NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government extends ban on personal meat imports to protect farmers from foot and mouth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government extends ban on personal meat imports to protect farmers from foot and mouth

    Ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products extended to cover all EU countries to safeguard the UK food system and farmers against food and mouth disease

    The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe.   

    From tomorrow (Saturday 12th April), travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.    

    This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.   

    Whilst FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas, and the outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.  

    FMD can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy.       

    The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.

    Today’s new EU-wide restrictions better safeguard the UK against the changing disease risk, and provide clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with the regulations. The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.  

    Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

    This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot & mouth.   

    That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.

    UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: 

    Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.   

    Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion.   

    I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

    Information for travellers entering the UK

    From Saturday 12 April, it will be illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.   

    Detailed information is available for the public which [sets out a limited set of exemptions from these rules](https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain](https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain). For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.  

    Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.  

    Information for animal keepers

    There are currently no cases of FMD in the UK, though the UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following an incursion of the disease in Germany, followed by an unrelated incursion affecting Hungary and Slovakia.   

    If you’re an animal keeper, read about how to spot foot and mouth disease and report it.       

    If you’re an importer or exporter, read about the import restrictions for foot and mouth disease.

    Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.         

    While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore also prevented from entering GB.     

    Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak spreading.       

    Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:   * 03000 200 301 in England   * 0300 303 8268 in Wales         * your local  Field Services Office in Scotland  

    For more information, visit the import, export pages for EU trade.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Senior councillors in Leeds to consider local community services review report

    Source: City of Leeds

    Executive board meeting to be held on Wednesday 23 April

    Senior councillors in Leeds will consider an update report on ongoing work to enhance local community services and maximise the use of council buildings at a meeting later this month.

    At the meeting of the council’s executive board at Civic Hall on Wednesday 23 April, councillors will discuss the report which forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to continuously assess and review all services to ensure they are being delivered as effectively as possible in the face of ongoing significant financial challenges.

    The report details the current positions regarding ongoing service reviews concerning mental health hubs for adults, Little Owls nurseries and children’s centres.

    Leeds City Council currently manages three buildings delivering mental health day support and another three buildings for people with complex needs. Due to changes in how services are being delivered across the wider community, especially following the pandemic, there is less need for people to attend these buildings.

    At the mental health hubs, nearly half of those receiving support do not access the building and as a result the hubs only open two or three days a week for groups or support sessions, although even on these days the capacity available is not being fully used.

    At the complex needs centres attendance has also been gradually declining, with an average capacity use of 58 per cent since the pandemic.

    To allow these services to be delivered more efficiently and to make better use of the buildings concerned, the council is proposing to move the three mental health hubs into the complex needs centres to become integrated community hubs for adults. There are no proposed changes to the level of support offered to people.

    The complex needs centres offer greater accessibility and are of a good standard and this change would see the Stocks Hill Mental Health Support Hub move to join the Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth, Lovell Park Mental Health Support Hub join the Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre, and Vale Circles Mental Health Support Hub join the Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton.

    Consultation has been carried out with service users and stakeholders. Careful planning has also been undertaken to design individualised support to help people transition to the new sites or to other local community locations where services can be delivered.

    The integration of services from six buildings to three would deliver savings of around £500,000 this year, while the vacated buildings at Lovell Park and Vales Circles would be made available for sale for a capital receipt to help the council meet its savings requirement of over £100million this year.

    If executive board approves the proposed change, the mental health hub day services would relocate from next month with the integrated community hubs in full operation from June.

    The report also gives an update regarding the review of Little Owls nurseries and children’s centres. Following a market-sounding exercise undertaken for 12 Little Owls nurseries, the potential delivery through schools or alternative providers is being progressed. Interested parties are engaging in an assessment process which will include considering the need for, or use of, existing buildings. If alternative provision cannot be secured for any of the 12 nurseries, the council will retain and continue to deliver the service itself. This position will be clarified by the end of July.

    On children’s centres, the report details the timeline for proposals to improve the range, effectiveness and integration of services at the 56 centres managed by Leeds City Council or partners. Consultation will be undertaken in the summer with all interested parties, and a report on future proposals is expected to be considered by the executive board in September.

    The changing role of community centres is also explained in the report, broadening their remit to offer an increasingly wide range of services and support for all ages and becoming multi-use community spaces rather than just buildings, enabling them to be accessed more fully by the wider community.

    Community asset transfers are also being considered as an option for some community buildings where it is considered appropriate and with viable interest in them being run and managed at a local level.

    The council-managed Leeds libraries service continues to offer an increasing range of services, while the report also outlines the potential for leisure centres to also host additional services offering greater flexibility to their local communities.

    Leeds City Council deputy leader and executive member for resources Councillor Debra Coupar said:

    “The council is firmly committed to continuously reviewing all our services, and how and where they are delivered to ensure they are effective and meeting the needs of residents and the communities they serve.

    “Where we can make changes to improve the quality, range and accessibility of our services and to make them more integrated it makes sense to do that, while also helping to make sure our buildings and estate are being well used, maintained and are welcoming environments for people of all ages to want to use and visit.

    “Our proposed change to mental health day support provision will provide a transformative boost, with the integrated community hubs for adults bringing services and people together under one roof and all the associated benefits that synergy entails. We are committed to doing everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible, while also being able to dispose of underperforming buildings to help with the significant financial challenge we face this year.”

    To see the report being considered by the executive board visit Council and democracy (item 9).

     

    ENDS

     

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNFPA Launches The Equalizer Challenge to Scale Women’s Health Innovations

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    New York, 11 April 2025 – UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with MIT Solve, IE University, and Women of Wearables, is announcing the launch of The Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations. This innovation challenge, enabled by the generous support from the Governments of Germany and Luxembourg, will support women-led enterprises in moving their projects beyond the pilot stage and achieving meaningful, scalable impact on women’s health. 

    Women’s health remains critically underfunded. “Every minute, at least two women die globally from breast or cervical cancer or pregnancy-related complications due to inequitable access to healthcare,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA.

    Despite the severity of these issues, only 1% of global healthcare research and innovation funding addresses female-specific conditions beyond oncology. Even more alarmingly, only 0.2% of research and development funding focuses on sexual and reproductive health in developing countries, despite its critical role in determining lifelong well-being. Gender biases persist in technology and healthcare design, reinforcing the need for inclusive, impactful solutions. The Equalizer Challenge seeks to bridge this gap by investing in innovations that reach underserved communities, leaving no one behind.

    The challenge provides catalytic funding alongside a six-month capacity development programme featuring biweekly coaching, expert mentorship, and direct connections to global health and investment networks. Whether through medical devices, digital health platforms, personalized medicine, or breakthrough solutions addressing health conditions unique to women, this challenge seeks bold, women-led innovations that don’t just push boundaries but break through them, reshaping the future of care.

    More information on eligibility and how to apply is available here.

    APPLY NOW!

    About UNFPA 

    UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: UN rights office condemns Israeli buffer zone plan

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    The UN human rights office said on Friday it fears that Israel may intend to permanently remove civilians in Gaza as part of an expanded buffer zone, amid evacuations orders and escalating bombardment.

    Hostilities in the Gaza Strip resumed mid-March following the collapse of the ceasefire and Israel’s border closure.

    As it enters its sixth week, the denial of aid into the enclave has left more than 2.1 million Gazans trapped without access to food, drinking water, and basic services.

    Israel in recent weeks has ramped up its attacks on civilian infrastructure such as  residential buildings and camps, leaving many more dead or missing under the rubble.  

    Between March 18 and April 9, Israeli forces have struck housing and tents for internally displaced people (IDPs) on 224 occasions during 36 separate strikes, according to the UN rights office, OHCHR.  

    ‘Forcible transfer’

    Ms. Shamdasani also highlighted the growing trend in attacks against media workers, reporting that at least 209 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the deadly Hamas-led terror attacks of October 2023, as Israel continues to deny international media entry into the Strip.

    The OHCHR spokesperson acknowledged that the temporary evacuation of civilians in certain areas can be legal, under strict conditions.

    But “the nature and scope of the evacuation orders raises serious concerns that Israel intends permanently to remove the civilian population from these areas in order to create a so-called buffer zone”, she said.  

    “Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territory amounts to forcible transfer, which is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a crime against humanity.”

    War crimes

    Combatants need to demonstrate compliance with the rules of war, particularly the principles of distinction – meaning defenceless civilians should not be targeted – as well as proportionality and precaution.

    “Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities constitutes a war crime, further compounding the desperate conditions for Palestinian civilians,” Ms. Shamdasani said.

    OHCHR has also repeatedly warned that collective punishment and the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war, constitute crimes under international law.

    Ms. Shamdasani also stressed that her office was “seriously concerned that Israel appears to be inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza, conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group”.

    © WHO

    Women wait to receive food at a distribution point in Gaza City.

    Supplies pile up

    With stocks of drugs sharply declining, medicines and other essential supplies have been piling up at the shuttered border crossings.  

    Almost 36 million tons of supplies in Dubai are on standby for entry into the enclave, according to Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organization Representative (WHO) for the West Bank and Gaza.

    Medical evacuations for patients in need of urgent treatment have slowed significantly. Likewise, the number of international emergency medical teams deployed has dropped, depriving hospitals of the help they crucially need, “because the caseload is immense”, Dr. Peeperkorn stressed.

    “We urgently call for the immediate resumption of medical evacuation through all possible routes, particularly restoring the medical referral pathway to the West Bank and Jerusalem.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews Chairs ACP Board of Regents

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews ’02 MD will spend the next year as chair of the policy-making body for the American College of Physicians.

    UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews (left), incoming chair of the American College of Physicians Board of Regents, and Dr. Jason Goldman, incoming ACP president, hold the ACP’s mace, which is tradition at the ACP’s convocation ceremony. (Photo provided by Dr. Rebecca Andrews)

    In addition to her roles as professor of medicine in the UConn School of Medicine, associate program director of its internal medicine residency program, primary care physician, director of primary care, and clinical lead for UConn Health’s Patient-Centered Medical Home and Comprehensive Pain Center, Andrews is now the chair of the ACP’s Board of Regents.

    “The American College of Physicians (ACP) is the largest medical specialty organization,” Andrews says. “The ACP is active in advocating for our physicians, our patients, and improvements in our health care as a nation, which makes this such an honor and an opportunity. I’m excited to serve as the chair of ACP’s Board of Regents, and for the opportunity to lead an organization that represents internal medicine physicians and advances the profession of internal medicine.”

    UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews (left) is announced as chair of the American College of Physicians Board of Regents at the ACP’s annual business meeting in Philadelphia, April 5, 2025. Dr. Jason Goldman (right), who manages a general internal medicine practice in Florida, is announced as ACP president. (Photo provided by Dr. Rebecca Andrews)

    Andrews, who graduated from the UConn School of Medicine in 2002 and its internal residency program in 2006, joined the UConn Health faculty in 2009. Last year the ACP elected her chair-elect of its board of regents. As chair, her responsibilities include overseeing policy creation, presiding over committee meetings including the board’s executive committee, and maintaining fiduciary goals.

    The American College of Physicians has a membership of more than 160,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students in more than 170 countries.

    UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews (center) at the convocation ceremony at the American College of Physicians 2025 annual meeting April 5, 2025, in Philadelphia, where she was installed as chair of the ACP Board of Regents (Photo by Dr. Ryan Mire)

    “Dr. Andrews is an outstanding physician, educator, and clinical leader,” says Dr. Eric Mortensen, chief of UConn Health’s Division of General Internal Medicine. “It is exciting to see her take on this critical role in the American College of Physicians, which represents all of the different branches of internal medicine.”

    Andrews first became involved with the ACP as a medical student, joined the ACP’s early physician council, was elected a Fellow of the College in 2010, and since has served in several leadership roles in the Connecticut chapter and at the national level. She joined the ACP’s Board of Regents three years ago following a four-year term as the governor of the Connecticut chapter and a one-year term chairing the ACP’s board of governors. The chair of the board of regents and the president are the ACP’s two highest-level officers. The chair also may act on behalf of the president when the president is unavailable.

    UConn Health’s Dr. Victoria Forbes (left), winner of an ACP volunteer chapter award, with Andrews, her nominator (Photo provided by Dr. Rebecca Andrews)

    “The ACP is deeply committed to improving lives and advancing the quality of care for all, and helping physicians deliver the best health care possible,” Andrews says. “I look forward to helping to lead the organization over the next year, especially as a primary care internal medicine physician advocating for reduced administrative burdens, emphasizing the importance of immunizations and a strong public health infrastructure, and encouraging public health leaders to use the strongest evidence to guide medical care and public health policies.”

    She was installed as chair of the board of regents at the ACP’s annual business meeting, April 5 in Philadelphia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan war has created suffering of ‘industrial proportions’, aid agencies warn

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    Two years since Sudan’s brutal conflict began, UN agencies warned that famine is spreading and civilians of all ages continue to suffer shocking abuse, including rape and gang rape.

    “With no viable peace in sight, the Sudanese are trapped in a humanitarian crisis of industrial proportions,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

    “Two out of three people need aid, that’s 30 million people…This, of course, demands a massive ramp-up of international support; what we see instead is donors pulling back funding across the world.”

    The war between rival militaries – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – began on 15 April 2023 after a breakdown in transition to civilian rule, following the overthrow of long-time President Omar al-Bashir. Heavy fighting has levelled towns and cities and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

    At least 12.4 million people have been uprooted from their homes, including more than 3.3 million refugees.

    Rape as a weapon of war

    Since the outset, relief workers and others including the UN human rights office, OHCHR, have repeatedly warned that sexual violence remains pervasive across Sudan.

    “One survivor recounted that she was told, ‘We are your men now,’ before RSF fighters raped her in front of her children,” said Li Fung, OHCHR Representative in Sudan, speaking to journalists in Geneva via video link from Nairobi.

    Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reiterated deep concerns about the 25 million Sudanese facing famine. “Two years of war has turned Sudan into the world’s largest hunger catastrophe and famine is spreading,” said Leni Kinzli, WFP Communications Officer for Sudan, also speaking from the Kenyan capital.

    Invaluable support

    In an appeal for funding to support the UN agency’s work, she testified to the value of food assistance for internally displaced people (IDPs): “It means that a father who has been torn from his home in Khartoum can feed his family of four; it means that a mother in an IDP camp in Kassala can cook a simple meal for her young daughters and so that they don’t fall into malnutrition.”

    Amid reports that the paramilitary RSF paramilitary had taken the key Darfur town of Um Kadadah from the SAF, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities “are on the rise”.

    The past two years have seen 156 confirmed attacks on health “causing more than 300 deaths and over 270 injuries among either patients or healthcare workers”, said

    Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan, speaking via video link from Cairo.

    Funding cuts dilemma

    Echoing those concerns, UN Women reported that 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict areas are no longer functioning, with maternal deaths rising “alarmingly”.

    A full eight in 10 displaced women and girls in Sudan now lack access to clean water, said Sofia Calltorp, UN Women Director in Geneva, highlighting the impact of deep cuts to funding for humanitarian work globally.

    “The latest global cuts in humanitarian funding have put critical programmes at risk, with teams forced to make unreasonable choices and refugees being left to resort to harmful strategies to meet their basic needs,” said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Olga Sarrado.

    “Inside Sudan, reduced funding will cut access to clean water for at least half a million displaced people, significantly increasing risks of cholera and other waterborne diseases,” she added.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Proper nutrition and sound sleep: Polytechnicians celebrated World Health Day

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The SPbPU Public Relations Department, the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the Humanitarian Institute and Polyclinic No. 76 held Health Week for students and staff of the university as part of the Lepota project. It is traditionally timed to coincide with the celebration of World Health Day, which is celebrated on April 7. The theme for 2025 is balanced nutrition.

    Being healthy is not just a fashion trend, but a vital necessity. During the week, participants learned how to eat tasty and healthy food without buying expensive products.

    On April 3, a live broadcast with fitness trainer Tatyana Krutko took place. Viewers learned how sports can help in studying, whether it will be effective without proper nutrition, and much more.

    The key event of the Health Week was a Q&A session with endocrinologist-nutritionist of Polyclinic No. 76 Ekaterina Medvedeva in the Polytechnic Tower. Together with the speaker, the students discussed what healthy eating is and how to make it part of their lives, how to replace bad habits with useful tips, and what is actually considered a “balanced diet.” At the end of the meeting, the participants consolidated their knowledge with a quiz and won gifts from partners.

    “We are proud that Polytechnic University supports the project that we have been implementing for the third year already,” said the head of the organizing team, fourth-year student of the Advertising and Public Relations program Ekaterina Dyakova. “We are very glad that this time Polyclinic No. 76 helped to hold the event. Thanks to this, we were able to really delve deeply into the topic of balanced nutrition and prepare useful materials and activities. We want as many Polytechnic students as possible to take care of themselves and eat right – after all, health is built in youth!”

    All week long, participants received advice on diet planning, budget nutrition and physical activity, as well as healthy snack recipes. Students were also able to take part in the Healthy Plate drawing and shared their meal plans. The winners received gifts for a healthy lifestyle.

    Health Week has become a good tradition at the Polytechnic University. At the online intensive course “GET A GOOD SLEEP!” in 2023, participants learned about the importance of quality sleep and rest, and also received recommendations from a psychologist and somnologist on how to improve their well-being. In 2024, as part of Health Week, students were able to learn about dopamine addiction, physical inactivity, and biohacking from specialists in improving physical and mental health.

    Join us next year and stay healthy!

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM lauds Delhi Government for implementing Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 8:56AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today lauded the Delhi Government for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and for starting the distribution of Ayushman Bharat cards under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

    https://t.co/8QjzdBqcNe

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2120810) Visitor Counter : 106

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Artist to explore the meaning of home during Walton residency

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Walton residents are being invited to explore what home means to them at a series of workshops at Spellow Community Hub and Library.

    Culture Liverpool has commissioned artist Dora Colquhoun – a neurodivergent writer, facilitator, performer, and theatre maker – to deliver series of workshops, the first of which will take place this Saturday (12 April) from 11.30 – 12.45. The interactive family taster will draw inspiration from famous characters who left home to go on an adventure such as Dorothy, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs.

    The Welcome Home project will culminate with a celebration event on Saturday 21 June and living room installation in the library, featuring meaningful objects collected from residents throughout the series.

    The artist residency is part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme of collaborative projects and creative interventions that engage with communities and neighbourhoods throughout Liverpool. The work, which includes artistic residencies, public art, events and creative engagement workshops, aims to address the needs of each community at a neighbourhood level, using co-creative practices to encourage local pride, a sense of place, inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment.

    This funding has been made possible as a result of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (SPF). UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to support building a sense of pride for the people of Liverpool, contributing to increasing life chances and supporting a sense of belonging for both artists and audiences. This project is supported by recovery funding provided by Central Government and Arts Council England.

    The family sessions will run from 10am – 1pm on the following days:

    • Saturday 3 May
    • Saturday 17 May
    • Saturday 24 May

    Family sessions will be co-facilitated by Isaac Nixon AKA Og the Giant! – a Liverpool based storyteller with a wealth of experience working with families to unlock their imagination through play and storytelling.  

    There will also be a series of sessions aimed at adults from 10am – 1pm on the following days:

    • Wednesday 23 April
    • Wednesday 7 May
    • Wednesday 14 May
    • Wednesday 21 May
    • Wednesday 4 June
    • Saturday 7 June
    • Wednesday 11 June
    • Saturday 14 June
    • Wednesday 18 June

    The project is the latest to engage the residents in and around County Road, who were devastated when Spellow Community Hub and Library was torched last summer. Ongoing projects include What’s Your Walton Story, a 12-week creative writing course led by Writing on the Wall. Previous projects include Our Home, Our Place, Our Space, an artist residency in collaboration with Open Eye Gallery.

    Dora Colquhoun, whose past successes including writing and performing in ADHD The Musical, said:

    “This will be a collaborative project, allowing us to explore what different cultures need to feel safe and comfortable. While aesthetics, food and traditions may vary across cultures, the universal desire to feel welcome and secure in our community unites us all.

    “My approach is to gently explore cultural differences through creative workshops, providing an opportunity for people living in and around County Road to connect and understand one another. The goal is to create a welcoming space in the library where discussions about identity and positive hopes for the future can take place.”

    Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

    “Spellow Community Hub and Library is a welcoming and inclusive shared space for storytelling and connection. This project aims to give marginalised or underrepresented communities a platform to share their stories; helps individuals feel seen, valued, and heard, improving confidence and belonging; and encourage pride in cultural heritage while finding common ground with others.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone, inaugurates development works worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone, inaugurates development works worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh

    In the last 10 years, the development of Banaras has gained a new momentum: PM

    Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule ji worked throughout their lives for the welfare of women empowerment, their self-confidence and the welfare of the society: PM

    Banas Dairy has changed both the image and destiny of thousands of families in Kashi: PM

    Kashi is now becoming the capital of Good Health: PM

    Today, whoever goes to Kashi, praises its infrastructure and facilities: PM

    India today is carrying forward both development and heritage together, Our Kashi is becoming the best model for this: PM

    Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a land of possibilities but of competence and accomplishments!: PM

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 12:56PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore today in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted his deep connection to Kashi, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the people of his family and the region for the blessings and acknowledged the love and support that has been extended to him. He emphasized his indebtedness to this love, stating that Kashi is his, and he belongs to Kashi. Noting that tomorrow is the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav, Shri Modi expressed his honor at having the opportunity to visit Sankat Mochan Maharaj in Kashi. He highlighted how, ahead of Hanuman Janmotsav, the people of Kashi have gathered together to celebrate the festival of development.

    “In the last 10 years, the development of Banaras has gained a new momentum”, exclaimed the Prime Minister, adding that Kashi has embraced modernity, preserved its heritage, and adopted a bright future. He remarked that Kashi is no longer just ancient but also progressive, now positioned at the center of Purvanchal’s economic map. He further noted that the Kashi guided by Lord Mahadev himself is now driving the chariot of Purvanchal’s development. 

    Mentioning the inauguration and foundation laying of numerous projects connected to Kashi and various parts of Purvanchal earlier in the event, Shri Modi emphasized the strengthening of connectivity through infrastructure projects, the campaign to provide tap water to every household, and the expansion of education, health, and sports facilities. He remarked on the commitment to provide better amenities to every region, family, and youth, stating that these initiatives will serve as milestones in transforming Purvanchal into a developed region. He noted that every resident of Kashi will benefit greatly from these schemes and extended congratulations to the people of Banaras and Purvanchal for these development efforts.

    The Prime Minister marked the occasion of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s birth anniversary today, recognizing his and Savitribai Phule’s lifelong dedication to the welfare of society and the empowerment of women. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to advance their vision and commitment to women’s empowerment. He further stated that their Government treads on the mantra of ‘Sabka saath, Sabka Vikas’. He extended congratulations to the livestock-rearing families of Purvanchal, particularly the hardworking women, who have set a new example for the region. He remarked that trust, when placed in these women, has created history. The Prime Minister noted the distribution of bonuses to livestock-rearing families associated with Uttar Pradesh’s Banas Dairy Plant. He emphasized that this bonus, exceeding ₹100 crore, is not a gift but a reward for their hard work and dedication, reflecting the value of their labor and perseverance.

    Emphasising the transformative impact of Banas Dairy in Kashi, which has reshaped the lives and destinies of thousands of families, Shri Modi highlighted how the dairy has rewarded hard work and given wings to aspirations. He proudly noted that the efforts have enabled many women in Purvanchal to become “Lakhpati Didis,” transitioning from concerns of sustenance to a path of prosperity. He remarked that this progress is evident not only in Banaras and Uttar Pradesh but across the country. “India has become the largest milk producer globally, with a nearly 65% increase in milk production over the past decade”, he highlighted, attributing this success to millions of farmers and livestock owners, recognizing that such achievements are the result of continuous efforts over the last ten years. He pointed out the initiatives undertaken to advance the dairy sector in mission mode, including linking livestock owners to Kisan Credit Card facilities, increasing loan limits, and introducing subsidy programs. The Prime Minister also mentioned the free vaccination program against Foot and Mouth Disease to protect livestock, as well as efforts to revive over 20,000 cooperative societies for organized milk collection, incorporating lakhs of new members. He underlined the focus on developing indigenous cattle breeds and improving their quality through scientific breeding under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. These initiatives aim to connect livestock owners with new development pathways, better markets, and opportunities. He lauded the Banas Dairy complex in Kashi for advancing this vision across Purvanchal and noted that Banas Dairy has distributed Gir cows in the region, with their numbers steadily increasing, and has begun arrangements for animal feed in Banaras. He commended the dairy for collecting milk from nearly one lakh farmers in Purvanchal, empowering them and strengthening their livelihoods.

    The Prime Minister mentioned the privilege of distributing Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards to several senior citizens. He highlighted the sense of satisfaction evident on their faces, calling it a testament to the scheme’s success. He acknowledged the concerns families have had for their elders’ healthcare and recalled the difficulties faced across Purvanchal 10-11 years ago regarding medical treatment. Noting the drastic improvements in the region, he stated “Kashi is now becoming a health capital”. He remarked that advanced hospitals, once limited to cities like Delhi and Mumbai, are now accessible near people’s homes. He emphasized that this is the essence of development—bringing facilities closer to the people.

    Emphasising the significant strides made in healthcare over the past decade, not only increasing the number of hospitals but also enhancing the dignity of patients, Shri Modi highlighted the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a boon for the poor, providing not just treatment but also instilling confidence. He remarked that thousands in Varanasi and lakhs across Uttar Pradesh have benefited from the scheme, with every treatment, operation, and relief marking a new beginning in their lives. He further noted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme has saved crores of rupees for lakhs of families in Uttar Pradesh, as the government has taken responsibility for their healthcare. Recalling his promise of free treatment for senior citizens, which led to the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, the Prime Minister highlighted that this initiative ensures free treatment for every senior citizen above 70 years of age, regardless of their income. He remarked that Varanasi has issued the highest number of Vay Vandana cards, with nearly 50,000 cards distributed. He emphasized that this is not just a statistic but a commitment to service, eliminating the need for families to sell land, take loans, or face helplessness for medical treatment. He assured that with the Ayushman card, the government now bears the financial responsibility for their healthcare.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable transformation of Kashi’s infrastructure and facilities, which have earned widespread praise from visitors. He noted that millions of people visit Banaras daily, offering prayers to Baba Vishwanath and bathing in the sacred Ganga, with many remarking on the city’s significant changes. He emphasized the challenges Kashi would have faced if its roads, railways, and airport had remained in the same condition as a decade ago. He recalled the traffic jams during small festivals, where travelers had to navigate through the entire city, enduring dust and heat. He remarked on the construction of the Phulwariya flyover, which has shortened distances, saved time, and brought relief to daily life. The Prime Minister also highlighted the benefits of the Ring Road, which has drastically reduced travel time for residents of rural areas in Jaunpur and Ghazipur, as well as those from Ballia, Mau, and Ghazipur districts heading to the airport, eliminating hours of traffic congestion.

    Underlining the improved connectivity in the region which has led to faster and convenient travel to cities like Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Azamgarh with widened roads, Shri Modi remarked that areas once plagued by traffic jams are now witnessing the speed of development. He emphasized the investment of approximately ₹45,000 crore over the past decade in enhancing connectivity in Varanasi and surrounding regions. He stated that this investment has transformed not just infrastructure but also trust, benefiting Kashi and neighboring districts. He announced the expansion of infrastructure projects, including the foundation laying of projects worth thousands of crores. The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport and the construction of a six-lane underground tunnel near the airport to improve connectivity. He noted the initiation of projects connecting Bhadohi, Ghazipur, and Jaunpur, as well as the long-awaited construction of flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih. He expressed happiness over the fulfillment of these demands. He also announced the construction of a new bridge connecting Banaras city and Sarnath, which will eliminate the need for travelers from other districts to enter the city while heading to Sarnath.

    The Prime Minister remarked that in the coming months, once the ongoing projects are completed, commuting in Banaras will become even more convenient, stressing that this progress will boost both speed and business activities in the region. He highlighted the enhanced ease for those visiting Banaras for livelihood and healthcare purposes. He also mentioned the commencement of the trial for the city ropeway in Kashi, which will position Banaras among the select cities globally to offer such a facility.

    Underscoring that every development and infrastructure project in Varanasi benefits the youth of Purvanchal, Shri Modi highlighted the government’s focus on providing continuous opportunities for Kashi’s youth to excel in sports. He remarked on the construction of new stadiums in Banaras and the development of excellent facilities for young athletes. He noted the opening of a new sports complex, where hundreds of players from Varanasi are undergoing training. He also mentioned that participants in the MP Sports Competition have had the opportunity to showcase their talent on these grounds.

    Emphasising India’s journey of balancing development and heritage, highlighting Kashi as the finest example of this model, the Prime Minister remarked on the flow of the Ganga and the consciousness of India, describing, “Kashi is the most beautiful representation of India’s soul and diversity”. He noted the unique culture in every neighborhood and the distinct colors of India visible in every lane of Kashi and expressed happiness over initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, which continue to strengthen the threads of unity. He announced the upcoming Ekta Mall in Kashi, which will showcase India’s diversity under one roof, offering products from various districts across the country.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation in Uttar Pradesh over recent years, noting that the state has not only changed its economic landscape but also its outlook. He remarked that Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a land of possibilities but has become a land of capability and achievements. He stressed on the growing resonance of ‘Made in India’ globally, with Indian-made products now becoming global brands. He noted the recognition of several products with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, describing these tags as more than just labels—they are certificates of identity for the land. He remarked that GI tags signify that a product is a creation of its soil, and wherever GI tags reach, they open pathways to greater market success.

    Underscoring Uttar Pradesh’s leading position in GI tagging across the country, Shri Modi mentioned the growing international recognition of the state’s art, crafts, and skills. He noted that over 30 products from Varanasi and its surrounding districts have received GI tags, describing them as a passport of identity for these items. He listed products from the region that have been recognized, such as Varanasi’s tabla, shehnai, wall paintings, thandai, stuffed red chili, red peda, and tiranga barfi. He also mentioned that products like Jaunpur’s imarti, Mathura’s sanjhi art, Bundelkhand’s kathiya wheat, Pilibhit’s flute, Prayagraj’s moonj art, Bareilly’s zardozi, Chitrakoot’s woodcraft, and Lakhimpur Kheri’s Tharu zardozi have recently been awarded GI tags. “The fragrance of Uttar Pradesh’s soil is now crossing borders, spreading its legacy far and wide”, he added.

    Remarking that preserving Kashi means safeguarding the soul of India, the Prime Minister concluded by emphasising the collective commitment to continually empower Kashi and to keep it beautiful and connect its ancient spirit with a modern identity.

    The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath were present among others at the event.

    Background

    Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. In line with his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly enhancing road connectivity in Varanasi, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various road projects in the region. Furthermore, he laid the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over Rs 980 crore.

    Giving a boost to the electricity infrastructure, Prime Minister inaugurated two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines of Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division worth over Rs 1,045 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of a 220 KV transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, a 132 KV transmission substation in Ghazipur and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over Rs 775 crore.

    Prime Minister inaugurated a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at PAC Ramnagar Campus, to improve facilities for the security personnel. He also laid the foundation stone of new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line.

    In line with his vision to ensure education for all, Prime Minister inaugurated projects including a Government Polytechnic College at Pindra, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government College at village Barki, 356 rural libraries and 100 Anganwadi centres also. He also laid the foundation stone for renovation of 77 primary school buildings under the Smart City Mission and the construction of a new building for Kasturba Gandhi School at Cholapur, Varanasi. Promoting sports infrastructure in the city, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a synthetic hockey turf with floodlights and spectator gallery at Uday Pratap College and a mini stadium at Shivpur.

    Prime Minister also inaugurated the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat at Ganga river, 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth over Rs 345 crore, improvement of six municipal wards of Varanasi and landscaping and sculpture installations at various sites of Varanasi.

    Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for MSME Unity Mall for artisans, infrastructure development works of Transport Nagar Scheme at Mohansarai, 1 MW solar power plant at WTP Bhelupur, Community halls in 40 Gram panchayats and beautification of various parks in Varanasi.

    Prime Minister presented Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to various local items and products including  tabla, painting, thandai, tiranga barfi among others. He also transferred over Rs 105 crore bonus to milk suppliers of Uttar Pradesh associated with Banas Dairy.

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Nominations for Padma Awards–2026 open till 31st July, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 12:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards-2026 to be announced on the occasion of Republic Day, 2026 have started on 15thMarch, 2025. The last date for nominations for Padma Awards is 31stJuly, 2025. The nominations/recommendations for Padma Awards will only be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in ).

    The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country. Instituted in 1954, these Awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year. The Award seeks to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields/disciplines, such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards. Government servants including those working with PSUs, except Doctors and Scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards.

    The Government is committed to transform Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”. All citizens are, therefore, requested to make nominations/recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society.

    The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the above said Portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements/service of the person recommended in her/his respective field/discipline.

    Details in this regard are also available under the heading ‘Awards and Medals’ on the website of Ministry of Home Affairs (https://mha.gov.in) and on the Padma Awards Portal (https://padmaawards.gov.in). The statutes and rules relating to these awards are available on the website with the link https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx .

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Italy’s Minister of University and Research Ms Anna Maria Bernini calls on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Italy’s Minister of University and Research Ms Anna Maria Bernini calls on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

    The two Ministers discuss deepening collaboration in Quantum Technologies, AI, and Biotechnology

    Dr Jitendra Singh recalls bilateral discussions between PM Modi and PM Meloni on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Brazil

    India and Italy Sign MoU to Boost Cooperation in Science and Technology

    Indo-Italian programme to include 10 research initiatives and 10 collaborative initiatives

    Posted On: 11 APR 2025 3:25PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to enhance bilateral scientific cooperation, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, currently on India visit, called on Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Dept. of Space, Dept. of Atomic Energy met with Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Ms. Anna Maria Bernini, for a high-level meeting at North Block here.

    The hallmark of the meeting was the signing of an MoU of cooperation by the two Ministers. The discussions between the two dignitaries centered on advancing joint initiatives in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging sectors.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, which culminated in the announcement of a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. The plan outlines a shared vision for collaborative innovation in science and technology.

    As part of this vision, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of scientific research and agreed to implement the 2025–2027 Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, aimed at fostering collaboration in critical technologies like AI and digitalization.

    Reaffirming India’s commitment to bilateral research, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the signing of the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) for 2025–2027 on 10th April 2025 during the Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting.Under the EPOC framework, both countries have successfully implemented over 150 joint research projects to date.

    The current programme includes joint funding for 10 research mobility proposals and 10 significant collaborative research initiatives across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s robust progress in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), Big Data, and biotechnology. He noted that India’s strategic investments and policies are steering the nation toward becoming a global hub of emerging technologies.

    Sharing key achievements, Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned about India’s pioneering development of a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was later gifted to many countries in need.The development and launch of the HPV vaccine and Nafithromycin, an indigenous antibiotic for respiratory infections.The country’s first-ever gene therapy trial, which has been a success.The creation of a national genome data bank to support personalized medicine and public health research.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh proudly referenced India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, now the third largest globally, with significant contributions from agro-biotech startups. Initiatives such as the Aroma Mission (also known as the Purple Revolution) exemplify innovation in agriculture and floriculture.

    He also highlighted the impact of technology-driven schemes like the Soil Health Card and Swamitva Yojana, which have revolutionized agriculture through drone technology.

    Reflecting India’s commitment to preserving ancient wisdom through modern science, Dr. Singh spoke of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) — a unique initiative that digitizes and protects traditional Indian knowledge using cutting-edge technology.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh, also the Minister of Earth Sciences, briefed the delegation about India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to send an Indian submersible 6,000 meters deep into the ocean. The trial dive up to 500 meters is set to commence next year.

    Both countries reiterated their commitment to long-standing cooperation in fields such as Infectious diseases, Quantum technologies, green hydrogen and renewable energy, Cultural heritage preservation technologies and Sustainable Blue Economy.

    They also agreed to explore new collaborative areas such as Industry 4.0, Clean energy.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also identified other mutual sectors, including academic and industrial partnerships involving SMEs and startups from both nations.

    Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology were also part of the high-level meet.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unregistered person arrested for suspected prescription of clear aligner

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Department of Health (DH) announced today (April 11) that, for the first time, a person, not being a registered dentist, had been arrested for suspected taking of a digital impression with an intra-oral scanner and prescription of a clear aligner after the updated definition of “practising dentistry” under the Dentists Registration Ordinance (DRO) (Cap. 156) came into effect.
     
    The Police and the DH yesterday (April 10) conducted a joint enforcement action against a person, not being a registered dentist, who was suspected of taking a digital impression with an intra-oral scanner in another person and prescribing another person with a clear aligner at a commercial building in Tsim Sha Tsui. During the operation, a 33-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly practising dentistry without being a registered dentist.
     
    With effect from January 1 this year, the definition of “practising dentistry” under the DRO has been updated. The DRO clearly stipulates that only registered dentists may provide the services specified for the meaning of practising dentistry in Schedule 2, which includes taking of a digital impression with an intra-oral scanner in another person and providing another person with the following services:
     

    1. the carrying out of dental bleaching or teeth whitening procedure;
    2. the prescription of clear aligner; and
    3. the carrying out of teeth veneering procedure. 

     
    Any person who provides or attempts to provide the aforementioned services but not being a registered dentist will commit an offence. The offender will be liable on summary conviction to a fine at level 6 and to imprisonment for three years, or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for five years.
       
    The DH reminded members of the public not to patronise non-registered dentists for their own health. Citizens may check before choosing dental services the List of Registered Dentists published by the Dental Council of Hong Kong online to verify the qualifications of service providers. If in doubt, citizens should refrain from receiving such services to ensure safety.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 comes into operation

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 comes into operation 
         The Amendment Ordinance tightens five existing AQOs and adds three parameters newly introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) to the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (see Annex). In addition, the Amendment Ordinance provides transitional arrangements for designated projects for which environmental permits (EPs) have been issued under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) before April 11 this year. If applications for variation of EPs of these projects are submitted within 36 months from the day that the new AQOs come into operation, the Government will adopt the pre-amended AQOs as the approval criteria.
     
         As regards the tightened control over unlicensed SP operations, after the Amendment Ordinance come into operation, the Director of Environmental Protection may issue a closure notice to the operator of a premise if he believes that a SP is being carried out on any premises without a SP licence. If the operator fails to comply with the requirements of the closure notice to stop the conduct of the concerned SP, a maximum penalty, upon conviction, is a fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for 12 months. The Amendment Ordinance also amends the scope of “cement works” and the definition of “premises”, including regulating “cement works” carried out on ships or barges, which are subject to control of the SP licensing regime.
     
         A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said, “To enable cement operators brought under the control of the Amendment Ordinance to apply for SP licences from the EPD in a timely manner, the EPD will put in place a six-month transitional arrangement, during which the cement operations newly brought under control will not be regarded as unlicensed operations. The transitional arrangement does not apply to cement operations that are already subject to control under the original Air Pollution Control Ordinance.”
    Issued at HKT 12:00

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES XR Creator Hackathon Winners Bring XR Innovation to Schools, Clinics, Homes, and Beyond

    Source: Government of India

    WAVES XR Creator Hackathon Winners Bring XR Innovation to Schools, Clinics, Homes, and Beyond

    Five winning teams will showcase their XR projects at WAVE Summit

    XR Innovators coming up in large numbers from Tier 2 and 3 cities

    Posted On: 10 APR 2025 9:06PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 10 April 2025

     

    From immersive science labs to cross-platform war games, India’s top eXtended Reality (XR) innovators are redefining how we learn, heal, shop, and travel! The winners of the XR Creator Hackathon, which is a part of Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with Wavelaps, have been declared. The hackathon, aimed at accelerating India’s presence in immersive technology, had five thematic categories — healthcare-fitness & well-being, educational transformation, immersive tourism, digital media & entertainment, and e-commerce-retail transformation.

    More than 2,200 participants from across India registered for the hackathon. After three rounds of evaluation, five teams have emerged as winners, representing a mix of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from different cities and institutions. The winner announcement was done in a ‘Winners’ Ceremony’ which was organized virtually over a YouTube live stream.

    A brief about the Winning Teams and their XR Projects

    1) The winner in the theme, ‘Educational Transformation’ is the team XR Runners with their project ‘Eduscape XR’

    The VR-based platform, developed by the students of IIT Kharagpur, EduscapeXR, allows students to perform realistic, immersive experiments in subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology using hand-tracking and AI-based feedback. It addresses the lack of laboratory infrastructure in many schools and colleges. “In many parts of the country, students study science without doing real experiments. We wanted to change that and our project aims to revolutionise education by providing STEM practicals on a virtual reality platform,” said Vedanta Hazra, who led the team with Sahil Patel and Shaurya Baranwal.

     

    2) The Winner in the theme, ‘Healthcare, Fitness & Well-being’ is team Cognihab with their project ‘Cognihab’

    Cognihab offers XR-powered rehabilitation solutions that support recovery from lazy eye, stroke, and anxiety. “We’re focused on outcomes in real medical settings and this hackathon helped us sharpen our approach and reach new stakeholders,” said team lead Rishab Kapur.  Team members include Pintu Kumar and others with a background in XR-based health tech.

     

    3) The winners of the theme ‘Immersive Tourism’ is the team LumeXR with their project is ‘Immersive Travel Guide’

    LumeXR developed a mixed-reality tourism guide that allows users to explore destinations virtually. The experience includes a 3D map interface, drone-shot photogrammetry, and embedded video stories, making trip planning more engaging and efficient. The platform also enables tourism brands to offer XR-based previews that go beyond traditional brochures or videos. “This isn’t just a travel app — it’s immersive cultural storytelling, with the help of our project, users can now ‘feel’ a destination before booking it,” said LumeXR’s team lead, Savio.

     

    4) The winners of the theme ‘E-Commerce & Retail Transformation’ theme is team ‘EMO’ with their project ‘Heaven Estate’

    Heaven Estate lets homeowners visualize interior designs in AR and 3D before making real-world decisions. What sets it apart is the focus on user-designer collaboration — where verified interior designers upload visualizations that clients can preview in their own space. “We wanted to create a real bridge between homeowners and professionals,” said EMO’s team lead Utkarsh Rai, who built the project with Himanshu Mahto, Ashutosh Mishra, and Ishita Guar. The EMO team credits the mentorship phase of the hackathon for refining their design and user experience.

     

    5) The winners of the theme ‘Digital Media & Entertainment’ is team Youth Buzz with their project ‘Immersive Warfare Simulator’

    Youth Buzz created The Game of Dimensions, a multiplayer tactical war game playable across VR (virtual reality) headsets and  mobile, offering an immersive gameplay. “We wanted to unify the gaming experience across platforms and realities,” said team lead, Mohit Kumar Sharma. His teammates include Anish Dombale, A Shivam Raj, and Yash Sadhukhan.

     

    XR Innovators are coming up from Tier 2 and 3 cities

    The hackathon saw participation from 66% Tier 2 and 3 cities, including Chengalpet, Manipal, and Veraval. The participants ranged from 17 to 35 years. Of the 40 finalist teams, 53% were students, 33% working professionals, and 14% self-employed entrepreneurs. Notably, 19% of the finalists were women — a strong indicator of growing gender diversity in XR innovation.

    With support from Wavelaps, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the two leading XR communities, BharatXR and XDG, the finalists are now stepping onto the world stage — where ideas born in classrooms, hostels, and home studios may soon reach global users. While the winners have been declared, the XR Creator Hackathon isn’t over yet. All five teams are now preparing to showcase their projects at the WAVES Summit — a global media and entertainment event organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, scheduled from May 1–4, 2025, in Mumbai.

    “The XR Creator Hackathon is not just nurturing innovation — it’s building the foundation for a new digital India. These solutions will redefine how we learn, heal, travel, and connect.” said Ashutosh Kumar, Founder & CEO of Wavelaps. 

     

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here

    Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

    Register for WAVES now.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Council on Human Reproductive Technology

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Council on Human Reproductive Technology 
         Established in 2001 under the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology is tasked to regulate reproductive technology activities, including regulating the provision of reproductive technology procedures and embryo research, in Hong Kong through a licensing system, and formulate the Code of Practice for the relevant sectors.————–
    Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen————————-
    Professor Wong Man-sau———–
    Mr Philip Chiu Kwok-leung
    Ms Eva Choi Doi-kwan
    Mr James Mathew Fong
    Dr Go Wing-wa
    Ms Iris Hsu Mei-kuen
    Mr Frederick Hui Cheuk-kit
    Dr May Lam Mei-ling
    Ms Lau Tsz-on
    Dr Leung Kwok-yin
    Reverend Leung Yuen-yiu
    Mr Jeffrey Lo Cheuk-fei
    Mr Ng Chak-hang
    Professor Ernest Ng Hung-yu
    Reverend Ng Sui-lung
    Ms Ng Wing-wing
    Dr Charas Ong Yeu-theng
    Ms Vanessa Wan Lai-shan
    Professor Kelvin Wang Man-ping
    Professor Dennis Wong Sing-wing
    Ms Yip Lai-wa
    Principal Assistant Secretary, Health Bureau
    Assistant Director, Department of Health
    Assistant Director, Home Affairs Department
    Chief Social Work Officer, Social Welfare Department
    Issued at HKT 11:16

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  • MIL-OSI Video: Syria, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    ———————

    Highlights:

    – Syria
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Lebanon
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – Sudan/Chad
    – Myanmar
    – Afghanistan
    – Amara Essy
    – Guest

    SYRIA
    Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari told the Security Council this morning that there have been hundreds of reported Israeli airstrikes across Syria since 8 December of last year. He added that at dawn on 3 April, there were reports that Israel carried out multiple airstrikes across Syria, including in Damascus, the Hama Military Airport, and the T4 military airport in Homs.
    Mr. Khiari recalled the Security Council’s 14 March presidential statement on Syria and said that Syria’s opportunity to stabilize after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis.
    Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix also briefed the Security Council, telling them that the Israel Defence Force (IDF) currently occupies 12 positions that they established on the Bravo side – 10 in the area of separation and two in the area of limitation in the vicinity of the Bravo line. They also continue to construct counter-mobility obstacles along the ceasefire line, and have flown, on several occasions, aircraft across the ceasefire line and helicopters into the area of separation, he said.
    Mr. Lacroix emphasized that it remains critical that all parties uphold their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including by ending all unauthorized presence in the areas of separation and limitation, as well as refraining from any action that would undermine the ceasefire and stability on the Syrian Golan.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that hostilities across the Strip are taking a horrifying toll on civilians – depriving people of safety and the means for their survival. There have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians.
    Just yesterday in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed – including at least eight children – after an Israeli strike hit a residential building. Many are still missing under the rubble. OCHA stresses that civilians must be protected under international law and should never be a target.
    For its part, the World Health Organization has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. Yesterday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to exit to seek specialized treatment abroad. However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the Strip, WHO calls for them to be able to do so through all available border crossings and corridors.
    As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, we have seen an increase in looting over the past few days. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, and Deir al Balah, and Al Zawaida.
    Once again, OCHA reiterates the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter.
    More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition, at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.  
    Across Gaza, partners are also warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water – together with the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock – are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations.
    Meanwhile, our humanitarian partners in Gaza have identified more than a dozen unaccompanied and separated children this week. They are doing everything possible to reunite these children with their families. 

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10+April+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z7CIoidD-A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council celebrates local heroes at Community Awards | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council recognised its local heroes this week at an inspiring Community Awards ceremony held in Soho.  

    The awards were a chance to celebrate and highlight people in the community who make a real difference, recognising the wide range of contributions that our residents make. 

    One of the winners was The Mosaic Community Trust, who took home the Neighbourhood Centre of the Year award. They shared: 

    It means a lot to us to be recognised by Westminster City Council for our hard work. As much as we are grateful for winning, this award belongs to our community. Community is the pillar of what we do, and this one is for them”.  

    Mike Smith, runner up of the Active Citizen of the Year and the Building Social Cohesion Award, said:  

    I feel overwhelmed by the ceremony. It’s brought so many people together for the first time since the pandemic, and it shows that we’ve all kept on fighting for our community and Westminster – despite the difficult times that we have faced.”  

    Councillor Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:  

    I am so proud that we have relaunched Westminster City Council’s Community Awards. Our voluntary and community sector organisations, their staff and incredible volunteers go above and beyond to serve our communities. As a council, we recognise and value all of these contributions. 

    These awards celebrate their skills, experience, generosity of spirit and incredible energy that individuals and organisations bring to their work across the city. A huge thank you to all those who took the time to make a nomination, and congratulations to all our runners up and the winners!” 

    The winners were: 

    • Contribution to Health, Wellbeing and Health Equity: Angela Singhate – Tell It Parents Network, Harrow Road 

    The runners up were: 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Smokefree Island:New Stop Smoking Service Provider – Free Help to Quit 11 April 2025 Thrive Tribe, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, are the new Smokefree Island stop smoking service provider.

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Smokefree Island helps around 680 residents each year to stop smoking for free, thanks to Public Health funding. From 1 April, there is a new provider aiming to make it even easier for residents on the Isle of Wight to quit for good and make smoking history across the Island.

    Thrive Tribe, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, are the new Smokefree Island stop smoking service provider. The service will provide a range of tailored support options, including a free 12-week programme that guides people every step of the way.  Whether they prefer video sessions, in-person meetings, or phone calls, the friendly and understanding experts are there for support.

    Plus, there are free quit smoking products including vapes and nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gum, and inhalators. 

    Smokefree Island also offers free help to young people who want to quit smoking or vaping, providing confidential advice and support and information about the long-term health impacts of nicotine.

    If you’re aged 12 or over and want to quit smoking or vaping, Smokefree Island can help – you are three times more likely to quit smoking with their help:

    ·       12-week stop smoking programme with dedicated expert support.

    ·       Free quit aids including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like patches, gum and inhalators, stop smoking medication, or vapes.

    ·       One-to-one and group support options: in-person or remote.

    ·       Web-app to track progress and manage cravings.

    ·       Specialist support for young people, pregnant individuals, and those at high risk of relapse.

    ·       Support to quit vaping or other nicotine products.

    Simon Bryant, the Isle of Wight’s Director of Public Health, said: “We’re committed to supporting residents on the Isle of Wight with their smokefree journey. We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone who smokes to access the support that works for them and Smokefree Island now offers many options and combinations of tools for stopping smoking. Whether you’re thinking about quitting, ready to quit, or need support staying smokefree, our Smokefree Island service will give you the best chance of quitting successfully.  Even if someone has attempted to quit smoking before, I encourage them to reach out to our free service. They can explore the various tools and support options available to find what works best for them.”

    Andy Emerson, Thrive Tribe’s Director of Operations, said: “We’re thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to deliver the stop smoking services on the Isle of Wight. Our programmes will be delivered from key community locations, primary care practices, and a wide range of pharmacies and vape stores to ensure it is accessible to all Island residents.  This is a fantastic opportunity for us to work together to meet local demand for a free stop smoking service providing flexible solutions and specialised tailored help for residents.”

    Expert help to quit

    Join Smokefree Island and get access to dedicated stop smoking mentors who understand how hard it is to quit. They can support you every step of the way, whether you need help managing stress and cravings, or need a hand to stay on track and motivated, they’re committed to helping you to quit for good.

    Ready to give up and go smokefree? 

    Sign up today for a healthier future:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of a member of the Civil Justice Council: April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Appointment of a member of the Civil Justice Council: April 2025

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Rebecca Hilsenrath KC (Hon) as a member of the Civil Justice Council.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Rebecca Hilsenrath KC (Hon) as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) member of the Civil Justice Council (CJC) for 3 years from 1 April 2025. The CJC is an advisory body established by the Civil Procedure Act 1997. The CJC brings together members of the judiciary, civil servants, legal professionals and others representative of the varied perspectives, sectoral interests, specialist and professional expertise found across the civil justice system.

    The CJC has a statutory role in keeping the civil justice system under review. It advises the judiciary, government, and rule makers on the development of the civil justice system, especially how it can be more accessible, fair and efficient. It is empowered to make proposals for change and propose and undertake research.

    Non judicial CJC member appointments are made by the Lord Chancellor and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Rebecca Hilsenrath KC (Hon)

    Ms Hilsenrath currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), where she has previously served as Director of Strategy and Interim Ombudsman. Before that, she served as the Chief Legal Officer and subsequently the Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Earlier roles include posts in the then Government Legal Service, and as Chief Executive of LawWorks.

    Ms Hilsenrath has not declared any political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting spoke at Unison’s annual health conference in Liverpool.

    Good morning conference.

    Let’s start on a point of agreement.

    The killing of 15 health and rescue workers in Gaza was an appalling and intolerable tragedy.

    Healthcare workers in any context, in any part of the world, should never be a target.

    The international community, or indeed any actors in any conflict, all have a responsibility to protect health and humanitarian aid workers and also to protect innocent civilians.

    And it’s clear that in Gaza, as well as in other conflict zones around the world at the moment, the international community is failing and failing badly.

    So I want to say, as a Unison member, I strongly support the sentiments expressed by our Healthcare Executive.

    But on behalf of our government, we want to see a return to an immediate ceasefire.

    We want to see aid in, people out of harm’s way, an end to this bloody conflict and a state of Palestine alongside a state of Israel, and the just and lasting peace that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.

    I also have to say, having been to the West Bank with Medical Aid for Palestinians and seen first hand the work that they do supporting the health needs of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territories, they do brilliant work.

    And I would fully endorse the sentiment of the motion in supporting them, and each of us putting our hands in our pockets to do that.

    But today, I’m here as the first health and social care secretary to address a Unison conference since my […] predecessor, Andy Burnham, did 15 years ago, and I am proud to do so as a Unison member.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Now we’re delivering the change people voted for.

    It’s not all plain sailing and I expect you’ll want to question, even challenge some of the government’s decisions.

    So there’ll be plenty of time for questions.

    And I promise to give you honest answers.

    [Political content has been removed]

    You might not like some of the answers.

    I might not like some of the questions, but the important thing is that we show up and we have that conversation.

    For all the challenges we’re confronting, and there are plenty, nothing I’ve experienced in the last 9 months as our country’s Health and Social Care Secretary has shaken my confidence and conviction that this will be a government that not only gets our NHS back on its feet, but makes sure it’s fit for the future, and shows the bold leadership required to make sure that we also build a national care service worthy of the name.

    Of course, it’s hard.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Six months ago, back here in Liverpool, I spent 2 hours with one of the most remarkable groups of people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting in my life.

    In that room were centuries of training and experience between them of working in the health service.

    But all of that training, all of that experience couldn’t have prepared those people with what they were confronted with in Southport on Monday the 29th of July, as they rushed into that community centre to find children and adults lying on the floor bleeding, some tragically dying.

    The aftermath of an unimaginable, senseless, mindless attack.

    Those people were confronted immediately with the consequences.

    For the staff I met, the trauma still runs deep.

    But on the day itself, the whole NHS team kicked into action.

    From the paramedics who arrived first on the scene and had to make split-second decisions of who to treat first in what order, to give them the best chance of survival.

    The porters rushing children through busy hospital corridors, and the security guards trying to shield other patients and visitors from seeing the horror that the staff were confronting.

    The lab teams who are mobilising blood supplies.

    Receptionists fielding calls from panic-stricken parents.

    The surgical teams fighting to save those young girls’ lives.

    I’m filled with admiration for their care, their expertise and their values.

    As I think about what happened in the aftermath of those brutal attacks, that admiration turns to anger.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Filipino nurses came under attack from racist thugs on their way into work wearing their NHS uniforms.

    GP surgeries closed early out of fear of rioters.

    A Nigerian care worker saw his car torched.

    These people came to our country to care for our sick and vulnerable.

    They bust a gut day in, day out to keep us well.

    If those thugs represented the worst of our country, our health and care workers represent the best.

    This government will never walk by on the other side when it comes to standing up against racist hate, intimidation or violence.

    Because no one should go to work fearing violence, least of all those all of us rely on for our healthcare.

    What happened after Southport was an extreme, but it wasn’t a one off.

    One in every 7 people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives or other members of the public.

    This should shame us all.

    So today I can announce we will act to keep NHS staff safe at work.

    Incidents will have to be recorded at a national level.

    Data will be analysed so that those most at risk can be protected.

    Trust boards will be made to report on progress they’re making to keep staff safe.

    Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra.

    We are making it mandatory.

    Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff, campaigned for by Unison.

    [Political content has been removed]

    We invest huge sums of money into training the NHS workforce.

    Then they’re treated like crap. Forced to leave the health service and often leave the country.

    British taxpayers are investing billions in doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants only for them to turn up treating patients in Canada or Australia.

    We’ve got to retain the talent we have in the health service and treat our staff with the respect they deserve.

    That means more training and opportunities for nurses who want to progress in their career, and making flexible working easier too.

    It also means paying you for the job you actually do.

    There have been too many disputes because NHS staff have not been paid according to their job description, rather than their job.

    So we’re bringing in a new digital system to make sure the job evaluation scheme is applied fairly across the board.

    [Political content has been removed]

    A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Campaigned for by Unison.

    [Political content has been removed]

    I owe my life to the NHS. Who cared for me when I went through kidney cancer. It’s a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay. But I will certainly try.

    You were there for me and I’ll be there for you.

    As the chair said, the scale of the challenge in our NHS is huge.

    [Political content has been removed]

    So our job is twofold.

    First, to get the service back on its feet and treating patients on time again.

    And second, to reform the service for the long term so that it’s fit for the future.

    And I say it’s our job deliberately, because this can’t be done with one man sat behind a desk in Whitehall.

    We will only succeed if this is a team effort, from the Prime Minister to the 1.5 million people who work in the National Health Service.

    When I visited Singapore General Hospital in opposition, they told me about a programme they run.

    It’s called get rid of stupid stuff.

    Does what it says on the tin.

    I thought the NHS could probably do with that.

    Some of you might think I could do with that.

    It’s a common sense idea.

    People working in the health service might have ideas about how to fix it.

    So over the past few months, just as we did when we were in opposition, we’ve been asking NHS staff about the stupid stuff that’s holding them back.

    More than a million people have engaged in what’s been the biggest national conversation since the NHS was founded.

    NHS staff have attended more than 3,000 meetings across the country and online, and if you’ve not made your voice heard yet, you’ve got until 5pm on Monday [14 April 2025] to go to Change.nhs.uk.

    The plan, published later this spring, will take the best ideas from across the NHS, staff and workforce and patients and set out how we’ll deliver the change the NHS needs.

    Shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospital and into the community, with more investment in primary and community care.

    Bringing our analogue health service into the digital age, arming staff with modern equipment and cutting-edge technology.

    Turning our sickness service into a preventative health service to help people live well for longer and tackle the biggest killers.

    The crisis in the NHS is not the fault of staff, but we can’t fix it without you.

    I know how hard it is to battle against a broken system, to give patients the best care you can, only to go home at the end of the day, knowing your best wasn’t good enough.

    But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    The cavalry is coming.

    My message to everyone working in the NHS is this.

    Stay and help us to rescue and rebuild it.

    The NHS was broken, but it’s not beaten.

    And together we can turn it around.

    Change takes time, but it has already begun.

    In 9 months, this […] government has awarded NHS staff an above-inflation pay rise, ended the resident doctors strikes, invested an extra £26 billion in health and care, the biggest investment in hospices for a generation.

    We’ve agreed the GP contract for the first time since the pandemic, with £889 million more in funding, the biggest uplift in a decade.

    We’ve reversed the decade of cuts to community pharmacy.

    We’ve delivered the extra 2 million more appointments we promised at the election than we did it 7 months early.

    NHS waiting lists have been cut for 5 months in a row and counting.

    80,000 suspected cancer patients were diagnosed early, so lots done, but so much more to do.

    We know there’s a long way to go.

    There’ll be bumps along the way.

    It won’t be plain sailing and we’ll make some mistakes.

    But we are finally putting the NHS on the road to recovery.

    On social care, we’ve been accused of not doing enough.

    I totally understand the cynicism after years of inaction.

    [Political content has been removed]

    Our first step on the road to building a national care service, and I can announce today, will go further for our care professionals.

    We are introducing the first universal career structure for adult social care, setting out four new job roles to give care workers the opportunities to progress in their career.

    With millions of pounds of new investment in their skills and training.

    Keir said his ambition for his sister, who is a care worker, is to command the same respect as her brother, the Prime Minister.

    Her work is so important to the future of our country.

    [Political content has been removed]

    But be in no doubt about the weight on our shoulders.

    I’m certainly not.

    Not only the responsibility to millions of people who are being failed by the NHS and social care services, but also to prove to a sceptical public that the NHS can change and deliver the timely, quality care people expect in 2025.

    On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, an opinion poll showed that the health service makes the majority of the British people proud of our country, greater than the pride we feel for any other aspect of our history or culture.

    But the same poll revealed that 7 in 10 believe that the NHS founding principle of healthcare, free at the point of need, won’t survive the next 10 years.

    The failure of public services to meet the needs of the people is one of the fertilisers of populism we see across liberal democracies.

    [Political content has been removed]

    We will always defend the NHS as a public service, free at the point of use, so that when you fall ill, you never have to worry about the bill.

    [Political content has been removed]

    That’s why I say it’s change or die.

    The stakes are high.

    The challenge is enormous, but the prize is huge.

    A service that values all of its workforce as an asset to be nurtured, not a cost to be minimised.

    Where staff are proud to work because their patients receive the best possible care.

    An NHS there for us when we need it.

    Once again, it won’t be easy.

    It will take time.

    But if we get this right, we will be able to look back on this time and say that we were the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, got it back on its feet and made it fit for the future, and built a national care service worthy of the name.

    Change has begun, but the best is still to come.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Service offers parents easy way to monitor baby’s growth

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team have joined forces with libraries, Family Hubs and the Health Visiting Team to provide a network of self weigh baby scales at locations across the city.

    Regular monitoring of a baby’s weight can help ensure they are thriving and meeting their growth milestones, giving parents peace of mind and fostering confidence in their child’s development.

    The self weigh baby scales empower parents to track their child’s weight, without the need for an appointment. Additional support is also available for anyone with questions or concerns about their baby’s weight, with trained staff and health professionals on hand to offer help and guidance.

    The service is available at Graiseley Family Hub on Mondays from 9am to 11.30am, Central Library on Tuesdays from 10am to noon, Bilston Library on Wednesdays from 10am to noon, Children’s Village Family Hub on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm and Low Hill Family Hub on Fridays from 9.30am to 11am.

    Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “These self weigh baby scales are a valuable addition to our Family Hubs and libraries, strengthening our ongoing commitment to supporting families across Wolverhampton.

    “By providing self weigh baby scales, we are making it easier for parents and carers to monitor their baby’s development in convenient and welcoming spaces, and whether you have queries about growth, feeding, or general wellbeing, our specially trained staff are here to support you every step of the way.

    “It’s a great example of how working together with our partners can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our community, and help every child get the best start in life.”

    Positive feedback has been received from parents, including ‘nice idea, helping mothers keep track of their baby’s weight’ and ‘really love seeing how my child has grown’.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigate serious crash in Austins Ferry

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigate serious crash in Austins Ferry

    Friday, 11 April 2025 – 3:35 pm.

    Police are investigating a serious crash involving a moped that occurred on Main Road, Austins Ferry this afternoon.Police and emergency services were called to the scene about 1.45pm.Preliminary investigations indicate the moped crashed into a pedestrian safety barrier.The rider and the pillion passenger – both male youths – were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, with the pillion passenger in a critical condition and the rider receiving serious injuries.No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash.The road remains closed to allow crash investigators to examine the scene and conduct inquiries.Police would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding.Anyone with information or relevant dash cam or CCTV footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trifork secures landmark project to transform Oman’s healthcare system

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release

    Trifork secures landmark project to transform Oman’s healthcare system

    Muscat, 11 April 2025 – The Ministry of Health in Oman has selected Trifork to develop a state-of-the-art Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) system while integrating with the National Health Information Exchange (NHER), which in parallel will be upgraded by Trifork during the project. This project represents a significant milestone in modernizing Oman’s healthcare system in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.

    After a competitive bidding process involving six contenders, Trifork was selected for its more than 20 years of expertise in Digital Health, which has been demonstrated through successful projects in Switzerland and Denmark and its strong international profile.

    Strengthening Oman’s healthcare system

    The project aims to upgrade Oman’s healthcare systems. The benefits of the new system include improved cost recovery, allowing government providers to reclaim insurance companies’ expenses more efficiently, faster claims processing, and reduced waiting times for patients at Ministry of Health facilities, which are key steps toward a more patient-focused healthcare experience.

    Key phases and deliverables

    The project is structured into phases, with gradual implementation over two years. The initial proof of concept will be completed in six months, followed by a gradual implementation of core functionalities, ensuring that the benefits of the solutions are implemented as soon as possible.

    These milestones align with the Ministry of Health’s digitalization strategy, which focuses on enhancing healthcare efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and seamless patient care through advanced technology. They also support Oman Vision 2040’s broader goals of leveraging digital transformation to improve public services, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and drive sustainable national development.

    Strategic partnership

    Trifork Oman brings invaluable expertise from similar engagements across Europe to the project. By integrating advanced solutions and leveraging global best practices, the company will deliver a tailored system that meets the unique needs of Oman’s healthcare ecosystem.

    The Ministry of Health in Oman oversees 263 health institutions, including 50 hospitals (4,954 beds), 21 health complexes, and 192 health centers. In 2022, they recorded 14.9 million outpatient visits – about 41,000 daily. Serving over 5 million people, the ministry prioritizes accessible, high-quality care and advances digital transformation under Oman’s Vision 2040.

    Commitment to innovation in Oman

    “This contract represents a major milestone for Trifork Oman in our ambition to contribute to the Sultanate’s goals for digital transformation and innovation. We are honored to use our strong expertise in digital health to contribute to the ongoing innovation in Oman’s healthcare sector and see this as the start of a long partnership,” says Christian Hemmingsen, CEO of Trifork Oman.

    Investor and media contact

    Frederik Svanholm
    Group Investment Director, Head of IR & PR
    frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 7317


    About Trifork

    Trifork is a pioneering global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative solutions. With 1,229 professionals across 73 business units in 16 countries, Trifork delivers expertise in inspiring, building, and running advanced software solutions across diverse sectors, including public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. Trifork Labs, the Group’s R&D hub, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic and high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is a publicly listed company on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it’s possible

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

    ovchinnikova_ksenya/Shutterstock

    Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus.

    Endometriosis can cause chronic pain, bloating, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain during sex and infertility. These symptoms can lead to reduced quality of life and mental health challenges.

    Although endometriosis pain can be treated with medication or surgery, these options are not suitable for everyone, and a significant number of women experience recurrent symptoms even after surgery.

    Many women with endometriosis look to complementary therapies to manage their symptoms, which can include dietary changes and taking supplements.

    A recent study sought to understand different dietary strategies women with endometriosis use and how these affect their pain levels. The researchers found cutting down on things like dairy, gluten, caffeine and alcohol could improve endometriosis pain.

    Let’s take a closer look.

    What the researchers did and found

    The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, involved an online survey. It asked women with endometriosis questions about any dietary changes they made and any supplements they used, and whether they found these useful for managing pain.

    A total of 2,388 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis completed the survey. Some 84% of respondents had made at least one dietary change, 67% of whom reported these changes improved their pain. Meanwhile, 59% had used supplements, 43% of whom considered these changes improved their pain.

    The following are some of the most popular dietary changes women had tried, and how they thought these changes affected their pain:

    • drinking less alcohol (improved pain in 53% of women)

    • eating less gluten (45%)

    • consuming less dairy (45%)

    • consuming less caffeine (43%)

    • eating less processed sugar, which can be found in foods and drinks such as lollies, cakes, biscuits and soft drinks (41%)

    • eating less processed foods, which include deli meats, savoury snacks such as chips and sausage rolls, and chocolate (38%)

    • following a low FODMAP diet, which involves avoiding short-chain carbohydrates (certain types of sugars) to reduce gas, bloating, pain and discomfort (32%)

    • adopting a Mediterranean diet, which is a diet high in plant foods (including fruit and green leafy vegetables), extra virgin olive oil, breads, fish, fermented dairy, and cereals and low in red meat, and processed meats and foods (29%).

    For supplements:

    • turmeric or curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric (improved pain in 48% of women)

    • magnesium (32%)

    • peppermint (26%)

    • ginger (22%).

    Around one in ten women of reproductive age have endometriosis.
    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Some limitations

    There are some weaknesses in this study to consider when interpreting the results. First, it’s an observational study, which means we cannot say these dietary changes and supplements cause decreased pain, just that there appears to be an link.

    To be more confident about the effects of dietary changes or supplements, we would need to do randomised studies with control groups.

    Also, the participants self-reported dietary changes they had made in the past and past pain levels. This relies on memory, which can be unreliable.

    All that said, this sort of research does provide us with clues about what may work, especially when we combine it with our knowledge of the actions these foods and supplements have in the body.

    So how would they work?

    Given the inflammatory component in endometriosis, the findings of this study are not entirely surprising. Many of the dietary changes and supplements this study looked at have anti-inflammtory properties.

    For example, reducing alcohol consumption, reducing processed foods, adopting a Mediterranean diet and using turmeric or curcumin may reduce inflammation.

    It’s possible certain dietary changes could improve endometriosis symptoms by reducing inflammation.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Some of the findings of this study seem to align with other evidence, while others don’t.

    For example, a recent review showed the Mediterranean diet can lead to reductions in pain, however the relevant studies did not have control groups. This same review showed a low FODMAP diet reduced pain and improved quality of life in people with endometriosis.

    Meanwhile, a 2024 paper concluded there’s a lack of evidence to support a gluten-free diet for endometriosis symptoms. The authors argued avoiding gluten to manage the condition should be discouraged.

    Peppermint has been reported to reduce period pain and nausea. But I couldn’t find any specific evidence for endometriosis.

    So what should you do?

    If you have endometriosis, this study and existing evidence suggests following a Mediterranean diet or a low FODMAP diet may reduce pain. This current study also indicates reducing your intake of alcohol, sugar and processed foods may help.

    Importantly, these changes won’t do any harm to your overall health. In fact, the Australian dietary guidelines recommend drinking alcohol and consuming processed foods in moderation, given links to a range of chronic diseases. So these changes may have other benefits too.

    However, some of the dietary changes reported in this study may be problematic.

    For example, eliminating dairy will significantly reduce your calcium intake which is important for building healthy bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life. However, there are other ways of ensuring an adequate intake of the nutrients found in dairy products.

    Reducing caffeine won’t lead to any health or nutritional concerns, but may affect quality of life for people who enjoy drinking coffee or tea.

    Women with endometriosis can try supplements such as turmeric or curcumin and ginger, but it’s best to try them one at a time, so you can identify which one works for you.

    If you’re looking to change your diet to try to manage endometriosis symptoms, it may be best to see a registered or accredited practising dietitian to ensure you’re following a nutritionally balanced diet.

    Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

    – ref. Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it’s possible – https://theconversation.com/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible-253945

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: COMLOG WESTPAC Holds Awards Ceremony, April 10, 2025 [Image 3 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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    SINGAPORE (Apr. 10, 2025) Rear Adm. Todd F. Cimicata, left, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73), presents Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Rafanan as COMLOG WESTPAC’s Sailor of the Quarter, during an awards ceremony on Sembawang Naval Installation, Apr. 10, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

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  • MIL-OSI China: Hostilities, aid blockade take toll on Gaza civilians

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israeli attacks in Gaza are taking a horrifying toll on civilians already suffering dwindling food supplies and looting due to the aid blockade, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that there have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians.

    “Just yesterday (Wednesday) in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed, including at least eight children, after an Israeli strike hit a residential building,” OCHA said. “Many are still missing under the rubble.”

    The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that more than 1,500 people reportedly were killed, many of them women and children, since the intensification of hostilities less than a month ago.

    The office said the hostilities and continued blocking of cargo entry into Gaza for almost six weeks are hampering people’s access to life-saving aid.

    “As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting over the past few days,” OCHA said. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, Deir al Balah and Al Zawaida.

    OCHA reiterated the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter.

    More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. On Wednesday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to leave for specialized treatment abroad.

    However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the strip, WHO called for evacuations through all available border crossings and corridors.

    Across Gaza, OCHA said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following crash on Polson Hill Drive, Palmerston North

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking witnesses after a crash on Polson Hill Drive, Palmerston North this afternoon.

    At around 1:40pm, Police were alerted to a crash involving a cyclist.

    The cyclist is currently in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital.

    Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the crash, or has any CCTV or dashcam footage from around the area at the time of the incident.

    In particular, we would like to identify and speak to the driver of a white SUV that assisted the victim by providing first aid before emergency services arrived.

    If this is you, or you have any information in relation to the crash, please contact Police on 105, either over the phone or online, and reference file number 250411/3102.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU students were told about the scientific discoveries of academician Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Meeting of students of Novosibirsk State University with the grandson of the founder of Akademgorodok, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Dean Faculty of Information Technology NSU Mikhail Mikhailovich Lavrentyev was held on April 4. It was dedicated to fascinating facts from the life of the founder of Akademgorodok, the academician, and was called “Scientific discoveries of academician Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev. From mathematics, mechanics and physics of explosions to the first computers.”

    This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Soviet mathematician and mechanic, founder of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev. Residents of Akademgorodok cherish his memory. Currently, his name is borne by the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the SUNC (Physics and Mathematics School) of NSU, Lyceum No. 130, an auditorium at NSU…. A monument to the academician was erected on the avenue named in his honor.

    Mikhail Mikhailovich Lavrentyev began the meeting by listing the most important scientific achievements of Mikhail Alekseevich: the Lavrentyev effect in variational calculus, the lifting force of an airplane wing, conformal and quasi-comfort mappings, explanation of the cumulative effect, the first artillery nuclear shell, the first domestic computers, new materials – explosion welding, acceleration of particles to cosmic speeds, saving genetics, the fight for the purity of Lake Baikal, saving the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) from a mudflow – the Medeu dam, the creation of new types of universities – PhysTech and NSU, the organization of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. And then he spoke in detail about some of them.

    Important contribution to the Victory

    Among the numerous awards of M.A. Lavrentyev is the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, which he was awarded in 1944. This Order was awarded to participants in military operations, but Mikhail Alekseevich was one of the few exceptions. He did not directly participate in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and was not at the front, but he made a significant contribution to the Great Victory as a talented scientist. The cumulative charges he developed became one of the factors that influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk (July 5 – August 23, 1943).

    — Previously, cumulative antitank aerial bombs were quite large in size, and domestic IL2 attack aircraft could take only a few of them on board, respectively, the maximum possible number of armored targets to be hit was also small. M.A. Lavrentyev proposed his own solution to the problem — the creation of a new generation of cumulative antitank aerial bombs, loaded into cassettes of 78 pieces. Lavrentyev’s PTABs were produced in Ufa, at the Prommetiz artel evacuated from Dnepropetrovsk. Each bomb weighed 2.5 kg and pierced up to 70 mm of armor with a cumulative pestle. This was enough to defeat the most protected Wehrmacht tanks: the armor thickness of the Panther on the turret was no more than 16 mm, and that of the Tiger — 28 mm. The PTABs from Ufa were first used in the Battle of Kursk, and they had a very worthy effect on the fascists – several hundred tanks were destroyed by air strikes, said M.M. Lavrentyev.

    It is important that instead of several heavy 100-kilogram anti-tank aerial bombs (PTAB), the IL2 attack aircraft carried 4 cassettes with 78 PTABs in each, which it literally “sprinkled” on German tanks from a height of 25 m. This ensured greater precision in the bombing strike and the safety of the aircraft itself, reducing to zero the risk of being shot down by the explosion of its own aerial bombs.

    Lavrentyev’s PTABs had another important advantage: unlike conventional aerial bombs made of expensive high-strength steel with a complex fuse, PTABs could theoretically be produced even in a wooden case. Therefore, they could be manufactured not at specialized factories, but in the most primitive conditions.

    The first nuclear artillery shell

    In the early 1950s, M. A. Lavrentyev was involved in the development of atomic weapons in the USSR. Work on the first domestic artillery nuclear projectile involved solving complex theoretical and experimental problems in hydrodynamics and gas dynamics, and preparing their solutions was a complex mathematical problem in itself. M. A. Lavrentyev was known as a major specialist in hydro- and gas dynamics, an outstanding mathematician, the founder of the theory of cumulative projectiles, and a well-known specialist in the use of explosives. Therefore, in 1953, he was transferred from the post of director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering to KB-11 (Arzamas-16, now the city of Sarov) to the post of deputy chief designer of the USSR Ministry of Medium Machine Building, which he held for two and a half years. During this time, M. A. Lavrentyev managed to create a creative team of young and talented specialists. Among them were Lev Vasilyevich Ovsyannikov, Dmitry Vasilyevich Shirkov, Vladimir Mikhailovich Titov and Bogdan Vyacheslavovich Voitsekhovsky. They later followed their leader to Akademgorodok and became academicians.

    — M.A. Lavrentyev’s scientific group faced a very difficult task: the projectile had to be compact in size compared to the products that had been created in this design bureau earlier, since they were to be used to load guns. At the same time, the projectile had to experience high overloads while maintaining combat capability. And these overloads were thousands of times greater than those typical for aerial bombs. Other difficulties arose, but the scientific team managed to successfully overcome them, and in 1956, an artillery shell with a nuclear charge successfully passed tests at the Semipalatinsk test site. As M.M. Lavrentyev said, the size of the projectile was still too large, so a gun of the corresponding caliber was specially made for it. Nowadays, similar weapons are installed on modern tanks, — M.M. Lavrentyev said.

    The first domestic computer

    In the 1950s, M.A. Lavrentyev took direct part in the creation of the first Soviet computer. At that time, he was the director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering of the Academy of Sciences, where the first computer, called BESM-1 (the first large electronic calculating machine), was being developed. But when performing this complex task, its developers faced competition from the relevant ministry, which at the same time was working on the creation of the Strela computer.

    — The competitors had many advantages, the most important of which was the financing of the work. In addition, 150 electron tubes were required to create BESM, which was a serious problem — about 100 tubes were issued per quarter to the entire Academy of Sciences, and it was impossible to acquire them in any other way. This issue was resolved thanks to the ingenuity of Sergei Alekseevich Lebedev, who is now considered the founder of domestic electronic computing technology. In 1950, he was invited to the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering of the USSR Academy of Sciences in Moscow by M.A. Lavrentyev. They went to the Minister of Radio Industry and asked: “Do consumers of tubes have many complaints against you?” He answered: “Yes, a lot. I believe that in most cases, tubes fail due to the fault of consumers.” Then S.A. Lebedev suggested: “Give us 150 lamps, we will have them in continuous operation, and we will inform you every month that the lamps are working well, and you will replace those lamps that burn out with new ones. The minister agreed, and the problem was solved,” M.M. Lavrentyev said.

    Tests of both machines were conducted in 1953. The advantages were again on the side of the competitors. All units of the new memory designed by S.A. Lebedev were addressed to the “Strela” by the decision from above, therefore the creators of BESM had to make the computer memory on the acoustic principle. This reduced its performance by 15-20 times. In addition, the chairman of the acceptance committee was the manager who had already created his own computing center for the “Strela”. And the first test results did not speak in favor of BESM. But M.A. Lavrentyev drew attention to the fact that one of the test tasks did not make sense. On this basis, he insisted on postponing the acceptance for six months and providing the BESM developers with units designed by S.A. Lebedev.

    — BESM was being improved for six months, after which it demonstrated significantly higher productivity: it solved all tasks assigned to it 5-8 times faster than Strela. In the competition between the two companies, the winner was not the one that had enough funds, people, and space, but the one that had progressive ideas. And BESM-1 became the predecessor of a series of domestic digital computers, — explained M.M. Lavrentyev.

    Throwing soil by explosion

    M.A. Lavrentyev made a significant contribution to saving the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) from mudflows, which posed a serious danger. One of the evidences of this is the Issyk disaster that occurred on July 7, 1963. Then the mudflow caused the death of one and a half hundred Almaty residents.

    — Only one gorge was dangerous for mudflows. And it was proposed to create a protective dam in it by means of directed explosions. Several years before that, an article by several scientists, including M.A. Lavrentyev, was published in the journal “Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics” about the directed throwing of soil using explosives. This idea was implemented in this unique project, — said M.M. Lavrentyev.

    In 1964, the Kazakh branch of the Hydroproject Institute developed a project for a gravity rock-fill dam. Taking into account the experience of the 1963 mudflow, its design was significantly strengthened. M.A. Lavrentyev was among the scientific consultants of the project. As a result, for the first time in world practice, a 110-meter-high dam was created using directed explosions. The task was complicated by the terrain and seismic features of the area, but the creators of the dam coped – it withstood the mudflow that occurred shortly after the end of the work. To this day, the dam created by explosions protects Almaty from destructive mudflows.

    The students also learned how M.M. Lavrentyev managed to save the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences from closure at a time when genetics was considered pseudoscience and was persecuted. They were also told about his other significant scientific achievements. However, M.M. Lavrentyev noted that Mikhail Alekseevich considered the creation of the NSU Physics and Mathematics School and the Young Technicians Club to be the most significant thing in his life. For him, the involvement of talented youth in scientific work was of primary importance.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hostilities, aid blockade take toll on Gaza civilians: UN

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israeli attacks in Gaza are taking a horrifying toll on civilians already suffering dwindling food supplies and looting due to the aid blockade, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that there have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians.

    “Just yesterday (Wednesday) in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed, including at least eight children, after an Israeli strike hit a residential building,” OCHA said. “Many are still missing under the rubble.”

    The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that more than 1,500 people reportedly were killed, many of them women and children, since the intensification of hostilities less than a month ago.

    The office said the hostilities and continued blocking of cargo entry into Gaza for almost six weeks are hampering people’s access to life-saving aid.

    “As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting over the past few days,” OCHA said. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, Deir al Balah and Al Zawaida.

    OCHA reiterated the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter.

    More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. On Wednesday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to leave for specialized treatment abroad.

    However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the strip, WHO called for evacuations through all available border crossings and corridors.

    Across Gaza, OCHA said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations.

    MIL OSI China News –