Category: KB

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Listening to feedback: changes to York’s sexual health service
Source: City of York

A number of changes have now been agreed to the way sexual health services are provided in York, which follows a consultation on proposed changes and listening to respondents’ feedback.
The consultation ran between July and September and saw over 100 people respond.

The sexual health service in York is delivered through YorSexualHealth, provided by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The council has worked closely with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to review the service and its partnership, as part of the re-procurement of the service for the next 10 years.

The consultation highlighted the need for a number of changes, following a 30 per cent reduction in the public health grant since 2015, which funds the service.

The provision of free, comprehensive, open access sexual health and contraceptive services is a mandated Public Health function of local authorities, as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

A report was taken to an Executive meeting in June to outline what these changes could mean, before going out to consultation.

The contract with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was renewed in July, and following Executive approval was extended for an additional 12-month period.

In order to deliver the new contract, the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the council identified that some efficiencies would need to be made to the service. These will now be introduced soon, through a staged approach during the 12-month extension period, to ensure robust monitoring and evaluation.

The changes include these staged service reductions over a 12-month period:

A reduction in the number of clinic hours the service is open for: The council and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust listened to feedback on the Saturday closure proposals, which was unpopular with respondents. We have revised our thinking on this and are looking at closing the service at a different time to lessen the impact. Instead, the clinic will now close on a Wednesday morning.

A further cap on activity relating to Preventx for York residents. (online STI testing): The service will now offer an ‘enhanced triage’ or clinician recommended approach, to ensure that service users get the right test for them, which is better for both the service user and the cost efficiency of the service. This also brings the online testing provision in line with the testing that is offered when attending the service in person.

A cap on activity relating to LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) including contraceptive coils and contraceptive implants: York has a high number of LARC fitted per head of population, well above the national average. This means we are building from a strong position in access to contraception in the city, and need to ensure that this remains a specialist service available to those who need it. However, last year over 3,000 people attended for basic contraception needs, which GPs and Pharmacists can support with. Pharmacists can also issue repeat contraception and initial contraception. So our contraception activity will be focussed and prioritised according to need.

Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their feedback during the consultation. We’ve listened to everyone’s comments and have made some changes to the proposals as a result. These service changes are not being made lightly – we know there will be impacts, and its our role to mitigate these as much as we can.

“Sexual health services are vital, and we are proud of the quality of what has been available to people in York in recent years, and of the staff who deliver these vital services.

“Sexual and reproductive health is not just about preventing disease or infection. It also means promoting good sexual health in a wider context, including relationships, sexuality and choices around conception. It is a vital aspect of overall health and wellbeing and of public health.

“We are determined that we will meet York’s future needs to the same level, but there are always opportunities to make changes and do things more efficiently.

“That is reflected in our performance figures, which reflect very well on those involved in delivering the services.”

Jo Mannion, Consultant and Care Group Director for Family Health at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have successfully provided a range of high-quality, easily accessible sexual health services over the last few years, and we welcome the opportunity to build on this success in strong partnership with York.”

The council and the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are continuing its analysis and work towards potential commencement of a new contract (under a section 75 partnership agreement) in 2025/6,

Sexual health services are a key part of public health and are funded via the ring-fenced Public Health Allocation.

The current contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust and Nimbuscare Limited was extended earlier this year, following discussions with the providers through the Sexual Health Joint Management Board, chaired by the Director of Public Health.

A benefit of a new service contract with the current Integrated Sexual Health Services contract with York and Scarborough NHS Trust, is that they have a proven track record and have been a provider of sexual health services in York for over 10 years.

Following this consultation, a new legal agreement between two organisations will be agreed.

View the findings of the consultation here
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Suppliers encouraged to submit feedback on supermarket dealings

Source: Australian Treasurer

To ensure farmers and suppliers get a fair go when dealing with the major supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Metcash – the Government is encouraging affected businesses to submit feedback to the 2024 Annual Food and Grocery Code (the Code) Independent Reviewer’s Survey.

The survey monitors compliance with the Code, which mandates conduct between supermarkets and their suppliers, and is part of our work to ensure our supermarket system is fairer for farmers and for families.

Tracking and reporting on supermarket conduct is key in cracking down on anti‑competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector, which is a priority for the Government.

This year’s survey incorporates recommendations of Dr Craig Emerson’s Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to monitor suppliers’ experience agreeing to exceptions to the Code and retribution concerns.

These changes to the survey form part of the Government’s commitment to implement all recommendations of the review, announced in June this year.

The Albanese Government will introduce legislation later this year to enact substantial multi‑million dollar penalties for serious breaches of the Code. The Government will also give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission new powers to issue infringement notices where it has reasonable grounds to believe a provision has been breached.

The new mandatory Code with strengthened dispute resolution mechanisms will come into effect from 1 April 2025.

Suppliers eligible for participation in the survey will have received correspondence from the Independent Reviewer, Chris Leptos AO, containing the survey link.

The survey closes on 26 November and results will be published with the Independent Reviewer’s Annual Report.

To see the previous years’ results, including how the major supermarkets rate against each other and the annual reports, go to Grocery Code Reviewer annual reports.

MIL OSI News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 – B10-0146/2024

Source: European Parliament

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

B10‑0146/2024

European Parliament resolution on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 (2024/2840(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 [1],

– having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed [2], and in particular Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) thereof,

– having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 26 April 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 29 May 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

– having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers [3],

– having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 30 November 2023, and published on 19 January 2024 [4],

– having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)[5],

– having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

A. whereas, on 6 October 2022, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, an application to the Commission for the renewal of Commission Implementing Decisions 2013/649/EU [6] and (EU) 2017/1207 [7]; whereas, in accordance with Article 11(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the period of authorisation of genetically modified pollen produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 (the ‘GM maize’) for food uses covered by Implementing Decision 2013/649/EU has been automatically extended until a decision is taken on the renewal application;

B. whereas, on 30 November 2023, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 19 January 2024;

C. whereas the GM maize has been modified to produce insecticides (‘Bt toxins’);

Outstanding questions concerning Bt toxins

D. whereas a number of studies show that side effects have been observed that may affect the human immune system following exposure to Bt toxins and that some Bt toxins may have adjuvant properties [8], meaning that they can increase the allergenicity of other proteins with which they come into contact;

Bt crops: effects on non-target organisms

E. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited time afterwards, the use of Bt GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to Bt toxins;

F. whereas the assumption that Bt toxins exhibit a single target-specific mode-of-action can no longer be considered correct and effects on non-target organisms cannot be excluded; whereas an increasing number of non-target organisms are reported to be affected in many ways; whereas 39 peer-reviewed publications that report significant adverse effects of Bt toxins on many ‘out-of-range’ species are mentioned in a recent overview [9];

Member State comments

G. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period [10], including that the compositional data for the GM maize should be checked and re-analysed and that the analysis should fulfil the present EFSA requirements, inter alia equivalence testing, and that the literature review did not include studies on the fate of Cry1Ab in the environment or on potential effects of Bt-crop residues on non-target organisms, which is problematic because publications indicate that a carryover from GM maize feed to manure may lead to exposure of soil organisms to Cry1Ab and that this may trigger negative effects on soil organisms with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services;

H. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD);

Reducing dependency on imported feed

I. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner-elect Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities [11];

Undemocratic decision-making

J. whereas the vote on 26 April 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 29 May 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

K. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 objections to placing GMOs on the market;

L. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

M. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee [12];

N. whereas, on 2 July 2024, the Commission renewed the authorisation for the placing on the market of the GM maize;

1. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

2. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council [13], to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

3. Calls on the Commission to repeal Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828;

4. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs [14]; expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

5. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’[15];

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Giving feedback is a skill: 3 tips on how to do it well for students

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Martina van Heerden, Senior Lecturer in English for Educational Development, University of the Western Cape

It can be difficult to tell someone what you think of their work, even if you mean well and even if you think they’re doing a good job. Sometimes the person doesn’t understand what you mean, or doesn’t respond the way you’d hoped. Feedback should contribute to learning, but you might sometimes wonder if it’s any use at all. South African university lecturer Martina van Heerden studied the art of giving feedback to students in higher education. Her insights and three top tips are useful for effective communication in many areas of life.

Why did you decide to study feedback?

As a tutor, I initially did not get training on how to give feedback to students on their essays. After a while, I started thinking more about what exactly I was trying to say and do with my feedback. For example, if I told a student “your argument lacks depth”, was I just telling the to make a stronger argument in this essay, or was there a “deeper message”?

So, in my PhD, I explored “what lies beneath” our feedback. What I found is that often feedback has very specific messages for students, largely about what is valued in a particular context; what the student is expected to know in that discipline.

Feedback is a big concern in higher education globally. It is fairly well researched and most research identifies various problems with it. Students don’t seem to take up the feedback, or there are different understandings of its purpose, or it’s not as effective as it should be because of academic language and conventions. The blame tends to be put on students.

I wondered if the problem lay instead with how educators approach and give feedback.

Focusing on English literature studies, I analysed written comments given to first year students and worked with the tutors giving the feedback. English literature is a tricky discipline to give feedback in as it involves balancing language, literature and academic literacy aspects. Focusing too much on one aspect in feedback could mislead students.

What did you find?

There was a bit of misalignment between the purpose and the practice of feedback.

Ideally, the underlying message of feedback in literature studies should be to develop students’ ability to think critically and analytically about texts. It could do this, for example, by asking questions that stimulate thinking around the topics and themes of the text (rather than asking students to merely provide more information on it).

Most of the feedback in my study, however, focused on correcting surface-level errors like grammar and spelling. Although there is nothing wrong with this in itself, it could mislead students about what is valued in the discipline.

Feedback is often quite frustrating for both students and educators – both research and practice wisdom attest to this. Educators are frustrated because students don’t seem to learn from feedback, and students are frustrated because they are getting what they feel is unhelpful feedback. These are global concerns. There is a big discrepancy between how useful educators and students perceive feedback to be.

My work and other research highlights the importance of seeing feedback as a literacy – that is, as a skill – that needs to be developed deliberately.

Too often, it is assumed that educators will know how to give effective feedback, or it is assumed that students will know what to do with feedback. But a lot of the time, they don’t – we go by our instincts and what is perhaps easier to identify and correct. For feedback to actually “feed forward” – beyond a specific essay or task – the skill needs to be developed.

How can people give better feedback?

I recommend asking yourself three questions:

1.) What do I want to achieve with my feedback? Ask yourself if you just want to help students pass this essay or do well in this task, or if you want them to learn something. If they need to learn something, what should they learn?

2.) How understandable is my feedback language? The language of feedback may be steeped in academic, professional, or industry terms which you take for granted. Or you may have developed your own feedback shorthand. This might be easy for you to understand – you’re the one writing it – but that doesn’t mean a student will. So, ask yourself whether someone who is not you would understand your feedback.

3.) What do I want my students to do with my feedback? Too often, comments don’t really give students guidance on what to do. Correcting errors and making statements about students’ work takes agency and action away from students. Using questions and suggestions means that students become more active in the feedback process.

Feedback is important for learning and development. Too often, though, it becomes another obstacle that has to be overcome. Useful, clear, actionable feedback can help students become better writers, researchers, thinkers and scholars.

Martina van Heerden is a member of the South African Association of Academic Literacy Practitioners.

– ref. Giving feedback is a skill: 3 tips on how to do it well for students – https://theconversation.com/giving-feedback-is-a-skill-3-tips-on-how-to-do-it-well-for-students-240572

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: : Feds Feed Families USDA End of Summer Thank you and Celebration – 2024

Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

Thank you to Feds Feed Families agency chairs, champions and leadership who supported Feds Feed Families activities this summer and helped to feed hungry people in our communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Si7eR3v58

MIL OSI Video –

January 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Rabuka’s message to free Kanaky movement: ‘Don’t slap the hand that feeds you’

By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/Bulletin editor

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is cautioning New Caledonia’s local government to “be reasonable” in its requests from Paris ahead of a Pacific fact-finding mission.

A much-anticipated high-level visit by Pacific leaders to the French territory is confirmed, after it was postponed by New Caledonia’s local government in August due to allegations France was pushing its own agenda.

President Louis Mapou has confirmed the Pacific leaders’ mission will take place from October 27-29.

Rabuka is one of the four Pacific leaders taking part in the so-called “Troika Plus” mission and confirmed he will be in Nouméa on Sunday.

He told RNZ Pacific during his visit to Aotearoa last week that as “an old hand in Pacific leadership”, listening was key.

“I’m hoping that they will be very, very reasonable about what they’re asking for,” the prime minister said.

“When they started, the Kanaky movement started during my time as Prime Minister. I told them, ‘look, don’t slap the hand that has fed you’.

‘Good disassociation arrangement’
“So have a good disassociation arrangement when you become independent, make sure you part as friends.”

This week, Rabuka told RNZ Pacific in Apia that he would be taking a back seat during the mission.

Veteran Pacific journalist Nick Maclellan, who is in New Caledonia, said there was “significant concern” that political leaders in France did not understand the depth of the crisis.

“This crisis is unresolved, and I think as Pacific leaders arrive this week, they’ll have to look beyond the surface calm to realise that there are many issues that still have to play out in the months to come,” he said.

He said there appeared to be “a tension” between the local government of New Caledonia and the French authorities about the purpose of Pacific leaders’ mission.

“In the past, French diplomats have suggested that the Forum is welcome to come, to condemn violence, to address the question of reconstruction and so on,” he said.

“But I sense a reluctance to address issues around France’s responsibility for decolonisation.

‘Important moment’
“The very fact that four prime ministers are coming, not diplomats, not ministers, not just officials, but four prime ministers of Forum member countries, shows that this is an important moment for regional engagement,” he added.

In a statement on Friday, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said that the prime ministers of Tonga and the Cook Islands, along with Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, would join Rabuka to travel to New Caledonia.

Tongan PM Hu’akavameiliku will head the mission, which is expected to land in Nouméa after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this week.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Giving feedback is a skill: 3 tips on how to do it well for students

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Martina van Heerden, Senior Lecturer in English for Educational Development, University of the Western Cape

It can be difficult to tell someone what you think of their work, even if you mean well and even if you think they’re doing a good job. Sometimes the person doesn’t understand what you mean, or doesn’t respond the way you’d hoped. Feedback should contribute to learning, but you might sometimes wonder if it’s any use at all. South African university lecturer Martina van Heerden studied the art of giving feedback to students in higher education. Her insights and three top tips are useful for effective communication in many areas of life.

Why did you decide to study feedback?

As a tutor, I initially did not get training on how to give feedback to students on their essays. After a while, I started thinking more about what exactly I was trying to say and do with my feedback. For example, if I told a student “your argument lacks depth”, was I just telling the to make a stronger argument in this essay, or was there a “deeper message”?

So, in my PhD, I explored “what lies beneath” our feedback. What I found is that often feedback has very specific messages for students, largely about what is valued in a particular context; what the student is expected to know in that discipline.

Feedback is a big concern in higher education globally. It is fairly well researched and most research identifies various problems with it. Students don’t seem to take up the feedback, or there are different understandings of its purpose, or it’s not as effective as it should be because of academic language and conventions. The blame tends to be put on students.

I wondered if the problem lay instead with how educators approach and give feedback.

Focusing on English literature studies, I analysed written comments given to first year students and worked with the tutors giving the feedback. English literature is a tricky discipline to give feedback in as it involves balancing language, literature and academic literacy aspects. Focusing too much on one aspect in feedback could mislead students.

What did you find?

There was a bit of misalignment between the purpose and the practice of feedback.

Ideally, the underlying message of feedback in literature studies should be to develop students’ ability to think critically and analytically about texts. It could do this, for example, by asking questions that stimulate thinking around the topics and themes of the text (rather than asking students to merely provide more information on it).

Most of the feedback in my study, however, focused on correcting surface-level errors like grammar and spelling. Although there is nothing wrong with this in itself, it could mislead students about what is valued in the discipline.

Feedback is often quite frustrating for both students and educators – both research and practice wisdom attest to this. Educators are frustrated because students don’t seem to learn from feedback, and students are frustrated because they are getting what they feel is unhelpful feedback. These are global concerns. There is a big discrepancy between how useful educators and students perceive feedback to be.

My work and other research highlights the importance of seeing feedback as a literacy – that is, as a skill – that needs to be developed deliberately.

Too often, it is assumed that educators will know how to give effective feedback, or it is assumed that students will know what to do with feedback. But a lot of the time, they don’t – we go by our instincts and what is perhaps easier to identify and correct. For feedback to actually “feed forward” – beyond a specific essay or task – the skill needs to be developed.

How can people give better feedback?

I recommend asking yourself three questions:

1.) What do I want to achieve with my feedback? Ask yourself if you just want to help students pass this essay or do well in this task, or if you want them to learn something. If they need to learn something, what should they learn?

2.) How understandable is my feedback language? The language of feedback may be steeped in academic, professional, or industry terms which you take for granted. Or you may have developed your own feedback shorthand. This might be easy for you to understand – you’re the one writing it – but that doesn’t mean a student will. So, ask yourself whether someone who is not you would understand your feedback.

3.) What do I want my students to do with my feedback? Too often, comments don’t really give students guidance on what to do. Correcting errors and making statements about students’ work takes agency and action away from students. Using questions and suggestions means that students become more active in the feedback process.

Feedback is important for learning and development. Too often, though, it becomes another obstacle that has to be overcome. Useful, clear, actionable feedback can help students become better writers, researchers, thinkers and scholars.

– Giving feedback is a skill: 3 tips on how to do it well for students
– https://theconversation.com/giving-feedback-is-a-skill-3-tips-on-how-to-do-it-well-for-students-240572

MIL OSI Africa –

January 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Hungary

Source: Australia Safe Travel Advisories

We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Hungary and continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. Hungary is part of the Schengen area. From November, the new European Entry/Exit System will start for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area (see ‘Travel’).

MIL OSI News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message on World Maritime Day: “Navigating the Future, Safety First” [scroll down for French version]

Source: United Nations – English

hipping is vital to keeping our economies and societies afloat.

It is the lifeblood of global supply chains, stretching across oceans, connecting goods and communities.

Today, the maritime sector is undergoing a profound transformation as it steers towards greater digitalization, automation and decarbonization.

New technologies and designs offer the opportunity to make important contributions to climate action. I count on the commitment of regulators, seafarers and ship operators alike.

As this year’s theme reminds us, safety must remain a priority. While conflicts rage around the globe, targeted attacks have turned key global shipping routes into danger zones, killing seafarers and threatening their well-being. Such attacks are totally unacceptable and must be rejected by all.

Safe navigation for the women and men who anchor this crucial industry must not be compromised.

On this World Maritime Day, let’s play our part to ensure a safe, sustainable and prosperous maritime sector for all humanity.

***
Les transports maritimes sont essentiels pour maintenir nos économies et nos sociétés à flot.

Ils sont l’élément vital des chaînes d’approvisionnement mondiales, qui s’étendent sur tous les océans et permettent d’acheminer les biens aux populations.

Aujourd’hui, le secteur maritime connaît une transformation profonde et se dirige vers une plus grande dématérialisation, automatisation et décarbonation.

Grâce aux nouvelles techniques et aux nouveautés en matière de conception, il est possible de contribuer fortement à l’action climatique. À cet égard, je compte sur la mobilisation des responsables de la réglementation, des gens de mer et des exploitants de navires.

Le thème de cette année nous rappelle que la sécurité doit rester une priorité. Alors que des conflits font rage dans le monde entier, de grands axes maritimes sont devenus des zones dangereuses dans lesquelles des attaques ciblées tuent des gens de mer et menacent leur bien-être. Ces attaques sont totalement inacceptables et doivent être universellement dénoncées.

La sécurité de la navigation des femmes et des hommes indispensables à ce secteur essentiel ne doit pas être compromise.

En cette Journée mondiale de la mer, jouons notre rôle afin de garantir la sécurité, la durabilité et la prospérité du secteur maritime, pour l’humanité tout entière.

***

MIL OSI Africa –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI Translation: BPA – Decathlon recalls Rockrider MTB EXPL500 and ST500 bicycle helmets

MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

Federal Office of Consumer Affairs

Bern, 26.09.2024 – In collaboration with the Accident Prevention Bureau (BPA), Decathlon is recalling the Rockrider MTB EXPL500 and ST500 bicycle helmets. A plastic part of the helmet may break. Consumers are urged to stop using the helmet and return it to a Decathlon branch for exchange or refund.

What danger arises from the product concerned?

A plastic part at the back of the helmet holding the chin strap can break. In this case, the support is no longer ensured during a fall, which can lead to a risk of injury for the user.

Which products are affected?

The following are affected by this recall: Rockrider (Decathlon brand) MTB EXPL500 and ST500 bicycle helmets with the following serial numbers. The affected helmets were purchased from Decathlon between July 2 and September 9, 2024:

KT24040006-15

KT24040006-16

KT24040006-17

KT24040018-14

KT24040018-16

KT24040018-17

KT24040034-10

KT24040034-2

KT24040034-4

KT24040034-8

KT24040045-10

KT24040045-8

KT24040045-9

Serial numbers not listed above are not affected by the recall.

What should affected consumers do?

Affected consumers should no longer use the helmet. Affected helmets can be returned to any Decathlon branch. They will be exchanged or refunded at the purchase price.

Address for sending questions

If you have any questions, consumers can contact Decathlon customer service: Telephone: 49 (0) 6202 97 81 300 Email: help.switzerland@decathlon.com URL: https://www.decathlon.ch/fr

Author

Federal Consumer Affairs Officehttp://www.konsum.admin.ch/

Social sharing

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL Translation OSI

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Grassley Presses USDA to Act Now to Protect U.S. Farmland

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a Senate Agriculture Committee member, is urging the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to share with key national security agencies its data on foreign-owned farmland.

“USDA is sitting on a treasure trove of data that federal partners could use to help protect American farmers.”

Download video HERE.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Grassley notes the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 – which he cosponsored as a member of the House of Representatives – requires USDA to “collect, track and report reliable data on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land.” To enhance transparency and curtail malign foreign investments, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a January 2024 report recommending USDA share this data with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in a more timely fashion. While USDA agreed with GAO’s recommendations, it has yet to take the necessary steps to address GAO’s guidance and improve its data sharing standards.

“It is crucial that USDA continue to improve its processes for collecting, tracking, and reporting data on foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land. Further, it is essential that USDA provide CFIUS and its member agencies with access to timely and detailed information on these transactions to ensure that all potential national security risks receive a thorough review,” Grassley wrote to Vilsack.

Read Grassley’s full letter HERE.

Learn more about Grassley’s work to protect American farmland through his:

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MIL OSI USA News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons [scroll down for French version]

Source: United Nations – English

his tenth International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons arrives at a troubling moment.

Growing geopolitical divisions and mistrust are driving tensions to new heights. Instead of dialogue and diplomacy being deployed to end the nuclear threat, another nuclear arms race is taking shape, and saber-rattling is re-emerging as a tactic of coercion.

We need to stop the madness before it’s too late. On this important Day, the world must deliver a clear and united message: the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat is to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Disarmament and non-proliferation are two sides of the same coin. Progress in one spurs progress in the other. States must pursue both as a matter of urgency.

Nuclear weapon States must lead the way by honoring their disarmament obligations, and committing never to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances, or threaten to do so.

The treaties and instruments that seek to prevent the spread and testing of nuclear weapons and bring about their elimination need to be reinforced and adapted to meet today’s challenges, including to address technological changes that could increase the threat.

Just days ago, the Summit of the Future — and the Pact for the Future that emerged — resulted in a new global commitment to revitalize the global disarmament regime, and bring our world closer to our goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Our future hangs in the balance. Let’s eliminate these weapons from our world for good.

***

Cette dixième Journée internationale pour l’élimination totale des armes nucléaires arrive à un moment inquiétant.

Alimentées par des divisions géopolitiques et une méfiance croissantes, les tensions atteignent de nouveaux sommets. Alors même qu’il conviendrait de nouer un dialogue et d’user de diplomatie pour mettre un terme à la menace nucléaire, on assiste à la naissance d’une nouvelle course aux armements nucléaires et au retour des démonstrations de force comme tactiques de coercition.

Nous devons mettre fin à cette folie avant qu’il ne soit trop tard. En ce jour important, le monde doit délivrer d’une seule voix un message clair : le seul moyen d’éliminer la menace nucléaire est d’éliminer les armes nucléaires.

Le désarmement et la non-prolifération sont les deux faces d’une même médaille. Tout progrès dans l’un de ces domaines entraîne des progrès dans l’autre. Les États doivent s’employer à atteindre ces deux objectifs de toute urgence.

Les États dotés d’armes nucléaires doivent montrer la voie en honorant leurs obligations en matière de désarmement et en s’engageant à ne jamais utiliser de telles armes, quelles que soient les circonstances, ou menacer de les utiliser.

Pour relever les défis actuels, notamment propres aux changements technologiques susceptibles d’accroître la menace, il faut renforcer et adapter les traités et instruments visant à empêcher la prolifération et les essais d’armes nucléaires et à éliminer ces armes.

Il y a quelques jours seulement, dans le cadre du Sommet de l’avenir – et du Pacte pour l’avenir qui en a résulté – la communauté internationale a pris un nouvel engagement : celui de revitaliser le régime mondial de désarmement et de faire en sorte que le monde progresse vers la réalisation de l’objectif commun qu’est l’élimination totale des armes nucléaires.

Notre avenir est en jeu. Éliminons une fois pour toutes ces armes de notre monde.

***

MIL OSI Africa –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons [scroll down for French version]

Source: United Nations

This tenth International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons arrives at a troubling moment.

Growing geopolitical divisions and mistrust are driving tensions to new heights. Instead of dialogue and diplomacy being deployed to end the nuclear threat, another nuclear arms race is taking shape, and saber-rattling is re-emerging as a tactic of coercion.

We need to stop the madness before it’s too late. On this important Day, the world must deliver a clear and united message: the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat is to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Disarmament and non-proliferation are two sides of the same coin. Progress in one spurs progress in the other. States must pursue both as a matter of urgency.

Nuclear weapon States must lead the way by honoring their disarmament obligations, and committing never to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances, or threaten to do so.

The treaties and instruments that seek to prevent the spread and testing of nuclear weapons and bring about their elimination need to be reinforced and adapted to meet today’s challenges, including to address technological changes that could increase the threat.

Just days ago, the Summit of the Future — and the Pact for the Future that emerged — resulted in a new global commitment to revitalize the global disarmament regime, and bring our world closer to our goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Our future hangs in the balance. Let’s eliminate these weapons from our world for good.

***

Cette dixième Journée internationale pour l’élimination totale des armes nucléaires arrive à un moment inquiétant.

Alimentées par des divisions géopolitiques et une méfiance croissantes, les tensions atteignent de nouveaux sommets. Alors même qu’il conviendrait de nouer un dialogue et d’user de diplomatie pour mettre un terme à la menace nucléaire, on assiste à la naissance d’une nouvelle course aux armements nucléaires et au retour des démonstrations de force comme tactiques de coercition.

Nous devons mettre fin à cette folie avant qu’il ne soit trop tard. En ce jour important, le monde doit délivrer d’une seule voix un message clair : le seul moyen d’éliminer la menace nucléaire est d’éliminer les armes nucléaires.

Le désarmement et la non-prolifération sont les deux faces d’une même médaille. Tout progrès dans l’un de ces domaines entraîne des progrès dans l’autre. Les États doivent s’employer à atteindre ces deux objectifs de toute urgence.

Les États dotés d’armes nucléaires doivent montrer la voie en honorant leurs obligations en matière de désarmement et en s’engageant à ne jamais utiliser de telles armes, quelles que soient les circonstances, ou menacer de les utiliser.

Pour relever les défis actuels, notamment propres aux changements technologiques susceptibles d’accroître la menace, il faut renforcer et adapter les traités et instruments visant à empêcher la prolifération et les essais d’armes nucléaires et à éliminer ces armes.

Il y a quelques jours seulement, dans le cadre du Sommet de l’avenir – et du Pacte pour l’avenir qui en a résulté – la communauté internationale a pris un nouvel engagement : celui de revitaliser le régime mondial de désarmement et de faire en sorte que le monde progresse vers la réalisation de l’objectif commun qu’est l’élimination totale des armes nucléaires.

Notre avenir est en jeu. Éliminons une fois pour toutes ces armes de notre monde.

***

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on World Maritime Day: “Navigating the Future, Safety First” [scroll down for French version]

Source: United Nations

Shipping is vital to keeping our economies and societies afloat.

It is the lifeblood of global supply chains, stretching across oceans, connecting goods and communities.

Today, the maritime sector is undergoing a profound transformation as it steers towards greater digitalization, automation and decarbonization.

New technologies and designs offer the opportunity to make important contributions to climate action. I count on the commitment of regulators, seafarers and ship operators alike.

As this year’s theme reminds us, safety must remain a priority. While conflicts rage around the globe, targeted attacks have turned key global shipping routes into danger zones, killing seafarers and threatening their well-being. Such attacks are totally unacceptable and must be rejected by all.

Safe navigation for the women and men who anchor this crucial industry must not be compromised.

On this World Maritime Day, let’s play our part to ensure a safe, sustainable and prosperous maritime sector for all humanity.

***
Les transports maritimes sont essentiels pour maintenir nos économies et nos sociétés à flot.

Ils sont l’élément vital des chaînes d’approvisionnement mondiales, qui s’étendent sur tous les océans et permettent d’acheminer les biens aux populations.

Aujourd’hui, le secteur maritime connaît une transformation profonde et se dirige vers une plus grande dématérialisation, automatisation et décarbonation.

Grâce aux nouvelles techniques et aux nouveautés en matière de conception, il est possible de contribuer fortement à l’action climatique. À cet égard, je compte sur la mobilisation des responsables de la réglementation, des gens de mer et des exploitants de navires.

Le thème de cette année nous rappelle que la sécurité doit rester une priorité. Alors que des conflits font rage dans le monde entier, de grands axes maritimes sont devenus des zones dangereuses dans lesquelles des attaques ciblées tuent des gens de mer et menacent leur bien-être. Ces attaques sont totalement inacceptables et doivent être universellement dénoncées.

La sécurité de la navigation des femmes et des hommes indispensables à ce secteur essentiel ne doit pas être compromise.

En cette Journée mondiale de la mer, jouons notre rôle afin de garantir la sécurité, la durabilité et la prospérité du secteur maritime, pour l’humanité tout entière.

***

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Statement on Steward Hearing and Ralph De La Torre
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on Steward Healthcare CEO Ralph De La Torre’s refusal to comply with a subpoena to appear before Congress today. Congresswoman Pressley represents many patients and workers served by Carney Hospital in Dorchester as well as St Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton.

“We cannot allow companies like Steward Health Care and their CEO Ralph De La Torre to get away with ravaging our healthcare system and leaving our hospitals, patients, and workers behind. But De La Torre’s refusal to come before the Senate today is the latest in a series of cowardly attempts to avoid responsibility, and he must be held in contempt of Congress.

“I’m grateful to the Senate HELP Committee, Chairman Sanders, and Senator Markey for holding this critical hearing, and for the Massachusetts nurses who came forward to expose the shameful impact of Steward’s greed. We won’t stop fighting to hold Steward and De La Torre fully accountable for the public health crisis they created.”

In Congress, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly demanded accountability and transparency from Steward executives, and she has been worked with her colleagues at the federal and local levels to ensure care remains accessible and Steward’s other facilities remain open.
- In July 2024, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Lynch rallied with colleagues, patients, and providers to speak out against Steward’s abrupt closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester.
- In July 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the announcement by Steward Health Care of the closure of hospitals in Massachusetts, including Carney Hospital in Dorchester.
- In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Steward’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and failure to protect patients and workers.
- In February 2024, Rep. Pressley joined members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation in seeking answers from Cerebrus on the private equity firm’s role in creating the current financial challenges at Steward hospitals, which threaten access to medical care for thousands of people in eastern Massachusetts.
- In January 2024, following a Boston Globe report indicating that Steward Health Care System is in dire financial condition, Rep. Pressley, Sen. Warren, and the Massachusetts congressional delegation pressed Steward to brief them on Steward’s financial position, the status of their Massachusetts facilities, and their plans to ensure the communities they serve are not abandoned.
###

MIL OSI USA News –
September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Taumaranui

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a crash in Taumaranui this afternoon.

Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash on Kururau Road just before 3pm.

The car had gone down a bank and the driver was located deceased.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Action on NPSFM needed urgently

Source: ACT Party

“Farmers are under serious pressure from Labour’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management 2020 and action is urgently required to provide them with relief,” says Ruawai dairy farmer and ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron.

“The coalition government was elected with a mandate to end this unnecessary burden. We’ve made excellent progress, but a significant remnant of Labour’s damaging policies still lingers: the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management 2020.

“Farmers have raised concerns with me about the proposed changes to the Otago Regional Council’s freshwater rules – rules which are being drafted in accordance with Labour’s NPSFM 2020.

“ACT continues to argue that the full repeal of NPSFM 2020 is the right approach.

“Short of achieving that, I have written to Environment Minister Penny Simmonds asking her to use section 25A of the RMA to allow the Otago Regional Council to remove any sections relating to freshwater management from their plan while allowing them to progress with other sections. This would provide consistency across councils and offer clarity for the farmers who have sought my help.

“Over the past six years, farmers have not only had to manage the day-to-day challenges of farming but also navigate a sea of red tape and costs imposed by the last Government. This onslaught has threatened one of our most efficient and productive industries.

“This policy introduced stringent rules, centralising control from Wellington, and elevating the vague concept of ‘Te Mana o te Wai’, the mana of the water. This principle has led to even more restrictive regulations being imposed on our farmers by regional councils.

“Today, despite the work of the Government, regional councils continue to integrate these stringent regulations and vagaries into their regional plans. Farmers face uncertainty and fear. This over-regulation not only stifles our agricultural productivity but also risks our entire national economy at a time when we should be empowering our most productive sectors.

“The concept of ‘Te Mana o te Wai’ is not only vague but replaces scientific benchmarks with subjective interpretations. This isn’t about environmental standards, which are necessary, it embeds a subjective idea of the mana of the water that leads to co-governance and unequal treatment based on who someone’s ancestors were. The broad and often ambiguous interpretation of this principle by councils and courts adds to the confusion, diverting from a clear, science-based approach.

“ACT is dedicated to real change. We cannot continue with a policy that burdens our farmers unnecessarily. We campaigned on a complete overhaul of this policy to remove subjective concepts and ensure that our freshwater management is scientifically sound and adapted to the needs of local communities.

“We are continuing to advocate for repealing the NPS-FM and allowing district councils more flexibility in how they meet environmental limits.

“It is time for urgent reform. We must protect our farmers from the ongoing effects of what has effectively been a war on our agricultural sector.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-Evening Report: ChatGPT is changing the way we write. Here’s how – and why it’s a problem

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor – Information and Communications Technology, CQUniversity Australia

Shutterstock

Have you noticed certain words and phrases popping up everywhere lately?

Phrases such as “delve into” and “navigate the landscape” seem to feature in everything from social media posts to news articles and academic publications. They may sound fancy, but their overuse can make a text feel monotonous and repetitive.

This trend may be linked to the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs). These tools are designed to make writing easier by offering suggestions based on patterns in the text they were trained on.

However, these patterns can lead to the overuse of certain stylistic words and phrases, resulting in works that don’t closely resemble genuine human writing.

The rise of stylistic language

Generative AI tools are trained on vast amounts of text from various sources. As such, they tend to favour the most common words and phrases in their outputs.

Since ChatGPT’s release, the use of words such as “delves”, “showcasing”, “underscores”, “pivotal”, “realm” and “meticulous” has surged in academic writing.

And although most of the research has looked specifically at academic writing, the stylistic language trend has appeared in various other forms of writing, including student essays and school applications. As one application editor told Forbes, “tapestry” is a particularly common offending term in cases where AI was used to write a draft:

I no longer believe there’s a way to innocently use the word ‘tapestry’ in an essay; if the word ‘tapestry’ appears, it was generated by ChatGPT.

Why it’s a problem

The overuse of certain words and phrases leads to writing losing its personal touch. It becomes harder to distinguish between individual voices and perspectives and everything takes on a robotic undertone.

Also, words such as “revolutionise” or “intriguing” – while they might seem like they’re giving you a more polished product – can actually make writing harder to understand.

Stylish and/or flowery language doesn’t communicate ideas as effectively as clear and straightforward language. Beyond this, one study found simple and precise words not only enhance comprehension, but also make the writer appear more intelligent.

Lastly, the overuse of stylistic words can make writing boring. Writing should be engaging and varied; relying on a few buzzwords will lead to readers tuning out.

There’s currently no research that can give us an exact list of the most common stylistic words used by ChatGPT; this would require an exhaustive analysis of every output ever generated. That said, here’s what ChatGPT itself presented when asked the question.

Possible solutions

So how can we fix this? Here are some ideas:

1. Be aware of repetition

If you’re using a tool such as ChatGPT, pay attention to how often certain words or phrases come up. If you notice the same terms appearing again and again, try switching them out for simpler and/or more original language. Instead of saying “delve into” you could just say “explore”, or “look at it closely”.

2. Ask for clear language

Much of what you get out of ChatGPT will come down to the specific prompt you give it. If you don’t want complex language, try asking it to “write clearly, without using complex words”.

3. Edit your work

ChatGPT can be a helpful starting point for writing many different types of text, but editing its outputs remains important. By reviewing and changing certain words and phrases, you can still add your own voice to the output.

Being creative with synonyms is one way to do this. You could use a thesaurus, or think more carefully about what you’re trying to communicate in your text – and how you might do this in a new way.

4. Customise AI settings

Many AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Claude allow you to adjust the writing style through settings or tailored prompts. For example, you can prioritise clarity and simplicity, or create an exclusion list to avoid certain words.

By being more mindful of how we use generative AI and making an effort to write with clarity and originality, we can avoid falling into the AI style trap.

In the end, writing should be about expressing your ideas in your own way. While ChatGPT can help, it’s up to each of us to make sure we’re saying what we really want to – and not what an AI tool tells us to.

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

– ref. ChatGPT is changing the way we write. Here’s how – and why it’s a problem – https://theconversation.com/chatgpt-is-changing-the-way-we-write-heres-how-and-why-its-a-problem-239601

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI Australia: Wodonga West hosts Fijian locals

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Last Thursday night, 19 September, Wodonga West Fire Brigade members and members from other brigades in the Wodonga Group hosted a community engagement event for the local Fijian community.

As part of our roles as volunteers and the Community Safety team, we have experienced many magic moments and this event reinforced to us why it is such a pleasure to be part of community engagement.

After a community safety session facilitated by AWECC (Albury Wodonga Ethnic Community Council) several months ago, a number of Fijian community members living and working in Wodonga expressed interest in volunteering with CFA.

As a result, on 19 September 2024, we arranged for them to visit Wodonga West Fire Station, where brigade Captain Gary Lockhart and five brigade volunteers hosted the AWECC Fijian community’s introduction to CFA volunteering.

More than 20 Fijian men and women attended the information session, discussed the benefits of volunteering, then moved into the engine bay to be shown all the vehicles and equipment.

There was lots of laughter, a lot of water sprayed around, warning lights activated and some went for a ride in the Wodonga West tanker. There were many questions about how it all works and what it is used for.

The brigade volunteers also demonstrated the difference between ‘structure’ and ‘wildfire’ personal protection equipment, with the outfits being tried on and paraded around the station.

The camaraderie that was born at this event bertween the Fijians and Wodonga West members was palpable, and as brigade Captain Gary Lockhart said, “We have an open-door policy for all to join the Brigade and CFA”.

After eating, a pastor with the Fijian community began to sing and all the Fijians joined in. The station reverberated with song, and it bought a tear to my eye, as with most of the CFA volunteers. What a joy to listen to them sharing their culture.

Gary thought it was a wonderful evening.

“After sharing some pizza, the magic happened and the meeting room erupted into song with the Fijians sharing some of their culture with us,” Ross Coyle said.

“It was fantastic to be involved, especially as members from other brigades in the group joined in to make it a group event.

“Events such as this make me a very proud CFA member.”

Not all the Fijians are interested in becoming firefighters, though some of them will become part of the CFA family as a way for them engage and give back to the wider community.

The event reinforced to us that CFA needs to keep encouraging and welcoming the multicultural members of our community to join us as we would all benefit.

Submitted by Maureen Piera and Will Vale

MIL OSI News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI China: Giant panda pair arrives in Hong Kong

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A pair of giant pandas gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport on Thursday morning.
They will be sent to Ocean Park Hong Kong for health checks and quarantine, and will spend time there to adapt to the new environment. The pair, named An An and Ke Ke, is the third pair of giant pandas the HKSAR has received as gifts from the central government.

MIL OSI China News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Driver before the courts after he fails to stop for Police, Gisborne

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A man has been taken into custody after failing to stop for Police in Gisborne.

At around 2:10pm Police sighted a person of interest driving on Ormond Road. Police activated lights and sirens signalling for the driver to stop, however they continued, and Police elected not to pursue.

Police conducted areas for the vehicle and located the driver and vehicle on Queens Road shortly after.

Police followed keeping the vehicle in view and coordinated multiple units to deploy Tyre Deflation Devices to stop the vehicle safely.

Spikes were successfully deployed on Tyndall Road and Police continued to follow the vehicle through the Gisborne CBD until the driver abandoned the vehicle in an alleyway.

The driver ran through a store and attempted to get away in a second vehicle on Gladstone Road, leaving the CBD.

At around 2:45pm Police stopped the second vehicle on Cobden Street and the fleeing driver was taken into custody without further incident.

A 25-year-old man is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on a charge of failing to stop, and dangerous driving.

During the incident the driver was driving at lower speeds but crossed the centre line several times, went blindly through intersections and was causing a risk to public safety.

Due to Police’s efforts, the driver was arrested swiftly and will be held to account for his actions.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 30, 2024
MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Intensifies Emergency Response to Severe Flooding across West and Central Africa

Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Geneva/ Dakar, 25 September – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is scaling up its emergency operations to assist millions impacted by the severe flooding across West and Central Africa.  IOM is working to deliver a comprehensive and integrated regional response, collaborating closely with sister UN agencies, including OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WFP.  

Since the onset of the rainy season, heavy downpours have ravaged vast regions, claiming more than 1,500 lives, affecting 4 million people and displacing more than 1.2 million individuals across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger.  

“This year’s floods are unprecedented, a stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change in our region,” said Sylvia Ekra, IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Our teams are working tirelessly on the ground to support affected communities and local authorities. While we continue to strengthen emergency preparedness year-round, the scale of the situation at hand demands urgent additional funding to address immediate and longer-term needs” .

In Chad, one of the hardest-hit countries, over 1.5 million people have been affected, and over 164,000 homes destroyed. Displacement is widespread, particularly in N’Djamena and southern regions along the Chari River. The floods have devastated more than 400,000 hectares of arable land, severely impacting food security and livelihoods. IOM is leveraging its experience in helping the government’s emergency response, drawing on lessons learnt from the 2022 flood.  

Rapid response teams are helping local authorities assess immediate needs through IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). IOM has also reopened previously used displacement sites to provide temporary shelter and essential services to those affected, actively coordinating within the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) framework.  

In the Lake region and N’Djamena, IOM Chad is preparing to provide immediate multisectoral assistant to 7,000 direct beneficiaries through the provision of 700 shelters, water trucking, and repairing of 21 water pumps and 350 latrines.  

In Nigeria, the floods have displaced nearly 650,000 people. Torrential rains have destroyed homes, farmlands, and vital infrastructure across 31 states, with the most severe impact reported in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, and Benue. IOM has allocated $3 million through its Rapid Response Fund (RRF) to provide critical relief, while working with local partners to assess additional needs.

Meanwhile, between July and September, Mali has experienced the most significant rainfall since 1967, affecting nearly all regions and impacting over 180,000 people. IOM has been helping the government to assist those impacted in the hardest-hit regions of Gao, Ségou, and Mopti. The Organization’s support includes emergency tents and shelter materials, as well as technical assistance for the construction of 635 shelters.  As of 19 September, 20,389 flood-affected individuals had been registered by the DTM team.  

Across West and Central Africa, the floods have exacerbated health concerns. Stagnant water and poor sanitation has increased the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera while damaged infrastructure such as roads have limited access to affected areas further complicating humanitarian response efforts.  

Despite the ongoing effort, the scale of the disaster has revealed critical gaps in the resources available to respond to the emergency. With the rainy season expected to continue until November, IOM urgently calls on the international community for increased support to meet the growing needs.  

IOM’s ongoing efforts on the ground are made possible thanks to the generous support of the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB).

 

For more information, please contact:  

Dakar : Joëlle Furrer, jfurrer@iom.int   

Geneva: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int  

MIL OSI United Nations News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment for an Administrative Officer
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Administrative Officer vacancy, working within the VMD.
We have a vacancy for an Administrative Officer within the VMD.

Job Title

Administrative Officer

Grade

AO

Salary & Pension

£27,245 per annum with Pension Scheme

Annual Leave entitlement

Commencing at 25 days

Role

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the regulator and policy lead responsible for issues concerning the authorisation, use, and manufacture of veterinary medicines in the UK. Our aim is to protect public health, animal health, and the environment, and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary medicines.

We are looking to fill at least two AO roles to support these aims. However, we will maintain a reserve list of successful candidates, which we may call upon if other AO roles become available in the VMD.

How to apply

You must make your application via Administrative Officer – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK where you will find a full job description.

Closing Date

21 October 2024

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Updates to this page

Published 25 September 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to US President Biden and Australian Prime Minister Albanese conveying high regard for peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

MOFA response to US President Biden and Australian Prime Minister Albanese conveying high regard for peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

September 21, 2024

US President Joe Biden met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on September 20 in the US state of Delaware. Following the meeting, the White House published a readout stating that the two leaders had discussed their support for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; their concerns about the coercive and destabilizing activities of the People’s Republic of China, including in the South China Sea; and the commitment of the United States and Australia to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable.

Following the public expression of strong, all-round support for Taiwan in the joint statement on the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations in August, the readout of the meeting between the two leaders once again demonstrates both countries’ high regard for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely appreciates and welcomes this.

The United States, Australia, and other like-minded nations continue to frequently issue statements to express a joint position regarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, fully demonstrating that the safeguarding of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait has become an international consensus. As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded nations to defend the common values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law; preserve the rules-based international order; and uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Canada: Closure of Canadian Coast Guard Seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat Stations in Quebec
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat stations in Quebec will close on the following dates: • Longueuil, Trois-Rivières, Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, and Beaconsfield: Sunday, September 29 at 8:00 P.M. • Sorel: Wednesday, November 13 at 12:00 P.M. • The Bainsville station closed on September 3
September 25, 2024

Quebec City, Quebec – The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat stations in Quebec will close on the following dates:
- Longueuil, Trois-Rivières, Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, and Beaconsfield: Sunday, September 29 at 8:00 P.M.
- Sorel: Wednesday, November 13 at 12:00 P.M.
- The Bainsville station closed on September 3
All Inshore Rescue Boat stations opened on May 29 – the start of peak boating and sailing season in Quebec.

The Inshore Rescue Boat program trains and employs post-secondary students to provide additional maritime search and rescue services during the busy summer season. The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal search and rescue stations located in Cap-aux-Meules, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Kegaska, Quebec City, Rivière-au-Renard and Tadoussac will remain in service until November and December.

Emergencies can be reported to the Canadian Coast Guard 24/7:
- Phone: 1-800-463-4393 or 418-648-3599
- VHF radio channel 16 (156.8 Mhz)
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC/VHF) channel 70
- Radio frequency MF 2182 Khz
The Canadian Coast Guard recommends that you wear your life jacket at all times on the water. For more tips, including navigation laws and “rules of the road” on waterways, consult Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide.

Before heading out on the water, we also recommend that you:
- Ensure your boat is in good condition;
- Share your trip plan with family or friends; and,
- Have enough fuel, and some in reserve.
For additional information on the Canadian Coast Guard’s search and rescue services, please visit: https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/search-rescue-recherche-sauvetage/index-eng.html
Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec Region
media.qc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
418-648-5474

MIL OSI Canada News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to US secretary of state and Japanese and ROK foreign ministers reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

MOFA response to US secretary of state and Japanese and ROK foreign ministers reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

September 24, 2024

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa, and Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23. According to a US Department of State press readout, the three sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. They called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and affirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the maritime domains of the Indo-Pacific.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks the United States, Japan, and the ROK for continuing to reaffirm the importance of cross-strait peace and stability at high-level bilateral and multilateral events, demonstrating their high regard and staunch support for stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan will continue to work with the United States, Japan, the ROK, and other like-minded countries to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to US, Japan, and other QUAD members reaffirming importance of regional peace and stability

Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

MOFA response to US, Japan, and other QUAD members reaffirming importance of regional peace and stability

September 22, 2024

US President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the US state of Delaware on September 21. In a readout released by the White House following the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their resolve to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and underscored their opposition to any attempts to change the status quo by force. They also addressed shared concerns over coercive and destabilizing activities of the People’s Republic of China, including in the South China Sea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely welcomes and appreciates this reiteration by US and Japanese leaders of the importance of cross-strait peace and stability, which came one day after a US-Australia leaders’ meeting.

Separately, the leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India met in Delaware on September 21 for the fourth Quad Leaders Summit. A joint statement released following the meeting stressed the parties’ support for maintaining regional peace and stability as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity. It also underscored their strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion. The statement further condemned dangerous actions by coast guard or maritime militia forces, again showing the international community’s great concern for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

MOFA thanks the United States, Japan, and other like-minded nations for again highlighting the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. As a responsible stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded partners to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the region.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Administration Releases New Reports Highlighting the Urgent Need to Continue Improving Health Care Affordability
Source: US State of New Jersey

Findings show that while New Jersey benefits from high-quality care, health care costs have risen rapidly over nearly a decade

TRENTON – The Murphy Administration today released a trio of reports assessing the quality and affordability of health care in New Jersey. These reports serve as a critical first step to understanding and addressing the health care affordability challenge impacting individuals and families both in the state and across the nation. Together, the reports show that a lack of affordable health care continues to burden New Jerseyans, and they will be instrumental in supporting the development of innovative and collaborative approaches to address high costs.

The reports come on the heels of recently enacted legislation that protects consumers from harmful medical debt and builds upon a significant foundation of health care affordability and accessibility initiatives championed by Governor Murphy. This includes record enrollment into quality, affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, enhanced Medicaid benefits, a landmark legislative package aimed at prescription drug affordability and transparency, and increased prescription drug assistance for low-income seniors, which have brought financial relief to New Jersey residents as well as provided a strong foundation for long-term solutions that expand access to affordable health care.

“We’ve taken critical steps toward addressing the rising cost of health care in New Jersey, but these reports underscore the urgency to continue our progress in making high-quality health care more affordable for all,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “It’s time to ramp up our work to transform our health care system so that it delivers the best care possible at a price that every New Jerseyan can afford.”

Commissioned by the New Jersey Health Care Affordability, Responsibility and Transparency (HART) Program, a joint initiative of the Governor’s Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency (OHCAT) and the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), the reports represent an important milestone in advancing the State’s long-term strategy to mitigate the unsustainable rate of health care cost growth. Most significantly, they bring greater transparency to health care spending, providing everyone in the state with a shared understanding of how rapidly health care costs are growing and the factors contributing to high costs and cost growth.

“We’re all feeling the financial strain of inflation and the rising costs of daily life. These reports serve as a critical landmark in our efforts to make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible for everyone in our state, and set the stage for more work to come,” said OHCAT Director Shabnam Salih. “Using this information, advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the health care industry can make evidence-based decisions about how to bring better value and cost savings to New Jersey residents and businesses.”

The three reports released today include:
- First Annual Cost Growth Benchmark Report: 2018-2019, which is based on comprehensive aggregate spending data submitted by health insurance carriers operating in NJ. The report finds that statewide health care spending grew 4.5 percent between 2018 and 2019, increasing from $10,061 to $10,509 per person. Health care spending growth varied by market, with the highest growth in the commercial insurance market (8.7%), followed by Medicaid (4.4%) and Medicare (0.2%). This is the first of the HART Program’s annual Cost Growth Benchmark Reports, which offer insights into the year-over-year change in total health care spending in New Jersey in the last full year before the COVID-19 public health emergency. Following the first program year, future reports will compare annual health care spending to New Jersey’s health care cost growth benchmark, a target to slow spending growth.
- Health Care Spending Trends for New Jersey Residents with Commercial Insurance, 2016–2021, which is based on detailed claims data for approximately 25% of New Jerseyans with employer-sponsored insurance, obtained through the Health Care Cost Institute. The findings show that rising health care prices — and not increased use of services — are driving spending growth in the commercial sector. According to the report, spending per person in New Jersey is growing faster than the national average rate, a gap that has widened from 12 percent in 2016 to 15 percent in 2021.
- The Health Care Landscape in New Jersey: Select Indicators of Quality, Access, and Affordability, which summarizes New Jersey’s performance on a select set of measures of quality, access, and affordability that are obtained through secondary sources. The report finds that health care affordability has generally worsened because of increased spending for out-of-pocket medical costs and health care premiums, while quality and access have remained consistent or improved, compared with previous years. One exception is primary care, where use has fallen. The report highlights the health inequalities among New Jerseyans, with the medical cost burden highest among people with low incomes. White residents fared the worst on the affordability measure of medical cost burden. Residents of Hispanic and Latino heritage fared the worst in terms of access, and Black residents experienced the worst health outcomes. Counties that performed better than the state average on measures of quality were more likely to be in North or Central Jersey, while counties that performed worse on those measures were more likely to be in South Jersey.
Additionally, pursuant to Executive Order No. 217, the Department of Banking and Insurance has prepared a report regarding health insurance affordability standards that has been posted on the Department’s website.

“The reports released today allow for greater transparency around costs and improved understanding of New Jersey’s health care landscape, which will drive strategies to limit cost growth over time,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman. “New Jersey is committed to increasing access to quality, affordable health care. While strides have been made through the establishment of Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, state subsidies to make plans more affordable, caps on certain prescription drugs, and the implementation of out-of-network reforms, it is clear we have more work ahead to connect residents with care they can afford.”

By facilitating the reporting of health care costs in the state and using data to understand the causes of rising health care costs, these reports can inform whole-of-government strategies to reduce health care cost growth while sustaining or improving quality of care, reflecting the Governor’s commitment to put in place long-term solutions that will benefit generations to come.

Across New Jersey, hospitals and health care providers, carriers, employers, consumer groups, union groups, and policy organizations have signaled their commitment to working collaboratively to make health care more affordable, signing onto a compact to meet the State’s established benchmark for health care spending growth. This benchmark acts as a statewide goal for how much health care spending should grow each year to be affordable, bringing it in line with projected increases in wages and the state economy.

MIL OSI USA News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to US President Biden reaffirming staunch US support for cross-strait peace and stability in UNGA address

Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

MOFA response to US President Biden reaffirming staunch US support for cross-strait peace and stability in UNGA address

September 25, 2024

In his remarks before the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, US President Joe Biden underlined the United States’ determination to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, push back against unfair economic competition, and oppose military coercion in the South China Sea. He added that the United States would continue to strengthen its network of alliances and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific to build a free, open, secure, and peaceful region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and appreciates President Biden’s consistent public support for cross-strait peace and stability during his term in office. Within the past week, in addition to his address at the UNGA, President Biden has reiterated his high regard for and firm commitment to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific during meetings with the leaders of Australia and Japan. Taiwan will continue to work with the United States and other like-minded countries to safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Takes Action to Support Federal Regulations on Gun Trafficking

Source: US State of New York

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell today co-led a multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) rule that helps prevent illegal gun trafficking by requiring private gun sellers to obtain a license and perform background checks on potential buyers. Attorney General James and the coalition filed an amicus brief in Texas v. ATF arguing that the ATF’s rule is necessary to protect public safety and prevent domestic abusers and other dangerous individuals from illegally obtaining guns.

“Gun violence causes so much pain and suffering throughout the country, and we know that gun safety laws are an important tool to help tackle this crisis,” said Attorney General James. “For too long, gun traffickers and criminals got away with buying weapons from private sellers to avoid restrictions that would prevent them from buying a gun. The commonsense rule advanced by ATF will address this problem and help prevent illegal gun trafficking to keep our communities safer by placing more regulations on private sellers. I am proud to co-lead this effort with my fellow attorneys general and we will continue fighting to stop gun violence.”

After the mass shooting at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, NY and the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Congress enacted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which closed certain loopholes that allowed gun traffickers and criminals to obtain guns without undergoing background checks. In particular, the law expanded the definition of gun sellers to include additional private sellers, making them subject to federal licensing and background check requirements.

The coalition argues that unlicensed gun sales by private sellers make it easier for people who cannot legally purchase firearms to obtain them, endangering communities and fueling gun violence. From a mass shooting at a bar in St. Paul, Minnesota that left one dead and 14 people injured, to the murder of a Chicago Police officer, to a mass shooting at a block party in Brooklyn that left eight people injured, trafficked guns have been used to carry out catastrophic violence in American communities. The ATF’s rule is intended to make it more difficult for dangerous individuals to illegally obtain guns. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the ATF’s rule will curb gun trafficking and protect public safety.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Attorney General James has been a leader in the fight to protect New Yorkers and communities throughout the nation from gun violence. In September 2024, Attorney General James sent a letter urging Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking in Caribbean countries. In August 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of commonsense state and federal laws that regulate the sale of guns to keep communities safe. In April 2024, Attorney General James took down gun traffickers for selling ghost guns and other firearms in Central New York. In March 2024, Attorney General James secured a $7.8 million judgment against gun retailer Indie Guns for illegally selling ghost gun components in New York. In February 2024, Attorney General James announced the takedowns of a gun trafficking network that sold ghost guns and assault-style rifles and a narcotics trafficking network in Dutchess County. In December 2023, Attorney General James led a multistate coalition in support of the ATF’s rule at issue in this lawsuit.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024