NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BL test for teachers scheduled

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The second sitting of the Basic Law & National Security Law Test (BLNST) in the 2024-25 school year is scheduled for December 15, the Education Bureau (EDB) announced today.

    Applications can be made from Friday until November 7. 

    Target participants for this round of the test are bachelor’s degree holders, or students who will attain a bachelor’s degree in 2025 or 2026, who plan to join or change to another secondary school, primary school or kindergarten to take up a teaching post.

    Limited places for the test will be available on a first come, first served basis.

    Those who have obtained a pass result in a test organised by the EDB, the Civil Service Bureau or a recruiting department or grade, will not be accepted to sit for it again. 

    The third, fourth and fifth sittings of the test will be held in April, June and July next year. Relevant arrangements will be announced in due course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s points system for jobseekers is failing 4 in 10, putting their payments at risk

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simone Casey, Research Associate, Centre for People, Organisation and Work, RMIT University

    Studio63/Shutterstock

    For jobseekers these days, staying on benefits is about accumulating points.

    It used to be cruder. Until 2022, unemployed Australians who wanted to stay on benefits had to apply for up to 20 jobs per month, a requirement a parliamentary inquiry found

    burdens employers, who are receiving masses of poor quality applications often from people who are not suited for the position.

    Since July 2022, jobseekers have instead been required to collect points.

    Creating or updating a profile earns five points, applying for a job earns five points, attending a job interview earns 25 points, attending a jobs expo earns 25 points, starting a job earns 50 points, and so on.

    For most jobseekers the target is 100 points per month. The target can be eased by 20 points for jobseekers who live in locations that have fewer opportunities to work and by 40 points for jobseekers who are carers, have a reduced capacity to work or who are over 55.

    Jobseekers who fail to report enough points or who fail to include four job applications per month in total face automatic suspension of benefits.

    Workforce Australia.

    41% of jobseekers are being failed

    New data released by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations show 41.1% of participants are being tripped up by the system.

    In the quarter between April 1 and June 30, 410,485 of the 999,470 jobseekers enrolled in the scheme failed to meet its requirements. And 212,915 of them reported no points whatsoever.

    It’s an improvement on the previous year. For April to June 2023, 45.3% of participants failed to get enough points.

    First Nations people, refugees, people with disabilities and young people are over-represented among those who fail to get enough points.

    My calculations using the department’s data show 58% of Indigenous participants in the program, 49% of participants without a Year 12 education and 47% of participants on youth allowance are failing to meet the requirements.

    Around two-thirds of breaches lead to suspensions. Between July 2022 and September 2023 1,838,410 payments were suspended.

    My research just published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues finds that a shift away from face-to-face help to online interactions is partly responsible.

    When jobseekers find it difficult to talk to humans about why they are unable to accumulate points their payments are more likely to be suspended.

    Jobseekers’ fault or the system’s fault?

    The Department of Employment has been working hard to increase understanding of the points system. Among other things, it has produced a series of fact sheets aimed at First Nations Australians.

    But an independent evaluation of the system prepared for the department in June found two-thirds of the participants in it had little or no knowledge about how it worked.

    This suggests the 41% failure rate might be an indictment of the system as much as the jobseekers who use it.

    It might even be an indictment of the idea of points to quantify compliance with mutual obligations.

    In November last year, a Senate select committee recommended rebuilding what it called a Commonwealth Employment Services System from the ground up.

    While the committee supported the use of points, it wanted the default requirement halved to 50 points, with human case managers given discretion to vary the target up or down based on their professional judgments.

    Simone Casey is employed as a policy advisor at Economic Justice Australia, the peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights. The research and analysis for this article was completed in her academic capacity as recently published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues.

    – ref. Australia’s points system for jobseekers is failing 4 in 10, putting their payments at risk – https://theconversation.com/australias-points-system-for-jobseekers-is-failing-4-in-10-putting-their-payments-at-risk-240317

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)
    “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” to examine cultural landscape of Lingnan (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present “!NSPIRE Series 2024: Lingnan Images – A Cinematic Crossover of 4 Cities” from November 23 to January 19 next year, screening films that cover the period from the reform and opening-up to date from Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen and Guangzhou at Hong Kong City Hall and the Hong Kong Film Archive. Exchange and workshop sessions will also be held to promote the collaboration of filmmakers of the four cities.      The opening film “Ah Ying” (1983) was directed by Hong Kong new wave director Allen Fong. The film was the winner of Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Film Editing. It delicately depicts the story between Ah Ying, who works at a market fish stall, and her acting mentor, who has also become her friend.      Various selected films illustrate the cultural impact and exchanges in different times. Renowned actor Chow Yun-fat plays a village chief in “Now You See Love… Now You Don’t” (1992). The clash between the lifestyles and ways of thinking of him and his childhood sweetheart returning from abroad, played by Carol “Do Do” Cheng, leads to scene after scene of hilarious comedy. “Little Cheung” (1999) depicts the livelihood of ordinary people from the perspective of children, who are able to find peace and hope in the midst of chaos with their innocence. “Ip Man – The Final Fight” (2013) and “Knitting” (2008) both reflect on how immigrants adapt to their new lives. The former tells the story of Ip Man, who upholds the virtues of Lingnan martial arts while facing the setbacks that come with his relocation to Hong Kong. The latter depicts the evolution of Guangzhou culture amid an influx of workers from outside, resulting in a mixture of northern and southern influences.      There are also films portraying the confusion that urbanites face. Directed by Philip Yung, “Glamorous Youth” (2009) tells the story of a Hong Kong boy moving to Shenzhen to escape from family pressure and love problems, yet still finding himself trapped in the mundane routines of life. “Sun and Rain” (1987), directed by Zhang Zeming, illustrates the alienation and love between people in a city through a love quadrangle. “Damp Season” (2020) depicts the stress lingering in the lives of the working class in Shenzhen, like the dampness and humidity often found in spring. Both set in Guangzhou, “Eight Diagrams” (2009) is a dark comedy about the desire and sadness of urbanites, while “Something in Blue” (2016) is a travelogue of a city that brings together the unremarkable daily lives of four young people.      Some of the selected films bring the cityscapes to the forefront. “Dot 2 Dot” (2014) traces the present and past of Hong Kong as a man and a woman with contrasting backgrounds navigate through the streets of the city. In “San Yuan Li” (2003) and “Cop Shop II” (2011), the Guangzhou cityscape and its changes through time are respectively illustrated with images and sounds.???     Two distinctive works from Macao will also be screened. Both of them are combinations of six stories. “Macau Stories 2: Love in the City” (2011) consists of six stories about love by six directors, while “Passing Rain” (2017), by director and screenwriter Chan Ka-keong, tells the stories of six characters with intertwined plotlines.      Moreover, two collections consisting of seven short films in total on the history, societies and cultures of the Lingnan region will be screened. The films are “Miasma, Plants, Export Paintings” (2017), “Fonting the City” (2015), “Sons of the Land” (2007), “14 Paintings” (2023), “Real Talk” (2024), “An Asian Ghost Story” (2023) and “Fear and Trembling” (2009).     Some of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks, hosted by actor Hui So-ying, screenwriters Sze Yeung-ping and Mabel Cheung, producer Albert Chu, and directors Wong Teng-teng and Chan Ka-keong. To enable audiences to have a better understanding of the creation of films, there will be seminar screening sessions and exchange sessions. Three sessions of seminar screenings, entitled “The Spirit of Films about Intellectuals”, “Lingnan’s Secret Thoughts in Mind” and “The Current Situation of Macao Cinema”, will be held in which directors Gan Xiao’er, Yang Pingdao, and Wong Teng-teng and producer Albert Chu will share on their creative processes with screenings of selected film excerpts. Eight exchange sessions will also be held with filmmakers from the four cities in dialogues with each other or with film critics and audiences. Speakers include directors Yi Lichuan, Fruit Chan, Philip Yung, Herman Yau, Amos Why, and Zhang Zeming, film critic Joyce Yang and co-curators Law Kar and Feng Yu. Ticket holders of screenings with respective talks or exchange sessions will be admitted with priority, while the remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with free admission.      All films are with Chinese and English subtitles. “Glamorous Youth” is rated Category III and restricted to viewers aged 18 or above.     Tickets for film screenings and seminar screening sessions priced at $70 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please call 2734 2900 or visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=65.      To provide an opportunity for new talent of the film industry from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to gain a better understanding about the industry through discussions and exchanges with guidance from professional filmmakers, the FPO will hold the Brainstorming Workshop covering topics of film production, such as screenwriting, directing, cinematography, post-production, fund sourcing, producing and distribution. The workshop will be conducted in Cantonese and is free for admission, with a quota of 30 places. Film students and those who have been involved in film productions can register for selection from November 25 to December 20. Successful registrants will be invited to participate in the two-day workshop to be held on January 9 and 10 at Ko Shan Theatre. For details of the workshop, please visit the above website.      This screening programme is one of the programmes of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. Hong Kong is the host city of the Festival for the first time, organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held in the “9+2” cities in the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For more information, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk./en.      It is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 15:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹Young persons in custody (PICs) at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (October 23) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.
          
         Over the past year, 97 PICs participated in various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the City and Guilds International examinations, the Cambridge English Examinations and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi. They obtained vocational certificates in areas such as Food and Beverage Services, Coffee Making and Latte Art Training, Specialty Drink (Non-alcoholic) Making, Cantonese Cooking, Multimedia Design, Music, Building Services and Laundry Skills. These examinations were organised by the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong; the School of Professional and Continuing Education, the University of Hong Kong; Christian Action; the Construction Industry Council; Tom Lee Music Foundation; the Vocational Training Council and Caritas Institute of Community Education. During the year, the PICs attained 127 merits out of 302 certificates obtained. In the ceremony today, 22 PICs were presented with 135 certificates, of which 76 were marked with merits.
          
         Officiating at the ceremony, the President of the Hong Kong Shanxi Union Community Limited (HKSUCL), Mr Ng Tang, said that the HKSUCL has been highly supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and has set up the HKSUCL – Igniting Hope Education Fund to provide education and vocational training subsidies to PICs with financial difficulties to enable further studies. He encouraged the young PICs to strive for self-improvement, and to walk hand in hand with their families and CSD staff on the path of rehabilitation to live a fulfilling life.
          
         During the ceremony, members of the lion dance team performed with accompaniment by a marching band. Moreover, PICs put their training into practice and produced a short video by using shooting and editing skills acquired in the Creative Multimedia Production Technology Training Course to showcase their learning outcomes at the ceremony. There was also a singing and musical instrument performance by PICs, with piano accompaniment by CSD staff, to demonstrate their determination to change.
          
         In the sharing session, one young PIC expressed gratitude to his mother for taking good care of him on her own and her unwavering support during his time in custody, which inspired him to reflect on his past mistakes and make good use of his time to study diligently. Two other young PICs also expressed appreciation for the encouragement and guidance from CSD staff, who helped them mend relationships with family members and learn valuable skills in a band. They hope to apply what they have learnt to contribute to society in the future.
          
         Also attending today’s certificate presentation ceremony were representatives from non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.
          
         STCI accommodates young male PICs aged from 14 to under 25. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs of training centres and rehabilitation centres to assist them to rehabilitate and prepare for reintegration into society.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s third-largest city sanctions Israel over illegal Palestine settlements

    Asia Pacific Report

    Christchurch, New Zealand’s third-largest city, today became the first local government in the country to sanction Israel by voting to halt business with organisations involved in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

    It passed a resolution to amend its procurement policy to exclude companies building and maintaining illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

    It was a largely symbolic gesture in that Christchurch (pop. 408,000) currently has no business dealings with any of the companies listed by the United Nations as being active in the illegal settlements.

    However, the vote also rules out any future business dealings by the city council with such companies.

    The sanctions vote came after passionate pleas to the council by John Minto, president of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), and University of Canterbury postcolonial studies lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese.

    “We’re delighted the council has taken a stand against Israel’s ongoing theft of Palestinian land,” said Minto in a statement welcoming the vote.

    He had urged the council to take a stand against companies identified by the UN Human Rights Council as complicit in the construction and maintenance of the illegal settlements.

    ‘Failure of Western governments’
    “It has been the failure of Western governments to hold Israel to account which means Israel has a 76-year history of oppression and brutal abuse of Palestinians.

    “Today Israel is running riot across the Middle East because it has never been held to account for 76 years of flagrant breaches of international law,” Minto said.

    “The motion passed by Christchurch City today helps to end Israeli impunity for war crimes.” (Building settlements on occupied land belonging to others is a war crime under international law)

    “The motion is a small but significant step in sanctioning Israel. Many more steps must follow”.

    The council’s vote to support the UN policy was met with cheers from a packed public gallery. Before the vote, gallery members displayed a “Stop the genocide” banner.

    Minto described the decision as a significant step towards aligning with international law and supporting Palestinian rights.

    “In relation to the council adopting a policy lined up with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, this resolution was co-sponsored by the New Zealand government back in 2016,” Minto said, referencing the UN resolution that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories “had no legal validity and constituted a flagrant violation under international law”.

    ‘Red herrings and obfuscations’
    In his statement, Minto said: “We are particularly pleased the council rejected the red herrings and obfuscations of New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes who urged councillors to reject the motion”

    “Mr Kepes presentation was a repetition of the tired, old arguments used by white South Africans to avoid accountability for their apartheid policies last century – policies which are mirrored in Israel today.”

    Postcolonial studies lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese . . . boycotts “a long standing peaceful means of protest adopted by freedom fighters across the world.” Image: UOC

    Dr Varghese said more than 42,000 Palestininians — at least 15,000 of them children — had been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza.

    “Boycotting products and services which support and benefit from colonisation and apartheid is the long standing peaceful means of protest adopted by freedom fighters across the world, not only by black South Africans against apartheid, but also in the Indian independent struggle By the lights of Gandhi,” she said.

    “This is a rare opportunity for us to follow in the footsteps of these greats and make a historic move, not only for Christchurch City, but also for Aotearoa New Zealand.

    “On March 15, 2019 [the date of NZ’s mosque massacre killing 51 people], we made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and today could be an opportunity where we make headlines global globally for the right reasons,” Dr Varghese said.

    “Sanctions on Israel” supporters at the Christchurch City Council for the vote today. Image: PSNA

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 26th OLAF Digital Forensics and Analysts training

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is pleased to inform you that the 26th OLAF Digital Forensics and Analysts training session is taking place between 25-29 November in Prague, Czech Republic.

    This training is financed by the European Union Anti-Fraud Programme (UAFP) (2021-2027). This programme is implemented by the European Commission (OLAF). It was established to promote activities to combat fraud affecting the EU’s financial interests.

    120 applicants working for Law Enforcement Agencies in Member States, acceding and candidate countries, EFTA/EEA countries, countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy and certain countries with which the European Union has concluded an agreement on mutual assistance in customs matters, were selected to participate in this event.

    The following trainings will be delivered:

    1. Linux Forensics Intermediate 

    2. Live Data Forensics 

    3. Cloud Forensics 

    4. Mobile Phone Forensics Intermediate 

    5. Magnet Axiom Examinations AX200

    6. Open Source Intelligence Analytics

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Combating vaping of “space oil”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Lam So-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added. Usually, its main ingredient is etomidate, an anaesthetic that can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Anyone who illegally possesses and uses the substance commits an offence. It has been reported that space oil, often vaped through e-cigarettes, can produce transient euphoria and cause addiction, and has gained popularity amongst youth communities since last year, with some sellers even blatantly putting space oil up for sale on social media platforms. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective numbers of persons arrested for illegal sale and possession of space oil in the past three years, together with a tabulated breakdown by age;

    (2) whether it will bring etomidate under the control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) whether the authorities have put in place measures to prevent members of the public (especially young people) from vaping space oil by, for example, stepping up education and proactively taking law enforcement actions such as decoy operations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         “Space oil” is a kind of liquid to which harmful substances have been illegally added and is often inhaled through electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). There is no standard formula for “space oil”, but its main ingredient is usually etomidate, an anaesthetic which can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Etomidate is regulated as Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Illegal supply or use of etomidate is liable to imprisonment upon conviction. Abuse of “space oil” will cause harm to one’s health and lead to addiction. It will also lure abusers to try other kinds of drugs. Taking “space oil” is equivalent to taking drugs.

         â€‹My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai is as follows:

    (1) Frontline anti-drug workers noticed an emergence of “space oil” in Hong Kong in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had begun to gain traction among local young people and some of them even started taking it. Records of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have reflected the same trend. In 2023, we started to observe persons arrested for offences involving “space oil” containing etomidate by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department. The number of persons arrested in the past three years by age groups are set out at Annex.
         
    (2) To ensure that the LEAs can effectively respond to the drug abuse situation and enhance deterrence, it is indicated in the Supplement to “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” published last week that the Government will step up control on etomidate. Specifically, we propose bringing etomidate under control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). We have already consulted the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and relevant stakeholders, with a view to listing etomidate as a dangerous drug in the first half of 2025. By then, illegal possession or smoking, inhaling, ingesting and injecting “space oil” containing etomidate is liable to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. Trafficking or illegal import of such a substance is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
       
    (3) The Government has all along been closely monitoring the trend of emerging drugs. Apart from strengthening the control on etomidate by way of legislation, the Government has taken prompt actions to combat “space oil” through reducing demand and intercepting supply.

         Preventive publicity and education is the backbone of demand reduction and forms the first line of defense for our anti-drug work. Targeting the emergence of “space oil” among the youth, we have started with the school sector. First, earlier this year, the Commissioner for Narcotics from the Security Bureau (SB) wrote to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong alerting them to the problem of “space oil” inhaling through e‑cigarettes. In addition, the Narcotics Division (ND) of the SB is in the course of including information on the harmful effects of “space oil” in its anti-drug educational talks and interactive drama for schools. 

         To further enhance the vigilance against and responsiveness to “space oil” among the school sector and anti-drug community, the ND in collaboration with the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the Hospital Authority and a frontline social service organisation organised two seminars on the issue of “space oil” abuse in August and October with a total attendance of nearly 500 people. At the seminars, different professionals, anti-drug workers, social workers, and teaching staff from over 100 primary and secondary schools shared their observations of the abuse situation of “space oil” among young people and the related harms. There were also exchanges of views on how to prevent “space oil” abuse and handle abusers. After the seminars, the Narcotics Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force distributed an infographic to all schools in Hong Kong. As young people often inhale “space oil” through e-cigarettes, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health also gave a presentation on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes in one of the aforementioned seminars. 

         As regards publicity, to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of “space oil”, a new zone dedicated to “space oil” was set up at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre in mid-September with promotional videos, publications and exhibition panels showing the harms of “space oil” on display. Since the middle of this year, the ND has been starting to publish social media posts and has launched an animated video on the harmful effects of “space oil”. They serve to alert the public, in particular young people, to the harms of “space oil”. The animated video has been uploaded onto the ND’s website and social media platforms, and schools and anti-drug organisations have been encouraged to show it often. We will continue to work with ACAN, other departments and various sectors of the community to step up preventive education and publicity efforts in view of the “space oil” abuse situation.

         To intercept the supply of “space oil”, the LEAs have stepped up various inspections including cyber patrol and carried out intelligence-based law enforcement actions. For example, the Police seized 2.17 kilograms of a substance claimed to be “space oil” during the past summer. More recently in mid-October, the Police raided a residential unit in Tai Kok Tsui, which was used as a drug storage and distribution centre, resulting in the seizure of “space oil” and other drugs. Upon the commencement of control of etomidate under the DDO (Cap. 134), the LEAs will definitely step up their enforcement against all etomidate-related offences.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: South China Sea conference 2024: speech by UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Minister Catherine West gave a keynote speech to the South China Sea conference in Ha Long, Vietnam.

    Location:
    Ha Long, Vietnam
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Good morning everybody, and it’s lovely to be here on such a perfect morning with those beautiful mountains and sea in front of us.

    As we’ve heard from Dr Dung and Vice Minister Viet, thank you to our local government partners who’ve put on such a beautiful event for us. And thank you to our Indonesian collaborator who spoke first, it was so good to hear from him.

    In the UK we have a relatively new government, elected in July this year…

    … and many people have asked me as the new Minister for the Indo-Pacific, “how do we know that the UK is committed to the Indo-Pacific?”.

    After three weeks my boss, David Lammy, who is the Foreign Secretary, visited Vientiane as part of the ASEAN discussions and this is my third country in the region to visit since July.

    So we know that working together with European partners and with others in the region, we can be allies with all of the partners in ASEAN and we can join together to have a very good discussion about peace and security.

    On Monday, I will go to Manila for the Women, Peace and Security conference, which will I think create a really deep understanding for myself as a new Minister as to the challenges in the region. And also the importance of promoting women’s leadership around this area of partnerships, rooted in respect and mutual trust. 

    Positioning the UK as a long-term reliable partner of the Indo-Pacific, underpinned by a shared respect for ASEAN leadership and centrality. And after that conference I will return to the UK, bringing back news of the conference and your thoughts.

    Because we know that after nearly 25 years of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325,… 

    …in which the UK played a leading role,… 

    …I will underline that our commitment to advancing participation in conflict prevention, reduction and resolution is unwavering, both in ASEAN but also globally.  

    And it is in the same spirit that I join you here today, to set out the UK’s support for collective efforts to maintain regional security and uphold international law.

    Global Maritime Security  

    Let me begin by stating unambiguously that the UK wants a free and open Indo-Pacific.  

    Because put simply, our collective global prosperity hinges on keeping the vital sea-lanes in the South China Sea open. Or the East Sea, as I believe in Vietnam you call it.

    Our shared security interests also demand that we stand-up for principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity… 

    …through the international legal framework that protects these principles,… 

    …for example, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – or UNCLOS as we call it.    

    But it’s not just the Indo-Pacific.   

    Undermining international law in any situation, in any context… 

    … has the potential to corrode the wider system of global governance that protects security and prosperity. 

    Take for example the sustainable development goals.  

    We can hardly hope to achieve those goals without peace and security spurring on economic growth.  

    And all of that relies heavily on having stable seas where the rule of law is upheld.  

    And this year we’ve seen a serious and sustained series of incidents,… 

    …representing one of the sharpest spikes in tensions over recent years.  

    The use of water cannons, blocking, and ramming manoeuvres have interfered… 

    …with Philippine rights and freedom of navigation.  

    These actions, and the responses they may incite, raise the risk of serious miscalculation… 

    …as well as posing a direct threat to international law. 

    And last month Chinese law enforcement attacked Vietnamese fishermen, leaving them seriously injured.  

    The grave risk of instability and escalation that these incidents pose is a significant concern for the international community. 

    Not just because of the impact it could have on global prosperity and security, but also on livelihoods and local biodiversity.   

    That is why the UK has and will continue to protest any action which threatens peace and stability… 

    …or seeks to undermine the primacy of UNCLOS.  

    Keeping the South China Sea safe is our priority. 

    And the only way we can achieve that is by working together with partners including those represented here today.  

    Climate and nature security 

    Now another crucial element to our security and prosperity is climate and nature.

    After this session I will be going to visit some of the areas affected by Typhoon Yagi, to understand more deeply how the Red Cross is working to mitigate those terrible floods and hear from local people as to how they’re managing about those floods.

    We were among the first countries to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement… 

    …and we remain focussed on its ratification.   

    Home to over a third of world’s coral reefs – this region is critical… 

    …to halting and reversing the loss of the natural ecosystem. 

    Rising sea levels risk leading to worsening maritime disputes. 

    And we cannot tackle the various risks unless we understand them well.  

    So the UK is using its expertise to help.  

    For example, the UK Met Office is studying how changes in sea surface temperature affect migratory fish and coastal ecosystems,… 

    …playing a role not just on food security but also on addressing the poor environmental impact of rising temperatures.

    Back home, we have also set a landmark goal – to be the first major economy to deliver clean energy power by 2030.  

    But acting alone is not a solution.  

    That is why we want to work with you and partners across the world to accelerate the clean energy transition. 

    So we are boosting progress by building on existing programmes. 

    Such as the Just Energy Transition Partnerships – JETP – in Indonesia and Vietnam,… 

    …supporting innovative clean energy… 

    …and the expansion of grids and storage. 

    Growth and Technology 

    Technology also plays a key role… 

    …and is something the UK is keen to harness to help solve global challenges.  

    Modern maritime ecosystems is becoming increasingly interconnected and digital in its nature.  

    And more and more sophisticated technology supports improved port operations across the globe,… 

    …the development of Autonomous Surface Ships will reduce the number of seafarers needed to operate a vessel. 

    We know how essential undersea telecoms cables are.  

    And they will only grow in importance with the use of AI becoming more widespread.  

    That is why the UK is working transparently with partners to develop inclusive global norms and standards… 

    …for the responsible and ethical use of technology and AI, including in maritime contexts. 

    Working together 

    Finally, we know that we live in a rapidly changing world where the more closely we work, the stronger we are.   

    Next year, the UK will hold its third Regional Maritime Security Symposium in Southeast Asia to discuss collaboration on a range of maritime issues. 

    It’s so encouraging to be here today and to work with Asia-Pacific partners, and as I speak, HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, our two Offshore Patrol Vessels, continue their operations in the Indo-Pacific,… 

    …exercising with partners,… 

    …responding to humanitarian disasters,… 

    …and tackling maritime challenges.

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today, and I look forward to questions afterwards.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Prabowo’s presidency sparks fear and faint hope in Indonesia’s contested Papua

    By Victor Mambor in Jayapura

    With Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general installed as Indonesia’s new president, residents in the disputed Papua region were responding to this reality with anxiety and, for some, cautious optimism.

    The remote and resource-rich region has long been a flashpoint for conflict, with its people enduring decades of alleged military abuse and human rights violations under Indonesian rule and many demanding independence.

    With Prabowo now in charge, many Papuans fear that their future will be marked by further violence and repression.

    In Papua — a region known as “West Papua” in the Pacific — views on Prabowo, whose military record is both celebrated by nationalists and condemned by human rights activists, range from apathy to outright alarm.

    Many Papuans remain haunted by past abuses, particularly those associated with Indonesia’s counterinsurgency campaigns that began after Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 through a disputed UN-backed referendum.

    For people like Maurids Yansip, a private sector employee in Sentani, Prabowo’s rise to the presidency is a cause for serious concern.

    “I am worried,” Yansip said. “Prabowo talked about using a military approach to address Papua’s issues during the presidential debates.

    ‘Military worsened hunman rights’
    “We’ve seen how the military presence has worsened the human rights situation in this region. That’s not going to solve anything — it will only lead to more violations.”

    In Jayapura, the region’s capital, Musa Heselo, a mechanic at a local garage, expressed indifference toward the political changes unfolding in Jakarta.

    “I didn’t vote in the last election—whether for the president or the legislature,” Heselo said.

    “Whoever becomes president is not important to me, as long as Papua remains safe so we can make a living. I don’t know much about Prabowo’s background.”

    But such nonchalance is rare in a region where memories of military crackdowns run deep.

    Prabowo, a former son-in-law of Indonesia’s late dictator Suharto, has long been a polarising figure. His career, marked by accusations of human rights abuses, particularly during Indonesia’s occupation of Timor-Leste, continues to evoke strong reactions.

    In 1996, during his tenure with the elite Indonesian Army special forces unit, Kopassus, Prabowo commanded a high-stakes rescue of 11 hostages from a scientific research team held by Free Papua Movement (OPM) fighters.

    Deadly operation
    The operation was deadly, resulting in the deaths of two hostages and eight pro-independence fighters.

    Markus Haluk, executive secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), described Prabowo’s presidency as a grim continuation of what he calls a “slow-motion genocide” of the Papuan people.

    “Prabowo’s leadership will extend Indonesia’s occupation of Papua,” Haluk said, his tone resolute.

    “The genocide, ethnocide, and ecocide will continue. We remember our painful history — this won’t be forgotten. We could see military operations return. This will make things worse.”

    Although he has never been convicted and denies any involvement in abuses in East Timor or Papua, these allegations continue to cast a shadow over his political rise.

    He ran for president in 2014 and again in 2019, both times unsuccessfully. His most recent victory, which finally propels him to Indonesia’s highest office, has raised questions about the future of Papua.

    President Prabowo Subianto greets people as he rides in a car after his inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, last Sunday. Image: Asprilla Dwi Adha/Antara Foto

    Despite these concerns, some see Prabowo’s presidency as a potential turning point — albeit a fraught one. Elvira Rumkabu, a lecturer at Cendrawasih University in Jayapura, is among those who view his military background as a possible double-edged sword.

    Prabowo’s military experience ‘may help’
    “Prabowo’s military experience and strategic thinking could help control the military in Papua and perhaps even manage the ultranationalist forces in Jakarta that oppose peace,” Rumkabu told BenarNews.

    “But I also worry that he might delegate important issues, like the peace agenda in Papua, to his vice-president.”

    Under outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Papua’s development was often portrayed as a priority, but the reality on the ground told a different story. While Jokowi made high-profile visits to the region, his administration’s reliance on military operations to suppress pro-independence movements continued.

    “This was a pattern we saw under Jokowi, where Papua’s problems were relegated to lower levels, diminishing their urgency,” Rumkabu said.

    In recent years, clashes between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) have escalated, with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire.

    Yohanes Mambrasar, a human rights activist based in Sorong, expressed grave concerns about the future under Prabowo.

    “Prabowo’s stance on strengthening the military in Papua was clear during his campaign,” Mambrasar said.

    Called for ‘more troops, weapons’
    “He called for more troops and more weapons. This signals a continuation of militarized policies, and with it, the risk of more land grabs and violence against indigenous Papuans.”

    Earlier this month, Indonesian military chief Gen. Agus Subiyanto inaugurated five new infantry battalions in Papua, stating that their mandate was to support both security operations and regional development initiatives.

    Indeed, the memory of past military abuses looms large for many in Papua, where calls for independence have never abated.

    During a presidential debate, Prabowo vowed to strengthen security forces in Papua.

    “If elected, my priority will be to uphold the rule of law and reinforce our security presence,” he said, framing his approach as essential to safeguarding the local population.

    Yet, amid the fears, some see opportunities for positive change.

    Yohanes Kedang from the Archdiocese of Merauke said that improving the socio-economic conditions of indigenous Papuans must be a priority for Prabowo.

    Education, health care ‘left behind’
    “Education, healthcare, and the economy — these are areas where Papuans are still far behind,” he said.

    “This will be Prabowo’s real challenge. He needs to create policies that bring real improvements to the lives of indigenous Papuans, especially in the southern regions like Merauke, which has immense potential.”

    Theo Hesegem, executive director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, believes that dialogue is key to resolving the region’s long-standing issues.

    “Prabowo has the power to address the human rights violations in Papua,” Hesegem said.

    “But he needs to listen. He should come to Papua and sit down with the people here — not just with officials, but with civil society, with the people on the ground,” he added.

    “Jokowi failed to do that. If Prabowo wants to lead, he must listen to their voices.”

     Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta contributed to the report. Copyright © 2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong and Mainland experts jointly study first discovery of dinosaur fossils in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) today (October 23) signed the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange and Collaboration regarding Stratigraphy, Palaeontology and Prehistoric Sites (Framework Agreement) to conduct scientific research, specimen management and identification, training, and exchanges in the fields of palaeontology, palaeoanthropology and palaeolithic sites. The study of dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island is the inaugural project under the Framework Agreement.  
     
         Witnessed by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the Framework Agreement was signed by the Commissioner for Heritage of the DEVB, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, and the Vice Director of the IVPP of the CAS, Mr Liu Jun.  
     
         Dinosaur fossils were discovered for the first time in Hong Kong. The site is on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in the northeastern waters of Hong Kong. Ms Linn said that the discovery is of great significance and provides new evidence for research on palaeoecology in Hong Kong.
     
         The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the DEVB was informed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in March this year that the sedimentary rock on Port Island might contain suspected vertebrate fossils. The DEVB then commissioned experts from the IVPP to come to Hong Kong to conduct field investigation, study fossil specimens, recommend management plans and discuss follow-up actions. 
     
         Experts from the IVPP, officers from the DEVB, the AMO and the AFCD conducted site visits to Port Island to collect specimens which contain suspected vertebrate fossils. After taking a preliminary osteohistological analysis of specimens by the IVPP experts, the specimens have been identified as bone fossils of large aged dinosaur. Thereafter, IVPP experts prepared specimens containing dinosaur bone fossils, and it was initially confirmed that the fossils dated to the Cretaceous period (about 145 million to 66 million years ago). Further studies will have to be conducted to confirm the species of the dinosaur.
     
         The AMO and the AFCD, together with the IVPP, will jointly take forward the study of dinosaur fossils, including excavation of the fossils on Port Island and preparation of the fossils. They will also collaborate with universities in Hong Kong and other places to conduct scientific research, and construct the story of dinosaurs in Hong Kong.
     
         The AMO will hold talks tomorrow (October 24) afternoon at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (HKHDC), where experts from the IVPP will talk about dinosaurs in China and relevant research. Participants will have the chance to preview the dinosaur fossils prepared at the HKHDC after the talks. The dinosaur fossils will be on public display at the HKHDC from October 25. In addition, the temporary workshop and exhibition space being built in the courtyard of the HKHDC is expected to open by the end of this year for the public to observe the experts’ preparation work and the fossils prepared. The Government will also devise plans for the long-term display of the fossils to enhance the public’s interest and knowledge in palaeontology.
     
         To facilitate future investigations, excavations and research on Port Island, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation announced the closure of the entire area of Port Island within Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park from today until further notice pursuant to the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations (Cap. 208A). Patrols have been arranged together with the Marine Police. During the closure of Port Island, except approved experts and relevant personnel, no person shall land or enter Port Island. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CEDD deeply saddened by passing of worker

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, today (October 23) was deeply saddened by the passing of a subcontractor’s worker who fell into the sea at the Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank earlier. Mr Fong expressed his deepest condolences to the deceased’s family. The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is working with the contractor to provide appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.

         The worker fell into the sea after assisting with the berthing of a vessel on October 21. The Fire Services Department recovered a body underwater around 7.30am today near a pier at the Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank. The body was later confirmed to be the worker who fell into the sea and went missing earlier.

         The CEDD is rendering full assistance to investigations by the Labour Department and the Police on the cause of the incident. The CEDD requires contractors and subcontractors to strictly comply with safety guidelines. After the incident, the CEDD immediately requested the contractor and subcontractor to suspend relevant works and carry out a thorough review on safety measures to prevent a reoccurrence of similar incidents.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff
    SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff
    *************************************************************************************

         The Social Welfare Department (SWD) stated today (October 23) that it is highly concerned about an incident of suspected abuse of service users by a staff member of a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD). The RCHD and the organisation concerned have been requested to conduct a thorough investigation and submit improvement plans to avoid similar incidents from happening again and protect the well-being of service users.     The subject RCHD submitted special incident reports to the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities of the SWD in August, reporting that a male staff member was suspected of having abused two service users while he was on duty. The RCHD had made a report to the Police and terminated the employment of the relevant staff member. The male staff member concerned had been arrested by the Police. Legal proceedings are underway.     The SWD took immediate follow-up actions upon noting the incident, including deployment of officers to conduct an unannounced inspection at the RCHD as well as requesting the operator to handle the incident in a serious manner and suitably follow up on the emotional and welfare needs of the two victims and their families.     To express deep concern over the incident, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the SWD met with the Council of Management and the management of the operator and received a briefing about the handling of the incident. A warning letter has also been issued by the SWD to the operator, which is required to submit a detailed investigation report and implement a series of improvement measures to ensure proper care and protection for the service users and prevent similar incidents. These measures include a manpower review by the operator, enhancement of supervision by management officers on the operation of the RCHD, provision of strengthened guidance and training for frontline staff and persistent supervision over the work ethics of staff members.     The SWD noted that the operator has formed an independent review committee to look into its measures to protect service users. The SWD looks forward to the early completion of the review and the implementation of the improvement measures in a serious manner.     To enhance RCHDs’ vigilance and raise the understanding of RCHD staff members on the prevention and handling of abuse incidents, the SWD hosted a sharing session on October 9 for management officers and staff members of all RCHDs on protecting residents from being abused. Relevant training will continue to be provided to the staff of RCHDs. Meanwhile, the SWD has strengthened the requirement on RCHDs’ monitoring and review of CCTV to further safeguard the well-being of the service users.     The SWD will continue to monitor the operation and service quality of the RCHD concerned and urge the RCHD to earnestly implement the improvement measures.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio, Casey, Fetterman, Lee Announce $6 Million for Pittsburgh International Airport

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

    Funding will help improve the terminal building

     

    Airport Terminal Program funding comes from infrastructure law

     

    With this funding, Pittsburgh International Airport has received more than $129 million in federal funding since the start of 2021

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Summer Lee (D-PA-12) and U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is receiving $6,000,000 in competitive grant funding to modernize and rehabilitate the terminal. This funding comes from the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), which was created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to revitalize the Nation’s aging airports.

     

    “The Infrastructure Law is still at work in Western PA, this time bringing home $6 million more for the Pittsburgh International Airport terminal updates,”said Congressman Deluzio. “The airport is not only a place where people catch flights: but it’s also a workplace, employer, and economic hub. We need to make sure it works as smoothly as possible, and that we help out airport be the best it can be. I’m proud federal funding from the Infrastructure Law is a part of that effort.”

     

    “Pittsburgh International Airport is an essential connection between the region and the world, and it’s critical that the terminals are safe and can meet passenger needs. This investment from the infrastructure law will support ongoing efforts to modernize the airport by replacing floors, bulkheads, and decades-old moving walkways,” said Senator Casey. “I will always fight for investments that boost Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy and keep the region moving.”

     

    “Pittsburgh’s airport should reflect the grit and resilience of the city it serves and this $6 million investment helps make that happen. Upgrading parts of the terminal that have been in place for over 30 years will help bring our airport back up to speed, create jobs, and ensure it serves both the community and travelers with true Pittsburgh pride,” said Senator Fetterman.

     

    “Today’s announcement of $6 million in federal funding for Pittsburgh International Airport is a big win for the people of Pittsburgh and the hardworking travelers who rely on safe, accessible, and efficient airports. This investment is about putting people first by creating good-paying jobs, ensuring smoother and safer travel experiences, and revitalizing a space that millions pass through each year. It’s also a commitment to the growth and well-being of our community, helping Pittsburgh remain a hub of opportunity and progress for all who live, work, and visit here,” said Congresswoman Lee.

     

    The funding for Pittsburgh International Airport will support the Terminal Modernization Program, which includes installing new flooring, restoring columns and bulkheads, and replacing 32-year-old moving walkways in the concourses. Since the infrastructure law was passed, millions of dollars have been allocated to PIT. In June 2024, Casey, Fetterman, Deluzio, and Lee announced $20.6 million for PIT to support their ongoing terminal improvement project. In February 2024, the Members announced $5.3 million in new infrastructure funding to fund a component of the 700,000 square foot landslide terminal construction. PIT has received a total of $129,706,728 since the start of 2021.
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Everyone invited to Community Wellbeing Event

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Parents, young people, community groups and everyone in between are invited to a Community Wellbeing Event taking place in Craigavon Civic Centre on Thursday 7 November.

    Focusing on relaxation, fun and self-care, this event will also feature information stands with details on support services for drugs, alcohol and mental health.

    With health checks, a mocktail bar, spot prizes and goodie bags, this event is open to the whole community. There will be interactive activities helping to educate people on the services provided by organisations within the ABC area, as well as improving access to these services.

    Look out for signposting, advice, guidance and information and make sure to enjoy some of the light refreshments that will also be served on the night.

    Guest speaker will be Theresa Burke who has been tirelessly helping to raise awareness of the devastating and long-lasting impact of drugs following her son’s death in 2009.

    “We would like to encourage people to come along, get involved, avail of some health checks and listen to Theresa who bravely continues to raise awareness of the real cost of drugs,” commented Alderman Mark Baxter, Chair of the PCSP.

    “Vital information and advice on these important issues will also be readily available and will show how all of our local organisations work together to help those who need this support and help.”

    The event has been organised by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in partnership with Southern Drug and Alcohol Communication Team Connections Service (SDACT).

    If you are interested in attending this event please rsvp to 

    *protected email*

     by Thursday 31 October.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crime news: procurement process for 2025 Standard Crime Contract

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The second stage of the procurement process opens for delivery of criminal legal aid services from Wednesday 1 October 2025.

    Stage 2 of the crime procurement process is now open. It closes on 30 April 2025. Tenders submitted in this stage will have contracts commence on 1 October 2025 and will be able to join the duty rotas from January 2026.

    If you have submitted a bid in Stage 1 you should not tender Stage 2. Anyone who tendered in Stage 1 will be notified of the outcome in mid-December 2024.

    Tenders received after Thursday 1 May 2025 will be opened on the 1st working day of each month following their submission commencing from 1 July 2025 and, where successful, the contract will commence no later than three months after processing began.

    How do I tender?

    Tenders must be submitted using the LAA’s eTendering system.

    For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which is available at Crime Contract 2025 Tender – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Nordic statement on the draft legal bills in the Knesset related to UNRWA

    Source: Government of Sweden

    The Nordic countries are deeply concerned by the recent introduction of draft legal bills in the Knesset that, if adopted, would prevent the UNRWA from continuing its operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Effectively, UNRWA would no longer be able to exercise its core tasks as stipulated by UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, that is “to carry out […] direct relief and works programmes” for the millions of Palestine refugees living in these areas. It is from this and subsequent UN resolutions that UNRWA’s mandate is derived, and as its parent organ, it is only the General Assembly that can define the UNRWA mandate.

    UNRWA is at present the most centrally placed humanitarian organisation responding to the needs of Palestine refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA provides education for more than half a million children and adolescents, health services covering millions of patient visits annually and social safety net support for the most vulnerable refugees along with an emergency response programme. In the midst of an ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, a halt to any of the organisation’s activities would have devastating consequences for the hundreds of thousands of civilians served by UNRWA. The consequential vacuum in services and humanitarian aid for Palestine refugees in Gaza, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, may well further destabilise the situation in these areas, in Israel and in the region as a whole, and may fundamentally jeopardize the prospects for a two-state solution. 

    Following serious allegations directed towards some workers of the Agency, we welcome the prompt follow-up action initiated by the United Nations Secretary-General and the UNRWA Commissioner General, and we expect its continued implementation. 

    Considering the above, the proposed draft legal bills that restrict UNRWA’s continued operations may entail the violation of Israel’s obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and the legally binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.

    The Nordic countries reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the United Nations and international law, including international humanitarian law. The latter requires all parties to conflicts to ensure that affected populations receive the necessary humanitarian aid to live under adequate material conditions, as well as to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. It is on this basis that the Nordic countries call for the proposed legal bills to be reconsidered and strongly urge Israel to ensure continued and unhindered humanitarian access for UNRWA to the Palestine refugees that it was set up to serve.

    Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark 
    Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland
    Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
    Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway
    Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First dinosaur fossils found in HK

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Dinosaur fossils initially confirmed to be dated to the Cretaceous period were discovered for the first time on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in the northeastern waters of Hong Kong, the Development Bureau (DEVB) today announced.

    The bureau also today signed a framework agreement with the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology & Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to conduct scientific research, specimen management and identification, training, and exchanges in the fields of palaeontology, palaeoanthropology and palaeolithic sites.

    Witnessed by Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange & Collaboration regarding Stratigraphy, Palaeontology & Prehistoric Sites was signed by the DEVB’s Commissioner for Heritage Ivanhoe Chang and IVPP Vice Director Liu Jun, with the study of dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island as the inaugural project under the framework agreement.

    Ms Linn said the discovery is of great significance and provides new evidence for research on palaeoecology in Hong Kong. 

    In March, the DEVB’s Antiquities & Monuments Office (AMO) was informed by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) that the sedimentary rock on Port Island might contain suspected vertebrate fossils.

    The DEVB then commissioned experts from the IVPP to come to Hong Kong to conduct field investigations, study fossil specimens, recommend management plans and discuss follow-up actions.

    Experts from the IVPP and officers from the DEVB, the AMO and the AFCD conducted site visits to Port Island to collect specimens which contain suspected vertebrate fossils.

    After taking a preliminary osteohistological analysis of specimens by the IVPP experts, the specimens have been identified as large aged dinosaur bone fossils.

    Thereafter, IVPP experts prepared specimens containing dinosaur bone fossils, and it was initially confirmed that the fossils dated to the Cretaceous period about 145 million to 66 million years ago. Further studies will have to be conducted to confirm the species of the dinosaur.

    The AMO, the AFCD and the IVPP will jointly take forward the study of dinosaur fossils, including excavation of the fossils on Port Island and preparation of the fossils.

    They will also collaborate with universities in Hong Kong and other places to conduct scientific research, and construct the story of dinosaurs in Hong Kong.

    The AMO will hold talks tomorrow afternoon at the Heritage Discovery Centre, where experts from the IVPP will talk about dinosaurs in China and relevant research. Participants will have the chance to preview the dinosaur fossils afterwards.

    The dinosaur fossils will be on public display at the centre from Friday. In addition, the temporary workshop and exhibition space being built at the centre is expected to open by the end of this year for the public to observe the experts’ preparation work and the fossils prepared.

    The Government will also devise plans for the long-term display of the fossils to enhance the public’s interest and knowledge in palaeontology.

    To facilitate future investigations, excavations and research on Port Island, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation announced the closure of the entire area of Port Island within Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park from today until further notice. Patrols have been arranged together with Marine Police.

    During the closure, no person shall land or enter Port Island, except for approved experts and relevant personnel. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for three months.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Research Assesses Assets and Challenges for North Hartford Food Environment

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Links between eating a balanced diet and overall health are well-established. But for people living in “food swamps” these healthy options just aren’t readily available.

    A new study in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment highlights the lived experiences of women of color living in a food swamp in North Hartford, and both the challenges and opportunities for accessing healthy food in their neighborhood.

    The study was a collaboration between the UConn Department of Allied Health Sciences, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, the UConn School of Medicine, and North Hartford community members.

    Food swamps are areas characterized by an oversaturation of fast food and other highly processed food options. They also have a lack of grocery stores with fresh produce.

    “Food swamps are areas where residents don’t have access to fresh, healthy foods,” says Curtis Antrum, lead author of the study and graduate assistant. “Instead, they are surrounded by establishments like fast food or corner stores. People of color in poorer neighborhoods are disproportionately impacted by food swamps.”

    The researchers used a method known as Photovoice for this study. This research method involves study participants taking photos, in this case, of the food environment in their neighborhood, and adding voice notes narrating their experience.

    This method empowers participants to engage in citizen science by sharing more detailed and personal information with the researchers.

    “Photovoice actually prompts a focus on action,” says Kristen Cooksey Stowers, assistant professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences and senior author on the paper. “Not just engaging lived experience and documenting problems and health inequities, but also keeping the dedication to engage lived experience and community voice when you are carving out and evaluating solutions.”

    From these accounts, the researchers identified some key themes in the challenges participants face, such as a lack of access to grocery stores; advertising and marketing that push “junk” food; lack of transportation to access healthier options; unaffordability of fresh produce; the impact of junk food on their children’s school performance; the prominence of alcoholic beverages over health alternatives; and the quality of fresh food at their local stores.

    “Anyone paying attention knows that North Hartford residents have been impacted by degradation and segregation; however, through the Photovoice approach, our lived experiences within this food swamp are urgent and impossible to ignore,” Mary Holter, a member of the Community Action Task Force (CATF).

    Curtis Antrum and Kristen Cooksey Stowers at the Gallery Walk for the Invest Health Hartford Team. (Jason Sheldon/UConn Photo)

    Participants did identify positive aspects of their food environment as well, such as the availability of culturally relevant foods for the city’s large Caribbean and Hispanic populations, like plantains and yucca. However, participants note that this does not fully meet their needs in the absence of other produce.

    The paper concludes by highlighting the assets the community already has and how these can be bolstered by policy changes and increased funding.

    “The message that we heard from [community members] was that they want more investment in our community assets,” Cooksey Stowers says.

    This paper reflects the overarching aim of Cooksey Stowers’ lab, the Health Equity Lab for the People (HELP), in shifting the field away from a negative framing of problems, but instead places the focus on solutions.

    Cooksey Stowers’ lab hopes to change this by empowering community members to have their voices heard by researchers and policy makers.

    “It’s very important from a personal level that we can reach them where they are, so they can participate actively and see the results,” Antrum says.

    The team plans to replicate this pilot study with a larger sample that includes men and women and will look at the impact of poor nutritional health on students’ educational outcomes. The team has also looked at how policies create food swamps. For example, in Hartford, corner stores and other non-grocery establishments that sell food were coded as grocery stores, giving policy makers an inaccurate picture of food access across the city.

    “The Photovoice Project is being shared in multiple venues, and as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But in this case, the voice and lived experience of residents are captured alongside the photos, substantiating a more compelling case for the change that is required to move the needle towards health equity,” says Angela Harris of Phillips Metropolitan CME Church.

    Working with community partners, Cooksey Stowers successfully lobbied to have the definition updated to require “grocery stores” sell a certain percentage of fresh foods and a square footage requirement in 2022.

    “That was a barrier to change,” Cooksey Stowers says. “Because as we were presenting data to folks outside of Hartford trying to recruit a supermarket operator, trying to get state-level support, on paper they were seeing that there were grocery stores there.”

    Other policies can help restrict new fast-food establishments from opening while encouraging community-owned health-promoting businesses like cafes and restaurants with healthy options and fitness establishments. They presented this policy proposal to Hartford policy makers at the end of September.

    “They are envisioning a health-topia, not an area that is filled with dialysis treatments,” Cooksey Stowers says. “They want to focus on prevention, not just treatment.”

    “To make a real impact, we need sustainable investment and policy changes to turn food deserts and swamps into spaces that promote health, equity, and opportunity,” says Denise Holter, CATF chair. “This isn’t just about access to healthy, affordable food—it’s about ensuring dignity, choice, and a brighter future for everyone.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice and Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mindful Money – Use your KiwiSaver for climate action

    Source: Mindful Money

    On International Day of Climate Action 2024, New Zealand charity Mindful Money is calling on Kiwis to drive climate action with their investments’. Most of us want to do our bit to help avoid climate chaos. A crucial – and easy – step that Kiwis can take is to reduce the emissions that result from their KiwiSaver and other investments.

    Mindful Money is highlighting three actions that Kiwis can take to reduce the emissions financed by their investments.

    Climate action 1: Avoid funding the fossil fools

    Everyone with a KiwiSaver fund has the power to ensure their money doesn’t fuel climate change. There is over a billion dollars of KiwiSaver funds invested in hard core climate polluters that are still increasing their emissions, instead of transitioning to renewable energy.

    Mindful Money Co-CEO Barry Coates explained: “This year’s Climate Action Day comes at a time when floods, fires, lethal heat and cyclones are devastating the lives of millions of vulnerable people, and wreaking havoc on our oceans, glaciers, forests and species. Kiwis can reduce their own contribution by choosing not to invest in the companies causing the most damage.”

    The highest emissions are from the major coal, oil and gas companies that have made billions of dollars in profits while denying the problem and delaying and obstructing climate policy. A mere 57 oil, gas, coal and cement producers are directly linked to 80% of the world’s global fossil CO2 emissions since the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

    The public companies, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and TotalEnergies were the five largest emitters between 2016 and 2022.

    New Zealanders still invest large amounts in these fossil fools. Analysis by Mindful Money across all 376 KiwiSaver funds shows that $3.75 billion was invested in fossil fuel companies at end March 2024. More than a third of that was invested in the companies that are still expanding their production, instead of transitioning to renewable energy.

    Investors in fossil fuel expanders are also taking financial risks from future declines in demand for fossil fuels and stranded assets – the reserves and production infrastructure that will become worthless as renewable energy replaces fossil fuels.

    Barry Coates commented: “Surveys show that 71% of Kiwis want to avoid fossil fuels companies in their investment funds. But most KiwiSaver funds invest in fossil fuels, including those the companies that are still expanding their production. Everyone with a KiwiSaver or some kind of investment can play their part in cutting off investment into the worst climate polluters.”

    ACTION (estimated 15 minutes): Members of the public can go to Mindful Money’s website to find out if their KiwiSaver fund is invested in these companies. It’s quick, easy and free to check your fund, and then find a fund that is better for the climate. https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/

    Climate action 2: Don’t fall for the greenwashing

    Over half of Kiwis surveyed are concerned about greenwashing – misleading claims that companies or funds are ‘climate friendly’ or ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. There has been growing international pressure on companies and funds that make empty promises in order to boost their profits, but little action in New Zealand.

    The EU, UK and other governments are introducing rules on green claims by companies and funds to prevent greenwashing, and regulators are taking action. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has taken 47 regulatory actions against greenwashing over the past 15 months. 

    There have been three court cases including a fine of $14 million for global fund manager, Vanguard. New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has repeatedly warned they will take action against misleading claims but has yet to take action. Meanwhile KiwiSaver and investment funds are still claiming green credentials while investing in the fossil fools.

    Barry Coates commented: “It is not surprising the New Zealand public is concerned about greenwashing. Most funds in New Zealand claim to use some form of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management in their investment. But these ESG claims are not consistent with investment portfolios that contain companies destroying the world’s climate and facing huge financial risks.”

    “The New Zealand government is still failing to tackle greenwashing by the providers of KiwiSaver and other funds whose claims are not backed up by their actual investments. Investors need to take action themselves to ensure that their investments are not adding fuel to the climate fire.”

    Without government action in New Zealand, the responsibility for avoiding greenwash falls on individual investors. It is now easy for members of the public to get free information about the reality of where their money goes. Mindful Money’s website not only shows the fossil fuel investments for all KiwiSaver and investment funds, but identifies those that are still expanding their production.

    ACTION: Those with KiwiSaver and investment funds should call on their fund providers to provide evidence of their ESG or sustainability claims, including specifics about the companies they invest in. Information provided by the fund providers can be checked out with the investment listing on Mindful Money. http://www.mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/  

    Climate Action 3: Add your voice for change

    International cooperation in the form of a Fossil Fuel Treaty is needed to stop the major fossil fuel companies from blocking progress towards investment in renewable energy. International treaties have been developed to phase out other forms of harmful products, including landmines and nuclear weapons. The  Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is being proposed to manage a global transition to a safe and affordable energy future for all.  It has been endorsed by 14 governments (not including New Zealand) and thousands of leaders from across civil society and local government, including Wellington City Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council.

    ACTION: Members of the public are encouraged to work with organisations, networks, faiths, academic institutions and Councils to support the treaty, and to sign the treaty themselves. https://fossilfueltreaty.org/

    Barry Coates concluded: “The Treaty is important to focus government attention on the fossil fuel industry. For the third year in a row, the next climate summit in December 2024 will be held in a country producing oil and gas (Azerbaijan). Fossil fuel lobbyists will again be given privileged access. The Fossil Fuel Treaty is a way to bring the issues of fossil fuel phaseout into the climate negotiations.”

    Notes:

    International Climate Day of Action is on Thursday 24th October. It is a time for citizens around the world to consider the actions they can take to help avoid the worsening climate crisis.

    Mindful Money’s Fund Checker enables members of the public to check the investments in their KiwiSaver and investment funds. It is quick, easy and free.
    https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/

    The research report ‘In Transition or in denial’ explains the categorisation of fossil fuel companies into those transitioning to renewable energy and those still expanding their oil and gas production. 

    https://mindfulmoney.nz/learn/fossil-fuel-investment-in-transition-or-in-denial/

    The Mindful Money Fund Finder helps members of the public to find a fund that aligns with their values. https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/finder/

    The website provides a list of funds that do not invest in fossil fuel companieshttps://mindfulmoney.nz/invest-climate-action/fossil-free-funds/

    Research on capital expenditure by the major coal, oil and gas companies is published by the international research institute, InfluenceMap. 

    This week, a greenwashing action has been launched against the world’s largest fund manager, BlackRock. 
    The complaint to the French financial regulator shows the US investment giant’s so-called “sustainable” funds have poured over a billion dollars into fossil fuel expanders, including ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron and BP. 

    International research shows the large passive funds that are claiming to invest sustainably are still investing in the oil and gas companies that are expanding their production. 70% of the 430 ‘sustainable’ passive funds analysed by international researcher Reclaim Finance were exposed to companies expanding their fossil fuels. These included big oil and gas developers (e.g. ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell) and big coal developers (e.g. Adani, Mitsubishi, Glencore). 
    Greenwash can take different forms. Some funds claim to be green by investing in the fossil fuel companies and then influencing them towards sustainability. 
    But the latest progress report from the umbrella engagement forum, Climate Action 100+, shows continued empty promises and little action. Only one of 37 major oil and gas companies subject to engagement is making adequate progress towards net zero. Seven years after Climate Action 100+ was formed, most of the coal, oil and gas companies are still expanding their oil and gas production instead of transitioning to renewable energy. 
    The only New Zealand case on greenwashing has been a civil case. Consumer NZ, the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) and Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand Inc (LCANZI) are seeking declarations from the High Court that Z Energy has breached the Fair Trading Act by misleading New Zealanders with its public messaging that it is“getting out of the petrol business” and it is “well on track to achieving [its] carbon reduction targets” when in fact its emissions have been increasing. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Clinical ink Announces the Promotion of John Pappadakis to Chief Commercial Officer and Megan Petrylak to Chief Operating Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Winston Salem, NC, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clinical ink, a global life science technology company, announces the promotion of John Pappadakis from EVP, Global Business Development to Chief Commercial Officer and Megan Petrylak from EVP, Clinical Operations to Chief Operating Officer. Jonathan Goldman MD, CEO of Clinical ink commented: “I am delighted to announce the promotion of two of our most seasoned and experienced executives.  With John Pappadakis as CCO, and Megan Petrylak as COO, Clinical ink has the ideal leadership team to drive us to the next phase of growth.  Our unwavering focus on quality and innovation make us the partner of choice for our biopharmaceutical partners and the patients they serve.”

    John Pappadakis, Chief Commercial Officer

    John Pappadakis has 34 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership roles within the pharma industry. His career includes commercial and R&D positions at Oracle and IMS Health, following positions of increasing seniority at Pfizer and Parke-Davis where he launched over 30 new molecular entities.

    As Clinical ink’s EVP, Global Business Development, John devised an innovative go-to-market strategy centered around the addition of scientific and medical expertise, and the incorporation of new FDA requirements into the Clinical ink technology platform.  His vision inspired the creation of the company’s newest integrated cardiometabolic product, GlucoseReady™.  Under his leadership, the company recruited a world-class commercial team and demonstrated record levels of key BD metrics.

    As Chief Commercial Officer, John will further diversify Clinical ink’s customer base with the addition of new large, medium and small biopharmaceutical companies, whilst solidifying the company’s CRO relationships and other industry alliances.  His plans include the deepening of the therapeutic area focus on cardiometabolic, CNS, immunology and oncology, the introduction of an end-to-end decentralized/digital health platform centered around eCOA and EDCXtra™, as well as new licensing-based business models.  Moving forward, John will be announcing novel and transformative AI-driven clinical trial innovations.

    Megan Petrylak, Chief Operating Officer

    Megan Petrylak has over 14 years of clinical trial experience in senior operational leadership roles. She has particularly focused on driving successful outcomes in phase 1-3 clinical trials for a wide range of global biopharmaceutical and CRO customers. Prior to her 6 year tenure at Clinical ink, Megan served as Director of Project Delivery at Worldwide Clinical Trials. Prior to that role, she headed Bioclinica’s centers for imaging and eClinical project management.

    As EVP, Clinical Operations, Megan oversaw Clinical ink’s entire customer, site, and patient-facing operations function.  She augmented the team with deep expertise in data management and data quality, mandating a quality-first culture. This resulted in impressive increases in customer satisfaction, complemented by significant reductions in all study build and execution metrics and excellent quality outcomes.  In addition, Megan’s team successfully launched new products including GlucoseReady™ and EDCXtra™ and has developed a range of industry partnerships including TransPerfect for translations and eClinical Solutions for complex data solutions.  Her deep subject matter expertise in eCOA and data management has been recognized at numerous industry consortia and she has served as an expert speaker at meetings such as the Society of Clinical Data Management.

    In her new role as Chief Operating Officer, Megan will oversee significant growth in Clinical ink’s revenue, broadening the customer base and expanding the range of integrated solutions. Her plans include upscaling the team to support the planned growth in revenue and margin profile, aided by automation of key operational and data processes. Megan will continue to prioritize quality to drive operational excellence and ensure exceptional delivery to clients.  

    About Clinical ink

    Clinical ink is the global life science company bringing data, technology, and patient-centric research together. Our deep therapeutic-area expertise, coupled with behavioral science, eDC/Direct Data Capture, eCOA, eConsent, telehealth, and digital biomarkers advancement (including the use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring for detection of hypoglycemia), support the next generation of clinical trials and ultimately, the clinical management of patients.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Voters Express Growing Concerns About Deepfake Technology Ahead of 2024 Elections: Global Survey Reveals Rising Fears

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the 2024 U.S. elections approach, a new survey by Regula, a global leader in identity verification solutions, reveals growing voter concerns about hyper-realistic fake content. Many respondents worry that deepfakes could manipulate public opinion, undermine trust in the media, and jeopardize the integrity of election results.

    Given the evolution of AI-generated content into highly sophisticated tools of deception, voters and institutions feel uncertain about the upcoming wave of fake news.

    Image: Regula’s Deepfake Trends study reveals growing fears as deepfakes threaten to distort our perception of reality

    Key highlights from the new “Deepfake Trends 2024” survey include:

    • 33% of U.S. respondents say the media is most at risk from deepfakes, fearing fake news reports and interviews that could mislead the public.
    • 28% of Americans and 34% of Germans worry that deepfakes could directly manipulate political elections, spreading fabricated content designed to influence voter behavior.
    • In Mexico, a stunning 48% of people believe their media is vulnerable to deepfake corruption, the highest among surveyed nations.
    • The threat isn’t limited to elections—35% of U.S. respondents fear that AI-generated content could disrupt courtrooms with fake evidence, a concern shared by 27% of Germans.
    • Interestingly, for Singapore, which recently passed a law banning digitally manipulated content of candidates during elections, the largest concern about deepfakes lies in Healthcare. 35% of respondents worry that deepfakes could impersonate medical professionals or spread false medical advice, potentially leading to harmful health outcomes.
    • In the United Arab Emirates, the biggest concern (34% of respondents) is the use of deepfakes to create fake social media posts, messages, or videos, which could damage personal reputations and relationships.

    “We’ve reached a tipping point where voters and institutions alike can no longer trust what they see or hear. Deepfakes are becoming so sophisticated that we must equip ourselves with the tools and skills needed to detect and combat this new wave of disinformation. It’s crucial to remember that when overwhelmed by information, we often switch to autopilot, making us more vulnerable to manipulation. That’s why building digital literacy is essential—always question what you see, double-check before sharing, and protect your personal data. Strengthen your online security and stay informed on the latest AI developments—this is how we safeguard ourselves,” says Henry Patishman, Executive VP of Identity Verification Solutions at Regula.

    Find more insights on deepfake fraud and businesses in the survey report. Read the full version on our website.

    *The research was initiated by Regula and conducted by Sapio Research in August 2024 using an online survey of 575 business decision-makers across the Financial Services (including Traditional Banking and FinTech), Crypto, Technology, Telecommunications, Aviation, Healthcare, and Law Enforcement sectors. The respondent geography included Germany, Mexico, the UAE, the US, and Singapore.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the largest library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies in document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security or speed. Regula was repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at http://www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:

    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fcf6b3b-4ff4-404b-b2be-b36d7925a403

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kanak leader Christian Tein’s jailing in France overturned in new legal twist

    Asia Pacific Report

    France’s Supreme Court has overturned a judgment imprisoning pretrial in mainland France Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Tein, who is widely regarded as a political prisoner, reports Libération.

    Tein, who is head of the CCAT (Field Action Coordination Unit) in New Caledonia was in August elected president of the main pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS).

    He has been accused by the French authorities of “masterminding” the violence that spread across New Caledonia in May.

    The deadly unrest is estimated to have caused €2.2 billion (NZ$3.6 billion) in infrastructural damage, resulting in the destruction of nearly 800 businesses and about 20,000 job losses.

    In this new legal twist, the jailing in mainland France of Tein and another activist, Steve Unë, was ruled “invalid” by the court.

    “On Tuesday, October 22, the Court of Cassation in Paris overturned the July 5 ruling of the investigating chamber of the Noumea Court of Appeal, which had confirmed his detention in mainland France,” reports NC la 1ère TV.

    “The Kanak independence activist, imprisoned in Mulhouse since June, will soon have to appear before a judge again who will decide his fate,” the report said.

    Kanak activists’ cases reviewed
    The court examined the appeal of five Kanak pro-independence activists — including Tein – who had challenged their detention in mainland France on suspicion of having played a role in the unrest in New Caledonia, reports RFI News.

    This appeal considered in particular “the decision by the judges in Nouméa to exile the defendants without any adversarial debate, and the conditions under which the transfer was carried out,” according to civil rights attorney François Roux, one of the defendants’ lawyers.

    “Many of them are fathers, cut off from their children,” the lawyer said.

    The transfer of five activists to mainland France at the end of June was organised overnight using a specially chartered plane, according to Nouméa public prosecutor Yves Dupas, who has argued that it was necessary to continue the investigations “in a calm manner”.

    Roux has denounced the “inhumane conditions” in which they were transported.

    “They were strapped to their seats and handcuffed throughout the transfer, even to go to the toilet, and they were forbidden to speak,” he said.

    Left-wing politicians in France have also slammed the conditions of detainees, who they underline were deported more than 17,000 km from their home for resisting “colonial oppression”.

    Another legal twist over arrested Kanaks . . . Christian Tein wins Supreme Court appeal. Image: APR screenshot Libération

    Total of seven accused
    A total of seven activists from the CCAT separatist coalition are accused by the French government of orchestrating deadly riots earlier this year and are currently incarcerated – the five in various prisons in France and two in New Caledonia itself.

    They are under investigation for, among other things, complicity in attempted murder, organised gang theft with a weapon, organised gang destruction of another person’s property by a means dangerous to people and participation in a criminal association with a view to planning a crime.

    Two CCAT activists who were initially imprisoned have since been placed under house arrest in mainland France.

    Tein, born in 1968, has consistently denied having incited violence, claiming to be a political prisoner.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Representatives of the Don youth gathered at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 23, the Second Forum of Don Youth “Don Land – Your Future” was held at the State University of Management. It was organized by the ROO “Fellowship of Rostovites “Donskaya Stanitsa” in Moscow with the support of the State University of Management.

    The forum was opened by the honorary chairman of the Zemlyachestvo, adviser to the mayor of Moscow, professor of the department of state and municipal management of the State University of Management Vladimir Zotov, who congratulated those gathered on the new meeting:

    “You came here and gathered together – this is a holiday. We are all united by love for our small homeland. Special thanks to the State University of Management, which is hosting us within its walls for the second time. This is one of the best management universities in Russia. This year it turned 105 years old, it has a huge potential of scientific schools, a powerful base and a convenient campus. Today we will talk about the profession and education, share experiences, tell about our first steps and give advice.”

    State Duma Deputy from Rostov Oblast Larisa Tutova addressed the audience with a welcoming speech:

    “I understand that many people who come to Moscow see a career that is not connected to their native region. But I want us to think about our homeland even when we are here and perhaps return there. The authorities of the Rostov region do a lot for young people, provide favorable conditions to start a career, it is enough to remember the unique program “Mortgage for excellent students”, which operates in our native region. We are fellow countrymen, and we must help each other, wherever we are. Strength is in unity, and wealth is in diversity.”

    Advisor to the rector’s office of the State University of Management, member of the Rostov community Sergei Chuev noted the importance of love for one’s native land.

    “The State University of Management was chosen as the venue for our forum for a reason. There are employees from the Rostov Region here, many students, it was here that the Governor of the Rostov Region Vasily Golubev studied and it was here that he met his wife. Even now I have not become a Muscovite, I position myself as a Rostovite in Moscow. The State University of Management is ready to train and find future jobs in different regions of the country, and today the employers gathered here will show that there is life after the Moscow Ring Road,” shared Sergey Vladimirovich.

    Also on stage were veterans of the community, the president of the Moscow regional branch of the International Police Association, police lieutenant general Ivan Sardak and the general director of MP Svyaz, Volgodonsk Telecom LLC in 1993-2011 Nikolai Sungurov, who shared their experience of professional activity and once again emphasized that “the small homeland is the most sacred thing.”

    The meeting program continued with a plenary session entitled “Young Specialists – the Core of Regional Development” and a job and internship fair, where Rostov enterprises such as PJSC UAC, OJSC Pipe Metallurgical Company, JSC Doraerodorstroy, JSC Russian Helicopters, and PJSC KB Center-Invest were represented.

    At the end of the meeting, the participants were presented with certificates and a group photo was taken.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 23.10.2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Care home abuse concerning

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today said it is highly concerned about a suspected abuse of service users by a staff member at a residential care home for persons with disabilities, and has taken follow-up action upon notification of the case. 

    The residential care home for persons with disabilities and the organisation concerned have been requested to conduct a thorough investigation and submit improvement plans to avoid similar incidents from happening again, and to protect service users’ well-being.

    In August, the care home in question submitted special incident reports to the SWD’s relevant licensing office stating that a male staff member was suspected of having abused two service users while on duty.

    The care home made a report to Police and terminated that staff member’s employment. The man was arrested by Police and legal proceedings are underway.

    The SWD took immediate follow-up action upon the notification, which involved an unannounced inspection at the care home, and a request for the operator to handle the incident seriously, as well as suitably follow up on the emotional and welfare needs of the two victims and their families.

    To express deep concern over the incident, the Labour & Welfare Bureau and the SWD met the operator’s Council of Management and managers to get a briefing on the handling of the incident.

    The SWD also issued a warning letter to the operator, requiring a detailed investigation report and the implementation of improvement measures to ensure proper care and protection for the service users.

    The measures include a manpower review, enhancement of management officers’ supervision on the care home’s operation, provision of strengthened guidance and training for frontline staff, and persistent supervision over staff members’ work ethics.

    The SWD noted that the operator has formed an independent review committee to look into its measures to protect service users.

    Additionally, the SWD hosted a sharing session on October 9 for management officers and staff of all care homes on protecting residents from being abused. It will keep providing relevant training to care home staff.

    It has also strengthened the requirement on care homes’ monitoring and review of CCTV to further safeguard the well-being of the service users.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: In Estonia NATO Secretary General visits a multinational battlegroup protecting the Eastern Flank

    Source: NATO

    During his first trip to the Eastern Flank of the Alliance since taking office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Estonian President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and visited Allied troops at Tapa Army Base.

    After touring the military base with President Karis on Wednesday (October 23), the Secretary General thanked the personnel there – from Estonia and the UK, France and Iceland – for their service. “You are one of eight NATO battlegroups stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, backed by the full weight of NATO’s fighting forces in all domains. Land, air, sea, space and cyberspace. Every hour of your vigilance reinforces our collective defence,” he said.

    On Tuesday (October 22), during meetings with President Karis and Prime Minister Michal, the Secretary General praised Estonia for its significant investments in defence and its support for Ukraine.

    “By spending over 3% of your GDP on defence, Estonia is truly leading by example. And I know you intend to invest even more in our shared security in the coming years,” he said. Mr Rutte added that all Allies need to invest more “in order to meet our capability targets.” 

    Estonia is among Ukraine’s strongest supporters, having provided over 500 million euros of military aid since 2022.

    “Today we discussed how to bolster our support for Ukraine, now, through the difficult winter ahead, and also for the long-term,” said the Secretary General.  He emphasised that Allies are working hard to deliver on the commitments made at the Washington Summit in July, “including a new command to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine, and our financial pledge of at least 40 billion euros in 2024.”

    During his visit, the Secretary General also met with students from Tallinn University and paid his respects at the Memorial of the Victims of Communism.

    Since joining NATO in 2004, Estonia has made significant contributions to the collective defence of the Alliance. It hosts NATO’s UK-led multinational battlegroup in Tapa, NATO’s Baltic Air Policing at Ämari Air Base, a new regional hub for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Prepared to Handle Complaints of Voting Rights Concerns, Election Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE, RI – United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Amy R. Romero will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Romero has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Cunha said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

     The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

    United States Attorney Cunha stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Romero will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (401) 709-5068.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    United States Attorney Cunha said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

    View United States Attorney Cunha’s Election Day Program public service announcement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw02Lr2DyCA&t=16s

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Congress.gov Interview with Christy Amatos, Assistant Parliamentarian for the US Senate

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Today’s Congress.gov interview is with Christy Amatos, an Assistant Parliamentarian at the United States Senate. 

    Describe your background.

    I am a native Ohioan who attended The Ohio State University and later Boston University for law school. I have been working in non-partisan legislative work for about a decade – I started my career in the Ohio General Assembly as a bill drafter. After about a year of that, I was offered the chance to move to another legislative agency that was in the process of rolling out software to fully digitize the lawmaking process. I had no background in tech but they promised me if I knew the legislative process, they would teach me everything I needed to know about being a business analyst.

    I had no idea what I was getting into but I loved it! I served as the liaison between the clerks in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and the team designing and developing the software. I learned so much about communication – both the unique language used in software development but also how to confront and address problems in a productive and congenial way, particularly in high stress situations. At the time, I had no idea how much those skills were going to help me in the future.

    A few years later, I joined the Office of the Senate Parliamentarian in Congress, another non-partisan role but one that was more traditionally connected to my legal training. I have been here for about six years and love it. The people who work on Capitol Hill are what make this job so great – from the Secretary of the Senate staff I work with every day to the folks at the Library of Congress who engage with us on Congress.gov.

    How would you describe your job to other people?

    The Senate Parliamentarian is kind of like the referee of the Senate. We interpret and apply the rules of the Senate on a daily basis.

    What is your role in the development of Congress.gov?

    It just so happened that when I started working in the Senate, there was an opportunity to join the Secretary of the Senate’s Congress.gov team and because of my past experience, my boss suggested I join. I was definitely excited to be able to dip my toes back into some of the type of work I had been doing in Ohio. At that time, Congress.gov was live but so was the previous resource, LIS, which was a website only accessible to Congress with some additional features that the public-facing site THOMAS did not have. There were a lot of growing pains getting Congress.gov to the point where it could provide the same level of service to users that LIS had . . . and a lot of staff who were always going to like LIS better no matter what. So we had a big challenge working to gain the trust of the internal users while also continuing to work on bettering Congress.gov.

    Fortunately, we were able to gather a great group of staff, both on the Secretary of the Senate side of things and on the Library of Congress side, and were able to get buy-in from some important, but previously uninvolved, stakeholders and then things really started to improve.

    All of that to say that I think of my role in two parts – provide important feedback on how data is used and presented from the perspective of my office, but also to help facilitate the good conversations and working relationships that are critical to the success of Congress.gov.

    One thing I do take great satisfaction in is fixing errors in really old data – we recently fixed one from five years before I was born – you know the errors have been out there for decades and maybe no one has looked at that particular piece of legislation or maybe they did not notice the misspelled word but fixing it is one more tiny step to getting Congress.gov to be as perfect as we can make it and I find that so satisfying.

    What is your favorite feature of Congress.gov?

    I think someone described the folks in my office as “power users” of Congress.gov, which sounds much more impressive than I ever actually feel on a daily basis. But I do use the search functions on Congress.gov every single day, so my favorite feature is absolutely one of the advanced searches. The command line search lets the user input search terms and connectors to tailor the results to be very specific without having to click a lot of boxes or choose from dropdown menus. There is nothing more satisfying than getting good search results on the first try!

    What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the legislative process while working for Congress?

    I have been working in the legislative branch for about a decade at this point, so I am not entirely sure I can pin down one in particular. Something I have started to spend time learning, however, is the history of the legislative process, and by extension, the history of the people working in the legislature.

    One of my favorite anecdotes is that before the Russell Senate Office Building was named for Richard Russell, it was just called the Senate Office Building and Senator Harry Truman would joke that his constituents could address his mail to “Harry Truman S.O.B.” and the Post Office would know where to deliver it.

    One of the important things I have learned about the legislative process is that it is made up of all of the people who have worked and served here, not just the elected members. For example, last year I read the obituary of former Senate Committee on Foreign Relations staffer Bertie Bowman and immediately went in search of his autobiography. He started working at the Capitol in the 1940s when he was 13 years old and did not fully retire until 2021. His story of service to his country is just one example of why so many people have done this work over more than two centuries and serves as an inspiration for those of us currently doing it.

    What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

    This is the opposite of something people do not know about me, I am telling everyone because it makes me laugh! I just got a kitten and I named him John Quincy Catams.

    John Quincy Catams, picture courtesy of Christy Amatos.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Mayor of London’s Dinner for HM Judges 2024: Lord Chancellor’s Speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    At this annual event for HM Judges the Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP spoke about the importance of prisons in maintaining the rule of law.

    Location:
    Mansion House
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Political content has been removed from this transcript

    My Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, my Lady Chief Justice, members of His Majesty’s judiciary, ladies and gentlemen.

    I want to thank Michael [Mainelli, Lord Mayor] and Elisabeth [Reuß, Lady Mayoress] for hosting us this evening…

    And express my gratitude for their year of service to the City of London…

    I am looking forward to welcoming the next Lord Mayor, Alastair King, in a ceremony at the House of Lords on Monday.

    As the first Muslim Lord Chancellor, I’m afraid I won’t partake in sipping port from the Loving Cups…

    But I am looking forward to the shortbread.

    Let me say what an honour it is to be here for the first time as Lord Chancellor.

    Unlike most of my 11 predecessors across the last 14 years…

    It will not also be my last.

    I understand that, in the past, my predecessors have peppered these speeches with humour.

    But you may have seen the very serious announcements that I made earlier today…

    And so, sadly, this is not a time for levity.

    Instead, I want to take this opportunity to explain why I had to make them and what they mean.  

    But let me start with something that should never be contentious: the rule of law.

    My parents came to the UK just a few decades ago…

    Leaving a country created by partition. 

    They were so-called ‘Mangla Dam affectees’…

    A people whose land was seized and then flooded by an overbearing and unaccountable state.

    But when they came here, to Britain…

    They found a home where no one is above the law – not even a government… 

    And where no one can fall below it either.

    It was that inheritance…

    And an argumentative disposition…

    That led me to the bar…

    And left me with an enduring belief in the sanctity of the rule of law…

    The most enduring of British values.

    That defines who we are and how our country works.

    Here, the law rules, not the mob…

    And our disagreements are resolved through the careful crafting of arguments.

    This Great British value is also of great value to Britain…

    Underpinning our economy…

    Giving businesses, large and small, the confidence to trade….

    In the knowledge that any disputes that arise will be settled fairly.

    In every instance, those who come before the courts…

    Know that their case will be decided on the facts by learned judges – by you…

    And that those judgments will be done without interference or commentary…

    From politicians like me or my colleagues.

    The oath that I swore when I took this job: to respect the rule of law and defend the independence of the judiciary…

    Is one that I take extremely seriously.

    It was at the forefront of my mind when I was appointed as Lord Chancellor.

    Our prisons were not just in crisis…

    They were on the point of collapse.

    Weeks away from running out of space altogether.

    And had that happened, the consequences are hard to contemplate:

    The police unable to make arrests…

    Your courts forced to cancel trials.

    Justice would have come to a grinding halt.

    As my officials explained the enormity of the situation…

    My oath rang in my ears.

    Would I be the Lord Chancellor who days after swearing to uphold the rule of law…

    Oversaw the breakdown of law and order?

    I had no choice but to take drastic action…

    To make sure the justice system could continue to function…

    Anything else would have been a betrayal of my constitutional duty.

    I simply could not allow that to happen.

    So, I took the decision to bring forward the release point for some prisoners serving standard determinate sentences…

    From the usual 50 percent to 40 percent…

    Spending the remainder on strict licence conditions in the community.

    The first releases happened in September and more took place today.

    Given the disgraceful disorder just a few weeks after we took office, the necessity of that decision was soon apparent.

    At one point, the prison places remaining in the adult male estate…

    Fell into double figures.

    And let me place on record, once again, my deepest thanks for all that you did this summer…

    Handing down justice, swiftly, to those responsible.

    I have no doubt at all that your work brought that disorder to a halt.

    The measures that I was forced to take…

    To bring our prisons back from the brink…

    Were not a long-term solution.

    So today, in parliament, I set out a long-term plan for our prisons…

    To ensure the scenes that we have witnessed today, of the emergency release of prisoners, are never witnessed again.

    And that starts by building more prisons.

    But we must be honest:  

    We cannot build our way out of this crisis.

    This isn’t a matter of ideology.

    It is simple mathematics.

    Every year, our prison population grows by around 4,500 prisoners…

    To keep up with that demand would require us to build the equivalent of HMP Birmingham, in my own constituency, four and a half times over, every single year.  

    We simply cannot build that fast.

    For that reason, I have today launched a landmark review of sentencing.

    It will have one clear goal:

    To ensure we are never again in a position where we have more prisoners than space in our prisons.

    The review will follow 3 principles:

    First, sentences must punish offenders and protect the public.

    For dangerous offenders, prison will always remain the answer.

    Punishment and public protection will be this government’s first priority.

    There will be dangerous offenders who must always receive a custodial sentence…

    And there must always be space in our prisons for them.

    The second principle of the review is that sentences must encourage offenders to turn their backs on lives of crime.

    The system needs both sticks and carrots.

    In this, I will be encouraging the reviewers to learn from those who have succeeded in other jurisdictions.

    The third principle of the review will be to expand punishment that offenders receive outside of prison.

    There are already ways that we severely constrain offenders…

    Limiting their freedom outside of prison.

    Those under Home Detention Curfews are, in practice, under a highly effective form of house arrest.

    And sobriety tags enforce teetotalism almost as strict as my own.

    And we must explore how the next generation of technology can ensure the eyes of the state follow an offender on the outside…

    As closely – or even more so – than a prison officer, on the inside.

    Moving punishment out of prison – for those who can be safely managed there – has huge benefits:

    Outside of prison, offenders can engage in work that pays back the communities and individuals who they have harmed.

    And the evidence is clear that those who serve their sentences outside prison are far less likely to reoffend…

    Making our streets safer…

    And reducing the cost to society of reoffending, which has been most recently valued at over £22bn a year.

    I am pleased to say that the review will be led by a former Lord Chancellor, David Gauke…

    A highly regarded Minister who served in multiple roles across government…

    And who I know earned the trust and respect of many of you in the room this evening.

    I will work with him to assemble a panel of reviewers who will draw together deep expertise and experience in the criminal justice system…

    Including judicial colleagues.

    And the review will take a bipartisan and evidence-based look at an issue that has – for far too long – been a political football, booted around by both sides.

    David Gauke will report back with his recommendations in the Spring…

    And I look forward to discussing them with the senior judiciary then.

    I know that for many in this room, it may seem like this government is preoccupied with what is happening in our prisons…

    Where an acute crisis could easily shroud the great challenges that we face across our justice system.

    I want you to know that I fully recognise all of those challenges…

    I know our courts backlogs are at historic highs…

    That, for far too many victims, justice delayed now means justice denied.

    I know you are working under immense pressure…

    In the delivery of justice…

    And in the defence of the rule of law.

    This government will support you.

    Speaking before a budget, my lips are – by necessity – sealed.

    But let me say this:

    This government will pursue the hard work of restoring and reforming our justice system.

    We will support you in delivering justice more swiftly…

    We will promote this country’s standing as a global beacon of the rule of law…

    And we will back our legal sector, which is so vital to this government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.

    All this, I must acknowledge, will take time.

    I know that you have grown weary of the merry-go-round of Lord Chancellors…

    Holding this ancient office for the blink of an eye…

    With every judges’ dinner yet another introduction…

    More warm words and bromides from the new Lord Chancellor…

    Who promises the world but goes out with a whimper.

    This time, it will be different.

    I am a Lord Chancellor who is here for the long haul.

    I won’t hide the difficulty of the job at hand.

    But nor will I resile from the hard work of pursuing it.

    I will, I must admit, need your support along the way.

    When times are good…

    And when we agree…

    We will support each other.

    And when we disagree, as I am sure we will on occasion…

    We must be frank with each other, albeit in private…

    Always critical friends in the pursuit of a shared endeavour.

    As I mentioned earlier, the rule of law runs strongly through my background.

    My parents did not study Magna Carta, Habeas Corpus and the Bill of Rights, as I would go on to do.  

    But they had a strong sense when they arrived here from rural Kashmir…

    That this country was different…

    Because it has rules to which all people are subject.

    That inheritance from my parents only grew stronger…

    As I went on to practise and was then elected to Parliament.  

    My personal commitment to the rule of law is something you should never doubt.  

    I hope I have shown already that I am willing to take the difficult and even unpopular decisions required to ensure that justice can be done in this country.

    It is a habit I intend to keep…

    As we, together, uphold the rule of law and promote justice…

    Through a period of great challenge, but also of great opportunity.

    It is an honour to be here with you this evening, as we embark upon it.

    Which leaves me only to thank our gracious hosts, who have brought us here together…

    So let’s raise our glasses and toast:

    The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress!  

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK welcomes the unanimous mandate renewal of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you President. I thank SRSG Salvador and Executive Director Russell for their briefings. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Haiti and Kenya as well as Foreign Minister Álvarez Hill from the Dominican Republic in our meeting today.

    And I would also like to thank Ms. Auguste Ducéna for joining us today. As you and the other briefers made clear, the crisis in Haiti continues to bring unimaginable daily suffering and misery to the Haitian people. This Council remains shocked and appalled by the barbarity and human rights abuses committed by gangs.

    The UK welcomes the unanimous mandate renewal of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti and pays tribute to Kenya’s leadership. We welcome the deployment of personnel from Kenya, Jamaica and Belize to the MSS as well as the pledged contributions from other nations. The MSS remains vital to supporting Haitian efforts to resolve instability and we commend the initial progress it has made alongside the Haitian National Police. It is important to ensure international security efforts are sustainable and support the Haitian government in addressing the root causes of the crisis. 

    We are also grateful to BINUH for their work to establish coordination between Haitian stakeholders, the MSS, and the international community. The UK has pledged over $6 million to support the deployment of the MSS through strengthening the mission’s human rights compliance framework. We expect the first tranche of funding to be released imminently.

    The Transitional Presidential Council must work together for the benefit of the Haitian people. We urge Haitian political and civil society, with the active participation of women and youth, to seize this opportunity to create the conditions necessary for lasting change.

    President, in a welcome step this Council decided to expand the UN Haiti sanctions designation list and for the first time targeted an individual responsible for financing destabilising gang activity.

    In conclusion, we call on all political actors to work together to address Haiti’s serious challenges and to refrain from acting based on personal or partisan interests. There is a chance to bring the peace and security that the Haitian people need and deserve.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police deliver clear message to gangs

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Today, Police dealt a significant blow to the Mongrel Mob Barbarians in Opotiki with the execution of over thirty search warrants across the North Island, and sent a clear message that the misery and violence that they cause will not be tolerated, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

    “I want to thank the police officers involved for the outstanding work that has led to today’s arrests, seizure of property and drugs as part of Operation Highwater, a 10-month investigation in response to violent crime and offending in the town.   

    “Towns like Opotiki suffer heavily from the drugs and misery that gangs peddle– especially when children and schools are targeted for distribution. 

    “They also suffer from the senseless violence and besieging of towns and communities, that Police say has been stopped in its tracks by the operation today.

    “I want to reiterate Superintendent Tim Anderson’s message for gangs: Police will find you and hold you accountable for your destructive behaviour. They will continue to relentlessly pursue criminals who prey on our communities and cause a huge amount of harm and misery.

    “The operations this morning come the day after Police stood up their Gang Disruption Unit in the Bay of Plenty. That unit has continued this afternoon to target and harass gang members across the district, a clear example of how effective these disruption units are.

    “Gang members cause significant and disproportionate harm to Kiwis, and by focusing resources on them Police will continue to disrupt criminal activity and prevent the harm it causes in our communities.  

    “From 21 November, the Gang Disruption Units will be significantly powered up with the Government’s new tools to get rid of gang patches, disperse gang gatherings and prevent known gang members consorting to commit crime.

    “The Government is committed to restoring law and order and today’s operation marks a turning point in getting that job done.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –