NewzIntel.com

Category: Great Britain

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Warm homes and cheaper bills as government accelerates Plan for Change

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Households across the country are set to benefit from cheaper bills and warmer homes as the government accelerates its Plan for Change.

    • Up to half a million households could be lifted out of fuel poverty by 2030 in major boost to standards in the private rental sector
    • Tenants in poor energy performance properties to be hundreds of pounds better off as part of government’s Plan for Change
    • Energy saving measures to be installed in properties to cut the cost of bills and protect the pounds in renters’ pockets

    Families have faced rocketing energy bills as a direct consequence of an overreliance on international gas markets, while at the same time thousands of tenants have been left exposed to cold, draughty homes, pushing bills up even higher.

    The government is now calling time on this inheritance by consulting on bold new plans, which could save private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills, with all private landlords in England and Wales mandated to meet higher energy performance ratings in their properties by 2030.

    While 48% of private rented homes in England are already Energy Performance Certificate C or above, ministers now want to ensure this good practice is extended to all properties in the sector, making sure landlords are not undercut, while protecting tenants.

    As of 2030 all private landlords will be required to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties – up from the current level of EPC E.

    This will deliver on the priorities of working people, in line with the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, by requiring landlords to invest in measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, ensuring homes are warmer and more affordable for tenants.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

    For far too long we have seen too many tenants plagued by shoddy and poor conditions in their homes and this government is taking swift action to right the wrongs of the past.

    Through our Plan for Change we are driving up housing standards, improving quality of life, and slashing energy bills for working people and families.

    Today is just one of many steps we are taking to deliver on our promise to transform the lives of millions of renters across the country, so families can put down roots and raise their children in secure and healthy homes.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    For years tenants have been abandoned and forgotten as opportunities to deliver warm homes and lower energy bills have been disregarded and ignored.

    As part of our Plan for Change, these new changes could save renters £240 a year by raising the efficiency of homes to cut the cost of bills.

    These plans will also make sure that all private landlords are investing in their properties, building on the good work of many to upgrade their homes to Energy Performance Certificate C or higher already.

    The government is now seeking views from tenants and landlords on the proposals to boost living standards in the private rented sector and cut the cost of energy bills, which include:

    • offering landlords a choice over how to meet energy efficiency standards. This will require them to meet a fabric standard through installing measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, before moving on to a range of other options including batteries, solar panels and smart meters
    • a maximum cap of £15,000 per property for landlords, with support currently available from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Warm Homes: Local Grant which begins delivery this year
    • an affordability exemption, which would lower the cost cap to £10,000 and could be applied based on lower rents or council tax band
    • requiring all landlords to meet the new standard by 2030 at the latest, providing an extra 2 years compared with previous proposals. Homes that are already rated A-C before the introduction of new Energy Performance Certificates would be considered compliant until they expire

    The government is also consulting on a revised fuel poverty strategy, which will focus on improving the energy performance of homes, supporting low-income households with energy affordability and protecting them from high prices.

    Today’s steps mark further progress to deliver the government’s Plan for Change, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain.

    This follows planned reforms to empower Ofgem, the energy regulator, to become a strong consumer champion, upgrading up to 300,000 homes through the Warm Homes Plan this financial year, and driving a new era of clean energy through the Clean Power Action Plan.

    Stakeholder reaction

    Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, said:

    Private rented sector tenants have far greater risk of being in fuel poverty particularly in low-cost older homes. The lack of investment by some landlords to end the scandal of cold homes has gone on for too long.

    In the last 5 years the efforts to reduce fuel poverty flatlined. I welcome the focus on improving standards in the private rented sector and the opportunity to reset and re-energise England’s Fuel Poverty Strategy.

    Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action said:

    Alleviating fuel poverty means ensuring everyone can afford to keep their homes warm and healthy. It is about addressing high energy bills and inefficient homes, but it also contributes to other government missions, supporting efforts to reach net zero, preventing ill-health and tackling child poverty. A more vigorous, ambitious approach is very welcome to get back on track to lift millions out of the daily despair of a cold home and unaffordable bills.

    Millions of households are struggling to pay their bills. A disproportionate number of these live in privately rented properties. Working towards stronger energy efficiency standards for landlords is the level of ambition needed to meet legal fuel poverty commitments. The private rented sector includes some of the worst quality housing, lived in by some of the most vulnerable people. We hope that these steps signal an end to fuel poor renters enduring in cold, leaky homes.

    The UK government must now seize the opportunity that this new strategy and regulations bring, fortifying them with new spending to improve the homes of fuel poor households.

    Charles Wood, Deputy Director at Energy UK, said:

    This announcement marks a welcome recommitment from the government to improving energy efficiency standards in rented properties by strengthening Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements. The most affordable energy is the energy we don’t use – yet too many households still lose money and warmth due to inefficient homes. With some of the least energy-efficient housing in Western Europe, there are serious financial and health consequences, particularly for renters who have little control over improving their homes.

    With energy bills remaining high, it’s vital that the government prioritises measures that bring real savings to households and give clarity to the market to ramp up supply chains and training. Boosting energy efficiency is the most effective way to lower energy bills and system costs, and to create warmer, healthier homes for everyone.

    Ben Twomey, Chief Executive at Generation Rent, said:

    One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, the highest rate of any tenure. If we can’t afford to heat our homes properly that makes us vulnerable to ill-health and other problems in the home like damp and mould. Therefore, we encourage renters across the country to respond to this consultation to make sure the benefits of the Warm Homes plan are felt by tenants.

    Madeleine Gabriel, director of sustainable future at Nesta, said:

    Private renters too often face steep energy bills without a clear way to make their home more energy efficient. Private rented properties have worse energy efficiency ratings than both owner-occupied and social rented homes, while private renters are less confident taking energy efficiency measures like turning down boiler flow temperature than homeowners. The government is right to set a clear target for improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector and provide landlords with flexibility to achieve this.

    Stew Horne, Head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, said;

    With energy bills still high, it’s great to see the publication of the much anticipated consultation to get England closer to making the homes of private renters warmer and more affordable to heat.

    With almost a fifth of homes across England being privately rented and around a quarter of these households living in fuel poverty, improving the energy efficiency of these properties is key to supporting a fair transition to a low carbon society. It will also be important to facilitate the changes landlords can make to upgrade private rented homes, including providing access to attractive green finance options.

    We look forward to helping to shape the Warm Homes Plan so it encourages the retrofit of the private rented sector, creating more comfortable homes and lowering bills for renters.

    Notes to editors

    The average cost to landlords of complying with the proposals to upgrade their properties is estimated to be between £6,100 and £6,800 by 2030.

    The consultation on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector will be available later today.

    The consultation on a new fuel poverty strategy will be available later today.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sacred Aboriginal site and habitat for threatened species among additions to NSW national parks

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Sacred Aboriginal site and habitat for threatened species among additions to NSW national parks

    This is one of 12 land acquisitions made in 2024 to expand the network of national parks in NSW by just over 36,000 hectares. It makes more of our natural environment available to the public and delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to turn around biodiversity loss and restore habitats and ecosystems.

    The 31,500-hectare Broughton Vale Station includes the Kukirrka or Burkes Cave, a sacred Aboriginal birthing cave used for more than 2,000 years, and other significant cultural sites containing artworks and engravings.

    The cave and a nearby freshwater spring were also used by Burke and Wills during their 1860 expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and as a Cobb and Co stopover between Broken Hill and Wilcannia.

    At least 70 threatened species have been recorded close to Broughton Vale Station including purple-wood wattle, Barrier Range dragon, pink cockatoo, Stimson’s python and the creeping Darling pea. It also includes vegetation types and landscapes not found in any other national park in NSW. More than half the property supports the Threatened Ecological Community Neila (Acacia loderi) tall shrubland.

    The property adjoins the recently created Langidoon-Medford State Conservation Area. Together these reserves will permanently protect around 92,000 hectares conserving threatened plant and animal species and cultural landscapes.

    NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will work with Aboriginal communities to ensure the protection of important cultural sites. NPWS will also carry out feral animal and weed control and ensure fire trail access. Future visitor facilities could include a campsite and walking trails.

    In 2024, the NSW Government secured more than 36,000 hectares to expand existing parks, create new ones and protect critical habitats. Six acquisitions directly protect koala habitat, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s action to save koalas from extinction in NSW.

    The national parks estate covers about 10% of NSW and contains a diverse range of landscapes. NSW records more than 53 million domestic visits to national parks a year, plus many more by international travellers.

    Quote attributable to Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

    “The sacred site on Broughton Vale Station holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning for Aboriginal communities and we have taken action to preserve it for generations to come.

    “Adding this land to the national parks network is an important step forward in environmental and cultural conservation in NSW. It will also greatly enhance ecological, educational, cultural and tourism opportunities in our Far West.

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to turning around the loss and restoring habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity, and expanding our national parks is one way we are delivering on that commitment.”

    Quote attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris:

    “It cannot be understated how fundamental the preservation of this sacred land is for Traditional Owners and the broader community.

    “The Broughton Vale Station contains sites of enormous cultural significance to the local Aboriginal community and I am proud the Minns Labor Government has taken the steps to ensure this Country will be protected for generations to come.”

    Quote regarding Burkes Cave/Kukirrka, attributable to Barkandji elder, Dot Stephens:

    “We haven’t had access to Burkes Cave in many years and being able to return to the site I helped assess in the early 90s is so important in us being able to look after country.

    “When I was told that the Minister had purchased Burkes Cave, I burst into tears. The site is a spiritual place, a woman’s site, and it connects our country from Mutawintji to the Menindee Lakes and beyond.”

    Quote regarding Burkes Cave/Kukirrka, attributable to Barkandji elder, Feona Bates:

    “It is so important that National Parks purchase places like Broughton Vale as it allows us to look after the place.

    “There are men’s and women’s sites on the property, and we need to protect them.”

    Additional land added to the national park system in 2024:

    Koala habitat:

    • Addition to Guula Ngurra National Park

    589 hectares, 25km northwest of Mittagong, to connect Guula Ngurra National Park to Bangadilly National Park. It is in a stronghold area of a known high priority koala population. It is suitable habitat for 30 locally-threatened species including glossy black cockatoo and southern greater glider.

    • Addition to Nymboi-Binderay National Park

    40 hectares, 45km northwest of Coffs Harbour, which provides habitat for 21 threatened fauna species including koala, rufous bettong, gliders, bats, other mammals and birds.

    • Addition to Khatambuhl National Park

    Two areas totalling 1259 hectares, 50km northwest of Taree, linking Bretti Nature Reserve with Khatambuhl Nature Reserve. It is located in a corridor between three koala Priority Population Areas and 70% of the property contains koala feed trees. The habitat is suitable for more than 20 other threatened species including the Manning River helmeted turtle, southern greater glider, white-flowered wax plant, craven grey box, scrub turpentine and stuttering frog.

    • Addition to Cottan-Bimbang National Park

    Two areas, 398 hectares and 487 hectares, 45km northwest of Wauchope have been added to the national park. The land includes 4km of Ralfes Creek, a major tributary of the Hastings River. It is suitable for 22 threatened species, notably koala, southern greater glider, scrub turpentine, magenta lilly pilly and giant barred frog.

    • Addition to Dangelong Nature Reserve

    784 hectares, 20km southeast of Cooma, featuring high to very high-quality koala habitat in the Kybeyan Range, a Southern Tablelands koala hot spot. It is suitable habitat for 25 other threatened species including gang-gang cockatoo, little eagle, hooded robin, dusky woodswallow, spotted-tailed quoll and pale pomaderris.

    • Addition to Barrington Tops National Park

    867 hectares, 60km northeast of Muswellbrook, featuring koalas and glossy black cockatoos as well as habitat for 22 other threatened fauna species including the specked warbler and Davies tree frog which occurs only above 400m in the region.

    Highland wetlands:

    • Addition to Doodle Comer Swamp Nature Reserve

    41 hectares, 60km south of Wagga Wagga, featuring a wetland of national significance. Doodle Comer Swamp is a Declared Aboriginal Place with cultural significance to the Wiradjuri People. The acquisition protects cultural heritage sites, two threatened ecological communities and seven threatened species including the endangered Australasian bittern and Bush stone-curlew.

    • Addition to Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve

    18 hectares, 39km south of Glen Innes, which protects the remainder of the Ramsar-listed wetland Billy Bung Lagoon and its catchment. It contains four Threatened Ecological Communities.

    Cultural Heritage:

    • Butterfly Cave

    26 hectares at West Wallsend which protects the sacred Butterfly Cave and the surrounding cultural landscape, including vital aquifers, traditional journey paths, creeks, stone arrangements and food source areas.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $7 million for new health worker accommodation in Wyong

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $7 million for new health worker accommodation in Wyong

    Published: 7 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for the Central Coast, Minister for Regional Health

    The Wyong community is set to benefit from new Key Worker Accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers to the region.

    The Minns Labor Government will invest $7 million in health worker housing in Wyong as part of the Key Health Worker Accommodation program.

    The $200.1 million program supports more than 20 projects across rural, regional and remote NSW.

    The funding will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW, which includes the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.

    The four-year program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.

    The program is one of a number of investments the NSW Government is making to strengthen the regional health workforce and builds on the success of the NSW Government’s $73.2 million investment in key health worker accommodation across five regional local health districts (Far West, Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, Hunter New England and Western NSW).

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

    “Strengthening our regional health workforce is a key priority of our government and this $7 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of key healthcare workers to the Central Coast.

    “The Key Health Worker Accommodation program will support Central Coast Local Health District in providing high-quality health services to the community.”

    Quote attributable to Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris:

    “It can be difficult to find available housing for key health workers moving to the Central Coast, creating a barrier when recruiting new staff.

    “These new dwellings will support our efforts to attract skilled health professionals to our region and bolster our local healthcare network.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Boosting street-side EV charging across Australia

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today committed $2.4 million in funding to EVX Australia Pty Ltd (EVX) for 250 public kerbside electric vehicle (EV) chargers in over 60 local government areas across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

    Kerbside charging is critical to support uptake of EVs across Australia. By utilising existing power poles in urban and residential areas, charging will be more accessible to more people wanting to embrace EVs but struggling to find the infrastructure to do so.

    ARENA CEO Darren Miller said kerbside pole charging provided the perfect solution to increasing public EV chargers.

    “Not all electric vehicle owners have the ability to charge their vehicle at home or at work, which is why we’re excited to partner with EVX on this rollout that utilises kerbside charging poles, providing a great opportunity to pair with EV charging.

    “While sales of EVs are increasing, the expansion of public charging is vital in catering for future demand right across Australia.”

    The Australian-designed and made pole-mounted EV chargers were developed by EVX from the ground up to meet the technological limitations utility providers and local governments face in rolling out EV charging infrastructure sustainably while adhering to local electrical and planning regulations.

    By using AC power with smart charging capability, EVX chargers have a low impact on the local electricity grid while being installed on the existing utility pole infrastructure, negating the need for disruptive works and ensuring a streamlined rollout. This cutting-edge technology makes it easy for people to charge their vehicles using 100 per cent renewable energy.

    EVX CEO, Andrew Forster said this was essential community infrastructure for the future.

    “We are so excited that this partnership with ARENA is off the ground.”

    “The project will make EV charging more accessible for both residents and visitors to these regions, whilst also crucially allowing us to further test, adapt and develop the way we rollout this community charging infrastructure into the future.”

    EVX, supported by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS, will lead the coordination of real-time reporting and will work with Ausgrid and Essential Energy on the development of flexible tariff structures. Endeavour Energy, SA Power Networks, Ausnet and CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy (CPPCUE) will also support the rollout, with Flow Power being the energy retailer for all 250 sites.

    The project will accelerate the development, manufacturing and installation of the chargers and will also allow EVX and EV charging app Wevolt to develop an open-access interface between utility systems and the public charging network, creating a user interface which will improve the customer’s charging experience.

    The funding is being delivered by the Driving the Nation Program. For more information including program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit the funding page.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 143KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Springer spaniels and biosecurity teams nose out knapweed

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    7 Feb 2025

    For the first time in Australia, weed-seeking scent detection dogs have this month sniffed out black knapweed (Centaurea x moncktonii) plants near Tenterfield as part of NSW Government actions to eradicate the invasive weed.

    NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) State Priority Weeds coordinator, Nicola Dixon, said late last month a team of nine biosecurity staff followed up the success of the springer spaniels, Connor and Maggie who found 18 knapweed plants, to uncover another 80 plants.

    “The dogs were invaluable in finding plants hidden by thick vegetation and small juvenile seedlings which were hard to see,” Ms Dixon said.

    “Our biosecurity team was able to cover more ground, 50 hectares, and easily spot the distinct lilac flowers of the summer-blooming weed.

    “Also known as meadow knapweed, it was first found in NSW near Tenterfield in 2019 and these surveillance operations ensure we find and remove plants to prevent them setting seed.

    “Since treating the original infestations, no signs of the weed have been found in five of the eight known infested sites for more than three years.”

    The survey operation was led by NSW DPIRD with biosecurity officers from Tenterfield and Inverell Shire Councils, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and the New England Weeds Authority.

    This is the only known NSW population of black knapweed, which is difficult to control, produces chemicals to suppress nearby plants, is not eaten by livestock and invades pastures, crops and natural environments.

    Black knapweed is a herb, which looks like a thistle without sharp spines on its leaves. It is listed as prohibited matter under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and must be reported if found.

    Ms Dixon said everyone can help rid NSW of black knapweed.

    “If you think you’ve seen knapweed, please call the NSW Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244 or your local council to identify and remove the weed,” she said.

    “Check paddocks, crops, fodder from Victoria, livestock feeding areas and areas where cropping machinery previously used in Victoria, before coming onto your property, has been.”

    Learn how to spot the weed with knapweed images and 3D models from the NSW WeedWise site.

    Media contact:  pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Holds Senate Floor to Protest Project 2025 Architect Russell Vought’s Cabinet Nomination and Trump’s Illegal Power Grabs That Are Harming the Middle Class and Our National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 06, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senate Democrats’ 30-hour protest opposing Project 2025 architect Russell Vought’s nomination to serve as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Donald Trump. Holding the floor, Duckworth delivered an impassioned speech slamming Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s ongoing illegal power grabs—including his unlawful federal grant freeze and his shuttering of USAID—that are inflicting pain on middle-class Americans and endangering our national security. Video of Duckworth’s opening remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube and her full speech can be found on the Senator’s Twitter/X and Facebook.

    Key quotes:

    • “Decades before I ever considered a career in politics, when I was just starting out in the Army, I raised my right hand and took an oath. I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I vowed to protect our nation against all enemies—foreign and domestic. And in this moment, at this precipice for our country, I need to make good on that promise. Because in the just 18 days since Donald Trump was inaugurated, we have witnessed an all-out assault on the system of checks and balances that our government was founded upon. We have seen the President both overreach and underdeliver: proving through executive orders and Twitter marching orders that he cares more about the billionaires who belong to Mar-a-Lago than the middle-class folks he pretended to care for on the campaign trail.”
    • “Last week, news broke that Trump had declared a blanket freeze on all federal grants. Ignoring the fact that Congress had already appropriated those funds. Ignoring that he point-blank did not have the authority to do so. Ignoring that his action would—and already has—hurt countless folks who rely on these grants for their most basic needs… He manufactured a crisis that has left that single mom working a double shift in a Southside nursing home unsure whether her Medicaid will be stripped away in the dark of the night. He’s created a crisis that has left Veterans wondering if they’ll be able to access the benefits they earned with the blood they were brave enough to shed for our country. He’s fabricated a nightmarish reality where homeless shelters might have to close their doors and turn back onto the streets the at-risk teenagers who rely on their care.”
    • “Elon Musk is unelected, unvetted and unqualified—he does not have the legal authority to dismantle entire agencies. Yet in Trump’s America, the size of his bank account and how far he is willing to bend the knee is enough for our President to bestow on him unchecked power. Musk is willing to bow down to Trump’s throne made of fool’s gold and false promises. So in return, Elon gets to run wild, run rampant. He for some reason gets to have full access to Americans’ social security numbers and Veterans’ personal information—for what reason, no one knows and all of us should fear. He gets to hijack our systems to enrich himself rather than the middle class. He gets to stomp on those in need, then fire anyone who dares stand up for what’s right—or what’s legal…They aren’t making America great. They’re making it authoritarian.”

    Duckworth’s opening remarks as prepared below:

    I take the verbal baton from Senator King after hours and hours of arguments from my Democratic colleagues, not because I woke up this morning with a strong desire to hear my own voice for as long as I could on the Senate floor, but because decades before I ever considered a career in politics—when I was just starting out in the Army—I raised my right hand and took an oath. I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I vowed to protect our nation against all enemies—foreign and domestic.

    And in this moment, at this precipice for our country, I need to make good on that promise.

    Because in the just 18 days since Donald Trump was inaugurated, we have witnessed an all-out assault on the system of checks and balances that our government was founded upon.

    We have seen the President both overreach and underdeliver—proving through executive orders and Twitter marching orders that he cares more about the billionaires who belong to Mar-a-Lago than the middle-class folks he pretended to care for on the campaign trail.

    Look, 250 years ago this April, a few brave patriots grabbed their muskets and risked their lives at Lexington and Concord, sacrificing for a country that was still more of an idea, more of an ideal, than reality.

    They did so because they could no longer stand living under a tyrannical leader. 

    They did so because they had dreamt up the notion of a government of, by and for the people—and they knew that a system based on checks and balances was the best way to keep this new nation’s leaders from turning into the kind of tyrant they’d fled England to escape.  A system of checks and balances.

    Well, two weeks into Trump’s America, the only checks I see are the ones going into the pockets of Trump’s rich friends. The only balance I see is Trump’s balancing act between ripping off the middle class and endangering our national security.

    Our system of government is being eroded before our eyes. It is being perverted to work for the few—the billionaires—rather than the many, the people.

    And it is sickening to see so many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle put their hands over their eyes and pretend they don’t see what’s happening, refusing to speak up as our President turns into more of a despot every day, as his power-grabs get more extreme, more insidious, more cruel. 

    Even if we took the full 30 hours of debate on this nomination, I don’t think we could get through all the ways that Trump’s absolute disregard for the rule of law over the past two weeks has already harmed America—and Americans. But let me use my time to try.

    Last week, news broke that Trump had declared a blanket freeze on all federal grants. Ignoring the fact that Congress had already appropriated those funds. Ignoring that he point-blank did not have the authority to do so. Ignoring that his action would—and already has—hurt countless folks who rely on these grants for their most basic needs.

    President Trump may think that he “owned the Libs” by causing havoc in our federal government. But what he’s really done is create a reality where his own voters who depend on groups like Meals on Wheels aren’t sure how they’re going to put food on the table next week.

    He may think he “destroyed woke culture” with this freeze. But no. No, he didn’t. Instead, he manufactured a crisis that has left that single mom working a double shift in a Southside nursing home unsure whether her Medicaid will be stripped away in the dark of the night.

    He’s created a crisis that has left Veterans wondering if they’ll be able to access the benefits they earned with the blood they were brave enough to shed for our country.

    He’s fabricated a nightmarish reality where homeless shelters might have to close their doors and turn back onto the streets the at-risk teenagers who rely on their care.

    Listen, when I was in high school, my family struggled. We had no money and some days had no food. I still remember going to the grocery store and counting out our last five one-dollar food stamps to buy as much bread and bologna as possible—then praying we’d have enough to last the week. I still remember the hours my dad spent walking from payphone to payphone, hoping to find just 50 cents so my brother and I could buy lunch at school the next afternoon. A lot of times, that hot lunch at school was the only meal I could count on.

    So as a former hungry kid, and now as a mom of two little girls, I cannot imagine the pain of parents who rely on school meals to feed their own kids and who are now terrified that Trump’s vanity project of a federal freeze will force their five-year-old to go hungry as the grants that fund cafeteria meal programs may now get gutted.

    Shame on Donald Trump. And shame on the Republicans who can’t seem to find the ounce of courage necessary to stand up and say what all of us in this Chamber so obviously know: That this is wrong. That this is outrageous. And that this is a wild, unlawful abuse of power.

    But Trump didn’t stop with the grant freeze. Last weekend, he gave Elon Musk—the world’s richest person—the power to cut off aid from the world’s most vulnerable people. He gave him the authority to dismantle an entire agency in one illegal, fell swoop. Together, they are now actively gutting USAID, completely undermining the United States’ national security and global standing—knowingly, intentionally—jeopardizing the safety of countless innocent people worldwide who rely on the organization for humanitarian assistance.

    Now, bad actors in the PRC and Russia will be able to step in to fill the leadership vacuum that Trump created—forcing folks in need across the world to turn to our adversaries, not us, for help.

    Let me be clear: USAID is an organization dedicated to doing good around the globe—but the good that it does also has a direct, tangible impact on the safety and economic security of families here at home.

    It is an organization that helps allies detect fentanyl—in part so we can stop it before it comes across our own borders.

    It’s an organization that help feeds starving families worldwide—but it does so using 2 billion dollars of food purchased from American farmers, with the paychecks going into their red, white and blue pockets so they can keep their family farms for another generation.

    It is an organization that helps stop global pandemics. And it’s an organization that works to make sure the poorest children in the poorest countries don’t die from drinking dirty water—a mission that also happens to be critical to our national strength, as when countries experience water insecurity, they’re more likely to undergo political instability as well, increasing the odds that their governments fail and power falls into the wrong hands—a sequence of events that often leads to the kind of immigration crisis we’re already facing at our border.

    I know there is waste, fraud and abuse in our government—and I am all for rooting that out. In fact, I’ve written and passed legislation to do just that.  But eliminating an entire agency with such a vital mission is not the way to go about this.

    USAID makes up just 1% of our federal budget. And these short-sighted cuts will end up costing the American taxpayer even more in the long term, as there will be more global instability, more migrations crises, more pandemics to contend with as a result of this frankly idiotic decision.

    It’s ironic. The guy charged with making our government more efficient is making it more costly and more chaotic. Case in point: He’s threatening to use American troops to bring home USAID workers if they don’t leave their overseas posts in the next 30 days—a move that in itself would cost Americans an estimated 100 million dollars.

    Elon Musk is unelected, unvetted and unqualified—he does not have the legal authority to dismantle entire agencies. Yet in Trump’s America, the size of his bank account and how far he is willing to bend the knee is enough for our President to bestow on him unchecked power.

    Musk is willing to bow down to Trump’s throne made of fool’s gold and false promises. So in return, Elon gets to run wild, run rampant.

    He for some reason gets to have full access to Americans’ social security numbers and Veterans’ personal information—for what reason, no one knows and all of us should fear.

    He gets to hijack our systems to enrich himself rather than the middle class.

    He gets to stomp on those in need, then fire anyone who dares stand up for what’s right—or what’s legal.

    Trump and Musk are not bringing back the good ole days of Ronald Reagan. Reagan believed in international aid. He is the one whose name is on the front of USAID’s building.

    They aren’t making America great. They’re making it authoritarian. And we should all be asking ourselves—if we let them gut USAID, then what’s next?

    The answer is the Department of Education. And then your Social Security. Your Medicaid. The things you and your families need to get by are right behind.

    Look, Trump ran his campaign on the idea of lowering costs for the middle class. He said he’d reverse inflation on day one. Well, day one has come and gone. So has day two, three, four.

    Here we are, weeks in, and all he’s done is take actions that have hurt everyday Americans to help his rich buddies afford another private jet. Under his wise stewardship, egg prices have skyrocketed. Inflation remains sky-high. A needless trade war seems to be getting closer every day, which could raise the price of gas and groceries even further. And all of us are in greater danger from bad actors the world-over.

    Enough is enough. Enough was enough a very long time ago. Donald Trump is unchecked. The scales of our government have become unbalanced. Every day those scales tip more and more away from serving the needs of the working class and toward feeding the greed of the billionaires who pal around with the President on the golf course.

    It was Ronald Reagan who once said, quote: “[T]he genius of our constitutional system is its recognition that no one branch of government alone could be relied on to preserve our freedoms… The great safeguard of our liberty is the totality of the constitutional system, with no one part getting the upper hand.”

    Reagan also described the Constitution as a “covenant” — a covenant that, quote: “[W]e have made not only with ourselves, but with all of mankind.”

    Today, I am asking my Republican colleagues to honor the covenant so cherished by their own conservative hero, Ronald Reagan. I am asking them to heed his words. To heed his warning. To heed his plea to us all.

    Under Donald Trump, our government is not of, by or for the people. It is of, by and for the people with the deepest pockets. “E pluribus unum,” “out of many one,” is supposed to signify the strength of our union—the solidarity of our nation.

    Do not let Donald Trump pervert it to mean that out of the many people, he is the only one who matters.

    To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: All I am asking of you today is to do the jobs you were elected to do. 

    All I am begging for is that you make good on the oath you took when you were first sworn into this chamber: To support and defend our Constitution.

    Trump is acting as if he believes that the Constitution is just an old, yellowing piece of paper that he can crumble up at his will. My colleagues, you know better. And you know your constituents deserve better. 

    Please, find the courage to stand up and say so. It’s the least each of us can do for the country that we are lucky enough to have been elected to protect.

    You can do that, today, by voting no on Trump’s latest unqualified, unfit cabinet nominee, Russell Vought:

    A man who doesn’t even care to hide that he will happily rubber-stamp Trump’s worst instincts. 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The First Minister’s open letter to care experienced people

    Source: Scottish National Party

    To: The care experienced community

    From: First Minister John Swinney

    It is five years since Scotland made its Promise, that we, as a nation, will do all that we can to improve how we support you and ensure you have access to all the opportunities you need to thrive.

    A lot has happened in those five years across Scotland and undoubtedly within your own lives. One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to keep The Promise. I want to let you know that I stand by the promise made by me and by politicians across the Scottish Parliament, to ensure young people with care experience grow up loved, safe, and respected.

    As First Minister I am very aware that there is so much more we need to do to change the complex challenges that still exist in our care system. I also know that every person with care experience has a different journey and care can come in many different forms – from foster care to kinship care.

    That means keeping The Promise must touch on many different parts of our lives, from health to education, to justice and housing. The Minster for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, as well as all the members of my Cabinet, are committed to playing our part in making sure the opportunities that are open to you in life are positive and allow you to reach your goals.

    Since becoming First Minister, and in my previous roles in the Scottish Government, I have met and spoken to so many wonderful people and I have had the opportunity to visit a wide range of programmes and projects supporting The Promise across Scotland. I feel privileged to continue to do this and I look forward to hearing more from you and sharing your ambitions for the future.

    In the last five years there has been a lot of work carried out, and we hope you agree and can feel that progress has been made. As a Government we are continuing to invest in helping families to stay together; and we have introduced a number of changes in justice, in education and in health to support you and the people across Scotland who work with you.

    However, there is a long way to go, and I know that in some areas we must work harder and faster to bring the changes required. You have my full commitment to continue to lead this work. I am determined to see the changes that are needed and to ensure we have a care system in Scotland that responds to you and your experiences.

    I am not alone of course and there is lots of work underway by corporate parents including councils, local services, health boards, the Police and by all organisations who care for and support you. Each of them have an important role to play in making the improvements that you have told us you need to see happen.

    Some of this requires changes to the law. To help with this I will introduce legislation that will help to do this. I know that many of you have been involved in consultation and engagement activity that has happened across Scotland to help inform this. Your voices were at the heart of the Independent Care Review and they continue to guide our way forward with The Promise. Thank you for your involvement, for sharing your experiences so honestly, and for being so open with your ideas.

    Together we can make the changes we need and I am honoured to be on this journey with you.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minns Labor Government releases draft legislation to protect gig workers

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 7 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Industrial Relations

    The Minns Labor Government is seeking industry and stakeholder input as it looks to legislate protections for gig workers and other precarious workers in the transport sector to modernise the NSW Industrial Relations Act.

    Consultation on the draft bill will inform the development of the reforms which were a pre-election commitment. This will help ensure the changes are fit-for-purpose for the gig economy and the modern transport sector.

    The proposed changes will extend to gig workers the same legal protections already offered to owner driver truck drivers, couriers and taxi drivers under Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act.

    The reforms will allow platform companies, employers and unions to apply to the Industrial Relations Commission for binding determinations on the workers’ pay and conditions of employment.

    The Commission is required to consider what is fair and reasonable while promoting efficiency and productivity in the economy of NSW.

    The NSW Government’s proposed changes will:

    • Allow the Commission to determine what is fair and reasonable pay and conditions for rideshare and other gig workers in the transport industry.
    • Correct the historical exemption that prevented milk, cream and bread delivery drivers from having the same protections.
    • Explore new offences of accessorial liability for those who break the law in a supply chain.
    • Ensure there are enforceable standards across road transport supply chains to make sure everyone, no matter how big or small, can recover their costs.

    Consistent with the approach of the Commonwealth Government, the existing exemptions for transport of livestock and produce will remain in place.

    The proposed changes will be complementary to the Federal Government’s gig workers reform.

    Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

    “We need to ensure our Industrial Relations system is fit for purpose.

    “The public relies on gig workers in the transport industry every day, and workers can rely on us for the same legal protections.

    “This is an important step in supporting the thousands of gig workers to ensure they have the same industrial rights to access the industrial relations commission.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Rental Taskforce to tackle fairness in rental market

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 7 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading

    Renters in NSW now have a dedicated Rental Taskforce to hold landlords and real estate agents to account, and will address rental law violations following the Government’s most significant rental reforms in more than a decade.

    With an $8.4 million investment, NSW Fair Trading’s Rental Taskforce will analyse activities and trends within the rental market and conduct compliance activities such as inspections, audits, and blitzes to prevent and act on breaches of the law.

    The new taskforce is a multi-disciplinary team with new and existing resources drawn from across NSW Fair Trading, and led by a newly appointed Rental Taskforce Manager reporting to the NSW Rental Commissioner, Trina Jones.

    The Rental Taskforce will focus on three key priorities:

    • Ending solicited rent bidding 
    • Implementing renting reforms to prevent no grounds evictions
    • Ensuring improved responses to repairs and maintenance in the rental market

    The NSW Government is also working to deliver cost of living relief to renters by delivering a Portable Rental Bond Scheme, which is due to go live in the second half of this year.

    For more information on changes to NSW rental laws, please visit the NSW Fair Trading website.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

    “The Minns Labor Government understands that more people are renting, and they are renting for longer.

    “That’s why we have established the Rental Taskforce to help create a more equitable market for the 2.3 million renters in this state.

    “Our inspectors will be out in full force to ensure real estate agents and landlords are complying with new and existing rental laws to ease the stress placed on renters by things like no grounds evictions and rent bidding.

    “While the majority of agents and landlords are doing the right thing, this $8.4m investment targets bad actors who make life tougher for renters.

    “With these resources, NSW renters can be assured we’re working hard on a fairer rental market for tenants.”

    Quotes attributable to Rental Commissioner Trina Jones:

    “The Rental Taskforce is here to protect the rights of renters and hold bad actors to account.

    “It’s critical to provide renters and property providers with assurance that bad actors will not be permitted to cause harm in the market.

    “The Rental Taskforce is a dedicated and skilled team made up of new and existing roles focused on preventing and responding to breaches of rental laws.

    “This will support a fair and safe marketplace for rented homes in NSW and contribute to improved confidence in the rental market.”

    Quotes attributable to Leo Patterson Ross, NSW Tenants Union CEO:

    “For too long, renters have been carrying the burden of dodgy behaviour. It is vital that such an important essential service as renting your home has an active and visible regulator to hold people to account for failing to deliver a fair renting experience.

    “We and the Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Services have long supported renters with services to support them in resolving issues, but without a responsive regulator there have often been limited options to truly hold dodgy operators to account.

    “We welcome the investment and the impact it will have, and we look forward to seeing further investment as needed in both regulatory activities and support services for renters into the future.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Free breakfast for 88,000 additional public school students

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 7 February 2025

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

    At least 88,000 additional public school students can start their school day right, with a nutritious, free breakfast, as the Minns Labor Government continues its work to double the number of schools participating in Foodbank’s School Breakfast 4 Health program.

    The Minns Labor Government made a commitment in the lead up to the last state election to increase the number of participating public schools to 1,000 by 2027.

    It is investing $8 million in partnership with Foodbank to give public school children the best possible start to their day, with the program having grown by over a third from 500 to 676 schools in less than two years.

    New schools to take on the program in the last two years include Blacktown Girls High School, Birrong Public School, Melonba High School, Villawood North Public School, Whalan Public School, Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, Narellan Public School, Miller Public School and Maryland Public School.

    Every day Foodbank staff and volunteers undertake a huge logistical exercise to supply high-quality breakfast foods including milks, juices, breakfast cereals, fruits and breads, so that every child enters the classroom well-fed, energised, focused and ready to learn.

    Foodbank data indicates:

    • 80 per cent of schools in the program reported an increase in attendance and;
    • 89 per cent saw an increase in class engagement

    The program improves students’ nutrition, eating habits, boosts their mental and physical health and can increase learning. Schools have also reported improvements in school attendance and engagement.

    The program runs in schools across NSW, including rural and regional areas, and as the cost-of-living continues to affect many, this is one way Minns Labor Government is helping families make ends meet.

    As work continues to grow the program further, the Minns Labor Government has been working closely with Foodbank to simplify and accelerate the onboarding process for schools, so they can access the program as quickly and seamlessly as possible. 

    Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

    “Parents and families are continuing to struggle with the cost-of-living, which is why this program has been so important, particularly over the past two years.

    “Across NSW, thousands of students are benefitting from free breakfasts at their school every day and starting the day full of energy, and ready to learn, thanks to the hard work of Foodbank staff and volunteers.

    “The Foodbank program helps ensure children are given the best chance to be ready to learn when they enter the classroom while helping families with cost-of-living pressures.”

    Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said:

    “Knowing your child will have a healthy breakfast at school is a fantastic thing for all families, and sets our public school children up for success.

    “It is fantastic to see this simple and effective program continue to be so successful at so many schools across NSW.”

    Chief Executive Officer, Foodbank NSW and ACT John Robertson said:

    “We know that children learn their best when they have full bellies. We thank the Minns Labor Government for their continued support to help us get this vital program into more schools around NSW to ensure our future leaders have the best possible start to the day.”

    Lalor Park Public School principal Dee Taylor said:

    “We’re really grateful for our strong partnership with Foodbank. We have students from Preschool to Year 6 who know they can come to school and start the day with a nourishing breakfast.

    “I can’t overstate the positive impact breakfast has on our students’ positive behaviour and ability to stay focused and engaged in the classroom throughout the morning. 

    “The program also helps teach life skills at Lalor Park – clearing your own plate, using manners and helping those around you are key values of breakfast club.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King to Senate Colleagues: “Now is the Time to Establish a Redline—the Constitution Itself”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    To watch the floor speech click here or download here

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor to share his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s largely unconstitutional and unprecedented overreach — adding historical perspective to the decisions facing the Senate. In the speech, King also shared his position on Russell Vought, the nominee to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):

    “We began our careers here with the following words, ‘I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the united States against all enemies foreign and domestic.’ 

    “When each of us arrived here in the senate, we took this oath to support and defend the constitution and as it says against all enemies foreign and domestic. I think it’s interesting that the framers concede that there might be domestic enemies to the constitution. Our oath was not to the Republican Party, not to the Democratic Party, not to Joe Biden, not to Donald Trump, but our oath was to defend the constitution. 

    “And right now — right now literally at this moment that constitution is under the most direct and consequential assault in our nation’s history. An assault not on a particular provision but on the essential structure of the document itself. It’s hard to grasp what is happening because of all the events that are swirling around us over the last several weeks. It’s coming from so many different quarters and so many different actors. It’s hard to get a picture of what’s really happening fundamentally. 

    “But this is an assault, and how we respond to it will define our life’s work, our place in history, and the future of our country. None of us will ever face a greater challenge. 

    “Before we get to the challenge, however, I think it’s important to ask why we have a constitution in the first place, why ours has so far stood the test of time. 

    “The answer to the first question, why have a Constitution in the first place, is contained in the preamble — we the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, there’s number one, establish justice, number two, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this constitution of the United States of America.’

    “You want to know what the Constitution is for? There it is. There’s the list — ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, ensure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. 

    “But there’s a paradox at the heart of the creation of any government, whether it’s here or anywhere else on Earth, and anywhere else in history. There’s a paradox built in, because the essence of creating government is to give it power, give it our power, in order to look after us, in order to provide for the common defense, to ensure domestic tranquility, to provide justice to our people. 

    “In other words, we’re giving our power to this separate entity. But we have to do so with the realization that the power that’s being given has the potential to be abused. In other words, how do we give power to this entity, this government, and ensure that the government itself doesn’t use that power to abuse us as citizens? This is a question at the heart of all political discussion throughout history. 

    “The Romans even had a question that captured it. The question was, “quis custodiet, ipsos custodes?” It means who will guard the guardians? Who will guard those who we have given power to guard us? It’s a fundamental question that’s confronted every society and every government throughout history. 

    “Madison put it this way, and by the way he used a gender-specific term. I suspect if he were writing today it would be more broadly phrased. In the 51st federalist, ‘if men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to cover govern men, neither internal nor external controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this — you must first enable the government to control the governed.’ That’s the function. And in the next place, oblige it to control itself. 

    “Our framers understood this. They were deep students of history and also human nature. And they had just won a lengthy and brutal war against the abuses inherent in concentrated governmental power, George III. The universal principle of human nature they understood was this — power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That’s a universal principle, all over the world throughout history. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

    “So how did they answer the question? How did they answer the question who will guard the guardians? They answered it by building into the basic structure of our government two essential safeguards. One was regular elections. In other words, returning the control of the government to the people on regular scheduled elections. By the way, this is what we learned in sixth grade, checks and balances. But the other piece that’s built into our system that’s the other essential safeguard is the deliberate division of power between the branches and levels of government.

    “This is important, Mr. President. The cumbersomeness, the slowness, the clumsiness is built into our system. The framers were so fearful of concentrated power that they designed a system that would be hard to operate. And the heart of it was the separation of power between various parts of the government. The whole idea, the whole idea was that no part of the government, no one person, no one institution had or could ever have a monopoly on power. 

    “Why? Because it’s dangerous. History and human nature tells us that. This division of power as annoying and inefficient as it can be, particularly to the executive, I know because I used to be a governor, is an essential feature of the system, not a bug. It’s an essential, basic feature of the system, designed to protect our freedoms. 

    “Now, this contrasts with the normal structure of a private business, where authority is purposefully concentrated, allowing swift and sometimes arbitrary action. But a private business does not have the army, and the President of the United States is not the CEO of America. 

    “Power is shared, principally between the President and this body, this Congress, both houses. In fact, this herky-jerkiness, the two houses, the war power divided between the President and Congress, this unwieldy structure is the whole idea. No one has or should ever have all the power. 

    “So the concern I’m raising today isn’t some academic exercise or manifestation of political jealousy or abstract institutional loyalty. It’s the guts of the system, designed to protect us from the inevitable. And I mean inevitable abuse of an authoritarian state, the inevitable abuse of an authoritarian state. It’s the guts of our protection. In fact, this clumsy system is the main spring of our freedom. By the way, it’s worked so far, so far, and distinguishes us from the historical norm.

    “We have to understand, we are an anomaly in history. The historical norm is pharaohs, kings, dictators, emperors, presidents for life. But the fact that we’re such an anomaly, and we’ve seen in our lifetimes other governments, other systems based upon ours slip into authoritarianism and dictatorship tells us how fragile what we have is. What we have in this country is an anomaly in history and it’s fragile, and it needs to be, must be, protected from generation to generation. This makes this moment all the more urgent and portentous. 

    “Now, the nominee before us today is one of the ring leaders of this assault, one of the ring leaders of the assault on our Constitution. He believes in a presidency of virtually unlimited powers. He’s written extensively about this. And explicitly rejects, for example, the exclusive power of congress to authorize and appropriate funds for the operation of the government. He espouses the discredited and illegal theory that the president has the power to selectively impound funds appropriated by congress, thereby rendering the famous power of the purse a nullity. I am not talking about the specifics and I will touch on A.I.D and other issues, but what I’m really worried about are the implications, the structural implications for our freedom and government of what’s happening here. 

    “We have to keep our eye on the big picture. Not all the confusion and smoke that’s going on over the last couple of weeks. Mr. Vought is one of the principal authors of the infamous Project 2025 which the President strangely hadn’t heard of during the campaign but now seems to be the essential guideline for his presidency. Project 2025 is nothing less than a blueprint for the shredding of the constitution and the transition of our country to authoritarian rule. He’s the last person who should be put in the heart of the operation of our government.

    “Again, this isn’t about politics. This isn’t about policy. This isn’t about Republican versus Democrat. This is about tampering with the structure of our government, which will ultimately undermine its ability to protect the freedom of our citizens. If our defense of the Constitution is gone, there’s nothing left to us. 

    “So Thomas Moore said, ‘I expected you to betray me, Richard, but for Wales?’ We should not betray the constitution for temporary expedient because we don’t like this or that agency. 

    “Now I want to speak to my Republican colleagues. It is your constitutional prerogative to confirm this nominee and any others. I do not question that right, only its wisdom. And this nominee is a place to say no to the undermining and destruction of our constitutional system. 

    “But don’t stand aside in the midst of these confirmations, ill-considered foreign policy pronouncements, flood of executive orders, none of which will do a thing about the price of eggs, cost of housing or availabilities of child care. Don’t get caught up in all of that and ignore the steady and not-so-slow usurpation of congressional authority and fundamental alteration of the framers’ scheme. 

    “My colleague who preceded me, speaking from the Republican side, bemoaned Congress’ lack of oversight and praised Elon Musk for doing what congress should have done. Maybe she’s right and Congress should have done it, and we should do it, but not give away that power, which will never come back. Once this door is open, it’s going to be very difficult to close it again, no matter who the president is. No matter who’s in charge. 

    “To my colleagues, are there no red lines? Are there no limits? 

    “Just in the past ten days, we’ve seen the literal destruction of a statutorily, I emphasize that word, statutorily established and funded federal agency by people ostensibly working for the president understand vague authority, no transparency, and no guidance from the congress. Did they come to the Foreign Relations Committee and say what do you think about A.I.D.? Are there parts to work with or be reformed? No, zero. 

    “This small group, and we don’t know who they are, but this small group apparently it’s reported in their 20’s have no experience with government, no experience with foreign aid, no experience with the operation of the United States government, but they’re making basically policy decisions and constitutional decisions. 

    “The Constitution does not give to the President or his designee the power to extinguish a statutorily established agency. I can think of no greater violation of the strictures of the Constitution or usurpation of the power of this body. None. I can think of none. Shouldn’t this be a red line? 

    “By the way, I find it especially galling to read the sneering comment from the richest man in the world that, quote, ‘we spent the weekend feeding said into the chipper.’ Describing an action that will literally take food from the mouths of starving children. Forget red lines. Do we have no decency? 

    “And then there is the executive order freezing funding, again, selectively, for programs the administration doesn’t like or understand. I mentioned that I was a former governor and I would have loved to have had this power, but it’s a fundamental violation of the whole idea of the Constitution, the separa[tion] of powers. 

    “To say that the executive, you can pick and choose which laws you like, which funding programs, the level of funding, you can impound if you don’t want to spend it. Richard Nixon tried to do that. He was rebuffed by the Congress who passed a specific statute, no impoundments. 

    “In addition to the chaos, the uncertainty and demonstrable damage which my colleagues have been outlining all day brilliantly, there’s nothing theoretical about cutting off funding to a rural health clinic, for example, or support for small farmers or grants to your fire department. But getting away from those specifics, it’s easy to get pulled into those, and my office is hearing calls every day, we can hardly handle the volume, this again, to underline, is a frontal assault of our power, your power, the power to decide where public funds should be spent. 

    “Isn’t this an obvious red line? Isn’t this an obvious limit? 

    “Or finally, and I picked a few examples, but my final example is the power seemingly assumed by DOGE to burrow into the treasury’s payment system, and now CMS for undefined purposes, zero oversight and raises questions up to and including threats to national security. Do these people have clearance? Are the doors closed? Are they going to leave open doors into these? What are the opportunities for our adversaries to hack into the systems? 

    “We’re already under unprecedented cyberattack and we’re opening doors, although it’s impossible to determine what they’re taking. Remember there’s no transparency or oversight. Access to social security numbers seem to be in the mix. All the government’s personnel files, personal financial data, potentially everyone’s tax returns and medical records. That can’t be good. That can’t be good. That’s data that should be protected with the highest level of security and consideration of Americans’ privacy. And we don’t know who these people are. We don’t know what they’re taking out with them. We don’t know whether they’re walking out with laptops or thumb drives. We don’t know whether they’re leaving back doors into the system. There is literally no oversight. The government of the United States is not a private company. It is fundamentally at odds with how this system is supposed to work. 

    “Shouldn’t this be an easy redline? 

    “In short, Mr. President, we’re experiencing in real time exactly what the framers most feared. When you clear away the smoke, clear away the DOGE, the executive orders, foreign pronouncements, more fundamentally what’s happening is the shredding of the constitutional structure itself. 

    “And we have a profound responsibility it seems to be based on that pesky oath that we all took, to stop it, to stop it. […] But stop what’s going on in terms of altering how our government is supposed to fundamentally function to protect our people. 

    “The power of the majority is with you, my Republican colleagues. Together, together we have the power to right the balance, to reclaim the authority we thought was inherent in our jobs, and in the process save our country. 

    “At a prior time of crisis, Abraham Lincoln defined the stakes for each of us, “Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We, of this Congress, and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.

    “Now is the time to establish a redline—the Constitution itself.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cost-of-living help for students visiting nation’s capital

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    The Albanese Government is taking the pressure off family budgets by boosting travel rebates for students who visit the nation’s capital in 2025.

    The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program provides financial assistance for students to visit Canberra and experience our national democratic, historical and cultural institutions first-hand.

    Rebates have been extended for 2025 and will range up to $2,040 per student, depending on the location of the school, with additional loadings for eligible schools in disadvantaged, regional, and remote areas. Home schooling families are also eligible for the rebate. 

    These additional rebates, for example, take the rebate amount for a student from a remote, disadvantaged school in New South Wales, 500-999 kilometres from Canberra, from $45 to $165.

    For a student from a very remote, disadvantaged school in the Northern Territory, 3,000 kilometres or more from Canberra, the rebate has increased from $510 to $2,040.

    To further boost student knowledge of Australia’s system of government, legal system and Australian citizenship, a new online hub has been launched. 

    The Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE) Hub contains more than 200 nationally coordinated, high-quality teaching resources that will save teachers time and support them to teach students from Years 3 to 10. 

    Teachers have access to resources to help them run mock parliamentary debates and elections, quizzes, case studies and a range of other sources to support student learning.

    The CCE Hub forms part of a suite of online resources and professional learning from the Albanese Government to support teaching and learning of the Australian Curriculum, with $34.6 million being invested over four years.

    For more information on the PACER rebate including the eligibility criteria, visit www.pacer.org.au.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “It’s important to get out of the classroom and experience our historical and cultural institutions first-hand.

    “To see and feel our history at the War Memorial and Old Parliament House, and see it being made in the new Parliament.

    “That’s why the Albanese Government is helping families with cost-of-living by offering rebates to make it more affordable to come to the Capital.

    “I want more Australian students, wherever they live, to do this and that’s what these rebates do.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trisura Announces Timing of Fourth Quarter and 2024 Annual Results Release and Earnings Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura” or “Trisura Group”) (TSX: TSU), a leading specialty insurance provider, announces the timing of fourth quarter and annual 2024 results release and earnings conference call.

    Trisura will release its fourth quarter and annual 2024 results after market close on Thursday, February 13th, 2025. The company will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Friday, February 14th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Conference call participants will be David Clare, President and Chief Executive Officer and David Scotland, Chief Financial Officer.

    To listen to the call via live audio webcast, please follow the link below:
    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/mghkbw3a

    A replay of the call will be available through the link above.

    About Trisura Group

    Trisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSU”.

    Further information is available at https://www.trisura.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    For more information, please contact:
    Name: Bryan Sinclair
    Tel: 416 607 2135
    Email: bryan.sinclair@trisura.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy: America won’t forget if UK gives away Chagos Islands with US military base

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) warned the United Kingdom that it could damage its relationship with the United States if it threatens the future of the joint U.S.-U.K. military base on the island of Diego Garcia by ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

    Key excerpts of the speech are below:

    “Do you know who is loving all of this? China, because China has a close relationship with Mauritius. And do you know what? It is going to get a lot closer.

    “This is insane. This is cell-deep stupid. This is bone-deep, down-to-the-marrow stupid. Because the United Nations wants the United Kingdom to feel guilty, they want to give our military base and their military base to Mauritius. Now, the prime minister of the United Kingdom can stop this.”

    . . .

    “Please, Mr. Prime Minister, don’t do this. Don’t do this. We will stand with you in telling the United Nations, who is upset with you, to go fill out a hurt feelings report because we are not doing it. We will stand with you. Please say no. Don’t give our military base away. It is going to really hurt the relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.”

    Background

    • The U.K. had previously announced on Oct. 3, 2024, that it had reached a deal with Mauritius to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. This deal between the U.K. and Mauritius would jeopardize the security of a key U.S.-U.K. military base on Deigo Garcia by potentially exposing the island to Chinese espionage efforts, according to a report from the Policy Exchange.
    • Negotiations between the U.K. and Mauritius followed a years-long pressure campaign from the United Nations to get England out of the Chagos Islands. The Biden administration also reportedly pressured the U.K. to enter the deal with Mauritius before the American and Mauritian elections took place—an idea Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially endorsed. 
    • On Oct. 23, 2024, Kennedy wrote to then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking answers about the Biden administration’s involvement in the deal between the U.K. and Mauritius.
    • Kennedy also penned this op-ed in Oct. 2024 arguing that the Biden administration owes the American people an explanation for its decision to allow this deal between the U.K. and Mauritius to move forward.
    • On Jan. 15, 2025, Starmer announced that he wanted President Trump and his administration to weigh in on any deal struck between the U.K. and Mauritius regarding the transfer of the Chagos Islands, including the transfer of the U.S.-U.K. shared military base on the island of Diego Garcia. 
    • Kennedy published this op-ed in Jan. 2025 welcoming the U.K.’s change of heart after Starmer announced that he would include the Trump administration in the ongoing negotiations with Mauritius.
    • Former Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), President Trump’s nominee for National Security Advisor, has criticized the deal, saying, “Should the U.K. cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum.”
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly condemned the deal and said it “poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical U.S. military posture in the region.”

    Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Current cultural citizens: the importance of creating spaces in art galleries for young people

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naomi Zouwer, Visual Artist and Lecturer in Teacher Education, University of Canberra

    Galleries and art museums can be intimidating and alienating even for adults. Imagine it from a child’s point of view. Stern security guards in uniforms stationed the doors, bags checked, snacks banned and people hushed. It’s no wonder that kids groan when an excursion to the gallery comes up.

    An increasing number of galleries are rethinking their approach, asking what it takes to be welcoming and engaging for the younger generation. Children should be welcomed and visible in gallery spaces. Their experiences now shape the citizens they will become in the future. Viewing art helps develop their identity and creativity, and a more nuanced understanding of the world.

    The first step in making change is to recognise that children are current and active cultural citizens who can offer valuable perspectives, ideas and youthful energy. Through thoughtful design and programming, the younger generation is told their presence in the gallery is valued.

    Here are some ways galleries are rising to the challenge and making children more welcome – and more valued – in our cultural spaces.

    Setting the tone

    The entrance to a gallery sets the tone for a young visitor. Are they greeted warmly and made to feel welcome, or does their arrival feel like an intrusion?

    Some simple adjustments such as less intimidating bag checks, clear signage, and designated stroller parking create a more welcoming environment. Replacing uniformed security guards with friendly guides and training reception staff to acknowledge and engage with young visitors make a huge difference.

    Visitors in Obliteration Room 2002, the Kids for Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA.
    Photo: Eugene Hyland

    Inciting curiosity and interaction at the front door is another way to invite children into the space. Displaying eye-catching and intriguing sculptural works at the entry or in the foyer builds a sense of anticipation and interest.

    The iconic water wall at the National Gallery of Victoria signals to children that there are wonders to touch and explore inside.

    Children don’t come alone

    Children come to galleries with parents, siblings, schools or community groups. Galleries that consider how these varied age groups move through the space can greatly enhance the overall experience.

    Programming designed with the whole family in mind means parents and kids can share cultural experiences. Well designed workshops, interactive exhibits and events appeal to mixed aged groups.

    Lucky Lartey and friends perform as part of the Hive Festival 2024 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
    Photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christopher Snee

    The Art Gallery of New South Wales regularly stages all-ages concerts with popular DJs and live music, building positive associations with the gallery for the whole family.

    Incorporating a variety of spaces and experiences extend the duration and frequency of family visits. Some children need low sensory sessions with reduced stimuli to enjoy their visit. Others can use adjacent outdoor spaces and robust sculpture gardens to burn off excess energy, share lunch or even splash in some pink water.

    Is there a place for me?

    Does your local gallery have a dedicated children’s gallery?

    These spaces are designed with kids in mind, engaging the senses and creating participatory ways of experiencing art. The way children encounter the work helps young children learn about the diverse and creative approaches and perspectives of artists in an engaging context.

    The interactive experiences and programming mean children can explore their imagination and creativity and form a personal connections with the arts.

    What about the older kids? Can they see themselves in the gallery? Teens need to connect, collaborate and to be included in cultural narratives in ways that are relevant to them.

    Programs tailored for teens, such as workshops or art-making sessions, move beyond passive observation and encourage self expression and participation.

    Installation view of Top Arts 2024 on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 14 March to 14 July.
    Photo: Kate Shanasy

    Ambitious teen programs, like the out-of-hours teen parties in the National Gallery of Victoria or the youth council at the National Gallery of Australia, empower young people to interact with art and the institution in ways that are meaningful for them.

    Exhibiting the best artwork from the year 12 graduating students is another effective way to demonstrate to teens their perspectives and presence matters. Seeing creative work by their age group displayed in a gallery builds confidence and demonstrates to older adults how much the younger generation have to contribute.

    Growing lifelong learners

    Galleries are unique learning environments, able to engage with and activate the school curriculum and develop essential skills like social and emotional capabilities and creative and critical thinking skills.

    New institutions can consider how to meaningfully engage with children in the design phase, but even existing galleries can reconfigure and retrofit their spaces and exhibitions to enable kids to learn.

    Neo at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
    Photo: Sam Roberts

    Specifically designed studios, creative technology, classrooms and presentation areas open the doors to cultural exploration. Positive exposure fosters a sense of stewardship ensuring that future generations value and support the arts.

    Galleries are doing a great job welcoming kids but even more can be done. By embracing children as current cultural citizens, galleries can create a more inclusive, creative, and culturally aware society.

    Intentionally designed spaces and programming ensure that children are not only welcomed but inspired to return – again and again – throughout their lives.

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

    – ref. Current cultural citizens: the importance of creating spaces in art galleries for young people – https://theconversation.com/current-cultural-citizens-the-importance-of-creating-spaces-in-art-galleries-for-young-people-235599

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Guatemalan national sentenced for conspiracy and illegal reentry

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A twice-deported Guatemalan national has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and illegal reentry into the United States as a result of a large-scale Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) organized retail crime case.

    Marvin Estuardo Morales De Paz, 30, of Cranston, was one of as many as a dozen members of a Rhode Island-based conspiracy of individuals who traveled to home improvement and clothing stores in at least five states to commit thefts. The group then transported the stolen merchandise to Rhode Island to sell. Court documents describe Morales as being “the most consistent member” of the organized group and was present for nearly every theft and set prices and directed sales of the stolen items.

    According to information presented to the court, the ring was involved in at least 35 documented thefts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is estimated that members of the conspiracy stole more than $280,000 worth of merchandise. Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen goods was recovered from Morales’s residence when HSI special agents arrested him on April 11, 2024.

    Morales was sentenced Jan. 31 by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith to 30 months of incarceration to be followed by one year of supervised release. Morales will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and faces deportation upon completion of his term of incarceration.

    The matter was investigated by HSI New England’s Providence Resident Agent in Charge office, with the assistance of HSI Boston and HSI Allentown, Pennsylvania. Additional assistance was provided by police departments in Providence, Coventry, Warwick, Smithfield, and Johnston in Rhode Island; Boston, Norwood, Bellingham, Marlboro, Seekonk, Avon, Auburn police departments in Massachusetts; Montville and Fairfield police departments in Connecticut; Parkesburg, Downingtown, Lebanon, Wyomissing, and Reading police departments in Pennsylvania; Nashua police department in New Hampshire; and Marlboro Police Department in New Jersey.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Charlotte Haines Lyon, Associate Professor: Education, York St John University

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Recently released government statistics show a record number of fines were given to parents for their children’s absence from school in 2023-24 in England. Of the 487,344 fines issued, 91% were for unauthorised family holidays.

    If these fines, known as fixed penalty notices, go unpaid or in some cases have been previously issued, parents are taken to court. In 2023-24, 28,296 parents were prosecuted over their children’s school attendance.

    Whether the fines have any effect on ensuring attendance is debatable. The figures show that thousands of parents are willing to book a term-time holiday anyway. But fines are certainly affecting the crucial relationship between schools and families.

    When I carried out my doctoral research between 2014 and 2016 on the relationships between schools and parents, these bonds were already quite fragile. People in my study argued that endless “dictats” from school built a “brick wall” rather than a partnership.

    Now, it’s likely that an increasingly strict application of attendance rules is further breaking down trust.

    Fines were first introduced by a Labour government in 2004 as a last resort to tackle truancy. In 2014, then education secretary Michael Gove widened the application of the fines. Local authorities were encouraged to use penalty notices for parents who took their children on holiday during school term time.

    Since Gove, education secretaries – including current education minister Bridget Phillipson – have insisted that every day matters in school, and that there are very few reasons to miss school. Holidays are seen as unacceptable.

    Since the pandemic, even more focus has been placed on attendance as persistent absence rates have increased.

    Trust between parents and school staff is very important.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Government statistics show a correlation between attendance and exam results. However, whether lower attendance causes lower results is difficult to prove, especially when factors such as poverty are taken into account.

    What’s more, when holiday absence has been analysed separately, this has not been found to have the same negative affect on achievement at school as other reasons for absence.

    The record number of fines issued last year came before new guidance was set in August 2024. Now, fixed penalty notices have risen from £60 to £80 for a first offence (if paid within 21 days) and to £160 for a second offence (if paid within 28 days). If parents receive two fixed penalty notices within three years, the next offence will result in prosecution. However, councils may choose prosecution earlier if they wish.

    Whereas previously there was more discretion and variance between authorities and schools, all headteachers must now consider the above approach if a child misses more than five days of school. It can only be assumed that the number of fines and prosecutions will increase.

    As a side-effect, we are seeing schools encouraged to clamp down on child illness for fear that parents are lying and are in fact on holiday. While government guidance says that in most cases a parent’s word should be enough evidence that their child is sick, it also states that evidence of illness should be requested in cases where there is “genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness”.

    This suggests that schools should be questioning their trust in their pupils’ parents. This is a fundamental break down of the school-parent relationship, not to mention a strain on NHS time.

    Why parents book term-time holidays

    Term-time holidays are often seen as a way for parents to book a cheaper break, as holidays are generally more expensive during school holidays. But, even leaving aside that many families may only be able to afford a holiday at all if it is taken in term time due to the cost of living crisis, the situation is more complicated.

    There are many reasons for taking holidays within school term time. Families might be visiting relatives overseas for a wedding, funeral or because of a family member’s terminal illness. Often, a school might grant one day of absence, but no more.

    Parents may be unable to take leave from work during school holidays as a result of the industry they work in. They may have family members who work away for long periods, and want to spend time together with the children when they return. They may have a child with particular needs who is unable to cope with busy holiday times, or children in different schools with different holiday periods.

    Relationship breakdown

    When a headteacher refuses to authorise such a holiday this leads to resentment from parents. Resentment like this may cause some to withdraw children from school and choose to home educate.

    There is some effort now for schools to offer support first before legal intervention for families who might have attendance issues for other reasons, such as emotionally based school avoidance. But there is little to no desire to work with families around their complex needs for holidays.

    Partnership with parents is often touted by schools as central to pupils’ wellbeing, progress and attainment. But the power in this partnership is often skewed towards the professionals.

    Parents and schools should work together for the good of children. This does not simply mean parents obeying schools; that is not a recipe for partnership. Instead, it means understanding the different contexts that families and teachers live and work in. If parent engagement is essential to wellbeing and school progress, it is not worth continuing down the road of alienation and punishment.

    Dr Charlotte Haines Lyon is affiliated with Labour Party and UNISON.

    – ref. Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools – https://theconversation.com/fines-for-term-time-holidays-are-at-record-levels-this-will-further-erode-trust-between-parents-and-schools-249085

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HSI investigation leads to guilty pleas for Chinese nationals in fraudulent gift card conspiracy

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CONCORD, N.H. — Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty Jan. 14 for their roles in a large-scale fraud conspiracy based in China after their activity was uncovered during a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probe.

    Naxin Wu, 26, Mengying Jiang, 34, and Mingdong Chen, 28, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled Wu’s sentencing for April 8, 2025 and Jiang’s sentencing for April 22, 2025. Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled Chen’s sentencing for April 11, 2025.

    According to HSI’s investigation, organized criminal elements in China acquire gift cards through multiple fraudulent means. For example, gift cards are obtained by hacking U.S. companies, and targeting U.S. citizens through romance and elder fraud schemes. The criminal elements then send the gift card data to multiple cells of Chinese nationals operating in the United States through a Chinese-based messaging platform.

    Once U.S.-based cells receive the gift card data, they then spend the gift cards to purchase high-value electronics, principally Apple products. After purchasing the Apple products, cell members consolidate the electronics in warehouses for shipment to China, Hong Kong, or countries in Southeast Asia. The cells primarily operate in states with no sales tax, such as New Hampshire, to maximize their profits.

    Wu, Jiang, and Chen are members of one cell in New Hampshire. Wu and Jiang purchased fraudulent gift cards at a discount from their face value. They then either personally used the cards or disseminated them to others, including Chen, to use. Wu was responsible for $1.4 million, Jiang for $3 million, and Chen for $400,000 of fraudulent gift cards.

    The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    HSI New England’s Manchester Resident Agent in Charge office, Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Concord Police Department led the investigation. The Merrimack County Attorney’s Office has provided valuable assistance.

    Gift card fraud has become a growing concern for consumers and businesses alike. Under Project Red Hook, HSI is teaming up with our law enforcement partners and businesses to raise awareness of how Chinese organized crime groups are exploiting gift cards to launder money.

    Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewEngland to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Bosnian prison camp supervisor sentenced to over 5 years in prison for concealing participation in wartime persecution

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — A Swampscott man was sentenced Jan. 22 in federal court in Boston after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uncovered a 25-year scheme to conceal his persecution of ethnic Serbs during the Bosnian War as well as making false claims to come to the United States and ultimately become a United States citizen.

    Kemal Mrndzic, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 65 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Mrndzic was convicted by a federal jury of engaging in a scheme to conceal his involvement in the persecution of Serb prisoners at the notorious Celebici prison camp in Bosnia in 1992; making a false statement to federal agents about his role at the camp; possessing a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate and Social Security card; and using a fraudulently obtained passport and certificate of naturalization.

    “Through the brave testimony of the survivors of the Celebici prison camp, the persecution Mrndzic attempted to conceal was finally brought to light after over 30 years. Though we can never undo what the survivors endured, I hope this sentence brings some measure of justice, no matter how long delayed,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “HSI remains tireless in our effort to pursue war criminals and human rights violators who attempt to evade justice.”

    “For over two decades, Mr. Mrndzic evaded accountability for his participation in the persecution and torture of countless victims at the camp. By holding him accountable for his lies and fraudulent conduct, this sentence reinforces our resolve to ensure that those responsible for war crimes and human rights abuses are identified, exposed, and prosecuted. This case underscores that we will not allow our nation to be a refuge for those who seek to escape justice,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The government will be working to ensure that his fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship is revoked.”

    Mrndzic served as a supervisor of the guards at the notorious Celebici prison camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the sectarian war which fractured the country in the 1990s. Twenty-one former detainees described Mrndzic as one of the most notable guards at the camp, who was widely known for his particularly vicious treatment of prisoners and his close association with the camp deputy commander. Mrndzic participated in the systematic and pervasive brutal torture and deprivation of basic human needs of hundreds of captive victims — some of whom were elderly — at the Celebici prison camp. For seven months, victims were forcibly detained with starvation rations, at times forced into lightless, airless manholes that were sealed for hours at a time. Victims also endured daily and nightly beatings that were administered by the guards at the camp — with baseball bats, wooden poles and rifle butts.

    Camp survivors who testified at trial in October 2024 recounted murders, the burning of one detainee’s tongue with a heated knife blade, the wrapping of another detainee with a long explosive fuse cord and then lighting it on fire, sexual abuse and other harrowing acts committed over a period of many months. One survivor recounted the beating death of a 70-year-old detainee whom guards pinned a political party badge to his forehead while he was still dying. Survivors also testified about being starved and deprived of the most basic needs, including sleeping on the concrete floor of a sheet metal hangar for months on end while being fed only a slice of bread a day.

    A United Nations tribunal investigated the crimes committed at Celebici and in 1998 convicted the two top commanders of the camp and one particularly sadistic guard on numerous crimes including murder and torture. While Mrndzic was interviewed by investigators in connection with that case in 1996, he was not charged by international authorities. Mrndzic subsequently concocted a scheme to leave Bosnia by crossing the border into Croatia and applying to immigrate to the United States using a fabricated story. In his immigration application and interview, he falsely claimed to U.S. immigration authorities that he fled his home after he was captured, interrogated and abused by Serb forces, and could not return home for fear of future persecution. As the government argued at trial, Mrndzic used his own experience as a persecutor to press a false narrative that he had been persecuted. He was admitted to the U.S. in 1999, and ultimately became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2009.

    Many Celebici survivors became refugees during and after the Bosnian War. Some came to the United States and have since become U.S. citizens. The survivors living in the United States played a central role in the investigation and prosecution of this case. They provided critical trial testimony and submitted moving victim impact statements.

    The investigation was led by HSI New England’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force and HSI’s Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General’s Boston Field Office; the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office. Additional support was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and the U.S. Embassies in Sarajevo, Belgrade and Helsinki. The United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague, Netherlands, the Australian Federal Police, Bosnian and Herzegovinian Ministry of Justice, Serbian Ministry of Justice, law enforcement authorities in Finland and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police all provided valuable assistance as did the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois and the Swampscott Police Department in Massachusetts.

    The HRVWCC is led by HSI and leverages the expertise of criminal investigators, attorneys, historians, intelligence analysts and federal partners to provide a whole of government approach to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven for individuals who commit war crimes, genocide, torture and other human rights abuses around the globe. Currently, HSI has more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,945 leads and removals cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. Since 2003, the HRVWCC has issued more than 79,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses, and stopped over 390 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HSI undercover operation nets 10-year sentence for former Tufts Medical Center doctor for attempted sex trafficking of a child

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — A former anesthesiologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston was sentenced Jan. 28 for attempted sex trafficking of a child after he was caught by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) undercover operation.

    Sadeq Ali Quraishi, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2024, Quraishi was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child.

    “As a doctor, Quraishi was in a position of public trust. He abused that trust when he actively sought out and agreed to pay to sexually abuse a child. Fortunately, instead of the vulnerable child he planned to meet, he was met with an undercover HSI special agent,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “It is a heartbreaking truth that children are trafficked every day, but HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to fight the exploitation of children here in Massachusetts and around the world.”

    “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr. Quraishi’s heinous actions and underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting children from exploitation. Our office, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who fuel the market for child sex trafficking and hold them accountable for their crimes. This sentence reflects our dedication to identifying those who prey on our most vulnerable and holding them accountable for their inhumane acts,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

    In November 2022, law enforcement conducted an undercover operation designed to identify and apprehend people who sought to pay for sex with children. To that end, law enforcement placed advertisements online offering commercial sex with two young girls who were purportedly 12 and 14 years old.

    Quraishi, then a practicing anesthesiologist at Tufts Medical Center, responded to one of the advertisements. Through an ensuing text conversation with undercover HSI special agents posing as the seller of the two girls, Quraishi agreed to pay $250 for a sex act to be performed by a 14-year-old girl. Shortly thereafter, Quraishi obtained cash from an ATM, and drove from his Boston home to a Waltham hotel to meet with the purported seller. Once at the hotel, he met with an undercover agent, confirmed he had the money to pay for the commercial sex act, and accepted a keycard he believed would give him access to the room where the 14-year-old girl would be. During that meeting, Quraishi was arrested and found to be in possession of exactly $250.

    HSI’s investigation was led by HSI New England’s Boston Human Trafficking and Smuggling unit.

    HSI plays an integral role in combating human trafficking by working with its law enforcement partners to deter, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks that engage in it. Special agents use their expertise and rely on HSI’s authorities to seize assets and eliminate profit incentives, work with nongovernmental organizations to protect and assist victims, and bring traffickers to justice. HSI leads the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) to advance counter human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims and enhance prevention efforts. The CCHT integrates the efforts of every component within DHS involved in combating human trafficking, including criminal investigations, victim assistance, identifying and reporting human trafficking, external outreach, intelligence and training.

    HSI’s Victim Assistance Program (VAP) provides a critical resource to HSI investigations and criminal prosecutions. The VAP helps preserve victims’ and survivors’ rights, helps connect them with the services they’re legally entitled to receive and provides them with the support they need to fully participate in the criminal justice process.

    If you suspect human trafficking, call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. Callers may remain anonymous.

    Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewEngland to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scottish man sentenced to 25 years for transporting child sexual abuse material into US

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ORLANDO, Fla. — A Scottish man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for possessing and transporting nearly 4,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material into the United States following a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

    Steven Paul McInally, 36, of Scotland, pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2024.

    According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2023, McInally arrived at the Orlando International Airport on vacation. Upon his arrival, McInally was subjected to a border search where law enforcement found child sexual abuse material on McInally’s cellphone. Some of the child sexual abuse material found on McInally’s cellphone included images of minors that had been taken during a sleepover party that the minors attended at his home. A forensic review revealed approximately 3,900 images and 70 videos of child sexual abuse material on McInally’s cellphone.

    This case was investigated by HSI Orlando and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. McNeff.

    HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

    Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 7 Connecticut gang members charged with murder and racketeering offenses

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HARTFORD, Conn. — A grand jury in Hartford returned a 15-count indictment on Jan. 8 charging seven alleged members of a violent Hartford gang with participating in a years-long interstate racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act (RICO) conspiracy involving multiple murders, attempted murder, gun trafficking, extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and other crimes.

    The wide-ranging conspiracy was uncovered through a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the FBI, and ATF alongside state and local partners in Connecticut and Vermont.

    The indictment alleges that the Hoodstar Gzz gang, which since its forming in 2010 has referred to itself by a variety of names, including “Hoodstars,” “Hoodstarz,” and “Gz,” generally operates between Capen, Westland, Enfield, and Main Streets in Hartford. The gang has allegedly distributed narcotics; engaged in multiple violent acts against rival gang members and others, including multiple shootings and murders; trafficked narcotics in Vermont; moved firearms from Vermont to Connecticut; utilized stolen vehicles in furtherance of the gang’s affairs and burned vehicles that were used in the commission of crimes; and recorded and distributed rap music to promote the gang’s criminal activity.

    “Criminal gangs terrorize communities, leaving violence and destruction in their wake,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of HSI New England. “These individuals have been charged with crimes ranging from firearms possession to murder and, if convicted, will face serious federal prison time. HSI works with our state, local, and federal partners to dismantle criminal gangs like the Hoodstar Gzzs and help communities reclaim their safety and their streets.”

    “This indictment — which is the first RICO indictment since the launch of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Hartford in April 2024 — alleges that the defendants engaged in numerous violent acts, including shooting at suspected rival gang members and shooting and killing a motorist with whom two of the defendants got into a car accident,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Violent gangs like the Hoodstars terrorize local communities and threaten safety across Hartford. Today’s announcement demonstrates that the VCI is already making an impact in Hartford, through the deployment of Criminal Division resources, in close coordination with our partners, to target the specific drivers of violent crime and hold gang members accountable for their crimes.”

    “We allege that members of the Hoodstar Gzz have engaged in murder and numerous other violent acts against both rival gang members and innocent civilians, and their criminal activity extended to northern Vermont, where they trafficked drugs and acquired firearms, some of which they transported back to Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “This case is a clear demonstration of our commitment to relentlessly pursue and dismantle organizations that threaten the peace and security of our communities. The effort to connect these violent acts and bring these individuals to justice has been a collaborative one, and I want to thank the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved for their dedication to make our communities, both here in Connecticut and in Vermont, safer.”

    The indictment charges the following defendants, all of Hartford:

    • Angel Rivera, also known as Rico and Slatt, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm to cause death, use of a firearm during the murder, and drug trafficking conspiracy.
    • Raquan Knight, also known as RQ, 21, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.
    • Paul Downer, also known as Luap Benji, 28, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.
    • Mekhi Thompson, also known as Midnight, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm to cause death, use of a firearm during murder, and drug trafficking conspiracy.
    • Paul Clarke, also known as Tommy Bunz, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.
    • Tyshon Walker, also known as Pone Gwapoo, 26, is charged with RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and possessing a machinegun during a drug trafficking offense.
    • Joshua Cruz, also known as Hop-out Curly, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and possessing a machinegun during a drug trafficking offense.

    Among the violent acts committed by the defendants, the indictment alleges that:

    • On April 16, 2019, Thompson allegedly attempted to murder members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to three individuals.
    • On Jan. 22, 2021, Downer allegedly shot a victim in the femoral artery for failure to pay a drug debt.
    • On April 10, 2021, Rivera, Knight, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot and killed a member of the rival Ave gang and wounded another individual.
    • On Jan. 18, 2022, Rivera, Walker, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot at one victim and shot and injured another.
    • On Jan. 18, 2022, Rivera, Walker, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot and killed one victim and shot and injured another.
    • On June 19, 2022, Knight allegedly shot one victim.
    • On Aug. 1, 2022, Rivera and other members and associates of the Hoodstar Gzz gang allegedly shot and killed one victim and shot and injured two additional individuals.
    • On Sept. 14, 2022, Thompson and Rivera allegedly got into a confrontation with a victim over a rental car that Thompson failed to return. Thompson then shot and killed the victim.
    • On Oct. 27, 2022, Thompson and Rivera were allegedly involved in a car accident with a black Nissan sedan and fled the scene. The Nissan followed them for approximately 1.6 miles. Thompson then allegedly exited the vehicle and shot and killed the driver of the Nissan.

    If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. All defendants are currently detained pending trial. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The HSI New England Hartford Resident Agent in Charge office conducted the investigation with FBI and ATF. Valuable assistance was provided by the Hartford Police Department, the East Hartford Police Department, the Windsor Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the St. Johnsbury Police Department, the Northfield Police Department, and the Vermont State Police.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewEngland to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Anti-LGBTQ+ policies harm the health of not only LGBTQ+ people, but all Americans

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nathaniel Tran, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois Chicago

    Courts across the nation are debating whether LGBTQ+ people should be protected from discrimination. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    In 2024, state legislatures introduced an all-time record of 533 bills targeting LGBTQ+ populations. These policies create a patchwork of legal landscapes that vary widely between and within states, affecting aspects of everyday life ranging from how kids learn and play to where adults live and work.

    All of these policies have implications for the health of not only LGBTQ+ people but also the general public.

    I am a health policy researcher who studies how state and federal legislation affect public health. Research has shown that the social determinants of health – the opportunities and resources that affect how people live, learn, play, work and age – play a significant role in LGBTQ+ well-being. Newly published work from my colleagues and I show how anti-LGBTQ+ public policies can have lasting effects on everyone’s health.

    Existing policies and LGBTQ+ health

    Same-sex marriage provides a clear example of the direct and indirect ways public policies affect LGBTQ+ health.

    Most people in the U.S. have health insurance through their employer, which usually offers coverage for employees and their family, including a spouse and children. A landmark 2015 study found that health coverage significantly increased for adults in same-sex marriages after its legalization in New York state. After same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide, a follow-up study also showed an increase in health insurance coverage among gay and lesbian couples.

    Even among single LGBTQ+ people who did not get married, same-sex marriage may have also improved their health by improving social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people overall. Researchers found that gay and bisexual men, regardless of whether they were single or married, spent less on medical visits, mental health visits and overall health care spending after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2004.

    Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
    Victoria Arocho/AP Photo

    Access to gender-affirming care provides another example of how public policies affect the health of LGBTQ+ people.

    A 2020 national study of nearly 30,000 transgender and nonbinary people found that suicide attempts and mental health hospitalizations declined in states that passed policies requiring private insurers to equally cover services they already provide for cisgender people for transgender people. No other studies directly analyze how policies regulating access to care affect the health of trans and nonbinary people.

    However, a large body of clinical research supports the health benefits of gender-affirming care. A randomized clinical trial and prospective study found that starting gender-affirming hormone therapy reduced depression and suicidality in transgender and nonbinary people. Several recent systematic reviews analyzing 124 peer-reviewed studies conducted over the past 50 years also found that gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy improved quality of life and mental health.

    Policies outside health affect LGBTQ+ well-being

    Policies outside of health care – such as nondiscrimination, education and workplace protections – also affect LGBTQ+ well-being.

    For example, transgender and nonbinary people living in states with policies that specifically include gender identity in hate crime and discrimination protections reported better mental health than those in states without protections. Similarly, LGBTQ+ students in schools with designated safe spaces reported lower rates of suicidal thoughts.

    However, the surge in anti-LGBTQ+ policies in the U.S., initially focusing on youth, has significantly increased polarization between and within states. For example, while 17 states have implemented guidances to make schools safer and more inclusive for transgender youth, 25 states have banned transgender youth from using bathrooms and playing on sports teams that align with their gender. Meanwhile, South Dakota and Missouri have enacted laws to preempt progressive schools and districts from adding LGBTQ+ student protections and supportive resources.

    The Trump administration is also actively targeting resources that support LGBTQ+ students by reducing funding to schools that offer these programs.

    Inclusive spaces can help support the health of LGBTQ+ students.
    Jessica Hill/AP Photo

    In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Bostock v. Clayton County that federal sex-based nondiscrimination protections in the workplace included discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Researchers found that LGBTQ+ older adults with co-workers supportive of their gender and sexuality experienced less workplace conflict and cognitive health problems compared with those who did not.

    The Trump administration is working to restrict the scope of federal antidiscrimination protections to exclude LGBTQ+ people.

    Harms of emerging anti-LGBTQ policies

    Emerging anti-LGBTQ+ policies could also have consequences for large swaths of the population beyond LGBTQ+ people.

    In 2025, the Supreme Court will hear Braidwood v. Becerra, a case arguing that requiring employers to cover PrEP – a once-a-day pill that is highly effective at preventing HIV infection – as part of the insurance plan they offer employees violates their religious freedom. Texas District Judge Reed O’Connor agreed that mandating PrEP coverage requires the plaintiffs to “facilitate and encourage homosexual behavior.”

    O’Connor ruled in 2023 to overturn the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that insurers fully cover preventive care. He argues this can be done on the grounds that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force – a group of physicians and researchers that evaluates the quality and efficacy of preventive services – is unconstitutional. This legal challenge puts free coverage of mammograms, vaccinations and other preventive services into limbo for millions of Americans.

    The Trump administration has taken down CDC pages providing information about HIV.

    The Trump administration has scrubbed federal web pages of resources, programs and documents that reference gender and LGBTQ+ people. This order includes removing datasets that have been continuously updated since the 1980s to track public health issues such as homelessness, bullying in schools, and smoking and drinking, likely because they include LGBTQ+ demographic information.

    The administration has also ordered federal health agencies to retract scientific research that may be inclusive of LGBTQ+ people by searching for specific keywords, such as “gender.” The National Science Foundation is also screening active scientific research projects that use words like “women,” “trauma” and “disability.” Removing this data not only hamstrings public health research and programming for LGBTQ+ populations, but also restricts it for all Americans.

    These decisions are in stark contrast to countries such as England, Wales, New Zealand and Australia, which have collected or are planning to collect LGBTQ+ demographic data as part of their national census. Including LGBTQ+ people in demographic data reflects best practices that were outlined in the Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity issued under the Biden administration. These guidelines have since been removed.

    Far-reaching consequences

    The rapid escalation of anti-LGBTQ+ policies in recent years is already taking its toll on youth, with negative news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues causing spikes in suicidal thoughts.

    These policies also have far-reaching consequences for the broader public. Rigorous and long-standing research demonstrates that LGBTQ+-inclusive policies support safer communities and stronger economies for everyone, while exclusionary laws worsen and limit access to essential services.

    Ongoing legal battles and policy shifts will shape the future of LGBTQ+ rights, with rippling effects on public health, workplace protections and health care access for all Americans.

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

    – ref. Anti-LGBTQ+ policies harm the health of not only LGBTQ+ people, but all Americans – https://theconversation.com/anti-lgbtq-policies-harm-the-health-of-not-only-lgbtq-people-but-all-americans-248992

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Secures Historic Settlement With National Women’s Soccer League for Mistreatment of Players

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James, together with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, today announced a landmark settlement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after numerous players came forward with allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct, and an independent investigation subsequently found that emotional abuse and sexual coercion were systemic across the NWSL. Following these reports, the attorneys general launched a joint investigation that found widespread violations of players’ fundamental rights. As a result of the attorneys general’s action, NWSL will create a $5 million fund to compensate players who were abused and continue implementation of comprehensive reforms to improve player safety and well-being, giving the attorneys general the ability to oversee and enforce new league protocols and protections for players.

    “For too long, the hardworking and talented women of the National Women’s Soccer League were forced to endure an unacceptable culture of abuse, harassment, and retaliation,” said Attorney General James. “This settlement sends a clear message that such misconduct will not be tolerated and ensures players receive the compensation and protections they deserve. Every athlete should be able to compete in a safe, supportive environment, and I thank the brave individuals who came forward to share their experiences.” 

    In 2021, players from across the NWSL went public with allegations of misconduct and abuse at the hands of coaches and officials dating back over 10 years. Many of these complaints had been reported to the NWSL but were largely ignored. After the reports were made public, two separate investigations – one commissioned jointly by the NWSL and NWSL Players’ Association (NWSLPA) and one by the United States Soccer Federation, conducted by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates – found systemic, league-wide failures that contributed to verbal abuse, sexual assault, harassment, coercion, and discrimination by coaches, with no clear mechanisms in place for player safety. By the end of the 2021 season, in the wake of player complaints and media reports, five of the NWSL’s ten existing teams had fired their coaches. 

    The attorneys general launched a joint investigation into these allegations in 2022, which revealed that the NWSL was permeated by a culture of abuse and neglect. Coaches verbally abused players, sexually assaulted players, and coerced them into inappropriate relationships, retaliating against those who resisted or spoke out. The investigation further uncovered that some teams failed to conduct background checks, allowing coaches previously terminated for misconduct to be rehired by other teams.

    In 2021, NWSL’s longest-tenured coach resigned after a sports psychologist found he had created a culture of fear and engaged in emotional and verbal abuse. The NWSL had been aware of this coach’s conduct since at least 2014, with players reporting that the coach repeatedly made sexualized remarks about their appearances, texted them after hours, and pressured them to attend inappropriate one-on-one meals with him. This coach also referred to Black players as “thugs,” and told another Black player that she was “acting like a gang member.” At least one player who complained was swiftly traded to another team. Despite knowledge of these issues, NWSL failed to take reasonable measures to protect its players. 

    In another instance, a team hired a new head coach and almost immediately received reports of this coach’s previous abusive behavior. Allegations were made publicly, and directly to NWSL, but neither the team nor the league ever investigated these reports. In his new head coach role, this individual subjected his players to constant verbal and emotional abuse. Furthermore, he created a hostile work environment on the basis of race and religion by making racist jokes, using racial epithets including the N-word, using a surgical mask to mimic religious headwear, calling a game the team was losing a “Holocaust,” and referred to a passing drill as a “Jew star.” This coach remained in his position for nearly three years.

    The NWSL’s failure to adopt essential policies exacerbated these issues. For its first eight years, the NWSL conducted only two brief workplace conduct trainings and lacked an anti-fraternization policy until 2023. It had no formal process for reporting and investigating misconduct, leaving players confused about where to seek help. Medical staff were inadequate, and in some cases, coaches forced players to play against medical advice, prioritizing performance over safety.

    As a result of the joint investigation conducted by the attorneys general, today’s settlement requires the NWSL to create a $5 million restitution fund for impacted players. The fund will be administered by former U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones, who will notify players eligible to receive settlement funds. Any unclaimed funds after 180 days will be donated to the NWSLPA’s emergency and charitable fund. The NWSL also faces $2 million in penalties if it defaults on any terms of the agreement.

    Today’s settlement also requires the NWSL to implement league-wide policy changes to protect players. With oversight from the attorneys general, the NWSL must continue to comply with extensive changes to its protocols, including:

    •  Rigorous vetting of prospective coaches, general managers, athletic trainers, and player safety officers;
    •  Multiple mechanisms for players to report misconduct;
    •  Prohibiting coaches from having exclusive control over player housing or medical decisions;
    •  A policy that teams may not investigate themselves regarding coach misconduct and player safety;
    •  Establishing a league safety officer;
    •  Requiring each team to employ dedicated HR personnel and at least one mental health professional;
    •  Annual training for all players and staff on how to prevent bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, racism, and retaliation, and the reporting mechanisms available to players; and
    •  Providing the attorneys general with the results of annual, anonymous player surveys of coach conduct and team culture.

    To safeguard players’ mental health, the attorneys general have also directed NWSL to provide unlimited free and confidential counseling services to all players via contracted clinical therapists and guarantee 80% insurance coverage for mental health services. Every NWSL team must also hire a board-certified psychiatrist or doctoral-level psychologist to serve as Team Clinician, as well as a Mental Performance Consultant. Players are all entitled to take mental health leaves as recommended by mental health professionals.

    For the next three years, the NWSL must submit biannual reports to the attorneys general, detailing the implementation of the settlement terms and noting any complaints alleging misconduct involving player or staff safety. This settlement does not preclude individual players from pursuing private legal actions against the NWSL or its teams.

    “Today’s settlement is only possible because of the players who courageously stepped forward to tell their stories and expose the League’s systemic failures. While NWSL has made critical improvements, the victims never received any compensation for the sexual and emotional abuse they endured on the League’s watch,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “No dollar amount could ever fully address the damage that was inflicted, but now my office, together with New York and Illinois, will have oversight authority to ensure that the League’s new safety policies are implemented and that current and future players are protected.”

    “I commend the current and former players whose courage and leadership off the field was critical to reaching today’s settlement. Despite having the most to lose, these players came forward to expose abuse and a lack of accountability by those at the top of the league. Because they spoke up for themselves and their teammates, they have brought about reform that will protect future players,” said Attorney General Raoul. “I am proud to collaborate with Attorney General Schwalb and Attorney General James to hold the league accountable and put an overdue end to the unprofessional and toxic practices that have plagued the league.”

    “This investigation was initiated by the NWSLPA because players refused to stay silent in the face of systemic abuse. The human rights and civil rights violations they endured were enabled by a system that failed in its most basic duty: to protect its players,” said Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association. “This settlement not only acknowledges those failures but, for the first time, establishes enforcement mechanisms under the law to hold NWSL accountable and to prevent future harm. We appreciate Attorneys General Brian Schwalb, Letitia James, and Kwame Raoul for their commitment to standing with players and to bringing the power of their offices to bear on enforcing the recommendations of our Joint Investigation. Accountability is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing commitment that never ends. The NWSLPA will continue to ensure that this league never again prioritizes silence over safety.”

    This matter was handled for New York by Senior Counsel Sandra Pullman and Assistant Attorney General Zoe Ridolfi-Starr, both of the Civil Rights Bureau, with assistance from Bureau Chief Sandra Park and Deputy Bureau Chief Travis England. The Civil Rights Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports bulletin 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    This bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses common in winter.

    For updates from previous years, see Flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published up to week 52 2024

    Latest update

    Thursday 6 February 2025

    In week 5:

    • influenza (flu) activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels – there continues to be an increase in influenza B across some indicators
    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall

    For more information see the flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report.

    Flu surveillance data

    In week 5:

    • flu activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels – there continues to be an increase in influenza B across some indicators
    • flu positivity decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 14%, compared to 15.6% in the previous week, this is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested
    • overall, flu hospitalisations decreased slightly to 6.40 per 100,000 population, compared with 7.00 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • in week 5, the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate decreased to 13.9 per 100,000 compared with 15.4 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • reporting of the weekly influenza vaccine uptake for the 2024 to 2025 season concluded last week
    • up to the end of week 4 (week ending 26 January 2025), vaccine uptake was 39.7% for those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 34.8% in all pregnant women and 74.6% for all those aged 65 years and over
    • uptake was 41.4% for children aged 2 years of age and 43.2% for children aged 3 years of age

    COVID-19 surveillance data

    In week 5:

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings remained stable with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.5% compared with 2.4% in the previous week
    • COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 1.15 per 100,000 compared to 1.12 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.03 per 100,000 compared with 0.03 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • there were 9 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 4
    • the highest hospital admission rate was in the North-West, which increased to 1.79 per 100,00 compared with 1.36 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which increased to 13.84 per 100,000 compared with 11.78 per 100,000 in the previous week  
    • up to the end of week 5 (week ending 2 February 2025), 23.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 59.3% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance data

    In week 5:

    • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall
    • emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis remained stable
    • RSV positivity decreased to 2.5% compared with 3.9% in the previous week
    • overall, hospital admissions decreased to 1.06 per 100,000 compared with 1.42 per 100,000 in the previous week

    UKHSA monitors Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections in patients seen in GP practices or tested by hospital laboratories and reports on this in the weekly surveillance report.

    hMPV is a common respiratory infection in winter and current levels are expected at this time of year. Infections are usually mild, causing symptoms of a common cold. Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives. In week 5, hMPV laboratory test positivity increased slightly to 4.2% from 3.8% in the previous week.

    Dr Alexander Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 

    We’re pleased to see that the downward trend in flu activity has continued into this week.

    If you have already had your flu vaccine this season, you can be reassured that the vaccine offers the best defence and protects against multiple strains. The predominant circulating flu strain continues to be A H1N1 clade 5a.2a. and the flu vaccine is well matched.

    If you’re eligible and haven’t yet had your flu vaccine, it’s important that you take this offer up if available through local services. This includes anyone recently pregnant or newly diagnosed as in an eligible clinical risk group.

    If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, as can ensuring that indoor areas are well ventilated.

    Norovirus surveillance data

    In week 4:

    • norovirus reports in the 2-week period between 13 January 2025 to 26 January 2025 were 15% higher than the previous 2-week period
    • the total number of reports was 114.5% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period – reporting remained highest in adults aged 65 years and over
    • rotavirus reporting increased in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 3 and 4 of 2025
    • the number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 15.8% higher than the 5-season average
    • while some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise
    • during the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (90.7%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (55.4%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored – at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it isn’t accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease)
    • laboratory reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases
    • norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs
    • norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time

    Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:

    Norovirus cases are way above what we would usually see at this time of year and outbreaks in hospitals continue to rise. Just because you’ve had norovirus doesn’t mean you won’t get it again.

    It’s really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on, including not  visiting people in hospitals and care homes.

    Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick.

    Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.

    Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

    Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.

    Previous

    Thursday 30 January 2025

    This bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses common in winter.

    In week 4:

    • influenza activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels – there continues to be an increase in influenza B across some indicators
    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity showed a mixed picture and was circulating at low levels overall

    For more information see the flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report.

    Flu surveillance data for week 4

    • Flu activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels. There continues to be an increase in influenza B across some indicators.
    • Flu positivity decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 15.6%, compared to 27.4% in the previous week. This is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested.
    • Overall, flu hospitalisations decreased to 7.13 per 100,000 population, compared with 8.51 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • For primary care surveillance, due to a technical issue in processing the data, the influenza-like-illness (ILI) consultations indicator has not been updated this week. In week 3, the weekly ILI General Practice (GP) consultation rate decreased to 17 per 100,000 compared with 23.1 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • Up to the end of week 4 (week ending 26 January 2025), vaccine uptake was 39.7% for those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 34.8% in all pregnant women and 74.6% for all those aged 65 years and over. Uptake was 41.4% for children aged 2 years of age and 43.2% for children aged 3 years of age.

    COVID-19 surveillance data for week 4

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels.
    • COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings remained stable with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.4% compared with 2.4% in the previous week.
    • COVID-19 hospitalisations decreased to 1.13 per 100,000 compared to 1.33 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.03 per 100,000 compared with 0.05 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • There were 11 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 4.
    • The highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East, which decreased to 2.37 per 100,00 compared with 2.74 per 100,000 in the previous week. 
    • Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased to 11.86 per 100,000 compared with 15.14 per 100,000 in the previous week.  
    • Up to the end of week 4 (week ending 26 January 2025), 23.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 59.3% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated.

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 4

    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity showed a mixed picture and was circulating at low levels overall.
    • Emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis remained stable.
    • RSV positivity decreased slightly to 3.8% compared with 4.2% in the previous week.
    • Overall, hospital admissions increased to 1.42 per 100,000 compared with 1.20 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • UKHSA monitors Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections in patients seen in GP practices or tested by hospital laboratories and reports on this in the weekly surveillance report. hMPV is a common respiratory infection in winter and current levels are expected at this time of year. Infections are usually mild, causing symptoms of a common cold and most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives. In week 4, hMPV laboratory test positivity decreased to 3.9% from 4.5% in the previous week.

    Dr Alexander Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 

    We’re continuing to see flu activity decrease, which is really promising at this stage in the season. People are still reminded to take protective measures to ensure we keep cases down as we have seen a recent increase in cases of influenza B amongst children, although this is to be expected at this time of year.

    The vaccine offers the best defence against flu and protects against multiple flu strains, including B strains. The predominant circulating flu strain continues to be A H1N1 clade 5a.2a. Analysis by UKHSA laboratory scientists shows that the H1N1 component of the flu vaccine is well matched.

    If you’re eligible and have not yet had your flu vaccine, it’s important that you take this offer up if available through local services. This includes anyone recently pregnant or newly diagnosed as in an eligible clinical risk group.

    If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, as can ensuring that indoor areas are well ventilated.

    Norovirus surveillance data for week 3

    • Norovirus reports in the 2-week period between 6 January 2025 to 19 January 2025 were 18.3% higher than the previous 2-week period. The total number of reports was 113.3% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period. Reporting remained highest in adults aged 65 years and over.
    • Rotavirus reporting has started to increase again in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 2 and 3 of 2025.
    • The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 14.3% higher than the 5-season average.
    • While some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise.
    • During the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (90.4%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (56.3%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored — at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it is not accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease)
    • Laboratory reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases.
    • Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

    Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:

    Norovirus cases are over double what we would usually see at this time of year. This isn’t just unpleasant for those affected – it’s having a big impact on hospitals and care homes.

    It’s really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Please avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

    Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick.

    Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so do not rely on these alone.

    Previous

    Thursday 23 January 2025

    This bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses common in winter.

    In week 3:

    • influenza activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels; however, laboratory surveillance indicated an increase in influenza B
    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels of activity

    For more information see the flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report.

    Flu surveillance data for week 3

    • Flu activity overall decreased across most indicators and was at medium activity levels. However, laboratory surveillance indicated an increase in influenza B.
    • Flu positivity decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 17.5%, compared to 21.1% in the previous week. This is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested.
    • Overall, flu hospitalisations decreased to 8.41 per 100,000 population, compared with 9.92 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • The weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) general practice (GP) consultation rate decreased to 17 per 100,000 compared with 23.1 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • Up to the end of week 3 (week ending 19 January 2025), vaccine uptake was 39.5% for those aged under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 34.5% in all pregnant women and 74.4% for all those aged 65 years and over. Uptake was 41.2% for children aged 2 years of age and 43% for children aged 3 years of age.
    • Some indicators suggested an increase in flu activity in children over the last week, this is in line with an expected increase in respiratory virus activity in children following the post Christmas return to school.

    COVID-19 surveillance data for week 3

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels.
    • COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings increased slightly with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.4%, compared to 2.2% in the previous week. 
    • COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 1.32 per 100,000 compared to 1.35 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.04 per 100,000 compared with 0.04 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • There were 10 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 3.
    • The highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East, which remained stable at 2.74 per 100,000, compared with 2.78 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which decreased slightly to 14.65 per 100,000 compared with 15.45 per 100,000 in the previous week.  
    • Up to the end of week 3 (week ending 19 January 2025), 23.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 59.3% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated.

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 3

    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall.
    • Emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis increased.
    • RSV positivity decreased slightly to 4.2% compared with 4.7% in the previous week.
    • Overall, hospital admissions decreased to 1.21 per 100,000 compared with 1.57 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • UKHSA monitors Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections in patients seen in GP practices or tested by hospital laboratories and reports on this in the weekly surveillance report. Most people have had hMPV by the time they are 5 years old and catch it again throughout their lives. In week 3, Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) laboratory test positivity increased to 4.9% from 3.5% in the previous week.

    Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 

    It’s encouraging that flu activity is continuing to decrease this week and is currently circulating at medium levels. Flu positivity has decreased by 3.6% this week, but we should remember that flu season is not over yet and people should continue to take protective measures to keep us on this downward trend.

    We’re monitoring a slight increase in Influenza B positivity this week, which is to be expected towards the end of winter and the vaccine protects against multiple flu strains, including B. The predominant circulating flu strain continues to be A H1N1 clade 5a.2a. Analysis by UKHSA laboratory scientists shows that the H1N1 component of the flu vaccine is well matched.

    If you’re eligible and have not yet had your flu vaccine, it’s important that you take this offer up if available through local services. This includes anyone recently pregnant or newly diagnosed as in an eligible clinical risk group.

    If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

    Norovirus surveillance data for week 2

    • Norovirus reports in the 2-week period between 30 December 2024 to 12 January 2025 were 12% higher than the previous 2-week period. The total number of reports was 89.8% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
    • Rotavirus reporting has started to increase again in recent weeks but was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 1 and 2 of 2025.
    • The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 7.2% higher than the 5-season average.
    • During weeks 1 and 2 of 2025, reporting remained highest in adults aged 65 years and over.
    • While some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise.
    • During the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (90.5%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (58%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored — at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it isn’t accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease).
    • Laboratory reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases.
    • Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

    Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:

    Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks and has started to increase again, as we expected following the post-Christmas return to school and work.

    If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and do not prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings. Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so do not rely on these alone.

    Previous

    Thursday 16 January 2025

    This bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses common in winter.

    In week 2:

    • influenza (flu) activity showed a mixed picture with some recent decline, and was circulating at medium levels
    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels of activity

    For more information, see the flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report.

    Flu surveillance data for week 2

    • Flu activity showed a mixed picture with some indicators suggesting that activity may have reached a peak, and declined in recent weeks to medium levels
    • Flu positivity decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 20.9%, compared to 28.4% in the previous week (this is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested)
    • Overall, flu hospitalisations decreased to medium levels of 9.47 per 100,000 population, compared with 13.43 per 100,000 in the previous week.
    • The weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased to 23.1 per 100,000 compared with 20.6 per 100,000 in the previous week. Note that this is not considered to indicate rising activity as it follows two weeks with bank holidays, in which the number of GP appointments available was reduced
    • Up to the end of week 2 (week ending 12 January 2025), vaccine uptake stood at 39.1% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 34.2% in all pregnant women and 74.1% in all those aged 65 years and over, 41.1% of children aged 2 years of age and 42.7% of children aged 3 years of age have been vaccinated

    COVID-19 surveillance data for week 2

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
    • COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings decreased slightly with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.1%, compared to 2.3% in the previous week
    • COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 1.34 per 100,000 compared to 1.39 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.04 per 100,000 compared with 0.06 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • There were 8 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 2
    • The highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East, which remained stable at 2.74 per 100,000, compared with 2.78 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • Those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which remained stable at  15.47 per 100,000 compared with 15.13 per 100,000 in the previous week  
    • Up to the end of week 2 (week ending 12 January 2025), 23.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 59.2% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 2

    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall
    • Emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis decreased
    • RSV positivity decreased to 4.7% compared with 6.2% in the previous week

    • Overall, hospital admissions decreased to 1.52 per 100,000 compared with 2.10 per 100,000 in the previous week

    • UKHSA monitors Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections in patients seen in GP practices or tested by hospital laboratories and reports on this in the weekly surveillance report. Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives. In week 2, Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) laboratory test positivity decreased to 3.5% from 4.6% in the previous week

    Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 

    Flu activity is currently heading in the right direction, falling from high to medium levels overall this week. One of our key indicators is the percentage of positive flu tests, and this has come down from 28% to 21%. This is promising but we are nowhere near out of flu season yet. Mixing increases in January as people return to workplaces and schools which increases the chances for flu viruses to spread. 

    We urge everyone to do their bit to keep us on this downward trend.  If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

    If you’re eligible and haven’t yet had your flu vaccine, it’s important that you take this offer up if available through local services. This includes anyone recently pregnant or newly diagnosed as in an eligible clinical risk group.

    The vaccine protects against multiple flu strains and we are monitoring influenza type B activity closely as this can rise towards the end of winter. The predominant circulating flu strain continues to be A H1N1 clade 5a.2a. Analysis by UKHSA laboratory scientists shows that the H1N1 component of the flu vaccine is well matched.

    Norovirus surveillance data for week 1

    • Norovirus reports in the 2-week period between 23 December to 05 January 2024 were 6.7% lower than the previous 2-week period, although have increased in week 1 of 2025.
    • The decrease over the festive period has also been seen in previous years should be interpreted with caution as likely reflects changes in patterns of healthcare use, social mixing and lagged reporting due to the Christmas holidays, as well as the impact of school holidays. However, the total number of reports was 70.1% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
    • Rotavirus reporting has decreased in recent weeks and was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 52 of 2024 and 1 of 2025.
    • The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 8.7% higher than the 5-season average.
    • Norovirus reporting remained high across all regions of England and all age groups, with the highest number of reports in adults aged 65 years and over.
    • While some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise.
    • During the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (90.4%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (58.1%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored — at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it isn’t accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease)
    • Laboratory reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases.
    • Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

    Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:

    Norovirus activity remains high.

    If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.  > Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.

    Previous

    Thursday 09 January 2025

    This bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses common in winter.

    In week 1:

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was at baseline activity levels
    • influenza (flu) activity showed a mixed picture with some indicators suggesting that activity may have reached a peak, though activity remains at high levels
    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels

    For more information, see the flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report.

    Flu surveillance data for week 1

    • Flu activity showed a mixed picture with some indicators suggesting that activity may have reached a peak, though activity remains at high levels
    • flu positivity decreased slightly with a weekly mean positivity rate of 28.1%, compared to 29.7% in the previous week. This is based on a percentage of people who test positive among those with symptoms tested at sentinel “spotter” laboratories, reported through the Respiratory DataMart surveillance system
    • overall, flu hospitalisations remained stable at 13.41 per 100,000, compared with 13.90 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • the weekly influenza-like illnesses (ILI) General Practice (GP) consultation rate increased to 20.6 per 100,000 compared with 13.9 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • up to the end of week 1, vaccine uptake stood at 38.6% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 33.8% in all pregnant women and 73.8% in all those aged 65 years and over. 40.9% of children aged 2 years of age and 42.5% of children aged 3 years of age have been vaccinated

    COVID-19 surveillance data for week 1

    • COVID-19 activity remained stable across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels
    • COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.2%, compared to 2.5% in the previous week
    • COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 1.39 per 100,000 compared to 1.32 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • COVID-19 ICU admissions remained stable at 0.06 per 100,000 compared with 0.04 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • there were 12 COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents reported in week 1
    • the highest hospital admission rate was in the North-East at 2.78 per 100,000, increasing from 1.68 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • those aged 85 years and over had the highest hospital admission rate, which increased to 15.36 per 100,000 compared with 12.64 per 100,000 in the previous week
    • up to the end of week 1, 23.5% of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group and 59.1% of all people aged over 65 years old, who are living and resident in England had been vaccinated

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 1

    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased across most indicators and was circulating at low levels overall
    • emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis decreased
    • RSV positivity decreased slightly to 6.2% compared with 7.2% in the previous week
    • overall, hospital admissions decreased to 2.14 per 100,000 compared with 2.48 per 100,000 in the previous week

    Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 

    We are continuing to see high levels of flu this week and ongoing admissions to hospitals and intensive care.  Although activity has remained stable coming into the new year, influenza activity can be unpredictable as people return to work and school and opportunities for the virus to spread can increase. 

    The predominant circulating flu strain continues to be A H1N1 clade 5a.2a, and the World Health Organization has so far concluded that the H1 component of the flu vaccine is well matched. If you’re still offered a vaccine through local services, it’s important that you take this up, including if you are pregnant or a health and social care worker.

    If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

    Norovirus surveillance data for week 52

    • Norovirus activity has decreased in recent weeks, with reports in the 2-week period between 16 to 29 December 2024 12.1% lower than the previous 2-week period. The decrease over the festive period has also been seen in previous years and should be interpreted with caution as it likely reflects changes in patterns of healthcare use, social mixing and lagged reporting due to the Christmas holidays, as well as the impact of school holidays. However, the total number of reports was 63.6% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
    • Rotavirus reporting has decreased in recent weeks and was within expected levels during the 2-week period of weeks 51 and 52.
    • The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 11.7% higher than the 5-season average.
    • Norovirus reporting remained high across all regions of England and all age groups, with the highest number of reports in adults aged 65 years and over.
    • While some of the increased reporting may be attributable to the increased use of PCR multiplex technology (capable of detecting multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test), it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed high levels.
    • During the 2024/2025 season to date, the majority (89.5%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequently identified genotype was GII.17 (59.7%), an increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored — at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness (note: it isn’t accurate to refer to GII.17 as ‘Kawasaki’ and this term is causing confusion with Kawasaki Disease, which is an unrelated disease)
    • Laboratory reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million cases.
    • Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.

    Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

    Although there was a decrease in reports of norovirus over the festive period, cases still remain high and we expect levels to rise further with the return to school.

    If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

    Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Three men arrested in connection with Hoads Wood illegal waste dumping

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Three men were arrested on 5 February as part of an investigation into the large-scale, illegal tipping of waste at the Hoads Wood SSSI in Ashford, Kent

    Three men were arrested yesterday (Wednesday 5 February) as part of an investigation into the large-scale, illegal tipping of waste at the Hoads Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Ashford, Kent. 

    Environment Agency Enforcement Officers, Kent Police and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime worked closely together to secure the arrests and custody of the suspects.

    Two of the individuals – aged 44 and 62 – are from the Isle of Sheppey, while the third, aged 41, resides near Sittingbourne. All three have been interviewed, and evidence obtained during the arrests will support the next stages of the investigation.

    The Environment Agency began a criminal investigation in 2023 after 30,000 tonnes of household and construction waste, piled 15 feet high in places, was discovered to have been dumped throughout Hoads Wood, near Ashford.  

    We subsequently secured a court order, banning unauthorised access to the woodland and to successfully stop more waste being dumped, and have since appointed a specialist company to remove the waste and help return the site to its former state.

    Our investigation seeks to establish those responsible for co-ordinating the offending and bring them to court. These arrests mark an important next step in delivering justice for the local community.

    The Environment Agency’s Director of Operations for East and South East England, Simon Hawkins, said:

    The dumping of thousands of tonnes of waste at Hoads Wood in 2023 was a flagrant act of vandalism – with horrendous consequences for the local community and environment.

    The Environment Agency and Kent Police have been working tirelessly to uncover the identity of those responsible and bring them to justice, and to take the fight to organised criminal networks. The arrest of three individuals yesterday is a major step forward for our investigation and should bring some comfort to residents whose lives have been upended by this crime.

    Sergeant Darren Walshaw of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force said:

    Fly-tipping and environmental crime is a blight on Kent’s beautiful landscape and we are committed to supporting the Environment Agency in its ongoing efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

    We do this by making arrests, gathering evidence and carrying out preventative activities including spot checks of vehicles seen in areas where such offences are common.

    People who thoughtlessly dump large volumes of waste are often linked to other forms of criminal activity and their illegal acts must not be tolerated.

    The Environment Agency continues to monitor the site for any effect on air or water quality, and will ensure all necessary environmental authorisations are in place while the waste is cleared.

    Waste crime pollutes our environment, undercuts legitimate business and significantly affects our farmers and rural communities – which is why we’re committed to tackling it.

    In 2023/24, we successfully shut down 63 illegal waste sites, bringing the total number in operation to 344 – the lowest total figure on record. Enforcement officers also prevented nearly 34,000 tonnes of waste from being illegally exported by waste criminals. 

    If you have any information that may assist with this investigation, please call our 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. Or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Crimestoppers website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improving miscarriage care

    Source: Scottish Government

    £1.5 million to support delivery of compassionate, high-quality care.

    Women can expect improved miscarriage care Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto has pledged, after unveiling a new framework, backed by £1.5 million funding.

    The framework sets out a range of actions for Scotland’s NHS boards to implement, including ensuring that women going through miscarriage have a separate, private space. It will introduce a graded model of miscarriage care across the country. This means all women can receive tailored support and services, and won’t have to wait until a third miscarriage. This will include access to progesterone prescriptions – where clinically appropriate – both for threatened and recurrent miscarriage.

    These changes will be supported by £1.5 million Scottish Government funding and aim to ensure that early pregnancy care is equitable so that no women are disadvantaged, regardless of where they access and receive care.

    The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health said:

    “The loss of a baby, no matter at what stage of pregnancy, has a profound and lasting impact on women and their families. To all who have experienced such a tragedy, I offer my deepest sympathy. The Scottish Government recognises this impact and is clear that women and families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss must be provided with the right information, care and support, tailored to their individual circumstances.

    “I am very grateful to everyone in Scotland’s NHS who works to provide miscarriage care and support.

    “I know there is already a lot of good work underway within NHS Boards to improve miscarriage care services. The 2025-26 Budget, if approved by Parliament, will provide £1.5 million to support NHS Boards to improve delivery of sensitive and compassionate miscarriage care.”

    Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of pregnancy charity Tommy’s commented:

    “We are delighted to see the Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland launching today. The Framework is a real milestone on the path to excellent care for women and families in Scotland and Tommy’s has been pleased to work closely with our colleagues in Scottish Government as they have developed the Framework, which aims to ensure the right support and care for parents after every tragic loss. With compassionate care at its heart, we are looking forward to continuing to support our Scottish colleagues as they oversee the rollout.”

    The Miscarriage Association’s Chief Executive Vicki Robinson said:

    “We are extremely pleased to see the publication of this important Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland, which represents a significant step forward in ensuring that those experiencing miscarriage receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve during such a heart-breaking time.

    “This framework is a vital step in providing evidence-based care and offering women additional support in early pregnancy. We are proud to have contributed to its development and look forward to seeing it bring positive change. This is a crucial milestone in ensuring that miscarriage care is accessible, equitable, and compassionate across Scotland.”

    Background

    The Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland, and Progesterone Pathway, will help and support NHS Boards to implement the Programme for Government commitments and support improvements in delivery of miscarriage care.

    Progesterone is a hormone that plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining a pregnancy in the early stages. If a woman has miscarried before and is bleeding in early pregnancy, they may benefit from taking progesterone. It may also be suitable for women who have had four or more miscarriages with no bleeding.

    Always get medical help if:

    • you’re bleeding from your vagina
    • you’ve got strong, cramping pain
    • your waters break
    • your baby’s movements have changed, or you haven’t felt them move for a while.

    If you’re registered, contact your midwife or local maternity unit. If you’re not registered, contact your GP or the NHS 24 111 service. Find out more Miscarriage | NHS inform

     Additional quotes:

    Held In Our Hearts Chief Executive Nicola Welsh said:

    “We are very pleased to have been part of the Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care ensuring the lived experience voices were represented in the key actions of the Framework. Over the last few years, much progress has been made to better understand the impact a miscarriage has on families, and we have come a long way in listening to women’s needs and being able to deliver timely and trauma informed care. Held In Our Hearts offer Hospital to Home care which provides six home visits to those who experience loss from 12 weeks of pregnancy and offer support to anyone who has experienced a miscarriage. Working collaboratively, we must make sure no one is alone in their grief and people have the support they need at a difficult time.  We hope the new Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care ensures families across Scotland receive the care they need, and deserve, following loss.”

    Sands Chief Executive Dr Clea Harmer said:

    “We welcome the announcement of a Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care and Progesterone Pathway in Scotland, to ensure that everyone affected by pregnancy loss before 24 weeks gets the high-quality care and support, they need. 

    “The loss of a baby, no matter what stage of pregnancy, is a traumatic event that can have a profound impact on parents and families. Sands will continue to work with the Scottish Government, and all NHS Boards in Scotland, to improve the quality and consistency of care for everyone affected by pregnancy loss.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Initial analysis of Perth city parking reveals ample capacity

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Visitors bringing their cars to Perth can rest assured that even on the busiest days, choosing one of the nearby, but less visible car parks, they will never struggle to find a space.

    The ongoing parking survey, commissioned by the Council’s Transportation and Development Team and conducted by transport consultants Systra, has provided valuable insights into the usage patterns of car parks in Perth city centre. Early analysis of the data collected so far shows that although certain car parks experience high demand, the overall parking infrastructure is well-equipped to handle the influx of vehicles. This finding is particularly encouraging for both residents and visitors, as it highlights the city’s ability to accommodate increased visitor numbers without causing significant inconvenience.

    Key findings from the initial analysis include:

    • The weekday maximum occupancy level across the city is 56% in 2024, compared to 66% in 2017.
    • The Saturday maximum occupancy level is also 56% in 2024, compared to 67% in 2017.
    • The average duration of stay across all areas surveyed has decreased slightly from 73 minutes in 2017 to 69 minutes in 2024 on weekdays, and increased from 65 minutes in 2017 to 67 minutes in 2024 on Saturdays.

    A fuller analysis of the parking survey is currently underway and is expected to be finalised later this month.

    Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, commented, “When Council agreed to choose Thimblerow as the site for our new city centre swimming and sports facility, we did so knowing that the car park had long been identified as a development site. The initial findings of the recent parking survey confirm that Perth is well-served for parking spaces and that there will remain sufficient capacity for everyone who needs to still make private car journeys even after the new facility is built.

    “The great thing about Perth’s compact city centre is that you’re never far from alternative options, whether that’s bus routes, cycle paths or other car parks. By making better use of the existing city centre parking facilities, we can continue to attract visitors and support local businesses, contributing to the overall vibrancy and economic health of the city.”

    The parking survey data will be used to provide an evidence base for future decision-making on developments within the city centre as well as delivery of the Council’s Mobility Strategy (PDF, 19 MB).

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Invitation letters to local authority two-tier areas.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

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    Letter: Derbyshire and Derby

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    Letter: Devon, Plymouth and Torbay

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    Letter: East Sussex and Brighton

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    Letter: Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock

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    Letter: Gloucestershire

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    Letter: Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton

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    Letter: Hertfordshire

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    Letter: Kent and Medway

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    Letter: Lancashire, Blackburn and Blackpool

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    Letter: Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

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    Letter: Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire

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    Letter: Norfolk

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    Nottinghamshire and Nottingham

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    Letter: Oxfordshire

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    Letter: Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

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    Letter: Suffolk

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    Letter: Surrey

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    Letter: Warwickshire

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    Letter: West Sussex

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    Letter: Worcestershire

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    Details

    The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, has issued a statutory invitation to all councils in two tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to develop unitary proposals – which will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Allister reacts to court judgement on would be IRA murderers

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MP:

    “When four fully armed terrorists go out on a murder mission, that mission includes their escape plan. If the continuing threat posed by such fully armed would be murderers is neutralised, then that is a service to the public to whom they are a danger.

    “Today we had another illustration of the coronial system – which Labour is pledged to continue – putting the security forces, but never the terrorists, in the dock!”

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