NewzIntel.com

Category: Great Britain

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Recreational Fishing Trust Advisory Council to oversee expenditure on recreational fishing funds

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 24 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW

    The Minns Labor Government has delivered on its election commitment to improve oversight of how NSW fishing licence fees are spent, with new regulation now in place to establish a Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council to oversee the spending of the funds.

    The new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will be responsible for providing advice to the NSW Minister for Agriculture on all expenditure from the Recreational Fishing Freshwater and Saltwater Trusts.

    Revenue raised from recreational fishing license fees, around $16 million annually, is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing experiences, opportunities and habitats in NSW.

    Since 2001, the Recreational Fishing Trusts have supported funding for more than 3,300 large and small projects, with almost 3,000 projects completed.

    By providing advice directly to the Minister, the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will increase the confidence of recreational fishers in the way trust funds are spent, by improving the decision-making transparency.

    In addition to members with expertise in recreational fishing, the new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will look to have members with expertise in other important areas, including fisheries science and infrastructure construction, to assist with the review of the many diverse types of funding applications that are received each year.  

    The existing advisory council on recreational fishing will continue to provide a key role with its focus on advising the Minister on recreational fishing issues, while the new council will focus on how expenditure is allocated to projects and ensuring they benefit recreational fishers.

    Appointment to the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will be made following an open and transparent recruitment process that can now get underway following the change to the regulation.

    Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

    “In 2023-24, over 400,000 NSW recreational fishing licences were issued, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring that recreational fishers fishing fees are used transparently and deliver the greatest benefit to saltwater and freshwater fishers.

    “Projects funded through the Recreational Fishing Trusts—ranging from improvements to fishing access and facilities, to the annual stocking of millions of fish into waterways—play a crucial role in enhancing fishing opportunities for both current and future fishers in NSW.

    “The new Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council will bring specific expertise to decision making processes and ensure that recreational fishers can have confidence in the way funds from the Recreational Fishing Trusts are used and invested.

    “I look forward to welcoming applications and appointing members to the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council following an open and transparent recruitment process this year.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $4.9 Million Animal Studies Training Centre Opens at TAFE NSW Wyong

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 24 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for the Central Coast, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

    The future of animal care just got brighter on the Central Coast, with Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan, and Minister for the Central Coast and local Member, David Harris today officially opening the new $4.9 million Animal Studies Training Centre at TAFE NSW Wyong.

    This state-of-the-art facility is set to become the go-to-hub for more than 480 Central Coast students enrolled in animal care and veterinary nursing courses this semester.

    These students will have access to a simulated veterinary-style clinic, theatre and radiology rooms, as well as grooming and hydrotherapy facilities, and specialist animal habitats.

    By equipping students with real-world skills in animal care services, veterinary nursing, and even wildlife and exhibited animals, the new centre is unlocking exciting career pathways into the booming animal care industry.

    With the number of veterinary nurses in Australia expected to grow by 5.9% from 2023 to 2028, and an ongoing shortage of animal care and veterinary nursing professionals, this new facility will help address workforce demand across the Central Coast region.

    Animal studies courses now being delivered at TAFE NSW Wyong include:

    • Certificate II in Animal Care 
    • Certificate III in Animal Care Services 
    • Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animals 
    • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 
    • Certificate II in Animal Care (TVET)

    This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuilding TAFE NSW. In addition to the new Animal Studies Centre, TAFE NSW Wyong is set to receive more than $2.6 million to upgrade campus facilities ensuring students have access to top-tier education and training. 

    Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding TAFE NSW to provide education and training focused on priority industries and the critical skills our communities need.

    “The new Animal Studies Training Centre at TAFE NSW Wyong is proof of our unwavering commitment to restoring TAFE NSW as a leading provider of vocational education and training aligned to local industry and community needs.

    “This state-of-the-art facility is a game-changer for the Central Coast, giving students access to cutting-edge equipment and specialised training that mirrors real-world industry standards. We’re setting them up for success with job-ready skills that will open doors to rewarding careers in the growing animal care industry.”

    Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris said:

    “Like many regional communities, Wyong and the Central Coast rely heavily on TAFE NSW to deliver education and training to support local business and industry.

    “Wildlife attractions, animal hospitals, and pet-loving residents contribute to the demand for skilled animal care workers and veterinary nurses.  

    “After touring the facility late last year it’s exciting to see that the doors are finally opening to bolster tertiary education on the Central Coast.

    “The NSW Government’s investment in the new animal services training centre at TAFE NSW Wyong will ensures Coasties have access to top quality educational facilities on the doorstep.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Major work to start on Sturt Highway upgrade at Wagga Wagga

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 24 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    The Minns Labor Government is building a better Sturt Highway in Wagga Wagga by starting work on a $13.9 million upgrade to the road east of the city.

    Work is due to begin on Tuesday March 4 to upgrade a 1.8 kilometre section of the Sturt Highway (also known as Hammond Avenue) on the eastern approach to Wagga Wagga’s CBD.

    Work will include completely reconstructing the road with a new surface and new kerb on the northern and southern sides, lane widening and configuration changes to provide dedicated turning lanes. The changes will provide a smoother surface that is less prone to road damage and potholes and provide a safer and more comfortable journey for all road users.

    Shoulders will be provided for cyclists on the northern and southern sides of the highway.

    The first stage of this project – between Tasman Road and Blaxland Road – will start Tuesday 4 March and is expected to take 11 weeks to complete.

    The second stage – from east of Blaxland Road to Stuart Road – will be delivered in the 2025-26 financial year.

    This location is a high traffic area and Transport will plan to carry out work with as few impacts as possible. All work will be carried out under traffic control with lane closures and reduced speed limits in place. Detours around the work area will be in place at various stages of the project. Most of the work will take place between 7am and 6pm, with some night work also planned.

    Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of traffic control and signage.

    Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

    “The Sturt Highway provides a strategic freight and access link from Sydney via the Hume Highway to Mildura in Victoria and on to Adelaide in South Australia.

    “It also serves as a local and regional access corridor to and from regional centres along the route, especially Wagga Wagga, to enable customers to access goods, services and employment.

    “The Minns Labor Government is pleased to be investing in building a better section of highway in Wagga Wagga and we want to thank the community in advance for its patience and understanding while this work is carried out for the long-term benefit of all who live, work and visit the area.”

    Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

    “These works, coupled with the work now underway to redevelop the Marshalls Creek Bridge, are welcome improvements that will deliver a safer, smoother Sturt Highway for thousands of users every day.

    “I acknowledge Transport for NSW’s efforts to liaise with businesses in the area and urge them to maintain that focus on reducing construction impacts, especially in Lawson Street during the closure period.

    “The works will cause some disruption so I appreciate the patience of residents and motorists during a construction process that will cause inconvenience but will also deliver improvements that have been identified as important to the community.

    “A renewed east/west link means better travel for local business and residents, and moving forward, I’ll also be advocating for major north/south improvements, including a second river crossing which will be critical to Wagga Wagga’s future.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minns Government sets high expectations for schools with new system-wide targets

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 24 February 2025

    Released by: Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning

    The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to improve education outcomes for all students as ambitious academic, HSC attainment and school attendance targets are introduced to public schools to lift outcomes for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

    New system-wide measures will provide clear guidance for school leaders, and are designed to lift outcomes for all students, including at comprehensive primary and high schools, selective schools, regional and rural schools, and Schools for Specific Purposes.

    Our long-term plan to improve outcomes for students is in sharp contrast with the former Government’s failed approach, which was criticised in an OECD report for its “top-down” approach, which focused solely on lifting the outcomes of those already achieving the top results.

    Schools will be required to strive for ambitious new goals, including:

    • Increasing the average NAPLAN reading and numeracy scores in 2027 by:
      • 10.2 points for Year 5 Reading
      • 5.8 points for Year 9 Reading
      • 11.5 points for Year 5 Numeracy
      • 5.7 points for Year 9 Numeracy
    • Increasing the proportion of NSW students attaining Year 12 from 70.5 per cent in 2022 to 74 per cent in 2027.
    • Growing the number of students taking up university, training or work for school leavers from 88.1 per cent to 92 per cent in 2027
    • Increasing the average student attendance rate from 87.8 per cent in 2023 to 88.8 per cent in 2027

    These new system-wide targets reflect specific improvement targets required of schools in the areas of reading, numeracy and completions. With NAPLAN tests scheduled two academic years apart, data is now available to measure year group improvement after the Commonwealth introduced new NAPLAN baselines in 2023.

    Correcting the course of our education system is vital for our state’s future, after 12 years of neglect under the Liberals and Nationals led to a stagnation in academic results, and a fall in our international rankings in Reading, Science and Mathematics. Under the former Government, disadvantage gaps also continued to widen, particularly in rural, regional, and remote areas.

    The Minns Labor Government is committed to reversing this decline and setting high expectations for academic results and educational outcomes like attendance and school completion for every child and every public school. This ongoing work includes:

    • Bringing teacher vacancies to a four-year-low, or a 40 per cent reduction since when we came to Government in 2023, ensuring all students have a teacher in front of them
    • Making Small Group Tuition permanent in all NSW public schools to support all students with critical foundational literacy and numeracy skills
    • Trialling a Number Screening Check for Year 1 school children
    • Valuing the workforce by delivering the largest pay rise in a generation to NSW’s 95,000 teachers
    • Giving teachers job security by making 16,000 teachers and school support staff on temporary contacts permanent
    • Implementing the new knowledge-rich NSW Curriculum, underpinned by evidenced-based explicit teaching

    Alongside new academic targets, the Department has introduced a suite of system-focused measures to support teachers, schools and school-support staff wellbeing and retention, as well as prioritising key school infrastructure projects.

    These measures include reducing teacher administrative time, cutting teacher vacancy rates, and attracting and retaining teachers, as part of our recognition that a strong teaching workforce is critical to improving student learning. The complete set of 16 measures is available on the Department’s website.

    Progress made to date during 2024 can be found here.

    Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

    “We were elected with a commitment to rebuild public education in NSW by fixing a broken system and lifting outcomes. That is exactly what we are doing.

    “We cannot undo 12 years of neglect overnight, but we are working hard to ensure that no matter your postcode, parents know their children are receiving a world-class education.

    “This is about setting high expectations of our public education system and every one of our students.

    “No longer will targets be focused simply on the top-achieving students – these ambitious measures will help lift outcomes for all students across the state.”

    Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

    “We have high expectations for achievement for our public education system, with ambitious reading and numeracy improvement measures being put in place by every school during term 1 this year.

    “All public schools aim to ensure all students show growth in their literacy and numeracy skills. We recognise that this is the cornerstone for a successful schooling experience for every student.”

    “Our new measures will account for the achievements of all students, not just those in the highest bands.

    “The pathways improvement measure will capture the transitions of all students into meaningful post-school pathways, whether that is tertiary education, technical and further education or paid employment.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister announcement on Grangemouth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister announcement on Grangemouth

    Sir Keir Starmer announces £200 million investment to propel long term future for Grangemouth

    • Transformational commitment to support investment in Grangemouth community through National Wealth Fund.

    • Project Willow to report shortly on long-term future of industrial site.

    • Grangemouth Training Guarantee to support refinery workers into new jobs – as part of the Plan for Change.

    The National Wealth Fund will provide £200 million of investment to new opportunities in Grangemouth as part of a major intervention to ensure the long-term future of the industrial site, the Prime Minister announced today [Sunday 23 February].

    The funding will be available for co-investment with the private sector to help unlock Grangemouth’s full potential and secure our clean energy future.  

    The UK Government is also providing a ‘training guarantee’ for all Grangemouth refinery staff to ensure that any worker who would like skills training at the local college is supported, with funding provided by the UK Government – this will help workers into new, good jobs with local employers. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    “My government has already taken decisive action to protect good British jobs in industries that are vital for our economic security: saving Harland and Wolff, investing in the future of Hitachi in North-East England, a new plan for an electric arc furnace at Port Talbot – secured this week. 

    “We will grasp the opportunities at Grangemouth, work alongside partners to develop viable proposals and team up with business to get new industries off the ground.

    “And to attract private investment into the partnership we need we will allocate £200 million from the National Wealth Fund for investment in Grangemouth – an investment in Scotland’s industrial future.”

    The announcement comes on top of existing investments from the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to ensure the long-term economic future of the area. These investments are a strong commitment to people in the central belt, and include:   

    • The £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, delivered jointly with the Scottish Government, to support the community and its workers by investing in local energy projects to create new opportunities for growth in the region.

    • Joined-up support from DWP and DESNZ to provide tailored career and skills support for refinery workers to assist in finding new employment.

    • The £1.5 million Project Willow feasibility study, jointly funded with the Scottish Government, to identify credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site.

    The Prime Minister has also reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to working in partnership with the Scottish Government to identify a viable, low carbon industrial future for the Grangemouth site.  

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    “We have always said that we will leave no stone unturned in seeking a sustainable industrial future for Grangemouth and its workers. 

    “Alongside our ongoing support for affected workers, this investment will help unlock the site’s long-term potential, with the backing of the private sector. This will create good jobs in vital new industries and drive growth and investment in the local community as part of our Plan for Change.” 

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:  

    “The UK Government has been working at speed to ensure a long-term future for Grangemouth and the National Wealth Fund allocation announced today demonstrates our commitment to this.  

    “We remain committed to working closely with the Scottish Government and other partners to support the refinery workers and ensure the long-term future of this site.”   

    Project Willow, the co-funded initiative which is examining the green-energy future of the industrial site, is expected to produce its report in the spring. 

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    Any National Wealth Fund investment will be subject to investible propositions and the Fund’s criteria – the proposition must deliver a positive return, drive regional and economic growth or support activity to tackle climate change, invest in key sectors, and crowd in private finance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First schools confirmed for landmark free breakfast clubs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    First schools confirmed for landmark free breakfast clubs

    First 750 schools to offer clubs from April, delivering on government’s Plan for Change.

    Families and children in every corner of England will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the government confirms the first 750 schools to offer the scheme, putting up to £450 a year back in parents’ pockets.

    From as soon as April, chosen schools across all nine regions will kick-off the historic programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform the government’s landmark national roll out which will give all parents access to the scheme.

    Delivering on promises made to working parents in the government’s manifesto, all primary aged children in early adopter schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work by dropping their children off half an hour earlier.  

    Schools are encouraged to offer healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts, with examples from wheat bisks and porridge to fresh fruit and yoghurt. The early adopter schools also provide the perfect setting to host activities including arts and crafts, educational puzzles, reading and more.

    Universal free breakfast clubs are central to the government’s Plan for Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs can have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.  

    Making sure no child starts school hungry, the scheme also has an important role to play in the government’s commitment to remove the stain of child poverty, as out of the 180,000 children who will benefit in the early adopter schools, around 67,000 attend schools in deprived areas.

    The clubs come alongside a raft of measures designed to cut the cost of living for families, including the commitment to significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items and complement government-funded childcare.

    Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 

    Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.   

    Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.  

    Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.

    Schools were chosen from across England to ensure the scheme tests and learns from a variety of locations, including those that do not currently run a breakfast club, and all will receive funding to cover food and staffing costs.

    Government research shows most parents (87%) think breakfast clubs are a good chance for children to socialise, and two thirds (66%) recognise the value of clubs providing educational activities.  

    Breakfast clubs have been shown to boost children’s reading, writing, and maths by an average of two months. 

    Too many children’s life chances are being scarred by rising poverty, with one in four in absolute poverty as of 2023. The government is determined to change that, with the breakfast club rollout being driven alongside wider work of the Child Poverty Taskforce, which is set to deliver an ambitious strategy to increase household income, bring down essential costs, and tackle the challenges felt by those living in poverty. 

    Jackie Fitton, Headteacher at Kearsley West Primary School said: 

    We are delighted to be one of the early adopter schools. For our school, the funding provided will be a real-life saver, ensuring we can provide a healthy breakfast and supportive start to the day for our pupils.   

    Breakfast clubs have already made a massive difference to pupils’ wellbeing, providing them with time to settle in, socialise with friends and get ready to learn.

    Sir David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action said: 

    Family Action welcomes the government’s announcement of the 750 schools who have been selected to take part in the Early Adopters Scheme. These schools will have a vital test and learn role which will undoubtedly inform the national rollout of the government’s exciting universal breakfast policy.  

    We know that an effective breakfast provision delivered in a supportive and enriching environment can make the world of difference to a child. We look forward to sharing our long experience of delivering breakfast provision ourselves with early adopter schools.

    Early adopter schools will shape the future of the national breakfast club policy, contributing directly to its implementation. Further details on the national roll out of the breakfast clubs programme will follow in due course.  The wider paid-for wraparound childcare offer – for all primary children to be able to access childcare between 8am and 6pm – continues to roll out across the country.  

    Notes to editors

    1. Number of eligible pupils attending early adopter schools in the bottom third most deprived LSOAs in England using IDACI English indices of deprivation 2019 at 19 February 2025. 

    2. An Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) impact evaluation of the Magic Breakfast programme found that offering pupils in primary schools a free, universal, before-school breakfast club which includes a breakfast can boost their reading, writing, and maths attainment by an average of 2 months’ additional progress in Key Stage 1.   

    3. Guidance on the early adopter scheme is available on GOV.UK.

    4. More information on the 750 confirmed schools is available on GOV.UK

    5. For more information on parents for local breakfast club provision can be found on the Education Blog.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens to force vote on Scottish Government funding for Israel’s arms dealers

    Source: Scottish Greens

    22 Feb 2025

    No public funds for companies complicit in genocide.

    The Scottish Greens will use an opposition debate on Wednesday to hold a vote on ending all Scottish Government support for companies who have armed and supported Israel’s genocide against Gaza.

    The Scottish Government has strongly opposed the bombing and collective punishment of Gaza. Despite this, since the assault began it has given over £1 million to companies that have armed Israel via Scottish Enterprise.

    This week one of those companies, arms giant BAE systems, announced profits of more than £3 billion for 2024.

    The party’s co-leader, Lorna Slater, said:

    “Israel’s assault on Gaza is one of the worst war crimes of this century. There is no justification for the collective punishment and mass killing they have inflicted.

    “The Israeli government has been condemned by the International Criminal Court and every reputable human rights organisation for the atrocities it has carried out against Palestinians, and now it is working with Donald Trump to ethnically cleanse Gaza.

    “The Scottish Government has rightly stood against the genocide, but it continues to give public money to the arms dealers who are directly enabling it.

    “Scotland can’t control UK foreign policy, but we can control where our public money goes and the companies and industries that we choose to support.

    “It’s time for the Scottish Government to put their money where their mouth is and end all subsidies for the war profiteers making such a killing.”

    In 2018 the Scottish Greens secured new requirements for Scottish public bodies to conduct human rights checks for grant applicants. Despite this, Scottish Enterprise has continued to fund the world’s biggest arms dealers.

    Ms Slater added:

    “If a human rights check still allows public money to flow to companies profiting from war crimes, then it’s clearly not fit for purpose.

    “Every MSP who is horrified by the destruction in Gaza should support our motion and call for an end to government grants to the world’s biggest arms companies.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Minister going to Australia for aged care meetings

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello is traveling to Australia for meetings with the aged care sector in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney next week.

    “Australia is our closest partner, so as we consider the changes necessary to make our system more effective and sustainable it makes sense to learn from its recent experience on aged care sector reform,” Ms Costello says.

    Minister Costello will meet with Ageing Australia, visit aged care facilities across the three cities, and meet with Federal and State government organisations, including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority. She will also meet with New Zealand aged care providers operating in both trans-Tasman markets.

    “This visit also provides an opportunity for me to engage with my ministerial counterparts and their officials across my Customs, Seniors, and Associate Police and Associate Immigration portfolio responsibilities,” Ms Costello says.

    Minister Costello will meet with the Hon Anthony Carbines, Victoria Minister for Police; Hon Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Home Affairs; and Hon Jodie Harrison, New South Wales Minister for Seniors.

    The Minister will also meet with the Commissioners of the Australia Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and the Australia Taxation Office to discuss their experience targeting transnational and serious organised crime.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Boggabri MPS receives $200,000 funding boost

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 21 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Regional Health

    Patients and visitors at Boggabri Multipurpose Service (MPS) will benefit from an extended dining room with better wheelchair access thanks to a $200,000 funding boost from the NSW Government.

    The Minns Labor Government is investing a total of almost $12 million in 61 projects as part of the Regional Health Minor Works Program.

    The planned works at Boggabri MPS will see the space increase by an estimated 20 square metres and will improve accessibility for those with limited mobility, providing a better experience for all.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in upgrading health facilities to support better health outcomes for rural and regional communities.

    “These small enhancements to the facility at Boggabri are significant to the comfort of our patients, and they better the work environment for our dedicated health care staff.

    “This $12 million program is one of a number of investments our government is making to strengthen rural and regional health services, so people have access to the best possible care close to home.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Barwon Roy Butler:

    “This upgrade at Boggabri MPS, providing 20 extra square metres of space, will mean patients will have an improved dining experience during their time at the facility.

    “We welcome this investment in in Boggabri MPS and we look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring once completed. Any investment in the regional health system is a step in the right direction.”

    Quotes attributable to Acting Executive Director of Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Anna Styles-Tape:

    “The work will see an extension of the facility’s dining space bringing a greater capacity and easier wheelchair access for the community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New intake of paramedic interns and call takers for NSW Ambulance

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: New intake of paramedic interns and call takers for NSW Ambulance

    Published: 21 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health

    NSW Ambulance has today welcomed 119 new paramedic interns and 14 emergency medical call takers, after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney.

    This graduation follows the Post Employment Tertiary Pathway (PETP) induction held two weeks ago and will further boost frontline health services across the state, with many commencing their first shifts from tomorrow.

    The new recruits joining the service come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including William Guthrie who is following his childhood dream to be a paramedic and Ebony Peterson, whose AFL career was cut short by injury but inspired by the healthcare she experienced, chose paramedicine as a new career option.

    The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships, before taking permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas. The emergency medical call takers will all be posted to Sydney Control Centre.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

    “Congratulations to NSW Ambulance’s newest inductees. The skills and compassion of these paramedic interns will touch countless lives across our state.

    “The new paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers represent the next generation of dedicated first responders, ready to serve communities across NSW.

    “Their commitment to patient care and emergency response will strengthen our frontline health services and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

    “Today’s induction is a proud milestone for these new recruits and for NSW Ambulance as a whole, and the uniform they wear represents trust, dedication and resilience.

    “Every call the new paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers respond to is an opportunity to make a difference and help those in our community in their most vulnerable moments.”

    Quotes attributable to William Guthrie

    “I knew from a young age exactly what job I wanted to do, so graduating today really is the culmination of a childhood dream.

    “I am immensely proud to wear this uniform and excited to start putting my training into practice.”

    Quotes attributable to Ebony Peterson

    “I have experienced first-hand the dedication of healthcare staff, which motivated me to join the profession myself and become a paramedic.

    “I am excited and nervous but after all the training, I am ready to get out there.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Standing in solidarity with Ukraine

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    On the weekend of the third anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay said:  

    “Across the world, people will be standing in solidarity with Ukraine, facing the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. 

    “Yes, Russia started the war and Yes, Ukraine is a democracy with an elected President. That we have to restate these simple facts is shocking but necessary because US President Donald Trump has chosen to buy into and amplify the lies and disinformation of the Russian state. 

    “Russian President Vladimir Putin is a dangerous tyrant. It is deeply worrying that President Trump is now joining him in spreading lies, attacking democracy, sowing division and chaos, and undermining the rule of law. 

    “We want this war to end, and we want peace talks. 

    “Our unwavering position is that the voice of Ukraine must be front and centre of the peace talks that must take place. It is for the people of Ukraine to decide their future. Not Putin, not Trump. 

    “The UK government could and should be doing much more to tighten sanctions on Russia.  Sales of Russian fossil fuels are paying for the missiles and drones used to attack Ukrainian civilians. 

    “The UK government must close all the loopholes enabling the Kremlin to refill its war chest. 

    “Ukrainians who came to the UK to seek safety and still cannot return to their war-torn homes must be given ongoing protection and proper support. 

    “The UK must keep supporting Ukraine to defend itself, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer must make it crystal clear when he meets President Trump that we will do so. 

    “The end goal is a just and lasting peace based on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. That can still be achieved.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Scotland London Africa Week Celebrates Success as Dates Announced for 2025 Programme

    SOURCE: Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA)

    Scotland London Africa Week has quickly established itself as a pivotal event for increasing trade, collaboration and business opportunities between Scotland and African markets

    ABERDEEN, Scotland, February 21, 2025/ — Following the resounding success of Scotland London Africa Week 2024, the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) (www.AfricaScot.com) is delighted to announce that the business programme will return this year from 25th to 27th November 2025.

    Scotland London Africa Week has quickly established itself as a pivotal event for increasing trade, collaboration and business opportunities between Scotland and African markets. The 2024 programme brought together senior diplomats, government officials and business leaders to strengthen partnerships and unlock new opportunities for more than 20 delegates.

    The 2025 programme is already shaping up to build on this success, with confirmed highlights including a strategic meeting with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Africa Team and a high-profile networking reception at Dover House, with kind permission of the Secretary of State for Scotland The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP.

    SABA is also working closely with High Commissioners and Ambassadors from across the African continent to ensure the event continues to offer Scottish businesses unrivalled access to African market insights, key decision-makers and potential partners within London’s thriving African business ecosystem.

    Frazer Lang, Chief Executive of SABA, said: “Scotland London Africa Week has proven to be an invaluable platform for Scottish businesses looking to expand into Africa. The engagement we saw last year from both African and UK stakeholders was fantastic and we are excited to bring an even more impactful programme to our participants in 2025.  As a result of last year’s programme, one of our success stories was the news that VG Energy and Norco signed a Memorandum of Understanding, binding the two companies in an exclusive partnership that will bring growth and technical innovation to Nigeria.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Frank Burns, Contract Support Engineer at Norco said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to declare our exclusive partnership with VG Energy via this Memorandum of Agreement. This is a new and exciting chapter for Norco as we expand our presence and service offering in Nigeria. Together with VG Energy, who bring significant experience in identifying and securing new business opportunities, we feel well-placed to unlock new growth opportunities in the energy sector and beyond.”

    This year’s Scotland London Africa Week will feature sector-specific briefings, market insights and networking opportunities designed to equip Scottish businesses with the tools and connections to thrive in African markets.

    Scottish businesses interested in participating are encouraged to register their interest early to secure a place.  

    About the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA):
    SABA is the preeminent non-political, Africa focussed, members trade organisation with an unrivalled board of experienced directors which promotes trade, investment and knowledge sharing between Scotland’s world class expertise and Africa’s priority sectors including energy, agriculture, the blue economy, healthcare, skills training and education by leveraging extensive commercial, trade, political and government contacts across Scotland and Africa.

    As part of this, our team organises private meetings, round tables, seminars, conferences, global trade missions and offers market research, intelligence sharing and consultancy services.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Last minute tinkering does little to ease pressure of Councils – Plaid Cymru Council leaders

    Source: Party of Wales

    Councils are “in an impossible position”, forced to cut services and increase Council tax, as a result of the Labour Welsh Government’s budget, Plaid Cymru Council leaders have warned.

    Responding to the final budget, the Leaders of Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd, Ynys Môn and Ceredigion councils said that “last minute tinkering” will do little to ease pressures on already fragile services.

    After learning of the Labour government’s final plans, Darren Price, Nia Jeffreys, Gary Pritchard and Bryan Davies said:

    “It has been clear for some time that Councils would be put in an impossible position, forced to cut services, and increase Council tax.

    “Regrettably, that remains the case and this last-minute tinkering from the Labour Welsh Government does little to ease the pressure on already fragile services.

    “Plaid Cymru council leaders warned in December of the perilous financial outlook for local services.

    “We cautioned Ministers that the average 4.3% increase for councils announced for next year clearly falls short of meeting the pressure on council budgets.

    “Despite an additional £30m being made available for social care, the fact that it isn’t included in the base line doesn’t afford councils the opportunity to mitigate the upcoming increases in Council Tax.

    “The increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions announced by the UK Government last year is also a huge cause of concern for councils. The Welsh Local Government Association has estimated that the cost to local authorities stands at £109m, and this cost will not be fully met. That represents yet another cost pressure to councils’ already squeezed budgets.

    “If the Labour Welsh Government’s “partnership in power” with their counterparts in Westminster is to mean anything, then the Spring Statement at the end of March will give Wales a cash injection we so desperately need to make up for decades of unfair funding.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme “exploitative” – Cllr Kendall

    Source: The Green Party in Northern Ireland

    The Department of Health’s Core Grant scheme highlights a stark disconnect between government priorities and community needs.
    Only 25 of 259 applicants secured £1.8m for 2025/26, a drastic cut from £3.6m pre-2024. This reduction reflects the government’s limited value on wellbeing services provided by the community and voluntary sector.
    Green Party NI Councillor Lauren Kendall described the situation as “exploitative,” noting the government relies heavily on voluntary groups yet slashes their funding. “This is an abusive relationship, taking advantage of goodwill in a mental health and homelessness crisis,” she stated.
    The lack of support for essential services is particularly concerning given the sector’s role in alleviating state pressures. The Green Party NI demands immediate funding restoration to properly resource community providers.
    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston, law enforcement partners arrest illegal Brazilian gang member convicted of assault, battery in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BELLINGHAM, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended an illegally present Brazilian national and validated gang member convicted of assault and battery against a Massachusetts resident with the arrest of Caio Vitor Guimaraes-Silva, 21, during an immigration enforcement operation in Bellingham, Feb. 3.

    “Caio Vitor Guimaraes-Silva has not only shown a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws, but he also presented a significant danger to the residents of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “As a documented member of a violent street gang and an alien convicted of a violent crime, we could no longer abide Mr. Guimaraes’ presence in our community. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”

    Guimaraes lawfully entered the United States September 3, 2017, and later violated the terms of his lawful admission.

    ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Guimaraes with the Middlesex County House of Corrections Feb. 16, 2024, following his arrest by local authorities.

    The Milford District Court found Guimaraes guilty of two counts of assault and battery against a Massachusetts resident Sept. 9, 2024. The court sentenced Guimaraes to one year in prison but suspended all but 90 days of time served. The court then released Guimaraes from state custody, ignoring the ICE immigration detainer.

    Guimaraes is in ICE custody following his arrest.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Membership of the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Membership of the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board

    Announcements made about members appointed to the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board.

    Applies to England and Wales

    Documents

    New member of the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board appointed: February 2025

    HTML

    New member of the offensive weapons homicide review oversight board appointed: April 2024

    HTML

    Chair and first member of the offensive weapons homicide reviews oversight board appointed: June 2023

    HTML

    Details

    The Home Secretary has approved these appointments to the offensive weapons homicide review board.

    The oversight board has been established to monitor and oversee the local implementation of the reviews, to consider whether lessons learned are being acted upon, and to draw together thematic learning at a national level.

    The oversight board is a non-statutory committee which will be composed of experts in safeguarding, preventing homicide and serious violence and public protection.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor welcomes Urban Villages funding to progress Derry “The Realm” project

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayor welcomes Urban Villages funding to progress Derry “The Realm” project

    21 February 2025

    News that a £9m extension to funding for the Urban Villages Capital Plan, announced by the First Minister and deputy First Minister this week, has been welcomed by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr. Among the projects to benefit from the funding is the Council led “The Realm” placemaking scheme.

    Mayor Barr said the funding extension announcement was great news for local communities who will significantly benefit from the investment.

    She said: “I welcome the decision by The Executive Office to extend Urban Villages funding, including the crucial support for Derry’s public realm project. This investment is a significant boost for our city, demonstrating a continued commitment to regeneration and creating a vibrant, attractive space for residents and visitors alike. It will allow us to build on the positive momentum already underway and deliver real, lasting benefits for our community.”

    Derry’s The Realm project will be delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council and encompasses the development of a network of high-quality public realm and green infrastructure improvements across the Fountain, the Bogside and Bishop Street areas of the city that will totally transform and revitalise the local environment by creating high quality public space and improved landscapes.

    The project aims to revitalise these areas of the city to create a more welcoming and attractive environment for the communities there to enjoy. The project will also work to create improvements such as enhanced paving lighting and landscapes and the creation of innovative public spaces that are accessible and support local businesses to create a more vibrant and inviting environment. 

    This is an £11m project and the funding announcement by the First and Deputy First Ministers of £3.4m will enable the first part of the project to proceed. Council will engage with community stakeholders and the urban villages team to deliver on this.

    The Urban Villages Capital Plan – a total investment of more than £124m – builds and transforms community facilities, creating shared spaces and beacons for good relations. It delivers social and physical infrastructure across the Urban Villages areas in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry, promoting good relations, regeneration and wider social, economic and environmental improvements.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Strategic Growth Partnership holds first meeting of 2025

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Strategic Growth Partnership holds first meeting of 2025

    21 February 2025

    Members of Derry and Strabane’s Strategic Growth Partnership met today at St Columb’s Park House for the first quarterly meeting of 2025.

    The partnership is a grouping of representatives from community, statutory and voluntary organisations leading on the implementation of the Strategic Growth Plan for Derry and Strabane, a shared, long-term vision to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of the Council area.

    Mayor Barr began the meeting by paying tribute to the late Kenny McFarland, who had served as Co-Chair of the partnership for a number of years, and actively represented the Faughan DEA as Chair of the Local Growth Partnership for the area. Cllr Barr acknowledged the many years that Kenny had dedicated to promoting good relations and celebrating culture within the local community, and said his loss would be widely felt.

    The Mayor also took the opportunity to thank Pauline Campbell, Director with the Department for Communities, who steps away from her role as Co-Chair. Pauline has played a key role in the partnership since it was first formed in 2017, and her significant contribution over the years was acknowledged today.

    During the meeting partners received a presentation from the President and Chief Executive of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Fleming and Anna Doherty, on the Value Proposition of the North West, and future plans to promote investment and growth. They also heard more about the Housing Investment Plan for N. Ireland, including a breakdown of local progress and future strategic priorities taking into account public finance challenges, with a report from Louise Clarke, Head of Place Shaping North at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

    Health was also a key focus, with a concerning report on tackling obesity from David Tumilty with the Public Health Agency. Partners heard that a whole system approach to diet and healthy weight is needed to bring about real changes with buy in from local organisations to ensure it remains a priority for Derry and Strabane.

    An update was provided on approaching milestones in the delivery of the Strategic Growth Plan, with work ongoing to deliver a Statement of Progress during 2025, and a Review of the Plan by the end of 2026, in line with the legislative framework set out by the Department for Communities.

    Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Barr said: “Today’s meeting provided an opportunity to acknowledge the significant work to date and the dedication and insight of all our partners to this important process.

    “We are seeing much positive progress, and that is taking into account some significant challenges, particularly over the past five years. With our City Deal plans progressing at pace, and continued commitment from all our partners, I look forward to the next phase of delivery and more positive results in line with our strategic objectives.”

    You can find reports from today’s meeting and more information about the Strategic Growth Plan at growderrystrabane.com

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ending the Universal Credit two-child cap

    Source: Scottish Government

    Views sought on flagship policy.

    The Scottish Government is launching a consultation on its plans to end the two-child cap on benefits.

    Eradicating child poverty is the government’s top priority and ministers have committed to ending the limit by April 2026, or sooner if possible. The Child Poverty Action Group estimate that scrapping the two-child cap in Scotland could lift 15,000 children out of poverty. 

    The consultation is seeking views from the public and stakeholders about the most effective ways to put systems in place to mitigate the effects of the two-child cap. It asks for views on questions such as whether Social Security Scotland should administer top-up payments.

    Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

    “The UK Government has failed to scrap the two child cap despite it being a key driver of child poverty. In the face of such inaction the Scottish Government is determined to end the impact in Scotland.  If we can safely get the systems up and running earlier than April 2026, then we will make our first payments earlier – helping to lift thousands more children out of poverty.

    “We have launched a consultation calling for people to respond as we look to put the necessary systems in place to achieve our goal. We have made clear to the UK Government what is needed for us to end the impact of this policy and I would urge people and organisations across Scotland to contribute to make their views known.

    “The draft 2025-26 budget continues to invest more than £3 billion to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living for households – and I would hope that would command widespread support across Parliament.

    “There is irrefutable evidence that the two child limit is increasing poverty and hardship across the UK. We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to end the two-child cap, and we have been just one of many voices saying the same thing. Until they do so, the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to mitigate the policy, which helps create child poverty.”

    Background

    The consultation closes on April 18th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Alexis Mac Allister Announces as Jeton’s Latest Brand Ambassador

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, UK, Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jeton, global payment services provider, announces a three-year partnership with global football icon Alexis Mac Allister. The 25-year-old Argentine football player is a midfielder for Premier League Club Liverpool and represents Argentina’s national team. The agreement between the global payment services provider and the footballer will appoint Mac Allister to serve as Jeton’s brand ambassador and represent the brand in various marketing campaigns. Jeton will be authorised to use Mac Allister’s professional name, image, likeness, and biography as part of the partnership.

    “I’m pleased to be Jeton’s brand ambassador,” stated Alexis Mac Allister. ‘I look forward to representing the brand and sharing its values with my fanbase and football lovers worldwide.”

    ‘We are very happy and excited to work closely with Mac Allister. We have strategized these partnerships based on what our customers expect from Jeton and how we can exceed their expectations. We hope to build stronger relations among the football community and reach out to football lovers all around the world through partnerships they desire. As exemplified by our recent partnership with Japanese football player Kou Itakura, we believe we are one step closer to achieving our objectives. We can’t wait to embark on this journey alongside Alexis Mac Allister.’ said Executive Director of Jeton.

    Jeton is known for its ongoing partnerships, marketing activities and close relations with football clubs and the community. The global payment services brand has a long-lasting relationship with West Ham United FC as their official e-Wallet partner and have previously partnered with other notable football clubs such as Aston Villa FC and Hull City AFC. Jeton has recently expanded its reach into the Asian market by partnering with Japanese football player Kou Itakura.

    About Jeton

    LA Orange CY Limited, trading as Jeton, is authorised by the Central Bank of Cyprus under the Electronic Money Law of 2012 and 2018 (Law 81(I)/2012) for distributing or redeeming electronic money (e-money), with Licence No: 115.1.3.66. LA Orange CY Limited has been incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus under the provisions of the Companies Law (Cap 113) with registration number HE 424807, with its registered office address at 116 Gladstonos, M. Kyprianou House, 3rd and 4th Floor, 3032, Limassol, Cyprus.

    © 2024 | LA Orange Limited, trading as Jeton, is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for distributing or redeeming electronic money (e-money) and providing certain payment services on behalf of an e-money institution, with FCA registration number 902088. LA Orange Limited is registered in England and Wales, Company Number 11535714, with its registered office address at The Shard Floor 24/25, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG, United Kingdom.

    Jeton Bank Limited is licensed and authorised by the Financial Services Unit, Ministry of Finance of the Commonwealth of Dominica, licensed as a banking institution under the international Banking Act, fully authorised to provide services to clients worldwide, under the prudential supervision of the Financial Services Unit. Jeton Bank Limited is registered in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Company Number 2022/C0175, with its registered address at 1st Floor, 43 Great George Street, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, Post Code: 00109-8000. – LEI Code: 894500XGIX3R4HCIOC29.

    Social Links

    Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jetonpayments/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jetonpayments

    X:  https://x.com/jetonpayments

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JetonPayments

    Media contact

    Brand: Jeton

    Contact: Media team

    Email: marketing@jeton.com

    Website: https://www.jeton.com/

    SOURCE: Jeton

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivering warmer homes and lower energy bills to tenants

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    From today, tenants in nine homes in Edinburgh will benefit from major energy upgrades to improve living standards and lower energy bills.

    The homes, located in the southeast of the city, boast an Energy Performance Certificate ‘B’ rating after a series of improvements including External Wall Insulation (EWI) and window upgrades.

    They are now undergoing monitoring to assess energy consumption, tenant comfort, and overall performance. Data gathered from the homes will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of these measures and help determine the feasibility of rolling out similar upgrades across other Council housing stock.

    Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said:

    I warmly welcome what’s been achieved in collaboration with our partners, AtkinsRéalis and Anderson Bell + Christie, on this transformative retrofit project. The energy improvements are already delivering real benefits for tenants – lower energy bills, increased comfort, and more sustainable homes.

    The data we’re collecting will be instrumental in scaling up this work to happen across other Council homes in Edinburgh, contributing towards our Net Zero 2030 target. While the work involved is complex, the long-term benefits – for our tenants, communities, and our city’s environment – are undeniable.

    Anderson Bell + Christie Director Jonathan McQuillan said:

    This project signals a real shift change in how Scottish social housing landlords are approaching their obligations to improve the energy and quality of homes ahead of the Scottish Government deadline – taking a co-ordinated, architectural viewpoint to ensure the measures put in place and undertaken are tailed to each and every building to ensure its effectiveness for many generations to come.

    The City of Edinburgh Council have been pioneering in their thinking and as a result of the pilot, on which we spent two years investigating and garnering the right data, the majority of their stock can now be retrofitted with confidence. The improvement works support future measures such as district heating systems, making them ‘net zero-ready’.

    The project adopted a ‘whole house approach’ to implement advanced retrofit standards for the nine pilot homes. The properties were selected following an in-depth review of 52 building types which involved comprehensive surveys, including asbestos checks, air-tightness testing, and extensive energy modelling.

    Published: February 21st 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fairer Aberdeen Fund marks anniversary with showcase event

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    The Fairer Aberdeen Fund marked 10 years of supporting organisations to tackle poverty and deprivation across the city in a showcase event today (Friday 21 February).

    Those attending the showcase event were able to hear from projects which have benefited from funding on how they have supported individuals and communities, and watch a selection of short films on the work that they have been carrying out. 

    Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of Finance and Resources Committee, who is also Chair of the Fairer Aberdeen Board, said: “There is so much positive work being done by the Fairer Aberdeen Funded organisations across Aberdeen to support people and families.

    “Our Fairer Aberdeen funded partners are dealing are helping people struggling wtih the cost-of-living crisis 10 years on from the start of the fund, highlighting that poverty remains a huge issue in our city.” 

    Over the last year, 38 initiatives were delivered across the city by 26 voluntary and third sector organisations, that have supported over 50,000 people to access support for employability, financial inclusion, family support, youth work, mental health, learning and volunteering. 

    The keynote speaker for the event was Ruth Boyle, Policy and Campaign Manager at The Poverty Alliance, and featured talks from Cameron McCready, CEO of Homestart Aberdeen and Graeme Kinghorn, CEO of Mental Health Aberdeen, who highlighted their work tackling social isolation and improving mental health across the city.

    Cameron McCready, CEO of Homestart Aberdeen said: “Poverty in Aberdeen affects families in many ways, from financial insecurity to social isolation. With the support of FAF, we’ve been able to provide early intervention services that strengthen family wellbeing and build stronger, more connected communities.”

    Graham Kinghorn, CEO of Mental Health Aberdeen said: “The Fairer Aberdeen Fund is vital in tackling poverty and inequality, supporting essential services from mental health to financial advice and employability. Continued investment is crucial to strengthening communities and improving lives.”

    Organisations supported by the Fund have included Station House Media Unit (SHMU), Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) and Pathways. 

    The Fairer Aberdeen Fund is allocated by Aberdeen City Council and is dispersed by the Fairer Aberdeen Board to third sector organisations, charities and voluntary groups.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: An explosion of colour and the downfall of an Instagram darling: what to see and watch this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jane Wright, Commissioning Editor, Arts & Culture, The Conversation UK

    Anyone familiar with Scotland will know the weather is at best mercurial, and at worst wet, grey and what we call “dreich” – a good Scottish word meaning drab. For an artist in the early 20th century suffering not just miserable weather but a cultural landscape of joyless, soul-sucking Presbyterianism, escaping to the sunlit uplands of the Parisian avant garde, where artists were experimenting wildly with new ideas and techniques, would have been deeply attractive.

    Into this vivid world of colour and possibility stepped four Scottish artists who embraced everything this exciting new art scene had to offer, and in doing so, changed Scotland’s art forever. Inspired by the post-impressionist works of Van Gogh, Matisse, Cezanne and Derain, they often painted outdoors, revelling in nature, creating exceptional artworks that explored light, shape and colour.

    Samuel John Peploe experimented with Cezanne-like geometric forms, while John Duncan Fergusson took on fauvist influences. George Leslie Hunter focused on blocks of colour, and Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell explored bold shapes and impressionistic compositions.

    Together they became known as the “Scottish colourists”, and their work is being celebrated at a new exhibition at the Dovecot in Edinburgh. As our reviewer Blane Savage points out, each brought back to Scotland new approaches to art that were reflected in their subsequent work. Take Peploe’s Green Sea, Iona from 1925, which perfectly captures the mesmerising colours of a Hebridean shoreline. Radiant and vibrant, here was art to lift even the dreichest Presbyterian Scot’s heart.

    The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives is on at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh until June 28.



    Read more:
    Scottish colourists exhibition: the painters who stood shoulder to shoulder with Matisse and Cezanne

    Flowers, grief and reconciliation

    Just as the Scottish colourists loved a nice vase of voluptuous blooms, the new Saatchi Gallery exhibition on the subject, named simply Flowers, explores the place of flora in contemporary art, as well as its wider cultural influence.

    Reviewer Judith Brocklehurst describes the show as resembling a “supersized florist”, filled with bunches of blooms and hanging arrangements of dried flowers. The exhibition offers a wide perspective: from sculpture finding inspiration in Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, to William Morris’s much-loved floral designs, to the digital recreation of 17th-century Dutch paintings, and contemporary photography and video installations too.

    This richly imaginative and engaging exhibition celebrating the importance of flora in our lives is well worth an hour of your time if you’re in London.

    Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art and Culture is on display at London’s Saatchi Gallery until May 5 2025.



    Read more:
    Flowers at London’s Saatchi Gallery: this exploration of flora in history and contemporary culture smells as good as it looks

    Highly recommended cinema this week is the Japanese film Cottontail, a gentle and touching story about a middle-aged man grieving the loss of his wife after a long illness. Honouring her dying wish, he takes her ashes to be scattered in the Lake District in the north of England – a place that had special significance for her.

    Woven through the tale is the man’s complicated relationship with his son, whom he has neglected for his career. Struggling to connect, they embark on the journey together, each dealing with their own grief and sense of loss. Chao Fang, an expert in ageing, death and dying, found this delicate film’s portrayal of grief realistic and relatable, and the journey to find peace by reconciling the past and present both absorbing and affecting.

    Cottontail is in select cinemas now.



    Read more:
    Cottontail review: how a man’s journey through grief mirrors our search for peace – by an expert in death and grieving

    The Oscar-nominated I’m Still Here, released today, sees director Walter Salles adapt Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s autobiographical novel of the same name. The film follows the grief of a family whose husband and father is disappeared by the regime of Brazilian dictator Emílio Garrastazu Médici in the early 1970s. The film is carried by a memorable performance from actress Fernanda Torres who plays Eunice, the wife of missing left-wing politician Rubens.

    Relating the story from Eunice’s perspective as she desperately searches for her husband, the film details the breakdown of her relationship with her eldest daughters as they all seek to deal with their devastating loss and uncertain future. Professor of film Belén Vidal describes the film as a “clear-cut tribute to the ‘feminine’ politics of resistance”. Sad, moving and bittersweet in its conclusion, I’m Still Here, appropriately, lingers long after the credits have rolled.

    I’m Still Here is in cinemas now.



    Read more:
    I’m Still Here: a vibrant testament to female resilience that mourns Brazil’s dark past

    Downfall of an Instagram darling

    Often real life is stranger than anything created for our screens. Based on the true story of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson, Apple Cider Vinegar follows the story of a social media darling documenting her “journey” as she rejects conventional medicine for alternative therapies to treat a rare form of brain cancer. But in 2015, Gibson was exposed as a financial fraud – and worse, was revealed as never having had cancer. The internet, understandably, went wild. But how was she able to perpetrate such an audacious and complex deception?

    Apple Cider Vinegar dramatises Gibson’s story, documenting her meteoric rise to fame and her dramatic downfall, detailing some of the psychological issues that influenced her deceit. But, as sociology professor Stephanie Baker indicates, this shocking story also illustrates a wider point about the conditions that enable frauds like Gibson to gain credibility and influence online. Truly fascinating stuff, it once again reveals how the virtual nature of the internet deludes people when it comes to online behaviour, accountability and getting away with it.

    Apple Cider Vinegar is now streaming on Netflix.



    Read more:
    Apple Cider Vinegar: how social media gave rise to fraudulent wellness influencers like Belle Gibson

    – ref. An explosion of colour and the downfall of an Instagram darling: what to see and watch this week – https://theconversation.com/an-explosion-of-colour-and-the-downfall-of-an-instagram-darling-what-to-see-and-watch-this-week-250437

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City food business and director ordered to pay more than £11,000 following rat infestation

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Environmental health officers investigated Sweet Elohim Afro Market in Lichfield Street after a member of the public contacted them with concerns.

    Officers discovered rat droppings throughout the store, which was selling fruit and vegetables in open boxes as well as other food in packets, tins and jars.

    Evidence of the significant infestation was also found where the open food was handled and ready to eat packaged food was stored.

    Officers immediately closed the premises, and it was only allowed to re-open once it was determined that the immediate risk to health had been removed.

    Georgina Konadu, director of Sweet Elohim Afro Market, pleaded guilty to 2 breaches of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at Dudley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 12 February, 2025.

    The same charges were brought against the business, and guilty pleas were also entered. The offences took place in November, 2023.

    The business was fined £2,680, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,072 and £4,584 in costs. Konadu was fined £1,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and £1,500 in costs.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Our residents should be able to trust that the places where they buy food have the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

    “In this thoroughly unpleasant case, evidence of the rat infestation was found throughout the premises. This caused a risk of significant illness in customers, and we had no choice but to close the premises until it was deemed safe.

    “We do not take the decision to prosecute or close a business lightly. It is however necessary when public safety has been compromised and I hope it serves as a strong reminder to other businesses that these issues are taken seriously.

    “We are grateful to the member of the public who contacted us and enabled our environmental health officers to swiftly close the premises. If any residents have concerns about food businesses in the city, please report details to us at environmental.health@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Solar power set to boost energy levels at city’s leisure centre

    Source: City of Norwich

    Work to install more than 600 solar panels over the car park and on the roof of Riverside Leisure Centre will begin on Monday 24 February, thanks to a project backed by Sport England.

    The initiative, which received planning permission last year, will enhance the centre’s long-term sustainability while minimising its environmental impact.

    By producing renewable energy on-site, the project is set to reduce the electricity bills of the building by 33 percent and cut 75 tonnes of carbon emissions a year. These financial and carbon savings will help secure the future of this venue, as well as supporting Norwich City Council’s efforts to reach net zero. New trees will also be planted in the carpark area to further boost these eco credentials.

    The venue, which has been run by Places Leisure on behalf of the city council since 2013, received 350,000 visits last year.

    As part of the project, the centre’s car park will be closed for six weeks to facilitate essential construction. While there will be some short-term disruption, these efforts are aimed at future-proofing the centre and significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Blue-badge spaces will be made available from Tuesday 25 February, so only unavailable for one day. Places Leisure have contacted members and customers directly.

    The new energy system is expected to start producing power from April, with full project completion anticipated by this summer. From April onwards, disruption should be minimal, ensuring that visitors and members can continue enjoying the facilities with ease.

    Funding of £520,000 has been secured from the government and Sport England’s £60m Swimming Pool Support Fund, while the remaining £375,000 is being paid for by the city council.

    At the time funding was awarded, Councillor Emma Hampton, cabinet member for climate change, said:

    “I’m delighted that we have been able to secure funding to install such a large solar array at Riverside Leisure Centre, future proofing the venue by reducing emissions and ensuring that we can continue to provide these much-loved community facilities for years to come.

    “By placing solar panels on the roof and in the car park, we’re putting that empty space to good use – something we should aim to do more and more across the city as we work towards a net zero Norwich by 2045.”

    This project underscores the city council’s dedication to sustainability, ensuring a more energy-efficient future. We appreciate the patience and support of both users of the centre and residents living nearby during this time.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    C-DOT and SONIC Labs Join Hands to Drive Open RAN Innovation

    Roundtable on Telecoms & AI: Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary T highlights India’s leadership in the telecommunications sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 1:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The Secretary (Telecom) of India visited the United Kingdom to engage with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UK and explore opportunities for collaboration in next-generation telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space technology, further strengthening Indo-UK ties in these critical areas.

    The Secretary (Telecom) met with Mr. Chris Johnson, National Scientific Adviser, and Mr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser of DSIT. The discussions centred on emerging technologies and their applications in 5G, 6G, digital infrastructure security.

    The Secretary also met with Mr. Geoff Huggins, Director, Digital Directorate, Govt of Scotland, to discuss collaborative efforts in digital transformation through telecom, telecom security, and emerging telecom technologies.

    Secretary (Telecom) held a field visit at one of the six Federated Telecom Hubs (FTH) in the UK, specializing in Cloud and Distributed Computing (CHEDDAR). This hub leads cutting-edge research in 6G distributed cloud, AI for 6G, green 6G, and advanced sensing technologies.
    Furthermore, the Secretary met with Ms. Jean Innes, CEO of the Alan Turing Institute, for discussions on potential collaboration in digital twins, AI for telecom security, ethical AI, and fostering an AI innovation and startup ecosystem.

    Additionally, the Secretary visited Scotland’s 5G Centre at the University of Strathclyde and the 6G Research Centre at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering. These visits facilitated discussions on collaboration in 6G innovation, future sensing technologies, the exchange of technology such as the 5G stack, and student exchange programs to foster academic and industrial partnerships.

    Scotland  5G Center                                                                    Demonstration of remote dental surgery at 6G research Center

    UK-India Telecom Roundtable & MoU Signing

    Building on the strong foundation of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI), where telecom remains a key priority, a roundtable discussion was convened with key UK stakeholders from DSIT, leading business entities such as BT and Ericsson, and innovation hubs and centres, including SONIC Labs, UK Telecom Labs, TITAN, JOINER. Representatives from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Innovate UK, and the UK Technology Innovation Network (UKTIN) also participated, exploring avenues for mutual cooperation. The roundtable was organized by the High Commission of India (HCI) in partnership with UKTIN. Dr. Neeraj Mittal highlighted India’s leadership in the telecom sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies.

    Following the roundtable, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SONIC Labs and the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT). The agreement focuses on Open RAN-related policy and technical matters, including 5G Open RAN and Artificial Intelligence in 4G/5G

    Other key areas of collaboration which have been identified during the deliberations with various stakeholders on the telecom ecosystem of UK :

    • Establishment of a Joint Centres of Excellence focusing on telecom cybersecurity, AI in telecom, and digital twins.
    • Collaborative initiatives with British telcos to leverage mobile phone data for infrastructure planning, building upon India’s success in using such data for metro route planning.
    • Joint contributions to ITU for the development of 6G standards (IMT 2030).
    • Mutual recognition of testing labs and the establishment of new testing facilities.
    • Collaboration on Digital Twins, including standardization frameworks, privacy-enhancing technologies, and cross-sectoral data applications.
    • Advancing quantum communication solutions and submarine sea cable security.
    • Promoting the Indigenous 4G/5G telecom stack developed by CDOT.
    • Collaboration on space technology communication (TN-NTN) between the UK and India’s Bharat 6G Alliance.

    This visit underscored the shared commitment of India and the UK to drive innovation in telecom and digital infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in next-generation connectivity solutions. It also reflects India’s proactive approach to shaping global telecom policies, fostering AI-driven innovations, and strengthening international partnerships for a digitally inclusive future.

    About C-DOT

    C-DOT is the premier research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. It is dedicated to developing indigenous telecom technologies, including 4G/5G solutions, AI-driven network management, and cybersecurity frameworks, to enhance India’s telecom ecosystem and contribute to global standardization efforts.

    About SONIC Labs

    SONIC Labs (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) is a world-leading innovation programme and R&D facility based in London, funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Co-delivered by Digital Catapult and Ofcom, SONIC Labs drives global technology development in Open RAN, aiming to create a diverse and competitive telecom supply chain.

    About The Alan Turing Institute, UK

    The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI, drives world-class research, fosters AI innovation, and collaborates with academia, industry, and policymakers to address global challenges. With a network of 13 partner universities and an open collaboration model, it plays a pivotal role in advancing AI-driven solutions, shaping public policy, and developing future skills. The Institute supports global AI initiatives, where AI is a key driver of economic growth and societal transformation.

    About CHEDDAR

    The Communications Hub for Empowering Distributed Cloud Computing Applications and Research (CHEDDAR) is a pioneering research hub advancing next-generation computing, Edge Computing, and AI-driven systems. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) via the Technology Missions Fund (TMF), CHEDDAR serves as a critical platform for collaboration across academia, industry, and the global community. Led by Imperial College London, with core partners including Cranfield, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, and York universities, CHEDDAR focuses on integrating future communication systems with cloud and AI technologies. With 6G standards on the horizon, CHEDDAR aims to drive research in secure, sustainable, and intelligent communication infrastructures, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

    ****

    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2105225) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fatal traffic accident in Ma On Shan

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fatal traffic accident in Ma On Shan
    Fatal traffic accident in Ma On Shan
    ************************************

         Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Ma On Shan this morning (February 21) in which a man died.     At 6.45am, a school bus driven by a 78-year-old man was travelling along Kam Ying Road towards Wu Kai Sha. When the school bus was approaching near 9 Kam Ying Road, it reportedly went out of control and rammed into the railings.     Sustaining no superficial injury, the driver was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.31am.     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is under way.     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.

     
    Ends/Friday, February 21, 2025Issued at HKT 10:54

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: January 2025 Transaction Data

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    January 2025 Transaction Data

    This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in January 2025.

    NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com

    Please note this data shows what HM Land Registry has been able to process during the time period covered and is not necessarily a reflection of market activity.

    In January:

    • HM Land Registry completed more than 1,886,710 applications to change or query the Land Register 
    • the South East topped the table of regional applications with 422,822

    HM Land Registry completed 1,886,714 applications in January compared with 1,511,662 in December 2024 and 1,883,137 last January 2024, of which: 

    • 301,500 were applications for register updates compared with 272,715 in December
    • 1,083,311 were applications for an official copy of a register compared with 803,687 in December
    • 194,671 were search and hold queries (official searches) compared with 184,798 in December
    • 86,227 were transactions for value compared with 59,822 in December
    • 15,425 were postal applications from non-account holders compared with 13,961 in December

    Applications by region and country 

    Region/country November applications December applications January applications
    South East 435,883 340,271 422,822
    Greater London 365,053 288,481 358,032
    North West 216,160 172,475 216,304
    South West 185,863 145,843 182,912
    West Midlands 168,918 125,505 161,218
    Yorkshire and the Humber 155,460 120,797 148,308
    East Midlands 146,092 114,380 137,568
    North 95,129 73,201 94,663
    East Anglia 87,995 63,919 79,465
    Isles of Scilly 103 57 78
    Wales 86,328 66,654 85,239
    England and Wales (not assigned) 117 79 105
    Total 1,943,101 1,511,662 1,886,714

    Top 5 local authority areas 

    January 2024 applications

    Top 5 local authority areas January applications
    Birmingham 29,125
    City of Westminster 25,842
    North Yorkshire 21,453
    Leeds 21,149
    Buckinghamshire 19,779

    December 2024 applications

    Top 5 local authority areas December applications
    Birmingham 22,940
    City of Westminster 20,436
    Leeds 17,616
    North Yorkshire 16,263
    Manchester 15,723

    Top 5 customers 

    January 2024 applications

    Top 5 customers January applications
    Infotrack Limited 182,999
    Enact 34,670
    O’Neill Patient 30,717
    Landmark Information Group Ltd 27,624
    Orbital Witness Limited 24,259

    December 2024 applications

    Top 5 customers December applications
    Infotrack Limited 153,623
    Enact 28,823
    O’Neill Patient 25,493
    Orbital Witness Limited 25,485
    Avail AI Ltd 18,924

    Access the full dataset on our Use land and property data service.

    Next publication 

    Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The February 2025 data will be published at 11am on Friday 21 March 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CSPL – local government standards roundtable

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    CSPL – local government standards roundtable

    The Committee hosted a roundtable on 20 February with local government experts, practitioners and academics.

    The Committee hosted a roundtable on 20 February with local government experts, practitioners and academics to inform its submission to the government’s consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England.

    The Committee has a long-standing interest in local government and made recommendations in its 2019 report for more robust safeguards to strengthen a locally determined system. The report’s recommendations were widely supported by the sector.

    The Committee’s submission to government will be informed by evidence and views heard at the roundtable.

    A non-attributed note of the session will be published shortly.

    We would like to thank all those who participated in our roundtable.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian: 21 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian: 21 February 2025

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Sarah Barron DL as His Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian.

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Sarah Barron DL as His Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian, to succeed Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander LVO OBE TD following his retirement on 2nd April 2025.

    Background

    Sarah was brought up in Edinburgh and moved to Lasswade, Midlothian, in 1998. She studied Town and Country Planning and Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh University and is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. Working in collaboration with an Edinburgh architectural practice, she specialises in large scale housing developments, landscape planning and conservation, urban regeneration, and masterplanning projects and has worked for a number of high-profile clients in both the public and private sectors.

    Sarah has served as a Deputy Lieutenant since 2013 and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Midlothian’s Young People Awards, which recognise the achievements of young people across the County. She is Chair of The Mavisbank Trust, set up to restore one of Scotland’s most important early Palladian style villas and is currently working with the Landmark Trust to secure a sustainable future for this derelict Midlothian house and its grounds.

    Sarah is a Trustee and founding member of Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage, which promotes and protects Scotland’s historic gardens and designed landscapes. She was a Trustee of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme for fourteen years, organising garden openings across Midlothian, to raise funds for numerous national and local charities. She has also been the Vice Chair of The Friends of Saltersgate School in Dalkeith, raising funds for school equipment to help pupils with special educational needs. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys gardening, archery, beekeeping and skiing and is an enthusiastic member of a number of horticultural and arts societies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –