NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trastuzumab deruxtecan approved to treat adults with HER2-positive cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Trastuzumab deruxtecan approved to treat adults with HER2-positive cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery 

    As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (9 April 2025) approved trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) to treat people with solid tumours that have mutations in human epidermal growth factor 2 (known as HER2 positive cancers) that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic disease) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), and who have no alternative treatment options.  

    This approval is an extension to the indication (use) of the medicine, which has previously been approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancers, who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens for non-small cell lung cancer with an activating HER2 mutation and HER2-postivie gastric cancer. 

    Trastuzumab deruxtecan has been approved through Project Orbis, a global partnership between the MHRA, the Therapeutics Goods Administration in Australia, Health Canada, the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore, Swissmedic, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária in Brazil and Israel’s Ministry of Health, coordinated by the US Food and Drug Administration.  This programme reviews and approves promising cancer drugs, helping patients to access treatments more quickly.    

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan under close review. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card. 

    Notes to editors  

    1. The variation to the marketing authorisation was granted on 9 April 2025 to Daiichi Sankyo UK Ltd. 

    2. The aim of Project Orbis is to deliver faster patient access to innovative cancer treatments with potential benefits over existing therapies.  For more information, see: Project Orbis

    3. For more information about cancer, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/ 

    4. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.  

    5. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  

    6. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    7. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Non-locally trained dentists join Govt

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The first batch of three non-locally trained dentists recruited by the Department of Health started working at government dental clinics in the first quarter.

    The Legislative Council passed the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 in July 2024, which introduced new pathways for admitting qualified non-locally trained dentists, including limited registration for all dentists, and special registration targeting specialist dentists.

    The department launched a global recruitment drive in the same month. It received over 90 applications from non-locally trained dentists and issued 12 letters of appointment after a rigorous selection process.

    Three of the applicants, after obtaining the Dental Council of Hong Kong’s approval for limited registration in February, took up their appointments with the department on March 10.

    The three newly recruited dentists have practised in the Mainland, the UK and Australia after obtaining their professional qualifications in dentistry from Mainland and overseas institutions respectively.

    Proficient in Cantonese, they have been assigned to work in government dental clinics with general public sessions after taking a one-week induction course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SLW’s speaking notes on labour, manpower development and retirement protection policy areas tabled at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the speaking notes of the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on labour, manpower development and retirement protection policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee today (April 9):

    Chairman and Honourable Members,

         Recurrent government spending on labour and manpower development in 2025-26 is estimated to be $3,480 million, representing an increase of about $350 million (11.1 per cent) over the revised estimate of $3,140 million last year. It accounts for 0.6 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure. I will highlight the key areas of work in respect of the relevant areas in the coming year.

    Abolishing the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) offsetting arrangement

         The abolition of the MPF offsetting arrangement will take effect on May 1 this year, alongside the launch of a 25-year subsidy scheme on the same date. I would like to remind employers again that the abolition has no retrospective effect, and the pre-transition portion of severance payment (SP) and long service payment for existing employees can still be offset after May 1. Dismissing employees before the abolition takes effect will not save money. 

    Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

         The Labour Department (LD) has implemented the ESLS since September 4, 2023, to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years. As at March this year, the ESLS received over 12 000 applications for importing about 107 000 workers. During the period, over 7 800 applications involving around 54 000 imported workers were approved. The LD is reviewing the ESLS, including its coverage, operation and implementation arrangements; measures to promote and ensure employment priority for local workers; measures to protect the rights and benefits of imported workers; as well as other requirements and matters relating to the ESLS. The Government will take full account of the views of stakeholders, including employer associations and labour organisations, in mapping out the way forward. 

    Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW)

         The SMW rate will be raised from the prevailing level of $40 per hour to $42.1 on May 1, providing further protection to low-income employees. Moreover, the Government is firming up a new annual review mechanism for future SMW rates. The first rate derived under the new mechanism is expected to take effect on May 1 next year.

    Amending the Trade Unions Ordinance (TUO)

         The Government also proposes to amend the TUO to better safeguard national security and strengthen the regulatory regime for trade unions. The Labour Advisory Board (LAB) and the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Manpower supported the amendment proposals. The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo this month.

    Relaxing the “continuous contract” requirement under the Employment Ordinance (EO)

         Based on the consensus reached by the LAB, the Government is amending the EO to relax the working hours threshold of the “continuous contract” requirement, enabling more employees to enjoy fuller protection. The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo this month.

    Increasing the ceiling of ex gratia payment on SP under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF)

         The Government on March 21 this year increased the ceiling of ex gratia payment on SP under the PWIF from $100,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement to $200,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement, further strengthening the protection for the rights of employees affected by business closures. 

    Strengthening youth employment services

         The LD in January this year enhanced the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Employment Scheme to relax the eligibility requirements to include young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree or higher qualifications, and increase the limit of allowance granted to enterprises to $12,000 per young person per month. The LD also raised the upper age limit for participants of the Youth Employment and Training Programme to 29 and introduced workplace attachment opportunities in the GBA to enhance young people’s employability.

    Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme

         The LD on July 15 last year launched the three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme. The response is very favourable. As at March this year, the Scheme recorded over 38 000 participants and more than 16 000 placements, mobilising more older and middle-aged persons to join the employment market.

    Enhancing occupational safety and health (OSH)

         The LD is highly concerned about the levels of OSH risks across different industries, as well as the changes in these risks, with a particular focus on the construction industry. On top of routine OSH inspections, the LD conducts special enforcement operations, safety audit inspections and in-depth inspections targeting high-risk processes and construction sites with poor safety performance. In addition, the LD has stepped up district patrols targeting minor repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works to curb unsafe work activities.

         The LD will also enhance the application of technology by introducing small unmanned aircraft in the second half of this year to assist with inspections, evidence collection, law enforcement operations, etc.

         Last year, the LD brought the remaining four elements of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation into operation and revised the Code of Practice on Safety Management to strengthen the safety management system. The LD also revised the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety and the Code of Practice for Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces to further strengthen bamboo scaffolding safety and enhance OSH in confined space works. Following the revision of the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Trapping Hazard of Tail Lifts in March this year, the LD will revise the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and the Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platforms in 2025-26 to enhance the safety requirements for operating the relevant machinery.

    Talent attraction 

         To address the labour shortage across industries, the Government, on top of the ongoing promotion of local training, has also implemented various well-received talent attraction measures, including the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) since the end of 2022.

         As at end-March this year, over 460 000 applications were received under various talent admission schemes, of which over 300 000 were approved. During the same period, a total of about 203 000 talents arrived in Hong Kong. Some of them brought along families to settle in Hong Kong, and about 189 000 spouses of the approved applicants and their children under the age of 18 arrived in Hong Kong. These incoming talents and their families bring about a positive impact on Hong Kong’s labour force and add new impetus to the local economy. The first batch of visas under the TTPS have started to expire from end-December last year, with nearly 10 000 TTPS visas estimated to expire by the middle of the year. As only a small number of applications have been processed at present, we will analyse in detail the relevant statistics when a certain number of applications for extension of stay have been accumulated and release them at an opportune time.

         The Government is reforming various aspects of the talent admission regime to continue to strive to trawl for and retain talents. We have also initiated the arrangements under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme for proactively inviting top-notch and leading talents to come to Hong Kong for development, which have been endorsed by the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents led by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Under the new mechanism, we will, having regard to various development needs of our country and Hong Kong, proactively persuade the target top-notch talents to settle in Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong as the focal point of international high-calibre talents. The Government will provide throughout the process various personalised facilitations to the invitees. It is well appreciated that these top-notch talents are highly sought after worldwide. To avoid affecting the lobbying, we will not disclose the specific operational details about the invitation mechanism.

         In addition, to address the acute manpower shortage in the local skilled trades, we will enhance the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals to allow young and experienced non-degree talents with relevant professional and technical qualifications to come to Hong Kong to join the skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage. Meanwhile, the 2023 Policy Address announced the launch of the two-year pilot Vocational Professional Admission Scheme (VPAS). The number of eligible programmes in the 2025/26 admission cohort will be increased to 34. While applications will be only open next year upon the graduation of the first batch of eligible non-local students, we have noticed that since the announcement of VPAS, many non-local students have been attracted to enrol in the eligible programmes that had difficulties enrolling local students in the past. The Vocational Training Council will enhance its promotional efforts and support non-local graduates in applying under the scheme for staying in Hong Kong for one year to seek jobs relevant to their disciplines.

         Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) provides comprehensive one-stop support to incoming talents. It organises online and offline workshops (including Cantonese learning courses), seminars and job fairs centred on living, employment and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, as well as social inclusion activities (including the Talent+ Volunteer Programme), to help incoming talents settle in Hong Kong, and promote Hong Kong’s advantages to the world and recruit talents. HKTE organised the inaugural Global Talent Summit．Hong Kong (GTS) in May 2024 and will organise the second GTS early next year to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international hub for high-calibre talents.

    Reform of the Employees Retraining Board

         The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) is taking forward its reform and has since early this year implemented short-term measures to enhance its services, including lifting the restriction on educational attainment of trainees. In the medium to long term, the ERB will rename the organisation, enhance training and employment support services, strengthen research capabilities, and formulate a pertinent training framework. The ERB will submit an implementation plan to the Government by the end of this year. The Government will continue to work with the ERB to implement the reform, with a view to enhancing local manpower training, upskilling and re-skilling.

         To encourage more young people to participate in the Apprenticeship Scheme and join the relevant trades, each registered apprentice, for a period of three years starting from 2024-25, is provided with an additional training allowance of $1,000 per month, and graduated apprentices will be subsidised to undertake upskilling courses of relevant trades. Meanwhile, the VTC receives subvention to organise short in-service training courses with a view to meeting the market demand. 

    Manpower projection

         The LWB released the report on the 2023 Manpower Projection in 2024, projecting that Hong Kong will face an overall manpower shortage of 180 000 by 2028, with over one-third being skilled technical workers. We would commence a mid-term update of the 2023 Manpower Projection in late 2025, with the findings expected to be available in 2026.

         Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Evidence-Based Rural Development Gets a Push with Rollout of First-Ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for FY 2022-23

    Source: Government of India

    Evidence-Based Rural Development Gets a Push with Rollout of First-Ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for FY 2022-23

    PAI 2022–23: Out of 2.16 Lakh Validated Panchayats,

    35.8% Gram Panchayats Recognized as Performers; 61.2% Identified as Aspirants; Gujarat and Telangana Lead as Front Runners

    Posted On: 09 APR 2025 1:43PM by PIB Delhi

    In a major stride towards localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and empowering grassroots governance, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) — a transformative tool to measure the progress of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India. The PAI captures Panchayats’ performance across nine themes of Localized SDGs (LSDGs) ie. Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods in Panchayat, Healthy Panchayat, Child-Friendly Panchayat, Water-Sufficient Panchayat, Clean and Green Panchayat, Panchayat with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure, Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat, Panchayat with Good Governance and Women-Friendly Panchayat. These themes align global goals with rural realities, helping local governments tailor their strategies for holistic development.

    State-wise, Gujarat led the pack with 346 Gram Panchayat as Front Runners, followed by Telangana with 270 Front Runners. States with a high number of Performers include Gujarat (13781), Maharashtra (12,242), Telangana (10099) along with Madhya Pradesh (7,912), and Uttar Pradesh (6593) while Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh have a significant share of Aspirant Gram Panchayats, highlighting areas needing focused development efforts. The 2022-23 PAI data reveals that out of 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats, 2,16,285 submitted validated data. While 699 (0.3%) Panchayats emerged as Front Runners, 77,298 (35.8%) were Performers, 1,32,392 (61.2%) were Aspirants while 5,896(2.7%) Gram Panchayats were at the Beginner Level. None of the Gram Panchayat is qualified as an Achiever. As of now, no inter-state comparison has been done.

    About Panchayat Advancement Index

    Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is a composite Index & has been compiled based on 435 unique local Indicators (331 mandatory & 104 optional) consisting of 566 unique data points across 9 themes of LSDGs (Localization of Sustainable Development Goals) aligned with National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) , the PAI reflects India’s commitment to achieving the SDG 2030 Agenda through participatory, bottom-up development. Based on the PAI scores & thematic Scores achieved by different Gram Panchayats, these GPs are grouped into one of the categories of performance – Achiever: (90+), Front Runner: (75 to below 90); Performer: (60 to below 75); Aspirant: (40 to below 60) and Beginners (below 40).

    PAI aims to assess and measure the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localized SDGs, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 2030. The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is a multi-domain and multi-sectoral index that is intended to be used to assess the overall holistic development, performance & progress of Panchayats. The index takes into account various socio-economic indicators and parameters to gauge the well-being and development status of the local communities within the jurisdiction of a Panchayat. One of the purposes of the PAI is to identify the development gaps of the Panchayats through the scores achieved across various LSDG themes and enable the Panchayat for evidence-based planning at grassroots level. The outcomes of the PAI, over time, will reflect incremental progress based on the scores achieved by Panchayats, highlighting their advancement toward realizing the LSDGs. The first ever baseline Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) FY 22-23, will play a vital role in setting local targets, identifying actionable points, and facilitating the preparation of evidence-based Panchayat Development Plans aimed at achieving the desired goals. The index resonates with the needs of rural India making them contextually meaningful at the grassroots level. The PAI serves as a tool for assessment and promotes healthy competition among Panchayats. Moreover, the data collected through PAI serves as a foundation for evidence-based planning, enabling Panchayats to identify development gaps, set clear targets, and allocate resources more effectively, thus driving more strategic and impactful governance at the local level. Crucially, it enables policymakers at all levels from State Governments to Members of Parliament to assess ground-level progress and fine-tune strategies accordingly.

    Release of the Panchayat Advancement Index has been possible due to the collaboration with various Union Ministries, State Governments and UN Agencies. These stakeholders have shared essential data that forms the backbone of the index, making it a comprehensive tool for monitoring development. Over 2.16 lakh Gram Panchayats from 29 States/UTs have already entered their data into the dedicated PAI Portal with each entry rigorously validated before being included in the final index. The PAI portal (www.pai.gov.in) serves as a robust, multilingual data management platform enabling Panchayats to enter and track their development metrics. Data from over 2.16 lakh Panchayats has been processed, with validation by States/ UTs. Data for 11,712 Panchayats from five States/UTs (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Goa, Puducherry, and West Bengal) were not included due to pending validation.

    As India continues its journey towards the 2030 SDG targets, the PAI stands as a landmark innovation in rural governance promoting transparency, efficiency, and community-centered development. For further insights and access to detailed reports, visit www.pai.gov.in.

    State Wise Number of Panchayats in Each Performance Category

     

     

     

     

     

    For List of Top 25 GPs across India: Click Here

    ****

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2120320) Visitor Counter : 32

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Poland and Canada suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 9) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Åšrem District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, and in Lambton County of Ontario Province in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

    A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 6 600 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, and about 400 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Canada last year. 

    “The CFS has contacted the Polish and Canadian authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan leads India at third BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting on Agriculture at Kathmandu

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan leads India at third BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting on Agriculture at Kathmandu

    India implementing targeted measures using digital technologies to empower farmers: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Shri Chouhan urges BIMSTEC member countries to participate in WAVES – 2025

    Posted On: 09 APR 2025 2:33PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan led India at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) in Kathmandu, Nepal today. The one-day event was graced by the Agriculture Ministers and Senior Agriculture officials of the BIMSTEC countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka. This meeting provided an opportunity for a greater regional cooperation in the field of Agricultural development.

    Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. “Agriculture and Food Security” is one of the BIMSTEC core areas of cooperation. This was the third meeting of BAMM, the highest decision-making body shaping regional agricultural cooperation. The 1st BAMM took place in Myanmar on 12 July 2019, followed by the 2nd BAMM in India on 10 November 2022. During the 3rd BAMM, the Agriculture Ministers deliberated on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to the BIMSTEC agriculture sector including fisheries and livestock cooperation.

    In his address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that BIMSTEC is a natural choice for India to fulfil its key foreign policy priorities of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East Policy’. BIMSTEC has the potential to connect South and Southeast Asia. We have a shared history and a rich cultural heritage that makes us natural partners. Minister mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi , India has been implementing targeted measures such as direct transfer of cash to farmers, improving access to institutional credit, Soil Health Card, National Food Security Mission, Crop Insurance, Namo Drone Didi Scheme for providing drones to women. India is focusing on using digital technologies to empower farmers. Along with this, organic farming and natural farming are also being promoted while maintaining focus on environmental protection and soil health.

    He reiterated India’s commitment to strengthen agricultural cooperation within BIMSTEC and felt happy to note that India has taken the initiative under BIMSTEC Agriculture Cooperation (2023-2027) by organizing trainings and workshops in the field of seed development, animal health and pest management. India also offers fully funded BIMSTEC Scholarships for students from BIMSTEC member nations to pursue M.Sc. and Ph.D. in India. This reflects our collective efforts towards enhancing capacity building in the agriculture sector in the region.

    To further strengthen cooperation among BIMSTEC countries, India has proposed the establishment of ‘BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Agriculture Cooperation in India’. This centre will play an important role in resolving and operationalizing various commitments of BIMSTEC in agriculture and allied sectors in a timely manner. This centre will focus on precision agriculture, mitigating climate risk, natural farming, gender equality and artificial intelligence. It will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and skills on emerging technologies including drones, digital technologies to ensure food security, nutrition and livelihood security in the region.

    Shri Chouhan shared that Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has announced the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit- 2025 in December 2024 which aims to bring together the world of entertainment, creativity and culture. It will serve as a premier platform for creativity and technological innovation for content creators, facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and provide an opportunity to engage in meaningful collaboration on issues with media and entertainment industry leaders from around the world. This event is being held in Mumbai during 1-4 May 2025 and urged the BIMSTEC member countries to participate in this mega event.

    He expressed gratitude to leaders of BIMSTEC countries for the efforts made during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to effectively implement the Plan of Action for Strengthening BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation (2023-2027). He expressed gratitude for the directions to enhance cooperation in sustainable development of fisheries and livestock to improve the livelihoods of people in the region and ensure food security. He concluded by stressing that BIMSTEC is central to our efforts to ensuring food security, climate adaptation and making Agriculture Sustainable in the region and reiterated the commitment of India towards these efforts.

    ****

    PSF/KSR/AR

    (Release ID: 2120337) Visitor Counter : 99

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Stretch, Breathe, Stay Updated: IDY 2025 Newsletter Goes Live

    Source: Government of India

    Stretch, Breathe, Stay Updated: IDY 2025 Newsletter Goes Live

    IDY Newsletter reflects the spirit of IDY 2025 theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, as envisioned by the Prime Minister: Ayush Minister

    Posted On: 09 APR 2025 1:59PM by PIB Delhi

    In the run-up to the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY), the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of Ayush has launched a dedicated newsletter to provide timely updates, foster awareness, and encourage public participation in the global celebration of yoga. With just weeks to go for the event, the newsletter will serve as a vital communication tool to engage stakeholders and audiences worldwide.

    The Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the thought behind the initiative and mentioned that, “This newsletter is a vital step towards ensuring timely and transparent updates for citizens and stakeholders alike. It reflects the spirit of IDY 2025 theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, as envisioned by the Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat. I commend MDNIY for its dedicated efforts in bringing this initiative to life.”

    The Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha mentioned, “The publication of this newsletter is an effort to bring citizens closer to yoga. It encourages widespread participation in IDY 2025 and promotes holistic well-being, aligning with our shared vision of health and harmony for all.

    The Joint Secretary, Ms. Monalisa Dash mentioned, “This newsletter reflects our integrated approach to International Day of Yoga 2025. It brings together voices and efforts from across institutions, helping ensure that the IDY message resonates strongly and inclusively across all sections of society.”

    The Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Dr. Kashinath Samagandi emphasised that “Publication of this newsletter has been a collaborative journey. Timely cooperation from IDY event organisers nationwide is crucial to ensure accurate, comprehensive updates that reflect our collective commitment to promoting yoga and wellness at every level of society.”

    The newsletter aims to disseminate timely information and keep the public informed about the latest developments, including event plans, milestones, and logistical preparations. It will also generate excitement and awareness among citizens, institutions, media houses, and international partners, reinforcing the central message of holistic health and well-being through yoga.

    Designed to promote participation, the newsletter will share details on registration portals, participation guidelines, and community-led initiatives. It will also showcase the country’s preparedness, including ground-level activities, rehearsals, and signature campaigns like Harit Yoga.

    A key objective of the newsletter is to strengthen stakeholder engagement, aligning government bodies, yoga institutions, educational organisations, and global missions under a common vision. The Ministry will also use the platform to highlight innovative campaigns, digital tools like yoga apps, and the special theme ‘Yoga for One Earth One Health’ introduced for the year.

    Functioning as a communication bridge, the newsletter will regularly feature updates on pre-events, curtain raisers, and international collaborations. It will spotlight success stories from previous editions and include expert insights from renowned yoga practitioners and scientists.

    With the Prime Minister’s vision of making yoga a unifying force for humanity, the newsletter will further promote government messaging, celebrating India’s role in leading this global wellness movement.

    This initiative also aims to foster global outreach, highlighting activities of Indian embassies and diaspora communities, ensuring that the spirit of IDY resonates across continents.

    For more updates and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/YAP/IDY-Newsletter/index.php .

    ****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2120328) Visitor Counter : 112

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for ministry of Women and Child Development Smt. Annapurna Devi to Visit Arunachal Pradesh from 10th to 13th April, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 09 APR 2025 11:43AM by PIB Itanagar

    The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, will be visiting Arunachal Pradesh from 10th April to 13th April 2025, to attend various programs under Poshan Pakhwara. During her visit, she will focus on a range of field visits and review meetings aimed at enhancing the implementation of Government of India schemes.

    Smt. Annapurna Devi will be visiting the districts of Kra Daadi and Lower Subansiri, where she will participate in activities related to Poshan Pakhwara.

    In addition to attending the Poshan Pakhwara programs, the Minister will visit schools, Anganwadi centers, Hospitals, cooperatives, and Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the region to interact with beneficiaries and assess the impact of Government schemes. These visits are aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of key government welfare schemes aimed at women, children, and marginalized communities.

    The Minister will also conduct review meetings with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and district officers to discuss the progress of various schemes of the Government of India, including the flagship initiatives under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The review sessions will focus on enhancing the effectiveness of ongoing programs and identifying areas where further improvements are needed to ensure the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable sections of society.

    ***

    PD

    (Release ID: 2120289) Visitor Counter : 157

    Read this release in: Urdu

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First batch of non-locally trained dentists join DH to provide public service

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    First batch of non-locally trained dentists join DH to provide public service 
    Following the passage of the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council in July last year, new pathways were to be introduced to admit qualified non-locally trained dentists. The DH launched a global recruitment drive in the same month. Apart from posting the information on its website, the DH collaborated with the offices outside Hong Kong to organise a series of online briefings and disseminated information to dental institutions and dental associations around the world.
     
    The DH received over 90 applications from non-locally trained dentists and issued 12 letters of appointment after a rigorous selection process. The Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK) is actively processing the relevant registration matters. Three of them, after obtaining the DCHK’s approval for limited registration in February this year, took up their appointments with the DH on March 10 this year.
     
    “The DH welcomes non-locally trained dentists to join the team. The three new colleagues have practical experience of practising in the Mainland, the United Kingdom and Australia after obtaining their professional qualifications in dentistry from Mainland and overseas institutions respectively,” said the Consultant in-charge, Dental Services of the DH, Dr Kitty Hse.
     
    “A one-week induction training was provided to these non-locally trained dentists to help them better understand the scope of public dental services in Hong Kong and the duties of government dentists. The three new colleagues, who are proficient in Cantonese, have been assigned to work in government dental clinics with general public sessions to serve the public,” she added.
     
    Dr Hse stressed that the DH will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to the recruitment and retention of dentists, and will maintain close contact with the DCHK to complete the vetting and approval of registration applications from non-locally trained dentists as soon as possible in order to meet the demand for local dental services.
     
    The three newly recruited dentists expressed their honour in being able to utilise their professional knowledge and experience to serve the citizens of Hong Kong. They were particularly pleased to be able to contribute to the place where they grew up and have more time to spend with their families. They noted that the DH’s induction training was comprehensive and practical, covering topics such as infection control, operation of the medical record system and consultation procedures, adding that it has helped them quickly adapt to the work environment. The professional support and teamwork from their colleagues have enabled them to start their work smoothly. Looking ahead, they are eager to develop their careers in Hong Kong on a long-term basis and continue to serve the community with their professionalism.
     
    With the commencement of the amended provisions of the Dentists Registration Ordinance (Cap. 156), new pathways for qualified non-locally trained dentists to come to Hong Kong have been introduced with effect from January 1 this year, including limited registration which is open to all dentists and special registration targeting specialist dentists. Non-locally trained dentists who are selected for full-time employment in specified institutions, including the DH, the Hospital Authority, the University of Hong Kong and Prince Philip Dental Hospital, subject to the approval of the DCHK, can directly practise in specified institutions to better meet the demand for public or subsidised dental services in Hong Kong.
    Issued at HKT 15:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: World Health Organization confirms MHRA to continue playing vital role in ensuring the quality of global biological medicines  

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    World Health Organization confirms MHRA to continue playing vital role in ensuring the quality of global biological medicines  

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the successful redesignation of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)’s Science and Research group as one of its Collaborating Centres for the Standardisation and Evaluation of Biologicals for the next four years.   

    This is critical for the work this group at the MHRA does on behalf of the WHO to develop, produce and distribute physical standards that are applied to assure the quality of biological medicines. 

    Biological medicines, such as vaccines, are among the most important medicines available in preventing killer diseases. Increasingly, newly developed biological medicines will play an important role in global healthcare, opening up many possibilities for the prevention or treatment of disease and illness. The work the Science and Research group at the MHRA does for WHO helps to ensure that patients across the world receive biological medicines of the highest quality. 

    The Science and Research group at the MHRA, and formerly the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), was granted its first designation back in 1954, and is one of only four institutes worldwide that WHO designates as a custodian laboratory for its International Biological Reference Preparations.   

    MHRA Interim Executive Director for Science and Research Nicola Rose is the Head of the Collaborating Centre. Nicola said:

    Biological medicines are an increasingly important part of healthcare. Our role as the UK medicines regulator is to make sure the medicines people take are of an acceptable quality. 

    Standards allow both the public and medical practitioners to have confidence in the quality of the medicines they use. 

    Standards also can help enable manufacturers make use of new and innovative technologies – ensuring patients receive the most advanced treatments possible.

    MHRA experts carry out four main responsibilities:  

    • Supporting WHO in developing, producing, and distributing international standards and reference materials for quality control and assurance of clinically relevant biological materials.  

    • Conducting collaborative research to assure the quality of vaccines and other biologicals.  

    • Providing technical input that may inform WHO when developing international written standards and guidelines for production and quality control of vaccines and other biologicals.  

    • Contributing to WHO’s regional work to assure the quality and safety of vaccines and other biologicals through the provision of technical support and technical assistance to build capacities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New cooperation: GUU and FNAC VIM signed an agreement

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    A cooperation agreement was concluded between the State University of Management and the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM. The document was signed by the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev and the director of the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM Andrey Izmailov.

    One of the first projects for joint implementation will be “Ensuring food security of the country based on the creation of software and hardware systems and intelligent platform digital solutions in the field of development of agro-industrial technologies of the full life cycle”, which will be implemented in the period from 2024 to 2026.

    The development of a working project for a digital agricultural management platform is planned for 2025.

    The specialists of the Federal Scientific and Technical Center of VIM are experts in the field of development, production and testing of robotic systems and digital technologies used in agriculture, which will expand the range of innovative technical solutions and technologies that are the basis for the formation of a technological package, on the basis of which the specialists of the State University of Management are developing a digital platform for agricultural management.

    Let us recall that in March, a delegation from the State University of Management visited the Federal Scientific and Technical Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for preliminary discussions on areas of future cooperation.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/09/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford City Council launch new healthy families programme, HAPPI

    Source: City of Salford

    • Healthy, Active, Positive, Purposeful and Inspired programme give families the support they need to make simple lifestyle changes
    • Ten-week course focuses on overall health management by setting up healthy habits around food, exercise and lifestyle choices
    • Compassionate, supportive and non-judgmental approach to drive more effective outcomes

    Small changes to your lifestyle can make a big, positive impact on health and wellbeing. Salford City Council has launched a new free Healthy Families Programme, HAPPI, which has been designed to help promote a more compassionate and holistic approach to overall healthy living.

    Developed to overcome the growing public health issues that families are managing, the Health Improvement Team at Salford City Council will work with families to deliver a ten week practical, solution-focused course. It will provide parents and children the support they have been asking for to establish healthy habits around food, exercise and lifestyle choices.

    Instead of taking a traditional approach that focuses purely on weight loss as the desirable outcome, the new programme takes a more holistic and forward-thinking approach. It aims to cultivate a deep sense of body awareness, fostering self-acceptance and a positive relationship with one’s physical and mental well-being. By focusing on evidence-based lifestyle strategies, the programme empowers individuals and families to embrace sustainable habits that promote long-term health. This comprehensive initiative is designed to create meaningful, lifelong health benefits for the whole family, encouraging vitality, balance, and resilience across generations.

    Faced with widening health inequalities and major public health issues such as obesity and mental health that are significantly increasing pressure on the NHS, research consistently highlights the increasing need for greater intervention so that people can pursue their own health goals and are fully supported to do so, without judgement or assumptions.

    Amidst growing health disparities and escalating public health challenges such as obesity and mental health crises, the strain on the NHS has reached unprecedented levels. Compelling research underscores the urgent and escalating need for robust, targeted interventions to empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. Without decisive action, these challenges will only continue to intensify, placing an unsustainable burden on healthcare services and society as a whole

    For Salford, those findings include:

    • In Reception Year, 21.7% of children are overweight or obese, this is significantly worse than the national rate of 9.6%   
    • In Year 6, 40.7% of children are overweight or obese, which is significantly worse than the national rate of 22.1%.  

    (Public Health England, National Child Measurement Programme, 2023/34, school year)

    Councillor Mishal Saeed, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health at Salford City Council said: “It’s great to see this programme being launched! There’s no need for New Year resolutions to commit to living a more heathier lifestyle and improve overall family and child health and wellbeing. The HAPPI Programme gives families the support, resources and confidence that help to focus on health gain in a positive way.
     
    “Our Health Improvement Team has a strong track record of delivering community-based health activities and programmes, which is why I would highly recommend HAPPI to all considering a healthier lifestyle. Developing healthy habits and good emotional wellbeing isn’t just for adults – it’s a family affair.”

    As part of Salford City Council’s vision to create a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all, one of the council’s Corporate Plan priorities for 2024 to 2028 is to create healthy lives and quality care for all, which is fully aligned with the objectives that the HAPPI Programme aims to achieve.

    Share this

    Date published
    Wednesday 9 April 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 9 April 2025 Departmental update WHO maternal and perinatal health guidelines: easier, faster and interactive

    Source: World Health Organisation

    All guidelines on maternal and perinatal health of the World Health Organization (WHO) are now available online on MAGICapp, a dynamic digital platform designed to streamline access to the most up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations. The use of this digital platform ensures that maternal and perinatal health guidelines remain relevant and adaptable to new research findings as soon as they become available. This means that users can access the evidence behind each recommendation. By providing a digital platform as a one-stop shop for all guidelines, health-care workers and policy makers stay informed, enabling them to quickly adapt practices, enhance decision-making, and deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.

    Every two minutes, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, most of which are preventable or treatable. To reduce maternal mortality and support respectful care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, WHO has issued more than 300 maternal and perinatal health recommendations, informed by more than 250 systematic reviews.

    These guidelines are essential for improving health outcomes; they translate the most accurate evidence into practical actions that help prevent complications, reduce mortality and improve the quality of care for women and newborns. For women and their families, this means safer pregnancies, fewer life-threatening complications, better recovery after birth and healthier starts in life for their babies.

    MAGICapp, developed by the MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation, offers health-care professionals and policymakers an interactive and user-friendly way to access WHO recommendations in real time. The platform gained popularity and use within WHO following its application during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it allowed continuous update of recommendations as new evidence became available. The use of this digital platform ensures that maternal and perinatal health guidelines remain relevant and adaptable to new research findings as soon as they become available.

    The shift towards living guidelines enables WHO to rapidly disseminate updates on maternal and perinatal health recommendations. The application improves guideline accessibility for clinicians, researchers and health policymakers by allowing users to quickly navigate key recommendations as well as the evidence that underpins them. 

    Digital innovations like this have the potential to transform how care is delivered, helping to ensure that more women and newborns benefit from timely, evidence-informed decisions that can save lives and improve long-term health outcomes.

    Dr Olufemi Oladapo / Head of MPH Unit at WHO and HRP

    “Having all of WHO’s maternal and perinatal health guidelines available on an interactive platform was a significant undertaking and a big step forward,” said Dr Olufemi Oladapo, Head of the Maternal and Perinatal Health Unit at WHO and the UN Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP). “Digital innovations like this have the potential to transform how care is delivered, helping to ensure that more women and newborns benefit from timely, evidence-informed decisions that can save lives and improve long-term health outcomes.”

    The use of digital tools in clinical decision-making enhances the consistency and quality of care delivered across different settings. By providing easily accessible recommendations, the platform supports frontline health-care workers to provide up-to-date evidence-based care that will lead to better health.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government response to the separate pay spine for nursing call for evidence

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Correspondence

    Government response to the separate pay spine for nursing call for evidence

    The Department of Health and Social Care has responded to the call for evidence on a separate pay spine for nursing staff.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Government response to the separate pay spine for nursing call for evidence

    HTML

    Details

    The government has responded to the evidence received in relation to the commitment to consider a separate pay spine for nursing staff.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Hosts Virtual Town Hall on Trump Administration’s Attacks on Health Care Innovation and Access in Massachusetts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (April 8, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Small Business Committee, as well as the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today hosted a virtual town hall with panelists from MassMEDIC, Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, VentureWell, Boyd Biomedical, and the Wyss Institute on the importance of protecting health care innovation and patient access to care in Massachusetts and across the country. Recent Trump administration actions threaten health care innovation and access in the United States and the Commonwealth, including cuts to research funding, disruptions in funding for health providers, and firing of employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
    “With President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ attacks on medical research, on health care access, on small businesses, and innovation, they are attacking Massachusetts,” said Senator Markey. “I heard stories from health care leaders, manufacturers, researchers, and patients that demonstrate what these reckless and indiscriminate tariffs, cuts to medical research and personnel, and efforts to gut Medicaid will mean for our ability to innovate affordable, accessible treatments and cures, and deliver high-quality care to patients in Massachusetts. I stand with them in the fight to protect life-saving research and care.”
    Massachusetts is a national leader in developing groundbreaking treatments and cures, giving hope to patients, families, and caregivers in need of breakthroughs and discoveries. Massachusetts received nearly $3.5 billion in 2024 from the NIH to support 6,000 grants including for Alzheimer’s and youth mental health. Massachusetts received nine percent of National Institutes of Health funding in 2024 despite only having two percent of the population. Since its inception, Massachusetts has also received $26,000 from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, totaling $9 billion in funding including for Alzheimer’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment and breast cancer detection. Committed health providers, researchers, and workers drive these innovations, relying on sustainable funding to do their work. 
    “On behalf of the region’s medical device sector, I thank Sen. Markey for his steadfast support of life science innovation and manufacturing. The Commonwealth’s economy depends on our ability to deliver new cures and treatments to the world. The senator is a great partner in developing federal policy that encourages growth and patient impact,” said Brian Johnson, President of MassMEDIC.
    “The NIH continues to be our nation’s greatest hope for identifying life changing diagnostics, treatments, and cures, while supporting countless jobs, driving economic activity, and ensuring the United States’ position as a global leader in scientific research and medical innovation,” said Patricia McMullin, Executive Director of the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals. “We are grateful to Senator Markey and the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation for their advocacy to strengthen our nation’s medical research, which saves lives and gives hope to families across the nation and around the world.”
    “The scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow and the health solutions that improve lives depend on sustained investment in foundational biomedical research and development funding. Agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), play a critical role in enabling this progress. Continued funding and support ensure that discoveries can be translated into transformative products and services for patients,” said Mark Marino, Vice President at VentureWell. “Federal research investments in areas such as cancer, chronic disease, Alzheimer’s, mental health, environmental health, nutrition, and pandemic preparedness are essential to maintaining a strong biomedical innovation ecosystem. We applaud Senator Markey for underscoring the importance of timely, robust funding to advance research and fuel the innovation economy in Massachusetts and across the country. We urge Congress and this administration to prioritize innovative research funding for activities that help bring biomedical innovations out of the lab and into the market.”
    “We believe in the value of strong manufacturing in America, and we’re very happy that that sentiment is more widely held today than it was just a decade ago. But the financial impact of these tariffs on American manufacturers is stark. Especially for small and mid-sized companies,” said Matthew Boyd, Chief Commercial Officer at Boyd Biomedical. “The tremendous biomedical innovation we create here in Massachusetts is not a valve you can turn off and then expect to turn back on. The consequences of these cuts to federally funded biomedical research will have a decades-long impact on biomedical innovation.”
    “Even if some of these actions are reconsidered by the administration or blocked by courts, the current uncertainty and the possibility of some of these actions being implemented will delay life-saving therapies from getting into patients by delaying innovation,” said Dr. Girija Goyal, Ph.D., Principal Scientist at the Wyss Institute.
    On March 26, Senator Markey hosted a virtual office hours meeting with Congressman McGovern, food security advocates and food banks, and hundreds of constituents on the importance of protecting SNAP and other essential food security benefits for people in Massachusetts. Earlier that month, Senator Markey led members of the Massachusetts delegation in a joint statement blasting the Trump administration’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Also in March, Senator Markey hosted a town hall in Malden, Massachusetts to hear directly from constituents about their concerns about what President Trump and DOGE would mean for their health care and Social Security. In February 2025, Senators Markey, Warren and Schumer demanded that the Trump administration, Elon Musk and DOGE make no cuts to Medicaid or Medicare and to end DOGE’s unauthorized access to sensitive health information.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UniSA-Calvary Hospital surgical escape room puts nurses to the test

    Source:

    09 April 2025

    Bright lights, gleaming surgical tools, and a patient ready on the operating table. All seems to be in order, but then an alarm sounds and all eyes immediately look to you ­– what happens next is in your hands.

    Luckily, this is not a critical scenario but part of UniSA’s new perioperative escape room, designed especially for nursing staff at the Calvary Adelaide Hospital.

    Set in a state-of-the-art operating room, this patient simulation puts experienced nurses to the test as they solve complex scenarios and respond to perioperative emergencies. Working together, participants must adeptly and efficiently manage whatever challenges are put before them before they can successfully ‘escape’.

    Nursing and Perioperative Nursing lecturer, and UniSA escape room creator, Dr Michelle Freeling, says the experience is transforming nursing education.

    “Perioperative nursing is a specialty that requires nurses to work quickly and efficiently, collaborating with surgeons and anaesthetists in high-pressure environments,” Dr Freeling says.

    “But with surgical advancements continually reshaping the field, perioperative nurses need to stay ahead of the latest techniques and practices – this is where experiences like our escape room can help.

    “Participants will practice managing complex patient scenarios in the operating room, understanding and responding to perioperative emergencies, working cohesively with their team, and maintaining situational awareness, all of which are critical for success.

    “As a hands-on, immersive activity, the escape room lets perioperative nurses learn or refine their expertise in a controlled yet realistic environment, so they can test their skills safely, without risk.”

    The innovative experience is also part of a new Calvary Scholarship Program created to support nurses undertaking UniSA’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing with a focus on Perioperative Nurses. Calvary has supported 12 scholarships for nurses to undertake the Perioperative Nursing course, with the potential opportunity for additional scholarships in the future.

    Calvary Adelaide Hospital General Manager Tanya Brooks says the hospital is dedicated to advancing perioperative nursing education and leadership.

    “High quality, safe healthcare is our priority, and we’re committed to delivering excellence in clinical quality and patient care,” Brooks says.

    “UniSA’s perioperative nursing escape room demonstrates a contemporary, engaging and innovative approach to learning that will advance our team’s specialist perioperative skills while also developing their leadership capabilities, staff culture, and excellent person-centred care.

    “By investing in our team’s skill development and professional growth, we continue to champion the high standards, compassionate and professional healthcare, for which we’re known.

    “The Calvary Scholarship Program reflects this commitment, and our partnership with UniSA will empower our team to reach their full potential.”

    The inaugural cohort of scholarship recipients has commenced their studies this week.

    The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.

    About Calvary: In 1885, six courageous Sisters sailed into Sydney to continue the mission of Venerable Mary Potter and the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary to care for those in need. Thus begun Calvary’s enduring legacy of care in Australia. Today, we continue their mission, in our hospitals, home and virtual care services, retirement living and residential aged care homes across four states and two territories. For more information, visit www.calvarycare.org.au

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    UniSA Contact for interview:  Dr Michelle Freeling E: Michelle.Freeling@unisa.edu.au
    UniSA Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au
    Calvary Health Care media enquiries: T: 1300 450 108 E: media@calvarycare.org.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Cuts to fraud & audit jobs mean millions of health dollars overpaid or stolen will be lost – PSA

    Source: PSA

    Underfunded frontline health services will be further impacted
    The ability of Health NZ to claw back millions of scarce health dollars lost to fraud and overpayment each year will be undermined by proposed cuts to the jobs of audit and fraud experts.
    The Audit Assurance and Risk team is a critical Health NZ Te Whatu Ora unit focused on ensuring some $12 billion of annual funding of the primary health care sector is paid out correctly and not subject to fraud.
    But Health NZ is proposing to remove 23 roles, a cut of 28% of the workforce, at a time when the health dollar has never been scarcer.
    “We see every day how underfunded the health system is so cutting the very team that claws back overpayments and tackles fraud makes no sense,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “By not detecting overpayments or cracking down on fraud, it means precious health dollars are not being used for their proper purpose of improving outcomes for patients no matter where they are in the health system.
    “The system will just be ripe to be exploited by more fraudsters and the loser will be all users of the health system from patients to clinicians.
    “This is just more evidence of how poorly thought through many of the spending cuts we have seen throughout the public sector have been.
    “The Government has imposed a health funding crisis in this country and should be doing all it can to make the health dollar go further, including properly funding the health system in the first place.
    “These workers are highly specialised auditors and fraud investigators who save the Government millions of dollars each year – it’s simply penny wise and pound foolish to scrap these roles.
    “Each year they carry out audits and fraud investigations of those receiving health funding like medical clinics, midwives, pharmacies and disability support providers to ensure the money is being used correctly for the specified purposes.
    “The amount saved in salary cuts pales beside the loss of money not being clawed back with a minimum of 80 providers or fraudulent actors not being held to account each year. These experts are good at what they do, recovering $6 for every $1 invested in the team. One audit recently recovered $6 million from a provider which was overpaid.
    “But they face a big challenge. The team estimates that Health NZ is currently losing at least 3% of the $12 billion of annual provider funding due to civil and criminal fraud and error – that’s a huge loss of $360 million annually.
    “Part of the problem is that the payment systems at Health NZ are antiquated, but you don’t fix that by axing the very people who are doing their best to save scarce health dollars.
    “The PSA calls for these proposed cuts to be reversed.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In April, more than 600 educational events were prepared for schoolchildren and college students

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    More than 600 educational events were prepared for young Muscovites, their parents and teachers in April. Registration for them is available on the service “Horizons” based on the Moscow Electronic School (MES). Here you can find a list of all free educational events for children and youth in the capital — lectures, festivals, master classes, competitions, quests, hackathons and excursions.

    “The Horizons service allows schoolchildren and college students to attend sports, cultural and educational events. Since its launch in 2023, it has been used more than 2.5 million times, and the number of unique users has exceeded 1.3 million. The service was most in demand among 10th-11th grade students and parents of schoolchildren,” the press service of the capital said.

    Department of Education and Science.

    So, on April 12 at 12:00 a master class will be held at the Moscow University of Finance and Law “Traditional Chinese Cuisine”. Participants will not only learn about the national dishes of the Celestial Empire, but also learn to write their names in Chinese. Schoolchildren and college students are invited to the lesson.

    On April 12 at the same time, the Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Vostochny” will host a festival for schoolchildren master class in karate. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. And at 16:00, students will be able to join the lesson right here “Rhythm in vocals”The children will be told about methods of working with musical ear and will be revealed the secrets of expressive performance.

    Available for primary school students and their parents excursion through the enclosure complex of the Bitsevsky Forest natural and historical park. Guests will get acquainted with wild and farm animals – squirrels, pheasants, chickens, goats and sheep, and learn interesting facts about them. The event will begin on April 16 at 14:30.

    On April 19 at 12:45 at the Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after I.M. Gubkin you can attend a lecture “Computer – from Babbage to smartphone”. Pupils of grades 7–11, college students, their parents and teachers will be told about the creation of computers and the first programs.

    In total, more than 10 thousand events were published in the Gorizonty service. The events are divided into four areas: “Technology, exact, natural sciences”, “Humanities and economics”, “Medicine, health and sports”, “Culture and art”. For the convenience of users, a filter is available that helps select an event according to age. After registration, information about the event automatically appears in the schedule of the MES electronic diary, and is also sent to e-mail.

    The Horizons service is available in the School section (News tab) of the electronic diary and in the Events section of the mobile application “MESH Diary”. You can also use the service on the website Horizons.Mos.ru.

    “Moscow Electronic School”— a joint project of the capital’s departments education and science Andinformation technology, created in 2016. A single digital educational platform is available to Moscow teachers, students and their parents. Among the main services of “MES” are a library of educational materials, an electronic diary and journal, “Moskvenok”, “Student Portfolio” and “Olympiads”.

    Providing the capital’s schoolchildren with modern digital services increases the efficiency of the educational process, helps children to plan their school and personal time wisely and corresponds to the objectives of the “All the Best for Children” national project “Youth and Children”.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152355073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Highlights Importance Of NIH Funding To Red States & Urges Republicans Senators To Stand Up For Medical Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 08, 2025
    Durbin: I am pleading with my Republican colleagues: may your choices reflect your hope for new cures and treatments for patients, not your fears about what will happen if you cross Donald Trump
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor slamming the Trump Administration for its attempts to dismantle the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the harmful impacts it will have on medical research across the country, including in red states. Durbin began his remarks by highlighting the importance of NIH funding to patients nationwide.
    Durbin said, “There is certainty in funding medical research. Certainty in knowing that while not all trials, experiments, and grants will result in a breakthrough—some of them will. Because of medical research, kids with ear infections or pneumonia can find relief in antibiotics; because of medical research, we have vaccines that have saved tens of millions of lives worldwide; because of medical research, we have anesthesia that allows patients to safely undergo major surgeries; because of medical research, people are surviving heart attacks, beating cancer, living with HIV/AIDS, receiving organ donations, surviving drug overdoses, and living longer. But there is so much more to be done—so many people still hoping and praying for more.”
    “And you know who offers them that hope? The National Institutes of Health—our nation’s premier biomedical research agency. It is considered the gold standard around the world. For decades, NIH has been a bipartisan success story—with Congress prioritizing the funding of promising, life-saving medical research in all 50 states—creating and supporting good-paying jobs in red, blue, and purple states, and offering real hope to families desperate for it,” Durbin continued.
    Durbin then slammed President Trump, Elon Musk, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for their actions to dismantle NIH and medical research. In addition to cutting medical research around the country, they have terminated clinical trials in process, placed gag orders on researchers, and fired more than a thousand NIH employees.
    “Instead of bolstering medical research, they are breaking it. Instead of offering hope to patients in need, unfortunately they are crushing it. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK Jr. are either completely oblivious to what they are doing—or they just don’t care,” Durbin continued. “But you know who isn’t oblivious? My Republican colleagues, many of whom have fought by my side to increase NIH’s budget by 60 percent over the past decade… Which is why their silence—their refusal to say anything or act in the face of President Trump’s dismantling of NIH is so devastating… If Republican Senators won’t stand up for NIH funding in their states [or] for constituents in their states, I’m going to do it.”
    Durbin then highlighted how NIH cuts are affecting South Dakota—the home state of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). In 2024, South Dakota research institutions received nearly $29 million in NIH funding—which supported 453 jobs in that state. Sanford Research/University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University were among some of the top NIH-funded institutions in South Dakota. Sanford Research/USD researchers used NIH funding to support their Center for Pediatric Research, with a specific focus on training new scientists to study pediatric diseases. South Dakota State University used NIH funding to increase cervical cancer screening among Indigenous women—who face higher rates of cervical cancer prevalence and death. They also used funding to develop new, targeted therapies forcolorectal cancer that are safer and more effective than current chemotherapies.
    “These researchers know that cuts to medical research mean diseases will not be cured and treatments will not be found. They know the mass, indiscriminate firings at NIH don’t just mean we are losing talent—it also means we are losing time and progress,” said Durbin.
    Durbin concluded, “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.’ I am pleading with my Republican colleagues: may your choices reflect your hope for new cures and treatments for patients fighting cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease—not your fears about what will happen if you cross this President. Let us do what is right. Let’s come together again on a bipartisan basis for medical research… Medical research helps all people—everybody gets a helping hand. Let us do what’s right. Let’s come together and save medical research forevery single person in America who is desperate for hope.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    This year, Durbin has twice asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as 21 other Senators, that would pledge support for NIH.  The resolution simply said that the work of NIH should not be subject to interruption, delay, or funding disruptions in violation of the law, and it reaffirmed that the NIH workforce is essential to sustaining medical progress.  The first UC request was blocked by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and the second was blocked by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
    Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research.  His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program.  Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past decade.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Don’t let embarrassment stop you – talking about these anal cancer symptoms could save your life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Mahady, Gastroenterologist & Clinical Epidemiologist, Senior Lecturer, Monash University

    sarkao/Shutterstock

    Anal cancer doesn’t get a lot of attention. This may be because it’s relatively rare – anal cancer affects an estimated one to two Australians in every 100,000. As a comparison, melanomas affect around 70 in every 100,000 people.

    But it’s also likely due to embarrassment. Anal cancer is an abnormal growth in the cells lining the anus, the last few centimetres of the bowel. Many people feel awkward talking about this part of their body.

    So, when symptoms appear – such as bleeding or itchiness – they may delay speaking to a doctor. But it’s crucial to know what to look for, because if anal cancer is caught early the chances of treating it are much higher.

    The anus is the last few centimetres of the bowel.
    Designua/Shutterstock

    Do we know what causes it?

    Up to nine in ten anal cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.

    HPV is common – more than 80% of people who have ever been sexually active will be infected at some point with a strain (there are more than 150).

    Most HPV strains won’t cause any problems. But some, particularly HPV16, are higher risk. Persistent infection can cause changes in the anal lining and this can progress to anal cancer. This can happen even if you don’t have anal sex.

    Vaccination against HPV is a highly effective method to reduce the risk of cancers related to HPV infection such as anal and cervical cancer.

    Since the national HPV vaccination program began in Australia in 2007, there has been a substantial drop in diseases linked to HPV (such as genital warts). While it’s too early to say, it is hoped that over time cancer rates will also fall due to vaccination.

    Other factors that increase your risk for anal cancer include:

    • being older
    • a history of smoking
    • a weakened immune system (for example from medication or HIV)
    • sexual activity (having anal sex or multiple sexual partners)
    • a history of cervical, vulval or vaginal cancer.
    Only some HPV strains are linked to cancer.
    wisely/Shutterstock

    What are the symptoms?

    Sometimes anal cancer doesn’t cause any symptoms. A doctor may instead detect the cancer visually during a colonoscopy or another examination.

    Other times, symptoms may include bleeding from the bottom (you might see blood on the toilet paper), a new anal lump, or feeling non-specific discomfort or itchiness in your anus.

    You may also have an unusual sensation that you can’t pass a stool as “fully” or easily as before.

    If you have any of these symptoms – particularly if they are new or getting worse – it is important to speak with your doctor.

    The symptoms of anal cancer can be very similar to common conditions such as haemorrhoids, so it’s best to get them checked by a doctor to get the diagnosis right.

    It’s understandable you might be embarrassed. But for doctors, this is all part of routine practice.

    Catching it early improves your chances

    Survival rates are much better for anal cancer caught in the early stages.

    Around 90% of people diagnosed with stage one anal cancer will live five years or more. That drops to 60% if the diagnosis is made when the cancer has developed to stage three.

    The test may be as simple as a quick anal examination. Or it may require other investigations such as anoscopy (looking inside the bottom with a slim tube) or specialised ultrasounds or scans.

    Most tests involve only a small amount of discomfort or none at all. They can rule out anything serious, giving you peace of mind.

    If a cancer is detected, treatment usually involves radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, or a combination.

    The bottom line

    If you need another reason to get symptoms checked out, here’s one: they could also indicate bowel cancer.

    Bowel cancer (also known as colon or colorectal cancer) is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, and the second most common cause of cancer death, with similar symptoms such as bleeding from the bottom.

    So, it’s crucial to not to let awkwardness get in the way. Speak to your doctor if any symptoms concern you. Starting the conversation early could save your life.

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

    – ref. Don’t let embarrassment stop you – talking about these anal cancer symptoms could save your life – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-embarrassment-stop-you-talking-about-these-anal-cancer-symptoms-could-save-your-life-249570

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New provider for Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Equipd Allied Health will re-open an upgraded facility from August.

    The Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub will re-open to the community from 1 August 2024 with an extensive range of clinical services for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.

    From 1 September 2024, gym and wellbeing services will commence.

    A new provider, Equipd Allied Health, will manage the upgraded facility.

    Investing in a unique service

    The ACT Government has invested over $470,000 towards new equipment and upgrades to the facility, with

    • $350,000 for a range of training, weights, strength and conditioning and wellness equipment
    • $123,000 for a new clinical treatment room, new carpet and all-purpose gym flooring and improvements to the facility.

    Equipd Allied Health will provide dedicated services and comprehensive care and wellbeing to community members and wellbeing for people of all abilities.

    Canberrans with health conditions or impairments, older people with chronic pain or requiring rehabilitation can rely on tailored allied health care to meet their needs.

    Clinical services

    Clinical services will be available for Hub members from 1 August 2024.

    Services will be improved by:

    • a new clinical treatment room
    • new testing equipment
    • exercise and resistance training equipment for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.

    Gym services

    Gym services will re-open from 1 September 2024.

    These include member access to:

    • new cardiovascular training equipment
    • pin-loaded fixed weights and strength equipment
    • free weights
    • balance balls
    • yoga equipment and accessories.

    Members can expect to see new and familiar faces among the staff.

    Continuity for community

    Equipd Allied Health aims to ensure there is continuity for previous members.

    Future members can expect a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that supports their health and wellbeing.

    “We are dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community and fostering genuine connections through compassionate care, professional excellence, and evidence-based practices,” Dylan Grubb of Equipd Allied Health said.

    “Our number one goal as health professionals is managing risk in an exercise setting and we have clinical equipment coming that will ensure gold standard of care.”

    More information will become available at equipdalliedhealth.com.au.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigate serious pedestrian crash in Hobart’s CBD

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigate serious pedestrian crash in Hobart’s CBD

    Wednesday, 9 April 2025 – 11:40 am.

    Police are continuing to investigate a serious crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle in Hobart’s CBD last night.Police and emergency services were called to the scene in Davey St near the intersection of Hunter St just before 8pm.Initial investigations suggest that a 75 year old man and a 73 year old woman were crossing the road just down from the traffic lights when the man was hit by a vehicle travelling along Davey St.Upon arrival, the man was provided with medical assistance and then taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for further treatment. He remains in a critical condition.The woman was not physically injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution.Two lanes of Davey St were blocked for 2.5 hours while specialist resources including crash investigation and forensics attended the scene to carry out examinations.Police are calling for witnesses or anyone who has CCTV or dash cam footage to contact police on 131444.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 9, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 9, 2025.

    Chinese-Australian voters were key to Labor’s win in 2022. Are some now swinging back to the Liberals?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wanning Sun, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Technology Sydney Chinese-Australian voters were pivotal to Labor’s win in the 2022 election, with the swing against the Liberals in several key marginal seats almost twice that of other seats. Many traditionally pro-business Liberal supporters switched sides

    The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Anderson, Associate Professor in LGBTIQA+ Psychology, La Trobe University Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock From The Bachelor to Married at First Sight, reality TV sells us the idea that one perfect partner will complete us. The formula is familiar: find “the one,” lock it down and live happily ever after.

    ‘Germany is back’: 3 ways NZ can benefit from Europe’s renewed centre of power
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mathew Doidge, Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Research on Europe, University of Canterbury Getty Images It’s unlikely many New Zealanders paid close attention to Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ statement late last year that “New Zealand and Germany are committed to enhancing their partnership”. Peters had been

    Bringing manufacturing back from overseas isn’t an easy solution to Trump’s trade war
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South Australia Shutterstock The past week has seen the United States single-handedly rewrite the underlying paradigm for global trade. And while it is fair to say that the methods are extreme, the underlying goal of the policy

    How to build a cinematic universe: the secret to Marvel’s enormous success among a history of failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Tran, Academic Tutor at Swinburne University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology Since Iron Man hit the big screen in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has made more than US$30 billion, from films to series, to merchandise and comics. As scholars and the press have

    ChatGPT just passed the Turing test. But that doesn’t mean AI is now as smart as humans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Assaad, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Australian National University Hanna Barakat & Cambridge Diversity Fund/Better Images of AI, CC BY-SA There have been several headlines over the past week about an AI chatbot officially passing the Turing test. These news reports are based on a recent

    A grab bag of campaign housing policies. But will they fix the affordability crisis beyond the election?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Cull, Associate professor, Western Sydney University Secure and affordable housing is a fundamental human right for all Australians. Therefore, it is unsurprising the election campaign is being played out against a backdrop of heightened voter anxiety about rental stress and housing affordability. A growing number of

    These complementary therapies may soon be eligible for private health insurance rebates
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Wardle, Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University Rui Dias/Pexels Private health insurers may soon be able to offer rebates for seven complementary therapies previously prohibited. This includes some movement therapies – Pilates, yoga, tai chi and Alexander technique, which teaches body awareness and posture –

    Winston Peters at 80: the populist’s populist clocks up 50 years of political comebacks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Duncan, Teaching Fellow in Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Winston Peters turns a venerable 80 on April 11, but he showed no sign of retiring as New Zealand’s archetypal populist during his recent state of the nation speech. He

    Cities that want to attract business might want to focus less on financial incentives and more on making people feel safe
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kaitlyn DeGhetto, Associate Professor of Management, University of Dayton To attract business investment, American cities and states offer companies billions of dollars in incentives, such as tax credits. As the theory goes, when governments create a business-friendly environment, it encourages investment, leading to job creation and economic

    Election Diary: The election’s first debate was disaster-free but passion-free too
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The election’s first debate, on Sky News on Tuesday night, was disappointingly dull. Viewers who’d been following the campaign would have learned little. There was minimal spontaneity. Among the 100 undecided voters in the room, 44 said Anthony Albanese won,

    Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Coral reefs are much more than

    No major gaffes and no knockout punch: the first leaders’ debate was a pedestrian affair
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Marks, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Partnerships, Western Sydney University Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have faced off in the first leaders’ debate of the 2025 federal election. The debate, hosted by Sky News and The Daily Telegraph, was held at the Wenty

    Politics aside, new research shows there are good financial reasons to back working from home
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dorina Pojani, Associate Professor in Urban Planning, The University of Queensland Fizkes/Shutterstock In the pre-industrial era, people often lived and worked in the same building. This removed the need to travel to work. The separation of home and work occurred much later, during the Industrial Revolution. Factories

    Labor’s $1 billion for mental health is good news for young people in particular – but leaves some gaps
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney mooremedia/Shutterstock The Labor government has announced it would invest A$1 billion in mental health if re-elected to provide more Australians – particularly young people – with “free, public mental

    We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fergus Edwards, Lecturer in English, University of Tasmania Amazon MGM Studios Last One Laughing is a battle royale for stand-ups. Ten comedians, one room, surrounded by cameras. Laugh once and they’re warned. Laugh again, and they’re out. Last comic left wins. It is an international TV phenomenon,

    Here’s a simple, science-backed way to sharpen your thinking and improve your memory
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Singh, Research Fellow, Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia Centre for Ageing Better/Unsplash Many of us turn to Sudoku, Wordle or brain-training apps to sharpen our minds. But research is increasingly showing one of the best ways to boost memory, focus and brain

    If Australia switched to EVs, we’d be more reliant on China’s car factories – but wean ourselves off foreign oil
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology Prapat Aowsakorn/Shutterstock Australia has huge reserves of coal and gas – but very little oil. Before the 20th century, this didn’t matter – trains ran on local coal. But as cars and trucks have come to

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 8, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 8, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Anderson, Associate Professor in LGBTIQA+ Psychology, La Trobe University

    Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

    From The Bachelor to Married at First Sight, reality TV sells us the idea that one perfect partner will complete us.

    The formula is familiar: find “the one,” lock it down and live happily ever after.

    But behind the rose ceremonies and fairytale weddings lies a very different reality.



    Read more:
    Is reality TV ‘harmful’? We asked 5 experts – including an ex-reality TV participant

    Monogamy as a gold standard?

    A new meta-analysis challenges the long-held belief that monogamous relationships are more satisfying than non-monogamous ones.

    The study used data from more than 24,000 people from around the world, including Australia. It reported no significant difference in relationship or sexual satisfaction between people in monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships.

    This changes the way we can think about relationships.

    For years, people have assumed monogamy (the exclusive romantic and sexual commitment to one person) is the gold standard.

    But it turns out the secret to fulfilling relationships might not be about exclusivity at all. It seems to be more about honesty, communication and mutual agreement – regardless of how many people are involved.

    A long-held assumption

    The belief that monogamy leads to more satisfying relationships feels like common sense for most people.

    It’s consistently reinforced by our experiences of the world, ranging from childhood fairytales to government policies – there’s no “polyamorous” box on your tax return, for example. Most movies end with one couple walking off into the sunset together to live happily ever after.

    Popular culture hasn’t done much to challenge this assumption.

    Non-monogamous relationships are rarely depicted on screen and when they are – like in Wanderlust or You Me & Her – they’re often shown as chaotic, emotionally fraught and destined to collapse.

    These ideas create what we have called the “monogamy-superiority myth”: the assumption monogamous relationships are more satisfying, more loving and more stable than alternative forms of relationships.

    So what is consensual non-monogamy?

    Consensual non-monogamy comes in many forms but the key aspect is everyone involved agrees that having multiple romantic or sexual partners is okay.

    The explicit awareness of all involved means these relationships are grounded in consent, communication and mutual respect.

    They come in many forms, such as:

    • open relationships: where couples may have sex with others but maintain a strong emotional bond to each other
    • polyamory: where people may have multiple romantic or emotional partnerships at the same time
    • monogamish: where mostly monogamous couple allow some degree of sexual activity with others, usually with clear, consensual boundaries (such as when travelling)
    • swinging: where committed couples engage in sexual activities with other people, often in a social or party setting.

    These relationships typically involve detailed conversations about values, needs and boundaries.

    As a result, people in these relationships often report higher levels of trust, communication and intentionality in their relationship.

    New research suggests non-traditional relationships can be just as satisfying as monogamous ones.
    NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock

    What our study found

    Our recent meta-analysis explored how people in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships compare on a range of relationship and sexual satisfaction dimensions. These included intimacy, passion, trust, sexual fulfilment and overall relationship happiness.

    We concluded people in non-monogamous relationships are just as satisfied as those in monogamous ones.

    The study also found this to be true for both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ participants, challenging another stereotype: that non-monogamy is a “lifestyle choice” for queer people, rather than a legitimate relationship preference.

    So if non-monogamous relationships aren’t less satisfying, why do people think they are?

    Openness and stigmas

    In many monogamous relationships, the most common cause of dissatisfaction or breakup is cheating: when exclusivity is assumed but not upheld, trust can be shattered.

    Consensual non-monogamy relationships, by contrast, build openness into their structure. By agreeing on boundaries from the start, partners may avoid some of the betrayals that hurt monogamous relationships most.

    People in these relationships often face stigma, discrimination and systemic barriers. They may be less likely to disclose their relationship status to doctors, therapists, or employers, fearing judgement or misunderstanding.

    Their relationships are rarely recognised legally and social assumptions often paint them as unstable, overly sexual, or emotionally detached.

    Yet many people in non-monogamous relationships are thriving despite the stigma – most likely because of the trust and communication these relationships require.

    The secret to satisfaction

    These findings are not suggesting everyone should be non-monogamous; monogamy works well for lots of people.

    But this research shows us that relationship satisfaction doesn’t depend on exclusivity – it depends on whether partners feel seen, supported and aligned in their values.

    Health-care providers, educators and policymakers should be aware that not all families or partnerships follow a traditional relationship structure – and that’s OK.

    Recognising consensual non-manogamy relationships can help reduce stigma, improve access to support, and promote wellbeing for people in all types of partnerships.

    Love and relationships simply aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation.

    While reality TV may keep trying to churn out monogamous fairytales, real life is a lot more diverse and, as it turns out, just as fulfilling.

    Joel Anderson receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. The ‘monogamy superiority myth’: new research suggests unconventional relationships are just as satisfying – https://theconversation.com/the-monogamy-superiority-myth-new-research-suggests-unconventional-relationships-are-just-as-satisfying-253443

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, & Colleagues Question HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on Decision to Fire Workers Tasked with Protecting Coal Miner Health and Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushing back on his decision to gut the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firing nearly 900 employees. Recent reporting has indicated that these firings include all employees tasked with protecting the health and safety of coal miners.

    “According to reports, HHS is laying off approximately 873 employees, or two-thirds, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” the senators wrote. “According to a notification provided to AFGE Local 1969, whose federal employee members are being impacted, all employees working on mining safety and health in NIOSH’s Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA, offices are being let go. ,  The NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division focuses on coal miner safety, and the Spokane Mining Research Division specializes in hard rock mining, and are the two main research hubs for NIOSH’s Mining Research Program. Additionally, reports indicate more than 185 NIOSH employees are being laid off from its Morgantown, WV, office, who also work to protect miner health, among other occupational safety and health activities.”

    The senators also highlighted the immediate impacts of this move, explaining that mining communities are already being left without key health services.

    They continued, “We also have heard from those who work directly with our miner constituents in these communities that the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program is also being decimated. This program provides direct screening services via a mobile medical unit to miners at no cost. NIOSH also supports clinic sites where screening is done, so miners can understand if they are developing black lung or another condition and be as healthy as possible for themselves and their families.”

    In their letter, the senators demanded answers from Secretary Kennedy, questioning how these crucial services will continue with a significantly reduced workforce. The senators requested a written response to the following:

    1. How many HHS employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety have been fired, put on administrative leave, accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer since January 20, 2025? Provide a complete breakdown by agency and position. For each category of employee at each agency, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. Include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status. Please provide the latest data available.
    2. How many HHS employees remain who work on mining health and safety? Please provide a complete breakdown by agency and position.
    3. How many additional employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety do you intend to fire following the announcement made on March 27, 2025?
    4. Provide all analyses conducted prior to the reorganization and firings of HHS employees who work in offices that focus on mining safety and health to determine the immediate and long-term impact these firings will have on programs and activities that those employees are tasked with administering. In particular, provide all analyses relating to 1) ensuring statutory obligations will be met, and 2) the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.

    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today with alarming concern about reports that nearly the entire workforce that works to improve the health of miners was laid off and the office that oversees this work was eliminated. We urge you to reverse course immediately and ensure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues its important work in our states to protect and serve our constituents.

    According to reports, HHS is laying off approximately 873 employees, or two-thirds, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  According to a notification provided to AFGE Local 1969, whose federal employee members are being impacted, all employees working on mining safety and health in NIOSH’s Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA, offices are being let go. ,  The NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division focuses on coal miner safety, and the Spokane Mining Research Division specializes in hard rock mining, and are the two main research hubs for NIOSH’s Mining Research Program. Additionally, reports indicate more than 185 NIOSH employees are being laid off from its Morgantown, WV, office, who also work to protect miner health, among other occupational safety and health activities. 

    We also have heard from those who work directly with our miner constituents in these communities that the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program is also being decimated. This program provides direct screening services via a mobile medical unit to miners at no cost. NIOSH also supports clinic sites where screening is done, so miners can understand if they are developing black lung or another condition and be as healthy as possible for themselves and their families.

    Never has there been a more critical time to do this work. A 2023 study conducted jointly by researchers at NIOSH and at the University of Illinois Chicago found that coal miners in central Appalachia—Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky—were eight times more likely to die from respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and black lung than American men who are not miners.  Our constituents are getting more severe disease at younger ages in recent decades, and we might never had known that without the expertise of NIOSH’s work on coal miner health.

    We require more than a fact sheet indicating these duties will be reorganized into an Administration for a Healthy America given the extensive cuts to personnel. In order for us to better understand how the same amount of work can be done with hundreds fewer individuals, please provide responses to the following questions by April 9, 2025:

    1. How many HHS employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety have been fired, put on administrative leave, accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer since January 20, 2025? Provide a complete breakdown by agency and position. For each category of employee at each agency, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. Include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status. Please provide the latest data available.
    2. How many HHS employees remain who work on mining health and safety? Please provide a complete breakdown by agency and position.
    3. How many additional employees who work in offices that work on mining health and safety do you intend to fire following the announcement made on March 27, 2025?
    4. Provide all analyses conducted prior to the reorganization and firings of HHS employees who work in offices that focus on mining safety and health to determine the immediate and long-term impact these firings will have on programs and activities that those employees are tasked with administering. In particular, provide all analyses relating to 1) ensuring statutory obligations will be met, and 2) the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.

    Art Miller, an expert in mine air quality who has been working for NIOSH since 1996 and for its predecessor before this, was part of the Spokane-area firings. He noted that no one else does this kind of research and that “every worker in this country deserves to go home safe.”  We agree, and urge you to reverse these cuts before it’s too late.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Innovation – Nigel Latta Launches Parentland, a Groundbreaking Parenting App

    Source: www.parentland.app

    AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Wednesday 9th April 2025 – Parentland, a revolutionary new app offering tailored, evidence-based parenting advice launches this week.

    The brainchild of renowned New Zealand clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, Parentland is like having an experienced psychologist in your pocket, offering personalised, science-backed solutions when parents need them the most.

    Unlike other parenting apps, Parentland delivers advice that is specific to the age, temperament, and individual needs of each child. Whether you’re dealing with a persistent 5-year-old or an easy-going 11-year-old, the app adapts its guidance to ensure it’s the right fit for your child. This level of individualisation, backed by current scientific research, sets Parentland apart from the competition.

    Nigel has long recognised the challenges that modern parents face; he is the author of 7 parenting books which have now been published in 19 countries and 10 languages and has presented numerous TV shows on the subject.  He is regarded as the trusted authority on the topic for New Zealanders.

    “In 2025, parents face unprecedented pressures, from navigating the digital age to dealing with issues like sleep, eating, and behaviour. Many parents are struggling with not having access to immediate, reliable, and evidence-based advice.

    “The internet is full of mostly well-meaning people offering advice that can often be ineffective or even harmful, and unfortunately the cost of seeing a clinical psychologist can be prohibitive for many.

    Nigel added, “We wanted to create an app that doesn’t just deliver generic advice but offers something tailored to the unique temperament and developmental stage of each child. Whether you’re trying to help a toddler sleep through the night or work through a picky eater, Parentland gives you clear, actionable steps that actually work.”

    Addressing Common Parenting Struggles – Picky Eating

    Latta has observed that while New Zealand parents are generally doing well, many struggle with foundational issues such as sleep, behaviour, and eating: “Parents need evidence-based advice from experienced professionals.”

    One of the app’s standout features is its Food Range Diary, which helps parents address the growing issue of picky eating—a challenge that has escalated to millions of parents both in New Zealand and globally. Curated by Dr Natalie Flynn, who is a clinical psychologist  specialising in eating disorders, parents can track their child’s eating habits, identify areas of concern, and receive personalised guidance on when to seek help.

    “We’re seeing more and more picky eaters today, and it’s important that we address this early on,” says Dr Flynn.  “If left unchecked, picky eating can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, and it’s often rooted in behavioural patterns that can be changed with the right tools. Parentland will guide parents through those tricky moments, offering advice that’s based on solid clinical evidence,” she says.

    In addition, the app’s innovative tools such as the Farty Monkey, the Star Chart, and the Ladder help families break out of unhelpful patterns of behaviour. By focusing on positive reinforcement and research-backed strategies, Parentland empowers parents to create healthier routines and stronger relationships with their children.

    The Future of Parenting: Evidence-Based, Personalised, and Convenient

    The app’s features include:

    • A tool to determine your child’s temperament (TQ)
    • Customised advice for behaviour, sleep, and eating, specific to each child’s age and TQ
    • A range of fun, interactive reward tools like the Farty Monkey and Star Chart
    • The ability to share features and information with another caregiver
    • A Good-parent-o-meter to highlight your positive parenting skills
    • Daily parenting tips that fit your specific needs
    • The Ladder, a tool to encourage desirable behaviours
    • A Food Range Diary to track and expand your child’s food preferences

    Nigel Latta’s Health Journey: A Personal Commitment to Helping Parents

    Nigel underwent a major health battle last year when diagnosed with cancer, but recent medical breakthroughs and treatment have made his condition no longer terminal.

     “Going through my own health battle this past year made me even more committed to helping families. I know how important it is to get reliable, science-based support when things feel out of control—that’s why I’m so passionate about Parentland.”

    About Parentland

    Parentland is the parenting app that provides trustworthy, science-backed advice designed for the unique needs of your family. Developed by clinical psychologists with over fifty years of combined experience, Parentland offers parents real, actionable tools to navigate the everyday challenges of raising children. With Parentland, every parent can feel empowered to make informed decisions and take the right steps to create positive changes in their home.

    The Parentland app was created by Cactuslab, an independent web, app design and development studio based in Auckland. Successful apps they’ve created include Letterboxed (the social network for film lovers) and Cloudcheck (an electronic identification verification (EV) tool).

    For more, see: www.parentland.app

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: New York Post Ed Board Highlights Ernst’s Squeal Work

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, the New York Post Editorial Board highlighted Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) work that revealedunionized workers at the Defense Health Agency spent 87,000 hours in a two-year timespan doing union work instead of their jobs supporting the military health system.
    “This info comes in a bombshell new report unearthed by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a veteran and a fierce advocate for the troops as well as a staunch fighter against fraud and waste as head of the Senate DOGE caucus. Good: The more sunlight into government spending, the better,” the Editorial Board wrote.
    Following her years-long investigation into the absent government workforce and the impact of federal telework abuse, Ernst has cracked down on taxpayer-funded union time with her Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallet Act that would end taxpayers having to foot the bill for federal employees engaging in union activity while on the clock. She is also leading the Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Transparency Act to track the total amount taxpayers are subsidizing federal employee unions.
    Read the full editorial below:
    Public-sector workers spent 87,000 hours screwing you — just at one agency, just in two years
    By: The New York Post Editorial Board
    Unionized workers at the Defense Health Agency, tasked with overseeing benefits for US troops, spent 87,000 hours (and $3.3 million) during fiscal 2023 and 2024 doing union work instead of their actual jobs. 
    You read that right: 87,000 hours. 
    That’s equivalent to 3,625 days, almost a full man-hour decade. 
    Burned up by staffers tending to their own interests, to the detriment of the troops they’re nominally charged with helping and the taxpayers they’re answerable to: They spent those hours doing things like contract renegotiation and fringe-benefit squeeze-outs. 
    This info comes in a bombshell new report unearthed by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a veteran and a fierce advocate for the troops as well as a staunch fighter against fraud and waste as head of the Senate DOGE caucus. 
    Good: The more sunlight into government spending, the better. 
    Otherwise, there’s no way to ever know which handouts serve to advance America’s national interest and which line the pockets of powerful fiefdoms and their lords. 
    But it points to a bigger problem, i.e., that public-sector unions are bad news for everyone. 
    In the private sector, unionized workers use their collective power to win concessions from business owners. If that gums up the works too much, the company suffers and its customers and investors go elsewhere.
    Government doesn’t work that way: The dissatisfied can’t escape so easily, and it’s politicians and other officials with no personal skin in the game who make the concessions.
    And unionized government workers put the squeeze directly on you. 
    Every benefit, every pay hike, every extra comes out of the taxpayer’s pocket. 
    And by shielding the incompetent and criminal, stifling innovation and generally gumming up the works, public-sector unions screw over the people most dependent on government services. 
    That is, the poor, the disabled and the otherwise marginalized. 
    Even, in this case, the armed forces. 
    So the next time National Education Association head Becky Pringle starts in on one of her semi-comprehensible tirades about justice and equity, or any other municipal, state or federal public-union muckamuck throws a weepy, righteous temper tantrum — remember. 
    The only thing they want is to shove their hand deeper into your pocket.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Global infant mortality will rise – in contrast to United Nations projections – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    A new report presented in New York on 8 April reveals that current United Nations projections on infant mortality rates are inaccurate.

    The Fragile Futures report says crucial factors missing from current United Nations projections – the impacts of climate change and population on infant mortality – will cause infant mortality to rise and children’s overall health to decline this decade.

    While current United Nations projections predict a continuing decline in infant mortality, new evidence in the Fragile Futures report shows that climate change and population dynamics in the most climate-vulnerable regions will increase infant mortality rates.

    UK-based NGO Population Matters funded the independent Fragile Futures evidence review, conducted by the Future Child Health research team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, with help from The University of Western Australia and Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University in South Australia.

    Representatives from Population Matters and the Future Child Health research team attended the United Nations Commission on Population Development in New York, and presented the Fragile Futures research at a side event (“A Discussion on Child Health and Climate”) on 8 April.

    Report co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University says that evidence revealed in the Fragile Futures report shows that infant mortality is rising.

    “Although United Nations’ projections on infant mortality show a continuing decline to 2100, recent evidence suggests that infant mortality is increasing in several countries, including the United States, France, India, Madagascar, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines.”

    The report also presents evidence that climate change will increase pre-term births. “Rising temperatures are linked to a 60% increase in preterm births, a major contributor to higher rates of infant mortality and health complications later in life even in those children who survive,” says co-author Dr Melinda Judge from The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia.

    “The risk of pre-term birth is already higher in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia accounted for 65% of all preterm births globally in 2020, and this will increase due to more frequent and persisting heatwaves.”

    Children’s respiratory health is identified as being at increased risk. “Climate change and higher population density also causes more exposure to air pollution, increasing cases of asthma, eczema, and allergies in young children,” says co-author Professor Peter Le Souëf from The University of Western Australia and The Kids Research Institute Australia. “In Africa, air pollution was linked to 449,000 additional infant deaths in 2015.”

    The report shows that preventable deaths of women and newborns are increasing. In 2020, 287,000 women died from preventable pregnancy-related complications, and 80% of newborn deaths were due to preventable and treatable conditions. Investment in sexual and reproductive healthcare saves lives.

    Cuts to international aid budgets are also having an effect on these figures. “The withdrawal of USAID support between 2025 and 2028 is projected to result in 1,200 additional preventable maternal deaths in Afghanistan alone,” says Professor Bradshaw.

    “The total impacts of lost aid on women and children’s health remains unknown – but will be catastrophic without intervention.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Memphis, TN – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee and the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime (“OVC”) joins communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 6-12, 2025, and in celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services. This year’s theme, “Kinship – Connecting & Healing,” is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. KINSHIP is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins.

    Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2023, there were approximately 20 million crime victimizations in the United States. More than 6.4 million were the result of violent crimes, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Of that 6.4 million, only about 45% were reported to police.

    The United States Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and right of victims of crime.

    Here, in the Western District of Tennessee, we have a dedicated Victim Witness Coordinator who supports federal crime victims by providing victims with essential services, including referrals to counseling, securing temporary housing, assisting with access to victim’s compensation funds, and accompanying victims to court proceedings to provide support and guidance. These services provide victims with tools to reshape their futures.

    The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems by disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge and practices across the United States and by providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter partnerships with these officers.

    Further National Crime Victims’ Rights Week resources can be found at https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2025/overview.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Rep. Houlahan Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Strengthening Menopause Research at DoD and VA 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Senator Murray also leads major bipartisan legislation endorsed by Halle Berry to boost menopause research, expand training and awareness
    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Joni Ernst (R-IA), joined Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D, PA-06) and Stephanie Bice (R, OK-05) in reintroducing the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act. This legislation requires the Department of Defense (DoD) in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to research and study the effects of menopause on women servicemembers and women veterans. This research would, for the first time ever, analyze any gaps in treatment and research for women servicemembers and veterans experiencing perimenopause or menopause, with a focus on the effect of combat roles, toxic exposure, and on overall mental health. 
    “Every woman goes through menopause—but for far too long, research that would help us better understand and treat the symptoms of menopause has been underinvested in and overlooked. I’ve been working to tackle this problem from every angle so that women can have the information and the tools they need to enter menopause with confidence and get the care that’s right for them, and our women in uniform and women veterans are no exception,” said Senator Murray. “I’m proud to join Rep. Houlahan in introducing this legislation to strengthen research at VA and DoD on menopause and mid-life women’s health—and I’ll be pushing to include it in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.” 
    “Servicewomen and women veterans need dedicated resources and research to better understand the unique way military service impacts menopause. Not only is this a health care issue, but it is also a workforce and family-building issue. Women are going into perimenopause earlier, struggling with debilitating health conditions and being forced to leave the workforce earlier due to medical difficulties from menopause,” said Representative Houlahan. “Service members, including those in non-combat roles, face significantly more stress than their civilian counterparts, potentially leading to early onset menopause and other unique challenges. It is essential to understand the health implications through research, not only for the readiness of our force, but our broader workforce as well.” 
    Research proves that stress on the body often leads to earlier perimenopause, cutting child-bearing years short, and other physical and mental health conditions that impact women’s ability to work. Servicemembers are disproportionately affected due to the high-stress nature of their jobs. This bill will require a report and identification of gaps in health care knowledge and coverage so that DOD and VA can better serve those that serve us. With a fast-growing number of women veterans, this research is more important than ever for the readiness of our armed forces, as well as our workforce.  
    Read the full text of the bill here. 
    “Let’s Talk Menopause applauds the introduction of the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act by Representatives Houlahan and Bice. This groundbreaking initiative shines a necessary light on the unique health challenges faced by our service members and veterans as they navigate menopause. Understanding the impact of military service on menopause is crucial for developing tailored support and treatments, ensuring our heroes receive the care they deserve,” said Donna Klassen, Co-Founder/CEO of Let’s Talk Menopause. 
    “As the population of women veterans continues to grow, it’s imperative that the VA not only continues to study our healthcare needs but also takes proactive steps to address them,” said Elisa Cardnell, President of Service Women’s Action Network. “Military service has a lifelong impact on health, and we applaud the efforts of Rep. Houlahan and Rep. Bice to determine how it may impact perimenopause and menopause.”
    “Menopause is a natural life stage that all women will encounter. This includes our nation’s service members and veterans,” said Society for Women’s Health Research President and CEO Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE. “Yet, as in so many areas of women’s health, we are operating with a lack of information. This new legislation from Representative Houlahan will give us important insights into menopause’s impact on our service members, including how it affects military service and combat roles. It is our hope that members of Congress will work together in a bipartisan way to quickly pass this legislation.”  
    Last Congress, Senator Murray introduced the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, new comprehensive bipartisan legislation that would be the most expansive effort so far to boost federal research on menopause and would—for the first time—coordinate the federal government’s existing programs related to menopause and mid-life women’s health. Senator Murray has always championed women’s health care and fought to boost investments in women’s health care research in particular. As the previous top Democrat on the HELP Committee, Murray led negotiations and passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, bipartisan legislation that provided $4.8 billion over the next 10 years to invests in a wide range of health priorities including with regards to women’s health care. Murray leads and has repeatedly introduced the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, which would increase women’s access to preventive and lifesaving cancer screenings. Murray has also been a strong advocate for women veterans’ health care—transforming the VA over decades to meet the needs of women veterans, whether by authoring and passing the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act in 2010 or by delivering annual funding as an appropriator to help VA provide the necessary care for women veterans. Last year as Chair of the Appropriations Chair, Senator Murray delivered a record $900 million investment in women veterans’ health care.  

    MIL OSI USA News –