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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ20: Reforming GEM

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ20: Reforming GEM 
    Question:
     
         In 2023, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) conducted a consultation on the GEM (formerly known as “Growth Enterprise Market”) Listing Reforms and completed the amendment to the GEM Listing Rules. However, it has been reported that upon the introduction of a series of enhancement measures, only three enterprises were listed on GEM last year. Some members of the sector are of the view that GEM has still failed to perform its functions properly. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows if the HKEX has assessed the effectiveness of the GEM reform, including whether the expected targets (not limited to the number of new listings and the amount of funds raised) have been achieved, and of the specific data or indicators showing that the attractiveness of GEM to issuers has been enhanced after the reform; if an assessment has been conducted, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) as there are views pointing out that insufficient market liquidity and relatively low investor participation are the core problems of GEM, of the concrete measures put in place by the Government to enhance the market liquidity of GEM, so as to attract the participation of more overseas and local investors, thereby strengthening the vitality and resilience of the market;
     
    (3) whether the Government will join hands with the HKEX to review afresh the positioning of GEM and formulate strategies for its long-term development, as well as to work for co-ordination with other financial policies to ensure competitiveness and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s investment and capital raising markets;
     
    (4) as many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have relayed that their desire to go listing on GEM has been dampened by the costs of listing which are on the high side, whether the Government will encourage the regulatory bodies to carry out reforms or relax the relevant listing requirements, so as to alleviate the financing costs of SMEs when going listing on GEM; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (5) how the Government will provide a suitable financing platform to enable SMEs which are unable to meet the listing requirements of the Main Board to go listing in Hong Kong (irrespective of whether they are listed on the GEM or other new boards)?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the reply to the five parts of the question is as follows:
     
         GEM is positioned to provide a fundraising platform for small and medium enterprises to support their innovation and development, value creation and business growth. To enhance the attractiveness of GEM to issuers and investors, the HKEX implemented a series of GEM reform measures in January 2024. These include introducing a new financial eligibility test for high growth enterprises that are heavily engaged in research and development activities; introducing a new “streamlined transfer mechanism”; aligning the continuing obligations of GEM issuers with those of the Main Board, etc.
     
         The Government, regulators and the HKEX have been closely monitoring the development of stock markets in different places and the effectiveness of relevant measures, as well as continuously reviewing the implementation experience and market conditions. Overall speaking, the initial public offering (IPO) market had gradually become more vibrant in 2024, and enterprises have been increasingly confident about Hong Kong’s financing prospects. In 2024, the amount of total IPO funds raised in Hong Kong exceeded $87 billion, an increase of close to 90 per cent year-on-year and ranking fourth globally. Since the GEM reform, three companies were listed on GEM in 2024. As of the end of March this year, the HKEX was processing over 100 listing applications including that for listing on GEM. As regards liquidity, trading volume in the securities market hit new highs, with the overall average daily turnover of the Main Board and GEM increasing by 26 per cent year-on-year. The overall average daily turnover for the first three months of this year increased by 144 per cent year-on-year. The average daily turnover of GEM in March this year was about $78 million, up 77 per cent year-on-year. Under the newly implemented “streamlined transfer mechanism”, one company was successfully transferred to the Main Board for listing in February this year.
     
         There are many factors that affect IPO listing activities and liquidity of GEM. For example, geopolitics affects global markets and capital flows, where investors’ risk appetite has become more conservative, placing more attention on mature companies supported by business track records. The demand of small and medium enterprises for listing and fundraising is also affected by various external factors such as economic growth slowdown, industry prospects, market investment sentiment, interest rate policies, etc.
     
         To dovetail with the latest economic trends and corporate needs, and thereby further enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an all-rounded fundraising centre, the SFC and the HKEX are taking forward a comprehensive review on reforming the listing regime, including reviewing listing requirements and post-listing ongoing obligations, evaluating listing-related regulations and arrangements to improve the vetting process, optimising the thresholds for dual primary listing and secondary listing, and reviewing the market structure. The reform will study the functions and positioning of different segments to better serve the financing needs of enterprises of different types and backgrounds, including small and medium enterprises and start-ups. The HKEX and the SFC target to put forward enhancement proposals in different areas by batches when they are ready within this year for market consultation.
     
         Vetting of listing applications is an important step to review the compliance of listing applicants and maintain market quality. Its fundamental objective is to protect the rights and interests of the investing public who subscribe to the relevant stocks, especially some retail investors who may not have professional knowledge of corporate finance. According to the information of the HKEX, for the listing applications presented to the Listing Committee for consideration in the 12 months ended March 31, 2025, the median of total business days taken by the HKEX from listing application acknowledgement to issuance of hearing bundle letter was 28 days, while the median number of days required by listing applicants (Note) was 49 days. In maintaining certainty in listing schedule of enterprises, in addition to having clear and standardised procedures, efficient services provided by various professional institutions are also crucial to assist listing applicants in submitting the required information and responding to relevant issues raised by regulators. Currently, the cost of listing of enterprises mainly includes fees paid to sponsors, legal advisors, accountants and other professional services. The relevant fees are determined between listing applicants and professional institutions in accordance with market mechanism based on the circumstances of individual listing applications, which are not directly related to the requirements of regulators for approval of listing applications.
     
    Note: Including the time to respond to comments from the HKEX and the regulator, etc.
    Issued at HKT 14:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD continues to provide convenience facilities, enhance gear and improve working environment for frontline cleansing workers (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (April 30) that the department is committed to providing frontline cleansing workers with an appropriate working and resting environment. It continuously reviews their basic needs, including access to drinking water, places for short breaks, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities, to ensure that the needs of all frontline cleansing workers are met. Where conditions permit, the FEHD will also strive to further improve the working environment and provide more convenient staff facilities by refurbishing or upgrading refuse collection points (RCPs).

    The spokesman said, “The department attaches great importance to the working environment of frontline cleansing workers. There are some 900 village-type RCPs/RCPs with temporary structures under the FEHD’s management, most of which are located in rural areas. Due to geographical constraints, these sites are unable to provide these convenience facilities. Although no personnel were deployed to be stationed at the RCPs, the FEHD strives to ensure that cleansing workers at work nearby have access to drinking water, places for short breaks during hot weather, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones or within a few minutes’ walk. To further enhance the resting environment for rural workers, the FEHD has installed 133 solar cooling kiosks since 2023. These kiosks are equipped with solar-powered facilities, including air coolers, electric fans, and exhaust fans. Similar solar-powered and staff convenience facilities have also been added to 15 staff resting places in rural areas and 14 village-type RCPs.”

    Since 2020, in newly built or refurbished off-street RCPs, the FEHD has, depending on the actual site conditions, endeavoured to provide staff with changing and personal storage spaces, as well as facilities for short beaks and meals. Additionally, amenities such as cold and hot water dispensers, microwave ovens, electric steamers, refrigerators, electric fans, tables and chairs, and power sockets have been installed wherever possible. Air conditioning systems will also be installed in the staff dining rooms where feasible.

    Meanwhile, the FEHD has been enhancing the gear provided to frontline staff. At present, all frontline cleansing workers of the FEHD have been provided with working uniforms that have sweat-wicking, breathable and reflective properties, and are equipped with portable waist-mounted fans to help them keep cool in hot weather. To further enhance the occupational safety and health (OSH) of contractors’ cleansing workers, the FEHD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop new work raincoats and shoes for cleansing workers. The new work shoes are designed with good breathability, waterproofing, durability, slip resistance, shock-absorption, and antimicrobial functions. They are easy to clean and incorporate appropriate fabric materials and ergonomic design to enhance comfort and reduce the risk of foot injury. The new raincoats are made from high-quality fabrics that are waterproof, breathable, and durable, with thermoregulation function to adapt to varying temperatures. The FEHD will include a new contract clause when awarding new public cleansing service contracts, requiring contractors to provide frontline staff with the new uniform raincoats and work shoes.

    The FEHD is currently trying out the use of power-assisted trolley to reduce the physical strain on frontline cleansing workers when transporting refuse. These trolleys are equipped with safety features such as reflective edges, horns, fencing, rotating wheels for braking, and rear lights. The FEHD will examine its feasibility of wider use based on the trial results.

    To strengthen OSH protection for frontline cleansing workers, the FEHD has implemented several measures. These include conducting assessments for departmental staff in accordance with the criteria provided in the Labour Department’s Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work and requiring contractors to perform similar assessments for their employees. All assessed staff members have received written notification of the results, which have also been put up at roll-call points in various districts so that staff members can be aware of the results. When the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in effect, the FEHD and its contractors must arrange rest breaks for employees based on the adjusted hourly rest time listed on the assessment forms.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Sale of electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ11: Sale of electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities 
    Question:
     
    It is learnt that the Government is currently selling the surplus electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies. It has been reported that the relevant sale prices of electricity are too low, but the power companies are selling electricity to consumers at normal prices. There are views that the Government should make public the criteria for determining the sale prices of electricity, so as to ensure that the electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities can be sold to the power companies at reasonable prices. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) since the commissioning of T·PARK, O·PARK1 and O·PARK2, of (i) the amount of electricity generated by such facilities, (ii) the prices at which the surplus electricity generated by them was sold to the power companies, (iii) the criteria for the sale of electricity (including why the surplus electricity from such facilities was sold to the power companies at fuel costs), and (iv) the respective prevailing average tariffs charged by the power companies; the revenue received by the Government from the sale of such electricity;
     
    (2) given that the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (i.e. I·PARK1) is expected to come into operation within this year, whether the authorities have drawn up plans for the sale of electricity in respect of the facilities;
     
    (3) as it is learnt that the Government sells the surplus electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies, whether the tariff revenue concerned has been deducted from the permitted rate of return stipulated in the Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs); if so, of the details; if not, whether the relevant provision will be added when formulating SCAs in the future; and
     
    (4) whether it will require the power companies to offer corresponding tariff discounts to the grass roots, or residents living in the vicinity of waste-to-energy facilities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    To achieve the goals of “Zero Landfill” and carbon neutrality set out in the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 and Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, the Government is pressing ahead with the development of a network of advanced and highly efficient modern waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities, including modern WtE incineration facilities and food waste treatment facilities, with a view to moving away from the reliance on landfills for direct disposal of municipal solid waste and transforming waste into energy for the daily operation of such facilities, while the surplus electricity generated can be exported to the power grid of the power companies. According to the existing arrangement, the Government would sell the surplus electricity to the power companies at the prevailing fuel costs of the power companies. The relevant revenue generated would be paid into the general revenue of the Government. My reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hak-kan is as follows:
     
    (1) and (3) T·PARK, Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1 (O·PARK1) and Phase 2 (O·PARK2) are all WtE facilities. T·PARK is a sludge incineration facility dedicated to treating sludge generated from sewage treatment works. The heat energy generated from the sludge incineration process is recovered to generate electricity. On the other hand, O·PARK1 and O·PARK2 adopt anaerobic digestion technology to convert food waste into biogas for electricity generation. From their commencement of operation till December 2024, the cumulative amount of electricity generated and surplus electricity exported to the power grid by T·PARK and O·PARK1 are tabulated below:
     

    Facility(million kWh)(million kWh)O·PARK2 began receiving food waste for operational testing in March 2024, during which the contractor was required to test and fine-tune each combined heat and power generation unit in phases. The electricity generated and utilised during normal operation was not reflected, and there was no surplus electricity exported to the power grid. Hence, there are no detailed records for O·PARK2 from March to December 2024.
     
    The sale of surplus electricity generated by WtE facilities to the power companies by the Government does not cause an increase in overall electricity demand. Its actual effect is saving the fuel that power companies would otherwise need to generate an equivalent amount of electricity. If the sale price is set at a level higher than the fuel cost thus saved, it will lead to an increase of the fuel cost. On the contrary, if the sale price is set at a level lower than the fuel cost thus saved, it will be equivalent to subsidising the fuel cost by the Government. The Government has therefore used the prevailing marginal fuel cost of electricity generation saved by the power companies for purchasing such surplus electricity as a basis for setting the price of the surplus electricity, to avoid affecting the tariff. According to the Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs) signed between the Government and the power companies, the amounts paid by the power companies for purchasing the surplus electricity generated by the Government’s renewable energy systems are counted as part of their fuel costs, which are accountable expenses. The power companies are not permitted to earn a return from such electricity purchases.
     
    Over the years, the surplus electricity generated by T·PARK and O·PARK1 has been sold to CLP Power Hong Kong Limited at actual prices ranging from approximately $0.2 to $0.8 per kWh, while the average net tariffs have been charged at rates ranging from approximately $1.1 to $1.5 per kWh. The sale has yielded a total revenue of around $52 million to the Government.
      
    (2) The Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I·PARK1) is expected to commence operation this year. The aforementioned existing arrangement will apply to I·PARK1. Upon full operation of I·PARK1, apart from generating electricity for its daily operation, it is estimated that approximately 480 million kWh of surplus electricity can be exported to the power grid each year.
     
    (4) Under the framework of the SCAs, the power companies have provided the energy saving rebate scheme and concessionary tariff schemes to offer discounts in the electricity bills to low consumption customers and customers in need, thereby encouraging energy saving and reducing their expenditure on electricity tariff. In addition, through programmes under their respective Community Energy Saving Fund and Smart Power Care Fund, the power companies would assist the disadvantaged in alleviating their expenses on electricity tariff, including the provision of cash subsidies to eligible grassroots families and households of sub-divided units. The Government will continue to encourage the power companies to provide assistance for customers in need having regard to their operating situations.
    Issued at HKT 11:55

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Enticing international online celebrity to visit Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ14: Enticing international online celebrity to visit Hong Kong 
    Question:
     
    It has been reported that earlier on, an internationally renowned online celebrity live-streamed his activities on YouTube, a video-sharing website, during his visit to Hong Kong, attracting a large number of local and overseas fans to follow him physically, and the number of viewers of the relevant live streams has exceeded 10 million, thus bringing to Hong Kong international exposure that can hardly be ignored. There are views that online celebrities’ “decentralised and spontaneous high-profile events” of this kind enable viewers around the world to see the daily street situations in Hong Kong in real time, which is in line with the concept of “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as it has been reported that massive crowds of people were drawn by the aforesaid online celebrity when he was doing the live streams, whether the authorities will formulate plans to assist in maintaining public order during similar events in the future; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) as there are views that the experience of the aforesaid online celebrity’s visit to Hong Kong attests to the high interactivity and cost-effectiveness of high-traffic online celebrities, whether the authorities will study stepping up efforts to entice them to visit Hong Kong and integrating such events into tourism promotional campaigns; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as it has been reported that the aforesaid online celebrity had earlier on experienced a high-tech tour in Shenzhen, including riding in an amphibious vehicle, watching a robot dance and experiencing a food delivery service by drone, and such activities have demonstrated our country’s high level of technology to the international community, whether the authorities will draw up a list of high-tech projects for visits in Hong Kong to facilitate visits by international high-traffic online celebrities and overseas travellers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    In respect of the question raised by the Dr Hon Dennis Lam, having consulted the Security Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the reply is as follows:
     
    (1) The Police have always attached great importance to and endeavoured to maintain public safety and order. Regarding the live webcasting activities conducted by a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in public places earlier, the Police had been keeping a close watch on the activities and making continuous assessment of the situation. The Police had also taken the initiative to liaise with the team of the KOL, so as to make timely manpower deployment when necessary, with a view to maintaining public safety and order. In case of similar activities in the future, the Police will, as in the past, closely monitor the situation and make timely assessment, and flexibly deploy police manpower to deal with any possible emergencies.
     
    (2) “Seeing is Believing” forms the cornerstone of our strategic approach to showcase Hong Kong’s authentic appeal and diverse tourism offerings. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) consistently invites KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners from around the world to experience the city’s diverse charm firsthand, so as to promote Hong Kong tourism.
     
    The HKTB has tailor-made a variety of thematic itineraries for these guests, covering Chinese and Western arts, pop culture, water and harbour experiences, traditional festivities, gastronomy and outdoor exploration. This aims to create positive word-of-mouth through their personal experiences by leveraging their vast influence, with a view to attracting more visitors to come to Hong Kong.
     
    In 2024, the HKTB proactively invited more than 2 600 KOLs, influencers, media and trade partners from different source markets (including the Mainland, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and long-haul markets) to visit Hong Kong. Counting only KOLs, the HKTB proactively invited over 620 KOLs from local, the Mainland, and overseas markets in 2024 to experience Hong Kong and tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong through their first-hand travel experiences. Collectively, these KOLs have a fan base of approximately 380 million.
     
    The top 10 KOLs invited by the HKTB in 2024 are as follows:
     

    KOLThis year, the HKTB continues to take proactive measures. In the first quarter, the HKTB invited over 650 KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners to come to Hong Kong to create positive exposure. Particularly during the “Hong Kong Super March”, the HKTB collaborated with nearly 100 KOLs and celebrities from various countries and regions (including the Mainland, Taiwan, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia), who shared their first-hand experiences on social media, reaching over 50 million followers. Notable participants included South Korean actor Wi Ha-joon, who starred in Netflix’s hit series Squid Game 2, world number one snooker player Judd Trump, Mainland Chinese singer Zhang Yuan, rising Thai stars Boss and Noeul, former British rugby player Ryan Wilson and Indonesian artist Eva Alicia.
     
    Looking ahead, the HKTB will adhere to the strategy of “Seeing is Believing” and invite more globally renowned KOLs, media, and industry representatives to visit Hong Kong, spreading its unique charm worldwide and attracting more visitors to make advance plans to travel to Hong Kong.
     
    The HKTB stands ready to provide appropriate support to KOLs who are interested in visiting and promoting Hong Kong tourism, subject to evaluation of various factors including the size of their fanbase, their social media posts engagement rates, their professional status and image, whether they tie in with the target source markets and marketing strategies, with the aim of leveraging their first-hand experiences to showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm.
     
    (3) According to the ITIB, the Government is dedicated to promoting Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development by leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city to foster global I&T collaboration. The two I&T flagships (Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Cyberport) support tech enterprises to expand their network of collaborative partners in the Mainland and overseas markets as well as liaise with their I&T park enterprises and the I&T sector, actively participate in international or regional conferences and exhibitions, with a view to promoting commercialisation of research and development outcomes as well as the products to both the Mainland and overseas markets.
     
    Regarding the HKTB’s initiative of inviting KOLs, influencers, media, and industry partners to come to Hong Kong and tailor-making a variety of thematic itineraries, the HKTB stands ready to incorporate different elements (including those related to technology) into the itineraries to showcase Hong Kong’s characteristics, thereby promoting Hong Kong’s appeal and attracting more visitors to come to Hong Kong.
    Issued at HKT 11:55

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Enhancing effectiveness of waste management

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):

    Question:
     
    The Government has indicated in the 2024 Policy Address that it will continue to promote waste reduction and recycling, including expanding the community recycling network, and reviewing the tender arrangements and requirements for the GREEN@COMMUNITY project to enhance its cost-‍effectiveness and improve service quality. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that, under the 2024 Legislative Programme, the Government plans to amend the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) to require the property management companies and owners’ organisations of major housing estates and single-block residential buildings with relatively large number of flats (the property management sector) to separately collect common types of recyclables and pass them to downstream recyclers for processing, but the relevant legislative proposals have yet to be submitted to this Council, and the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 (the Bill), which involves amendments to Chapter 354, does not include the aforesaid legislative proposals, of the reasons for that; whether the Government has assessed the impact of its failure to implement the aforesaid legislative proposals on the effectiveness of its efforts to expand the community recycling network as indicated in the 2024 Policy Address; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) given that the Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter (the Charter) was launched in June last year for private residential premises to enhance residents’ awareness of recycling, of the following information on the signing of the Charter by management groups of private residential premises each month since its launch (set out in a table): the number of private residential premises involved (and their proportion to the total number of private residential premises in Hong Kong), the number of households involved, and the recycling data for such premises; whether the authorities have studied the reasons why some management groups of private residential premises have not signed the Charter, and when legally-binding waste reduction and recycling regulatory measures will be implemented for the property management sector based on the implementation experience of the Charter;
     
    (3) given that the plastic shopping bag (PSB) charge under the existing Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme (the Charging Scheme) is retained and handled by business operators on their own, whether the authorities have required business operators to submit information on the number of PSBs distributed and the amounts of income involved for each of the past five years (i.e. 2020-2021 to 2024-2025); if so, of the relevant annual data, with a tabulated breakdown by business sectors; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) given that the fixed penalty under the current Charging Scheme can be paid via electronic platforms (e.g. the Faster Payment System), and taking into account the current fiscal position of the Government, whether the authorities will consider adjusting the policy and drawing on the practice of penalty payment to allow members of the public to pay the PSB charge to the Government directly via electronic payment methods; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (5) given that, based on the information provided by the Government in response to my question regarding the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the operating expenditure of the GREEN@COMMUNITY project has increased annually, with the budget for 2025-2026 being $507 million, an increase of 61.98 per cent over the actual expenditure of $313 million in 2023-2024, there are views that the operational model of the project is unsustainable, and the Government has indicated in the 2024 Policy Address that it will review the tender arrangements and requirements for the project to enhance its cost-effectiveness, of the details and specific timetable of the relevant work?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Government continues to vigorously promote waste reduction and recycling, enhance the community recycling network and strengthen public education to promote a green culture of waste reduction and recycling in our society. The recycling network, comprising the Programme on Source Separation of Waste and GREEN@COMMUNITY, has reached a coverage over 90 per cent of the population in Hong Kong. The various waste reduction and recycling initiatives implemented have achieved encouraging results to date. The current-term Government has reversed the rising trend of waste disposal amount. The daily average quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of at landfills has consistently declined for three consecutive years since 2021. The daily quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills decreased from 11 358 tonnes in 2021 to 10 510 tonnes in 2024, amounting to a total reduction of 7.5 per cent.
     
    The reply to the question raised by the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) Having consulted the property management trade and owners’ organisations, we consider that prior to implementing legislation to regulate separation and recycling of domestic waste, it would be appropriate to further promote participation of residential premises and increase the quantity and variety of domestic waste recycling facilities by way of enhancing publicity and public education first. In this connection, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched the Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter (the Charter) in June 2024 to encourage private residential premises (PRPs) to set up more waste separation and recycling facilities which are easily accessible within the premises. In addition to the collection of common types of recyclables including paper, metals and plastics, the signees of the Charter are required to collect glass containers, beverage cartons and food waste, and ensure that the collected recyclables are handed over to downstream recyclers. The signees are also obligated to maintain delivery records of various types of recyclables and regularly publish recycling data for residents’ information with a view to enhancing the performance management of recyclables and instilling residents’ confidence in the practice of waste separation and recycling. The Charter has received very positive feedbacks from the housing estates. In about nine months, as at the first quarter of 2025, 858 PRPs have already signed the Charter, covering about 740 000 households, representing about 40 per cent of the total number of households in PRPs with property management companies/owners’ corporations/residents’ organisations across the territory. About 2 000 waste separation and recycling facilities have been set up additionally. According to the preliminary data, the average recovery rate per household participating in the Charter is showing an increasing trend.
     
    The number of signees of the Charter by quarter is tabulated below:
     

    Quarter for signing the Charter Number of PRPs signing the Charter Number of households in PRPs signing the Charter
         		 Percentage of households in PRPs with property management companies/owners’ corporations/residents’ organisations
    Q3 2024
         		 215 168 597 9.5 per cent
    Q4 2024
         		 480 409 019 23.0 per cent
    Q1 2025
         		 163 163 020 9.2 per cent
    Total 858 740 636 41.7 per cent

    The EPD will continue to encourage more PRPs to join the Charter through various channels such as publicity at district level and engagement with property management sector, in order to provide enhanced recycling facilities for more members of the public. Some PRPs have reflected that they have not joined the Charter due to inadequate space. The EPD will continue to maintain communication with these premises and explore whether we could offer any assistance. 
     
    (3) and (4) During the initial phase of the Plastic Shopping Bag (PSB) Charging Scheme from 2009 to 2015, retailers subject to the regulation were required to submit returns and remit their levy income to the Government on a quarterly basis. When the Scheme was extended to cover the entire retail sector in 2015, the Government decided to adopt a “retention” approach after public consultation, under which retailers are allowed to retain and handle the PSB charges on their own without the need of remitting to the Government or submitting returns, so as to reduce the administrative burden and compliance costs on small and medium enterprises. Following the implementation of the Enhanced Scheme on December 31, 2022, the number of PSBs disposed of in 2023 decreased significantly by around 31.5 per cent compared to that in 2022, among which the flat-top bags disposed of dropped by more than 60 per cent alone. In view of the effectiveness of the Enhanced Scheme, the EPD so far has no plan to adjust the existing mode of operation. As retailers are not required to remit the PSB charges to the Government, the EPD does not have the figures of PSBs distributed by retailers or the PSB charges involved in the past five years.
     
    (5) As mentioned above, the EPD is continuously expanding the community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY to strengthen the recycling facilities at district level. The number of GREEN@COMMUNITY public collection points has notably increased from around 250 in 2023 to over 800 at present. These include 12 Recycling Stations focusing on both environmental education and recycling support, 82 Recycling Stores located in close proximity to clusters of single-block buildings or set up in public rental housing (PRH) estates, around 600 Recycling Spots, and over 100 sets of smart recycling bins. As the 50 Recycling Stores set up in PRH estates mainly commenced operation progressively in the first half of 2024, their expenditures were not reflected in 2023-24. Together with an increase in some 470 Recycling Spots thereafter, the estimated operating expenditure of 2025-26 increases to some extent compared to that of 2023-24. However, the quantity of recyclables collected by GREEN@COMMUNITY has been continuously increasing remarkably at the same time from around 26 900 tonnes in 2023 to around 41 800 tonnes in 2024, with a year-on-year increase of nearly 60 per cent. The quantity of recyclables collected in the first quarter of 2025 was around 11 270 tonnes, representing a further increase compared to the same period last year.
     
    To enhance the overall cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the operation of GREEN@COMMUNITY, the EPD is reviewing the tender arrangements and requirements for GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities. For example, in the tendering for the follow-on contracts of 12 Recycling Stores conducted early this year, different types of operators (including private enterprises) have been included, with a view to reducing cost through enhanced competition. The EPD will also relocate some of the Recycling Stores to suitable government facilities and make greater use of smart recycling devices to gradually transform the operation of Recycling Stores into self-service recycling facilities, so as to reduce the rental expenses and operating costs. The EPD will review the operation of GREEN@COMMUNITY from time to time and adjust the service arrangements as necessary, with a view to enhancing its cost-effectiveness.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: Village sewerage systems

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):
     
    Question:
     
         It is learnt that the Government commenced the rural trunk sewerage project in Kam Tin Heung (the trunk sewerage project) in as early as 2006, and the private housing courts completed in the vicinity have already been connected to the trunk sewer. However, there have yet to be any public sewer connection works carried out for quite a number of the villages under the Kam Tin Rural Committee, causing great distress to the villagers over the years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the following information on the villages under the Kam Tin Rural Committee in relation to public sewer connection works (set out in a table): (i) the names of the villages where public sewer connection works have been completed or are being carried out, (ii) the titles of the relevant works projects as well as the time required/estimated for completing the works, and (iii) the names of the villages where no public sewer connection works have been carried out;
     
    (2) among the villages mentioned in (1)(iii) where no public sewer connection works have been carried out, of a list of those villages for which the authorities have plans to carry out such works, as well as the locations and commencement dates of such works (set out in a table);
     
    (3) of the commencement and completion dates of the trunk sewerage project, as well as the shortest distance for laying a sewer to connect to the trunk sewer from Kam Tin Heung; and
     
    (4) as it is learnt that in 2016, the Kam Tin Rural Committee made a request for improvement of the sewerage system of Kam Tin Heung, as well as proposed to lay sewers to connect to the aforesaid trunk sewer, whether the authorities will carry out such works for Kam Tin Heung; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government has all along been allocating resources with a view to taking forward the Village Sewerage Programme (the Programme) to progressively provide public sewerage facilities in village areas for improving rural environment and enhancing the water quality of rivers and coastal waters. Currently, the sewerage systems for 17 village areas in Yuen Long district have been completed. 

         The Government’s consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Holden Chow is as follows:

    (1) and (2) The Programme currently covers nine village areas in Kam Tin, Yuen Long. Among them, the Drainage Services Department commenced the village sewerage works for part of Kam Tin Shi in 2020 and completed the works in 2024, while the investigation study for the sewerage systems of the other eight village areas has been completed. Relevant information is tabulated below:
     

    Progress No. of village areas Names of project and village areas
    Sewerage works completed 1 Village sewerage at Kam Tin Shi, Kam Tin – Kam Tin Shi (part)
    Investigation study completed 8 Village sewerage for Kam Tin, Yuen Long (Stage 1) – Ha Ko Po, Ko Po San Tsuen, Ko Po Tsuen (Kam Tin), Tsz Tong Tsuen (Kam Tin), Wing Lung Wai, Kam Tin San Tsuen, Tai Hong Wai and Kat Hing Wai

     
         Given the large number of village areas scattered over an extensive area in Yuen Long district, the Government will take into account various factors, including level of improvement to the environment by the Programme, density of village population, preference of residents, technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and financial position, to plan relevant works for the remaining village areas in Kam Tin in a timely manner.

    (3) and (4) The works project of Kam Tin trunk sewers commenced in 2005. However, due to a lack of consensus among stakeholders and congestion of underground utilities along the route, parts of the trunk sewers of the Kam Tin village sewerage were not completed concurrently upon project completion in 2011. Nevertheless, the constructed trunk sewers are still available for connection to the aforementioned village areas in Kam Tin. In general, the distance for laying branch sewer to connect to trunk sewer is considered during the detailed design stage of individual village sewerage projects.

         The Government will continue to strengthen communication with stakeholders such as District Councils, Rural Committees, and village representatives for the orderly planning and implementation of the village sewerage projects. Residents in village areas yet to be provided with public sewerage at present, including some remote and sparsely populated villages, can continue to use on-site sewage treatment facilities such as septic tanks and soakaway systems to treat their sewage.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ2: Pet-inclusive facilities of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):
     
    Question:

    ​It has been reported that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has progressively established more pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets in recent years. However, some members of the public have relayed that the hygiene conditions and locations of such facilities are unsatisfactory, and that the ancillary facilities are inadequate with some already damaged. Furthermore, most other recreation and leisure facilities under the LCSD, including public bathing beaches and holiday camps, still prohibit the entry of animals. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the number of complaints received by the Government in each of the past five years involving the use of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets, and the three most common types of these complaints together with their respective numbers;
     
    (2) of the respective numbers of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets that the LCSD (i) has currently established and (ii) plans to establish in the coming three years in the various districts throughout the territory (and their proportions in the total number of LCSD gardens and parks in the respective districts), and the respective land areas of such gardens and parks (and their proportions in the total areas of LCSD gardens and parks in the respective districts), together with a breakdown by the 18 districts across the territory; whether the LCSD will proactively examine the demand for such gardens and parks in the various districts with a view to setting the relevant targets and a timetable for their establishment;
     
    (3) of the conditions and minimum standards set by the LCSD in relation to the size, facilities and management, etc. of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets when they are established; the guidelines and requirements put in place by the LCSD to govern the management of these gardens and parks by outsourced management companies, such as the daily frequency of emptying dog excreta collection bins and the time taken to repair damaged facilities;
     
    (4) of the number of complaints received by the Government in each of the past five years involving the bringing of pets into the various recreation and leisure facilities (including public bathing beaches and holiday camps) under the LCSD, and the number of enforcement actions taken in this regard;
     
    (5) whether the LCSD will, by drawing on the experience of establishing pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets, consider creating pet-‍friendly spaces in facilities under its management, such as public bathing beaches and holiday camps; if so, of the details and implementation timetable; if not, the factors to be considered; and
     
    (6) given that the arrangement to establish Inclusive Parks for Pets has been regularised for four years, when the LCSD plans to review the effectiveness of implementing the pet-inclusive concept in parks and assess the long-term feasibility of completely lifting the ban on allowing pets to enter parks and gardens?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    My reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan is as follows:
     
    (1) The number of complaints received by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) involving the use of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets in the past five years are as follows: 
     

    Year Number of complaints received (cases)
    2020 82
    2021 287
    2022 858
    2023 1 029
    2024 695

     
    Among the above complaints, the three most common categories are environmental hygiene (1 348 cases), venue facilities (383 cases), as well as relevant policies and arrangements such as requests for or objections to the establishment of more pet gardens or Inclusive Parks for Pets (352 cases).
     
    (2) As at March 2025, the LCSD has set up a total of 55 pet gardens and 180 Inclusive Parks for Pets in the 18 districts across Hong Kong. Information on the number of LCSD parks and playgrounds, the number of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets, as well as the proportion of these facilities in the total number and site area of LCSD parks and playgrounds by district are set out at the Annex.
     
    The LCSD keeps an open mind and opens up its venues as pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets proactively, and will duly review public feedback. The LCSD plans to set up a total of over 20 additional pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets in the 18 districts across Hong Kong in the next three years. The proposed addition of pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets is subject to the support of relevant District Councils. Hence, the actual number and site areas are yet to be confirmed. More information will be released by the LCSD in due course when more concrete details of the plan are available.
     
    (3) Pet gardens, which are for exclusive use by pets, are normally equipped with fences and double pet gates at entrances/exits to prevent pets from getting lost. Pets are allowed to move around freely in the venues without leashes. At present, the newly provided pet gardens under the LCSD normally cover an area of no less than 400 square metres, and are equipped with ancillary facilities (e.g. dog excreta collection bins/dog latrines and hand-washing facilities) for owners or their pets. Subject to the actual environment, some pet gardens are even furnished with lawns, drinking fountains and play equipment, etc. for exclusive use by pets. Separate areas for large/small pets are also designated in some of the pet gardens where feasible, with a view to catering to the varying needs of the users and their pets.
     
    Inclusive Parks for Pets are not designed for exclusive use by pets. The concept is to allow members of the public to bring their pets to the parks and share the passive leisure facilities therein with other users. To facilitate the shared use of park facilities among different users, the LCSD will make minimal changes to the existing environment and facilities of the parks, and require owners to keep their pets leashed in the venues. In addition, depending on the actual environment and needs, additional basic ancillary facilities, such as dog excreta collection bins/dog latrines and hand-washing facilities will also be provided in the venues for the convenience of pet owners.
     
    To ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of venues, cleansing service contractors will arrange frontline cleansing staff to conduct regular cleaning in accordance with the contractual requirements and actual operational needs. In general, frontline cleansing staff will empty the dog excreta collection bins daily, and step up the cleansing frequency in view of the actual operational needs. LCSD staff will also carry out regular inspections of various facilities in the pet gardens and Inclusive Parks for Pets. If the facilities are found to be damaged, the LCSD will request the works departments or arrange for contractors to carry out repair works as soon as possible. The time taken to repair damaged facilities depends on individual circumstances and the parts involved, making it difficult to generalise.
     
    (4) The number of complaints received by the LCSD about pets being brought into leisure facilities by members of the public and the number of prosecutions instigated by the LCSD in this regard in the past five years (from 2020 to 2024) are as follows:
     

    Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total
    Number of complaints 114 120 114 167 211 726
    Number of prosecutions 1 0 5 2 1 9

     
    (5) Unlike passive parks or leisure facilities that are generally open for public use, holiday camps mainly provide venues for active recreation and sports activities such as archery ranges, rope courses, and sports climbing walls for campers. Water sports centres are also active recreation facilities, and among which, the water sports training venues comprise various zones for coaching, equipment assembling/disassembling and on-land practice etc. Pet-friendly spaces, if added, may hinder the flow and procedures of training, and even affect the safety of venue users and pets. In addition, the public beaches under the LCSD are mainly for members of the public to engage in recreation activities such as swimming, sand sculpting and sunbathing etc. Allowing pets on beaches will lead to hygiene issues such as the excreta of pets on beaches, which are more difficult to manage and may affect other users. Therefore, the LCSD does not consider the provision of pet-friendly spaces at venues such as public beaches, water sports centres and holiday camps currently.
     
    (6) At present, members of the public have varying views and levels of acceptance regarding whether pets should be allowed in LCSD venues. The LCSD has to consider the actual environment as well as views and needs of members of the public, balance environmental hygiene and public health issues and consult the District Councils concerned before ascertaining whether to open up existing venues to pets or designate newly constructed venues as pet gardens or Inclusive Parks for Pets.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commerical Operations begins at Multi Modal Logistic Park in Nagpur

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 8:53AM by PIB Delhi

    Under the PM Gati Shakti initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister with the aim to provide seamless and efficient connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services across various modes of transport, thereby enhancing last-mile connectivity and reducing travel time, and under the guidance of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Multi Modal Logistics Park Limited, Nagpur (MMLP Nagpur) at Sindi, near Wardha commenced its commercial operations with a goal to establish a faster link.

    The MMLP Nagpur established by National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a 100% owned company of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) received its first rake of 123 Maruti Cars from Ex-Farukhnagar on 28th April marking a major achievement for the facility.

    NHLML has signed an agreement with a private developer for the Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in an area of 150 acres in three phases under Public-Private Partnership model with Concession Period of 45 years, at an estimated cost of Rs.673 crore.  Phase-I will be developed with an investment of Rs. 137 crore. 

    An Authority SPV, Maharashtra MMLP Pvt. Ltd., is formed between National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The Authority SPV has to provide land, external rail and road connectivity as well as water and power supply for development of MMLP.

    The MMLP will provide facilities such as warehouses, cold storages, intermodal transfers, handling facilities for container terminals, bulk / break-bulk cargo terminals along with Value Added Services such as sorting / grading and aggregation / desegregation areas, bonded warehouse and customs facilities as well as support logistics facilities such as offices for freight forwarders and transporters and truck terminals.

    Development of MMLP Nagpur will help improve country’s freight logistics sector by enabling efficient inter-modal freight movement to lower overall freight costs and time; providing efficient warehousing, improved tracking and traceability of consignments, thereby enhancing efficiency of the Indian logistics sector. It will further create employment opportunities and bring in economic development in the region.

    ***

    GDH/HR

    (Release ID: 2125325) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IGNCA Honours Padma Awardees in a Celebratory Gathering

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 APR 2025 10:05PM by PIB Delhi

    A grand felicitation ceremony was held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) on Tuesday to honour five distinguished personalities who have been conferred with the Padma Shri award for their outstanding contributions in the fields of art and temple architecture. The IGNCA specially invited these eminent figures to recognise and celebrate their exemplary work. The awardees honoured at the event included: renowned art historian Prof. Ratan Parimoo for his contributions to the field of art; eminent musicologist and educationist Prof. Bharat Gupt for his work in the field of classical arts; acclaimed sculptor Shri Adwaita Charan Gadanayak; distinguished temple architect Shri Radhakrishnan Sthapathy; and celebrated Maand and Bhajan singer Begum Batool for her contribution to the preservation and performance of traditional music. The event was envisioned by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, whose initiative brought together this celebration of distinguished contributions. It was presided over by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, renowned Nritya Guru, scholar, and former Rajya Sabha member, who chaired the session with grace and insight.

    In her address, Dr. Sonal Mansingh began by warmly congratulating the Padma awardees and acknowledged their contributions as an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. She remarked that such individuals serve as an inspiration to society and play a vital role in preserving and sustaining our traditions. Reflecting on the unique spirit of the IGNCA, Dr. Mansingh observed that those who become associated with the institution often develop a bond that endures for a lifetime. She reaffirmed IGNCA’s standing as a centre of excellence, recognised for fulfilling its responsibilities with precision, consistency, and unwavering commitment. Even the most demanding tasks, she remarked, are carried out with exceptional efficiency and integrity at IGNCA. She added that this

    ‘National Centre for the Arts’ stands as a true emblem of Indian art.

    On this occasion, Member Secretary of IGNCA, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, in his welcome address, remarked that each of the Padma Shri awardees being honoured shares, in one way or another, a deep connection with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. He expressed that it is a matter of pride and honour for IGNCA to be able to felicitate such distinguished scholars from its own platform. Referring to Adwaita Gadanayak, he said, “Adwaita is truly Advitiya (unique).” Dr. Joshi affectionately addressed Begum Batool as an elder sister and highlighted that Radhakrishnan Sthapathy, though a trained engineer by profession chose to leave engineering behind to carry forward his father’s tradition of temple architecture. He emphasised that the bond being celebrated today is not merely one of recognition, but of a deeply rooted familial and emotional connection with IGNCA.

    Reflecting on the significance of this year’s Padma Awards, Dr. Joshi noted that while the annual announcements always bring pride, this year felt particularly personal. On the night the honours were declared, he personally called twenty-two individuals to extend his congratulations. Among those recognised were President of IGNCA, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, conferred with the Padma Bhushan, and Trustee of IGNCA, Shri Vasudev Kamath, along with Prof. Bharat Gupt-both recipients of the Padma Shree. Their long-standing and meaningful association with IGNCA, like that of the other awardees being felicitated, made this celebration especially memorable.

    Prof. Sudhir Lall, HoD, Kalakosh Division, IGNCA, offered an insightful introduction to the distinguished contr

    ibutions of Prof. Bharat Gupt and Prof. Ratan Parimoo, highlighting their enduring impact in the realms of classical thought and art history. Prof. Achal Pandya, HoD, Conservation and Cultural Archives Division, IGNCA, elaborated on the life and work of Shri D. Radhakrishnan Sthapathy, drawing attention to his dedication to the sculptural traditions of South India and his commitment to preserving indigenous forms. Prof. Richa Kamboj, HoD, Kaladarsana Division, IGNCA, presented a comprehensive profile of Shri Adwaita Gadanayak, delving into his significant achievements as a sculptor and arts administrator. Shri Anurag Punetha, Controller, Media Centre, IGNCA, introduced Begum Batool with warmth and reverence, offering a detailed account of her contributions to the preservation and promotion of oral and folk traditions.

    On this occasion, all five Padma Shri awardees also shared their thoughts and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to IGNCA for organising this felicitation ceremony. Begum Batool delighted the audience by singing the famous Rajasthani folk song “Kesariya Balam Padharo Mhare Des” in her resonant voice.

    Held at the Samvet Auditorium, the event saw participation from scholars, students, and art connoisseurs from Delhi and across the country. The speakers lauded the contributions of the awardees, describing them as guardians of India’s cultural consciousness. Organised by IGNCA, the ceremony was not only a gesture of honour but also an inspiring initiative to carry forward the legacy of Indian artistic traditions to the younger generation.

    *****

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2125327) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported abduction, rape, and murder of a minor girl and the death of the arrested accused in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported abduction, rape, and murder of a minor girl and the death of the arrested accused in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka

    Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the DGP calling for a detailed report within four weeks

    The report is expected to include the post-mortem examination and the Magisterial Enquiry Reports of both the deceased

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 3:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the abduction, rape and murder of a minor girl and the death of the arrested accused in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka. Reportedly, the incident happened on 14th April, 2025.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victim minor girl, and the arrested suspected perpetrator, killed in an alleged encounter. Therefore, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Karnataka, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The report is expected to include the post-mortem examination and the Magisterial Enquiry Reports of both the deceased.

    According to the media report, carried on 14th April, 2025, soon after the girl’s body was recovered from the bathroom, the angry residents protested outside Ashok Nagar police station, demanding the arrest of the accused. Reportedly, he was nabbed by the police within hours of the incident and was being taken for questioning when he tried to attack them, resulting in gunshot injuries to him, leading to his death.

    *****

    NSK

    (Release ID: 2125449) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Developing the halal market

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 30):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that the global Muslim population currently exceeds 2 billion, representing about 25 per cent of the world’s total population. Based on the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2022 released by DinarStandard in 2023, Muslims spent US$2.29 trillion in 2022 on, among others, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion and travel, and the global Islamic finance assets are expected to reach US$5.96 trillion by 2026. There are views that Hong Kong should expand its share of the international halal market in the countries along the Belt and Road, and strengthen industrial co-operation with the relevant countries. Regarding the development of the halal market, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has kept information on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributed to Hong Kong by the halal industry; if so, of the respective GDP generated in Hong Kong in each of the past five years by the products or industries in the halal market (i.e. (i) food and beverages, (ii) pharmaceutical and health products, (iii) cosmetics, (iv) fashion, (v) hotel and tourism, and (vi) financial services); if not, whether it has plans to compile statistics and keep the relevant information from now on;
     
    (2) whether it has kept information on Hong Kong enterprises which have exported goods to Muslim countries; if so, of the number of Hong Kong enterprises which have exported goods to Muslim countries in each of the past five years, the types of their goods and the respective GDP involved; if not, whether it has plans to compile statistics and keep the relevant information from now on;
     
    (3) whether it knows if the products currently re-exported through Hong Kong can be sold in the relevant Muslim countries after being certified by the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong in accordance with Islamic law and procedures; if so, of the details; if not, what channels are available for such re-exported products to be sold in Muslim countries; and
     
    (4) whether it has plans to introduce a “halal certification system” and conduct mutual recognition of halal certification with major Muslim countries, so as to become a core corridor for certification and trade between related Mainland production enterprises and the halal consumer market, thereby promoting a steady growth in the trading volume of halal products in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Upon consulting the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the consolidated reply to the Hon Yung Hoi-yan’s question is as follows:
     
         Emerging markets such as the Middle East, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) have been the Government’s valued trade and economic partners. These countries’ economic development is growing rapidly and their markets possess vast potential, alongside enormous population of Muslims. The Government has been actively encouraging various sectors of society to seize business opportunities in these markets, so that they can develop in areas such as trade, tourism and finance and provide products and services tailored to the needs of these emerging markets, including the Muslim population therein.
     
         According to the information provided by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the total value of Hong Kong’s domestic exports to Muslim countries (Note) increased from HK$2.7 billion in 2020 to HK$5.5 billion in 2024 whilst the total value of Hong Kong’s re-exports to Muslim countries increased from HK$178.8 billion in 2020 to HK$215.8 billion in 2024, recording an average annual growth rate of about 19.0 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively in the past five years. The values of Hong Kong’s domestic exports and re-exports to individual Muslim countries in the past five years are at Appendices 1 and 2 respectively. Amongst others, major commodities of Hong Kong’s domestic exports to Muslim countries include “beverages”, “jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares, and other articles of precious or semi-precious materials” and “petroleum, petroleum products and related materials”, whilst major commodities of Hong Kong’s re-exports to Muslim countries include “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment”, “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” and “office machines and automatic data processing machines”. The C&SD does not separately maintain information about the number of companies in Hong Kong exporting products to Muslim countries nor the relevant value of gross domestic product.
     
         Besides, although the “halal industry” does not have standard international industrial classifications like the retail and the catering industries rendering it impossible to draw up corresponding statistical coverage of the “halal industries” for compiling relevant information, the Government has been actively encouraging various sectors of society to seize opportunities in these halal markets, including promoting developments in areas such as trade, tourism and finance.
     
         In terms of trade, meeting the requirements for relevant halal product certifications and understanding the opportunities and challenges within the relevant markets are crucial. In this regard, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has been conducting research on individual key halal markets to understand their latest developments, and providing practical information to Hong Kong businesses, including the information on relevant product certification bodies. Furthermore, the HKTDC has also been providing various platforms to promote business opportunities in the halal market. For example, the HKTDC has been promoting different high-quality halal products and food, as well as related trading of products, at its annual Food Expo PRO to help the catering industry to expand its network and businesses. To assist Hong Kong enterprises in grasping the opportunities of the halal food market and facilitate buyers in procurement, the HKTDC introduced the Halal Showcase and added halal food and beverage labels to relevant exhibitors in the 2024 Food Expo PRO. The event also offered different seminars, explaining the requirements of halal food certification and analysing market opportunities and challenges, in order to promote multi-faceted business opportunities relevant to halal food to the businesses.
     
     
         In 2025-26, the HKTDC will arrange for local halal food manufacturers to participate in its Food Expo PRO to strengthen their collaboration with other halal food markets, as well as set up relevant pavilions at the Food Expo PRO to showcase more halal food and products and further explore Islamic business opportunities.
     
         At the same time, the Government strives to assist Hong Kong enterprises in developing more diversified markets and enhancing their competitiveness through various funding schemes and support measures. Among others, the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales provides funding support for enterprises to develop business in 40 economies with which Hong Kong has signed free trade agreements and/or investment promotion and protection agreements (IPPAs), including seven Muslim countries. Also, the SME Export Marketing Fund provides funding support for enterprises to participate in export promotion activities, promoting appropriate products and services to the Muslim population in markets outside Hong Kong.
     
         The Government will continue to actively explore emerging markets, including ASEAN, the Middle East and markets along the B&R, which have large Muslim population. The Government has been actively visiting ASEAN Member States to maintain close communication. For example, from 2022 to 2024, the Chief Executive led delegations to visit seven ASEAN Member States, concluding nearly 90 memoranda of understanding (MOU) and agreements, which helped create business opportunities for Hong Kong and strengthened friendships between the two places. The Government has also been actively reaching out to potential partners in the region, and signed an IPPA with Bahrain in March 2024, which is the third IPPA signed with economies in the Middle East region after the ones with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, we are exploring the signing of IPPAs with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru.
     
         In view of the huge economic potential of the countries along the B&R (including those with large Muslin population), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) set up consultant offices in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and Izmir, the third largest city in Türkiye, within 2024-25 according to the 2023 Policy Address and 2024-25 Budget. This will be beneficial to attracting capital and enterprises from these two member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and seizing relevant business opportunities.
     
         In respect of tourism, the Chief Executive stated in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government would actively develop visitor sources from the Middle East and ASEAN which have large Muslim population to seize opportunities. It is estimated that by 2028, there will be 250 million Muslim visitors worldwide and tourism receipts will reach US$225 billion.
     
         To encourage the travel trade to enhance Muslim-friendly tourism facilities, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has commissioned the internationally recognised halal travel promotion company CrescentRating since 2024 to carry out a series of work to study how Hong Kong can further enhance its “Muslim-friendly” tourism facilities, and assess local hotels, attractions and meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) venues based on categories and standards on par with international benchmarks while taking into account Hong Kong’s actual situation. As at mid-April this year, 61 hotels, and five attractions and MICE venues have successfully applied for and obtained the ratings from CrescentRating.
     
         Besides, to encourage restaurants to obtain halal-related certification, the HKTB works with local halal certification authority, the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong (Board of Trustees, BOT), to promote existing accreditations in the city and encourage food and beverage establishments to apply for certification. As at mid-April this year, the number of certified restaurants has increased from about 100 at the beginning of 2024 to more than 170, which also include high-end Chinese restaurant, Cantonese restaurant and contemporary Hong Kong-style noodle restaurants. In addition, four brands in the city are now offering halal-certified bakery products to provide more choices of souvenirs for Muslim visitors.
     
         Regarding financial services, the Government amended the laws in 2013 and 2014 to provide a tax structure for sukuk comparable with that for conventional bonds, and to allow for the issuance of sukuk under the Government Bond Programme. Thereafter, the Government issued three sukuk, totalling US$3 billion, under the Government Bond Programme, to demonstrate the viability of Hong Kong’s finance platform and that our legal, regulatory and taxation framework can readily support sukuk issuances of different structures. Besides, an array of Islamic financial products and services have been introduced in Hong Kong, including the listing of global sukuk on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Shariah-compliant equity indices and Islamic banking windows. Asia’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking the Saudi Arabia market was also listed on the HKEX in November 2023.
     
         In the area of investment co-operation, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority signed an MOU with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) to jointly anchor a new investment fund of US$1 billion to facilitate companies with nexus to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to develop their business in Saudi Arabia. The Government will continue to expand market development efforts, including promoting the advantages of Hong Kong’s financial system and market, so as to explore further collaboration with Islamic markets in the area of finance.
     
    Note: The “Muslim countries” as mentioned in this reply refer to the 57 Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Advance medical directives

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ12: Advance medical directives 
    Question:
     
         The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (the Ordinance), which was passed by this Council on November 20 last year, aims to establish legislative frameworks for “advance medical directives” (AMDs) and “do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders” and provide legal protection to patients, medical professionals, as well as rescuers, where terminally-ill patients are empowered with a greater degree of autonomy. However, a survey has discovered that approximately 75 per cent of adult respondents have never heard of AMDs. There are views that given the complex medical ethics and legal issues involved in the Ordinance, the Government should enhance public awareness of the Ordinance and establish supporting systems in the long run. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the respective numbers of AMDs signed by and DNACPR orders issued to patients of the Hospital Authority each year since 2019;
     
    (2) whether the Government has currently provided necessary training for frontline staff of medical institutions and relevant organisations regarding the implementation of the Ordinance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it knows the progress made by relevant stakeholders in updating their protocols, records and systems in response to the implementation of the Ordinance;
     
    (3) given that the Ordinance will come into effect in May next year, whether the Government has formulated specific plans to publicise the importance and signing procedure of AMDs among the public; if so, of the details (including publicity channels); if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) whether the authorities will consider strengthening life and death education among the public, and incorporating the content of the Ordinance into such education (particularly by updating the existing curriculum framework for primary and secondary schools) to promote rational discussions in society over the right to a good death; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (5) given that the Government plans to progressively introduce the full electronic route of AMDs, with the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth) serving as the designated electronic system to support the making, storage, revocation and retrieval of electronic AMDs, of the authorities’ specific plans and implementation timetable for the relevant work?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government’s policy objective is to provide quality and comprehensive end-of-life (EoL) care services to patients and their families. Advance decision instruments (i.e. advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders) are integral components of EoL care, aiming to respect patients’ autonomy and shield them from enduring ineffective and unnecessary treatments in their final stages of life, thereby enhancing the quality of life of terminally-ill patients. Since 2010, the Hospital Authority (HA) has been allowing its patients to make or sign advance decision instruments when necessary according to common law practices. Passed by the Legislative Council in November 2024, the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (the Ordinance) establishes a corresponding legal framework for and provides clearer legal status for advance decision instruments, safeguarding the makers and subject patients of advance decision instruments, as well as providing legal protection for healthcare professionals in following the directives and orders. The Ordinance is planned to take effect 18 months after its passage (i.e. around mid-2026).
     
         In consultation with the Department of Health (DH), the HA, the Education Bureau and the Security Bureau, the reply to the question raised by Hon Edward Leung is as follows:
     
    (1) According to the Ordinance, pre-existing advance decision instruments made before the commencement of the Ordinance will remain valid and applicable after its commencement, provided that they meet the specific conditions set out in the Ordinance. The number of AMDs made within the HA from 2019 to 2024 is tabulated as follows:
     
     

    Year     The number of DNACPR orders made within the HA from 2019 to 2024 is tabulated as follows:
     

    Year(2) To ensure smooth implementation of the Ordinance, the Health Bureau (HHB) is arranging briefing and training sessions for relevant organisations, such as disciplined services departments and other rescue teams, regarding the legal framework and protection provisions outlined in the Ordinance. The HHB is also co-ordinating with various stakeholders to update relevant guidelines. For instance, the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine released the “Best Practice Guidelines on Advance Medical Directives” (BPG) in April this year. The BPG offers practical advice on clinical decision-making, doctor-patient communication and ethical considerations for healthcare professionals’ reference, with a view to enhancing their professional capabilities in handling advance decision instruments while upholding patients’ autonomy and complying with the legal framework of the Ordinance. Moreover, relevant policy bureaux, departments, the HA and other related organisations are currently formulating services and operational guidelines in alignment with their specific operational needs. These guidelines will among other things encompass protocols and precautions for implementing DNACPR orders outside hospital settings. Training sessions will also be conducted for rescue personnel to ensure their readiness to make prompt and accurate decisions in accordance with the legal requirements during emergencies.
     
    (3) and (4) To enhance public understanding of the Ordinance, the HHB, in collaboration with the Jockey Club End-of-Life Community Care Project (JCECC) and the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, co-organised a series of eight community talks to elucidate the provisions of the Ordinance. Additionally, the HHB further disseminated information about the Ordinance to the general public through promotional pamphlets, mobile van publicity campaigns and a designated website.
     
         In fact, advance decision instruments under the Ordinance form part of advance care planning (ACP), which is an overarching and preceding process for patients to communicate their preferences regarding medical and personal care. The scope of ACP includes not only the advance decisions concerning life-sustaining treatments documented in AMDs, but also the patient’s previously expressed wishes, personal goals to be accomplished, preferences for EoL care, and treatment expectations, among other aspects. The Ordinance presents an opportunity for patients and their families, as well as the society as a whole, to understand and engage in discussions about ACP, enabling carers to provide suitable EoL care according to patients’ wishes.
     
         By fostering collaboration across departments and sectors, the Government is proactively implementing a range of public education and promotional initiatives within the community and establishing collaborative networks with social service organisations to enhance public awareness and understanding of topics like ACP and life and death education, thereby facilitating rational discussions on life and death matters within society. The DH also disseminates public education on life and death issues through various channels including media interviews, websites, publications, and online videos. In the meantime, the HA actively organises seminars, events, and talks on life and death education, including the advocacy of ACP concept.
     
         Beyond promotional campaigns targeting the general public, the Government has also implemented other targeted promotional initiatives. Specifically tailored for the elderly population, the multidisciplinary Visiting Health Teams of the Elderly Health Service (EHS) of the DH deliver health education on ageing, life and death education, managing loss and grief, and psychological needs of patients needing EoL care. These health talks are conducted for the elderly and their carers at residential care homes for the elderly, elderly centres and elderly health centres. From 2008 to 2025, the EHS has organised over 2 600 relevant health talks.
     
         As for patients, the HA’s “Smart Patient Website” provides diverse information related to palliative care, such as symptom management, caregiving tips and community resources for patients and carers to reference. In mid-2025, the HA will launch a “Smart Patient” talk series on EoL care for patient groups and the general public.
     
         In the context of school education, life education (including life and death education) is an integral part of values education. The Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) (2021) has identified “enhancing life education” as one of its major focuses and has included “understanding the course of life: birth, ageing, illness, and death” as one of the suggested proposed learning expectations for students. Relevant learning elements have been incorporated into the primary and secondary school curricula. Schools will align with students’ cognitive development and life experiences to help them understand topics related to ACP both within and beyond classroom.
     
    (5) The Ordinance provides that the Secretary for Health may designate an electronic system, enabling makers to electronically make, store and revoke AMDs. The HHB is currently enhancing eHealth, which will serve as the designated electronic system, to support the implementation of AMDs.
     
         We will introduce electronic AMDs in phases. In the first phase, paper AMDs and the electronic storage of such AMDs will be implemented. After making a paper AMD, the public can opt to electronically store an electronic image of the paper AMD, such as a scanned copy or a photo, on eHealth to serve as a validating copy of the paper directive. The electronic storage will allow both the makers and medical institutions to access the directives through eHealth whenever needed. We plan to launch the first phase with the commencement of the Ordinance in mid-2026. Once the relevant functions of eHealth, along with the electronic systems of medical institutions and related organisations, are in place, we will proceed to enable the electronic making and storing of AMDs directly within eHealth.
    Issued at HKT 16:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Costs of developing and operating public housing

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ1: Costs of developing and operating public housing 
    Question:
     
         The 2025-2026 Budget mentioned that the total public housing supply would reach 190  000 units in the next five years. Regarding the costs of developing and operating public housing, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that the Government has been granting land for the development of public housing at nominal premium, premium below the market value or nil premium, of the respective amounts of land premium waived for public housing projects of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) as well as the number of units involved in each of the past five and the coming three financial years, and set out in the table below a breakdown by projects (i.e. (i) public rental housing (PRH)/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and (ii) other subsidised sale flats under HA, as well as (iii) rental estates and (iv) subsidised sale housing projects under HKHS):
     

    Financial year(2) of the respective average construction costs (including (i) per square foot of the construction floor area and (ii) per flat) of PRH/rental housing units and subsidised sale flats constructed by HA and HKHS in each of the past five and the coming three financial years, with a breakdown by type of projects;
     
    (3) of the respective expenditures spent by HA and HKHS on site formation and infrastructural works for public housing in each of the past five and the coming three financial years, and the respective numbers of flats involved, as well as the respective ratios of expenditures on PRH/rental estates and subsidised sale flats;
     
    (4) given that according to the paper on the budgets and financial forecasts issued by HA in January this year (the paper), the largest expenditure item under the rental housing operating account is the item “other recurrent expenditure”, of the expenditure/estimates incurred by each of the sub-items of this item in each of the past five and the coming three financial years;
     
    (5) of the actual expenditure involving government rent and rates in HA’s rental housing operating account in each of the past five financial years, and the amount of rates concession provided by the Government in each of these years; and
     
    (6) given that according to the paper, HA’s construction expenditure included items such as “Government non-reimbursement projects”, “Government-funded projects” and “in-house supervision and administration costs”, of the specific work covered by these items?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Lands Department, the reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Wendy Hong is as follows:
     
    (1) In the past five and coming three financial years, the number of units involved in the public housing projects of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), and the respective amounts of land premium waived, are set out by year at Annex.
     
    (2) As a financially autonomous public body, the HA funds its public housing programmes with its own resources. Each year, the Housing Department (HD) prepares the average construction costs per flat of Public Rental Housing (PRH)/Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and other Subsidised Sale Flats (SSF) projects based on the cost of building tenders approved by the HA in the preceding financial year. The construction costs will be released by the HA Finance Committee after being considered in its meeting.
     
         As the number of building tenders approved by the HA in each financial year and factors such as scale and design of projects, market conditions, etc. are different, the average construction cost per flat varies year to year. From 2020-21 to 2023-24 financial years (Note 1), the average construction costs per flat of PRH/GSH projects and other SSF projects based on the cost of building tenders approved by the HA are set out below:
     

    Financial YearEach year, the HD also reports the average construction costs for superstructure (Note 2) of the preceding financial year to the HA. From 2020/21 to 2023/24 financial years (Note 3), the average construction costs per square foot of construction floor area (ft2-CFA) for superstructure are set out below:
     

    Financial Yearfor superstructure ($) (approx.)     According to existing mechanism, the HD closely monitors changes in market conditions. In compiling and managing the cost budget of new projects, the HD will take various factors into consideration, including tender price trend, anticipated rate of price increase, development programmes, etc. to ensure smooth implementation of public housing schemes.
     
         To further enhance cost-effectiveness of public housing construction, the HD will continue to explore and implement enhancement measures on construction cost control.
     
         The study direction includes the development of a framework for optimising construction cost control, covering areas such as planning, design, application of advanced technologies and innovative construction methods, procurement models, and approval processes. The framework enables a thorough review and optimisation of various processes to effectively manage the construction costs. It also acts in concert with the inter-departmental “Action Group for Expediting Construction for Public Housing” led by the Secretary for Housing, which identifies, streamlines, and resolves inter-departmental issues encountered during public housing developments through strengthening inter-departmental co-operation so as to expedite the progress and further enhance cost-effectiveness of public housing projects.
     
         According to the information provided by the HKHS, from 2020/21 to 2023/24 financial years (Note 4), the average construction cost per rental flat remained at around $1.1 million based on the project contract sum awarded by the HKHS. As for the HKHS’s SSF, each of which is equipped with a green balcony and utility platform, interior finishes such as tiled flooring, partition walls and doors for each room, as well as household appliances such as air conditioners, water heater, cooking hobs, etc., the average construction cost per flat was around $1.6 million.
     
         Due to the differences in design and provisions of the HKHS’s and the HA’s projects, generally speaking, the average construction cost per flat of the HKHS would be about 15 to 30 per cent higher than that of the HA.
     
         The HKHS is actively enhancing its cost efficiency as well as promoting construction digitalisation by applying Digital Works Supervision System and Smart Site Safety System, with a view to enhancing quality control and project management efficiency.
     
    (3) The Government’s expenses under the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF) Head 711 are for the implementation of public housing-related site formation and infrastructure projects undertaken by the Government, while the HA is responsible for the expenditure on the construction of public housing. Besides, quite a number of projects associated with the supply target of public housing are funded by other heads of expenditure under the CWRF.
     
         As for Head 711 under the CWRF, the yearly expenditures of works projects in the past five and current fiscal year (Note 5), including infrastructure works with funding approved or pending funding approval by the Finance Committee to support the implementation of public housing developments undertaken by the HA, are tabulated below:
     

    Financial Year($ million)     As for Head 711 under the CWRF, the expenditures for the past five financial years involve about 98 000 flats for completion in 2024/25 or before, comprising about 83 000 PRH/GSH flats and about 15 000 other SSF flats. The expenditure ratio of the two is about 74 per cent and 26 per cent.
     
         Besides, for Head 711 under the CWRF, some 64 000 flats are estimated to be completed in the coming five-year period (Note 7) (i.e. 2025/26 to 2029/30), comprising about 44 000 PRH/GSH flats and about 21 000 other SSF flats. The expenditure ratio of the two is about 56 per cent and 44 per cent. During project development, the HA will maintain flexibility in housing types and make timely adjustments of the respective supply in order to respond more appropriately to the needs of the community.
     
         As regards the HKHS’s rental and SSF projects, most of the sites handed over to the HKHS by the Government have had the site formation and infrastructure works completed. From 2020/21 to 2025/26 financial years, the HKHS’s total expenditure on site formation works (such as slope maintenance and stabilisation) and infrastructure works (such as temporary roads, road widening, etc.) was approximately over $300 million, concerning six projects.
     
    (4) “Other recurrent expenditures” of the Rental Housing Operating Account are mainly expenses related to estate management, including security, cleansing, electricity charges, estate property management and management fees for estate common areas. The related expenditure for the past five financial years and the next three financial years are as follows:
     

    Financial Year($ million)(5) The actual annual expenditure on government rent and rates of Rental Housing Operating Account in the past five financial years, as well as the rates concessions provided by the Government each year, are as follows:
     

    Financial Year($ million)($ million)# The rates of public rental housing as assessed by Rating and Valuation Department are on a block/floor basis, the HA will pass on the rates concession to tenants according to the respective unit’s share of internal floor area against the total rates of the whole domestic block. As the amount of rates concession is deducted from the rates payable of individual properties, the HA has not calculated the actual total amount of rates concession.
     
    (6) Government non-reimbursable projects mainly include public transport interchanges (PTI) within development projects. Except individual projects which have been committed, the HA is no longer responsible for committing the expenditure related to PTIs after 2007.
     
         The HA provides supervision services and construction of Government-funded projects in new development projects including welfare and community facilities such as schools, residential care homes for elderly, day care centres for the elderly, child care centres, etc.
     
         In-house supervision and administration costs are mainly expenses of the relevant divisions of the HA responsible for supervision of construction projects, including personal emoluments, administrative costs, etc.
     
    Note 1: The figure for 2024/25 financial year is not yet available. 
    Note 2: The construction cost for superstructure excludes costs of demolition, site formation, foundation, underground drainage, external works, other separate contracts for works such as utilities connection/road diversion, etc. These costs vary a lot from project to project subject to site constraints.
    Note 3: The figure for 2024/25 financial year is not yet available.
    Note 4: The figure for 2024/25 financial year is not yet available.
    Note 5: As the estimate beyond 2025/26 financial year will be subject to the project implementation schedule and works progress, the estimated expenditures of 2026/27 and 2027/28 will be published in the related budgets of the Government in future.
    Note 6: 2020/21 to 2023/24 are actual expenditures; 2024/25 expenditures refer to the Revised Estimate; and 2025/26 expenditures refer to the Estimate.
    Note 7: Based on the forecast as at December 2024.
    Note 8: The figures from 2020/21 to 2023/24 are actual expenditures. The figure of 2024/25 is the Revised Budget and 2025/26 is the Approved Budget.
    Issued at HKT 17:15

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Social and Care Support Service to roll out under Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (April 30) that the New Home Association Limited (NHAL) has been commissioned to provide Social and Care Support Service under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong starting from tomorrow (May 1) to provide support to elderly participants and their families. 

    The Social and Care Support Service is one of the measures announced in the 2024 Policy Address to help elderly participants of the Scheme better adapt to the life in the residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) on the Mainland and receive timely assistance when needed.

         The NHAL will provide support services for the elderly participants under the Scheme, especially during the initial six-month trial period upon admission into the RCHEs, to assist them in understanding the Mainland’s medical systems and care services, maintain connections with their families in Hong Kong, and provide them with suitable advice and assistance in handling such matters as housing, medical care, financial matters, etc in Hong Kong. Continuous support will also be rendered in accordance with their needs upon completion of the trial period. 

    The Social and Care Support Service will also conduct assessments under the Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services and follow up applications for those Hong Kong elderly who have settled in Guangdong Province and are interested in joining the Scheme at their places of residence.

    Details of the Scheme are available at the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/elderly/cat_residentcare/subrcheplace/guangdong).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May

    Source: Government of India

    PM to visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May

    PM to inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai

    India to host the Global Media Dialogue with Ministerial participation from around 25 countries

    PM to dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala

    It is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port

    PM to lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati

    In a major boost to connectivity in the region, PM to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple road and rail projects in Andhra Pradesh

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 1:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May. He will travel to Mumbai on 1st May, and at around 10:30 AM, he will inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

    Thereafter he will travel to Kerala and on 2nd May, at around 10:30 AM, he will dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

    Further, he will travel to Andhra Pradesh and at around 3:30 PM, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati. He will also address the public function.

    PM in Maharashtra

    Prime Minister will inaugurate WAVES 2025, India’s first-of-its-kind World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai. The four-day summit with tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by bringing together creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the world.

    In line with Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging creativity, technology, and talent to shape a brighter future, WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, making it a comprehensive showcase of India’s media and entertainment prowess. WAVES aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, expanding India’s footprint in the global entertainment economy.

    At WAVES 2025, India will also host the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time, with ministerial participation from 25 countries, marking a milestone in the country’s engagement with the global media and entertainment landscape. The Summit will also feature the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace with over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects. It aims to connect buyers and sellers locally and globally, ensuring wide-reaching networking and business opportunities.

    Prime Minister will visit the Creatosphere and interact with creators, selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges launched nearly a year ago, which garnered over one lakh registrations. He will also visit the Bharat Pavilion.

    WAVES 2025 will witness participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The summit will feature 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses spanning diverse sectors including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.

    PM in Kerala

    Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs 8,900 crore. It is country’s first dedicated container transshipment port that represents the transformative advancements being made in India’s maritime sector as part of the unified vision of Viksit Bharat.

    Vizhinjam Port, having strategic importance, has been identified as a key priority project which will contribute in strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthens India’s position in global trade.

    PM in Andhra Pradesh

    Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati.

    In line with his commitment to ensure world-class infrastructure and connectivity across the country, Prime Minister will inaugurate 7 National Highway projects in Andhra Pradesh. These Projects include widening of various sections of National Highways, construction of Road over bridge and subway among others. These projects will further enhance road safety; create employment opportunities; provide seamless connectivity to religious and tourist places like Tirupati, Srikalahasti, Malakonda and Udayagiri Fort among others.

    Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting capacity. These projects are doubling of the rail line between Bugganapalle Cement Nagar and Panyam stations, enhancing connectivity between Rayalaseema and Amaravati and construction of a third rail line between New West Block Hut Cabin and Vijayawada stations.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 6 National Highway projects and one Railway project. These Projects include widening of various sections of National highways; construction of elevated corridor,  half clover leaf and Road over bridge among others. These projects will improve connectivity, inter-state travel, reduce congestion and improve overall logistics efficiency. Construction of Rail over Rail between Guntakal West and Mallappa gate stations aims to bypass freight trains and reduce congestion at the Guntakal Junction.

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects that include the Legislative Assembly, High Court, Secretariat, other administrative buildings and housing buildings for over 5,200 families, worth over Rs 11,240 crore. It will also include trunk infrastructure and flood mitigation projects featuring a 320 km world-class transport network with underground utilities and advanced flood management systems, worth over Rs 17,400 crore. The Land Pooling Scheme Infrastructure projects will cover 1,281 km of roads equipped with central medians, cycle tracks, and integrated utilities across the capital city of Amaravati, worth over Rs 20,400 crore.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Missile Test Range at Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh worth around Rs 1,460 Crore.  It will comprise a launch center, technical instrumentation facilities, Indigenous Radars, Telemetry and Electro-Optical systems enhancing the country’s defence preparedness.

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of PM Ekta Mall at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam. It has been envisioned with the objective of fostering national integration, supporting the Make in India initiative, promoting One District One Product, generating employment opportunities, empowering rural artisans, and enhancing the market presence of indigenous products.

    ***

     

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2125406) Visitor Counter : 96

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research analyzes tools from the China-aligned TheWizards group, with targets across Asia and the Middle East

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET discovered and analyzed both Spellbinder and WizardNet, tools used by the China-aligned TheWizards APT group.
    • Spellbinder is used by the TheWizards to conduct local adversary-in-the-middle attacks and to redirect traffic from updating applications to an attacker-controlled server.
    • That server delivers WizardNet, TheWizards’ signature backdoor, which is being deployed by legitimate Chinese software update mechanisms to victims’ machines.
    • ESET also details the links between TheWizards and the Chinese company Dianke Network Security Technology, also known as UPSEC.

    SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET researchers have analyzed Spellbinder, a lateral movement tool used to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks by the China-aligned threat actor TheWizards. Spellbinder enables adversary-in-the-middle attacks through IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration spoofing, which allows the attackers to redirect the update protocols of legitimate Chinese software to malicious servers. Then the legitimate software is tricked into downloading and executing the malicious components that launch the backdoor WizardNet.

    TheWizards has been constantly active since at least 2022 until the present and, according to ESET telemetry, targets individuals, gambling companies, and unknown entities in the Philippines, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, mainland China, and Hong Kong.

    “We initially discovered and analyzed this tool in 2022, and observed a new version with a few changes that was deployed to compromised machines in 2023 and 2024,” says ESET researcher Facundo Muñoz, who analyzed Spellbinder and WizardNet. “Our research led us to discover a tool used by the attackers that is designed to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks using IPv6 SLAAC spoofing to intercept and reply to packets in a network, allowing the attackers to redirect traffic and serve malicious updates to legitimate Chinese software,” explains Muñoz.

    The final payload in the attack is a backdoor that we named WizardNet – a modular implant that connects to a remote controller to receive and execute .NET modules on the compromised machine. ESET researchers have focused on one of the latest cases, in 2024, in which the update of Tencent QQ software was hijacked. The malicious server that issues the update instructions is still active. This variant of WizardNet supports five commands, three of which allow it to execute .NET modules in memory, thus extending its functionality on the compromised system.

    TheWizards and the Chinese company Dianke Network Security Technology (also known as UPSEC) – supplier of the DarkNights backdoor (also known as DarkNimbus), appear to be linked. According to NCSC UK, this malicious backdoor also has Tibetan and Uyghur communities among its primary targets. While TheWizards uses a different backdoor – the WizardNet, the hijacking server is configured to serve DarkNights to updating applications running on Android devices.

    For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of TheWizards’ tools, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “TheWizards APT group uses SLAAC spoofing to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e64e1152-5dee-4ed7-ad08-e0d87d089a16

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shanghai

    Source: New Development Bank

    On April 29, 2025, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, visited the New Development Bank (NDB) Headquarters in Shanghai.

    President Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed by H.E. Mrs. Dilma Rousseff, NDB President, four Vice-Presidents of the Bank and its staff.

    President Xi Jinping congratulated Mrs. Dilma Rousseff on her re-election as President of NDB and noted that the Bank is the world’s first multilateral development institution established and led by emerging markets and developing countries.

    In his remarks, President Xi Jinping called the Bank “a pioneering initiative for the unity and self-improvement of the Global South,” and said that it conforms to the historical trend of reforming and improving global governance. During the meeting, President Xi Jinping said that the NDB “is the first multilateral development institution initiated and led by emerging markets and developing countries, and that it has grown over the past decade into an emerging force in the international financial system and a symbol of South-South cooperation.” He added that, “as BRICS cooperation enters a phase of high-quality development, NDB is ready to embark on its second golden decade.”

    President Xi Jinping called on NDB to always consider the development needs of the Global South, and to provide more high-quality, low-cost and sustainable infrastructure financing.

    The Bank needs to improve its management and operations, implement more technology and green finance projects, and help developing countries bridge the digital divide and accelerate green and low-carbon transformation, said President Xi Jinping.

    In discussions on the reform of international financial architecture, NDB should amplify the voice of the Global South, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, and support the countries of the Global South in their pursuit of modernization.

    President Xi Jinping noted that as the Bank’s host country, China will always support the operations and development of the New Development Bank. China is willing to strengthen project cooperation with the Bank and focus on green, innovative and sustainable development to achieve more results, he added.

    China is also willing to share its development experience through the NDB with other member countries and stands ready to provide more international public goods, said President Xi Jinping.

    In her remarks, President Dilma Rousseff expressed her gratitude to China for its enduring strong support for the NDB.

    NDB President noted the remarkable development achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, highlighting China’s important role in enhancing global governance. She also emphasized that, in a world marked by turbulence, the Chinese Government protects the interests of the Global South, supports multilateralism, and upholds international fairness and justice, setting an example for the international community. She also commended China’s open approach to technology cooperation, offering important opportunities for the Global South.

    President Dilma Rousseff emphasized that the NDB remains strongly committed to its guiding principles and mandate, consistently contributing to sustainable development of all member countries.

    NDB President stated that the Bank has already approved more than 120 investment projects, totaling USD 40 billion, focused on logistic and digital infrastructure as well as  social infrastructure, such as water supply and sanitation, investments in education, health, and housing — “crucial for improving the quality of people’s lives”. She stressed that NDB is committed to action against climate change, support energy transition, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters. Another goal is to transform NDB in a truly 21st century bank by adopting the newest AI, and Big Data technology.

    Strengthening the use of local currency has became a distinguishing feature of NDB. Currently, 31% of the financing projects are carried out in member countries’ currencies.

    In this sense, NDB President also mentioned that the Bank is the largest issuer of Panda Bonds — the name given to Chinese currency-denominated bonds issued by non-Chinese institutions — which have already totaled 68.5 billion yuan. “We are expanding this strategy to other local capital markets, supporting our partners in reducing currency mismatch risks, strengthening their local capital markets, and utilizing currency swaps,” said NDB President.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Amid Dutton’s ‘hate media’ and Trump’s despotism, press freedom is more vital than ever

    COMMENTARY: By Alexandra Wake

    Despite all the political machinations and hate towards the media coming from the president of the United States, I always thought the majority of Australian politicians supported the role of the press in safeguarding democracy.

    And I certainly did not expect Peter Dutton — amid an election campaign, one with citizens heading to the polls on World Press Freedom Day — to come out swinging at the ABC and Guardian Australia, telling his followers to ignore “the hate media”.

    I’m not saying Labor is likely to be the great saviour of the free press either.

    The ALP has been slow to act on a range of important press freedom issues, including continuing to charge journalism students upwards of $50,000 for the privilege of learning at university how to be a decent watchdog for society.

    Labor has increased, slightly, funding for the ABC, and has tried to continue with the Coalition’s plans to force the big tech platforms to pay for news. But that is not enough.

    The World Press Freedom Index has been telling us for some time that Australia’s press is in a perilous state. Last year, Australia dropped to 39th out of 190 countries because of what Reporters Without Borders said was a “hyperconcentration of the media combined with growing pressure from the authorities”.

    We should know on election day if we’ve fallen even further.

    What is happening in America is having a profound impact on journalism (and by extension journalism education) in Australia.

    ‘Friendly’ influencers
    We’ve seen both parties subtly start to sideline the mainstream media by going to “friendly” influencers and podcasters, and avoid the harder questions that come from journalists whose job it is to read and understand the policies being presented.

    What Australia really needs — on top of stable and guaranteed funding for independent and reliable public interest journalism, including the ABC and SBS — is a Media Freedom Act.

    My colleague Professor Peter Greste has spent years working on the details of such an act, one that would give media in Australia the protection lacking from not having a Bill of Rights safeguarding media and free speech. So far, neither side of government has signed up to publicly support it.

    Australia also needs an accompanying Journalism Australia organisation, where ethical and trained journalists committed to the job of watchdog journalism can distinguish themselves from individuals on YouTube and TikTok who may be pushing their own agendas and who aren’t held to the same journalistic code of ethics and standards.

    I’m not going to argue that all parts of the Australian news media are working impartially in the best interests of ordinary people. But the good journalists who are need help.

    The continuing underfunding of our national broadcasters needs to be resolved. University fees for journalism degrees need to be cut, in recognition of the value of the profession to the fabric of Australian society. We need regulations to force news organisations to disclose when they are using AI to do the job of journalists and broadcasters without human oversight.

    And we need more funding for critical news literacy education, not just for school kids but also for adults.

    Critical need for public interest journalism
    There has never been a more critical need to support public interest journalism. We have all watched in horror as Donald Trump has denied wire services access for minor issues, such as failing to comply with an ungazetted decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

    And mere days ago, 60 Minutes chief Bill Owens resigned citing encroachments on his journalistic independence due to pressure from the president.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists is so concerned about what’s occurring in America that it has issued a travel advisory for journalists travelling to the US, citing risks under Trump administration policies.

    Those of us who cover politically sensitive issues that the US administration may view as critical or hostile may be stopped and questioned by border agents. That can extend to cardigan-wearing academics attending conferences.

    While we don’t have the latest Australian figures from the annual Reuters survey, a new Pew Research Centre study shows a growing gap between how much Americans say they value press freedom and how free they think the press actually is. Two-thirds of Americans believe press freedom is critical. But only a third believe the media is truly free to do its job.

    If the press isn’t free in the US (where it is guaranteed in their constitution), how are we in Australia expected to be able to keep the powerful honest?

    Every single day, journalists put their lives on the line for journalism. It’s not always as dramatic as those who are covering the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but those in the media in Australia still front up and do the job across a range of news organisations in some fairly poor conditions.

    If you care about democracy at all this election, then please consider wisely who you vote for, and perhaps ask their views on supporting press freedom — which is your right to know.

    Alexandra Wake is an associate professor in journalism at RMIT University. She came to the academy after a long career as a journalist and broadcaster. She has worked in Australia, Ireland, the Middle East and across the Asia Pacific. Her research, teaching and practice sits at the nexus of journalism practice, journalism education, equality, diversity and mental health.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Interim report 01/2025: Collision between passenger trains near Talerddig

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Interim report 01/2025: Collision between passenger trains near Talerddig

    Collision between passenger trains near Talerddig, Powys, 21 October 2024.

    View of the accident site – train 1S71 is shown on the left of picture and train 1J25 on the right.

    IR012025_250430_Talerddig

    PDF, 4.46 MB, 20 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@raib.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    RAIB has today released its interim report following the collision between passenger trains near Talerddig, Powys, 21 October 2024.

    We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.

    Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police and by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

    You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester launches annual State of the City Report

    Source: City of Manchester

    The latest State of the City report, detailing Manchester’s progress in delivering its 10-year strategy, comes at a pivotal moment.

    It is published as the current 2015-25 Our Manchester Strategy period concludes, and the city prepares to launch its new strategy for the next decade. 

    The annual State of the City report provides a snapshot of how the city has progressed and where deep-rooted challenges are being addressed. 

    Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a significant year for Manchester as we prepare to launch the new Our Manchester Strategy which will guide the city for the next decade, and reflect on the progress we have collectively made in the last 10 years. 

    “Our annual State of the City report enables us to chart that progress as well as the challenges that still remain. 

    “The report demonstrates Manchester’s dynamism as we continue to see strong population and economic growth and begin to see the impact of a raft of initiatives to tackle inequalities and ensure that everyone is included in the city’s success. That includes overseeing the building of more council, social and genuinely affordable homes than at any time in the last 15 years.  

    “We’re also investing in improving neighbourhoods across the city. Progress is being made. But while Manchester is now firmly established among leading European cities, and is one of the fastest growing, we are focused on taking that success to the next level – and taking all Mancunians with us.”  

    The State of the City report assesses progress against the 2015-25 Our Manchester Strategy’s five key themes: 

    A Thriving and Sustainable City  

    In 2024, Manchester’s population continued to grow, driven primarily by international migration and a rise in student numbers. This growth has had a positive impact on the city’s overall development, particularly in the city centre, which remains a central hub for economic growth, benefiting both Manchester itself and the wider region. 

    The demand for office space in Manchester remains robust, with 2024 expected to see record levels of leasing activity for office spaces, marking a significant milestone in the post-pandemic recovery. Additionally, the Oxford Road corridor continues to attract large-scale investments, such as the launch of City Labs 4.0 and new office and research opportunities on Upper Brook Street, alongside the approval of a strategic regeneration framework for Sister – a new innovation district and global science hub. 

    Manchester’s cultural, tourism, and leisure sectors have also seen a surge in visitor numbers throughout 2024. Aviva Studios and Co-op Live have quickly become key venues, drawing in crowds for major music and cultural events. At the same time, investment in the city’s district centres, supported by Government funding secured by the Council has led to noticeable progress, particularly in areas like Wythenshawe, Gorton, Moston and Withington with impetus to expand this to high streets across the city.  

    A Highly Skilled City 

    As Manchester’s population continues to grow, the city’s workforce has also expanded, with 426,000 people in employment.  Most schools in the city are now rated as good or outstanding. Additionally, more young people are pursuing post-16 education, with an increase in capacity at various colleges and schools, although this remains an ongoing challenge. 

    Manchester continues to attract and retain a large number of graduates, which contributes to the city’s thriving workforce. Economic growth has been fueled by the rise of highly skilled jobs in industries such as digital technology, biotechnology, and advanced materials.  

    However, there are still significant levels of economic inactivity, particularly due to poor health. To address this, a variety of programs have been introduced to help individuals access employment opportunities and improve their skills. 

    Targeted initiatives have focused on specific sectors and employers, with local job fairs and customised support programs being backed by various funding schemes. As part of the city’s efforts to achieve UNICEF Child Friendly City status, partnerships between schools and employers have been established.  

    Furthermore, Manchester has earned the designation of a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning, a step forward in supporting adult education and lifelong learning. In addition to these efforts, significant programs are underway to create green jobs, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable employment in the economy. 

    A Progressive and Equitable City 

    Making Manchester Fairer is the city’s five-year action plan aimed at tackling health inequalities across Manchester. In 2024, key milestones included the delivery of one million meals through the Manchester Food Board Partnership and the continued support of local initiatives via the In Our Nature project, which is designed to help communities across the city. 

    The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has left 100,000 households with less than £30 per month in disposable income. To support these households, Manchester has provided a range of services, including free school meals, digital inclusion initiatives, a dedicated advice line, and direct financial support through a household support fund. 

    Homelessness remains a significant challenge, with a high number of people presenting as homeless each year. However, there has been progress, with the use of B&B accommodation for families all but eradicated, a decrease in rough sleeping, and fewer individuals in temporary accommodation.  

    Alongside this, a new Children and Young People’s Plan for 2024-2027 has been developed, informed by the voices of children and young people. This plan emphasises prevention and early intervention, aiming to help young people stay safe and thrive within their communities. 

    As part of the UNICEF Child Friendly City program, 11,000 children shared their views, and in January 2024, key priorities were established, including ensuring children are safe and secure, have a sense of place, and lead healthy lives. In addition, the city continues to prioritise addressing health inequalities through a variety of public health measures, which remain central to the “Making Manchester Fairer” initiative. 

     A Liveable and Zero Carbon City 

    The Housing Strategy 2022-2032 sets an ambitious target of constructing 36,000 homes, with at least 10,000 of those being affordable.  

    In its first two years, significant progress has already been made. Last year 600 affordable homes were completed with a further 1,500 on site and a further 1,450 in the pipeline – meaning Manchester is on track to meet this target.  

    To further support housing development, Strategic Regeneration Frameworks have been introduced in key areas across the city, including Victoria North, Grey Mare Lane, Strangeways, and Holt Town, which will see large numbers of new homes including affordable homes built. Additionally, a retrofit programme is in place, aiming to improve the energy efficiency of a third of the homes managed by the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership by 2032. 

    Manchester has made progress in reducing its carbon emissions, with a 5% decrease in 2022 (the latest data available). However, more work is needed to meet long-term sustainability targets. To accelerate efforts, a new framework for the period of 2025-2030 is currently under development. 

    Safety remains a top priority for residents, and the Manchester Community Safety Partnership has rolled out several key initiatives to address the city’s main concerns. 

    Meanwhile, Manchester’s parks and green spaces have seen a significant increase in activity, with a 7% rise in the number of events and activities hosted in 2024. 

    The launch of Always, Everywhere: the Manchester Culture Ambition in 2024 followed extensive consultation and marked a significant step forward for the city’s cultural development. The English National Opera (ENO) also announced its move to Manchester, and the completion of HOME Arches provides a new creative workspace for the city’s artists and innovators. 

    In the sporting realm, Manchester hosted 24 major sporting events in 2024, further solidifying its reputation as a sporting hub. Additionally, the city was named the first European Capital of Cycling, showcasing its commitment to sustainable transport and active living. 

    A Connected City 

    In collaboration with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), significant road improvements are currently underway on Whitworth Street West and Deansgate. These upgrades are part of the city’s broader efforts to enhance its infrastructure and transportation network. 

    Manchester has also developed an ambitious plan to expand Electric Vehicle charging across the city, supporting the transition to greener transportation options. This initiative is a key part of the city’s strategy to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. 

    The Bee Network, an integrated public transport system for Greater Manchester, continues to grow and improve. All remaining buses in the city were franchised and brought under local control, further streamlining the public transport experience for residents. 

    Additionally, 14 active travel schemes focused on walking and cycling are either underway or in the planning stages. These initiatives aim to promote healthier, more sustainable travel options, making it easier for residents to choose active modes of transport. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regeneration of the Ladywood Estate moves into next phase

    Source: City of Birmingham

    The regeneration of the Ladywood Estate moves into next phase as St Joseph, part of the Berkeley Group, signs Development Agreement with Birmingham City Council

    • Agreement confirms that at least 70% of existing homes will either be refurbished or re-provided with new homes in a single move on the estate.
    • Provides the opportunity to deliver significant new housing of all tenures to meet the desperate need for new homes in the city and wider area.
    • Commitment for project to deliver at least 20% affordable homes.
    • Seeks to minimise demolition and acquisition of private homes.
    • Will provide new jobs and opportunities for local people including training and apprenticeships as well as full-time jobs.
    • The design of the masterplan with the local community will begin immediately.

    The regeneration of the Ladywood Estate is a 20-year project, with work not due to start on site until at least 2028.

    The project will ensure the estate, and its homes, are fit for the future with improved energy efficiency and green spaces.

    It will also deliver significant new additional homes of all tenures, new community facilities; better connected transport links, 1,000 apprenticeships and 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

    The next stage of the project is to work with the community aiming to minimise demolition and disruption, provide greater certainty and deliver the benefits of estate regeneration. A fundamental part of this is St Joseph’s agreement to the principles of Powered By People, the Council’s Vision and Approach to Engagement, the formation of a Residents Steering Group and publication of the Resident & Community Charter, which is a written commitment on how the Council will work with the Community throughout the life of the Project.

    As part of the commitment set within the Charter, a series of community information sessions where both Birmingham City Council and St Joseph will be present are due to take place in June. These sessions will give residents the opportunity to meet the developer and help begin to shape the future of the estate. The Council and St Joseph will also be meeting with faith groups, local schools and other organisations.

    As a partnership, Birmingham City Council retains overall responsibility for resident services, provision and housing. As the developer, St Joseph will work with the community to design, and be responsible for the building of homes, public spaces and infrastructure.

    St Joseph has launched a new community website, www.ladywoodcommunity.co.uk to provide the latest news, events, and information on the project’s progress. Residents can also get in touch by email at ladywoodcommunity@stjosephhomes.co.uk and telephone on 0800 368 7592. Both will be staffed Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm for any queries.

    Members of the St Joseph team will soon be located onsite in Ladywood, so that local people can meet those working on the project, ask questions and shape plans.

    The Council has been in touch with residents to update them on the next phase and St Joseph will be in contact with further information about its upcoming community sessions. For more information on how to get involved in shaping plans for the area and updates on future events, please visit www.ladywoodcommunity.co.uk.

    Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills and Deputy Mayor of West Midlands, said: 

    “I want to reassure the community that this is the beginning of the master planning process, and all residents will be given the opportunity to be fully involved.

    ‘’The investment being made is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate to make it more sustainable, provide better facilities, better transport links, walking routes, and green spaces.

    ‘’As well as the refurbishment or re-provision of at least 70% of the existing homes on the estate, significant new homes will be built and at least 20% of these will be affordable homes. All Council homes on the estate will either be re-provided or refurbished.

    “We will seek to minimise the demolition of homes and deliver the benefits of estate regeneration.

    “The partnership agreement has been agreed later than planned to ensure we have secured the best deal for Ladywood and the City.”

    Richard Parker, Mayor of West Midlands, said:

    “Too many families are dealing with long waiting lists, and have no choice but to live in unsuitable, overcrowded and poorly regulated accommodation – that is why tackling our housing crisis is one of my key priorities.

    “This regeneration scheme, in the heart of Birmingham, will not only deliver hundreds of new homes, but also see the existing council housing stock renewed and replaced giving local people a safe and warm place to call home.”

    Stephen Kirwan, Managing Director of St Joseph Homes, said:

    “Our St Joseph team is hugely proud and excited to be given this opportunity to work on the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate in consultation with the local community and council. Now we have been appointed, our first priority is to begin to meet local people and to listen carefully to their concerns and aspirations for the future of their neighbourhood. This engagement process will help us to shape a masterplan that the community is proud of, and that will benefit local people for generations to come.

    “At Berkeley Group we fully support the Government’s mission to increase housing delivery across the country and this hugely important regeneration project reflects our commitment to delivering good green homes where they are needed most.“

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fraud Bill to save £1.5 billion progresses to the Lords

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Fraud Bill to save £1.5 billion progresses to the Lords

    Plans to recover stolen cash and impose driving bans on those who repeatedly fail to pay back taxpayer money moved a step closer today, as Ministers vowed “to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited”

    • The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, set to save £1.5 billion over the next five years, progresses to the Lords 

    • The Bill follows the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history 

    • Changes could help boost investment in public services and protect the public purse, as part of the Plan for Change

    New souped-up powers from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which will allow DWP to recover money directly from the bank accounts of fraudsters who can repay but are wilfully gaming the system in order not to, passed an important stage in the House of Commons as it had its Third Reading.  

    The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, which could put these measures into law, will help DWP to catch fraudsters, prevent overpayments and protect taxpayer’s money.   

    The Bill will save the taxpayer £1.5 billion over the next five years and is part of wider plans set out in the Autumn budget and Spring Statement to save £9.6 billion by 2030. This means taxpayer’s money can be invested in public services as part of the government’s Plan for Change.    

    Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said:    

    Enhancing our powers is essential to fulfilling our commitment to the public, as they will enable us to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited and better protect public funds.

    By strengthening our ability to catch criminals and prevent overpayments, we can keep up with the evolving nature of welfare fraud while reducing the risk of people falling further into debt, ensuring that more resources are directed towards improving the lives of people across the country. 

    The new legislation comes as the government is dealing with the broken welfare system it inherited, with out-of-control levels of fraud and error costing the taxpayer around £10 billion a year – with a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money since the pandemic.     

    The Bill will also give powers to the DWP to get data from banks and other financial institutions to help verify the eligibility of those who receive certain benefits to make sure they are getting the correct payments – this will help to stop people falling further into debt because of incorrect payments and help the DWP spot fraudulent claims.  

    No personal information will be shared by DWP to support financial institutions in the identification of these accounts, and DWP will not have access to people’s bank accounts in verifying eligibility and will not be able to see where people are spending their money.    

    Protections are central to the Bill, making sure there is proportionate and effective use of the powers, and that DWP is protecting vulnerable customers. For example, people will only be disqualified from driving as a last resort when they don’t rely on their car for work or for caring responsibilities and where they continually avoid repayment. Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms.  

    On top of the Bill measures, the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement a further commitment to recruit over 500 additional DWP fraud and error staff who will make better use of government data to correct errors in benefit claims, as well as increasing checks on potential Universal Credit claimants by introducing more ways to verify the amount of savings they hold, as well as their earnings and expenses. 

    The Cabinet Office’s Public Sector Fraud Authority will also be given more powers under the legislation, allowing the department’s investigators to detect and recover fraud in other departments and bodies across the public sector.  

    Minister in the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould said:    

    This Bill will save taxpayers’ money. People are currently getting away with stealing vast sums of cash because our investigators don’t have the powers they need to detect and recover fraud across the public sector.

    We’re giving our investigators new powers to tackle fraud wherever they find it – as well as doubling the time available to bring pandemic fraudsters to justice.

    An additional new measure will see the time limit for civil claims against Covid fraud doubled from six to twelve years. This step change in the ability to fight fraud committed during the pandemic will give the Covid Corruption Commissioner and the Public Sector Fraud Authority more time to investigate complex cases and apply their new powers retrospectively – including the ability to raid properties and retrieve money from Covid fraudsters’ bank accounts.    

    The Bill measures will now progress to the House of Lords to be debated further.

    Additional Information

    • The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill forms part of wider government plans to save a total of £8.6bn over 5 years in the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history.
    • Since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to DWP benefits.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU became the only university beyond the Urals to receive government support for training specialists in the field of AI

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation together with the ANO “Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation” completed the competitive selection of universities that will train highly qualified specialists in the field of artificial intelligence until 2030. Grant support is provided in the form of subsidies from the federal budget, an essential condition is co-financing from industrial partners in the amount of at least 30%. NSU was included in the list of winners, taking fourth place in the ranking of universities, and became the only university beyond the Urals to receive support.

    Grant support will be provided for the development and implementation of a new bachelor’s degree program in “Applied Artificial Intelligence” in Institute of Intelligent Robotics NSU, admission to study will begin this academic year. The first intake will consist of at least 150 students.

    — One of the key research areas that will be developed on the basis of infrastructure modern campus of NSU, being built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, is the theme “Advanced areas of applied mathematics: artificial intelligence and big data processing, applied engineering”. The new educational program was developed to solve technological problems of the new direction. Graduates of the program will be able to configure existing AI models, further train such models, use previously created software libraries and frameworks to solve applied problems, – commented the rector of NSU, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk.

    The Institute of Intelligent Robotics is the youngest educational division of NSU, where the number of undergraduate students in the Mechatronics and Robotics. Artificial Intelligence program has grown more than 7 times in 5 years, including due to foreign students. In 2024, according to the results of the university ranking for the quality of training specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, NSU became the leader among universities in the Siberian Federal District and entered the top 15 best universities in the country.

    — The grant competition was aimed at supporting the best Russian universities with strong educational programs in the field of AI and great potential for training new-level personnel. The high final score of the NSU application, which was prepared jointly by the Institute of Intelligent Robotics and Research Center in the field of artificial intelligence of NSU, confirms the significant potential of the university for training personnel to ensure technological leadership of the country. It is assumed that students in the new bachelor’s program will actively participate in the implementation of strategic technological projects of the NSU Development Program within the framework of “Priority”, – noted Svetlana Sablina, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of NSU.

    The key feature of the training is the focus on the practical application of AI and solving real problems from industrial partners, who provide co-financing of educational programs in the amount of at least 30% of the grant amount. This became one of the essential conditions of the competition.

    — Rostelecom. Information Technologies acted as the university’s partner in implementing the new educational program. We have been cooperating with Rostelecom for over a year within the framework of the NSU Artificial Intelligence Center. Among the main joint projects are the development of an intelligent system for managing urban transport flows, a security system, etc. The second company that supported our initiative is T1 Innotech. This is a large company working in the field of IT and AI, our new partner, with whom we are just starting to work. Thanks to such cooperation, the educational program will be focused on the needs of the market and solving the problems of the modern AI industry. Even during the training, we will attract practicing teachers and involve students in work on real projects, — emphasized Alexander Lyulko, Director of the NSU Artificial Intelligence Center.

    Reference:

    The competition for government grants was held as part of the implementation of the events of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence” of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State”. The competitive selection of universities was carried out at two levels – “TOP DS” and “DS”. In total, 22 universities from 14 regions of Russia became winners, which will train top specialists in the field of AI. The final list included HSE, MIPT, ITMO, St. Petersburg State University and other leading universities in the country. By 2030, more than 10 thousand students are planned to be trained under the new educational programs.

    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 United Nations: 29 April 2025 Departmental update Educating future doctors and nurses in mental, neurological and substance use care

    Source: World Health Organisation

    One in eight people live with mental, neurological or substance use (MNS) conditions but most do not receive mental health care, partly because of a shortage of mental health professionals. While increasing the number of specialists is important, we also need to ensure that general health-care providers, like primary health-care (PHC) doctors and nurses, are well-equipped to support people with MNS conditions. These professionals are often the first point of contact for those in need, yet many lack thorough training in MNS care.

     To bridge this gap, WHO has developed Educating medical and nursing students to provide mental health, neurological and substance use care: a practical guide for pre-service education.

    A competency-based approach
    At the heart of the new guide are 12 core competencies that all medical and nursing students should develop before they graduate. These competencies integrate essential attitudes, skills and knowledge needed to provide quality MNS care.

    The guide outlines practical activities and considerations for integrating these competencies into undergraduate medical and nursing curricula. It covers, among other things, advocating for enhanced curricula, setting new learning objectives, rethinking teaching methods, and evaluating effectiveness of curriculum changes.

    A collaborative effort
    Creating this guide was a global collaborative effort. It involved input from a wide range of stakeholders around the world, including people with lived experience, students, educators, university administrators and professional associations such as the International Council of Nurses, the World Psychiatric Association and the World Federation of Medical Education. 

    Collaborative workshops held in Geneva (2022) and Shanghai (2024) played a key part in shaping the guide and planning its dissemination. 

    Pre-service education in mental brain and behavioral health: scaling up implementation
    and     dissemination workshop in Shanghai, China, 13 – 14 March 2024

    A flexible tool
    The guide can be used by universities, educators and workforce planners to enhance existing curricula or develop new ones, or to strengthen accreditation standards and quality improvement initiatives.

    What makes this guide so valuable is its adaptability to different contexts and resource settings. It does not provide a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a flexible framework that can be tailored to meet specific needs of different educational institutions and health-care systems.  Even small changes can help medical and nursing students develop the competencies they need to provide more effective MNS care.

    By serving to strengthen pre-service education in MNS care, we hope this guide will ultimately help improve the extent and quality of care for people with MNS conditions globally.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Illegal hunters catch heavy fines in Bribie Island National Park

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 30 Apr 2025

    Queensland Police Service (QPS), in collaboration with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), have fined two men for illegal pig hunting activity within Bribie Island National Park.

    Feral pigs are a declared pest in Queensland and can be managed under strict control measures on private land, but hunting in national parks is strictly prohibited.

    The incident occurred late last month after park rangers and police were alerted to two vehicles entering the park on multiple occasions to hunt feral pigs.

    Officers and rangers observed suspicious activity in the area and upon further investigation, discovered the men had travelled on restricted access roads, entering the park unlawfully with pig-hunting dogs and associated equipment.

    The offenders allegedly removed their number plates to avoid detection from number plate recognition cameras, however police were able to successfully identify the involved vehicles.

    The two men were intercepted by police and issued infringement notices, receiving a combined $9,032 in fines under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and various Transport Operations Acts and Regulations.

    QPWS Manager Chris Skennar said the illegal activities can cause major disruption to coordinated pest programs. QPWS carries out targeted pest control around Bribie Island National Park to protect native wildlife, manage invasive species and help restore the island’s natural ecosystems.

    “Bribie Island National Park is a fragile ecosystem that supports a wide variety of unique native species. Illegal hunting not only poses a direct threat to local wildlife, but also damages sensitive landscapes, undermining the conservation efforts our rangers work so hard to maintain.”

    “Even if the intention is to target a pest species, the way it’s done matters. National parks aren’t a remote property, they’re a shared, protected space. We’re committed to enforcing the law and ensuring our parks are safe for both visitors and wildlife.

    “We work closely with QPS to protect these areas and appreciate their support and the support of the community in reporting incidents like this; your information helps to ensure our national parks are protected.”

    Moreton District Officer Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild said illegal activity will be met with significant fines or charges.

    “I acknowledge the good policing work that was done to identify and intercept the alleged offenders, despite their attempts to go undetected.

    “We will continue to support QPWS and work with the rangers to assist in protecting our national parks and eliminating criminal behaviour within them.”

    Any illegal activity in national parks and state forests can be reported anonymously by calling 1300 130 372.

    Media contact:                 DETSI Media Unit on (07) 3339 5831 or media@des.qld.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: post-election rate cut and phone call from Trump in the pipeline

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    It used to be de rigueur for the prime minister and opposition leader to turn up to the National Press Club in the final week of the election campaign. But now Liberal leaders are not so keen.

    Scott Morrison gave it a miss in 2022, although he was there in 2019. Nobody expected Peter Dutton, who has often been reluctant to face the Canberra press gallery in the past three years, to front the club this week.

    It’s also happened in the past that a leader has said something significantly newsworthy during the Q&A session on these final big occasions.

    Bob Hawke, days away from becoming prime minister in 1983, flagged he would be willing to break election promises if he found, on reaching office, that fiscal circumstances were different from what was anticipated. They were, and he did.

    Anthony Albanese on Wednesday made his appearance, but he was not going to grab a headline with anything unexpected.

    He delivered a spirited stump speech concentrating on everything Labor is offering voters – improvements to Medicare, tax cuts all round, and much else. He played and replayed his familiar mantra about nobody being left behind or held back. When it came to questions, the prime minister defended and deflected.

    Are Australians better off than before he was elected? Well, they’d be worse off if Dutton had had his way.

    Will whoever is in government need to increase the tax base in the next decade? “We’ll have not one but two income tax cuts.”

    Would he consider a compromise on Labor’s plan to tax unrealised capital gains on some superannuation balances? “We have our policy.”

    Is there something he regrets from the last three years? “I don’t pretend to be perfect.” So no regrets? “I’m not saying that at all.”

    What he is saying is that the final sprint of the campaign is not the time to enter the confessional.

    With the polls, and even most Liberals, at least privately, expecting Albanese to still be PM next week, whether in minority or majority government, he knows he has two challenges in these last days: to avoid being caught on any sticky paper, and to continue to project a sense of momentum by going full tilt (Labor people remember Bill Shorten easing up just before polling day in 2019). He is visiting every state, before he votes in his home electorate of Grayndler where, he indicated, his talisman dog Toto will accompany him to the polling booth on Saturday.

    Before his press club appearance, Albanese had encouraging news from the latest consumer price index quarterly figures, which showed underlying inflation falling to 2.9%. This points to another cut in interest rates.

    Westpac said, “Inflationary pressures have moderated, and the door is open for a rate cut in May”.

    The Reserve Bank doesn’t meet until May 19-20, but the prospect of a cut can be a mood lifter for stretched households – just as the pre-campaign February decrease was.

    Also able to be cast positively, US President Donald Trump, who has proved elusive in the face of the government’s attempts to get him to pick up the phone to discuss a tariff deal, confirmed a call would come. Asked whether he would speak to Albanese about trade, the president said, “they are calling, and I will talk to him, yes.”

    There is no detail of whether, or what, deal could be in the offing, but Trump, by signalling the call, has given (inadvertently) another bit of help to the government in an election in which the “Trump factor” has played all Albanese’s way.

    Instead of the press club, Dutton had done an hour’s “Ask Me Anything” appearance on Tuesday with Paul Murray on Sky, taking around a dozen viewers’ questions. It was an easy, friendly gig, directed squarely at his base. That might be one thing if he’s seeking the preferences of those voting One Nation or Trumpet of Patriots, but it is not where the middle-ground swinging voters are.

    In this last week, Dutton has put his anger at a section of the media on display. Earlier in the week he lashed out at the ABC, Guardian and “other hate media”.

    On Wednesday he doubled down, in a bit of pointed but embittered humour on FM radio when quizzed on tips for a good election night party. “I think alcohol is the first essential ingredient, I’m sure of that. Responsible drinking as well, but not watching the ABC would be a good start. For any young ones listening at home, forget the ABC.”

    Dutton’s disdain for the ABC is long-standing and well-known. But in an election campaign, why he thinks it is a good tactic to expose it so blatantly is a mystery. It shows questionable judgement and a lack of discipline.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election Diary: post-election rate cut and phone call from Trump in the pipeline – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-post-election-rate-cut-and-phone-call-from-trump-in-the-pipeline-255615

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Experienced practitioners vital for educating youngest children

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Experienced practitioners vital for educating youngest children

    Delivering high-quality care and education for babies and toddlers takes skill and expertise, meaning experience and qualifications among early years workers matter when it comes to the youngest children’s development, new research by Ofsted shows.

    Ofsted’s report, published today, looks at how early years practitioners care for and educate babies and toddlers up until they are 2 years old. The aim of the report is to help early years leaders and staff refine their approach to supporting the youngest children.   

    Read the full report: Getting it right from the start: how early years practitioners work with babies and toddlers

    The report highlights the importance of practitioner experience and qualifications, finding that those with greater experience and a higher level of qualifications had better knowledge of child development.  

    The research also considered to what extent practitioners use the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework when educating and caring for toddlers and babies. It found that the ‘key person’ role is a strength of many providers, with early years practitioners recognising that this role is vital for babies and toddlers.    

    Ofsted also found: 

    • most practitioners recognise the importance of positive relationships with parents in helping them support children more effectively 

    • communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development were well understood by practitioners, but they did not always understand how they could support physical development as well 

    • there is some work to do in understanding how routine times can be used for high-quality interactions, particularly where mixed ages are grouped together   

    • some survey responses reflected a misconception that babies and toddlers are too young to be taught anything  

    • some of the challenges considered in the research may be partly influenced by ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining experienced practitioners  

    The report sets out a series of recommendations for practitioners, managers and policy-makers to achieve the best possible outcomes for babies and toddlers. Foremost is support for practitioners to take part in professional development specific to babies and toddlers to improve their qualifications and experience. 

    Jayne Coward, Ofsted’s Deputy Director of Early Years Regulatory Policy and Practice, said:

    We know that a child’s first few years are crucial to their future learning and development. By providing children with an excellent start in those first two years, we can ensure that they gain the foundation they need to thrive throughout school and beyond.  

    With the government’s childcare reforms, we can expect to see an increase in the number of babies and toddlers accessing early education. It’s vital we get it right for all of these children from the very start. I hope that this report helps early years practitioners to continue reflecting on and refining their approach to supporting our very youngest children.

    Press office

    8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday 0300 013 0415

    Notes to editors 

    1. The report draws on a series of visits to early years settings, a survey, inspector focus groups and a literature review. 
    2. Ofsted will be considering these findings when developing inspector training.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH publishes regulatory judgements for 18 social landlords

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    RSH publishes regulatory judgements for 18 social landlords

    The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has today published a range of judgements following inspections of social landlords and ongoing responsive work.

    RSH has found serious issues with three councils, which have each failed to meet the outcomes in the consumer standards.

    The London Borough of Tower Hamlets:

    • Does not have an accurate understanding of tenants’ homes, with only 47% of individual property surveys carried out within the last five years
    • Has thousands of homes that do not meet the Decent Homes Standard (23% of around 11,000 total homes).
    • Has around 2,500 overdue fire safety actions, 1,400 overdue communal electrical safety actions and 750 overdue water safety actions.

    Reading Borough Council:

    • Failed to provide an effective and timely repairs service, with around 1,600 overdue repairs at the time of the inspection.
    • Only surveyed half of its tenants’ homes over the past five years.
    • Failed to provide meaningful opportunities for tenants to scrutinise its performance, and did not give all tenants access to a fair and effective complaints process.

    Winchester City Council:

    • Does not have up-to-date information about the majority of tenants’ homes, with its last stock condition survey completed more than 10 years ago.
    • Is unable to provide assurance that it is completing required health and safety checks for all homes and communal areas – including those for fire, electrical and water safety.
    • Has not been able to demonstrate that it provides all tenants with accessible information.

    Each council has been given a C3 grade and they must make significant improvements. RSH will continue to engage intensively with them as they deliver their improvement plans and put things right for tenants.  

    Following a self-referral, RSH found that Mid Devon District Council had overcharged rent for over 1,200 tenants, and undercharged over 1,600. As a result it has failed to meet the outcomes of the rent standard. The council is continuing to investigate these issues and has advised RSH that it will confirm the refunds due to individual tenants.  

    RSH also continues its important work in checking that housing associations are well run and financially viable. This is reflected in judgements which reinforce the importance of good governance in managing strategic risks.    

    RSH found weaknesses in how the Community Housing Group and Richmond Housing Partnership are managing their strategic risks. Each landlord needs to improve their internal controls assurance so that consistent improvement is seen in outcomes for tenants. RSH has downgraded both landlords to a G2 grading for governance as a result.

    RSH expects all housing associations and other private registered providers to have G1 governance grades. RSH continues to drive improvements in social landlords, with Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association and Watmos Community Housing upgraded to G1 following improvements in their governance.

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

    “We continue to take action on a wide range of issues when landlords fail to meet our standards.  

    “Our judgements show the importance of good governance in driving improvements for tenants and ensuring landlords are on top of their strategic risks. A clear theme is the need for accurate, up-to-date information about key risks – whether they are financial or relate to tenants’ health and safety.

    “Through our regulation we will continue to support a sector that is well run and financially viable. This is the foundation for providing good-quality homes for tenants and building new homes for the future.”

    RSH has also removed a previous regulatory notice for the London Borough of Croydon as the landlord has delivered the required improvements.

    RSH has published 18 regulatory judgements in total today, following planned inspections and responsive engagement. The full details are provided in the table below along with links to each of the judgements.

    Notes to editors

    Social landlord Consumer grade Governance grade Viability grade Process
    Brentwood Borough Council C2 – – Inspection
    Broadland Housing Association Limited C2 G1 V2 Inspection
    Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council C2 – – Inspection
    Hastoe Housing Association Limited C2 G1 V2 (regrade from V1) Inspection
    Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association Limited – G1 (upgrade from G2) V2 (based on previous assessment) Responsive engagement
    London Borough of Tower Hamlets C3 – – Inspection
    London Borough of Waltham Forest C2 – – Inspection
    Mid Devon District Council – – – Responsive engagement (rent standard)
    Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association Limited C1 G1 V2 Inspection
    Raven Housing Trust Limited C1 G1 V2 Inspection
    Reading Borough Council C3 – – Inspection
    Richmond Housing Partnership Limited   G2 (downgrade from G1) V1 Responsive engagement
    South Liverpool Homes Limited C1 G1 V1 Inspection
    St Mungo Community Housing Association C2 G2 V2 Inspection
    Teign Housing C2 G1 V2 Inspection
    The Community Housing Group C2 G2 (downgrade from G1) V2 Inspection
    Watmos Community Homes C1 G1 (upgrade from G2) V2 Inspection
    Winchester City Council C3 – – Responsive engagement
    1. RSH regulates housing associations and other private registered providers against its full set of standards. Councils are regulated against the consumer and rent standards only.
    2. More information about RSH’s responsive engagement, programmed inspections and consumer gradings is also available on its website.
    3. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.
    4. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ebrington to mark 80th anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic surrender

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Ebrington to mark 80th anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic surrender

    30 April 2025

    One of the most significant moments in world history will be commemorated in Derry next month with a special event to mark 80 years since the surrender of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the end of a fierce struggle to protect vital shipping lines that claimed over 100,000 lives during World War II.

    While the world reflects on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the occasion will be marked locally by looking back on the city’s role, and the moment when Derry made the headlines across the globe. On May 14th 1945, the world looked on as the first eight German U-boats surrendered to Admiral Sir Max Horton at Lisahally and the German crew were marched through Ebrington Square, where there was relief and jubilation that the prolonged conflict had come to an end.

    On May 17th  BOA80 in Ebrington Square will recreate scenes from the bustling international base of the 1940’s, as living history characters bring the historic surrender of the Nazi U-Boat fleet and the conclusion of World War II to life. There will also be live music and entertainment reflecting the huge cultural transformation of the time.

    The event is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, looking back at a historic era when Derry was a major strategic command centre in the fight for control of the Atlantic Sea Routes. Lisahally was used for repairing and refuelling the Allied warships and served as one of the main escort bases for the northwest approaches. The collections on display and themes on the day will form part of a major gallery in the upcoming DNA Museum, and the event will be held just outside the buildings where DNA will be located. 

    Looking ahead to the BOA25 event, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr said it was an opportunity to reflect on what was a pivotal moment in history. “Derry is a city steeped in history and often we forget its strategic importance during World War II, although in terms of global significance it played a huge role. The billeting of Allied servicemen here during that time also had a major cultural influence here in the city, where people mingled with the US and Canadian forces.

    “There was much celebration when eventually the surrender was announced. At a time when we’re sadly all too aware of the devastating impacts of war, it’s important that we take lessons from the past and reflect on the importance of following alternative pathways towards peaceful resolution and diplomacy.”

    Council’s Head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter, said the programme would recreate a sense of the historic significance of the occasion. “We want to give people a snapshot of the era by reenacting some of the events of the day, and the atmosphere of celebration as the city was freed from the shadow of the war. Through our living history characters we will retell the story and give people a glimpse of 1945 Derry through the music and fashion from the day.

    “In the days before the event the Tower Museum team will also deliver a series of WII workshops for schools to raise awareness of the historic events and also the city’s vital role in bringing the conflict to an end. It will be an opportunity for people to view some of the Museum Service’s WWII collections and to step back in time to 1945 Derry as local people prepared to embrace peace after the turmoil of life during the war. Our team are excited to share the progress for the new DNA Museum on the day also.”

    In advance of the event, on May 13th from 10.30am – 12.30pm, Strathfoyle Library will host a special talk by local historians Pearse Henderson and David Jenkins to help set the scene, focusing on the impact of the surrender on the people living in the local area. People are encouraged to bring along artefacts from the time to help capture personal stories and memories of the historic time.

    On the day itself, enjoy live performances of the music of the roaring 40’s and see how the fashion of the time began to reflect the international influence of the troops. Military vehicles including a replica spitfire will set the scene for the historic reenactments throughout he afternoon.

    May 17th is also National Drawing Day, and local artist Chris Walker will be on site at Ebrington to help visitors capture the day in a series of live sketching sessions.  Chris will focus on some of the historic buildings, bridges and sculptures across Ebrington Square, helping budding artists learn to sketch, understand composition and pick up some tips. Bookings are not required and all materials will be provided.

    BOA80 will begin at 12noon – entry is free and all are welcome

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU at the exhibition in Tashkent: how to choose the profession of the future and enter a leading technical university

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The 27th international exhibition “Education and Profession 2025” was held in Uzbekistan. The largest international educational event of the republic was organized by the Agency for Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of Uzbekistan and the company “My Fair” with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and the National Bank of Uzbekistan. The event, which covered 12 cities of the country, brought together a record 100 universities from 15 countries for Central Asia. Our university was also represented at the exhibition.

    The Education and Profession 2025 exhibition is a unique opportunity for applicants, students and young professionals to take a look into the future of their careers. Here you can learn about the requirements for admission to universities and colleges, scholarships and grants that make education more accessible, as well as about the professions that will determine the labor market in a few years – from IT development and bioengineering to sustainable development and digital art. Experts from leading universities reveal right at the exhibition which skills are critically important today. For example, the ability to work with data, adapt to change, manage a team or solve interdisciplinary problems.

    Deputy Head of the Agency for Youth Affairs Dilnozahon Kattakhanova emphasized the significance of the event: More than 100 universities are more than 100 opportunities for self-realization, discovering potential and choosing a decent education. Young people will be able to contribute to the development of science, technology and all spheres of life in the country.

    Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in Uzbekistan Irina Staroselskaya emphasized the importance of choice: Young people can choose not only a university, but also a country, a direction. The main thing is that education brings pleasure – after all, we spend most of our lives at work. Let the choice be conscious!

    Over the course of two days of the exhibition, the stand of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was visited by more than 1,700 high school students from Uzbekistan considering the possibility of studying in Russia. The main audience was senior students who studied in detail the prospects of entering Russian universities.

    Leading Advertising Manager of the SPbPU Center for International Recruitment and Communications Zhanna Trunkova and specialist of the Department for Work with Foreign Students Evgeniya Borodina held individual consultations for the guests. They explained in detail the conditions of enrollment, the range of available educational programs, as well as scholarship and financial support options for foreign students of the university.

    Uzbek schoolchildren received information about scholarships, admission requirements and promising professions. The speakers thanked the partners for their contribution to the organization of the largest educational project in the region.

    International educational exhibitions help not only to obtain information, but also to immerse yourself in a dialogue with universities. Personal consultations, career guidance tests and live communication with representatives allow you to compare your interests with the real demands of the economy. This is a chance to rethink career goals, choose an educational trajectory that corresponds to both personal ambitions and global trends, and also to begin building a professional path without gaps in knowledge, – emphasized the head of the International Education Department of SPbPU Evgeniya Satalkina.

    You can find out more about the admission procedure at Polytechnic University atSPbPU website, and fill out the form inin the applicant’s personal account.

    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 –