all turned out to volunteer their time to support their schools in the War Memorial Park.

    Alongside fundraising for important causes, the event was designed to encourage children to stay active, particularly those from hard-to-reach areas.

    The event supported Team Coventry by raising funds for travel costs for the team to compete in the International Children’s Games which is taking place in Tallinn, Estonia in August, where Coventry will be represented on the international stage.

    Athletes, coaches and supporters of Team Coventry came along too and helped with organisation, marshalling and most importantly, cheering participants on.

    Not only were funds raised for Team Coventry, but funds have also been raised by the event for a local charity.

    All participants received a souvenir event t-shirt and certificate of participation while the mile route was fully accessible for all abilities.

    Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said, “This was a record turn-out for the Children’s Mile which is absolutely fantastic. Seeing more and more schools and parents want to get their children involved in the event is great. It’s the perfect way to get the children moving and be able to show them that physical activity is fun.

    “The event also helps to raise funds for two worthy causes which will help local people, including 18 young athletes in their journey to compete in the International Children’s Games in Estonia to represent our city.

    “Thank you to all who have supported the causes so far and a huge congratulations to all who took part in 2025’s Coventry Children’s Mile.” 

    The Coventry Children’s Mile 2025 is a partnership between Coventry City Council, CV Life and Coventry’s School Games Organisers.

    Without volunteer and partner support from these organisations, the event wouldn’t be able to take place.

    Check out the photos from the day on Flickr 

    If you would like to send a good luck message and donation to Team Coventry ahead of their trip to Tallinn, Estonia to represent the city, please head over to the donation site. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Leads Altcoin Liquidity Among Major Crypto Exchanges, According to CoinGecko Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is now the most liquid platform for altcoins within the 0.3–0.5% price interval, as per reports released by CoinGecko analyzing centralized exchange (CEX) liquidity across key digital assets. This finding comes from a comparative study of order book depth across major trading venues including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, and Coinbase.

    The report, titled “2025 State of Crypto Liquidity on CEXes,” examined order book snapshots and deviation spreads for top-traded tokens such as BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and DOGE. It measured liquidity within various price intervals from the mid-market rate, providing a granular view of the actual executable volume for traders. While Binance retained the largest depth for Bitcoin, Bitget outperformed all other platforms in terms of liquidity provisioning for non-BTC assets in the mid-depth trading band.

    The analysis highlighted that Bitget consistently maintained superior liquidity for altcoins—particularly within the 0.3% to 0.5% spread from market price—suggesting a favorable trading environment for investors seeking tighter spreads and reduced slippage outside of Bitcoin-heavy strategies. This result positions Bitget as the preferred platform for altcoin traders, as tighter spreads often signal healthier market participation and reduced execution costs.

    “Altcoin liquidity is a measurement for market depth, and this ranking shows how far Bitget has come. Today, institutions drive 80% of our spot volume, futures activity from professional firms has doubled, and 80% of top quant funds trade on Bitget. Liquidity is infrastructure — and we’re building it where the market needs it most,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

    CoinGecko’s liquidity evaluation focused not just on headline volumes but on actual order book thickness and slippage tolerance at different price bands, making it a more accurate reflection of trading experience. Bitget’s strong presence in these middle bands shows its capacity to sustain meaningful trading depth beyond high-cap assets, which remains a challenge for many centralized platforms.

    In an increasingly fragmented liquidity landscape, the report suggests that Bitget’s performance could be attributed to active market-making infrastructure, listing strategy, and strong retail and institutional participation in the altcoin segment. The findings are particularly relevant as trading costs and depth disparities remain a priority for professional traders and funds operating across multiple venues.

    To read the full report, please visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ae8f2c1-46a6-4f06-af5a-2e02b8c8ea56

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Joint Summary of the Visit by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Kingdom of Morocco

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, undertook an official visit to Morocco, from 24 to 26 June 2025.
     
    The visit underscored the growing cooperation between ASEAN and Morocco since the formalisation of the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in 2023. It also reflected both sides’ shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation on promoting trade and investment, digital transformation, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges, among others.
     
    While in Rabat, the Secretary-General held meetings with H.E. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, H.E. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, H.E. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Pre-school Learning and Sports, H.E. Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, H.E. Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in Charge of the Administration of National Defense, and Mr. Redouane Arrach, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests. The discussions touched on the deepening of ASEAN-Morocco relations, trade and investment, regional and global developments, and the importance of ASEAN as a regional consensus builder and its stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific region. The Meetings also emphasised the importance of upholding and strengthening the ASEAN Centrality, rules-based international order and the importance of practical cooperation pursued through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
     
    The Secretary-General also delivered a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies in Rabat where he exchanged views with a range of stakeholders on peace, diplomacy, and regional security issues. In Casablanca, the Secretary-General met with Mr. Said Ibrahimi, CEO of Casablanca Finance City (CFC), and engaged with representatives of the Moroccan General Confederation of Enterprises (CGEM), led by General Vice-President of CGEM, Mr. Mehdi Tazi.
     
    The visit of the Secretary-General of ASEAN to Morocco and his delegation demonstrated the scope and depth of ASEAN-Morocco relations and cooperation over the past years and reaffirmed both sides’ mutual commitment to further strengthening the partnership. ASEAN and Morocco look forward to advancing the implementation of the ASEAN-Morocco Practical Cooperation Areas (2024-2028) which will serve as a framework for tangible cooperation in the years ahead.
    The post Joint Summary of the Visit by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Kingdom of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Workers of the Zvezda shipyard received keys to 160 new apartments

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Zvezda shipyard handed over the keys to 160 apartments in new buildings in the city of Bolshoy Kamen to its workers on the eve of the professional holiday – Shipbuilder’s Day. The construction of two eight-story buildings by the shipyard marked the beginning of the formation of the new microdistrict Sadovy in the coastal zone.

    The apartments with panoramic sea views are completely ready for occupancy: interior decoration is complete, plumbing and electric stoves are installed, and balconies are glazed. Sports and children’s playgrounds, as well as parking for residents’ vehicles, have been created on the adjacent territory. In total, eight buildings with 600 apartments with a total area of over 28 thousand square meters will be built in the microdistrict during the year.

    The Sadovy microdistrict is the next stage of the project to build housing for Zvezda workers. Today, the number of Zvezda shipyard employees has already exceeded 5,700 people. Taking into account the expansion of the shipyard’s activities and the increase in the number of workers and their families, the population of Bolshoy Kamen will increase by almost a third. Providing shipbuilders with housing and infrastructure is one of the shipyard’s priority tasks; the total number of apartments will exceed 5 thousand in seven microdistricts.

    The housing construction program for shipbuilders has been implemented since 2016. During this time, 38 residential buildings in five microdistricts have been commissioned and occupied, including seven buildings built by the Government of Primorsky Krai.

    Reference:

    The Zvezda shipbuilding complex is being created in the city of Bolshoy Kamen in Primorsky Krai on the instructions of the President of Russia, with Rosneft acting as the project operator. The shipyard is designed to produce large-tonnage vessels with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons, ice-class vessels, special vessels and other types of marine equipment.

    SSC Zvezda closely cooperates with various educational institutions: it organizes targeted training, organizes internships and employment of graduates, holds Enterprise Days and job fairs. In addition, in 2024, SSC Zvezda’s own corporate Center for Professional Training began operating, designed to train and improve the skills of personnel in more than 30 specialized areas.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 27, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE’s advisory body plays vital role

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Businessman Allan Zeman recently accepted reappointment as a member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers for another two years. As a long-standing adviser to consecutive Hong Kong leaders, he says he was motivated to continue his membership by the council’s effectiveness to date as a high-level strategic advisory body.

    He added that he has been deeply impressed by the governance approach taken by Chief Executive John Lee.

    “A few times a year we meet to discuss what Hong Kong needs, (and) the problems that we see – maybe (developments like) I&T (innovation & technology), (and) now where everyone is talking about AI (artificial intelligence).

    “Maybe Hong Kong is lacking in certain areas where we need to catch up. I think he (Mr Lee) is very open-minded and he realises the problems. If you suggest maybe some shortcuts to make things move quicker, he will act on it.“

    Mr Zeman also lavished praise on the Kai Tak Sports Park project, stating that he believes the Government has done an excellent job in constructing what he considers to be one of the best stadiums in the world.

    In addition, he highlighted that Hong Kong has enjoyed significant success in attracting family offices.

    “There (are) approximately 400 to 500 more family offices that within the next four years will be coming to Hong Kong and signing up. That will make Hong Kong actually maybe with 3,100 or 3,200 family offices – we will be number one in the world for family offices.

    “This shows the confidence that people have in Hong Kong. And of course, some of the agencies just came out showing Hong Kong was the third most competitive place in the world. We have moved up to slot number three, which again, is really, really a great achievement. I put this down to John Lee and his management and the style that he has done from the beginning.”

    Since taking office, Mr Lee has led several delegations on trips overseas and to the Mainland. Mr Zeman said these visits will benefit Hong Kong and enhance its profile internationally.

    “I think we are looking at new markets and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) market which the Chief Executive has led a few delegations to visit. (Also) the Middle East, again, he has led delegations, and also going to Mainland China – Hangzhou and other places. And so really to tell a good Hong Kong story, we now have a really good story to tell.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: IOC to review process for future Olympic host election

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

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to pause the host election process for future Olympic and Winter Olympic Games after a two-day Executive Board meeting concluded in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

    Newly-elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry invited IOC members to participate in a day-and-a-half of consultations on Tuesday, following a presidency handover ceremony on Monday.

    An LA 2028 sign and a blazing Olympic cauldron are seen at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the United States, Sept. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

    The “Pause and Reflection” workshop with IOC members focused on five main topics, namely athletes, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement, a Better World Through Sport, and other aspects such as revenue generation and engagement.

    “There were so many incredible ideas. We really just touched the surface. I think the members felt that we could have probably spent a week together to really come out with stronger recommendations,” Coventry said.

    One of the main topics is the bidding process and the proper time of host selection of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games.

    “We will be setting up a working group to look into this for two main reasons. Members want to be engaged more in the process. And secondly, there was a very big discussion in and around when the next host should be awarded,” Coventry said.

    “We want to use the learnings from LA [the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics)] and from Brisbane [the 2032 Olympics], as well as the French Alps [2030 Winter Olympics], who have had a much shorter lead time. But in the case of LA and Brisbane, a much longer lead time. So there was a lot of discussion from all the members on when is the appropriate time to select a future host,” she added.

    The IOC Future Host Commission nominated the French Alps as the hosts of the Games in November 2023, seven years before the start of the event. Los Angeles was formally awarded the 2028 Games in September 2017, and Brisbane was awarded at the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo in July 2021, both 11 years ahead of time.

    Coventry said: “All the interested parties are going to be a part of this consultation. They wanted to be included in the process a little bit more and to be able to better understand the process. How do we include the members so that they can also be educated on those steps taken? When do we award the Games? What does that look like? Let’s have a reflection. Let’s have a review of the process to really analyze when is the best time to award the Games.”

    As the first female IOC President, Coventry has positioned herself as a leading advocate on gender issues.

    “There was an overwhelming support — not just the majority, but all the members — shared with us before they left that we should protect the female category.

    “With that, we are going to set up a working group, made up of experts and International Federations. We understand that there will be differences depending on the sports, but it was fully agreed that we should make the effort to place emphasis on the protection of the female category and that we should ensure that this is done in consensus with all the stakeholders,” she said.

    The EB meeting reallocated the medals of the women’s 1,500m in athletics after the disqualification of Russia’s Tatyana Tomashova due to an anti-doping violation. Tomashova’s silver medal was awarded to Abeba Aregawi of Ethiopia, and the bronze medal went to Shannon Rowbury of the United States.

    The disqualification of Belgium’s Domien Michiels also resulted in the modification of the ranking of the Equestrian Team Finals at the 2024 Olympics, as Belgium was disqualified from its fifth-place finish.

    Among other topics, Patricia O’Brien was appointed interim Chair of the Ethics Committee until the next IOC Session. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: IOC to review process for future Olympic host election

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

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to pause the host election process for future Olympic and Winter Olympic Games after a two-day Executive Board meeting concluded in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

    Newly-elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry invited IOC members to participate in a day-and-a-half of consultations on Tuesday, following a presidency handover ceremony on Monday.

    An LA 2028 sign and a blazing Olympic cauldron are seen at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the United States, Sept. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

    The “Pause and Reflection” workshop with IOC members focused on five main topics, namely athletes, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement, a Better World Through Sport, and other aspects such as revenue generation and engagement.

    “There were so many incredible ideas. We really just touched the surface. I think the members felt that we could have probably spent a week together to really come out with stronger recommendations,” Coventry said.

    One of the main topics is the bidding process and the proper time of host selection of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games.

    “We will be setting up a working group to look into this for two main reasons. Members want to be engaged more in the process. And secondly, there was a very big discussion in and around when the next host should be awarded,” Coventry said.

    “We want to use the learnings from LA [the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics)] and from Brisbane [the 2032 Olympics], as well as the French Alps [2030 Winter Olympics], who have had a much shorter lead time. But in the case of LA and Brisbane, a much longer lead time. So there was a lot of discussion from all the members on when is the appropriate time to select a future host,” she added.

    The IOC Future Host Commission nominated the French Alps as the hosts of the Games in November 2023, seven years before the start of the event. Los Angeles was formally awarded the 2028 Games in September 2017, and Brisbane was awarded at the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo in July 2021, both 11 years ahead of time.

    Coventry said: “All the interested parties are going to be a part of this consultation. They wanted to be included in the process a little bit more and to be able to better understand the process. How do we include the members so that they can also be educated on those steps taken? When do we award the Games? What does that look like? Let’s have a reflection. Let’s have a review of the process to really analyze when is the best time to award the Games.”

    As the first female IOC President, Coventry has positioned herself as a leading advocate on gender issues.

    “There was an overwhelming support — not just the majority, but all the members — shared with us before they left that we should protect the female category.

    “With that, we are going to set up a working group, made up of experts and International Federations. We understand that there will be differences depending on the sports, but it was fully agreed that we should make the effort to place emphasis on the protection of the female category and that we should ensure that this is done in consensus with all the stakeholders,” she said.

    The EB meeting reallocated the medals of the women’s 1,500m in athletics after the disqualification of Russia’s Tatyana Tomashova due to an anti-doping violation. Tomashova’s silver medal was awarded to Abeba Aregawi of Ethiopia, and the bronze medal went to Shannon Rowbury of the United States.

    The disqualification of Belgium’s Domien Michiels also resulted in the modification of the ranking of the Equestrian Team Finals at the 2024 Olympics, as Belgium was disqualified from its fifth-place finish.

    Among other topics, Patricia O’Brien was appointed interim Chair of the Ethics Committee until the next IOC Session. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Athletic Club ask LaLiga if Barcelona able to sign Williams

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

    Athletic Club and FC Barcelona are in open conflict over Barca’s attempts to sign Spain international winger Nico Williams.

    Barcelona is trying to sign Williams for the second consecutive summer, but with Athletic unwilling to negotiate the sale of their star player, Barca’s only option is to trigger his release clause, reportedly set at 58 million euros (68 million U.S. dollars).

    Nico Williams (R) of Spain shoots during the UEFA European Championship 2024 Qualifying group round match between Spain and Cyprus in Granada, Spain, on Sept. 12, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valient/Xinhua)

    Barca has struggled to comply with La Liga’s strict financial fair-play rules. Dani Olmo was only cleared to play after the club appealed to Spain’s Superior Sports Committee, and it remains unclear whether the club is now in a financial position to register new signings without first offloading players.

    Athletic was angered by an interview Barcelona sporting director Deco gave to La Vanguardia earlier this week, in which he openly discussed Williams, claiming the player had informed Athletic of his desire to join Barcelona.

    In response, Athletic asked both La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to examine Barca’s financial situation – a move that angered Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who told local press that Athletic should “mind its business.”

    Athletic president Jon Uriarte met with La Liga president Javier Tebas on Wednesday, and the club confirmed Thursday that Barca’s “ability to sign players” was among the topics discussed.

    “The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made within the framework of compliance with financial fair play. Among the topics discussed was FC Barcelona’s ability to sign players,” confirmed the Athletic website.

    The club also responded to Laporta’s remarks, saying it was defending its “legitimate interest… after FC Barcelona sporting director Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’ publicly acknowledged that they will attempt to sign a player from our first team. This player has a contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2027. Our job is to ensure that the rules of the competition are followed.”

    Athletic further noted that Deco’s comments follow Laporta’s own admission that Barca “is working to comply with the 1:1 rule” – the regulation that allows clubs to spend income from player sales – and, therefore, the club is not currently meeting the conditions to register new players.

    The pro-Barca press insists the club will sign Williams next week, but the saga looks set to continue throughout the summer. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: How Brazilian teams toppled Europe’s elite at Club World Cup

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

    A “Samba Whirlwind” swept through the FIFA Club World Cup group stage as all four Brazilian clubs stormed into the knockout phase, leaving European giants reeling and igniting global fascination.

    Botafogo’s 1-0 stunner over Champions League holder Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo’s commanding 3-1 victory against Chelsea underscored Brazil’s resurgence on club football’s grandest stage, with European media scrambling for explanations.

    Niklas Suele (down) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Kevin Serna of Fluminense FC the Group F match between Fluminense FC of Brazil and Borussia Dortmund of Germany at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in New Jersey, the United States, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

    “It is an incredible moment for me, for the team, for the fans, for our country,” Fluminense star Nonato told FIFA. “We have four Brazilian teams in the round of 16, so the feeling is amazing. We have to enjoy it now, rest a bit but enjoy this moment because it is unique for the history of the club.”

    “For us, it is not a surprise (that the four Brazilian teams did so well at the Club World Cup) because [we] already knew our level of play, our quality. This tournament gives us an opportunity to show the quality of the Brazilian championship,” Nonato added.

    While fatigue and fixture congestion were cited as factors, data from analytics firm Sofascore revealed a stark counter-narrative: Brazil’s clubs dominated the pre-tournament workload charts. Flamengo led globally with 77 games in 12 months, followed by Botafogo (72), Fluminense (72) and Palmeiras (69). Europe’s busiest side, Real Madrid, ranked sixth with 64 matches.

    Brazil’s success springs from famed youth academies and strategic imports. Flamengo, a club supported by one-quarter of Brazil’s population, exemplifies this. Vitor Zanelli Albuquerque, Flamengo’s vice president of youth football, women’s football and futsal, told Xinhua that its youth academy in Rio de Janeiro, where stars like Vinicius Jr. honed their skills, invested 50 million BRL (about 9.12 million U.S. dollars) in 2024.

    Xinhua’s visit to the base last year revealed facilities mirroring the first team: age-specific coaching offices, tactical rooms, analytics labs, gyms and nutrition teams. Youth players start futsal training at age six, progressing to full-field academies at 11. With 30 players per age group (U7 to U20), training integrates with Brazil’s half-day school system – a minimum of two hours of daily sessions plus weekend matches. On-site lodging supports early game schedules.

    “Players face technical and psychological evaluations every three months,” explained Albuquerque. “Only the best stay.”

    This pipeline feeds national U17 and U20 leagues and continental tournaments like the Copa Libertadores U20, where Flamengo remained unbeaten in 2024.

    “We pursue excellence relentlessly,” Albuquerque said. “We generated 1.02 billion BRL (about 185 million US dollars) from player sales in five years – the highest outside Europe.”

    With top talents departing early, Brazilian clubs now recruit aggressively from neighboring countries. Foreigner quotas allow up to nine non-Brazilians on the field in the domestic league, with Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Colombia’s Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras) and Venezuela’s Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo) now orchestrating attacks.

    Returning veterans and experienced tacticians also bridge the continental gap. Thiago Silva (Fluminense), former Italy international Jorginho (Flamengo) and ex-Everton and Napoli midfielder Allan (Botafogo) have brought elite experience. Coaches like Portugal’s Abel Ferreira, who won two Copa Libertadores titles with Palmeiras, and Flamengo’s Felipe Luis have outmaneuvered their European counterparts.

    Meanwhile, Brazilian fans have transformed U.S. stadiums into home turf. Flamengo’s faithful turned Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field into another Maracana, while Palmeiras supporters outsang Messi’s global fans in Miami.

    “The fans have put on a show,” said Nonato. “They are holding our team, pushing us forward so I think it is unbelievable the synergy between the team and fans. This is a unique moment in my life.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: How Brazilian teams toppled Europe’s elite at Club World Cup

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

    A “Samba Whirlwind” swept through the FIFA Club World Cup group stage as all four Brazilian clubs stormed into the knockout phase, leaving European giants reeling and igniting global fascination.

    Botafogo’s 1-0 stunner over Champions League holder Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo’s commanding 3-1 victory against Chelsea underscored Brazil’s resurgence on club football’s grandest stage, with European media scrambling for explanations.

    Niklas Suele (down) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Kevin Serna of Fluminense FC the Group F match between Fluminense FC of Brazil and Borussia Dortmund of Germany at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in New Jersey, the United States, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

    “It is an incredible moment for me, for the team, for the fans, for our country,” Fluminense star Nonato told FIFA. “We have four Brazilian teams in the round of 16, so the feeling is amazing. We have to enjoy it now, rest a bit but enjoy this moment because it is unique for the history of the club.”

    “For us, it is not a surprise (that the four Brazilian teams did so well at the Club World Cup) because [we] already knew our level of play, our quality. This tournament gives us an opportunity to show the quality of the Brazilian championship,” Nonato added.

    While fatigue and fixture congestion were cited as factors, data from analytics firm Sofascore revealed a stark counter-narrative: Brazil’s clubs dominated the pre-tournament workload charts. Flamengo led globally with 77 games in 12 months, followed by Botafogo (72), Fluminense (72) and Palmeiras (69). Europe’s busiest side, Real Madrid, ranked sixth with 64 matches.

    Brazil’s success springs from famed youth academies and strategic imports. Flamengo, a club supported by one-quarter of Brazil’s population, exemplifies this. Vitor Zanelli Albuquerque, Flamengo’s vice president of youth football, women’s football and futsal, told Xinhua that its youth academy in Rio de Janeiro, where stars like Vinicius Jr. honed their skills, invested 50 million BRL (about 9.12 million U.S. dollars) in 2024.

    Xinhua’s visit to the base last year revealed facilities mirroring the first team: age-specific coaching offices, tactical rooms, analytics labs, gyms and nutrition teams. Youth players start futsal training at age six, progressing to full-field academies at 11. With 30 players per age group (U7 to U20), training integrates with Brazil’s half-day school system – a minimum of two hours of daily sessions plus weekend matches. On-site lodging supports early game schedules.

    “Players face technical and psychological evaluations every three months,” explained Albuquerque. “Only the best stay.”

    This pipeline feeds national U17 and U20 leagues and continental tournaments like the Copa Libertadores U20, where Flamengo remained unbeaten in 2024.

    “We pursue excellence relentlessly,” Albuquerque said. “We generated 1.02 billion BRL (about 185 million US dollars) from player sales in five years – the highest outside Europe.”

    With top talents departing early, Brazilian clubs now recruit aggressively from neighboring countries. Foreigner quotas allow up to nine non-Brazilians on the field in the domestic league, with Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Colombia’s Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras) and Venezuela’s Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo) now orchestrating attacks.

    Returning veterans and experienced tacticians also bridge the continental gap. Thiago Silva (Fluminense), former Italy international Jorginho (Flamengo) and ex-Everton and Napoli midfielder Allan (Botafogo) have brought elite experience. Coaches like Portugal’s Abel Ferreira, who won two Copa Libertadores titles with Palmeiras, and Flamengo’s Felipe Luis have outmaneuvered their European counterparts.

    Meanwhile, Brazilian fans have transformed U.S. stadiums into home turf. Flamengo’s faithful turned Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field into another Maracana, while Palmeiras supporters outsang Messi’s global fans in Miami.

    “The fans have put on a show,” said Nonato. “They are holding our team, pushing us forward so I think it is unbelievable the synergy between the team and fans. This is a unique moment in my life.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sports complex with football field to be built in Ramenki

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The investor will build a sports complex with a football field in Ramenki. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, the head of the Department of Urban Development Policy of the capital Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    The facility with a total area of almost 10 thousand square meters will appear at the address: Minskaya Street, land plot No. 2a. The complex will include the main and administrative buildings, as well as a football field.

    “The five-story main building will have a multi-purpose sports hall with an area of 730 square meters, a competition hall with stands and a balcony, rooms for playing backgammon, checkers, chess, as well as two gyms, rooms for individual training, eSports and sports programming. There will also be balconies and terraces on the third and fourth floors. Next to the main building there will be a football field measuring 90 by 45 meters with running tracks and areas for athletics. There will be a stand for 200 seats and an administrative and household block with coaching rooms and changing rooms for athletes,” said Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    The facades of the complex will be decorated with aluminum slats and wood-like plates, stained glass, porcelain stoneware and stemalite. The entrance group will be decorated with a media screen.

    On the adjacent site, a sports and recreation complex will be built with two halls – a multifunctional one and a specialized one for padel tennis.

    “Earlier, the committee issued the developer the permit documentation necessary to begin construction on a land plot of 2.14 hectares. After receiving notification of the start of work, the department’s inspectors will draw up a program of inspections that will take place throughout the construction cycle. During the on-site events, the quality of structures and materials will be monitored, as well as their compliance with the requirements of the project and the architectural and urban planning solution,” the department chairman specified.

    Anton Slobodchikov.

    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/155918073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese skater Han Cong to run for IOC Athletes’ Commission

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

    Chinese figure skater Han Cong and 10 other athletes will run for election to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC), the IOC announced on Thursday.

    Sui Wenjing (R)/Han Cong of China perform their free skating at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

    Han, along with his Olympic gold medal-winning partner Sui Wenjing, announced earlier this month their return to competition next season after being absent since their victory at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.

    The 11 athletes were approved by the IOC Executive Board to be candidates for the AC during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The eight men and three women from five different sports and 11 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will vie for the two available positions on the commission.

    The list of the candidates is:

    Oleksandr Abramenko (Freestyle Skiing, Ukraine)

    Zhanbota Aldabergenova (Freestyle Skiing, Kazakhstan)

    Dario Cologna (Cross-Country Skiing, Switzerland)

    Yohan Goncalves Goutt (Alpine Skiing, Timor-Leste)

    Han Cong (Figure Skating, China)

    Ilkka Herola (Nordic Combined, Finland)

    Adam Konya (Cross-Country Skiing, Hungary)

    Magnus Nedregotten (Curling, Norway)

    Johanna Taliharm (Biathlon, Estonia)

    Marielle Thompson (Freestyle Skiing, Canada)

    Won Yun-jong (Bobsleigh, South Korea)

    All athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026 will be eligible to vote, starting Jan. 30. Voting closes Feb. 18, with results announced the following day.

    The two candidates who receive the most votes from at least two different sports will be elected to serve eight-year terms on the IOC AC. They will replace Emma Terho and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, whose terms will end during the Games.

    Following the election, the commission will elect a chair and two vice chairs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A Billiards Palace will appear in the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district as part of a large-scale investment project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    For the construction of the Billiards Palace as part of the implementation of a large-scale investment project (MaIP), the city will provide a land plot in the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district. This was reported by Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property.

    The construction site will be allocated on Nizhnie Mnevniki Street, next to the future tennis center and not far from the Terekhovo station of the Big Circle Line of the metro.

    “As part of the sports cluster in the Mnevnikovskaya floodplain, as part of the implementation of a large-scale investment project, a Billiards Palace will be built, which will have more than 100 tables. For this, the city will provide the investor with 2.37 hectares of land. The lease agreement for the plot is planned to be concluded for three years – this is the maximum term for the project. At the moment, a land surveying project is being developed. The total area of the facility will be 9.8 thousand square meters,” said Ekaterina Solovieva.

    The new complex will house up to 55 Russian billiard tables, 16 pool tables, 26 snooker tables and 16 Chinese eight-ball tables. It is planned that the center will be able to accommodate up to 110 visitors.

    A modern sports cluster is being created on the territory of the Mnevnikovskaya floodplain. Ice arenas, football fields, a tennis center and other facilities will appear here. For their construction, Moscow provides land for rent for the implementation of the MAIP. This mechanism of interaction between the city and investors has been in effect in the capital since 2016 and applies to industrial production and social, sports, business and transport infrastructure facilities.

    Earlier, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sergei Sobyanin signed construction agreement There are three large sports facilities in the Mnevnikovskaya floodplain.

    Get the latest news quickly official 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/155903073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Nike plans to reduce reliance on China production for US market to soften tariff blow

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nike said it would cut its reliance on production in China for the U.S. market to mitigate the impact from U.S. tariffs on imports, and forecast a smaller-than-expected drop in first-quarter revenue, sending its shares up 11% in extended trading.

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports from key trading partners could add around $1 billion to Nike’s costs, company executives said on a post-earnings call after the sportswear giant topped estimates for fourth-quarter results.

    China, subject to the biggest tariff increases imposed by Trump, accounts for about 16% of the shoes Nike imports into the United States, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Friend said.

    But the company aims to cut the figure to a “high single-digit percentage range” by the end of May 2026 as it reallocates China production to other countries.

    “We will optimize our sourcing mix and allocate production differently across countries to mitigate the new cost headwind into the United States,” he said on a call with investors.

    Consumer goods is one of the most affected areas by the tariff dispute between the world’s two largest economies, but Nike’s executives said they were focused on cutting the financial pain.

    Nike will “evaluate” corporate cost reductions to deal with the tariff impact, Friend said. The company has already announced price increases for some products in the U.S.

    “The tariff impact is significant. However, I expect others in the sportswear industry will also raise prices, so Nike may not lose much share in the U.S.,” said David Swartz, analyst at Morningstar Research.

    RUNNING FINDS ITS FOOTING

    CEO Elliott Hill’s strategy to focus product innovation and marketing around sports is beginning to show some fruit with the running category returning to growth in the fourth quarter after several quarters of weakness.

    Having lost share in the fast-growing running market, Nike has invested heavily in running shoes such as Pegasus and Vomero, while scaling back production of sneakers such as the Air Force 1.

    “Running has performed especially strongly for Nike,” said Citi analyst Monique Pollard, adding that new running shoes and sportswear products are expected to offset the declines in Nike’s classic sneaker franchises at wholesale partner stores.

    Marketing spending was up 15% year-on-year in the quarter. On Thursday, Nike hosted an event in which its sponsored athlete Faith Kipyegon attempted to run a mile in under four minutes.

    Paced by other star athletes in the glitzy and live-streamed from a Paris stadium, Kipyegon fell short of the goal but set a new unofficial record.

    Nike forecast first-quarter revenue to fall in the mid-single digits, slightly better than analysts’ expectations of a 7.3% drop, according to data compiled by LSEG.

    Its fourth-quarter sales fell 12% to $11.10 billion, but still beat estimates of a 14.9% drop to $10.72 billion.

    China continued to be a pain point, with executives saying a turnaround in the country will take time as Nike contends with tougher economic conditions and competition.

    The company’s inventory was flat year-over-year at $7.5 billion as of May 31.

    (Reuters)

     

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 27, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 27, 2025.

    Travelling with food allergies? These 8 tips can help you stay safer in the skies
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Koplin, Evidence and Translation Lead, National Allergy Centre of Excellence; Chief Investigator, Centre of Food Allergy Research; Associate Professor and Group Leader, Childhood Allergy & Epidemiology Group, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland Anchiy/Getty Images With the school holidays approaching, many families will be

    Cats at 40: a dazzling cast – stuck in an outdated show
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Cummings, Lecturer in Singing, University of Sydney The star of the 40th anniversary production of Cats – which premiered at the Theatre Royal Sydney last week – is the performing ensemble. Some ensemble scenes, such as The Jellicle Ball, offered the same joy and exhilaration as

    Earth is trapping much more heat than climate models forecast – and the rate has doubled in 20 years
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Sherwood, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney NASA, CC BY-NC-ND How do you measure climate change? One way is by recording temperatures in different places over a long period of time. While this works well, natural variation can make it harder to

    The NDIA is changing how it pays for disability supports. What does that mean for rural communities?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Johnson, Lecturer in Social Entrepreneurship and Co-Founder of Umbo, University of Sydney Shutterstock Each year, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) reviews its pricing rules to ensure services funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) remain sustainable. This year’s annual pricing review outlines changes that

    1 in 5 community footy umpires have been assaulted, while others cop death threats: new research
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alyson Crozier, Senior Lecturer, Exercise and Sport Psychology, University of South Australia Scott Barbour/Getty Images Umpires’ decisions often upset sports fans, especially during a close contest. At most games, spectators boo loudly, coaches throw their hands up in frustration and players can yell or even physically intimidate

    NATO’s 5% of GDP defence target ramps up pressure on Australia to spend vastly more
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Fellow, Naval Studies at UNSW Canberra, and Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University After lobbying by US President Donald Trump, NATO leaders have promised to boost annual defence spending to 5% of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. A NATO

    Beyond playgrounds: how less structured city spaces can nurture children’s creativity and independence
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Children’s play is essential for their cognitive, physical and social development. But in cities, spaces to play are usually separated, often literally fenced off, from the rest of urban life. In our new study,

    Lung cancer screening is about to start. What you need to know if you smoke or have quit
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Olver, Adjunct Professsor, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide Magic mine/Shutterstock From July, eligible Australians will be screened for lung cancer as part of the nation’s first new cancer screening program for almost 20 years. The program aims to detect

    The drought in southern Australia is not over – it just looks that way
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew B. Watkins, Associate research scientist, School of Earth, Atmopshere & Environment, Monash University Andrew Watkins How often do you mow your lawn in winter? That may seem like an odd way to start a conversation about drought. But the answer helps explain why our current drought

    One bad rainstorm away from disaster: why proposed changes to forestry rules won’t solve the ‘slash’ problem
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Bloomberg, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Te Kura Ngahere-New Zealand School of Forestry, University of Canterbury Murry Cave/Gisborne District Council, CC BY-SA The biggest environmental problems for commercial plantation forestry in New Zealand’s steep hill country are discharges of slash (woody debris left behind after logging) and sediment

    Whatever happened to the Albanese government’s wellbeing agenda?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Sollis, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania DavideAngelini/Shutterstock The Albanese government devoted time and energy in its first term to developing a wellbeing agenda for the economy and society. It was a passion project of Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who wanted better ways to measure national welfare beyond

    What do the Bible, the Quran and the Torah say about the justification for war?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Associate Professor, New Testament, & Director of The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy, University of Divinity Wars are often waged in the name of religion. So what do key texts from Christianity, Islam and Judaism say about the justification for war?

    Brands want us to trust them. But as the SPF debacle shows, they need to earn it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Harrison, Director, Master of Business Administration Program (MBA); Co-Director, Better Consumption Lab, Deakin University It’s quite unsettling to discover something so central to our cultural rituals – the “slop” in the Aussie mantra of “Slip! Slop! Slap!” – can no longer be trusted. We’ve never really

    Streaming giants have helped bring Korean dramas to the world – but much is lost in translation
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sung-Ae Lee, Lecturer, Macquarie University In less than a decade, Korean TV dramas (K-dramas) have transmuted from a regional industry to a global phenomenon – partly a consequence of the rise of streaming giants. But foreign audiences may not realise the K-dramas they’ve seen on Netflix don’t

    ‘Don’t surrender’ to Indonesian pressure over West Papua, Bomanak warns MSG
    Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan independence movement leader has warned the Melanesian Spearhead Group after its 23rd leaders summit in Suva, Fiji, to not give in to a “neocolonial trade in betrayal and abandonment” over West Papua. While endorsing and acknowledging the “unconditional support” of Melanesian people to the West Papuan cause for decolonisation,

    Grattan on Friday: Jim Chalmers juggles expectations and ambition in pursuing tax reform
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week will be the 40th anniversary of the Hawke government’s tax summit. Dominated by then treasurer Paul Keating’s unsuccessful bid to win support for a consumption tax, it was the public centrepiece of an extraordinary political and policy story.

    There’s gold trapped in your iPhone – and chemists have found a safe new way to extract it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin M. Chalker, Professor of Chemistry, Flinders University A sample of refined gold recovered from mining and e-waste recycling trials. Justin Chalker In 2022, humans produced an estimated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste – enough to fill more than 1.5 million garbage trucks. This was up

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Ken Henry on changing the tax system to give struggling workers a fairer go
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In August, the Albanese government will hold an economic “roundtable” that will discuss productivity, budget sustainability and resilience. Australia’s tax system will be one of the central issues, and stakeholders are gearing up with their varying arguments for changes. Ken

    As one of Shakespeare’s least performed plays, Coriolanus is startlingly relevant under Trump 2.0
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirk Dodd, Lecturer in English and Writing, University of Sydney Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s least performed plays; perhaps because the hero is so pugnacious and classist, impressive in his strident vehemence, but lacking the vulnerability of a Macbeth or Othello. Set in the

    Magpies may not be a pesky Australian import – new research finds their ancestors thrived in NZ a long time ago
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanesa De Pietri, Senior Research Fellow in Palaeontology, University of Canterbury Shutterstock/Russ Jenkins For many New Zealanders, the Australian magpie is a familiar, if sometimes vexing, sight. Introduced from Australia in the 1860s, magpies are known for their territorial dive-bombing during nesting season, which has cemented their

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Neymar crucial to Brazil’s World Cup hopes: Ancelotti

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

    Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged Neymar to focus on being ready for next year’s World Cup, saying the country’s all-time leading scorer remains crucial to his plans.

    Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

    Neymar (3rd R) of Brazil vies with Luka Modric of Croatia during the Quarterfinal match between Croatia and Brazil of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

    The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star returned to action last October after more than a year on the sidelines but has since struggled with a series of minor muscle injuries.

    “He is a very important player for our team in the World Cup,” Ancelotti said in an interview with South American football confederation CONMEBOL published on Thursday.

    On Wednesday, Santos announced it had reached an agreement to extend Neymar’s contract until December. The 33-year-old has made just 12 appearances since rejoining his boyhood club from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in January.

    “He needs to prepare well,” said Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil last month after leaving Real Madrid. “He has time for that. I spoke to him about that: to prepare well, because we believe he should be a very important player.”

    Brazil will conclude its World Cup qualifying campaign against Chile and Bolivia in September. The five-time World Cup winners are currently third in the 10-team South American zone standings and have already secured a place at football’s showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 matches for Brazil since his international debut in 2010.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cats at 40: a dazzling cast – stuck in an outdated show

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Cummings, Lecturer in Singing, University of Sydney

    The star of the 40th anniversary production of Cats – which premiered at the Theatre Royal Sydney last week – is the performing ensemble.

    Some ensemble scenes, such as The Jellicle Ball, offered the same joy and exhilaration as the original 1985 production. In these moments of song and dance, the invisible connection between the performers’ hearts, voices and bodies, and those in the audience, is truly felt. There is still magic here.

    Yet, 40 years on, it’s clear other aspects of the show have become too tired for modern audiences.

    Comfort for frightening times

    By today’s standards, Cats is a modest show where the biggest investment is in the extraordinary performers and performances.

    But back in 1985, when it first premiered in Australia, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical was at the forefront of a wave of mega-musicals that swept the world. A review published in the Los Angeles Times that year called it “one of the most imaginative and eye-catching musicals of the century”.

    Cats ran for decades, all around the world. On the West End it ran for 21 years and 8,949 performances. On Broadway, it replaced A Chorus Line as the longest-running musical, playing for 18 years.

    First performed in London in 1981, the show is based on a set of poems from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (1939). Some may know the poems from their primary school elocution classes (we both did).

    Eliot wrote Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats in the period between the two world wars, when the world was teetering on the edge of fascism. It spoke to an audience that was probably eager to escape from its frightening reality.

    Commitment lifts the show

    In the musical, the cats move between songs and ensembles that describe the characteristics of each individual. The musical styles include rock, classical, pop, jazz, musical hall, blues and everything in between. Each cat has a specific musical and movement language.

    The committed and exuberant performers lift the show. Gabryel Thomas, who plays Grizabella, brings new life and intense musicality in her singing of the iconic song Memory.

    Axel Alverez performs the role of Mr. Mistoffelees with exuberance and charisma. And Todd McKenney’s charming and nuanced characterisation of Bustopher Jones makes him an audience favourite.

    The cameo roles feature strong performances by well-known music theatre performers, such as Lucy Maunder as Jellylorum, along with some newer faces, such as Claudia Hastings as White Cat.

    Gabriyel Thomas plays the outcast glamour cat Grizabella.
    Daniel Boud

    Stagnation or reinvention?

    In this re-launch, the score, direction and choreography are almost identical to what we saw back in 1985.

    The dancing and choreography are the heart and soul of the show, just as they were back then. For those who appreciate performance, this alone will make Cats worth seeing.

    Yet, the quality of the performances couldn’t completely make up for the tired and largely unchanged musical score. The 80s style synthesisers and guitars, and reduced orchestration, are oddly nostalgic, but in an unsatisfying way.

    Nostalgia is big business, and no doubt this production taps into this. As music journalist Peter C Baker wrote in an article last year:

    More and more of what we’re offered […] feels motivated by the logic that what people want, or can most easily be sold, is what they already liked before.

    At the same time, there’s much discussion these days about reinterpretations of classic musicals and opera – which are often a gamble.

    In the 2024 re-imagined New York production of Cats, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, the gamble paid off. The Jellicle Ball was set in a queer ballroom culture where competitive performers rehearse on a catwalk.

    The show premiered to wide acclaim, with some reviewers saying Cats finally made sense. As reviewer Jeanine T. Abraham put it:

    The ballroom version takes this story into the twenty-first century with flavor, sass, and reverence for the Black Queer Ballroom community who created this joyous form out of so much pain and trauma.

    This positive reception was far removed from the very badly reviewed 2019 feature film starring James Corden.

    Cats is a musical that has always been controversial – both celebrated and derided, depending on who you ask.

    What makes a show spectacular?

    Since around the mid 1980s, audiences have become acclimatised to the spectacular. Whether it’s Wicked, the Olympic ceremonies, or Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl halftime show, we’ve come to expect spectacle and jaw-dropping visual effects. But Cats is not that kind of show.

    Rather, it deals with the idea of community, and of a world where particular kinds of difference are accepted and others are rejected. The narcissistic elderly male cats are revered, while the glamour cat Grizabella is an outcast. A utopian ending brings reconciliation for all.

    Cats is a musical that defied expectations. Many initially predicted it would flop, and the song Memory was the only real hit. Yet it enjoyed enormous success.

    In 2025, the show leans heavily on its 30 or so performers who still manage to transport us to another world, despite the dated music and lack of story. The success of future interpretations will likely come down to how well those gaps can be filled.

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

    – ref. Cats at 40: a dazzling cast – stuck in an outdated show – https://theconversation.com/cats-at-40-a-dazzling-cast-stuck-in-an-outdated-show-256881

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rodri says it will be ‘months’ to return to his level

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

    Manchester City’s Rodri has continued his long return from injury at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup with substitute appearances in his side’s opening two group matches, but the midfielder says it will take some time to get back to his best.

    Spain international Rodri missed nearly all of last season after tearing his cruciate knee ligament against Arsenal in September 2024. After a brief appearance at the end of the campaign, he is stepping up his recovery in the U.S.-based tournament.

    “I feel very good and very happy to be here. It’s an amazing tournament to start to play football again. I’m really excited to join the team again,” Rodri said ahead of City’s final group game against Juventus.

    “I feel very, very strong, to be honest. The process was long, but I was taking my time. The most important thing was to keep focused and be strong, not be sad or whatever,” the midfielder said of his recovery.

    “One day I would come back and this day has finally come,” Rodri added, but admitted that it would take time to see him back to his best.

    “I know it’s still going to be months until I reach my [best] level, but I’m so happy,” he said.

    Manchester City goes into the final Group G game level on points with Juventus, but the Italian side sits top thanks to a superior goal difference. That means Pep Guardiola’s side needs a win to finish top of the group and avoid a potential tie with Real Madrid, which currently sits top of Group H ahead of its match against Red Bull Salzburg.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Inter, Dortmund advance as River crash out at Club World Cup

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

    Inter Milan clinched top spot in Group E at the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday with a win that knocked River Plate out of the tournament while Borussia Dortmund sealed first place in Group F after beating eliminated Ulsan.

    Elsewhere, Monterrey reached the last 16 by thrashing Urawa Red Diamonds, which was out of contention, and Fluminense advanced following a goalless draw that ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ campaign.

    In Cincinnati, Daniel Svensson’s first-half goal gave German club Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 win over South Korea’s Ulsan. Sweden international Svensson broke the deadlock in the 36th minute as he took a touch to control Jobe Bellingham’s pass before firing low past Jo Hyeon-woo.

    Both teams appeared to lower their intensity in the second half as temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) at TQL Stadium.

    “The only thing we could have done a little better was maybe score a few more goals because we created a lot of chances today,” Svensson said.

    “Football is emotional. It was very nice to score the goal that turned out to be an important one. It’s a nice feeling,” he added.

    Ulsan goalkeeper Jo said his team had suffered in the conditions and expressed his disappointment for the club’s supporters.

    “I’m sorry that we weren’t able to meet our fans’ expectations,” he said. “The weather was really harsh. It wasn’t really appropriate for playing football but it is what it is.”

    While Ulsan departs, Dortmund will vie for a quarterfinal berth against Monterrey in Atlanta on Tuesday.

    In Miami, Brazil’s Fluminense progressed after a goalless draw with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Group F.

    The Pretoria-based club dominated possession in the first half but Fluminense looked sharper in the second despite failing to register a shot on target.

    Veteran Argentine striker German Cano went closest to scoring when his right-footed effort after Jhon Arias’ pass hit the post.

    Fluminense, who finished second in the group, will face Inter Milan in the round of 16 while Mamelodi exits the competition.

    “It was a very hard match. They had most of the possession but we were able to repel them. Now we’re through to the next round and that was our goal,” Fluminense defender Ignacio Oliveira told reporters.

    Mamelodi manager Miguel Cardoso said he was proud of his team’s achievements throughout the group stage.

    “It has been a long journey for all of us, for the club itself and for the people that support it,” Cardoso said. “Today is not a happy result, but it is a very important day for us.”

    In Seattle, Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni netted second-half goals as Inter Milan topped Group E with a 2-0 win over nine-man River Plate.

    Lucas Martinez Quarta was shown a straight red card in the 66th minute for scything down Henrikh Mkhitaryan when the Armenian midfielder was through on goal.

    Inter immediately took advantage as Esposito finished calmly from 12 yards after Petar Sucic’s clever layoff.

    Alessandro Bastoni added to River Plate’s misery by charging past two defenders and thumping a low 18-yard shot beyond goalkeeper Franco Armani.

    The Argentine outfit finished with nine men after Gonzalo Montiel received a second yellow card in the 95th minute for his part in a scuffle between players from both sides.

    The result left River Plate third in the group as it bid farewell to the competition.

    In Wednesday’s other match, Monterrey scored three first-half goals en route to a 4-0 rout of Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

    Nelson Deossa put the Mexican side ahead on the hour with a stunning 35-yard drive and German Berterame made it 2-0 by slotting into the far corner after Alfonso Alvarado’s assist.

    Mexico international winger Jesus Corona extended the lead with another long-range effort following a swift counterattack.

    Monterrey was in a relentless mood and Berterame completed the rout in the 97th minute as he pounced on a loose ball and slid home from inside the six-yard box.

    The victory meant the Liga MX side finished second in Group E while Urawa was last, having failed to pick up a point. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 1 in 5 community footy umpires have been assaulted, while others cop death threats: new research

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alyson Crozier, Senior Lecturer, Exercise and Sport Psychology, University of South Australia

    Scott Barbour/Getty Images

    Umpires’ decisions often upset sports fans, especially during a close contest.

    At most games, spectators boo loudly, coaches throw their hands up in frustration and players can yell or even physically intimidate officials.

    It seems abusing umpires is acceptable. But why? It’s certainly not something generally tolerated in other workplaces.

    Without umpires, games simply couldn’t go ahead.

    That’s why we sought to shed light on the situation by researching what it’s really like to be an Australian rules umpire.

    Not for the faint-hearted

    Umpires (also called referees or match officials) apply the rules of their respective sports to ensure fair and safe competitions for all players.

    They participate in training and accreditation programs to learn rules and apply them based on the demands of the game.

    They need to be physically fit and position themselves appropriately around the playing field.

    But many sport organisations are struggling to provide enough qualified officials at grassroots levels. Between 1993 and 2010, there was a 28% decline in active sport officials in Australia.

    Football Australia, soccer’s governing body here, boasts 11,000 officials but estimates around 4,200 leave their roles every year.

    In many sports, teenagers are increasingly stepping in to umpire junior and senior games to back-fill shortages.

    However, Australian rules football appears to be defying this trend – the number of community umpires surpassed 20,000 for the first time in 2024. This is an 18% increase in umpire registrations compared to 2023, largely driven by a 31% rise in registrations by women and girls.

    Despite these record numbers, the Australian Football League (AFL), and many sports organisations including Rugby Australia and the A-League, are worried about retaining officials.

    Abuse towards officials is one of the primary areas of concern.

    Our research focused particularly on what was happening in Australian rules football.

    Abuse and even death threats

    We surveyed 356 umpires across all levels of Australian rules football competition to examine their experiences of abuse.

    Almost half reported receiving regular verbal abuse (name-calling, insults, swearing and threats). Worryingly, 21% said they had experienced physical abuse (pushing, hitting, or assault).

    As one state-level umpire remarked:

    Over time, you end up developing a thick skin.

    Encouragingly, most umpires knew the process to officially report any abuse received, with more than half indicating they had formally reported at least one incident of abuse.

    While many felt supported through the reporting process, only 62% were satisfied with the outcome.

    As one state-league umpire recalled:

    I was assaulted two years ago by a spectator. Lucky I was bigger than him. I was disappointed he only got a one-year suspension from attending games.

    Further, a senior community football umpire commented:

    I was threatened with my life this year and the league did nothing about it.

    What can be done?

    Many respondents commented on the need to support young umpires to have positive experiences.

    One potential strategy is to make it clearer when officials are underage.

    As one example, Netball Victoria provides a green band or scrunchie to any umpire under the age of 18 to promote respect from players, coaches and spectators.

    Other codes could look to implement similar strategies.

    Most of our responding umpires called for the introduction of tougher penalties in games and through tribunal systems.

    Some called for clubs to be fined or spectators banned for repeated incidents of abuse.

    Others commended the AFL’s stricter interpretation of umpire abuse in 2022, which mandated a 50-metre penalty for any player showing dissent.

    Additionally, umpires felt clubs needed to take greater responsibility for the actions of players, coaches and spectators.

    One umpire told us:

    Cultural change needs to come from within clubs because top-down campaigns encouraging respect don’t change hearts and minds.

    This could be in the form of creating a positive club culture and zero-tolerance abuse policies.

    In our research, umpires said it was crucial that governing bodies communicated both the level of evidence required to report abuse, and how tribunals worked.

    As younger officials may not know the process, having this information embedded in umpire training may help umpires feel more supported in reporting abuse.

    Equally, appropriate penalties must be handed down to ensure umpires have faith in the reporting system.

    While the number of Australian rules football umpires has increased in recent years, these numbers can also decrease quickly.

    If we want to retain umpires for the medium and long-term, we need governing bodies such as the AFL to address the frequency and severity with which umpire abuse occurs.

    As one umpire commented:

    Cases of abuse need to have consequences, not just a slap on the wrist. Why would anyone want to go out and be abused for two hours?

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

    – ref. 1 in 5 community footy umpires have been assaulted, while others cop death threats: new research – https://theconversation.com/1-in-5-community-footy-umpires-have-been-assaulted-while-others-cop-death-threats-new-research-257804

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Footy umpires blow the whistle on abuse

    Source:

    27 June 2025

    Getty Images

    Almost half of all Australian Rules Football (AFL) umpires have experienced verbal abuse such as ridiculing, humiliation or aggressive remarks, threats or gestures, at least every couple of games, according to new research by the University of South Australia.

    The survey of more than 350 umpires from 2021 to 2022 has identified that one in five umpires (21%) reported having also experienced some form of physical abuse, whether it be invasion of personal space, pushing, or punching by players, coaches, parents or general spectators.

    Twelve per cent of those surveyed umpired in community junior football, 80% umpired in community senior football and 8% umpired in state league and talent pathway.

    The study was conducted by UniSA’s Dr Jamie Cleland, and Dr Alyson Crozier, experts in sports management and sports psychology respectively, in a bid to examine the extent of abuse towards match officials, particularly at the youth and grassroots levels, and the reasons for poor retention of umpires in the sport.

    Dr Crozier says poor behaviour by clubs, parents or spectators can filter down to the youth and grassroots levels where umpires aren’t protected by security like elite AFL umpires and can face verbal and physical hostility when their decisions are disputed.

    “Spectators, players and coaches tend to strongly identify with their team, whereas umpires are viewed as an external authority figure – and this creates an ‘us versus them’ mindset,” she says.

    “This then can lead to dehumanisation and justification of aggressive behaviour towards umpires as they’re seen as a threat to the team’s success. Professional AFL umpires are conditioned to expect abuse on the field and understand it as being part of the game.

    “But while uMpires may expect the abuse, it doesn’t make the experience ‘right’. Workplaces outside of umpiring wouldn’t tolerate the levels of abuse experienced by some umpires in Aussie Rules; in no other workplace would it be considered acceptable, and it shouldn’t be acceptable for footy umpires either.”

    Of the research participants, 91% identified as male and 80% of them umpired in community senior football. 21% said they received verbal abuse every game, 28% said every couple of games and 38% said a couple of times a season.

    One umpire in community senior football commented how it “had been the worst year for myself personally as far as coach and supporter abuse – I was threatened with my life this year and the league did nothing about it”.

    Another community senior football umpire shared their account of being physically attacked. “I was assaulted two years ago by a spectator. Lucky I was bigger than him. I was disappointed he only got a one-year suspension from attending games,” they said.

    More than half of participants (53%) had reported at least one incident of abuse to the relevant authority and of those who had reported abuse, 73% felt supported through the process, with 62% satisfied with the eventual disciplinary outcome.

    Dr Crozier says a number of the umpires in the study commented positively on the AFL’s 50m penalty for players who show dissent towards an umpire, such as challenging an umpire verbally or physically after a decision has been made on the field.

    “However, although some umpires recognised how their experiences had improved after the introduction of the dissent rule, for the majority, the top-down approach still wasn’t influencing bottom-up behaviour change at the youth and grass rooms levels. It’s at these levels where mass participation occurs that umpires are significantly outnumbered and not sufficiently protected from harm,” she says.

    “Umpires told us they need to be communicated with before and after cases of misconduct against clubs, players and spectators, not only for their own health and wellbeing, but because they’re more likely to keep umpiring if they feel supported and valued.”

    The researchers suggested technology could enhance the reporting process for bad behaviour, using real time mobile apps to log incidents immediately after a match. Various sporting leagues globally are trialling body cameras for game officials to reduce the level of abuse they face.

    An article on the topic is published on The Conversation. It can be republished online or in print for free, provided you follow these guidelines.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell, Wittman Introduce Bipartisan Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund Reauthorization

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025, which would reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through 2030. Since its enactment in 1950, the Trust Fund, which is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, has provided more than $40 billion in funding for state-based conservation programs, recreational boating access and safety, aquatic resources education, and fisheries management and restoration.

     “For 75 years, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund has provided essential resources to conserve critical fish populations, protect marine ecosystems, strengthen local boating safety programs, and more,” said Dingell. “The Trust Fund enables states and territories to make important investments in safeguarding our environmental heritage and improving access to the outdoors for all Americans. We look forward to renewing the Trust Fund as a bipartisan effort, and supporting necessary resources for recreational fishing and ecosystem conservation for years to come.”

    “Growing up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed gave me a deep appreciation for our waterways and a passion for conservation and fishing that still drives my work today,” said Wittman. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill, which supports vital investments in sport fish species and habitat restoration, recreational fishing access, and boating infrastructure. This legislation helps ensure the long-term health of our coastal sport fisheries so that future generations can enjoy our public waters and the great American outdoors.”
     
    This bill would: 

    • Reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund for another 5 years.
    • Update apportionment for Interstate Fisheries Commissions from a flat amount to a percentage to increase funding
    • Expand domestic fuel options for boaters by incentivizing the provision of alternative marine fuels
    • Reduce tax on aerated bait buckets from 10% to 3%, enabling more competitive pricing and reducing the competitive disadvantage faced by manufacturers of aerated bait buckets

    The legislation is endorsed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the American Sportfishing Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMAA), and Boat U.S.

    “For 75 years, the Sportfish Restoration Act has been providing funding for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education,” said Judy Camuso, President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “This funding provides critical support to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies, ensuring that sport fish populations and aquatic habitats are healthy, sustainable, and available for future generations.”

    “With 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan is home to great boating and fantastic fishing opportunities,” said Shannon Lott, Michigan DNR Natural Resources Deputy Director. “I thank Congresswoman Dingell and Congressman Wittman for introducing the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025, which will ensure that Michigan continues to receive critical funding generated from excise taxes paid on fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, and electric motors to support its efforts to restore and managing sportfish and provide public access for recreational boating.”

    “In Virginia, the apportionment we receive from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund provides critical funding for programs that conserve aquatic resources and support safe, accessible recreational boating,” said Ryan Brown, Director of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Chair of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Executive Committee. “These investments ensure that anglers and boaters can continue to enjoy our waterways for generations to come and sustain outdoor recreation and local economies across the Commonwealth.”

    “The Sport Fish Restoration Program is a model of collaborative conservation that is envied the world over,” said Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association. “The sportfishing equipment manufacturers we represent are proud to pay the federal excise tax on fishing equipment because they know it is being put to good use in support of aquatic resource conservation, access and fishing participation projects that benefit the future of the sport. As we celebrate the program’s 75thanniversary, we thank Reps. Dingell and Wittman for leading the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act so this program can continue well into the future.”
     
    “Thanks to the leadership of Representatives Dingell and Wittman, we are one step closer to reauthorizing the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and ensuring that the program begins addressing modern issues impacting the recreational boating community,“ said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA Chief Executive Officer and President. “Paid for by recreational boaters, anglers, and manufacturers, the Trust Fund is the backbone of fisheries habitat restoration and boating infrastructure, providing critical funding for these efforts at the national and state levels, and we call on all members of Congress to swiftly approve this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill.”

    “With over 11 million registered boats in the United States, the reauthorization of the Sportfish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is critical to ensuring access to our shared waterways,” said David Kennedy, Manager of Boat U.S. Government Affairs. “This fund supports vital conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements that preserve aquatic ecosystems and enhance boating for everyone. On behalf of BoatUS members nationwide, we thank Representatives Dingell and Wittman for introducing this widely supported bill that will benefit all who enjoy the water.”

    MIL OSI USA News –