Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University has opened enrollment for free training programs within the framework of the federal project “Active Measures to Promote Employment” of the national project “Personnel”. This is not the first successful experience of the Polytechnic in implementing such initiatives. Every year, the university helps many people master relevant professions and find work. This year, the project continues to form new career prospects for residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
The programs are designed to meet the needs of the regional labor market and focus on key sectors: industry, construction, energy, and the digital economy. In collaboration with leading regional enterprises, the university offers practice-oriented courses that include working with modern technologies and tools. Participants will be able to obtain not only new knowledge, but also a diploma from one of Russia’s leading universities, which significantly increases their chances of successful employment.
Our experience shows that such programs are not just training, but a real start for professional growth. We create conditions so that each participant can build a sustainable career, – emphasized the Vice-Rector for Additional and Pre-University Education of SPbPU Dmitry Tikhonov.
Training is available to anyone looking for a job. Including young people under 35 (in certain categories), people at risk of being laid off, officially unemployed, people with disabilities, parents on maternity leave, citizens over 50, unemployed mothers with children under seven, as well as veterans of the SVO and their family members.
The training areas include several blocks.
Engineering and technical professions:
CNC machine programming; instrumentation and automation fitter; measuring instrument controller; design and technological support for mechanical engineering; industrial safety and labor protection; welder.
Digital technologies and modeling:
Building information modeling (BIM, Renga); lean manufacturing and digital transformation; construction and surveying; industrial and civil construction; engineering and geodetic surveys; road reconstruction.
Service and design:
artist-designer (interior designer); tourism at an industrial enterprise; quality control of food products.
The new recruitment for free training programs is not only an opportunity to master a sought-after profession, but also a chance to contribute to the development of key industries in the region.
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — China will continue to push forward the comprehensive reform pilot in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, deepening reform and innovation in the city and expanding its opening-up, according to a guideline released Tuesday.
The document, jointly released by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, outlines a new series of reform measures for Shenzhen to overcome institutional barriers in education, science and high-caliber talent training in a coordinated manner. It calls for strengthening the deep integration of innovation, industry, capital and talent chains, and exploring new paths, scenarios and platforms for cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also envisages pilot projects in areas such as building a modern, international and innovative city.
As noted in the document, Shenzhen will deepen reform and expand opening-up from a higher starting point, at a higher level and to achieve higher goals, creating more new practices that can be replicated and disseminated. The city will further enhance its role as an important driving force for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a development stimulating center in the national strategy, and contribute to and set a model for the all-round construction of a modern socialist country.
As part of the reform, foreign investors are encouraged to establish professional educational organizations in the city in accordance with the rules and introduce advanced advanced training courses, faculty and teaching methods.
According to the document, employers in Shenzhen will be given greater autonomy in recruiting and managing foreign specialists.
The document said Shenzhen will carry out reforms to enhance data security management capacity and explore efficient, convenient and secure mechanisms for cross-border data transfer while complying with relevant laws and regulations.
In accordance with the guidelines, the results achieved in the pilot comprehensive reform programmes will be monitored and successful experiences will be disseminated on a wider scale. -0-
Search continues for Victorian man at Cradle Mountain
Wednesday, 11 June 2025 – 3:12 pm.
A search at Cradle Mountain today involving police officers, SES volunteers, a helicopter crew and drone operators has yet to locate Victorian man Christopher Inwood. Mr Inwood, 52, is believed to have been in the Cradle Mountain area since Monday night and police have concerns for his welfare. His white Toyota HiAce van was found in the car park of a ranger station on Cradle Mountain Road on Tuesday morning. A backpack which police believe may belong to Mr Inwood was found 500m away from the ranger station, in a direction heading to Dove Lake. Search efforts today have involved four officers from Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, four State Emergency Service volunteers, a wilderness paramedic, two police drone operators and a helicopter team of two police officers and a paramedic. The helicopter team has landed to check huts and emergency shelters along the Overland Track and also conducted wider aerial searches of the northern section of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Foot patrols have focused on walking tracks and bushland spanning out from the ranger station where Mr Inwood’s vehicle was found parked. (pictures attached) Weather conditions at Cradle Mountain today have been clear although cold, with the temperature at 3pm around 5C. Overnight temperatures have been below freezing. Mr Inwood was last seen in Kindred on Monday about 8.30pm and police believe he drove to Cradle Mountain later that night. Anyone who has information that could assist police locate Mr Inwood is urged to call 131 444.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called on the Diplomatic Corps to view Limpopo as a province of boundless opportunity.
“Our economy is powered by three key drivers, mining, agriculture, and tourism, each offering lucrative potential for investment and growth,” Ramathuba said.
Speaking at a Diplomatic Corps breakfast in Thohoyandou on Saturday, she said Limpopo was rich in mineral wealth, home to vast deposits of platinum, diamonds and rare earth minerals that are crucial to the modern world.
“The global demand for these resources continues to grow, and Limpopo is well-positioned to be a leading supplier, offering a stable and investor-friendly environment for responsible mining and beneficiation,” Ramathuba said.
Limpopo remains the breadbasket of South Africa, she said, producing a significant portion of the country’s fresh produce, including citrus, avocados and macadamia nuts.
“With fertile lands and a climate suited for year-round production, we are not just feeding the nation, we are feeding the world.
“We seek partnerships that will drive agro-processing, value addition and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that our agricultural sector remains a pillar of economic resilience.
“Our province is a place where nature, culture and heritage converge. From the breathtaking landscapes of the Kruger National Park to the ancient wonders of Mapungubwe, we offer an unparalleled tourism experience,” the Premier said.
Ramathuba said the hospitality of Limpopo people, combined with world-class facilities, makes the province a premier destination for both domestic and international travelers.
“We therefore invite you to join us in expanding this sector, developing eco-tourism, luxury lodges, and cultural heritage sites that will continue to draw visitors from across the globe.
“Our province is not just an economic hub, it is a strategic gateway to Africa. Limpopo shares borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, making it a key trade corridor for goods and services moving across the continent.
“Our transfrontier parks and cross-border infrastructure position us as a link between SADC markets and global investors looking for an entry point into Africa’s growing economies,” the Premier said.
The province hosted the first Outreach Program of the Group of 20 (G20) on Friday. The Premier described it as a historic milestone.
“The G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. The outreach was more than just a dialogue, it was a powerful opportunity for the people of Limpopo to understand and engage with South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
“Moreover, it allowed us to showcase our investment potential in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and the green economy,” she said.
Ramathuba said Limpopo was ready to open doors to investors, to forge new partnerships and to build a future where the province stands as a global leader in industrialisation and sustainable development.
“Limpopo is open for business. Our investment landscape is rich with potential and we stand ready to work alongside you to turn vision into reality,” Ramathuba said.
At a gala dinner on Friday, the Premier told the Diplomatic Corps that Limpopo was a land of immense potential, rich in culture, heritage and economic opportunities.
“We encourage you to consider Limpopo not just as a tourist destination but as a region ripe for investment. Tourism is one of the key drivers of our economy, creating jobs and supporting local communities,” she said.
She said the province believed that investment in infrastructure, particularly in roads, bridges, and logistics would unlock the full economic potential of the province.
“When businesses and farmers have access to reliable roads, they can transport goods efficiently, engage in larger markets, and ultimately grow their enterprises.
“We invite our esteemed guests and members of the Diplomatic Corps to explore opportunities in infrastructure development, as we seek partnerships that will transform Limpopo into a well-connected economic hub,” she said.
Limpopo is blessed with fertile soil and a climate that supports diverse agricultural activities.
“We are committed to strengthening our farming industry by supporting small-scale farmers to transition into commercial farming,” the Premier said.
Friday’s launch of the G20 Outreach Programme forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering wider public dialogue and participation in South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024.
The G20 is a group of 19 countries, as well as the African Union and the European Union, which defines itself as the premier forum for global economic cooperation. – SAnews.gov.za
Young professional makes strides in the engineering field
Portia Maposse is one of the country’s young black women who are gradually invading traditionally male-dominated fields.
The 25-year-old is a systems engineer at the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium in Nigel, Gauteng. Gibela is a black economic empowerment (BEE) rail transport consortium comprising Alstom and uBumbano Rail.
It was established in 2013, as a ring-fenced company for the execution of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) rolling-stock fleet-renewal programme. This contract is meant to deliver 600 trainsets to PRASA and provide technical support and related services.
PRASA is an entity of the Department of Transport.
She joined Gibela in 2023 as a process manufacturing engineering intern and worked her way up to becoming a systems engineer in 2024, bringing her dream to fruition.
“The journey started in high school. I went to a Technical High school where I chose the Mechanical Technology Stream. Then at the university I pursued Mechanical Engineering. I studied at the University of South Africa (UNISA),” she told SAnews, in a recent interview.
This as SAnews visited the consortium’s train manufacturing facility in Dunnottor, Nigel, in celebration of the Decade of the Artisan with special focus on female artisans.
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the campaign aims to encourage more young people (high school learners and unemployed youth) to see artisanship as a career of choice.
The visit formed part of the Government Communication and Information System’s (GCIS) celebrations of 30 Years of Democracy.
Asked about her feelings in working in what is considered a male-dominated industry, she said: “Women are now leading in the industry. The industry caters, protects and accommodates women. Opportunities are endless. Always keep in mind that results matter and that women are more powerful.”
Her job at Gibela entails engaging with suppliers to develop systems in accordance with Gibela specifications, then work with cross-functional teams to integrate the systems into the product which is the train. She also manages the overall systems performance.
“My role aligns with all five values of our company namely, costumer focus and care, innovation, trust and respect, teamwork, and partnership, finally focus and accountability,” she said.
As the only female and the youngest in her team, Maposse is not intimidated by being in the male-dominated industry. “Age is not a disadvantage, and I will not be young forever. Therefore I am embracing this by being open to learning and appreciating the opportunity given to me. Gender has never been an issue. Not once have I felt different in the work setting thanks to the Gibela culture on gender-equality.
“It is important to be confident in your abilities and participate actively in the day-to-day work activities. Moreover, be yourself,” she said.
She advised young women who are not sure about their career choices to follow their passion.
“It is important to be confident in your abilities and participate actively on the day-to-day work activities. Be yourself and maintain confidence.
“Education is key to success. Never stop learning; seek mentorship. Being in positive circles…networking is important in building long term connections within the industry,” she advised.
Asked about her most memorable moments working at Gibela, Maposse said during her induction days, she had the opportunity to witness a train being manufactured from the profile stage up to testing and commissioning.
“It was during the same period that I had my first train ride experience here on site and it was an amazing and unforgettable experience.”
To the young engineer, democracy means a lot as it has enabled her to be where she is today.
“To me democracy means the importance of youth voices in shaping the future of our country [followed by] the right to free education for all. One might ask why? I would say that is the opportunity I had, and it has led me to where I am today.”
Maposse says she would want to be remembered as a team player that has contributed to the success of Gibela project through innovation and fostering a collaborative environment.
Gibela has a staff compliment of over 1 200 with women making 43% of the workforce.
Gibela’s vision is to elevate South Africa’s commuter rail as the transport mode of choice. – SAnews.gov.za
As the Modi government marks the completion of eleven years in office, one of the most striking shifts in India’s defence landscape has been the growing presence of women in uniform. From policy reforms to breaking long-standing barriers, the journey over the past decade has redefined the role of women in the armed forces, both symbolically and structurally.
Back in 2014, the number of women officers across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force stood at just around 3,000. Today, that figure has crossed 11,000, signalling not only a change in numbers but also in the institutional mindset. Over the years, the government has opened new avenues for women in defence, including extending permanent commission to women officers—a long-pending demand that was finally addressed. As of now, 507 women officers have been granted permanent commission, allowing them to pursue full careers and assume leadership positions across various branches.
Perhaps the most visible testament to this transformation came with the historic decision to induct female cadets into the National Defence Academy (NDA). The Academy, long considered the cradle of military leadership in India, admitted its first batch of 17 female cadets in August 2022 as part of the 148th course. Since then, the number has grown steadily, with 126 female cadets joining across four batches till the 153rd course.
The moment reached its culmination on May 30, 2025, when the pioneering group of 17 women graduated alongside 319 male cadets from the 148th Course – Spring Term 2025. This landmark event, while ceremonial in nature, carried immense symbolic weight. It reflected the Armed Forces’ growing commitment to inclusion and merit, and the belief that strength, resilience, and leadership are not confined to any one gender.
Beyond training academies, the presence of women has expanded across various roles, including combat support and aviation. From piloting fighter jets in the Indian Air Force to handling operational command in naval and ground units, women officers today are occupying spaces once deemed inaccessible.
A routine disinfection procedure commonly used when admitting patients to intensive care units (ICU) can increase ‘superbug’ infections according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.
The study compared bloodstream infections in ICU patients who experienced different types of disinfection when admitted.
The results showed that the ‘universal disinfection’ of all patients admitted to ICU was linked to the rise of superbug – ‘methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis’ (MRSE) bloodstream infections in vulnerable patients.
The results are published today, June 11, 2025, in Lancet Microbe
Universal decolonisation refers to the disinfection of all patients admitted to ICUs and was introduced during the MRSA epidemic in the 1990’s to attempt to control healthcare-associated infections. However, hospital infections and how they respond to antibiotics are known to change over time. This is why the team, led by Professor Karolin Hijazi, sought to re-evaluate the benefits and unintended harms of these infection control practices, particularly for those disinfectants implicated in rise of antimicrobial resistance.
During universal decolonisation, when patients are admitted to ICU their whole body is disinfected with an antimicrobial called chlorhexidine – a disinfectant also widely used to disinfect medical devices and hospital surfaces. Patients also receive nasal treatment with another disinfectant called mupirocin.
Currently, there is inconsistency in disinfection practices across hospitals in the UK with some hospitals adopting the universal decolonisation of all patients, whilst others employ a more targeted and risk-based approach of decolonisation of only those patients who have tested positive for MRSA. This means that much larger volumes of the disinfectants chlorhexidine and mupirocin are used in hospitals that practice universal decolonisation.
The team compared the bloodstream infection type and resistance rates of patients over 13 years across two intensive care units in Scotland practicing the different decolonisation approaches and found that universal decolonisation practices were related to increased MRSE infections compared to a targeted approach.
Professor Hijazi Chair in Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, who led the study explains their findings: “We found that the drastic reduction of disinfectant when using targeted decolonisation of only MRSA-positive patients reduced bloodstream infections related to MRSE. Whilst MRSE is generally not life-threatening, this data is a concern as MRSE increases the burden of circulating antimicrobial resistance.
“However, reducing disinfectant did not increase all bloodstream infections from serious pathogens. This means that universal decolonisation is not superior to more sparing and targeted approaches in controlling serious bloodstream infections.
“This research essentially demonstrates that the excess use of disinfectants in universal decolonisation offered no advantage in terms of control of serious blood infections in a low MRSA ICU setting but instead caused the unintended rise of MRSE bloodstream infections.
“Universal decolonisation is associated with greater risks of antimicrobial resistance and costs at no increased benefit. “According to the findings of our study, in low MRSA settings universal decolonisation is likely an unnecessary and harmful practice.”
The authors suggest that hospitals should consider the unintended harms of universal decolonisation, particularly in the context of global rise of antimicrobial resistance.
Professor Hijazi adds: “As the landscape of hospital infections changes over time, it is imperative to re-evaluate the benefits and unintended harms of all antimicrobial treatments including disinfection practices. This is particularly important for disinfectants implicated in antimicrobial resistance.
“Our research aligns with the top 10 research priorities of the ‘five-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance’ set out by the UK government, agencies and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland UK, which called to strengthen the evidence of the role of biocides in driving antimicrobial resistance.
“Our study fits squarely with this commitment and should inform standardised national guidelines for effective and safe patient decolonisation in low MRSA settings.
“Skin decolonisation must effectively control hospital infections whilst minimising emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance which is ‘the silent pandemic’ of our times.
“Skin decolonisation of hospital patients is also very costly as it must be prescribed by specialist medical staff and administered by trained nurses. So we anticipate significant cost savings associated with efforts to reduce and avoid this practice where not necessary.”
Professor Marco Oggioni from the University of Bologna who contributed to the research added: “Antimicrobial stewardship and other measures for infection prevention are our most powerful tools to contrast the global emergency of antimicrobial drug resistance, but this should never hinder our critical re-evaluation of the instruments we utilise to achieve our goals.”
Professor Ian Gould, Honorary Professor at the University of Aberdeen concluded: “This timely study is the culmination of 25 years’ work in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“The original study was borne out of an initial response to control a nationwide epidemic of MRSA, the original superbug, by using universal decolonization.
“We have subsequently learned to use antibiotics cautiously but this important study provides the firmest evidence yet that antiseptics and disinfectants, which are also commonly misused, should be subject to the same restrictions.”
This study was funded by NHS Grampian Charity, and was a collaboration with Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital, Leicester University and the University of Bologna.
ENDS
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
RAMALLAH, June 11 (Xinhua) — One Palestinian was killed and another was wounded on Tuesday during an Israeli army raid in the Old City of Nablus in the northern West Bank, Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas told Xinhua.
According to him, Israeli army soldiers shot at two young men and detained them. It was later determined that one of them was killed, and the condition of the other remains unknown.
The Israeli army carried out a large-scale military operation in Nablus for several hours on Tuesday, according to Palestinian security sources.
Mr. Douglas noted that the Israeli army raided neighborhoods of the Old City. Soldiers broke into hundreds of homes and destroyed property.
All public and private institutions were closed due to mass raids, leading to the postponement of the Education Ministry entrance exams, the governor added.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said on Tuesday that its staff had treated about 55 people injured by tear gas.
The statement also said three people were taken to hospital with shrapnel wounds, while four others were injured as a result of physical force used by Israeli soldiers. –0–
A new report, ‘Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system 2023/24,’ has confirmed that Oranga Tamariki is severely failing our most vulnerable Māori youth.
“The Government is setting our tamariki up to fail by throwing them into a system that harms instead of helps our kids who are most in need,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Children, Kahurangi Carter.
“Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to be loved, nurtured and safe in whānau and communities that have what they need to support their wellbeing.
“Today’s report confirms that tamariki and rangatahi Māori are significantly over-represented in the Oranga Tamariki system and significantly under-supported. Māori youth make up two-thirds of those in state care, and make up almost 50 per cent of reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki.
“We cannot continue to repeat history and pave the way for another Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. We cannot let the Government give up on our most vulnerable kids by repeating cycles that have been continuing for generations.
“Minister Chhour has deliberately undermined Oranga Tamariki by scrapping 7AA and cutting $120m of funding for services contracted to support vulnerable youth. This resulted in Kōkiri Marae, a marae which runs education, health and social services in Pito-one, losing $1.5 million of funding overnight. This is unacceptable.
“A Green Government would create a system that centres tamariki Māori in all levels of government, with dedicated structures that ensure accountability to them. We will uphold the tino rangatiratanga of every tamaiti by centring whakapapa and te ao Māori, with whānau and hapū leading decisions affecting tamariki and rangatahi.
“The oranga of our tamariki and rangatahi must be at the heart of decision-making. It really is as simple as that,” says Kahurangi Carter.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Other key outcomes of the report are:
Māori who have been in care are far more likely to face mental health issues and housing instability as adults.
Intergenerational cycles persist, with 70% of Māori parents who were in care now having children involved with OT.
Despite some efforts, the below barriers persist:
High thresholds mean many reports of concern result in no action.
Whānau-led processes like Family Group Conferences are under-resourced and poorly implemented.
Early support is often missed, increasing the risk of deeper system involvement.
Funding decisions have undermined trust and reduced effective services, particularly for iwi and kaupapa Māori providers.
There is insufficient prioritisation across agencies and siloed approaches worsening outcomes.
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 10/06/2025
The ACT Government has released a new report that provides a comprehensive overview of peer work in the ACT’s mental health services, along with strategies to support its growth and development.
Minister for Mental Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said peer work is a growing discipline in mental health care, where individuals with lived and living experience of mental health challenges use their insights to support others on their recovery journeys.
“This report has shown that engaging peer workers in our mental health system delivers better outcomes for those experiencing or caring for someone with mental health concerns,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Peer workers bring lived or living experience, empathy and hope to people navigating mental health challenges.
“This report not only celebrates their contributions but also highlights key changes needed to better support and grow this essential workforce.”
“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring accessible mental health support for Canberrans, from prevention and early intervention through to treatment and recovery.”
Minister Stephen-Smith said the report showed that while the peer workforce reflects the diversity of the ACT community, there are high rates of burnout and compassion fatigue among peer workers.
“This report is a call to action. We must ensure peer workers are not only included but respected, supported and empowered in our mental health system,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Using the insights we have gained from this report, the ACT Government is developing practice standards that will support the mental health system as well as employers to ensure the peer workforce can sustainably grow in the ACT.
“It also shows there is a desire from the peer workforce to be better connected with each other, and the Government is looking forward to hosting an inaugural ACT Peer Work Forum on 13 August 2025 to forge stronger links, help us gain more insights on how best to support peer workers, and raise the profile of peer work in the ACT.
“While the report includes constructive feedback and highlights areas for improvement, it also reflects the resilience and dedication of peer workers across the ACT.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to the report, including peer workers and employers who shared their experiences and the lived experience team in the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing who delivered this important work.
“We are committed to working with the peer workforce to build a more inclusive, responsive and effective mental health system.”
You can read the report and learn more about peer work in ACT mental health services on the Spaces to Grow web page.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
In the 2017 Policy Address, the Government proposed the “Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreation Facilities” to launch 26 projects to develop new and improve existing sports and recreation facilities. However, the Government indicated in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure 2025-2026 that four out of such 26 projects are still under planning. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) in respect of the aforesaid four projects still under planning, of (i) the dates when they were proposed, and (ii) the time lag to date since their proposal (set out in a table);
(2) as the Government has advised that among the aforesaid four projects, the project of Sports Ground and Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 16, Tuen Mun (TMA16 Project) can only proceed after the depots of two franchised bus companies currently at the site concerned are relocated, and that the Government will actively co-ordinate in expediting the implementation of the depot relocation plans for the two franchised bus companies, of the latest progress of the relevant work, and how the Government will push forward the commencement of the TMA16 Project; and
(3) whether it will consider proceeding to tendering for the engagement of engineering consultants for the TMA16 Project as the first step, so as to kick-start the engineering design and submission of the planning applications as early as possible, thereby compressing the overall timeline of the project; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Government announced in the 2017 Policy Address the “Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreation Facilities” with a view to commencing 26 projects to increase and improve sports and recreation facilities. Among which, 13 projects have been opened or partially opened for public use while four projects are still under planning. Having consulted the relevant policy bureaux and departments, my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Holden Chow is set out below:
(1) In order to make optimal use of land resources, the Government announced in the 2018 Policy Address that the principle of “single site, multiple uses” would be adopted when implementing public works projects. In view of the public demand for parking spaces in the relevant districts, the Government has proposed to incorporate public vehicle parks into four sports and recreation facility projects under planning to meet the public needs for sports and recreation facilities and alleviate the demand for parking spaces in the districts concerned. The latest progress of the four projects is set out below:
Project
Date of obtaining support from the District Council (DC) upon revision of the proposed project facilities
Number of years since the date of obtaining support from the DC and current progress (up to 2025)
Sports Ground and Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 16, Tuen Mun (TMA16 Project)
Support was obtained from Tuen Mun DC in February 2019
Around six years
The relevant site is currently used for several temporary purposes, including bus depots of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) and the Citybus Limited (Citybus), the Tuen Mun Training Ground and Testing Centre of the Construction Industry Council, as well as a fee-paying public vehicle park. The two bus companies have preliminarily identified new sites and submitted their applications for short-term tenancy (STT) to the Lands Department with a view to relocating their bus depots and returning the site for taking forward the project.
Football-cum-Rugby Pitch with Public Vehicle Park in Area 33, Tai Po
Support was obtained from Tai Po DC in November 2018.
Around six years
The Government consulted the DC about the conceptual design of the project on September 4, 2024.
“Design and build” (D&B) model will be adopted for the project. The Government will take the project forward in accordance with public works procedures.
Sports Facilities with Public Vehicle Park in Tung Tau Industrial Area, Yuen Long
Support was obtained from Yuen Long DC in January 2019.
Around six years
D&B model will be adopted for the project. The Government will take the project forward in accordance with public works procedures.
Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 17, Tuen Mun
Support was obtained from Tuen Mun DC in June 2019
Around six years
The Government has engaged a consultant to undertake the design and planning applications for the project.
The Government will continue to review the order of priority of works projects under planning and update their works schedules as appropriate for using public resources more effectively.
(2) Regarding the TMA16 Project, relevant government departments have been actively assisting franchised bus operators in identifying sites for relocating the bus depots so as to vacate the site early for taking forward the project. Both the KMB and Citybus have submitted STT applications to the Lands Department for the use of government sites at the southern and northern ends of Ho Wo Street respectively for relocating the bus depots currently located at Area 16, Tuen Mun. The site at the southern end of Ho Wo Street was handed over to the KMB in March 2025. The KMB will carry out site formation and associated works as soon as practicable to expedite the commencement of the new bus depot thereat.
As for the site at the northern end of Ho Wo Street which Citybus has applied for, its underground drainage facilities pose certain technical constraints on the use of the land, including the feasibility of setting up petrol stations and vehicle-washing machines at the site. In this regard, relevant government departments are actively liaising with Citybus and exploring possible solutions. Upon the granting of STT, Citybus will commence the preparatory work for relocating its bus depot.
Relevant bureaux and departments will continue to co-ordinate and assist the two bus companies in the relocation exercise to ensure that the bus depots can be moved out and the site can be cleared as soon as practicable. Meanwhile, other preparatory work will continue to be carried out so that the works can be commenced immediately after the tender exercise is completed and funding approval is obtained from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
(3) To implement the TMA16 Project, the Government will adopt the D&B model under which bids for design works and building works will be invited under a single contract. The successful contractor is required to engage construction and design teams to carry out detailed design for the project simultaneously to shorten the overall construction period as well as make best use of its expertise and experience on building materials and construction techniques to enhance the design quality and cost-effectiveness of the project.
In May, number of the bank’s clients increased by 1,500 and number of active clients decreased by 800. By the end of the month number of clients reached 216,00 and number of active clients reached 102,400. Over the year, customer base has grown by 11%.
Volume of the bank’s customer deposits decreased by 47 million euros in May. The reduction in deposit volume was a deliberate step, as an additional 250 million euros was raised in March through the issuance of covered bonds. By the end of the month, the bank’s deposits reached 1.76 billion euros. Deposits of corporate customers decreased by 11 million euros and deposits of private customers decreased by 2 million euros. The volume of deposits attracted from international platforms decreased by 34 million euros. Over the year, volume of bank deposits has grown by 1%.
The bank’s loan portfolio increased by 29 million euros and reached 1.90 billion euros by the end of month. Business loans increased by 14 million euros and home loans increased by 13 million euros. Leasing and consumer financing portfolios both increased by 1 million euros. Over the year, loan portfolio has grown by 19%.
In May, the loan impairment cost was 0.4 million euros.
Compared to the first five months of last year, the bank’s net income decreased by 5% and expenses have increased by 1%.
In May, the bank earned net profit of 2.4 million euros. In the first five months of the year, the bank has earned a net profit of 12.1 million euros, that is 17% less than in the same period last year.
In May, Coop Pank’s return on equity was 13.1% and the cost-income ratio was 50%.
Comment by Paavo Truu, Member of the Management Board and CFO of Coop Pank:
“Although economic uncertainty remains high, the easing of inflation in the eurozone and declining interest rates in money markets are helping to improve the confidence of both businesses and consumers. Lower loan burdens, better opportunities for investment, and Coop Pank’s competitive offering resulted in solid growth of the loan portfolio in May.
At the same time, the deliberate reduction of deposits continued, driven by the successful covered bond issuance carried out in March. As a result, the bank now has access to a long-term and stable funding source, which enables a moderate decrease in the volume of more expensive term and foreign deposits.
In May, Coop Pank extended its successful Teacher’s Home Loan product from kindergarten and general education school teachers to include vocational school teachers as well. According to Kantar Emor survey results, Coop Pank is the most recommended bank in Estonia and has reached 10th place in the ranking of reputable employers. In the Responsible Business Index issued by the Kestliku Ettevõtluse Liit KELL, Coop Pank, for the first time, earned the gold-level recognition.
At the turn of the month, Coop Pank’s cooperation with Coop retail reached a new level: joint customers were offered an attractive and unique purchase reward, with the bank transferring money back to their account for purchases made in Coop stores using a Coop Pank debit card. This is the first large-scale cashback-type loyalty program in Estonia, in which customers receive 1% of their previous month’s purchase amount back in cash each month.
Strong growth in both the loan and everyday banking markets, along with efficient operations, brought Coop Pank a net profit of 2.4 million euros in May. The bank’s return on equity was 13.1% and the cost-to-income ratio stood at 50%.”
Coop Pank, based on Estonian capital, is one of the five universal banks operating in Estonia. The number of clients using Coop Pank for their daily banking reached 216,000. Coop Pank aims to put the synergy generated by the interaction of retail business and banking to good use and to bring everyday banking services closer to people’s homes. The strategic shareholder of the bank is the domestic retail chain Coop Eesti, comprising of 320 stores.
In May, EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS earned consolidated rental income of EUR 2,643 thousand, increasing by EUR 33 thousand compared to April. The increase in rental income is mainly related to the higher revenue in the logistics segment (including the first full month of rental income from the Paemurru logistics centre) and contract-based rent increases in the elderly care segment.
The Fund’s consolidated EBITDA in May totalled EUR 2,229 thousand (April: EUR 2,183 thousand). Adjusted cash flow (EBITDA less loan principal repayments and interest expenses) amounted to EUR 1,148 thousand, an increase of EUR 138 thousand compared to April. The portfolio vacancy rate decreased to 4.0% (down 0.7 percentage points), mainly due to new lease agreements signed in the office building at Pärnu mnt 102 in Tallinn.
During the first five months of 2025, the Fund has earned EUR 12.9 million in rental income, a 1.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Consolidated EBITDA for the year stands at EUR 10.6 million, 2.7% lower year-over-year, primarily due to utility costs related to vacant space in the office segment. Consolidated interest expenses have decreased by EUR 768 thousand compared to last year, and the Fund’s weighted average interest rate fell to 4.09% in May, reaching the same level as at the beginning of 2023. In 5 months this year, the Fund has earned 5,4% more free cash-flow than during the same period last year.
As of the end of May, the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) per share was EUR 19.7782, and the EPRA NRV was EUR 20.6479. Both NAV and EPRA NRV increased by 0.7% over the month.
As the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 approaches, a host of celebrated personalities from film, music, and public service are lending their voices to promote the ancient Indian practice. What started as a national observance has transformed into a people’s movement, with this year’s IDY marking a decade of celebrations.
Former Puducherry Governor and retired IPS officer Dr. Kiran Bedi called yoga “another word for self-care and social care,” highlighting its relevance in modern life.
Veteran actors Anupam Kher and Anil Kapoor echoed the sentiment. In a post on X, Kapoor said, “Yoga inspires, heals, and unites. Let’s embrace a healthier today and tomorrow through the spirit of Yoga Mahotsav,” while Anupam shared a video message encouraging everyone to “Celebrate Yoga”.
Wrestler and motivational speaker Sangram Singh emphasized yoga’s spiritual dimension, calling it a bridge between the physical and the inner self. Cultural icons like singer Kailash Kher and classical dancer Sonal Mansingh praised yoga as India’s timeless gift to the world.
Actors Manoj Joshi and Shilpa Shetty advocated for integrating yoga and Ayurvedic principles into daily life, while Rakul Preet Singh described yoga as a unifying force from ancient India to the global stage.
Their collective outreach, especially on social media, is energizing youth and digital audiences nationwide. As June 21 draws near, these influential voices are not just promoting yoga as a practice—but as a way of life.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Following is a question by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
Many members of the public have relayed that under the circumstances of a lack of parking spaces, some businesses are occupying on-street parking spaces in various districts on a long-term basis or blocking them with objects in order to use such parking spaces for commercial activities. There are views that such practices defeat the original purpose of installing parking meters to prevent prolonged parking and occupation of road space by vehicles, violate the principle of fair use of public resources, and adversely affect motorists’ convenience when going out. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the measures taken by the Government in the past three years to combat the illegal long-term occupation of on-street parking spaces, and the relevant enforcement situation;
(2) as there are views pointing out that the long-term occupation of on-street parking spaces or their blockage with objects by businesses has existed in various districts for many years, what specific measures the Government has in place to step up efforts in combatting such practices; and
(3) as it is learnt that at present, some Mainland cities have implemented number plate recognition systems by installing sensors to identify vehicles in parking spaces to assist with enforcement, whether the authorities will consider introducing similar systems or other innovative technological devices at on-street parking spaces to assist law enforcement agencies in combatting the illegal occupation of on-street parking spaces, including long-term occupation, blockage with objects and holding of commercial activities?
Reply:
President,
It is the Government’s policy to centre on public transport, and the Government encourages the public to make good use of the public transport services as far as possible, so as to avoid aggravating the burden on road traffic resulting from excessive private cars (PCs). In response to the parking demand for both PCs and commercial vehicles, over the past years, the Government has been actively pursuing a host of short-term and medium-to-long-term measures, to increase the supply of parking spaces where circumstances permit. Over the past three years, the number of metered parking spaces (metered spaces) has increased by more than 2 300. Having consulted the Transport Department (TD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee is as follows:
(1) and (2) The Government has all along been combatting the illegal occupation of metered spaces, deterring fare evasion and other forms of illegal use, to enhance turnover and ensure these spaces meet short-term parking needs. The HKPF conducts inspections and takes enforcement actions against unpaid parking, and maintains close co-ordination with relevant departments, such as the TD, at the district level for ongoing monitoring. Since 2021, the new-generation parking meter system, equipped with sensors, can detect real-time occupancy and enable the TD to identify unpaid metered spaces through its backend computer system. The TD shares this information with the HKPF via a dedicated application to facilitate enforcement. In terms of actual operation, the meter operator engaged by the TD provides information of unpaid but occupied metered spaces detected by the meters’ sensors to the HKPF for follow-up, and dispatches personnel to regularly patrol parking meters in various districts. If any unlawful occupation of metered spaces is observed, the contractor will report the situation to relevant departments (for example, the HKPF, the Lands Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) for enforcement. Currently, the contractor conducts daily inspections, and refers an average of about 120 000 cases per year to the HKPF for non-payment of parking fees, and the number of referrals concerning parking spaces occupied by non-vehicle items to the HKPF and other relevant departments has risen over the past three years to over 200 cases. The TD also refers public complaints to the appropriate authorities for action. Additionally, the HKPF continues its public awareness and education efforts. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of metered spaces increased by over 10 per cent, while revenue from metered parking fees rose by more than 40 per cent, suggesting improved compliance with paid parking regulations.
Regarding enforcement against other forms of illegal occupation, section 4A of the Summary Offences Ordinance stipulates that anyone who leaves objects in a public place – such as pallets/shop goods to reserve spaces – without reasonable excuse, causing obstruction, inconvenience, or danger to others or vehicles, is liable to a Level 4 fine ($25,000) or three months’ imprisonment.
(3) As mentioned above, the new generation parking meter system is equipped with sensors to detect the usage status of parking spaces in real time. The purpose of collecting information is to provide motorists with locations of vacant on-street parking spaces in real time, and does not have the function of identifying number plate numbers.
Having said that, this information could assist the HKPF and the TD in identifying cases where metered spaces are occupied without payment, enabling targeted enforcement actions by the HKPF. The departments will continue to draw on experiences from other places and advancements in relevant technologies, actively exploring the adoption of new technologies to enhance the management and operational efficiency of metered spaces. The TD plans to conduct a two-month pilot scheme in the fourth quarter of 2025, adopting artificial intelligence sensors in targeted areas with greater demand for metered spaces and higher rates of illegal occupation of parking spaces. Depending on the success of the trial, we will expand the coverage of the scheme. Regarding number plate recognition systems, the TD remains open-minded and will assess their reliability alongside the cost-effectiveness of upgrading the meter system’s hardware and software holistically to determine their suitability for application in Hong Kong.
Programme Directors, The Farisani Family, Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Representatives of the African National Congress and the broader liberation movement, Leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, Traditional and religious leaders present, Leadership of the University of Venda, Fellow Mourners,
Fellow South Africans, batho ba Limpopo, muta waDean Farisani,
We are to bid farewell to Dean Tshenuwani Farisani.
His life bears witness to the mission of Christ espoused in the Gospel of Luke chapter 4.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed.”
We have lost an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life.
He was born in 1948, a year that was a turning point in South Africa’s history.
This was the year the National Party swept to power and ushered in the reviled system of apartheid.
Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time.
He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.
Many years later, in 1996, he would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family were victims of forced removed from the Songozi Tsapila area near then Louis Trichardt, now Makhado.
The authorities arrived one day without warning, and his parents were ordered to vacate the area immediately.
He recounted how they had to carry their belongings on their backs and leave, on foot. That which could not be carried, including all the family’s livestock, was left behind.
They were relocated to another empty piece of land and told this was their new home. They were never compensated for the land that was stolen from them.
Eight years later, in 1959, the family were forcibly removed again.
Two years later, in 1961, again.
These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of justice.
They planted the seeds of his political consciousness when he was still in his teens.
He only entered formal schooling at the age of 12. Like most children in rural areas at the time, he was a child labourer on the white farms.
At school a missionary from the Evangelical Lutheran Church noticed his academic brilliance and he was prepared to enter theological training.
It was at Maphumulo Theological Seminary in KwaZulu-Natal that he first became acquainted with the Black Consciousness Movement.
Its teachings fired his growing political awareness.
For him, there was no contradiction between the teachings of his faith and the mission of national liberation.
He soon became attracted to liberation theology, and its message that true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor.
Apartheid was a great injustice, and he, heroic heart, was not content to choose a quiet life of pastoralism.
He was eventually expelled from the seminary after hebecame involved with underground political organisations like the South African Students Organisation, the Black People’s Convention and the Black Consciousness Movement.
By then he was at the Beuster Mission at Maungani outside Thohoyandou and a rising figure in the BCM, going on to be elected its president in 1973.
I first met Dean Farisani when he spoke at my high school, Mpaphuli.
We formed an immediate and lasting bond.
For many years we worked alongside each other in the Black Evangelical Youth Organisation.
There were many points in the life of the great man we lay to rest today where he found himself sorely tested.
During the late 1970s and 1980s was arrested on a number of occasions for his political activities. But it was his third detention, in 1981, that he found his courage truly tested. His faith tested. His principles tested.
He was detained by the Venda police on suspicion of being involved in the bombing of a police station in Sibasa.
He was held for more than eight months and severely tortured.
In his book, Diary from a South African Prison, he recounts the unimaginable ordeal of beatings, electricshocks, being forced to squat for days and being smothered.
In an interview given years later he recounts how his torturers tried everything to force a confession, even offering him the position of Bishop of Venda.
And yet he, strong in will, did not yield.
Fellow Mourners, Comrades, Fellow South Africans,
Dean Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and stand up for their rights. I was amongst them.
He was a beloved father and a grandfather who will be sorely missed by his wife, mufumakadzi Mudzunga, his daughters Nzumbululo and Ndamulelo, by his son Zwovhonala and by the entire extended family.
He was a renowned academic and prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless.
He was a guide and mentor to many. He was a dear friend.
And yet it is Dean Farisani’s most salient quality that I will most remember him for: he was a man of unwavering principle.
Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the South African people, and to their total emancipation.
In detention, he was offered positions and status. He refused them.
When he was released and went into exile in the United States, he could have easily put the entire experience behind him and led a quiet life.
Instead he campaigned vigorously against the regime from abroad.
When Venda was proclaimed as a so-called independent homeland by the apartheid regime he was outspoken in his opposition, even when this brought him into conflict with church leaders in his circuit.
His activism continued into the democratic South Africa.
He was determined to be part of the struggle to overcome the injustice and inequality bred of apartheid.
He was elected to the first democratic Parliament in 1994.
He would go on to serve further as an MEC here in Limpopo and as speaker of the Legislature.
These roles placed him in a position of power and influence. Yet they did not change him.
He did not succumb to the allure of high office. He was never arrogant.
He was a servant leader who came, served and left, and continued to contribute to the betterment of his beloved country.
He did not regard loyalty to a political cause or party as being above his own principles.
When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those entrusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism. He held power to account.
The Foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice, including for apartheid’s many victims.
Fellow Mourners,
Neither beatings nor torture could make Dean Farisani surrender his principles. The trappings of power did not interest him. He was content to walk in the footsteps of his Lord with the downtrodden, the oppressed and the marginalised.
He understood his life’s mission and it was not negotiable.
These are the greatest lessons we take from his life. These are the reflections we take today as we lay this great son of the soil to rest.
To the family, we share in your great sorrow. Yet even amidst our mourning we celebrate a man who has left such a deep and lasting impact on all of us. He was an inspiration.
In Dean Farisani’s book of poetry, titled Justice in my Tears, there is a moving poem.
It is called “The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 in Pietermaritzburg and Howick.”
It was published in 1977, the period of his first imprisonment.
In it he writes:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not buckle He rests me in the land of freedom I drink from the cup of liberty, Even when I wander in the valley of torture. I shall fear no human beasts,
He shall fight my fight. His angels and his visions Guide me through brutal interrogations He gives me life in the hands of murderers Giving me a crown for a victory his own”
Dean Farisani, yours was a life of service to others. As the South African people we crown you as you go to your eternal rest.
In the words of the Psalm 23 you so loved, surely goodness and mercy did follow you all the days of your life. May you dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 10 June 2025, engage with youth beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) flagship programmes in Pretoria.
The President will visit three sites: the Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Saulsville; the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACCI) in Eersterust, and the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) in Pretoria East.
These visits will highlight innovative implementation models and public-private partnerships that are delivering dignified, high-quality employment and skilling outcomes for youth at scale.
The President will during the visits interact directly with youth beneficiaries, educators, and implementing partners, and see first-hand how the PES and PYEI’s community-based, demand-led approach is reshaping labour market access for the country’s most excluded youth.
The site visits will commence with the Sefako Makgatho Primary School, a part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) and a flagship programme of the PES, designed to address the dual challenges of youth unemployment and support, for the basic education system by placing young people in roles within public schools as education and general school assistant.
The programme is implemented by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and administrated by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
The President will then proceed to the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII) which is a creative hub providing technical skills training, business incubation, production facilities and networking for artists and entrepreneurs in the creative industries.
The organisation is funded by National Pathway Management Network, a grant initiative of the PYEI, led by the National Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and administered by the IDC.
The funding assists with improving and expanding the Visual Special Effects (VFX) programme, which is one of its kind in South Africa, specifically designed to train youth in the highly technical field of VFX.
The programme connects young people to industry jobs in the creative gig economy. One hundred trainees have been enrolled into the programme through the Innovation Fund.
The President will conclude his visit at the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) which provides health sector professionals and unemployed youth interested in the health field access to affordable, accessible quality education through management and clinical skills development courses.
These courses are customised to the needs of healthcare managers, practitioners and organisations.
The programme is funded through the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, an outcome-based instrument to unlock jobs for excluded young people by linking contracted payments with desired outcomes.
This intervention of the PYEI that is led by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) with the National Skills Fund (NSF) as the lead implementer.
The media programme will unfold as follows: Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 Time: 10h00 (Media arrival at 09h00) Venue: Sefako Makgatho Primary School, 2 Sakweng street, Saulsville, Pretoria
Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to send their details to Ndivhuwo Kharivhe on Ndivhuwo@presidency.gov.za by no later than 13h00 today Monday, 09 June 2025.
NOTE TO MEDIA/EDITORS: The visit to the school will be open to all media to cover the engagement between President and Teacher Assistants. However, due to space limitations, the other two sites will only be restricted to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), which will disseminate the materials to all media post the visits.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
The Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa wishes to provide clarity regarding Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s international travel expenses which has recently gained much attention in the media, with reports and commentary coming from News24, City Press, Sunday Times/Timeslive, SowetanLIVE, Independent Media/IOL, The Citizen, BusinessLive, ENCA and others. Categorically, the office and the Deputy President have not, as seems to be suggested, misused State funds or been extravagant in financing the costs of the Deputy President’s international travel.
This unprecedented matter which involves the international work of the Deputy President’s travel costs, was first raised by Action SA, a political party represented in Parliament, in a written question to the Deputy President. In light of such an expected phenomena, the Deputy President replied to the question in full and also provided specific details which include; correct figures and breakdown of individual costs by members of the delegation supporting the Deputy President.
The Office of the Deputy President wishes to reiterate that Deputy President Mashatile undertakes all international working visits, not in his personal capacity but on behalf of the South African Government as delegated by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Moreover, the majority of these strategic international visits are aimed at strengthening existing bilateral, political, economic and diplomatic relations between South Africa and visited countries.
As part of South Africa’s global investment drive, and commitment to contribute to global peace and stability, South Africa, through the President and Deputy President as well as Ministers, have a role to play in advancing the global agenda, an aspect of which includes engagements with counterparts in other countries. For instance, the Deputy President co-chairs the SA-China BNC with Vice President Han Zheng and many other delegated countries including, but not limited to Vietnam and South Sudan.
In summary, in the comprehensive answer to the Parliamentary Question by Action SA, it was stated that since Deputy President Mashatile assumed office on 3 July 2024, he has undertaken the following International official visits:
• Ireland and United Kingdom Working Visits 26 September – 4 October 2024: Ireland 26 – 29 September 2024 and United Kingdom Working 30 September – 4 October 2024 • Standing for President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Republic of South Africa at the Inauguration of the President of Botswana, H.E Duma Boko on 8 November 2024 • Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa at the Extraordinary SADC Summit held on 20 November 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe • Japan Working Visit 16 – 19 March 2025 • France Working Visit 19 – 24 May 2025
The Working Visit to Japan in particular, being the one raised by most media, was of strategic importance to South Africa, as it focussed on strengthening political, economic and social areas of cooperation between the two countries. The Working Visit came at the back of the two nations celebrating 115 years of strong diplomatic relations. The Deputy President was accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka; the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie; the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane; the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, and the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina.
In addition, the Japan Working Visit achieved several key objectives including representing the first high-level engagement between South Africa and Japan in the last 10 years; signalling an acknowledgement and appreciation for the long-standing relationship between the two countries based on a wide area of cooperation not limited to trade and investment. This visit was beneficial in terms of South Africa’s African Agenda, the current confluence of South Africa’s G20 Chairship and Japan’s hosting of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August, presenting a unique opportunity for South Africa to communicate its own and the continent’s position and priorities to Japan and the expected support and role that Japan could to play in this regard.
Finally, in our response to Parliament, the office has provided a breakdown of the cost to Government of all individual members of the delegation supporting the Deputy President. Regrettably, some of the figures presented by the media are significantly blown out of proportion and do not accurately reflect the cost of the trips. For example, one media liaison officer, referred to by Timeslive as the “most expensive supporting official”, is said to have cost R580, 582 for Japan alone, when in fact the total cost for that official is less than R66 000 including flights and accommodation.
While the cost of international travel is generally very high, these figures must always be seen in the context of their original currency in relation to the Rand Dollar exchange, as well as the going rate of such travel expenses, including ground transport, accommodation and flights.
In terms of the travel policy in the Presidential Handbook, transport for the President and Deputy President during travel outside South Africa is the responsibility and for the account of the State. Accommodation and incidental expenses of the President and Deputy President whilst on all official journeys abroad is arranged through, and paid for, by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The logistics and choice of accommodation is not the responsibility or competency of the Office of the Deputy President or Presidency. In fact, DIRCO plays an integral role in reviewing, advising and endorsing Government Delegation compositions, ensuring that participation aligns with formal policy guidelines that emphasise relevance, necessity, and cost-effectiveness. These guidelines reflect government directives aimed at optimising resource allocation while maintaining operational effectiveness during international engagements.
Regarding the financial aspects of the visits, responsibility for travel, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses is generally shared among DIRCO and other participating departments, depending on the officials’ affiliations and roles. Prior to the visit, DIRCO oversees the processing of budget submissions or cost estimates to ensure compliance with approved spending frameworks. This includes strict adherence to National Treasury guidelines on international travel, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and other precepts governing public expenditure.
In all these visits, the Office of the Deputy President has insisted on the most cost-effective provisions for the Deputy President and his delegations, and has therefore not misused nor extravagantly used State funds as alluded.
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 065 195 8840
The government’s decision to sanction Israeli cabinet ministers is a cynical diversionary gesture, according to the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
New Zealand has joined the UK, Australia, Canada, and Norway in banning the entry of Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
PSNA Co-Chair, Maher Nazzal, says the just announced move is simply to placate New Zealanders angry at the government’s complicity with the mass killing of Palestinians and deliberate starvation of Occupied Gaza.
“The New Zealand government statement was quite explicit that the sanctions were ‘not designed to sanction the wider Israeli government’ of which Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are ministers.”
“The New Zealand government’s official statement is laying the blame for Israeli barbarity on just two ministers. Our government is pretending that they alone are responsible for the military violence in the Gaza Strip, and Israel’s annexation of Palestinian land, expanding settlements, and forced displacement.”
“All these war crimes are supported and stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. These measures are all being carried out by the Israeli government. These two ministers are quite rabid, but they are not just freelancers or ‘bad apples’.”
“Netanyahu himself is wanted for trial on war crimes charges, so why does he escape the travel ban?”
Nazzal says Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would never plan to come to New Zealand anyway.
“The last time such an individual visited in 2006 the Auckland District Court issued a warrant for his arrest to face war crime charges.” (That was Israeli General Moshe Ya’alon – the ‘Butcher of Qana’. The warrant was quashed by the then Attorney-General Michael Cullen)
“Even if the government sanctioned the entire Israeli cabinet, it would be meaningless.”
“Israel has made Gaza hell on earth for Palestinians, and is making it worse by the hour. We should be cutting trade ties – including military technology, which might be finding its way to Israel, or sending up satellites from Mahia used by Israel to spy on Gaza.
“New Zealand has bilateral agreements with Israel over science and movie-making. They should stop.”
“The government needs to ban Israeli soldiers coming here for genocide holidays, instead of Winston Peters going out of his way to welcome them.”
“And it goes without saying that the Israeli ambassador should be booted out.”
Nazzal says the forced starvation in Gaza has reached a crisis point.
“The choice for the international community is stark. Let tens of thousands starve to death in the next few weeks, or impose a no-fly zone over Gaza and provide military protection for UNRWA aid convoys.”
“In that context, by limiting the travel options for two Israeli politicians our government feels like it’s conveying a message of “Look busy – New Zealanders are angry, we must be seen to be doing something, but really, we don’t care.”
Every day Aussie businesses exports some of the world’s best agricultural, industrial and technological products to every corner of the globe. With one in three Australian jobs supported by trade, the Albanese Labor Government has been working to strengthen our existing trading relationships and develop new ones internationally.
In uncertain times in global trade, diversification of our trading relationships has never been more important. That’s why in April, Labor committed to five business and investment missions to priority markets, as well as $50 million to create additional opportunities for local businesses.
This week, the first of these trade missions will travel to the United Kingdom to help Australian businesses discover new opportunities and accelerate our ongoing trade diversification efforts.
The first mission brings together representatives from 20 of Australia’s leading healthcare and MedTech companies. They will visit the United Kingdom to take part in London Tech Week 2025 and NHS ConfedExpo 2025 in Manchester.
It comes as Australia and the United Kingdom mark the two-year anniversary of the implementation of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, which is delivering outstanding results for Australian business.
For example, Australian beef and veal exports to the UK were worth A$97.8 million in 2024, which is more than double that of the previous year (2023), and around eight times what they were worth in 2022.
The UK has so much more to offer Australian exporters, and this business mission focused on health and medical technology will help unlock more jobs, more growth, and more certainty for our business.
Australia ranks 5th globally for healthcare innovation and we’re home to around 700 biotech and MedTech companies. Our world class healthcare and MedTech companies are already making a difference in the UK, including across flu vaccines, pandemic preparedness, and cancer care.
Australian and UK companies are also increasingly collaborating in critical technology sectors including quantum, cyber and AI.
To assist export ready Australian tech businesses expand into the UK market, Australia, through Austrade, will be launching a new London Landing Pad program later this month.
I wish the Australian businesses all the best and look forward to successful outcomes.
Hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday under orders from President Donald Trump, ratcheting up tensions in America’s second largest city, as California’s governor warned “democracy is under assault.”
Trump’s extraordinary measures of sending National Guard and Marines to quell protests, which broke out in response to his immigration raids, fueled demonstrations for a fifth day in Los Angeles, and sparked protests in several other cities.
As Trump and Newsom traded fulminations, the city’s mayor said the protests were limited to about five downtown streets, but declared a curfew for parts of the downtown area due to violence and looting.
Police arrested another 197 people on Tuesday – more than double the total number of arrests to date.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns over a national crisis in what has become the most intense flashpoint yet in the Trump administration’s efforts to deport migrants living in the country illegally, and then crack down on opponents who take to the streets in protest.
“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk. That’s when the downward spiral began,” Newsom said in an a video address.
“He again chose escalation. He chose more force. He chose theatrics over public safety. … Democracy is under assault.”
Newsom, widely seen as preparing for a presidential run in 2028, has called the deployments an illegal waste of resources. He and the state sued Trump and the Defense Department on Monday, seeking to block the deployment of federal troops. Trump in turn has suggested Newsom should be arrested.
Trump, voted back into office last year largely for his promise to deport undocumented immigrants, used a speech honoring soldiers on Tuesday to defend his decision.
He told troops at the Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina: “Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness.”
“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty, carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags,” Trump said, adding his administration would “liberate Los Angeles.”
Demonstrators have waved the flags of Mexico and other countries in solidarity for the migrants rounded in a series of intensifying raids.
Homeland Security said Monday its Immigration and Customs Enforcement division had arrested 2,000 immigration offenders per day recently, far above the 311 daily average in fiscal year 2024 under former President Joe Biden.
UNREST IN THE STREETS
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday announced a curfew for one square mile (2.5 square km) of downtown Los Angeles that will run from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. locally (0300 to 1300 GMT) for several days.
With five minutes until the curfew took effect, hundreds of protesters faced police with their hands raised, chanting “”peaceful protest.”
Even so, state and local officials have called Trump’s response an extreme overreaction to mostly peaceful demonstrations.
Bass emphasized at a press conference the distinction between the majority of demonstrators protesting peacefully and a smaller number of agitators she blamed for violence and looting.
A curfew had been considered for several days but Bass said she decided to impose one after 23 business were looted on Monday night.
“When these peaceful rallies end, and the protesters head home, another element moves in: opportunists, who come in under the cover of a peaceful protest to ravage and destroy,” Council member Ysabel Jurado, who represents the area, told reporters.
As the mayor and the council member spoke, police and protesters were engaged in skirmishes outside.
In what has become a daily ritual, police forced demonstrators away from the streets outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where many detained migrants are held. Multiple groups of protesters snaked through downtown Los Angeles, monitored or followed by police armed with less lethal munitions.
Protests also took place in other cities including New York, Atlanta and Chicago, where demonstrators shouted at and scuffled with officers. Some protesters climbed onto the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, while others chanted that ICE should be abolished.
Christina Berger, 39, said it was heartbreaking to hear about children who are afraid of being separated from their families due to immigration raids, adding, “I just want to give some hope to my friends and neighbors.”
MARINES AT THE READY
About 700 Marines were in a staging area in the Seal Beach area about 30 miles (50 km) south of Los Angeles, awaiting deployment to specific locations, a U.S. official said.
A U.S. official said there were 2,100 National Guard troops in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday, more than half the 4,000 to be activated. The Marines and National Guard troops lack the authority to makes arrests and will be charged only with protecting federal property and personnel.
Even so, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told Reuters the state was concerned about allowing federal troops to protect personnel, saying there was a risk that could violate an 1878 law that generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.
“Protecting personnel likely means accompanying ICE agents into communities and neighborhoods, and protecting functions could mean protecting the ICE function of enforcing the immigration law,” Bonta said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday posted photos on X of National Guard troops accompanying ICE officers on an immigration raid. Trump administration officials have vowed to redouble the immigration raids in response to the street protests.
Ahead of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, over 50,000 organisations from across the nation have registered to host Yoga Sangam, setting a new benchmark for collective participation, said the Ministry of Ayush on Tuesday.
Creating a historic milestone in promoting holistic health and well-being, Yoga Sangam will be hosted on June 21 from 6:30 am to 7:45 am.
This year’s theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ echoes a universal call for unity and wellness. Premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities, along with many corporates and private players, are actively registering and showcasing their commitment to global wellness.
Rajasthan has emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 11,000+ organisations registered for Yoga Sangam 2025, the highest among all states. It is followed by Telangana with over 7,000+ registrations, and Madhya Pradesh with close to 5,000 registrations.
The IDY events will be held across the snow-capped mountains of Ladakh to the sunlit beaches of Kerala, from school playgrounds and office lawns to railway stations and historic temple courtyards.
“With over one lakh locations expected to host the IDY event, Yoga Sangam 2025 the Ministry of Ayush invites citizens, institutions, and communities to come together in this global celebration of India’s timeless wisdom. Let us move together, breathe together, and thrive together – for a healthier, more harmonious world,” the Ayush ministry said.
This year’s IDY celebrations build on the successful decentralised model of previous editions, with the Ministry of Ayush enhancing public engagement through the Yoga Sangam portal: Yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam.
To participate in Yoga Sangam, groups/organisations can register themselves through Yoga Sangam portal. After conducting the Yoga Sangam event on June 21, they can receive the official Certificate of Appreciation by uploading participation details.
The highly anticipated Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled to launch on June 11 after a series of earlier delays, has been postponed once again due to a leak detected in the propulsion bay during a pre-launch test, SpaceX said on Wednesday.
“Standing down from tomorrow’s (June 11) Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the ISS to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections. Once complete—and pending Range availability—we will share a new launch date”, SpaceX said in a post on X.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also took to X, saying, “The Axiom 04 mission, slated for launch on 11th June 2025 to send the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS, has been postponed. As part of launch vehicle preparations to validate the performance of the booster stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, a seven-second hot test was carried out on the launch pad. During the test, a LOX (liquid oxygen) leak was detected in the propulsion bay.”
“Following discussions between ISRO, Axiom, and SpaceX experts, it has been decided to correct the leak and conduct the necessary validation tests before clearing the mission for launch. Hence, the launch of Axiom 04 has been postponed,” he added.
The mission, operated by the US-based Axiom Space, was set to carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with three international crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The launch was scheduled to take place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:30 p.m. IST. The Axiom 04 mission has faced multiple delays, having been rescheduled from its original target of May 29 to June 8, then June 10, and most recently to June 11.
The mission is of major significance for India, as Shukla is set to become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, and only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7 in 1984.
Shukla will serve as the pilot of the Axiom 04 mission, with Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States leading the crew. The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.
Once aboard the ISS, Shukla is expected to carry out experiments related to food and nutrition. The scientific mission is a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with additional support from NASA.
These experiments aim to advance the understanding of space nutrition and help develop self-sustaining life support systems critical for long-duration space exploration.
The research will focus on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae—a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions.
The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in different algal species in space compared to their behaviour on Earth.
Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for Australia and Josh Hazlewood has been selected in the bowling line-up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, captain Pat Cummins said on the eve of the game on Tuesday.
Labuschagne has been moved up the order to accommodate the return of Cameron Green, who underwent back surgery in October and was ruled out of the home season, while Hazlewood is fit again after a calf injury to replace of Scott Boland.
“Cam Green has been coming back in great form in the last few weeks and we thought he deserved a spot in the batting lineup. We thought three probably suits him best,” Cummins told a press conference.
“For Marnus moving one spot up, it’s not too different to batting at three. He’s done well here in England in the past.”
Leaving out Boland, who had been one of the heroes of Australia’s 3-1 test series win over India this year, had been a difficult decision.
“There are some guys where you genuinely say, you’ve done nothing wrong, don’t change a thing and that’s Scotty. He is just really unfortunate to miss out.
“The message to Scotty is there’s a lot of test cricket coming up in the next couple of years and just because your mid-30s doesn’t mean that’s the end of your career.
“By having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend all our care for an extra couple of years.”
An element of selection criteria was to reward those who had contributed to defending champions Australia winning 13 of 19 tests in the two-year WTC cycle and reaching yet another final.
“I think our selectors have probably shown you that they’re happy and they’d rather give someone an extra little run than pull the pin too early. I think it’s partly rewarding those guys that got us here.”
Cummings said defending the title was high on the Australian priority list, even after all their success in the limited-overs formats.
“It’s a trophy we’ve spoken a lot about over the last couple of years. “Test cricket is my favourite format. You’ve got to basically win in all different conditions to make it into this final. If we can retain that mace, that’s a pretty awesome thing for this team.”
Australia team: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): President Trump was in the region last week. It was the first Lme a US President has paid a visit to Qatar since 2003. Howsignificant was this visit for the Gulf do you think? And also how do you think this
President’s approach to the region differs from his predecessors?
His Excellency: Well I believe that the President’s first trip to the GCC region, visiLng Saudi, Qatar, and UAE has been a great demonstraLon for the potenLal of that region. This sent a very strong message to the enLre world that there is a very high potenLal in that region. This region is flourishing, this region has a lot to do when it comes to contribuLng to the future technology and the revoluLon of arLficial intelligence and the need of course for power. Basically, we have had a great visit and I believe this is equivalent to the rest of the countries in the GCC. During that visit we had wide range of topics that’s being discussed whether it’s on regional security, on the future economic cooperaLon between the two countries and how to untap the potenLal between the two countries. These topics actually have varied whether it’s how to partner in arLficial intelligence, how to partner in energy and how to expand also in being a criLcal and vital part of the supply chain for the United States economy which is the leading economy in the world. I believe this was very much perceived in a posiLve way by the region and of course we know that the policy varies from one administraLon to another. We are glad to see that the Middle East, and GCC in parLcular, is a priority for this administraLon, and we believe that there is a lot of potenLal for both of us in the region and the United States that we can untap in the next few years. And also I think that one of the key elements of the President’s visit is making sure that the situaLon in this region remain stabilized and we have seen what a delicate period that we are going through in that region whether it’s on their talks, on the US talks with Iran, or with the situaLon in Gaza and the changes that happened in Syria. And we are hoping that these kind of engagements will lead us to a point where we can have all these conflicts seXled and hopefully being more focused on the prosperity of the region.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): President Trump has been labeled a transacLonal President. He certainly likes to do deals. He has wriXen a book about the art of the deal and he likes things of value, especially if they come free. I want to ask you about the giY of this Boeing jet that Qatar wants to give to use as interim Air Force 1. It’s being met with a lot of controversy back home. What wasthe purpose of this giY? And is it as some criLcs say, an opportunity for Qatar togain influence with this administraLon?
His Excellency: Well look actually we have seen that there was a lot of controversy that’s being created out of this, what I call it, an exchange between two countries and basically the relaLonship that we have between Qatar and the United States is a very insLtuLonal relaLonship that witnessed different administraLons, and the insLtuLonal relaLonship remained very strong and at the backbone of this partnership. The plane story is a Ministry of Defense to Department of Defense transacLon which is basically done in full transparency and very legally and it is part of the cooperaLon that we have been always doing together for decades. For example, the airliYing in Afghanistan is something that we have almost 80% of that done by our air forces. The security deployment of the United States during the World Cup to support our efforts was done by the United States and I see it as a normal thing that happens between allies and basically I don’t know why people are thinking about it, that this is considered as a bribery or considered as something that Qatar wants to buy an influence with this administraLon. I don’t see any honestly valid reason for that and I believe that there is a huge issue in misconcepLon or unfortunately some spoilers who are trying to portray Qatar as a country that tries to buy its way. I believe if you look at the track record at least for the last 10 years whenever there is some scoop coming out in the media and trying to put Qatar under a spotlight that Qatar is bribing to get the World Cup or Qatar is bribing the EU Parliament or whatever, unLl like the end Qatar is trying to bribe the Prime Minister of Israel. I’m sure that, you know, it does tell you something that for the last 10 years, none of these cases has stand or had any proof that Qatar has done anything wrong. We are a country that would like to have strong partnership and strong friendship and anything that we provide to any country, it’s provided out of respect for this partnership and it’s a two ways relaLonship. It’s mutually beneficial for Qatar and for the United States and I believe everybody acknowledges this. I think that we need to overcome this stereotype of seeing Qatar as a small Arab naLon because it’s gas rich, it cannot find its way without buying it with money. It’s really a misconcepLon that hurts a lot not our reputaLon but the reputaLon also of other countries and insLtuLons.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV):Is the controversy worth it though if itmeans that there’s going to be further congressional scruLny of all of Qatar’sdealings now with the US?
His Excellency: Well, there is actually nothing that has been done by us under the table or like we are trying to do like a covert operaLon. It’s a Ministry of Defense to Department of Defense. There is a proper legal review now conducted between the two departments and nothing has happened yet actually. Now, our intenLon is to have a very clear exchange that the US is in need for to accelerate, you know, a temporary Air Force One. Qatar has the ability to provide this. We stepped up and basically a lot of naLons have giYed the US many things. I am not comparing that to the Statue of Liberty but I don’t know if this sounded a liXle bit maybe strange for the US because it’s coming from a small Arab naLon. I think that, you know, this has played some way a factor in this but I am hoping that people in the United States and even the poliLcians over there, they look at us as a friend, as a partner, as a reliable partner that we’ve been always there for the US whenever we were needed whether it’s in the war against terror, whether it’s in freeing American hostages from all around the world. It’s not something that we’ve been doing to buy an influence but this is a duty on us as a partner, as an ally of the United
States and as there is a duty for the United States towards Qatar.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): I want to turn to regional geopoliLcs. Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister says that Israel is now carrying out operaLons with the purpose of taking over the Gaza Strip. They will carry out an unprecedented aXack on Hamas. That is a quote. The war is clearly entering into a new phase aYer a ceasefire that was negoLated earlier this year. Qatar played a pivotal role in that. It lapsed in March. The death toll conLnues to go up. There’s sLll what’s thought to be 20 hostages sLll alive in the Gaza Strip. There’s a humanitarian crisis going on there. What hope is there now for a lasLng ceasefire,
Your Excellency?
His Excellency: Well, it’s unfortunate that we’ve been seeing the situaLon unfolding in this way and it’s becoming very frustraLng for everyone and especially for us here in Qatar, we’ve been there from the beginning trying to mediate and trying to get to a deal where it alleviates the suffering of the PalesLnian people in Gaza and freeing the hostages and bringing them back to their family and trying to bring a path that will create a peaceful environment and security for both people. And that’s basically what we were aiming. And what I think that the last year and a half now has shown you that the only way forward is through negoLaLons. And unfortunately, that someLmes, you know, or many of the Lmes, these negoLaLons being sabotaged by poliLcal games with a very narrow vision and, you know, it’s just being postponed. One of the examples we had, the first deal that freed more than 100 Israeli hostages in November 23, it collapsed in one week. Then we had the second deal that’s been based on a framework that’s agreed on December 23 and we couldn’t announce it or we couldn’t finalize it unLl January 25. That states very clearly that this deal should include mulLple phases, that we have to do everything we can to avoid to return to the war and ensuring that all the hostages will be freed and there is a withdrawal from Gaza Strip and there is a clear way forward for the Gaza’s people to alleviate their situaLon. This deal has collapsed in 2nd of March and we have seen how the situaLon has been unfolding since then and the blockade on Gaza for now more than 60 days. And we are hearing also some responsible statements about the humanitarian situaLon over there, about, you know, the way of distribuLng these aids and distribuLng food in the form of meals and calculated calories for pre-qualified and pre-screened people. I think all these things that are happening has been unprecedented in our world today and it shouldn’t be acceptable for the internaLonal community. Yes, yet we have seen that, you know, unfortunately the Israeli government is carrying it out with impunity. Now, we conLnue our efforts despite everything and every aXempt to sabotage our efforts and try to also blackmail us and, you know, conLnuing aXacking us while we were the only country that’s helping together with Egypt and United States and we have just that this is just making us more determined to bring stability to the region, to end the war on Gaza, to free all the hostages and to bring them back to their family and to provide security for both people. The rounds of negoLaLons that took place in Doha in the past couple of weeks unfortunately didn’t lead us anywhere yet because there is a fundamental gap between the two parLes which is one party is looking for a parLal deal that might have the possibility to lead to a comprehensive deal and the other party is looking just for one-off deal and to end the war and to get all the hostages out and we couldn’t bridge this fundamental gap with whatever proposals we have provided given the past experience of the first deal that it collapsed and basically we are stuck in a situaLon that if this operaLon is starLng is just going to postpone the diplomaLc conclusion of the war which will end only diplomaLcally from our point of view and will just cost us a death toll on the PalesLnian side and also on the hostages side. Just I wanted to add one very important point to this. The delicacy of that situaLon in the region right now is criLcal and basically we have seen that the conLnuaLon of this campaign and this way and this behavior and it’s not only in Gaza but Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria is something becoming unbearable yet you have seen that all of us as governments, as countries we are calling for peace, we are calling for peaceful resoluLons and there is nothing stopping this kind of behavior. That will only add anger to the people in that region. This will add legiLmacy for non-state actors and is just going to fuel the narraLve of extremism and terrorism.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): In President Trump’s speech last week in Riyadh, he talks about the birth of a new Middle East, the economic transformaLon and also the Gulf states playing an increasingly influenLal diplomaLc and mediaLon role and the prospect of regional stability. Can thereactually be regional stability in the absence of a soluLon to the PalesLnian and
Israeli conflict that has been going on for decades?
His Excellency: Well, we believe that this conflict is a core for the regional stability, and we hope that there will be a chance someLme soon. It requires a strong leadership, strong leadership from the PalesLnian side, from the Arab side and from the Israeli side because there will never be a deal without a compromise between all the parLes that ensuring that there are condiLons that can be created for the people to coexist together. This region has been for centuries with a beauLful social fabric that has different backgrounds and different ethnicity and different religions. Unfortunately, it’s been drained with these ancient wars and proxies that evolved over the last few decades. I cannot recall since I was born that there was a moment of stability in the region when we talk about the overall. We are blessed that the GCC was protected except during the Iraq war. But since we grew up, we grew up on just conflicts aYer another, aYer another.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): We’ve got a couple of minutes, but I do want to ask you because you were in Tehran over the weekend. How likely is itthat you think we will get to an Iran-U.S. nuclear deal by the end of this year?
His Excellency: I believe there is a posiLve momentum. We had a very good conversaLon with President Trump when he was here. We see him as a President who tried to talk to everyone, which is something that we very much encouraged. Also, he is trying to avoid any conflict or any escalaLon. This determinaLon in itself is showing leadership and poliLcal will. On the other side, on Iran, we have seen and sensed the same posiLvity. Of course, Oman is leading the mediaLon, and we are trying to support their efforts. I have suggested that aYer the visit of President Trump to have a trilateral engagement with the Iranians and our Omani colleagues. We were discussing ideas that can bridge the gaps between the two parLes. We hope that those ideas will work. The last thing that we want in that region is a nuclear race or another round of escalaLon that is next to our countries.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): Final quesLon on the Qatar economy. We have had the World Cup bump, you could call it. Of course, you have big visions of what you want to achieve in the next few years. What is the plan for the next fiveyears by 2030?
His Excellency: It is a very ambiLous plan. I have a friend who once told me that the World Cup was like an IPO for Qatar. I believe this was, thanks to God, this was a very successful IPO. It has been oversubscribed. We have seen the growth in many sectors aYer that. Basically, Qatar is trying to work on a transformaLon plan where we transform our economy into more being diversified, with a diversified base internally. We have been talking about this for the last 25 years and we have been working toward that objecLve. We are focusing on developing different sectors, whether it is on the manufacturing, on the logisLcs, on the educaLon, on the healthcare, on the tourism and technology. We have seen the technology revoluLon right now that is happening. We have seen that this technology revoluLon is not only happening away in the world, but countries like UAE is leading in arLficial intelligence or Saudi leading in data centers and we are trying to be part of this ecosystem and being a complementary for this region. Basically, we see that the potenLal is huge. The capability is there. Qatar has successfully built global brands in the last few decades. Qatar Airways is one of the main examples when you see that you have a leading airline being nominated number one for the last few years. This is something making us proud and we would like to see more and more brands coming out of Qatar like this.
Joumanna Bercetche (Bloomberg TV): Your Excellency, thank you so much. Thank you.
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you,
First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to my friend, Mr. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary of the friendly United Kingdom, in Doha to convene the Second Qatari-UK Strategic Dialogue.
Your Excellency, since the convening of the first Strategic Dialogue, the Qatari-British partnership has witnessed intensive efforts to deepen cooperation across various levels, where the visit of His Highness the Amir of the State to London last December represented a historic milestone in the progress of relations between our two friendly nations, during which we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening the strong and historic bilateral partnership between the two countries.
The launch of the Second Strategic Dialogue today, under the theme “Partners for the Future”, represents another milestone in advancing the partnership between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom. It also reaffirms our ongoing commitment to further strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including economy, trade, investment, defense, security, and collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts.
Under the framework of our strategic dialogue, 8 joint working groups are convening today to develop practical steps towards achieving the shared aspirations of both countries.
We are pleased to witness the launch of a working group in the field of technology, science, and innovation, as well as a working group in the field of health, reflecting the prospects available to advance the current cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom in the areas of modern technology, artificial intelligence, and future opportunities, including their role in supporting healthcare applications and health data.
The prosperous future is a motto we all stand behind. Undoubtedly, the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom share a vital and thriving economic, trade, and investment partnership, which stands as a landmark we take pride in within our strategic collaboration.
The State of Qatar invests over 40 billion pounds sterling in the British economy, contributing to job creation, fostering growth and prosperity in the United Kingdom, while generating returns for the Qatari sovereign wealth fund to secure the future of upcoming generations in Qatar. The volume of trade exchange between the two countries exceeded 1.6 billion pounds sterling in the year 2024.
The State of Qatar continues to play a pivotal role among major global investors in the United Kingdom, being the primary partner of leading British companies. We regard the United Kingdom as one of our most significant investment partners, with a proven track record of success in key investment areas.
Our investments also contribute to supporting the growth of the British economy and its projects, increasing employment opportunities, fostering innovation, and promoting economic development in our two friendly nations, particularly in the fields of science, technology, sustainability, climate change adaptation, and digital advancement.
Your Excellency, this partnership is a strong testament to the shared commitment to creating prosperity and a bright future for our two friendly peoples.
Despite the distances that separate us, there is undoubtedly something unique about the relationship between our two friendly nations.
Whether it pertains to the thousands of Qatari students who have benefited from education in British schools, colleges, and universities, or the tens of thousands of British citizens in Qatar who work alongside us to achieve our national goals and aspirations, goodwill and dynamism remain at the core of this relationship.
Our joint efforts to expand this cooperation, particularly in the fields of education, culture, heritage, sports, health, research, and innovation—including genomics—have reaffirmed this bond, alongside our well-established traditions of cultural partnerships.
Your Excellency, our partnership has become more significant than ever in light of the major risks and the ongoing and escalating tensions that threaten international security. In strengthening this partnership and within the framework of our strategic dialogue today, we announce the signing of a Letter of Intent for cooperation in the fields of peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, which will enhance technical collaboration with a view to developing capacities in this domain, and supporting our international efforts to promote peace.
We also convened the inaugural Qatar-UK Development Taskforce to build upon joint efforts in addressing humanitarian challenges, global health, and fostering joint development initiatives, in light of doubling the Co-Funding Initiative for Financing Development Cooperation to $100 million.
We will work on exploring joint programs in priority areas, including but not limited to: the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Bangladesh.
However, the risks today are higher than ever before. The escalation, aggression, and ongoing Israeli siege on the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip, along with the continued politicization of humanitarian aid, targeting of humanitarian workers, and the use of hunger as a tool for collective punishment, place our entire region on the brink of catastrophe.
This represents a challenge to our humanity, and leaving it unaccounted for is an open invitation to those who may be tempted to employ such inhumane methods to impose political will upon any nation striving for its freedom.
We hereby affirm our unwavering commitment to working towards de-escalation of tensions, urging Israel to cease obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid, and tirelessly supporting all efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
Today, Your Excellency, we witness positive developments in Syria, represented by the reconstruction of a state devastated by war, and opportunities for peace supported by negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran mediated by Oman. Furthermore, not to mention the ongoing negotiations concerning peace in Ukraine, alongside other international efforts aimed at realizing humanity’s aspiration for a just and lasting peace for our peoples.
We remain committed to supporting these efforts as we witness other crises with escalating humanitarian repercussions, foremost among them being the sisterly nations of Sudan and Yemen.
Our objective is to realize our shared vision of peace and prosperity for our peoples and to strengthen our future partnership towards progress.
I would like to extend my gratitude to you and the working teams for all the efforts exerted to ensure the success of this Second Strategic Dialogue. We look forward to reviewing these developments during the upcoming strategic dialogue.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ13: Disposal of yard waste Question:
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) set up Y·PARK, a yard waste recycling centre, in 2021, with the purpose of converting recycled yard waste into useful materials to reduce disposal at landfills and associated carbon emissions. Y·PARK has a target handling capacity of about 11 000 tonnes in the first year, which would gradually increase to an annual average of around 22 000 tonnes. However, information from the Government shows that Y·PARK’s throughput last year was 6 876 tonnes. Besides, earlier on some trucks were reportedly driven from Y·PARK carrying yard waste to landfills in the New Territories West for disposal, and the EPD subsequently explained that the yard waste in question was not acceptable as it contained a large amount of impurities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of Y·PARK’s criteria for the recovery of yard waste, whether it has studied the reasons for the gradual decline in the amount of yard waste handled by Y·PARK in recent years, including whether this is affected by Y·PARK’s recovery criteria or the fact that yard waste producers recycle their own waste;
(2) as it is learnt that Y·PARK’s major sources of yard waste are (i) construction works and (ii) clearance work arising from regular vegetation maintenance, whether there is a statistical breakdown of the amount of yard waste respectively from (i) and (ii) handled by Y·PARK from 2021 to date; of the amount of yard waste that was sent to but not accepted at Y·PARK over the past three years, and whether it has looked into how such yard waste was subsequently disposed of (such as conversion into biochar and being sent to landfills);
(3) given that according to a paper submitted by the Government to the Subcommittee to Study Policy Issues Relating to Municipal Solid Waste Charging, Recovery and Recycling of this Council in January 2023, a pilot biochar plant in EcoPark, which will further convert recyclable products of Y·PARK into biochar, has an estimated capability of converting about 6 000 tonnes of local woody waste into some 1 200 tonnes of biochar annually, of the amounts of waste handled and biochar produced since the plant came into operation, and whether such amounts could meet the targets; if not, when they are expected to meet the targets; and
(4) given that according to the report on Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong, the amounts of yard waste recovered and disposed in Hong Kong in 2023 were 10 400 tonnes and some 83 000 tonnes respectively, while the amount of yard waste handled by Y·PARK in the same year was 8 609 tonnes, whether it has assessed if there is room for improvement in Y·PARK’s handling capacity; whether the Government has further strategies in place to enhance the recovery rate of yard waste?
Reply:
President,
After the onslaught of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) set up a temporary yard waste recycling centre, Y·PARK, in 2021 to collect and process yard waste generated from regular vegetation maintenance and public construction works on one hand, and to assist in treating large quantities of yard waste generated after emergency incidents such as super typhoons on the other. The service fees paid by the EPD to the contractor are not based on the amount of yard waste received, but on the quantity of recyclable products produced by the contractor, which reflects Y·PARK’s performance more accurately.
The reply to the question raised by the Hon Andrew Lam is as follows:
(1)To ensure the smooth operation of Y·PARK and the quality of the recyclable products, Y·PARK has established appropriate standards for yard waste recycling, including not accepting infected or infested wood, yard waste which is difficult to process such as tree stumps, pure twigs, leaves, grass clippings, or yard waste containing large amount of impurities. If yard waste is mixed with large amount of impurities, the chipping operations may be severely affected. For instance, Y·PARK’s wood chipper experienced mechanical failures due to metal rods hidden in the wood. Time and manpower were required to remove the rods, replace parts and repair the equipment. Such incidents could even halt the production line. Meanwhile, the quality of the recyclable products produced may be affected by impurities. For instance, plastics mixed into the recyclable products would limit their use in gardening. In this regard, the contractor of Y·PARK maintains communication with yard waste producers to explain how to properly separate waste at source to reduce instances where Y·PARK has to reject yard waste. (2) Since its commencement of operation in 2021 up to April this year, Y·PARK has received a total of approximately 31 540 tonnes of yard waste, of which more than 50 per cent from construction works and about 40 per cent from routine vegetation maintenance. The EPD does not have the quantity of rejected yard waste and information on its final disposal means.
(3) The first Pilot Biochar Production Plant (PBPP) in Hong Kong established by the EPD was originally scheduled to commence production in November 2023, with an estimated handling capacity of processing about 6 000 tonnes of local wood materials and producing about 1 200 tonnes of biochar annually. The PBPP commenced its testing in May 2023, during which many technical issues were overcome and various operational conditions (including processing temperatures, duration, and different types of wood-based raw materials) were adjusted and tested, in order to identify the optimal operating conditions and ensure high-quality biochar can be produced with less energy consumption. The PBPP finally commenced production in October 2024. From the start of the PBPP’s testing stage to the end of April 2025, the PBPP has processed over 1 200 tonnes of local wood materials from yard waste, converting them into more than 270 tonnes of biochar. The purposes of setting up the PBPP are to explore the technical feasibility of converting local wood materials from yard waste into biochar, as well as to study the quality of the biochar produced and its practical applications in the local market. As such, the actual processing quantity of the PBPP is adjusted based on testing needs and is also affected by the supply of wood materials and local market demand for biochar applications. With the PBPP entering production stage for only about six months, the EPD will consolidate operational experiences with a view to gradually increasing its processing quantity upon establishing technical requirements and market applications.
(4) In order to further enhance the yard waste processing quantity of Y·PARK, the EPD are adopting a multi-pronged approach to increase the yard waste recycling rate. Measures include: (i) the EPD will continue to liaise with relevant government departments and other yard waste producers, encouraging them to adhere to the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, and treat and reuse yard waste on-site as far as possible, while yard waste that cannot be treated or reused on-site could be delivered to Y·PARK or other suitable recycling facilities for treatment; (ii) to encourage the Y·PARK contractor to recycle collected yard waste as far as possible to increase its recycling rate. The current contract stipulates that the service fees paid by the EPD to the contractor are based on the quantity of recyclable products produced, providing a financial incentive to the contractor; and (iii) in the long run, the Government reserves land in the New Territories North New Town to establish a larger-scale yard waste recycling facility to enhance yard waste handling capacity. Issued at HKT 12:08
U.S. and Chinese officials said on Tuesday they had agreed on a framework to put their trade truce back on track and remove China’s export restrictions on rare earths while offering little sign of a durable resolution to longstanding trade differences.
At the end of two days of intense negotiations in London, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the framework deal puts “meat on the bones” of an agreement reached last month in Geneva to ease bilateral retaliatory tariffs that had reached crushing triple-digit levels.
But the Geneva deal had faltered over China’s continued curbs on critical minerals exports, prompting the Trump administration to respond with export controls of its own preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, aircraft and other goods to China.
Lutnick said the agreement reached in London would remove some of the recent U.S. export restrictions, but did not provide details after the talks concluded around midnight London time (2300 GMT).
“We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents,” Lutnick said. “The idea is we’re going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. They’re going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework.”
In a separate briefing, China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang also said a trade framework had been reached in principle that would be taken back to U.S. and Chinese leaders.
The dispute may keep the Geneva agreement from unravelling over duelling export controls, but does little to resolve deep differences over Trump’s unilateral tariffs and longstanding U.S. complaints about China’s state-led, export-driven economic model.
The two sides left Geneva with fundamentally different views of the terms of that agreement and needed to be more specific on required actions, said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center in Washington.
“They are back to square one but that’s much better than square zero,” Lipsky added.
The two sides have until August 10 to negotiate a more comprehensive agreement to ease trade tensions, or tariff rates will snap back from about 30% to 145% on the U.S. side and from 10% to 125% on the Chinese side.
Investors, who have been badly burned by trade turmoil before, offered a cautious response and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.57%.
“The devil will be in the details, but the lack of reaction suggests this outcome was fully expected,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone in Melbourne.
“The details matter, especially around the degree of rare earths bound for the U.S., and the subsequent freedom for U.S.-produced chips to head east, but for now as long as the headlines of talks between the two parties remain constructive, risk assets should remain supported.”
RESOLVING RESTRICTIONS
Lutnick said China’s restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets to the U.S. will be resolved as a “fundamental” part of the framework agreement.
“Also, there were a number of measures the United States of America put on when those rare earths were not coming,” Lutnick said. “You should expect those to come off … in a balanced way.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policies have roiled global markets, sparked congestion and confusion in major ports, and cost companies tens of billions of dollars in lost sales and higher costs. The World Bank on Tuesday slashed its global growth forecast for 2025 by four-tenths of a percentage point to 2.3%, saying higher tariffs and heightened uncertainty posed a “significant headwind” for nearly all economies.
A resolution to the trade war may require policy adjustments from all countries to treat financial imbalances or otherwise greatly risk mutual economic damage, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on a rare visit to Beijing on Wednesday.
PHONE CALL HELPED
The second round of U.S.-China talks was given a major boost by a rare phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, which Lutnick said provided directives that were merged with Geneva truce agreement.
Customs data published on Monday showed that China’s exports to the U.S. plunged 34.5% in May, the sharpest drop since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
While the impact on U.S. inflation and its jobs market has so far been muted, tariffs have hammered U.S. business and household confidence and the dollar remains under pressure.
Lutnick was joined by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the London talks. Bessent departed hours before their conclusion to return to Washington to testify before Congress on Wednesday.
China holds a near-monopoly on rare earth magnets, a crucial component in electric vehicle motors, and its decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets upended global supply chains.
In May, the U.S. responded by halting shipments of semiconductor design software and chemicals and aviation equipment, revoking export licences that had been previously issued.
China, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, Canada and many airlines and aerospace companies worldwide urged the Trump administration not to impose new national security tariffs on imported commercial planes and parts, according to documents released Tuesday.
Just after the framework deal was announced, a U.S. appeals court allowed Trump’s most sweeping tariffs to stay in effect while it reviews a lower court decision blocking them on grounds that they exceeded Trump’s legal authority by imposing them.
The decision keeps alive a key pressure point on China, Trump’s currently suspended 34% “reciprocal” duties that had prompted swift tariff escalation.
Tesla tentatively plans to begin offering rides on its self-driving robotaxis to the public on June 22, CEO Elon Musk said on Tuesday, as investors and fans of the electric vehicle maker eagerly await rollout of the long-promised service.
Musk has staked Tesla’s future on self-driving vehicles, pivoting away from plans to build a cheaper EV platform, and much of the company’s valuation hangs on that vision.
But commercializing autonomous vehicles (AV) has been challenging with safety concerns, tight regulations and soaring investments, and many have been skeptical of Musk’s plans.
“We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk said in a post on X in response to a question from a user about public robotaxi rides that the EV maker plans to first offer in Austin, Texas.
Musk also said starting June 28, Tesla vehicles will drive themselves to a customer’s house from the end of the factory line.
A successful robotaxi launch is crucial for Tesla as sales of its EVs have softened due to rising competition and a backlash against Musk’s embrace of far-right political views in Europe, and his recent work for U.S. President Donald Trump before their public falling out.
Musk has promised a paid robotaxi service in Austin starting with about 10-20 of its Model Y SUVs that will operate in a limited area and under remote human supervision.
The company then plans to expand operations to other U.S. states later in the year, including California which has stringent AV regulations.
“Austin >> LA for robotaxi launch lol,” Musk said on X, in an apparent reference to the southern Californian city of Los Angeles.
Tesla has been testing its self-driving vehicles on public streets in Austin, Musk said last month. Earlier on Tuesday, Musk re-posted a video on X that showed a Model Y making a turn at an Austin intersection with no human driver and the word “Robotaxi” written on it, and followed closely by another Model Y.
The vehicles were using a new version of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance software, called Full Self-Driving (FSD), Musk said in a separate X post.
Little else is known about Tesla’s robotaxi service, including where it will operate, the extent of remote supervision and how the public can use the service.