Category: Statistics

MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Leads the Nation in Housing Starts and Wholesale Trade Growth

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on May 15, 2025

Continued Positive Statistics, a Sign of Strong Financial Position

According to the latest data, Saskatchewan recorded a third consecutive month of rising wholesale (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding Oilseed and grain) trade sales with a 20.9 per cent increase year-over-year from March 2024 to March 2025, as well as a month-over-month increase of 10.2 per cent from February 2025 to March 2025. This ranked first in month-over-month and second in year-over-year growth among the provinces in this category. Wholesale trade (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding Oilseed and grain) reached $4.0 billion in March 2025.

In the first four months of 2025, urban housing starts in Saskatchewan increased by 93.8 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024. Saskatchewan ranked first among the provinces in percentage change. The province also saw a year-over-year increase of 88.3 per cent from April 2024 to April 2025, which ranks third among the provinces. Single family dwellings increased by 112.9 per cent , and multiple units increased by 81.8 per cent , compared to April 2024 as well. Saskatoon led the way in growth with a 221.9 per cent year-over-year increase and a 124.7 per cent year-to-date increase.

“The strong performance we are seeing in housing starts and wholesale trade is further evidence that Saskatchewan is one of the fastest-growing economies in Canada,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “These consistent increases reflect the success of our policies, which are driving job creation, investment and growth across all sectors. Saskatchewan remains a destination for opportunity and is open for business.”

Housing starts refers to the number of housing projects that started that month. While wholesale trade is a measure of the value of goods purchased in large quantities with the intention of being sold to resellers, but not to final consumers.

The provincial economy continues to see substantial growth. In 2007, the value of Saskatchewan exports was $19.8 billion, which has since climbed to nearly $50 billion on average over the past three years. In 2024, the province’s exports reached 161 countries. The Government of Saskatchewan remains focused on strengthening international relationships to diversify markets and boost exports.

Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2024 real GDP reached an all-time high of $80.5 billion, increasing by $2.6 billion, or 3.4 per cent. This ranks Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.

Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased last year by 17.3 per cent to $14.7 billion, ranking first among provinces. Private capital investment is projected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 10.1 per cent over 2024. This is the second highest anticipated percentage increase among the provinces.

Last year, the Government of Saskatchewan unveiled its new Securing the Next Decade of Growth – Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. This strategy, combined with Saskatchewan’s trade and investment website, InvestSK.ca, contains helpful information for potential markets and solidifies the province as the best place to do business in Canada.

For more information, visit: InvestSK.ca.

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MIL OSI Canada News –

MIL-OSI Russia: Azerbaijan’s ICT Sector Production Grew 7.8% in January-April 2025

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Baku, May 15 /Xinhua/ — In January-April 2025, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector of Azerbaijan showed a 7.8 percent year-on-year growth, reaching a production volume of 716 million manats /1 US dollar is equal to 1.7 Azerbaijani manats/, the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan reported on Thursday.

In April, the volume of production in the sector amounted to 190.5 million manat, which is 9 percent more year-on-year.

According to official data, the share of ICT in the country’s GDP in the first four months of the year was 1.8 percent. Azerbaijan’s total GDP for the reporting period amounted to 39.31 billion manats, an increase of 0.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

MIL-Evening Report: This election, young people held the most political power. Here’s how they voted

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University

This election, a lot of focus was directed at young voters. With Millennials and Gen Z now making up a larger share of the electorate than Baby Boomers, this was deserved.

But for all the attempts to reach these cohorts, whether through TikTok, influencers or podcasts, how did they actually vote?

Preliminary analysis of electorates with high shares of young people suggests the youth vote was complex and nuanced. The voting bloc continued its unpredictability, with support fragmented across parties, candidates and age groups.

Analysing voting patterns

On May 9, I analysed the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) electoral division results alongside youth enrolment statistics, to explore how the youngest electorates voted.

Rather than treating voters aged 18–44 as a single, homogeneous bloc, I separated them into Gen Z (aged 18–29) and Millennial (aged 30–44) categories. Evidence suggests that generation is more useful for analysis than age alone.

Electorates with higher shares of young people tended to favour the left, particularly Labor. Even in Liberal-held seats that didn’t change hands, there were clear swings against the Coalition.

Of course, electoral outcomes are shaped by more than age or generational factors. Seat-level voting reflects a complex mix of influences.

But while we await individual-level public opinion data, the best available insights come from examining electoral division characteristics using Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census data.

What happened?

Surprisingly, the Greens lost three of the country’s most youth-concentrated electorates: Melbourne, Brisbane and Griffith.

In Melbourne – still the electorate with the highest share of Gen Z voters – the Greens retained the largest primary vote, but lost the seat on preferences.

However, in Griffith, Labor had a higher primary vote, while in Brisbane, both major parties outpolled the Greens.

These electorates also have high percentages of renters, public servants, and residents earning above $90,000 a year – demographics that did not necessarily advantage the Greens. In fact, higher-income areas showed a slight lean towards the Liberals.

Other electorates with large youth shares also showed interesting dynamics. In La Trobe and Lindsay, both held by the Liberals but with growing shares of Millennials and renters, there were swings against the party.

Labor experienced swings against them in seats such as Solomon, Wills and Pearce.

Wills maintained a strong Greens primary vote, while Solomon recorded a significant independent vote. This is consistent with high shares of renters, public servants against the Coalition and tertiary-educated women, who are more likely to support minor parties and independents.

These patterns suggest a quiet divergence between Millennial and Gen Z voters. Millennials, while more likely than older generations to support progressive parties like Labor and, to a lesser extent, the Greens, do not show the same enthusiasm for independents. This indicates Millennials remain more aligned with traditional party politics.

In contrast, Gen Z voters appear more willing to abandon major parties altogether. This is a generational difference in values and political socialisation, but also a broader shift toward issue-based, campaign-sensitive, less predictable polling.

A fragmented young electorate

Even when we take into account the demographic makeup of seats, for a deeper analysis, disentangling the effects of overlapping factors is important. For example, as researcher Nicholas Biddle points out, age and renting are often correlated, so which variable is doing the explanatory work? Is it youth itself, housing tenure, or something else entirely? I dug deeper.

This further exploration revealed housing and employment factors played a role, even when we account for generational differences.

Electorates with high shares of renters were significantly more likely to support Labor and less likely to vote Liberal. Public-sector workers leaned clearly towards Labor and away from the Coalition.

Meanwhile, higher-income electorates (earning more than $90,000 a year) showed a slight, but not statistically significant, movement toward the Liberals and independents, and away from Labor and the Greens.

Electorates with a larger share of overseas-born residents also leaned modestly toward Labor, likely reflecting swings in areas with significant Chinese populations.

It’s difficult to know much about gender yet as we don’t have access to the right data. But we can find the intersecting effect of gender with other variables, such as higher education.

This revealed one of the most striking findings: the strongest positive predictor of a Greens or independent vote, removing all other variables, was the share of university-educated women. These voters consistently turned away from both major parties.

By contrast, electorates with more tertiary-educated people overall, but not specifically women, were more likely to stick with the major parties.

With younger generations containing more university-educated women than ever before, this is sobering news for both Labor and the Liberals.

Big takeaways

One mistake we keep making is treating the youth vote as a single bloc. This election reminds us there are two generations within the youth base.

Gen Z are still in their political formative years and they’re showing signs of drifting further from the major parties.

But Millennials, while still firmly left-leaning, seem to remain anchored to the two-party system.

Perhaps it’s a sign of political “adulting” – a recognition that minor parties and independents can struggle to wield power in the lower house.

Labor can still bank on Millennials, for now. But Gen Z, especially those who are highly educated, are the cohort to watch. They’re less loyal, and far less convinced that the traditional party structure speaks to them.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it for the Liberals: there’s no good news here in their current form.

But no party can get complacent.

The modern Australian electorate may lean left overall, but it’s also increasingly disillusioned with the majors. Preferential voting may mask this shift, but it doesn’t halt it.

The Greens, meanwhile, also have some soul-searching to do. Their campaign didn’t collapse, but their primary vote stalled.

To become a serious third party in the House of Representatives, the Greens must grow their primary vote and find a way to hold onto their volatile, youthful base as it ages.

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

– ref. This election, young people held the most political power. Here’s how they voted – https://theconversation.com/this-election-young-people-held-the-most-political-power-heres-how-they-voted-255769

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

MIL-Evening Report: How accurate are my medical records? You might be surprised how often errors creep in

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sheree Lloyd, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Management, University of Tasmania

DC Studio/Shutterstock

Medical records of hundreds of patients at a Sydney hospital’s cancer genetics service have been reviewed following irregularities related to care by a single specialist.

According to St Vincent’s Hospital, in about 520 records, there were matters such as poor documentation, incomplete correspondence and a lack of genetic counselling.

In about 20 records, there were errors that carried potential risk – even if, ultimately, there had been no harm to patients – such as providing incorrect information and advice.

Every now and again, cases like these make the headlines. Some examples of flawed medical records relate to individual human error. Some relate to issues in how electronic patient record systems are designed.

These and other reasons mean errors can arise when records are created, accessed and shared.

A huge potential for errors

Health-care records describe the symptoms, conditions or problems being treated. They contain details about a patient’s medication, diet, mobility, social history, family concerns, observations, test results and language spoken. Health-care workers also document the plan to restore health, and progress. So entries must be correct, complete and timely.

However, the scale of health-related communication and documentation is vast.

Each day on average in Australia there are more than 33,000 hospitalisations, more than 112,000 out-patient services provided and more than 24,000 visits to emergency departments.

Each month there are millions of specialist letters and discharge summaries shared to My Health Record

Every interaction with a health-care professional requires notes to be made in a medical record.

For example, a patient in a metropolitan public hospital is likely to be seen by at least three teams of nurses in a day, two or more junior doctors or registrars, as well as a specialist. Physiotherapists, speech therapists and other allied health workers may also be involved in someone’s care. Health-care teams record notes on paper, in electronic health records or a combination.

There are also the millions of medical records updated in general practice, or by allied health workers outside hospitals.

In hospital, multiple staff work in a team, each needing to consult and update a patient’s medical record.
Rido/Shutterstock

What type of errors are common?

Accurate and timely medical records are supposed to allow staff to make safe clinical decisions, and to provide high-quality and continuous care. However, errors have been discovered in several audits and studies, including those related to medications.

One review looked at how adverse drug reactions were recorded in electronic health records at one large Australian hospital. It found half of the reactions recorded lacked the minimum information required to inform clinicians about future treatment. One-third of records misclassified the type of reaction.

A study of medication charts in Australia and New Zealand found at least one simple error on the medication charts of about 94% of the records reviewed. These included illegible drug names, missing information and inadequate documentation of allergies.

One study from the United States found written errors, such as unclear documentation or not using plain language, were among the most common communication errors in the records analysed.

What happens when there are errors?

Errors in health-care records can spread, affecting how health-care professionals communicate with each other about the patient, potentially affecting care.

Missing or inaccurate records can affect evidence collected as part of criminal, coronial or medical negligence investigations.

As some hospital funding relies on the number and types of patients and interventions recorded, inaccurate records can affect health budgets.

With inaccurate records, national and international collection of correct health-care information can be compromised.

What causes errors?

Errors in health-care records are caused by missing or incomplete information, including when health-care workers do not document changes.

Difficulty in quickly finding important information, or delays in reporting new information, can contribute to errors, misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This could be due to the ease of use of the electronic health record, the bulky or disorganised paper record or that health workers are busy.

Health-care teams report using a mixed record systems (using both paper and electronic records) can cause problems.

Then there’s “note bloat”, when staff copy and paste information from one place to another. This allows wrong information to perpetuate. This is a well-known hazard leading to errors, stress and wasted time.

Abbreviations used in health-care records, particularly in medication charts, can be misunderstood or misinterpreted.

An Australian study found one in three medication errors were technology-related and due to poor design or functionality.

A Swedish study involved patients reviewing notes in their own medical records. It found almost 36% of patients found an error and more than 26% found an omission. About 18% of patients were offended by the content of the notes.

Errors can arise when there are both paper and electronic records.
val lawless/Shutterstock

What can we do?

Improving the accuracy of medical records is not just health workers’ responsibility, although clearly they have a major role to play. Their workplaces, the IT companies that design the electronic systems, even patients, can also play a role.

Health workers can make sure medical records are complete, accessible, accurate, readable and long-lasting.

Workplaces, such as hospitals, can highlight in training and education the importance of documentation and how poor practices can lead to errors, and contribute to safety and quality problems.

IT companies can design electronic health records that support how health workers need to communicate with each other, and the way they work.

Patients can ask their health provider to correct errors found in their records, including in My Health Record.

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

– ref. How accurate are my medical records? You might be surprised how often errors creep in – https://theconversation.com/how-accurate-are-my-medical-records-you-might-be-surprised-how-often-errors-creep-in-256233

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

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MIL-OSI NGOs: Northern Ireland: Executive’s racial equality strategy fails amid rising racist attacks in a ‘year of hate’

Source: Amnesty International –

15 May 2025, 01:59pm

New PSNI report shows 1,807 racist incidents 1,188 crimes in the year to end of March 2025 – the highest levels recorded since records began in 2004/05

Level of race hate incidents hit new high during summer 2024

‘These police figures should be a wake-up call to the Executive. Its racial equality strategy has failed. Promises made years ago remain broken. Meanwhile racism has grown’ – Patrick Corrigan

The last 12 months were a ‘year of hate’ according to Amnesty International following new figures published today (15 May) showing racist attacks hit an all-time high over the last year.

The figures were published today in a report by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), which tracked recorded hate crimes and incidents for the 12 months to the end of March 2025.

The report reveals that there 1,807 incidents 1,188 crimes recorded by the police in the year to date. There were 454 more race incidents and 349 more race hate crimes recorded in the last 12 months than in the previous corresponding period. 

Six of the eight highest monthly levels of race incidents since records began in 2004 were recorded between May and October 2024.

More than half (635) of recorded race hate crimes in the period were in Belfast.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

“The past year has been a year of hate for victims of racism in Northern Ireland. These figures should serve as a stark wake-up call for the Northern Ireland Executive.

“The Executive’s ten-year racial equality strategy has failed. Promises made years ago remain broken, while racism has been allowed to flourish. Last year, race hate crime hit an all-time high – a shameful milestone.

“As the current Racial Equality Strategy nears its expiration at the end of this year, the Executive must deliver more than rhetoric. It must implement a bold, effective action plan to confront and dismantle the toxic prejudice that has taken root across Northern Ireland.”

An independent review of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Racial Equality Strategy 2015 – 2025, commissioned by the Executive and published in December 2024, found the strategy has been undermined by the lack of an action plan and budget.

MIL OSI NGO –

MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Commend Indonesia on Child-Friendly Cities, Raise Questions on Mandatory Hijab Rules in Some Schools and the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation

Source: United Nations – Geneva

The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its review of the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Indonesia, with Committee Experts commending the State on child-friendly cities, while raising questions on mandatory hijab rules in some schools and how the country was tackling the high levels of female genital mutilation.

Philip Jaffe, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, said there had been many advancements in recent years to support children’s laws in Indonesia, including the national developmental planning, and the ambitious long-term “golden Indonesia” plan. It was pleasing to see there were child-friendly cities included within this plan. As of 2023, 459 out of 514 municipalities had conducted evaluations concerning child rights clusters which should be rejoiced.

Mr. Jaffe noted that the Committee was concerned about discrimination based on religion; could the State comment on situations of enforced mandatory hijab rules, even for non-Muslim girls, in some provinces?

Thuwayba Al Barwani, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, said it was disturbing that 24 provinces had forced girls to wear the hijab and that those who did not were forced to leave school, and it was estimated that around 150,000 schools still enforced this rule. Was this decision left to the provinces to apply?

Suzanne Aho, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said the Committee had received information that some women were carrying out female genital mutilation on infants of three or four months old. Was there a body which had the authority to prevent this and to prosecute these midwives? It seemed not enough action was being taken to put an end to these abusive practices. Another Expert asked if there had there been any court decisions prosecuting the practice of female genital mutilation? A Committee Expert said there seemed to be little evidence that programmes for female genital mutilation were having an effect. How did the Parliament ensure laws in this regard were implemented?

Concerning the hijab, the delegation said the incident which had occurred in a public school did not reflect national policy in any way, and the Government had acted swiftly in response. Following the incident, three Ministries issued a joint ministerial decree which ensured that no student, teacher or school staff were forced to wear religious attire against their will. The policy aimed to uphold national unity, religious tolerance and freedom belief. The Government had also consistently emphasised the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

The delegation said Indonesia recognised that female genital mutilation was a critical issue affecting the health and wellbeing of Indonesian women and girls, with a regulation specifically forbidding this practice. An action plan from 2020 to 2030 facilitated cooperation between the Government, civil society and community leaders, and incorporated a robust monitoring framework to ensure effective and sustainable interventions. Since 2021, Indonesia had systematically collected data on female genital mutilation, and the latest survey indicated a decrease from around 50 per cent in 2021 to around 48 per cent. Nowadays, the coordination of efforts to prohibit female genital mutilation was becoming stronger, with many sectors supporting this cause.

Introducing the report, Muhammad Ihsan, Assistant Deputy for Policy Formulation and Coordination for Child Protection, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of Indonesia, said currently, Indonesia was implementing the national human rights action plan for 2021–2025, which identified children as one of the priority groups that required targeted protection and policy intervention. The adoption of law no. 12 of 2022 on the crime of sexual violence represented a major step forward in strengthening legal protection for children from sexual violence by holding perpetrators accountable. Since the amendment of the marriage law in 2019, which raised the minimum legal age of marriage to 19 for both men and women, Indonesia had also taken concrete preventive measures, including the enforcement of the national strategy for the prevention of child marriage.

In closing remarks, Rinchen Chopel, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, congratulated the delegation of Indonesia for the productive dialogue. The establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights would go a long way in reinforcing the current institutions in place and disseminating the Committee’s concluding observations.

In his closing remarks, Munafrizal Manan, Director-General for Human Rights Services and Compliance, Ministry of Human Rights of Indonesia, said the Ministry was a new entity in the current administration which aimed to ensure the protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights. Indonesia’s participation underscored the strong commitment of the Government to the protection of children’s rights in the country.

The delegation of Indonesia was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Human Rights; the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of National Development Planning; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Coordinating Ministry of Political and Security Affairs; the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction; and the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here. The programme of work of the Committee’s ninety-ninth session and other documents related to the session can be found here.

The Committee will next meet in public at 3. pm on Thursday, 15 May to begin its consideration of the combined fifth and sixth periodic report of Iraq (CRC/C/IRQ/5-6).

Report

The Committee has before it the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Indonesia (CRC/C/IDN/5-6).

Presentation of Report

ACHSANUL HABIB, Ambassador, Chargé d’affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, expressed appreciation to all members of the Committee for engaging with Indonesia in the constructive dialogue on the promotion and protection of the rights of children in the country. Mr. Habib then introduced the delegation. Indonesia’s participation in the dialogue reflected the State’s commitment to upholding its obligations under the Convention.

MUHAMMAD IHSAN, Assistant Deputy For Policy Formulation and Coordination for Child Protection, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of Indonesia, said the fulfilment of the rights of the child continued to be a fundamental aspect of human capital development in Indonesia. Indonesia’s national priorities related to the rights of the child encompassed strategies such as the improvement of the quality of education, health, and nutrition; the expansion of social protection and child welfare; and the promotion of inclusive development, especially in frontier and least developed regions. These priorities were reflected in the 2025-2029 national medium-term development plan and the 2025-2045 long-term development plan.

To achieve these priorities, Indonesia had implemented key policies and programmes, including the free nutritious meals programme which provided daily balanced meals to school-aged children to combat malnutrition and stunting. Since its implementation in January 2025, the programme had reached 2.2 million school-aged children through 726 nutrition service units across 38 provinces, aimed at reaching 78.3 million school-aged children by the end of 2025. Another policy, the “Ruang Bersama Indonesia” or Indonesia shared space initiative, aimed to serve as a collaborative community platform to strengthen participation, protection, and educational spaces for women and children at the village level.

Currently, Indonesia was implementing the national human rights action plan for 2021–2025, which identified children as one of the priority groups that required targeted protection and policy intervention. The adoption of law no. 12 of 2022 on the crime of sexual violence represented a major step forward in strengthening legal protection for children from sexual violence by holding perpetrators accountable. Since the amendment of the marriage law in 2019, which raised the minimum legal age of marriage to 19 for both men and women, Indonesia had also taken concrete preventive measures, including the enforcement of the national strategy for the prevention of child marriage. This mechanism had proven effective with the decrease of the national child marriage rate from 10.35 per cent in 2020 to 6.92 per cent in 2023.

The Unit for the Crimes Related to Women and Children and Human Trafficking had been upgraded to a full-fledged Directorate under Indonesia’s National Police, further enhancing its capacity to investigate, respond, and prevent violence against children and women. The Government had established the Subnational Technical Implementation Units for the Protection of Women and Children across 38 provinces and 514 municipalities. The Units provided essential services, including temporary shelter, psychological counselling, health care, and legal support. To address gaps in protection at the local level, the Government was taking steps to advocate for sufficient budget allocations for child protection and provide capacity building and technical guidance for child protection professionals.

The Government was determined to strengthen online child protection at the national level and was adopting a comprehensive regulation that outlined medium-term measures to create a safer digital environment for children. Measures to regulate and guide the responsibilities of electronic system operators in upholding child safety standards were also being implemented. Efforts were also underway to enhance digital literacy among children and parents, equipping them with the knowledge needed to supervise and navigate online spaces safely.

Mr. Ihsan hoped the dialogue would result in valuable recommendations for Indonesia’s future endeavours to advance the rights of the child in the country, while taking into consideration religious, social and culture values.

Questions by Committee Experts

RINCHEN CHOPEL, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said Indonesia used to be the leading country for healthcare in Asia; he had visited Indonesia in his previous professional career and had emulated their healthcare programmes in his country of Bhutan. The Committee was here as a partner to work towards creating a safer Indonesia for its children.

PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, said there were 80 million children living in Indonesia. There had been many advancements in recent years to support children’s laws, including the national developmental planning, and the ambitious long-term “golden Indonesia” plan. It was pleasing to see there were child-friendly cities included within this plan. As of 2023, 459 out of 514 municipalities had conducted evaluations concerning child rights clusters which should be rejoiced. Was progress being made on the remaining 55 municipalities? What was being done beyond the evaluation in terms of implementation?

The Convention seemed to be the only human rights convention not ratified by law or enacted by parliament; what could be done about this? Could it be expected that Indonesia’s reservations to the Convention would be dropped? What efforts were being made to harmonise all legislation with the provisions of the Convention? Could the Government create the momentum needed for this harmonisation? Could more information be provided on the regulation regarding coordination on child protection?

What was the percentage of gross domestic product allocated to social protection? Were budgetary allocations tied to Indonesian child profiling, elaborated by the Indonesia Statistics entity? From reports, there was proportionately more budget being allocated to urban areas, between 15 to 20 per cent more; could this concern be addressed? How was data collection shared among ministries and integrated into policy? Were there any programmes to support the dissemination of the Convention at a national level, including in schools?

Were there complaints mechanisms in place for children in alternative care, schools and detention facilities? Where could children formulate complaints? Were there civil society organizations which could assist children in this regard? Were there any plans to ratify the Optional Protocol on the communications procedure? Had the Government been proactive in setting standards within the private sector in areas which affected children’s rights, including the agricultural sector and the tourism sector?

The Committee acknowledged that steps had been taken to reduce discriminatory practices, but had also received some disturbing information. How many dispensations were granted in the various provinces when it came to child marriage? What programmes were undertaken to reduce discrimination against children with disabilities? The Committee was concerned about discrimination based on religion; could the State comment on situations of enforced mandatory hijab rules, even for non-Muslim girls, in some provinces? What was being done to provide guidance to relevant authorities on the best interests of the child?

What was being done to assist Indonesian children who may be in camps in Syria? How many were left there? How many had returned? What was being done to integrate them? What was being done to reduce disparities in mortality rates in different areas, particularly rural areas? How much were children participating in the “golden Indonesia plan?”

There had been some great strides in birth registration, but there were also difficulties in remote areas, and around 10 to 15 per cent of children did not have complete birth certificates. How was this being addressed? What programmes had been put in place to combat religious intolerance?

SUZANNE AHO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said high levels of violence occurred against children in Indonesia via corporal punishment and torture. Regulations had been drawn up to deal with these issues, but were they actually implemented in practice? Did the population know about them? Were people responsible for violence against children punished by law? Was there a law in Indonesia which prohibited corporal punishment against children?

Could dispensations be used to circumvent the law and enact a child marriage? Why were so many dispensations given? The Committee had received information that some women were carrying out female genital mutilation on infants of three or four months old. Was there a body which had the authority to prevent this and to prosecute these midwives? It seemed not enough action was being taken to put an end to these abusive practices. Was there a law or legal provision focused on preventing the sexual abuse of children by tourists who came to Indonesia from other countries?

Was the helpline 129 accessible to children? Who ran this number and coordinated the calls and action taken? How were they trained? What had been done in Indonesia to tackle online sexual exploitation? Were there rehabilitation programmes for children who had been the victims of sexual exploitation? Were there specialised staff to help them? How many centres were available? How did children access these services? How were sexual predators punished? Were they deported from the country?

Was there a stipulated legal procedure for officially opening an orphanage? Were there certain conditions which needed to be met before an orphanage could be opened? Were orphanages subject to regular checks and supervision? In certain cases, could children return to their families from the orphanages? There were difficult situations for children living with disabilities who were sometimes subject to forced sterilisation. What was being done to protect those children? What support was given to the families of children living with disabilities?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said 55 Indonesian municipalities did not fulfil the 24 indicators which determined child-friendly cities. There was a team in place to assess this. Indonesia had a national coordinator who dealt with the monitoring and implementation of the Convention. Dispensations were typically given to children between the ages of 17 and 18 years old to allow them to be married. The State did not envisage many dispensations provided to children younger than these ages.

Indonesia’s commitment to advancing child health and wellbeing was reflected in its State budget. Substantial funding had been allocated to improving maternal health. In 2023, 64 per cent of children were covered by some form of health insurance. The number of neonatal deaths in Indonesia had decreased over the past 30 years. The three key causes of death were infection, respiratory and cardiovascular causes, and prematurity. Programmes were in place to address these key areas. All neonatal deaths in Indonesia were reviewed.

The Government was committed to ensuring that access to mechanisms for recovery was fulfilled for child trafficking victims. The oversight mechanism assigned specific roles and responsibilities to various ministries and government institutions. The arrest of child perpetrators by the police needed to be conducted in a humane manner, taking into account the child’s specific needs. Detention of children in the criminal juvenile justice system could only be carried out as a last resort.

The Indonesia Government recognised the suffering vulnerability of children associated with the foreign terrorist fighters, who were victims of circumstances beyond their control, often exposed to violence, exploitation and trauma. The State aimed to uphold their rights and protection. Around 400 Indonesian children and women resided in two camps in Indonesia. Repatriation was considered on a case-by-case basis based on security and the children’s needs. A taskforce had been established to handle issues associated with the foreign terrorist fighters, including taking responsibility for citizens abroad associated with this group.

Since its ratification of the Convention, Indonesia had made a significant effort to incorporate it into its legal system, most notably through the 2023 law on child protection. Indonesia’s National Police had established a Directorate for crimes against women, children and human trafficking. The Child Protection Commission had been established in four provinces.

The incident which had occurred in a public school did not reflect national policy in any way, and the Government had acted swiftly in response. Following the incident, three Ministries issued a joint ministerial decree which ensured that no student, teacher or school staff were forced to wear religious attire against their will. The policy aimed to uphold national unity, religious tolerance and freedom belief. The Government had also consistently emphasised the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Indonesia had made significant legal advancement in protecting children from sexual exploitation, both offline and online. The child protection law expressly prohibited all forms of sexual exploitation against children and mandated that victims be provided with psychological and rehabilitation services. The law also criminalised grooming and other kinds of exploitation conducted online. Several policies had been adopted aimed at creating a safe tourism environment for children, including guidelines for the prevention of the exploitation of children in tourism settings.

Indonesia recognised that female genital mutilation was a critical issue affecting the health and wellbeing of Indonesian women and girls, with a regulation specifically forbidding this practice. An action plan from 2020 to 2030 facilitated cooperation between the Government, civil society and community leaders, and incorporated a robust monitoring framework to ensure effective and sustainable interventions. Since 2021, Indonesia had systematically collected data on female genital mutilation, and the latest survey indicated a decrease from around 50 per cent in 2021 to around 48 per cent.

A strategy emphasised the obligation of health workers, community leaders and families to protect women from the harmful practice, and a circular issued prohibited midwives from providing such services.

Indonesia’s regulatory framework prohibited corporal punishment against children, although there was no specific legal provision in this regard. The Minister of Education had issued a comprehensive policy in 2023 aimed at preventing and responding to violence in education settings. A taskforce had been established in 27 provinces with the aim of creating a safer educational environment. A regulation was issued regarding birth certificates for children of unknown origins and unregistered marriages.

In March 2025, the President of Indonesia launched the Government regulation on the governance of electronic system implementation in child protection to protect children in the digital space. The policy emphasised the presence of the State in creating a safe, child-friendly digital space.

Indonesia regularly held coordination meetings on the rights of the child, and reporting of the implementation of the Convention. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights took part in training programmes for law enforcement personnel on human rights. Out of the 382 courts in Indonesia, 377 courts provided child-friendly courtrooms. There were 23 child-friendly religious courts. Reporting of the implementation of the Convention was regularly provided to all stakeholders, at the national and provincial levels. The Ministry of Human Rights regularly conducted dissemination activities relating to human rights, and involved a children’s forum where they could have their voices heard.

Ensuring equitable access to health care services in all regions remained a national priority. Mobile health services and cluster island-based services, among others, were designed to overcome geographical barriers. Through the special doctor deployment programme, more than 600 paediatricians had been placed in Government-owned hospitals in underdeveloped regions. School operational assistance supported the funding of schools in the most remote regions, covering primary, secondary, speciality and vocational schools.

A process had been established for the reunification of children in alternative care. The Government extended assistance, including financial aid, to the child and their family to ensure a successful reunification.

The Government had taken significant steps to uphold the reproductive rights of persons with disabilities, particularly focusing on preventing forced sterilisation practices. The enactment of the sexual violence crime law, which explicitly prohibited forced contraception and sterilisation, requiring consent of the individual, was a landmark achievement in this regard. However, challenges remained, as reports indicated this practice was still found, particularly affecting women with psychosocial disabilities in care institutions. Efforts were being made to monitor and enforce compliance with the law, including through conducting monitoring of facilities and developing mechanisms to address violence.

Special protection was provided to children belonging to minority groups, enabling them to practice their own culture and religion and use their own language. If children from these groups experienced trauma and violence, the State was obligated to provide social rehabilitation.

Questions by Committee Experts

THUWAYBA AL BARWANI, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, welcomed the enactment of the disability law in 2016. However, there was concern that its implementation was not translated into the national agenda. Were there any plans by the Government to rigorously implement and monitor regulations regarding the enactment of this law? There were reports that three per cent of children in Indonesia lived with a disability; had recent data been collected on disability? How was the Government planning to tackle the data issue for disability?

Reports indicated that at least 57,000 people in Indonesia had been shackled at least once in their lifetime. Was this accurate? Was the Government planning to fully ban this practice? What was being done to educate the country on the negative impacts of shackling on all persons, including children? What was the Government doing to improve the access of children with disabilities in the education system? What nutritional programmes were in place to address the issues of stunting and wasting of children with disabilities? What programmes were in place to support families with children with disabilities and encourage them not to send them to institutions but to keep them at home?

The steps taken by Indonesia to improve education were appreciated, but there was still more work to be done. What was being done to ensure that all children could complete their education? How was the Government increasing school enrolment and preventing dropout? Was there research which addressed the reasons that children and adolescents were out of school? What were the main obstacles which prevented the Government implementing the policy of free primary education?

It was disturbing that 24 provinces had forced girls to wear the hijab and that those who did not were forced to leave school, and it was estimated that around 150,000 schools still enforced this rule. Was this decision left to the provinces to apply? Was the decree by the three Ministries binding to all schools? What strategies were in place to ensure school retention and reintegration, particularly for victims of child marriages? How was the Government strengthening the quality of education, including by reforming its school curriculum? Was human rights education included in the mandatory school curriculum and in teacher training?

SUZANNE AHO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said poverty in the country was a major concern. Were there any measures envisaged to bring down the level of poverty? How many years was the programme providing food supposed to run?

RINCHEN CHOPEL, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said there had been significant investment in Indonesia’s health sector since the 1990’s. However, in recent times Indonesia had been consistently underinvesting in its health sector. What was the ground reality like? What was being done to address regional disparities, including by improving health infrastructure and increasing the number of qualified health professionals? How were infant and young child feeding practices being promoted?

The high rate of early pregnancy was concerning, as was the criminalisation of abortion, except in cases of rape or danger to the mother. What measures were being adopted to provide free contraception and decriminalise abortion? Indonesia had capital punishment for trafficking of illegal drugs, but their use was on the rise by adolescents. What was being done to address this issue? HIV/AIDS represented a pressing issue in Indonesia; given Indonesia’s comprehensive approach to care, what was not working in this regard?

Indonesia was experiencing a high rate of suicide, but had limited access to services. What steps were being taken to tackle this issue? What could be done to further protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children? Indonesia was one of the top 50 countries in the world where children were at risk of climate risk degradation, with 20 million exposed to coastal flooding and 15 million exposed to heatwaves. What was the current status of the national climate change policy and disaster contingency plans? Were they informed by child rights impact assessments?

It was encouraging that the State party hosted a large number of refugees, particularly Rohingya women and children. What was the mandate and capacity of the national taskforce on refugee response? What was the Government’s position on the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol? What were the ground realities of children belonging to indigenous communities?

The Committee was concerned about the significant numbers of children engaged in child labour. What measures were being taken to effectively implement the existing laws, including those which prohibited the economic exploitation of children, including by establishing labour inspectorates? The adoption of the Presidential Regulation in 2023 on the national action plan for human trafficking was welcomed. How was it ensured that noncustodial sentences were taken for children whenever possible?

PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, asked why Indonesia did not make a pledge at the ministerial conference in Bogota?

SUZANNE AHO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked if training was provided to police and security services on the use of violence? Child marriages still seemed to be taking place on the island of Sumba; had the State been able to address the forced marriage situation there? Was there a way to speed up the birth registration process?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said medical and social rehabilitation were vital for child victims of violence. The implementation of the reintegration of children who had experienced violence included several stages, including preparing children to return to their families and to interact within their social environment.

Indonesia had taken significant strides to integrate the rights of persons with disabilities into its national planning. A dedicated programme for persons with disabilities outlined two key approaches on ensuring access to basic services and protection from violence, and ensuring an inclusive approach to development. The fragmentation of data on disability was compounded by the lack of a standard definition of disability across sectors. Indonesia’s unique geographical characteristics, particularly the remote areas, posed challenges for data collection and resulted in gaps in data coverage. Capacity building activities were underway to equip staff with the necessary tools and skills to better gather and analyse disability data.

The health law prevented any forms of violence or shackling against persons with disabilities. Such acts should be punished in accordance with law. In 2024, 1,794 cases of shackling had been reported with 23 of those being children. Awareness raising had become the main priority to combat shackling in Indonesia, as these practices were mainly conducted due to a lack of education and understanding of those with psychosocial disabilities.

Indonesia had introduced programmes to lower the prevalence of child wasting and stunting. As a result of these initiatives, stunting and wasting rates had fallen between the period of 2018 and 2023. A programme was in place to provide daily nutritious meals to school-age children to combat child malnutrition which remained prevalent in several regions. By 2029, the Government aimed to expand the programme to serve an estimated 83 million children daily, making it one of the most ambitious social schemes globally.

Since the rollout of the programme, student feedback had been an important element for the Government. The initial phase had attracted criticism from youth regarding taste, portion and variety, and the Government recognised this was not a trivial concern. Every meal served was carefully formulated by certified nutritionists and the Government was working to improve the points raised.

The sudden scale of the programme rollout had resulted in breaches in food safety protocols, including hygiene standards. The Government responded swiftly by deploying health inspectors to conduct evaluations and temporarily halted meal distribution pending safety clearance. Medical care and financial compensation were provided to victims and their families. Following this incident, standards had been introduced on food hygiene and the emergency protocol, a revised manual was issued for meal production, and a centralised digital platform was under development to support the programme and monitor incidents.

Indonesia was making strides in promoting breast feeding as a key strategy in reducing stunting and improving child nutrition. There were more than 4,000 breast feeding trainers across 38 provinces, with plans to increase this number. The draft ministerial regulation on exclusive breast feeding was currently being developed. These efforts were part of Indonesia’s commitment to ensuring every child’s right to nutrition.

In 1999, the Government ratified International Labour Organization Convention 138 concerning the minimum age of employment; the Government had set the minimum age of employment to 15 years, with an exception for 13-year-olds who were undertaking light work. Sanctions were in place for those who violated provisions for child labour, including prison for two years or heavy fines.

The 2025 to 2029 national development plan included a key indicator for preventing child labour, with the objective to reduce the child labour rate to 1.65 per cent by 2029. The Government was committed to protecting domestic workers, including through two laws enacted in 2017 and 2015 respectively, which prohibited the employment of domestic workers under the age of 18. The bill on the protection of domestic workers was included in the national legislation as a priority.

The national action plan on gender and climate change encouraged children’s participation and education on climate change related matters. The climate action campaign, which mobilised actions on air pollution and the water crisis, had engaged around 2,500 children. The resilient education framework aimed to make schools safer and better prepared during natural disasters. Guidelines had been published to ensure that children’s needs were prioritised in disaster preparedness efforts. The Government had expanded access to programmes aimed at strengthening teachers’ skills, subject matter expertise, and cultural sensitivity.

Indonesia had undertaken several initiatives in the spirit of international solidarity and commitment, including the regulation adopted in 2016 concerning the handling of refugees abroad. This regulation served as an operational guideline to ensure the protection and fulfilment of basic needs for refugees. As of December 2024, there were more than 3,000 refugee and asylum-seeking children residing in Indonesia, with 186 of them registered as unaccompanied. The State was committed to ensuring that refugee children had access to school age education. As of September 2023, 808 refugee children were registered in accredited public schools and more than 1,300 were involved in skilled training. The State had consistently provided humanitarian assistance to refugees and would continue to do so, and regularly participated in regional dialogues on the issue of shared responsibility.

Contraceptive drugs and methods could only be delivered by health workers and other trained personnel. The Government continued to strengthen the supply and distribution of contraception devices. Infrastructure was being improved to provide unhindered access for those in remote areas. Pregnant students’ right to education was fulfilled through the provision of alternative education offerings. To address the reproductive health needs of women and girls, the Government had established a clear legal and regulatory framework allowing abortion under strict circumstances. Abortion was allowed up to 14 weeks in cases where the mother’s life was at risk or in cases of rape.

Indonesia recognised that the early detection of HIV was critical in eliminating mother to child transmission. HIV services were being integrated into the broader maternal and child health framework through enhancing the capacities of healthcare workers to conduct early screening of HIV during the pregnancy and ensuring appropriate treatment. Between 2021 to 2024, the percentage of pregnant women tested for HIV rose from 51 per cent to 71 per cent. The positive rate among those tested was 0.2 per cent. The State ensured that all mothers living with HIV received the care they need to live healthy lives and raise healthy children.

The Government had initiated the funding of schools in remote areas. From 2021 to 2025, the total number of students enrolled in educational institutions rose from 39.4 million to 52.5 million, reflecting an increase of around 33 per cent. This significant growth reflected improved retention rates and a strong transition of children into a higher level of learning.

Questions by Committee Experts

RINCHEN CHOPEL, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked if Indonesia had already increased the age of criminal responsibility to 14? Regarding abortion, while rape and threat to the mother’s life was covered, the issues of incest and foetal impairment were not mentioned; could more information be provided? Indonesia had the highest rate of early pregnancy in south-east Asia, which was concerning, possibly due to barriers to contraception for children. This issue needed to be addressed. Was Indonesia aware of the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s general comment 36 on children’s rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change? The Government was urged to study this general comment and roll it out.

THUWAYBA AL BARWANI, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, said she had read a study which stated that poor families sent their children, especially girls, to Madrasas which taught only Islamic studies; what would be the fate and future of these girls? This perpetuated the poverty cycle.

SUZANNE AHO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said there were children who had been detained with adults and became victims of violence in prison settings. Would the State aim to tackle the issue of female genital mutilation head-on? What was the State doing to combat child prostitution?

PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Vice-Chair and Taskforce Member, asked if the mandate of the Child Protection Commission only covered the promotion of children’s rights, or if children were able to make complaints? What was the difference between the child protection index and the Indonesian child’s profile? Were there efforts to make the helplines more accessible to children in remote areas? The National Commission on Violence against Women reported that 73 regulations of enforced hijab were still active in August 2023; what had happened since then?

A Committee Expert said Indonesia had a national action plan on human rights from 2021 to 2025; had there been any mid-term assessment or evaluation of this plan? Could the Convention and its protocols be invoked in national courts? Had there been any court decisions prosecuting the practice of female genital mutilation?

Another Expert asked if juvenile courts existed in Indonesia? What type of alternative care was offered to children who needed to be separated from their families? How were children of incarcerated parents supported?

A Committee Expert said there seemed to be little evidence that programmes for female genital mutilation were having an effect. How did the Parliament ensure that laws in this regard were implemented? Had there been programmes on positive masculinity in schools? Was HIV/AIDS screening mandatory before marriage?

Another Expert asked from what age could exceptions be provided for child marriage? How many girls had received these exceptions? Did the girls have an opportunity to oppose the decision? The children in the Syrian camps were suffering on a daily basis and needed to be repatriated urgently. When would they be repatriated and what programmes would be put in place to reintegrate them?

A Committee Expert asked what plans and strategies the Government had implemented to ensure strict regulations, better teachers’ training, and robust reporting mechanisms to protect children from violence and abuse in education settings?

Another Committee Expert asked if different cases were handled by different judges depending on the age of the child? Were there alternative penalties other than incarceration provided?

An Expert asked if the Government policy on protecting victims of crime, particularly sexual exploitation, had improved? Was there anything being done to specifically assist and rehabilitate victims of sexual violence?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said Indonesia already had an effective complaints mechanism regarding the Convention. Access to justice was enhanced by a complaints channel established through the dedicated human rights communications surface. Since 2020, it had received around 2,800 submissions of complaints. The National Commission for the Protection of Children had a system which allowed anyone to submit their complaints through WhatsApp. Indonesia had proactively contributed to the Bogota ministerial conference by providing feedback on the document and participating in the conference. However, it was regretful that the document was not the result of a participatory project between all Member States of the United Nations, which was why Indonesia did not make a pledge during the conference.

There were 30 medical indications of abortion, and foetal impairment was one of the indications. Incest was included as an indication if it was determined that the girl had been unfit to provide consent, in which case it was considered as sexual violence. Indonesia had heard that one of the big community organizations had announced providing circumcision for boys and girls at an event; in response the Government had pushed the organization to cancel circumcision for girls with support from many sectors. Nowadays, the coordination of efforts to prohibit female genital mutilation was becoming stronger, with many sectors supporting this cause.

The national human rights action plan was one of the national policies of the Indonesian Government in realising the fulfilment, respect and enforcement of human rights. It was designed to respond to the society’s evolving human rights conditions. The current plan had targets in four groups consisting of women, children, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups, with measures outlined for each group to ensure equality was achieved.

There were challenges regarding the foreign terrorist fighters, as many identification documents had been burned. At the Indonesian border, there was an evaluation of individuals and the security situaiton on the ground. The Indonesian Government needed to ensure security for the children and those facilitating their repatriation. All Ministries were involved in the reintegration, rehabilitation and de-radicalisation of returnees. A programme was in place to help children recover from trauma, facilitate their reintegration in Indonesian society, and combat religious ideologies. All repatriations needed to be carried out with the best interests of the child in mind, including keeping in mind if it was in their best interests to be separated from adults.

Indonesia did not tolerate underage marriage; while cultural traditions were respected, they needed to respect human rights principles. Child marriage was prevalent in Sumba, and the Government was working intensively with the community and community leaders to tackle this issue, including by conducting awareness raising campaigns.

The annual budget for legal aid had been elevated in 2025. Madrassas were part of the religious-based schools and were equal to public schools. Their curriculum followed the national system of education. Two ministries, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, were responsible for education, and directed the schools under their authorities to establish taskforces to deal with the issue of violence at school.

The child protection law affirmed the right of all children to be raised by their parents, with separation only enacted as a last resort. The correctional nutrition house programme had been introduced to prevent stunting at an early life stage and empowered incarcerated women with knowledge in nutrition.

The National Narcotics Board had been conducting activities on drug usage, targeting students. The prevention programme for juveniles in youth correctional centres included anti-drug awareness, with at least one session per year conducted on a regular basis.

The Government had enacted the juvenile justice system law to ensure judicial processes were carried out in the best interests of the child. To ensure protection, incarcerated children were placed in separate settings from adults. Child cases were managed separately to avoid delays and children’s overexposure to court environments.

In 2015, eight Ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to create better synergy in accelerating the legislation for birth certificates, both for children in Indonesia and abroad. A circular had been issued to all health facilities mandating medical workers to provide information on birth registration and certificates at the time of birth. Outreach visits were conducted to the families of newborns to ensure their birth registration was processed. These measures ensured every newborn automatically received a birth certificate and national identity card.

Closing Remarks

RINCHEN CHOPEL, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, congratulated the delegation of Indonesia for the productive dialogue. The establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights would go a long way in reinforcing the current institutions in place and disseminating the Committee’s concluding observations. The Committee would continue to urge the Government to reconsider its decision not to ratify the Optional Protocol on individual communications. It was also concerning that Indonesia had not reported on the other two Optional Protocols since 2014; the Government was urged to do so urgently. Mr. Chopel wished the delegation a safe journey home and relayed the Committee’s good wishes to the children of Indonesia.

MUNAFRIZAL MANAN, Director-General for Human Rights Services and Compliance, Ministry of Human Rights of Indonesia, said the Ministry of Human Rights was a new entity in the current administration which aimed to ensure the protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights. Mr. Manan extended sincere gratitude to the Committee for the collaborative and open dialogue. Indonesia’s participation underscored the strong commitment of the Government to the protection of children’s rights in the country. The delegation had taken note of the Committee’s comments and advice and would ensure they were translated into concrete actions. The State was committed to ensuring that children could enjoy their rights and reach their full potential.

ACHSANUL HABIB, Ambassador, Chargé d’affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, conveyed appreciation to the Committee for the instructive engagement. The delegation would submit any extra responses within 48 hours, and looked forward to receiving balanced concluding observations and recommendations. Mr. Habib thanked all those who had made the dialogue possible.

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Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

CRC25.011E

MIL OSI United Nations News –

MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Welcoming US scientists and researchers to Europe after Trump administration budget cuts – E-001093/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The EU is a safe and attractive place for global researchers, and the Commission is working to further enhance the attractiveness of the EU as a place to conduct cutting-edge research. For example, by supporting the implementation of the new European framework for research careers[1], including the new European Charter for Researchers[2], with a view to retaining EU talents and attracting international ones, including from the US[3].

Several initiatives are in the pipeline to further attract international talents. This includes a new ‘Choose Europe for Science’ Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA)[4] already in 2025 to provide excellent researchers coming to Europe with pathways to stable employment[5], increasing the funding for European Research Council (ERC)[6] grantees who move to Europe from abroad, as well as a visa strategy.

At the same time, EURAXESS[7] continues to provide personalised support to incoming researchers, covering topics such as visas, relocation, career development, pensions, and family integration.

Furthermore, the European Research Area (ERA) Talent Platform[8] as a one-stop-shop for researchers ensures the visibility of the attractive environment of European careers, and a Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (ReICO)[9] will provide as of mid-2025 data from EU Member States and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD) countries on research careers to support additional evidence-based policies. Targeted communication activities are currently being assessed.

A proposal for a legislative ‘ERA Act’ is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2026, which will include measures to further strengthen researchers’ careers and mobility, including the freedom of scientific research, thereby enhancing Europe’s attractiveness for researchers.

The upcoming advanced digital skills academies under the Digital Europe Programme will include the possibility of establishing fellowship schemes, allowing PhD students and young professionals to work in EU-based companies.

[1] Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe, OJ C C2023/1640, 29/12/2023.
[2] https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/hrexcellenceaward/european-charter-researchers .
[3] Measures include for example a Mutual Learning Exercise ( https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/statistics/policy-support-facility/psf-challenge/mutual-learning-exercise-research-careers ) under the Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility supporting the exchange of good practices by Member States, a Horizon Europe Talent Ecosystems pilot call https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-02-03?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094503,31094502&frameworkProgramme=43108390&callIdentifier=HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-02&order=ASC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=identifie supporting attractive careers for early-career researchers, the HR Excellence in Research award https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/hrexcellenceaward to improve working conditions in organisations employing researchers, based on the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, and the enhancement of the RESAVER https://www.resaver.eu/ complementary pension scheme for researchers.
[4] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_657 .
[5] The MSCA also provide a wide range of training, mobility and career development opportunities that are already available and open to researchers of all nationalities, including US researchers. See https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/.
[6] https://erc.europa.eu/about-erc/erc-glance.
[7] https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ .
[8] https://ec.europa.eu/era-talent-platform/ .
[9] https://ec.europa.eu/era-talent-platform/reico/ , developed in partnership with the OECD with Horizon Europe support.

MIL OSI Europe News –

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH urges high-risk individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible as COVID-19 activity hits one-year high in Hong Kong

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH urges high-risk individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible as COVID-19 activity hits one-year high in Hong Kong
“After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of COVID-19 in every six to nine months. Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP is of the view that COVID-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a periodic pattern. According to the CHP’s analysis, the active periods are associated with the changes in the predominant circulating strains and declining herd immunity in Hong Kong. In early 2024, the predominant strains circulated locally changed from XBB to JN.1; while in the third quarter of 2024, they changed from JN.1 to KP.2 and KP.3; and they have further changed to XDV since late March this year. There is no evidence suggesting that XDV will cause more severe disease. Nevertheless, the changing nature of the virus should not be taken lightly. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation of the variant strains in accordance with the World Health Organization’s recommendation, and be cautious of the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus in the future,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

According to the latest surveillance data as of the week ending May 10, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the test positivity rate and the cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests in the laboratory have continued to rise over the past four weeks. In particular, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus gradually increased to 13.66 per cent from 6.21 per cent four weeks ago (the week of April 6 to 12), which is a record high in the past year. For sewage surveillance, the per capita viral load of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 710 000 copy/litre, which was also significantly higher than that of about 390 000 copy/litre four weeks ago. During the same period, the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases at Accident and Emergency departments, general out-patient clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics also recorded a significant increase.

“According to the surveillance data after the resumption of normalcy, there were two relatively active periods of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, which lasted for about 15 weeks from April to July 2023 and for about seven weeks from February to March last year. COVID-19 became more active in mid-April of this year (i.e. about four weeks ago). Based on previous statistics, we expect the activity level of COVID-19 to remain at a higher level for at least the next few weeks,” said Dr Tsui.

Regarding severe and fatal cases, in the past four weeks, the CHP recorded a total of 81 COVID-19 severe cases (including 30 fatal cases) involving adults. Epidemiological investigation showed that 83 per cent of the patients being elderly persons aged 65 or above, and more than 90 per cent of these elderly cases had underlying illnesses. Only one case had received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the past six months.

For children, the CHP has recorded five severe cases (no fatal case) so far this year. Of which, two have underlying illnesses and three cases have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “This shows that even children who have been in good health can experience severe complications from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, I hope that parents will not hesitate to bring their children to complete the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The currently prevalent XDV strain is a related variant of JN.1. Therefore, the JN.1 vaccine used in Hong Kong is effective in preventing the disease, reducing the risk of severe illness and death, and enhancing herd immunity,” said Dr Tsui.

“Currently, the proportion of high-risk groups, especially the elderly, receiving booster doses of the vaccine is relatively low. This suggests that the public does not attach much importance to vaccination. Based on the surveillance data and vaccination figures, the CHP projected that about 75 per cent of the elderly aged 65 or above living in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly and 90 per cent of those living in the community had not received booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine timely according to the CHP’s recommendation. I would like to reiterate my appeal to the high-risk groups, especially the elderly and persons with underlying illnesses, to receive an additional booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible,” Dr Tsui added.

Apart from vaccination, the public should maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of infecting COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when travelling on public transport or staying in crowded places. When respiratory symptoms appear, one should wear a surgical mask, consider avoiding going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
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For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP’s weekly COVID-19 & Flu ExpressIssued at HKT 20:36

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

MIL-OSI USA: Boyle In Ways & Means Markup: You Won’t Be Able to Spin The 13.7M Americans Who Lose Their Health Care

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC – In today’s Ways and Means Committee markup, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, slammed the Republican plan to cut taxes for billionaires while throwing 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance, as confirmed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Remarks as delivered and video are below:

(Click for video of remarks as delivered)

Congressman Boyle’s full opening remarks as delivered:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, here we are, the president’s big, beautiful bill for billionaires: tax cuts, almost all of which go to the top 1 percent paid for by the biggest cut to health care in American history.

Don’t take my word for it. Just days ago, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that at least 13.7 million Americans will lose their health care because of this bill. That’s historic.

I went back and checked. No other previous bill, no other previous law, no other previous event caused so many millions of Americans to lose their health care. Not even the Great Depression.

So, congratulations. This is one hell of an achievement. And why? All to pay for tax cuts for the richest people in America, the top 1 percent. Now you can understand why many of us on the Democratic side are attacking this awful proposal, but it’s not just us.

Just yesterday, conservative Republican from Missouri, Senator Josh Hawley called cutting Medicaid and the other health programs “morally wrong.” He’s right, but that’s not all.

It turns out after cutting Medicaid and cutting the Affordable Care Act and cutting nutrition assistance and cutting education programs and on and on and on, even after all of that, all of those cuts as large as they are only pay for about 25 percent of the tax cuts for the rich.

So how does this legislation pay for the rest of it? More added to the national credit card. Our national debt will explode as a result of this, to the tune of almost $4 trillion more added to the national debt.

I never want to hear ever again anyone on the other side lecture us about deficit and debt. No single piece of legislation in my time here in Congress will do more to add to the national debt than this one.

The American people get it. They were asked a few weeks ago in one opinion poll, do you support cutting Medicaid to pay for tax cuts? 81 percent of the American people said no, and that was before the Congressional Budget Office confirmed that over 13 million Americans will lose their health coverage.

Now sure, you can spin numbers, you can spin statistics. It’s the reason why Mark Twain once said there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

You won’t be able to spin the thirteen and a half million Americans who lose their health care as a result of this bill. No amount of spinning will convince them to believe something contrary to what they actually are about to live.

I say to all of my colleagues here, we can do better. We can ensure that we have tax relief for almost every American, and we can do it in a way that doesn’t rip away health coverage from more than 13 million Americans.

I urge all of my colleagues to reject this big, beautiful bill for billionaires. I yield back.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Secretary of State visit highlights NI company’s major growth under Windsor Framework

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Secretary of State visit highlights NI company’s major growth under Windsor Framework

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland visits food distribution company, PRM, as figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show the Northern Ireland economy grew faster than the UK as a whole in the final quarter of 2024.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn with CEO and Founder of PRM Group Philip Morrow and Company Director Lynne Morrow.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland today [Wednesday 14 May] visited PRM, a leading food distribution company based in Lisburn. While there, he learned more about the significant growth the company has seen from having the benefit of dual market access provided under the Windsor Framework. This status, unique only to Northern Ireland, allows the free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and the EU.

PRM has said that dual market access to both the UK and EU is a major factor behind its growth strategy, which over the past year has enabled it to commit to a £15m investment in its Lisburn headquarters paired with the creation of 40 additional jobs.

The NI Composite Economic Index (NICEI) from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) shows that in each of the five sectors it tracks, Northern Ireland grew in output between October and December 2024. Output rose by 0.9% in Q4, contributing to a yearly growth in output of 3.6% across NI. Whilst for the UK overall, Q4 growth was 0.1% and yearly growth was 1.4%.

Today’s visit follows the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of two new trade deals with the US and India. Both deals will open up new export opportunities for businesses across Northern Ireland, providing them with full market access to two of the world’s largest economies and enabling them to grow further and thrive. Sectors said to benefit the most from these trade deals include agricultural food products, biotechnology manufacturing and whiskey.

Speaking after his visit, the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, said:

“PRM’s expansion is a great example of how dual market access is helping Northern Ireland’s businesses to expand and create more jobs.

“With full access to both the UK and EU markets, and now new trade opportunities with the US and India, Northern Ireland is uniquely placed for success.

“These are tangible benefits that are strengthening Northern Ireland’s economy and creating prosperity.”

Philip Morrow, CEO and Founder of PRM Group, said:

“While Brexit brought with it understandable apprehension, there’s no doubt that the Windsor Framework has unlocked unique advantages for businesses and individuals in Northern Ireland.

“We have found ourselves in a very favourable position perfectly positioned between the UK and EU with full access to both markets. That’s an enviable place to be, and it’s been instrumental in shaping our investment decisions and future growth.

“At PRM, it’s allowed us to commit £15 million to expanding our Lisburn headquarters and create over 40 new jobs. Businesses here have been handed the key to the best of both worlds and that’s something we should champion, celebrate and capitalise on.”

Our Plan for Change sets out a bold vision for Northern Ireland’s economic future – to go further and faster in driving growth, attracting investment, and putting more money in the pockets of working people. Expanding international trade, cutting red tape and supporting innovation are key pillars to this plan.

The government continues to operate the Duty Reimbursement Scheme, allowing companies to claim back any additional duties paid on goods deemed “at risk” of entering the EU, ensuring fairness and competitiveness.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Israeli airstrikes kill at least 80 in Gaza, cripple cancer hospital

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

GAZA, May 15 (Xinhua) — At least 80 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Palestinian medical and institutional sources said.

The shelling of the town killed 54 people, including women and children, according to a press statement issued by Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis.

Gaza’s European Hospital, the only medical facility in the Palestinian enclave that provides cancer care, was put out of action by recent Israeli airstrikes, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave.

The attacks by the Jewish state “caused significant damage to infrastructure, in particular sewer lines, damaged department buildings and destroyed roads leading to the hospital,” the authorities said in a press statement.

Medical sources also told Xinhua that another 26 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and other areas in the northern part of the enclave.

On May 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the Jewish state’s military would enter the Gaza Strip “with full force” in the coming days to continue the defeat of the Hamas movement.

Israel resumed full-scale military action in Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month truce. Since then, 2,876 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,800 wounded, according to health officials in the enclave.

The total number of Palestinians killed since the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began on October 7, 2023, reached 53,010 as of Thursday, according to official statistics from Gaza’s health authorities. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

MIL-OSI Banking: IMCA Safety Statistics Report 2024: Line of Fire incidents remain leading cause of lost-time injuries

Source: International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA

Headline: IMCA Safety Statistics Report 2024: Line of Fire incidents remain leading cause of lost-time injuries

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has today published its annual Safety Statistics Report, showing that ‘line of fire’ incidents remained the leading cause of lost time injuries (LTIs) among IMCA marine contractor Members in 2024, accounting for more than half (52%) of such injuries.

The research, which IMCA has published each year since 1996, found that the total lost-time injury rate (LTIR) across its contributing Members’ onshore and offshore operations remained unchanged at 0.3 incidents per million hours worked. This follows steady improvements since 2010, when the LTIR was more than twice as high as recorded in 2024.

Meanwhile, the total recordable injuries rate (TRIR) rose slightly (from 1.07 to 1.1 injuries per million hours worked), a pattern seen across the energy industry, although IMCA contractor Members saw a small improvement in the total recordable injury rate recorded for offshore from 1.47 injuries per million hours worked in 2023, to 1.38 in 2024.

Just over half (52%) of lost time injuries reported were ‘line of fire’ related injuries. Understanding the underlying causes of these accidents and how they can be reduced will be a priority for IMCA, working with its Members and partner organisations, in 2025. Slips and trips were the second main cause of LTIs, accounting for 22% of the total in 2024.

The fatal accident rate (FAR) halved from 0.63 fatalities per 100 million hours worked in 2023, to 0.3 fatalities in 2024. For offshore workers, the rate fell from 0.41 in 2023 to 0.18 in 2024 – the lowest fatality rate ever recorded by IMCA contractor Members.

This year’s data was supplied by 198 of IMCA’s contractor Members, who between them submitted a record 1,015,000 hours of data. The research is available to both IMCA Members and non-Members, enabling them to benchmark their performance against similar sized companies.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Funding allocated for more temporary accommodation

Source: City of Plymouth

Homeless families in Plymouth are set to benefit from an additional £334,380 in investment in temporary accommodation.

The money will help purchase four homes from the open market that can be used to temporarily house local families.

It comes after the Council were already successful in obtaining £1,531,231 from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of round three of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF)

The proposal is for the grant to be passported to Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), and Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH) to directly acquire, own and manage these family homes. BCHA have already successfully delivered the previous two rounds of the Local LAHF.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development, said: “Providing more temporary accommodation for homeless families in Plymouth is a key part of the measures we’re putting in place to tackle the housing crisis.

“Having more options specifically for families is especially key because we are well aware of the detrimental effects to mental health caused by prolonged period in accommodation that is not suitable for the needs of whole households.

“These people aren’t statistics; they’re human beings with real lives and so anything we can do to help make such a stressful period of their lives that little more tolerable is time and money well spent.”

Victoria Allen, Chief Executive of Path (Plymouth Access to Housing), said: “The Local Authority Housing Fund is an excellent initiative which helps provide temporary accommodation for families and we are thrilled to be able to help with providing more housing as part of this scheme.

“We have been working closely with BCHA and the Council to deliver this programme and we have already seen two successful rounds of the fund that have been delivered to support those who are eligible, and we look forward to working with them for this next phase.”

Nicola Greenfield, Director of Support at BCHA said ‘We are delighted to be in a position to provide these homes in Plymouth for families in need.

“The grant, along with BCHA’s additional funding, will enable these much needed, good quality and affordable homes in the area.

“The close working between ourselves, the Plymouth Alliance and Plymouth City Council has helped make these additional homes a reality.”

Three of the homes will be used as family temporary accommodation and one house for the resettlement of Afghan families who are in the UK as part of the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme or Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

These two initiatives are designed to relocate locally-employed staff who worked for British forces, often in dangerous and challenging situations, during the conflict in their country.

The staff, who have moved with their families, provided roles such as translators, interpreters or clerks. Their work undoubtedly contributed to saving British lives and, in recognition of the commitment and bravery shown since 2013, they are entitled to build new lives in the UK.

Plymouth is just one of a number of cities involved in the scheme and the city’s involvement supports its strong connections with the Armed Forces and further boosts Plymouth’s credentials as a welcoming city.

The aim is that these properties will be purchased and lived in by March 2026.

MIL-OSI Russia: “Real School of Life”: HSE Students Take Part in BRICS Youth Summit

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Photo: Higher School of Economics

In April, the next BRICS Youth Innovation Summit was held in Cape Town, South Africa. Our country was again represented by students from the Higher School of Economics. The event was organized by the South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA).

The BRICS Youth Summit 2025 was held under the theme “Innovating the Future: Technologies for Sustainable Development and Social Well-being”. It provided a new generation of innovators with the opportunity to address global challenges through collaborative technological solutions that promote sustainable development and social equality in the BRICS countries and the entire Global South. The summit was attended by over 50 delegates from 12 countries, as well as 50 observers from various institutions and organizations in South Africa.

As in the previous year, the selection of HSE delegates was carried out by the Centre for International Student Mobility and Educational Projects of the Internationalisation Directorate. The organisers not only provided HSE students with a unique opportunity to participate in the summit free of charge, but also covered all expenses for their stay in Cape Town during the event.

The delegation included the following students:

Diana Fakhritdinova, OP “Economics and statistics“;

Mary Oganesyan, OP “Economics and statistics“;

Anna Danilova, OP “Pharmaceutical law and healthcare“.

The participants shared their impressions of the summit, communication with representatives of different countries and African nature.

Diana Fakhritdinova and Meri Oganesyan presented their joint project Just.Display in the category “Digital Transformation for Economic Growth” and won a prize.

“Mary and I were lucky enough to attend the BRICS Youth Summit, which this year took place in the bright and memorable Cape Town. Sending our application rather at random, we did not expect to receive a positive response from the selection committee. But as soon as it arrived, we immediately started preparing the presentation of our project,” said Diana Fakhritdinova. “We have been developing the Just.Display project since school. It is an effective solution for managing advertising and information screens. It is a modern platform that provides instant content updates on any digital media — from single screens to large-scale networks. The system combines a simple interface, mobility in management and technology at the level of high corporate standards. Today, our solution is used in such organizations as the Skolkovo Technopark, the Donstroy development company, and others. We continue to improve the product and develop our name in the market, offering clients a reliable, scalable and intuitive solution for operational management.

We are proud that we were able to present our project at such a representative event. A lot of effort and energy was invested in the preparation, and it was completely justified. Finding ourselves surrounded by proactive participants and organizers, we immediately felt how serious the level of the summit was. Everyone shared ideas and stories of their projects – useful, thoughtful and truly significant. It was cool to see how startups created by the same students are already bringing tangible benefits and striving for more.

On the day of the presentations, the atmosphere became calmer: everyone had already met, the excitement had subsided a little. We presented our project, showing what our team is capable of, confidently answered the jury’s questions and eagerly awaited the results. Third place was a real surprise for us, especially considering that we were the youngest participants of the summit.

Mary and I would like to sincerely thank HSE and Center for International Student Mobility and Educational Projects Directorates of Internationalization for the support, knowledge and opportunities that give us self-confidence and help us develop not only in our studies but also in real projects. Special thanks to the director of the center Valeria Vadimovna Sokolova for her support and assistance at all stages of preparation and participation in the summit.

Such events are a real school of life. We returned home with an incredible amount of insights, connections, skills and knowledge. We were lucky to meet a huge number of proactive people, and we have already started developing collaborations with some of them.”

Anna Danilova presented her project in the category “Artificial Intelligence and Big Data for Social Good”. “My project was dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Its main goal is to ensure the availability of the system for any segment of the population and the population of any territorial remoteness in order to improve the level of health and well-being,” says the student. – According to our idea, the algorithm works together with a medical specialist and currently acts only as an auxiliary element, not the main one. We are setting up the algorithm in order to increase the accuracy of diagnostics and the objectivity of the assessment, and would like to further track whether artificial intelligence can replace medical specialists in general and in which specific areas this is possible.

I really liked the projects of Chinese colleagues who propose using artificial intelligence to automate the harvesting of fruits and vegetables. I also heard from my roommate from South Africa about interesting projects in the field of technological support for food security. It was interesting to listen to the ideas of guys from different countries, taking into account the peculiarities of their mentality and the culture of the country in which they live and implement their ideas.

My project was positively received by the participants, some even wrote and learned details and opportunities for cooperation after the summit. For me, this trip was a real discovery, as it is a completely different country and culture. I made many new acquaintances from the BRICS countries, with some of them we exchanged numbers to continue communication in the future.

What I also liked about the summit was that there were guys who were just starting to implement their project, and there were those who had already implemented it and were implementing new ideas. It turned out to be a kind of mutual work: newcomers share fresh ideas with those who are more experienced, and the more experienced share useful comments and recommendations on project implementation.

The section winners got the opportunity to go to St. Petersburg for the International Economic Forum in June. I hope that I will be able to meet the guys who took first place at the summit again, but this time in Russia.

In addition to the event itself, our trip to the Cape of Good Hope with the girls created a huge layer of impressions for us. On the way there, we stopped by boat to look at Cape fur seals, saw penguins, ostriches and other representatives of the fauna. We also managed to visit several local restaurants and try local fish. But most of all, we were amazed by the cape itself, from where a magnificent view opened up that cannot be compared with anything else.”

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: COVID-19 activity hits 1-year high

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today said the major surveillance indicators of COVID-19 reached a one-year high, urging all sectors of the community to heighten their vigilance and enhance personal hygiene and protection measures.

In addition to advising citizens to receive the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, the CHP also recommended people at high risk to receive a booster dose in a timely manner to minimise the risk of serious complications or death after infection.

CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui pointed out that after the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of COVID-19 in every six to nine months.

“Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP is of the view that COVID-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a periodic pattern.”

The CHP’s analysis suggested that the active periods are associated with the changes in the predominant circulating strains and declining herd immunity in Hong Kong.

In early 2024, the predominant strains circulated locally changed from XBB to JN.1.

In the third quarter of 2024, the strains changed from JN.1 to KP.2 and KP.3.

Since late March this year, they have further changed to XDV.

Dr Tsui said there is no evidence suggesting that XDV will cause more severe disease.

According to the latest surveillance data as of the week ending May 10, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the test positivity rate and the cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests in the laboratory have continued to rise over the past four weeks.

In particular, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus gradually increased to 13.66% from 6.21% four weeks ago, marking a record high in the past year.

For sewage surveillance, the per capita viral load of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 710,000 copy/litre, which was also significantly higher than that of about 390,000 copy/litre four weeks ago.

During the same period, the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases at Accident & Emergency departments, general outpatient clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics also recorded a significant increase.

“Based on previous statistics, we expect the activity level of COVID-19 to remain at a higher level for at least the next few weeks,” Dr Tsui added.

Regarding severe and fatal cases, the CHP recorded a total of 81 COVID-19 severe cases involving adults in the past four weeks, among which 30 were fatal cases.

Epidemiological investigations showed that 83% of the patients were aged 65 or above.

For children, the CHP has recorded five severe cases so far this year. Of which, two have underlying illnesses and three cases have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr Tsui noted that the currently prevalent XDV strain is a related variant of JN.1.

“Therefore, the JN.1 vaccine used in Hong Kong is effective in preventing the disease, reducing the risk of severe illness and death, and enhancing herd immunity.”

He urged high-risk groups, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, to receive an additional booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, parents should also bring their children to complete the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

MIL-OSI Global: The Supreme Court’s ruling on gender raises serious questions for schools

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jessica Ringrose, Professor of the Sociology of Gender and Education, Institute of Education, UCL

Shutterstock

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that when the Equality Act refers to “sex” it means biological sex, not gender identity.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has released an interim update on the implications of the UK Supreme Court judgement, which covers public spaces such as toilets.

Schools in England and Wales must already provide single sex toilets for children aged over eight, and single sex changing rooms for children over 11. Schools in Scotland must provide separate toilet facilities for all pupils. The Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance states that schools must not permit trans girls to use the girls’ facilities, or trans boys to use the boys’.

The ruling has caused worry for schools. Some teachers are concerned about the impact of potential changes for their pupils, including LGBTQ+ young people, whom they are in charge of safeguarding.

Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

LGBTQ+ charities have pointed out that organisations enforcing toilet use on the basis of biological sex may cause disproportionate harm to trans people, threatening their dignity and rights. For instance, it may lead to the policing of bathrooms on the basis of perceived sex differences and profiling, so that those that do not “look” female or male enough can be targeted.

The Supreme Court ruling itself notes that enforcing section 29 of the Equality Act must represent “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”. Organisations must also, therefore, bear in mind they should not implement policies that can harm trans students.

Forcing transgender youth to use facilities that don’t align with their gender identity can have harmful consequences, leading to increased isolation and shame and not wanting to attend school.

In addition, separate facilities only for trans youth may also cause stigma and lead to discrimination. Young trans people may feel that their gender identity is more visible in daily school life, and this may lead to them feeling more unsafe at school.

The government is expected to publish revised guidance on how schools can support trans pupils in light of the ruling later this year. In the meantime, it is important to remember that schools have a duty of care to safeguard all pupils.

And this isn’t just about bathrooms. The Supreme Court’s ruling may have left trans and gender diverse young people (those who don’t identify as male or female), already an extremely vulnerable group, feeling more at risk. Research has pointed to schools as a place where trans and gender-diverse young people face significant discrimination from both school staff and their peers.

A systematic review of research – a study which assesses the findings of a range of scholarly research studies on a particular topic – has estimated that the proportion of adolescents who identify as trans or gender diverse is between 2.5% and 8.4%. The lowest end of that estimate would translate to 27 trans or gender diverse pupils in an average-sized English secondary school. The research also suggests that this proportion is increasing.

The importance of relationships and sex education

A key way schools can support trans and gender diverse young people is through the provision of relationships and sex education that addresses LGBTQ+ identities. This should be part of a whole school approach to safeguarding. It is necessary for the wellbeing and safety of all pupils, regardless of sexuality or gender.

A UCL Institute of Education guide to good practice that I contributed to sets out key principles to ensure high quality relationships and sex education. This includes taking into account the needs and views of all pupils, including trans and gender diverse pupils.

Comprehensive, inclusive relationships and sex education benefits all pupils.
LightField Studios/Shutterstock

Schools should consider how disability, race, culture, age and religion or belief intersect with gender and sexuality. They should be inclusive. This means acknowledging which groups have privilege, and how unequal societal and institutional structures and power relations shape society and schools.

Schools’ approach should ensure that young people have access to accurate information, health services, advice and knowledge, and encourage positive attitudes towards sexuality and body image while also tackling taboos and shame driven by inequalities. And relationships and sex education should be contemporary, relevant, and flexible.

It should incorporate the experiences of all young people, including trans and gender diverse pupils, in order to be responsive to changing school populations. Finally, it should be research and evidence driven. This means drawing upon up to date, peer-reviewed academic research evidence, rather than political bias.

The School of Sexuality Education charity has also offered further strategies for schools to be inclusive and supportive. These include challenging gender stereotypes and transphobic bullying in schools, upholding confidentiality whenever possible, and making sure to share relevant resources, including support services within the school and with parents.

Overall, high quality relationships and sex education lessons that cover issues of LGBTQ+ sexual health and rights will enable schools to be inclusive environments that prioritise the safety, respect and dignity of all pupils.

Still, the Supreme Court’s ruling has put schools and teachers in a difficult position. Schools urgently need the government to deliver its guidance on this issue – in a way that addresses schools’ very real concerns about the welfare of their trans pupils.

Jessica Ringrose receives funding from Arts and Humanities Research Council.

– ref. The Supreme Court’s ruling on gender raises serious questions for schools – https://theconversation.com/the-supreme-courts-ruling-on-gender-raises-serious-questions-for-schools-255748

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

Editors’ note: The World health statistics report is WHO’s annual compilation of the most recent available data on health and health-related indicators. For inquiries, contact healthstat@who.int

MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 May 2025 News release WHO warns of slowing global health gains in new statistics report

Source: World Health Organisation

WHO published its World health statistics report 2025, revealing the deeper health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on loss of lives, longevity and overall health and well-being. In just two years, between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years—the largest drop in recent history— reversing a decade of health gains. Increased levels of anxiety and depression linked to COVID-19 reduced global healthy life expectancy by 6 weeks—erasing most of the gains made from lower mortality due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) during the same period.

The report also summarizes global data on progress towards WHO’s triple billion targets, revealing impacts of not just the pandemic shock but also a longer trend of slowing progress starting before the pandemic, followed by a slower recovery since. WHO warns that overall progress is under threat and urgent global action is needed to get back on track.

“Behind every data point is a person—a child who didn’t reach their fifth birthday, a mother lost in childbirth, a life cut short by a preventable disease,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “These are avoidable tragedies. They point to critical gaps in access, protection, and investment—especially for women and girls. Health progress is slowing. Every government has a responsibility to act, with urgency, commitment, and accountability to the people they serve.”

Health progress and setbacks

The World health statistics 2025 report presents mixed progress towards WHO’s Triple Billion targets. An estimated 1.4 billion more people were living healthier by the end of 2024, surpassing the 1 billion target. The progress in healthier lives was driven by reduction in tobacco use, improved air quality and better access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. But progress towards increased coverage of essential health services and protection from emergencies lagged; only 431 million more people gained access to essential health services without financial hardship, and close to 637 million more people were better protected from health emergencies.

Maternal and child deaths are not falling fast enough to reach global targets. Progress has stalled, putting millions of lives at risk. This slowdown follows two decades of remarkable gains: between 2000 and 2023, maternal deaths dropped by over 40% and child deaths under 5 years of age more than halved. But underinvestment in primary health care, shortages of skilled health workers, and gaps in services like immunization and safe childbirth are now holding countries back.

Without urgent course correction to meet the 2030 targets, the world risks losing the chance to prevent an additional 700 000 maternal deaths and 8 million under-5 deaths between 2024 and 2030.

Chronic diseases leading to more loss of lives

Premature deaths from NCDs—such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer—are rising, driven by population growth and aging, and now account for most deaths among people under the age of 70, worldwide. The world is currently off track to reduce NCD premature mortality by one-third by 2030. Progress has been possible where governments and civil society have committed to action: tobacco use is declining, and global alcohol consumption dropped from 5.7 to 5.0 litres per capita between 2010 and 2022. Air pollution remains one of the top causes of preventable death worldwide. The impact of poor mental health continues to hold back progress.

Recovery in essential health services remains incomplete. A shortfall of 11.1 million health workers is still projected by 2030, with nearly 70% of the gap concentrated in the WHO African and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

“Strong health systems rely on strong health information. Timely, trusted data drives better decisions and faster results,” said Dr Haidong Wang, WHO Unit Head for Health Data and Analytics. “WHO is supporting countries through the SCORE strategy to strengthen health information systems, and through the World Health Data Hub, which is helping to standardize, improve, and unlock the value of data across countries and systems.”

Uneven progress on infectious diseases

HIV and TB incidence rates are falling, and fewer people need treatment for neglected tropical diseases. But malaria has been resurging since 2015, and antimicrobial resistance remains a public health challenge. In 2023, childhood vaccination coverage—including third dose diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus containing vaccine (DTP3)—had not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Many countries are also falling behind in addressing foundational health risks—such as malnutrition, air pollution, and unsafe living conditions.

Recent disruptions in international aid further threaten to destabilize progress, particularly in countries with the greatest health-care needs. Sustained and predictable financing—from both domestic and international sources—is urgently needed to protect hard-won gains and respond to rising threats.

“This report shows that the world is failing its health checkup. But countries have shown that rapid progress is possible,” said Dr Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact. “Together, we can achieve a world where data is timelier and more accurate, programmes improve continuously, and premature deaths become rare. With speed, scale, and smart investments, every country can deliver measurable gains.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

MIL-OSI Economics: Threat landscape for industrial automation systems in Q1 2025

Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

Headline: Threat landscape for industrial automation systems in Q1 2025

Trends

Relative stability from quarter to quarter. The percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked remained unchanged from Q4 2024 at 21.9%. Over the last three quarters, the value has ranged from 22.0% to 21.9%.

The quarterly figures are decreasing from year to year. Since Q2 2023, the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked has been lower than the indicator of the same quarter of the previous year. Compared to Q1 2024, the figure decreased by 2.5 pp.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Q1 2022–Q1 2025

In January–March 2025, the figures were the lowest compared to the same months of the previous four years.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Jan 2021–Mar 2025

The biometrics sector continues to lead the selected industries / OT infrastructure types. This is the only OT infrastructure type where the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked increased during the quarter.

Threat levels in different regions still vary. In Q1 2025, the percentage of affected ICS computers ranged from 10.7% in Northern Europe to 29.6% in Africa. In eight out of 13 regions, the figures ranged from 19.0% to 25.0%.

The percentage of ICS computers on which denylisted internet resources were blocked continues to decrease. It reached its lowest level since the beginning of 2022. In the first three months of 2025, the corresponding figures were lower than those in January–March of the previous three years.

Percentage of ICS computers on which denylisted internet resources were blocked, Jan 2022–Mar 2025

Changes in the percentage of ICS computers on which initial-infection malware was blocked lead to changes in the percentage of next-stage malware. In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which various types of malware spread via the internet and email were blocked increased for the first time since the beginning of 2023.

The internet is the primary source of threats to ICS computers. The main categories of threats from the internet are denylisted internet resources, malicious scripts and phishing pages.

The main categories of threats spreading via email are malicious documents, spyware, malicious scripts and phishing pages.

The percentage of ICS computers on which malicious scripts and phishing pages, and malicious documents were blocked increased in Q1 2025. In January–March, the monthly values in these two categories of threats were higher than in the same months of 2024.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Jan 2022–Mar 2025

The leading category of malware used for initial infection of ICS computers (see below) is malicious scripts and phishing pages.

Most malicious scripts and phishing pages act as droppers or loaders of next-stage malware (spyware, crypto miners and ransomware). The strong correlation between the values for malicious scripts and phishing pages, and spyware is clearly visible in the graph below.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Jan 2023–Mar 2025

Similar to malicious scripts and phishing pages, the percentage of ICS computers on which spyware was blocked was higher in the first three months of 2025 than in the same months of 2024.

Percentage of ICS computers on which spyware was blocked, Jan 2022–Mar 2025

The percentage of ICS computers on which miners (web miners and miners in the form of executable files for Windows) were blocked in Q1 2025 also increased.

Statistics across all threats

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked remained at the same level as in the previous quarter: 21.9%.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Q1 2022–Q1 2025

Compared to Q1 2024, the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked decreased by 2.5 pp. However, it increased from January to March of 2025 when it reached its highest value in the quarter.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Jan 2023–Mar 2025

Regionally, the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked ranged from 10.7% in Northern Europe to 29.6% in Africa.

Regions ranked by percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Q1 2025

In six of the 13 regions surveyed in this report, the figures increased from the previous quarter, with the largest change occurring in Russia.

Changes in percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked,
Q1 2025

Selected industries

The biometrics sector led the ranking of the industries and OT infrastructures surveyed in this report in terms of the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked.

Ranking of industries and OT infrastructures by percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, Q1 2025

The biometrics sector was also the only OT infrastructure type where the percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked increased slightly. Despite this, the long-term trend is clearly downward.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked in selected industries

Diversity of detected malicious objects

In Q1 2025, Kaspersky security solutions blocked malware from 11,679 different malware families in various categories on industrial automation systems.

Percentage of ICS computers on which the activity of malicious objects from various categories was blocked

The largest proportional increase in Q1 2025 was in the percentage of ICS computers on which web miners (1.4 times more than in the previous quarter) and malicious documents (1.1 times more) were blocked.

Main threat sources

Depending on the threat detection and blocking scenario, it is not always possible to reliably identify the source. The circumstantial evidence for a specific source can be the blocked threat’s type (category).

The internet (visiting malicious or compromised internet resources; malicious content distributed via messengers; cloud data storage and processing services and CDNs), email clients (phishing emails), and removable storage devices remain the primary sources of threats to computers in an organization’s OT infrastructure.

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which threats from the internet and email clients were blocked increased for the first time since the end of 2023.

Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects from various sources were blocked

The rates for all threat sources varied across the monitored regions.

The percentage of ICS computers on which threats from the internet were blocked ranged from 5.2% in Northern Europe to 12.8% in Africa.
The percentage of ICS computers on which threats from email clients were blocked ranged from 0.88% in Russia to 6.8% in Southern Europe.
The percentage of ICS computers on which threats from removable media were blocked ranged from 0.06% in Australia and New Zealand to 2.4% in Africa.

Threat categories

Typical attacks blocked within an OT network are a multi-stage process, where each subsequent step by the attackers is aimed at increasing privileges and gaining access to other systems by exploiting security flaws in industrial enterprises, including OT infrastructures.

It is worth noting that during the attack, intruders often repeat the same steps (TTP), especially when they use malicious scripts and established communication channels with the management and control infrastructure (C2) to move laterally within the network and advance the attack.

Malicious objects used for initial infection

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which denylisted internet resources were blocked decreased to its lowest value since the beginning of 2022.

Percentage of ICS computers on which denylisted internet resources were blocked, Q1 2022–Q1 2025

The decline in the percentage of denylisted internet resources since November 2024 was likely influenced not only by proactive threat mitigation at various levels, but also by techniques used by attackers to circumvent the blocking mechanisms based on the resource’s reputation, thus redistributing the protection burden to other detection technologies.

A detected malicious web resource may not always be added to a denylist because attackers are increasingly using legitimate internet resources and services such as content delivery network (CDN) platforms, messengers, and cloud storage. These services allow malicious code to be distributed through unique links to unique content, making it difficult to use reputation-based blocking tactics. We strongly recommend that industrial organizations implement policy-based blocking of such services, at least for OT networks where the need for such services is extremely rare for objective reasons.

The percentage of ICS computers on which malicious documents as well as malicious scripts and phishing pages were blocked increased slightly, to 1.85% (by 0.14 pp) and 7.16% (by 0.05 pp) respectively.

Next-stage malware

Malicious objects used to initially infect computers deliver next-stage malware – spyware, ransomware, and miners – to victims’ computers. As a rule, the higher the percentage of ICS computers on which the initial infection malware is blocked, the higher the percentage for next-stage malware.

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which spyware and ransomware were blocked decreased, reaching 4.20% (by losing 0.1 pp) and 0.16% (by losing 0.05 pp) respectively. Conversely, the indicator for miners increased. The percentage of ICS computers on which miners in the form of executable files for Windows and web miners were blocked increased to 0.78% (by 0.08 pp) and 0.53% (by 0.14 pp), respectively. The latter indicator reached its highest value since Q3 2023.

Percentage of ICS computers on which web miners were blocked, Q1 2022–Q1 2025

Self-propagating malware

Self-propagating malware (worms and viruses) is a category unto itself. Worms and virus-infected files were originally used for initial infection, but as botnet functionality evolved, they took on next-stage characteristics.

To spread across ICS networks, viruses and worms rely on removable media, network folders, infected files including backups, and network attacks on outdated software, such as Radmin2.

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which worms and viruses were blocked decreased to 1.31% (by losing 0.06 pp) and 1.53% (by losing 0.08 pp), respectively.

AutoCAD malware

AutoCAD malware is typically a low-level threat, coming last in the malware category rankings in terms of the percentage of ICS computers on which it was blocked.

In Q1 2025, the percentage of ICS computers on which AutoCAD malware was blocked continued to decrease (by losing 0.04 pp) and reached 0.034%.

You can find more information on industrial threats in the full version of the report.

MIL OSI Economics –

Labour force participation at 55.6% in April, shows first monthly PLFS bulletin

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the first Monthly Bulletin of the revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for April 2025. The report highlights key employment and unemployment indicators, including the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR), across rural and urban India based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) of individuals aged 15 years and above.

As per the bulletin, the overall LFPR stood at 55.6 per cent during April 2025. Rural areas recorded a higher participation rate at 58.0 per cent, while urban areas reported 50.7 per cent. Among males in the same age group, LFPR was significantly higher—79.0 per cent in rural areas and 75.3 per cent in urban regions. Female participation, though lower, showed encouraging figures, with rural female LFPR at 38.2 per cent.

The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), which represents the proportion of employed individuals in the population, was recorded at 52.8 per cent at the national level. Rural areas registered a WPR of 55.4 per cent, while in urban areas, it stood at 47.4 per cent. Among women, the WPR was 36.8 per cent in rural areas and 23.5 per cent in urban areas, with an overall female WPR of 32.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate in April 2025 was observed at 5.1 per cent for individuals aged 15 years and above. The unemployment rate for males was slightly higher at 5.2 per cent, while for females it stood at 5.0 per cent.

These estimates mark the beginning of a new phase in labour force statistics, following a revamp of the PLFS methodology from January 2025. The revised survey design aims to generate more frequent and comprehensive data. Under the new rotational panel sampling approach, each selected household is visited four times over four consecutive months, allowing for a 75 per cent overlap of first-stage sampling units between any two months. This design ensures better comparability and continuity in data collection.

During April 2025, a total of 7,511 first-stage sampling units were covered nationwide, including 4,140 in rural areas and 3,371 in urban areas. The survey included 89,434 households and covered a population of 3,80,838 individuals, comprising 2,17,483 from rural areas and 1,63,355 from urban locations.

The revamped PLFS also aims to extend quarterly estimates to rural India, which were previously limited to urban areas. The restructured sample design has increased the number of households surveyed within each sampling unit from 8 to 12.

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statistics Jersey launches new website15 May 2025 A new website, launched by Statistics Jersey, will make it easier for Islanders to access accurate and up-to-date statistical information online. www. stats. je offers user-friendly statistical data… Read more

Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

15 May 2025

A new website, launched by Statistics Jersey, will make it easier for Islanders to access accurate and up-to-date statistical information online.

www.stats.je offers user-friendly statistical data compiled by Statistics Jersey, as well as improved interactivity for policy makers, businesses and the general public. Users can now see Jersey’s key indicators, such as the RPI and the House Price Index, at a glance, as well as being able to explore interactive charts and download reports. The new website also includes an email notification service that users can sign up to and be told when new publications are released.

The launch of the website follows amendments to the Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law, that came into force earlier this year. The changes reinforce the independence of Jersey’s Chief Statistician as well as increasing the accountability of the Island’s statistical system.

A new independent Statistics Council has also been created. It replaces the former Statistics User Group and is responsible for gathering and presenting the views of statistics users, and advising public authorities on statistics.

Chief Statistician, Ian Cope said: “I’m delighted that as an independent body, Statistics Jersey has been able to develop a new website that makes it easier for Islanders to navigate and find statistical data.

“The recent changes to the Statistics Law, which were unanimously supported by the States Assembly, increase both my independence and accountability as Chief Statistician, and that of Statistics Jersey.”

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint trade statement between New Zealand and United Kingdom

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Joint trade statement between New Zealand and United Kingdom

Summary of a Joint Statement following the meeting of the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand and Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

This Joint Statement follows the meeting of the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand and Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom on 12 May 2025.

At their meeting, the Ministers celebrated the successful trading relationship between the UK and New Zealand, which reached a record £3.7bn1 or $7.3bn of trade in goods and services in 2024.

At the meeting, the Ministers opened the second Joint Committee of the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Significant progress has been made under the FTA, including amongst other things, the commencement of an artists’ resale royalty scheme, the inclusion of further wine making (oenological) practices, the establishment of a legal services regulatory dialogue, the renewal of the engineers’ Admissions Pathways Agreement, a sustainable finance dialogue, a women in STEM event, and a visit to the UK by a delegation of Māori women technology entrepreneurs.

Ministers commended the significant uptake of the Agreement.

Since entry into force, £752.3m ($1,588m NZD) of traded goods successfully used preferential tariffs; i.e. around 82.2% of goods traded between the UK and New Zealand made use of preferences where one was available.

The strong uptake of the Agreement’s benefits is resulting in real savings with the potential to benefit both businesses and consumers.

Between June 2023 and Dec 2024:

£164.2m or $344.5m NZD (80.7%) of goods imports into New Zealand from the UK used preferential tariffs4. Had these occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, they could have encountered an additional £9.3m ($19.5m NZD) in duties.
£588.1m or $1,243m NZD (82.6%) of goods imports into the UK from New Zealand used preferential tariffs6. Had these occurred at standard MFN tariff rates, they could have encountered an additional £67.4m ($141.8m NZD) in duties.5

The Ministers noted that free trade is a cornerstone of prosperity in both countries. Recognising that open markets, and reliable legal and regulatory frameworks are essential for trade, the Ministers committed to strengthening the rules-based trading system.

The Ministers agreed to work together to strengthen the role that free trade, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (which the United Kingdom and New Zealand are Parties to), plays in increasing prosperity and reinforcing resilience against economic turbulence.

This includes growing the agreement ambitiously through further accessions, modernising the agreement through the ongoing General Review, and working with partners to defend the rules-based trading system upon which we rely.

Note to editors:

Sources: Trade data sourced from the ONS publication of UK total trade: all countries seasonally adjusted October to December 2024 data.

Source: Source: Statistics New Zealand, publicly accessible through New Zealand Trade Dashboard

Trade asymmetries exist between the UK and New Zealand official trade statistics, but this does not mean that either country is inaccurate in their estimation. Differences can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries.

Based on data from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Statistics New Zealand, Customs import utilisation data, April 2025

Estimated duty savings are based on exchanged country tariff schedules and preference utilisation data (footnotes 4 and 6). For UK imports, these are all calculated used the Ad Valorem, Specific, or Compound tariffs applied at the CN8 level. Where appropriate, Ad Valorem Equivalent tariffs were used (source: MacMap). The Bank of England spot exchange rates (June-December 2023, and 2024) was used to convert from GBP to NZD.

The underlying data for the imports into the UK preference utilisation figures were sourced from HM Revenue and Custom’s (HMRC) UK goods imports by tariff regime, February 2025 data. This data is provided on a country of origin basis.

The methodology used to calculate UK preference utilisation rates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-technical-annex/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-official-statistics-technical-annex#methodology-note-for-preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods

Published 15 May 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West Country water lovers urged to lend a hand to bathing waters

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

West Country water lovers urged to lend a hand to bathing waters

Communities who campaigned to turn their favourite spots into official bathing waters asked to help the Environment Agency make them cleaner to swim in.

The first sample of the season being taken from the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton

3 rivers in Somerset and Hampshire were officially chosen as ‘designated bathing waters’ last year. Meaning they ticked the boxes of being easy to get to with parking and toilets nearby. But contrary to public opinion, being ‘designated’ doesn’t automatically mean the water met set standards of public hygiene.

Environment Agency monitoring of the 451 beaches and rivers on England’s list of designated bathing waters this summer has begun. Water samples will be taken weekly or fortnightly at consistent points in seas and rivers and sent for testing in the lab.

The results of these samples show how clean the water is and will be available online at Swimfo to inform public choice of where to swim or paddle. These sample results will ultimately help dictate what classification a beach or river location will be given later in the year. Any classification from ‘Sufficient’ and above means the water quality is good enough to swim in.

The classifications for all 3 river bathing waters at Taunton, Farleigh Hungerford near Bath and Fordingbridge in Hampshire came back as ‘Poor’ – meaning swimming was not advisable.

In response, groups including campaigners, swimmers, councillors, MPs, water companies and the Environment Agency have formed to turn around water quality at these sites.

This includes the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton. The group has come together to create an action plan which will drive improvements to reduce pollution affecting the bathing water quality where swimming takes place.

Jim Flory of the Environment Agency said:

We routinely monitor rivers to check that the water quality for wildlife and the natural ecology of our rivers is protected.

But the standards needed to protect human health are different to those needed to safeguard the ecology and wildlife in our rivers and a lot of teamwork is needed to clear that bar. This will be a marathon not a sprint.

Environment Agency officers will patrol the surrounding area looking for obvious sources of pollution entering the watercourse. As well as inspecting water company pipes and other types of equipment that discharges water into the river.

Public interest also saw a Dorset beach return to the Environment Agency’s list of 450 monitored bathing waters last year. Water sampling began again at Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis after an absence of 9 years. The site lost its designated status due to the low number of people going into the sea.

The beach was given a classification of ‘Poor’ after its first bathing water season. Nevertheless, public support from the River Lim Action Group, Blue Tit Swimmers and local officials is strong and committed to improving water quality.

Throughout the season, 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will be taking more than 7000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.  

Today also marks the re-opening of applications for new bathing waters which have been closed since October 2023. Since then, the government has announced significant reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations to better reflect public use of iconic swimming spots. Successful sites will be announced next year.

Background

Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England has 451 designated bathing waters, which are monitored and classified by the Environment Agency.
Applicants are encouraged to use the bathing water season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed for their suitability as a designated bathing water. Applications for the 2026 season will close on 31 October 2025. 
The Environment Agency has driven £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to dramatically improve our bathing waters. 
Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters in England met the minimum water quality standards. More information on 2024 bathing water classifications is available here.
The UK Health Security Agency and Environment Agency also offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance, which is available to read before making any decision on swimming.
Bathing waters are stretches of water throughout England which we monitor for two types of bacteria: E.coli and intestinal enterococci. We monitor for these two bacteria because they indicate that there are germs in the water which can make you ill.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency starts sampling Devon and Cornwall’s beaches

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Environment Agency starts sampling Devon and Cornwall’s beaches

Environment Agency sampling of Devon and Cornwall’s 155 monitored beaches has started and will run through until the end of September.

An Environment Agency officer with a fresh sample taken, ready to be sent to the lab for testing

A beach or river on England’s list of designated bathing waters means water quality is routinely tested. Water samples will be taken at consistent points at these locations and sent to the lab for testing. Scientists will look for elevated levels of E. Coli and intestinal enterococci – bad bacteria found in sewage and other waste.

The results of these samples will inform a dedicated group of scientists and officers who are on standby 24/7 to respond to any reports of problems found at beaches and other bathing waters. The results will also be catalogued on the Swimfo website which also contains a lot more information about each bathing water – its history, a description of the surrounding area as well as several years of results.

The results, taken over four years, give the Environment Agency great confidence when deciding upon what classification a beach will be given later in the year. Any classification from ‘Sufficient’ and above means the water quality is safe to swim in. Out of 155 monitored bathing waters, there are only 2 beaches in Devon and Cornwall – Coastguards Beach on the Erme Estuary and Porthluney – with results tipping them into the ‘Poor’ classification. This doesn’t mean they are dirty. A ‘Poor’ classification means that very high standards are not consistently met, and the Environment Agency is actively investigating why.

Bruce Newport of the Environment Agency said:

Over a third of England’s bathing waters can be found in Devon and Cornwall and over 98 per cent of them meet the very high levels of water quality expected for safe swimming.

We also publish a daily water quality forecast on many of our beaches which can be found on our Swimfo website. This service is a great asset, especially after heavy rainfall which can temporarily cause a dip in water quality.

Throughout the season, which runs from 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will be taking more than 7000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.  

Background

Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England has 451 designated bathing waters, which are monitored and classified by the Environment Agency.
Applicants are encouraged to use the bathing water season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed for their suitability as a designated bathing water. Applications for the 2026 season will close on 31 October 2025. 
The Environment Agency has driven £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to dramatically improve our bathing waters. 
Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters in England met the minimum water quality standards. More information on 2024 bathing water classifications is available here.
The UK Health Security Agency and Environment Agency also offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance, which is available to read before making any decision on swimming.
Bathing waters are stretches of water throughout England which we monitor for two types of bacteria: E.coli and intestinal enterococci. We monitor for these two bacteria because they indicate that there are germs in the water which can make you ill.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New bathing water season for Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Sussex

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

New bathing water season for Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Sussex

Environment Agency monitoring of the 56 designated bathing waters between Highcliffe and Hastings Pelham have started ahead of summer.

Lee-on-Solent is one of the 56 bathing waters being regularly monitored by the Environment Agency this summer

A beach, river or estuary location on England’s list of designated bathing waters means water quality is thoroughly tested. Water samples will be taken weekly or fortnightly at consistent points at these locations and sent to the lab for testing. Scientists will look for elevated levels of E. Coli and intestinal enterococci – bacteria found in sewage and bird and wildlife poo – and the results made available online at Swimfo to inform public choice of where to paddle.

These sample results will ultimately help dictate what classification a beach or river location will be given later in the year. Any classification from ‘Sufficient’ and above means the water quality is good enough to swim in. If it’s ‘Poor’ then swimming is not advisable.

Kate Donlon of the Environment Agency said:

Public confidence in the water quality at beaches and new river swimming spots has taken some knocks over the last few years. This is a shame as it’s a fact that 95% of the sites within Hampshire, Sussex and Isle of Wight hit acceptable standards for having a dip or a swim.

Don’t be put off going into the water during this lovely weather at one of the sites on the designated bathing water list. Go to our Swimfo website, choose a location and inform your own mind if you fancy going into the water.

The chief cause for any drop in water quality between Highcliffe to Hastings Pelham is pollution entering beaches from surface water drains connecting to the sea, not sewage discharges. Rain water washes bacteria from sources like bird, dog and wildlife poo into the drains along with any other pollutants from the urban environment.

Improving sites at Bognor Regis Aldwick, Worthing Beach House and Southsea will be a marathon effort and only possible with dedicated partnership groups. Public support is also key. Eliminating routine nuisances like litter and dog poo from investigations and promoting awareness that only rain should go down the drain will free up investigative time. Meaning we are able to focus on other serious causes.

Throughout the season, 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will be taking more than 7000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.  

Background

Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England has 451 designated bathing waters, which are monitored and classified by the Environment Agency.
Applicants are encouraged to use the bathing water season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed for their suitability as a designated bathing water. Applications for the 2026 season will close on 31 October 2025. 
The Environment Agency has driven £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to dramatically improve our bathing waters. 
Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters in England met the minimum water quality standards. More information on 2024 bathing water classifications is available here.
The UK Health Security Agency and Environment Agency also offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance, which is available to read before making any decision on swimming.
Bathing waters are stretches of water throughout England which we monitor for two types of bacteria: E.coli and intestinal enterococci. We monitor for these two bacteria because they indicate that there are germs in the water which can make you ill.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Likely final House seat outcome: 94 Labor, 44 Coalition, 12 Others

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

The ABC has called Labor wins in 93 of the 150 House of Representatives seats. The Coalition has won 43 seats, the Greens one and all Others 11, with two seats (Bradfield and Calwell) remaining undecided.

The Poll Bludger
has documented the changes in the close seats. In Goldstein, Teal incumbent Zoe Daniel has surged back from a peak deficit of 1,472 votes to now trail Liberal Tim Wilson by just 292 votes on strong absents and declaration pre-polls after she lost postals by 61–39. But only about 800 votes remain, so Wilson will still win.

On Tuesday, the Liberal lead in Liberal-held Bradfield over a Teal candidate closed to just 59 votes, and the ABC uncalled a race they had called for the Liberal the previous day. On Wednesday the Liberal lead increased to 80 votes, but it’s now fallen back to 43 votes. About 420 votes remain to be counted. The Liberals will probably lead when all votes are counted, but there will be a recount.

The Liberal National Party has held Longman after declaration pre-polls failed to follow the trend to the left in other close seats. They now have an unassailable 335-vote lead over Labor.

In Australia’s preferential voting system, the top two candidates on primary votes are not necessarily the final two. The bottom candidate is excluded, and their votes are distributed to remaining candidates, and this continues until only two are left. During this process, the third candidate can pass the second, therefore making the final two.

So far the only interesting seat where this has occurred is Flinders, where Teal candidate Ben Smith passed Labor despite trailing in third on primary votes by 22.3% to 21.3%, with the Liberals well ahead with 41.2%. The Liberals defeated Smith in the final count by 52.3–47.7 to hold Flinders.

Calwell has 13 candidates. Primary votes are 30.5% Labor (down 14.3% since the 2022 election), 15.7% Liberals (down 8.1%), 12.0% for independent Carly Moore, 10.9% for independent Joseph Youhana, 8.1% for the Greens (down 1.6%) and 6.9% for yet another independent.

The danger for Labor is that either Moore or Youhana overtake the Liberals on the distribution of preferences, then beat Labor at the final count on Liberal preferences. Friday is the last day for receipt of late postals. Once all votes are counted, the distribution of preferences can start. We should know the result in Calwell next week.

If Labor wins Calwell and the Liberals win Bradfield, the final seat totals will be 94 Labor out of 150 (up 17 from 77 out of 151 in 2022), 44 Coalition (down 14), one Green (down three), nine independents (down one) and two others (steady). By the UK’s method, this would be a Labor majority of 38 (25% in percentage terms).

Bad as this result is for the Coalition, they would be lucky to win three seats (Longman, Bradfield and Goldstein) by less than a 50.2–49.8 margin. The narrowest Labor win was in Bean (by 50.3–49.7 against an independent).

Turnout for the election is now 89.1%, and is likely to be over 90% once all votes are counted. National primary votes are 34.6% Labor (up 2.0%), 31.9% Coalition (down 3.8%), 12.1% Greens (down 0.2%), 6.4% One Nation (up 1.4%), 1.9% Trumpet of Patriots (down 2.1% from United Australia Party in 2022), 7.4% independents (up 2.1%) and 5.7% others (up 0.7%).

I explained previously that the electoral commission’s national two-party preferred count does not currently include “non-classic” seats where the major party candidates were not the final two. There will be a special count later in these seats between Labor and Coalition candidates.

The ABC’s two-party estimate is currently a Labor win by 54.9–45.1, while The Poll Bludger has Labor winning by 54.4–45.6. We’ll need to wait for two-party counts in the non-classic seats to resolve this difference.

In the Senate, nationally 86.8% of enrolled voters have been counted, only 2.3% behind the House count. There have only been minor changes to primary votes since last Friday’s article on the Senate, so my assessment is unchanged from that article.

Albanese’s ratings jump in Essential poll

Essential is the first pollster to return since the election, but it hasn’t done a voting intentions poll. In this national poll, conducted May 7–11 from a sample of 1,137, Anthony Albanese’s net approval jumped 14 points since the pre-election Essential poll to +11 (50% approve, 39% disapprove).

Former Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who lost his seat of Dickson at the election, slumped 18 points on net approval to -30. Voters still thought Australia was on the wrong track by 42–37 (52–31 before the election).

In this poll, the Greens and all Others did well with late deciders (those who decided who to vote for in the last few days of the election campaign). Cost of living was rated one of the top three issues by 87% on what decided their vote, including 53% who said it was the top issue.

Sussan Ley, who was elected Liberal leader on Tuesday, was preferred by 16% as Coalition leader, with Angus Taylor on 12% and Dan Tehan on 7%, with 45% unsure and 20% “none of the above”. Among those who voted for the Coalition, Taylor led Ley by 23–20.

By 58–42, voters thought Labor should stick to the policies it took to the election, rather than be more ambitious now that it has a strong majority.

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

– ref. Likely final House seat outcome: 94 Labor, 44 Coalition, 12 Others – https://theconversation.com/likely-final-house-seat-outcome-94-labor-44-coalition-12-others-256568

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –