NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President calls for action to tackle unemployment, inequality

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for urgent and sustained efforts to address unemployment and inequality, describing them as fundamental human rights issues.

    Speaking at the national Human Rights Day commemoration in Kariega, the Deputy President acknowledged South Africa’s economic progress but said the country’s 31.9% unemployment rate remained an indicator of persistent socio-economic challenges.

    “The pursuit of a just and equitable society is a complex endeavour. While South Africa has experienced notable economic growth through expanding economic participation, the harsh reality of a 31.9% unemployment rate starkly reveals our ongoing struggle against poverty and inequality,” he said. 

    The Deputy President stressed this was not just an economic issue but a matter of fairness and human rights, requiring collective action from all sectors of society. 

    “This is not merely an economic issue, it represents a fundamental matter of human rights and fairness, demanding concerted and sustained effort from all of us. The lack of economic and employment opportunities has a direct correlation to poverty, and it exacerbates inequality,” the Deputy President said.

    He highlighted the government’s efforts to create economic opportunities through policy and legislative measures, citing key employment programmes that have benefitted millions of young people.

    “Government is working to create more opportunities for all citizens through various policy and legislative frameworks. Programmes such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) are providing work experience to over 1.5 million young people, 70% of whom are women,” he said. 

    Other initiatives like the National Skills Fund Disabilities Programme and the Social Employment Fund also address youth unemployment. 

    The Deputy President emphasised that government remains committed to strengthening the safety net for the most vulnerable in society and will leave no one behind. 

    Against the backdrop of Human Rights Day, he underscored the significance of youth engagement in shaping South Africa’s democracy. 

    Across the country, he said, young people continue to step forward to shape the future of the nation’s democracy, ensuring that the rights enshrined in the Constitution are not just theoretical but truly lived.

    He lauded young leaders participating in the Mandela-Sobukwe Leadership Camp at Nelson Mandela University, an initiative supported by the Departments of Higher Education and Training and Health.

    “This leadership programme is about more than just discussions it is about preparing young leaders to champion civic engagement, ethical leadership, and economic justice in their institutions and communities,” he said.

    Reflecting on the theme “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights,” the Deputy President emphasised the need to equip young people with the necessary tools and platforms to effect meaningful change. 

    “We must ensure that we continue to empower young people with the correct tools, platforms, and opportunities to become the leaders of tomorrow – leaders who, like Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe, do not just accept the status quo but actively work to transform it for the better,” he said. 

    Deputy President Mashatile commended young people nationwide for their efforts in advocating for justice and progress. 

    “I commend the young people in this programme, whom I am told are here in the stadium and all those across the country who continue to fight for dignity, justice, and progress. South Africa’s future is in your hands, and today, we celebrate your voices, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to human rights,” he said. 

    Building a just society

    The Deputy President said building a just society involves ensuring continued access to critical services such as electricity, water, housing and sanitation to improve the quality of life for citizens.

    He noted that government has made substantial progress towards achieving these rights. Between 2011 and 2022, access to water rose to 88.5%, while access to improved sanitation reached 80.7%.

    “We are also working to increase access to affordable housing through initiatives such as First Home Finance, which is about the provision of serviced sites for qualifying beneficiaries, small-scale affordable rentals, and other strategic interventions that go beyond legislative measures to address the 2.4 million housing backlog,” he said. 

    Land expropriation

    The Deputy President underscored the nation’s land reform agenda as a crucial step in addressing historical injustices, as it acknowledged that land dispossession remains one of the most lasting and difficult legacy of the apartheid era.

    He said the Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January this year, signifies a shift towards a more inclusive approach to land ownership, incorporating the principle of ‘public interest’ in land acquisition, and demonstrating a commitment to social justice and redress.

    “We would like to reiterate that South Africa, as a sovereign state, would not disregard its policies and activities aimed at rectifying historical injustices due to external pressure. We are confident that we have chosen the correct path to establishing an equitable society, and we will not deviate from it,” the Deputy President said. 

    This year’s Human Rights Day commemorative events were held at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium, in Kariega under the theme “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights”.

    The theme calls for renewed commitment from all levels of society to accelerate practical solutions for inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and addressing the high cost of living while building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

    South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day annually on 21 March in remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where 69 anti-apartheid protesters were killed by apartheid police. The day also honours the 35 people killed on 21 March 1985 in Uitenhage and KwaLanga when apartheid police targeted community members after a funeral. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foot and Mouth disease detected in Slovakia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Foot and Mouth disease detected in Slovakia

    The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following the recent outbreaks in Europe

    The Slovak Government has reported three cases of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) close to the Slovakian – Hungarian border. The cases were identified in three separate premises housing cattle.

    The UK Government had already taken action to prevent the commercial import from Slovakia of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other non- domestic ruminants and porcines such as deer and their untreated products, such as fresh meat and dairy. This will protect farmers and their livestock. 

    Since 8 March, travellers to GB have not been able to bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products and animal by products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw, from Hungary and Slovakia after a case on the Hungarian border with Slovakia. 

    The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following the recent outbreaks in Hungary, Germany and now Slovakia. There are no cases in the UK currently.   

    FMD poses no risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas, and alpacas. Livestock keepers should therefore be absolutely rigorous about their biosecurity.   

    FMD causes significant economic losses due to production losses in the affected animals as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat, and milk for affected countries.  

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

    Foot and Mouth disease has now been confirmed in Slovakia, we remain in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation. 

    We have seen a disturbing number of foot and mouth cases on the continent, and we need to stay on high alert to the risk of disease incursion – as a government, at the border and on our farms.

    Protecting animal health and minimising the risk of disease incursion remains our top priority. Livestock keepers are reminded to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

    Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

    With disease now confirmed in Slovakia , it is clear the Government’s precautionary approach to ban Slovakian imports was the right one.  

    The confirmation of a Foot and Mouth disease in a third European country is a serious concern, the government will take whatever action is necessary to prevent the further spread of disease.   

    Ensuring the safety of our livestock sector and protecting our farmers will always be a top priority.

    This comes as the government announced a £200 million investment in the UK’s main research and laboratory testing facilities at Weybridge to bolster protection against animal disease.   

    What you can do   

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

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

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

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

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

    Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:   

    • 03000 200 301 in England    
    • 0300 303 8268 in Wales    
    • your local  Field Services Office in Scotland

    For more information, visit: Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Hajdu on Jordan’s Principle funding

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Ottawa, Ontario (March 22, 2025) — The Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, issued the following statement today:

    “Jordan’s Principle was created to make sure that First Nations children have equal access to the essential government-funded products, services, and supports they need, regardless of where they live in Canada.

    Today, our Government announced the continued funding for 2025-2026 of Jordan’s Principle. The funding will support requests for products, services, and supports for families, communities, and organizations made through Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children in the year to come.

    In addition, I have asked Indigenous Services Canada to review First Nations recipients’ contribution agreements to make sure eligible and documented expenses that have been incurred under Jordan’s Principle in 2024-2025 will be considered for funding. This review is intended to support partners who are providing critical services to First Nations children through the transition to the new operating procedures related to processing requests under Jordan’s Principle.

    Since 2016, our Government has announced nearly $8.8 billion to Jordan’s Principle, working collaboratively to develop processes and operations to meet the growing volume of requests. More than 8.9 million products, services, and supports have been approved since 2016 under Jordan’s Principle. Parents, guardians and communities should continue to submit requests to Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children.

    It is the collective responsibility of federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together to close any existing gaps in services and supports for First Nations children within their respective jurisdictions. In addition to Jordan’s Principle, the Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations Partners and provincial and territorial counterparts on programs and initiatives aimed at closing these gaps in both the short and long term.

    Our priority is to make sure that First Nations children have equal access to government services like other children in Canada while maintaining the sustainability and integrity of Jordan’s Principle.

    In order to ensure the long-term viability of Jordan’s Principle and confidence in its integrity, it must be properly administered. Families, communities, and organizations should be aware that each new request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. An existing or previously approved request does not guarantee that a new request for funding will be renewed or approved. It is important to receive written approval of a request before committing funds.

    For more information about submitting a request: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1568396296543/1582657596387.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Green Party’s Swarbrick calls for urgent NZ action over Israel’s ‘crazy’ Gaza slaughter

    Asia Pacific Report

    Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick called on New Zealand government MPs today to support her Member’s Bill to sanction Israel over its “crazy slaughter” of Palestinians in Gaza.

    Speaking at a large pro-Palestinian solidarity rally in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, she said Aotearoa New Zealand could no longer “remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza”.

    In the fifth day since Israel broke the two-month-old ceasefire and refused to begin negotiations on phase two of the truce — which was supposed to lead to a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the besieged enclave and an exchange of hostages — health officials reported that the death toll had risen above 630, mostly children and women.

    Five children were killed in a major overnight air attack on Gaza City and at least eight members of the family remained trapped under the rubble as Israeli attacks continued in the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

    Confirmed casualty figures in Gaza since October 7, 2023, now stand at 49,747 with 113,213 wounded, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

    For more than two weeks, Israel has sealed off border crossings and barred food, water and electricity and today it blew up the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only medical institution in Gaza able to provide cancer treatment.

    “The research has said it from libraries, libraries and libraries. And what is it doing in Gaza?” said Swarbrick.

    ‘Ethnic cleansing . . . on livestream’
    “It is ethnic cleansing. It is apartheid. It is genocide. And we have that delivered to us by  livestream to each one of us every single day on our cellphones,” she said.

    “That is crazy. It is crazy to wake up every single day to that.”

    Swarbrick said Aotearoa New Zealand must act now to sanction Israel for its crimes — “just like we did with Russia for its illegal action in Ukraine.”

    She said that with the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and Labour’s committed support, they now needed just six of the 68 government MPs to “pass my Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill into law”.

    “There’s no more time for talk. If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act,” she said.

    “Action for Gaza Now” banner heads a march protesting against Israel’s resumed attacks on the besieged Strip in Auckland today. Image: APR

    In September, Aotearoa had joined 123 UN member states to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel’s “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence”.

    “Our government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process.

    “No party leader or whip can stop a Member of Parliament exercising their democratic right to vote how they know they need to on this Bill,” she said to resounding cheers.

    ‘No hiding behind party lines’
    “There is no more hiding behind party lines. All 123 Members of Parliament are each individually, personally responsible.”

    Several Palestinian women spoke of the terror with the new wave of Israeli bombings and of their families’ personal connections with the suffering in Gaza, saying it was vitally important to “hear our stories”. Some spoke of the New Zealand government’s “cowardice” for not speaking out in opposition like many other countries.

    About 1000 people took part in the protest in a part of Britomart’s Te Komititanga Square in a section now popularly known as “Palestine Corner”.

    Amid a sea of banners and Palestinian flags there were placards declaring “Stop the genocide”, “Jews for tangata whenua from Aotearoa to Palestine”, “Hands off West Bank End the occupation” , “The people united will never be defeated”, “Decolonise your mind, stand with Palestine,” “Genocide — made in USA”, and “Toitū Te Tiriti Free Palestine”.

    “Genocide – Made in USA” poster at today’s Palestinian solidarity rally. Image: APR

    The ceasefire-breaking Israeli attacks on Gaza have shocked the world and led to three UN General Assembly debates this week on the Middle East.

    France, Germany and Britain are among the latest countries to condemn Israel for breaching the ceasefire — describing it as a “dramatic step backwards”, and France has told the UN that it is opposed to any form of annexation by Israel of any Palestinian territory.

    Meanwhile, Sultan Barakat, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, told Al Jazeera in an interview that the more atrocities Israel committed in Gaza, the more young Palestinian men and women would join Hamas.

    “So it’s not going to disappear any time soon,” he said.

    With Israel killing more than 630 people in five days and cutting off all aid to the Strip for weeks, there was no trust on the part of Hamas to restart the ceasefire, Professor Barakat said.

    “Jews for tangata whenua from Aotearoa to Palestine” . . . a decolonisation placard at today’s Palestine solidarity rally in Auckland. Image: APR

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A Plaid Cymru government would “cut taxes to support small Welsh businesses”

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru economy spokesperson Luke Fletcher to announce plans to help local businesses.

    A Plaid Cymru government would cut taxes for small, independent Welsh businesses.

    Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesperson Luke Fletcher is expected to outline his party’s plans during his Spring Conference speech.

    In his speech, Mr Fletcher is expected to highlight the struggles that independent businesses face in Wales, saying that there are “countless examples the length and breadth of Wales where the full potential of our domestic businesses is going unfulfilled”, with “too many independent shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants having to close” which has led to the decline of town centres.

    The Plaid Cymru Economy spokesperson will say that Wales needs to change how it taxes our town centre businesses to realise the potential of town centres and independent businesses.

    He will outline Plaid Cymru’s plans to use the business rate multiplier to “reduce rates for independent businesses in retail or hospitality”.

    According to Mr Fletcher, the policy would be cost-neutral, as a Plaid Cymru-led Government in 2026 would “look at how we charge rates so that those who can afford to pay more, contribute more”.

    In his speech to the Plaid Cymru Spring Conference, Plaid Cymru Economy Spokesperson, Luke Fletcher MS will say,

    “Our high streets provide a lens on the challenges facing Welsh businesses – challenges that Labour in Wales has failed to address or made actively worse over a quarter of a century in power.

    “It’s a story we’re all too familiar with, isn’t it? On high streets across Wales there are empty buildings and shuttered shop fronts where thriving local businesses should be. Pubs, cafés and restaurants, all struggling with a cost-of-doing business crisis – a crisis made worse by sky-high taxes on businesses and Labour’s scrapping of business rates relief.

    “An independent store owner on the high street in Aberystwyth pays nearly ten times more than a major chain on the town’s outskirts, and significantly more than would an equivalent business in England. In Bridgend, a locally owned and managed coffee shop and bakery pays the same level of non-domestic rates as its multinational competitors. Instead of being able to grow and develop as a business, investing locally in the supply chain, training and jobs, it is a business simply looking to survive.

    “There are countless examples the length and breadth of Wales of businesses’ full potential going unfulfilled – too many of what should be successful businesses going to the wall. And the result? Town centres in decline, instead of on the up.

    “I am proud that more and more businesses are looking to Plaid Cymru for the solution. And I am even more proud that we are able to offer one.

    “If we want our town centres to thrive, then we need to change how we tax the businesses on our high streets, to better support the kinds of successful Welsh-owned shops, cafés, bars and restaurants we all go to our town centres for.

    “There’s a solution that is well within our grasp.

    “Through varying the multiplier, we have the power to reduce rates for independent businesses in retail, leisure and hospitality. It really is that simple. And by looking at how we charge rates so that those who can afford to pay contribute more, it would also be cost-neutral.

    Mr Fletcher will also say,

    “In the coming weeks, I will formally be launching ‘Making Wales Work: Plaid Cymru’s new economic plan’. I am proud of the amount of hard work that has gone into this plan, and the new and ambitious vision for the Welsh economy that it represents.

    “That vision and that ambition extends from our seabed to our high streets, and covers everywhere in between.

    “Our plan will see capital built, retained and recycling in our communities, instead of it leaking – and in some cases flooding – out of Wales. It will grow and sustain Welsh-owned businesses, delivering good jobs, reviving our town centres, and boosting living standards.

    “I am clearer now than ever that Wales needs a Government with real vision and with fire in its belly.

    “Wales needs a Plaid Cymru Government – and next year we will have an historic opportunity to deliver one. “

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plans to boost skills and diversity in UK cyber backed by tech giant IBM

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Plans to boost skills and diversity in UK cyber backed by tech giant IBM

    Technology giant IBM have backed plans to diversify the UK’s cyber sector and encourage young people into cyber careers.

    IBM to host 2025 CyberFirst Girls Competition Platform.

    • Global tech giant IBM to provide platform for flagship cyber skills programme for girls – boosting diversity in the booming £13 billion cyber sector as more young people explore careers in cyber
    • girls between 12-13 to be supported in developing new computing and cyber skills
    • partnership comes as best and brightest cyber minds gear up to represent UK Cyber Team in a series of international challenges

    Technology giant IBM have backed plans to diversify the UK’s cyber sector and encourage young people into cyber careers, as the government safeguards online services which deliver economic growth – central to the Plan for Change. 

    In new support being announced today (Saturday 22 March), IBM have agreed to partner with the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), to provide the online platform for the CyberFirst Girls competition – a UK-wide programme open to girls between the ages of 12 and 13. 

    The CyberFirst Girls Competition, currently run by the NCSC, is the UK’s flagship cyber security programme for schools, with more than 85,000 students across the country having taken part since its launch in 2017. It puts students through a series of cyber challenges from cryptography and networking to artificial intelligence, building up their skills and encouraging them to consider future careers in the field. To support the next generation of cyber talent, IBM will provide the platform for the 2025 edition of the competition. 

    Improving the diversity of the UK’s cyber sector is a key priority for the government, with women currently accounting for just 17% of our cyber workforce. Though average salaries in the sector exceed £56,000 – with the top 20% of earners receiving salaries between £73,000 and £350,000 – almost half of UK businesses (44%) also report having cyber security skills gaps, meaning it’s more pressing than ever to ensure the next generation of cyber security leaders are joining the ranks. 

    Minister for Cyber Security Feryal Clark said: 

    If we’re going to keep the UK safe from the threats we face online, then we need to build a diverse workforce which is reflective of every community in the country.

    By partnering with IBM to deliver the next edition of the CyberFirst Girls Competition, we’re driving forward our plans to do exactly that – building up the skills of young girls across the country and nurturing the next generation of UK cyber leaders.

    The girls who will benefit from this support could even go on to represent the UK Cyber Team – the cream of the crop of British cyber talent who will fly the flag for us across the world – and I’ll be proudly cheering the team on today as they head to Dublin for their first international competition.

    Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said:

    Over the past decade, the CyberFirst Girls Competition has offered tens of thousands of young women a fun opportunity to test their cyber skills against real-world cyber problems.

    I’m delighted that a new partnership across government and the private sector will be taking forward the delivery of this vital initiative which is inspiring the next generation of cyber security professionals.

    We need a cyber industry which reflects our diverse society and encourages the most talented individuals to keep our digital lives secure.

    Today’s partnership comes as some of the country’s best and brightest cyber minds prepare to represent the UK Cyber Team in their first international competition – putting their skills to the test against Ireland, Germany, and Denmark. 

    The UK Cyber Team programme is an e-sports style cyber security competition launched in collaboration with SANS, which looks to identify the next generation of cyber talent. Competitors have gone through a rigorous set of challenges to showcase their skills, with 30 18-25 year olds from across the country qualifying to represent the UK Cyber Team. 

    These competitors are drawn from across the country, representing their home communities across London, the South Wast, Wales, Scotland, the North of England, West Midlands, and the South West.  With 37% of the team being female, 57% being male, and 3% identifying as non-binary, the UK Cyber Team is a true representation of communities and backgrounds up and down the country. 

     Mark Hughes, IBM Global Managing Partner for Cyber Security, said:

    IBM is delighted to build upon our partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre by supporting the CyberFirst Girls competition with DSIT. Our commitment to fostering diversity in cybersecurity remains unwavering, as highlighted in our ‘Diversity & Inclusion in Cybersecurity’ initiative.

    This new collaboration is a significant step towards nurturing the next generation of cyber leaders, ensuring a more inclusive and robust industry. We are confident that this partnership will make a substantial impact in encouraging more young girls to pursue rewarding careers in cybersecurity.

    The move to boost cyber skills is part of the government’s wider work to grow the economy and develop the successful UK cyber security sector, which is now worth £13.2 billion, up 12% on the previous year.

    Notes to editors

    1. The 2024 Cyber security skills in the UK labour market report shows strong demand for cyber skills in the UK, with 44% of businesses reporting a skills gap. Salary data is also sourced from this report
       2. The 2025 Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis shows the UK cyber security sector generated revenue of £13.2 billion, up 12% since last year. 2,165 companies employ 67,300 people (full time equivalents), up 11% since last year, an increase of around 6,600 jobs
    3. The total gross value added (GVA) for the sector has reached c. £7.8 billion, an increase of 21% since last year
    4. The 2025/2026 CyberFirst Girls Competition will be run as a partnership between DSIT, NCSC and IBM.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with King Abdullah II of Jordan: 22 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM call with King Abdullah II of Jordan: 22 March 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan this morning.

    The Prime Minister spoke to His Majesty the King of Jordan, Abdullah II this morning.

    The Prime Minister expressed his deep concern about the renewed Israeli military action in Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid.

    He thanked His Majesty for his country’s leadership and work towards a political solution. He welcomed the Arab Plan for Gaza and commended the efforts of Jordan and partners in the region in developing it. The leaders agreed that they must continue to urge both sides to return to the ceasefire.

    The Prime Minister reiterated that the UK is a strong partner to Jordan and they agreed to keep in close touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Life Line Screening Reviews: What You Need To Know?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — You may have come across plenty of Life Line Screening reviews and articles. But not all of them come with the required information that you need. As such, we share with you this thoroughly researched Life Line Screening review. Here, we share with you real insights from customers, why you should use Life Line Screening and Life Line Screening scam alerts, if any. Visit The Website Of Life Line Screening To Learn More >>

    Life Line Screening is a very popular preventive health screening service. But, some people are skeptical regarding it. What is included in the service, and what are the pros and cons? In this article, we will cover everything that you need to know about Life Line Screening, plus real reviews.

    As we reveal several important points, we will also reveal Life Line Screening customer reviews and frequently asked questions.

    What is Life Line Screening?

    Life Line Screening is a preventive health screening company. The company began in 1993 and has screened over 10 million people in the United States. Each year about 700,000 people attend Life Line Screening events to get peace of mind or early detection for their risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

    Life Line Screening events take place all around the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Over the years, the company added several screenings for additional health concerns, such as diabetes and cholesterol.

    Life Line Screening allows people to choose from more than 14,000 screening locations at an affordable price. Some of the benefits that Life Line Screening offers are convenient locations, accurate screenings and affordable prices. Screenings are easy, painless and non-invasive. There is a wide selection of screenings to pick from and all the screenings use state-of-the-art technology.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    What is included in Life Line Screening?

    In this section, we will list the most common package at Life Line Screening, what to expect at your appointment, and the Life Line Screening preparation instructions.

    These painless and non-invasive screenings can identify risks that lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, including carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation.

    One of the common questions people ask is how Life Line Screening differs from getting these tests through your doctor. Often, if you are asymptomatic, your insurance company won’t cover preventive health screenings. As a result, your doctor or hospital may charge over $1,000 for one screening. Life Line Screening offers a package of 4 preventive health screenings for an affordable price and is intended for asymptomatic people in order to provide early detection or peace of mind.

    The best part is that Life Line Screening has locations all across the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Getting started is very easy as there are over 14,000 Life Line Screening locations to choose from. You can find screening locations near you by entering your zip code on their website. All the available appointments near you over the next 12 weeks will be listed and you can select the best option for your schedule.

    Once you select your location, date and time, the next page is where you enter your personal information and credit card to reserve your appointment. Upon confirming your appointment, you will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for the screening.

    Does Life Line Screening Work?

    Each year about 700,000 people across the continental United States use Life Line Screening to gain peace of mind or early detection. So, if you are wondering if Life Line Screening is worth your time, the answer is Yes. It is considered one of the highest quality preventive screening companies for people age 40 and older, and is affordable, convenient and provides accurate results.

    When writing this piece, we have done a thorough analysis of Life Line Screening to see if there are any scam alerts and we also researched several Life Line Screening reviews. It must be noted that many skeptical consumers came to the realization that Life Line Screening really works and identified their risk for illnesses.

    Why Use Life Line Screening?

    Life Line Screening is one of the most comprehensive preventive screening services available to people in the United States. More than 10 million people have participated in a Life Line Screening since 1993.

    Here are the reasons why you should consider and use Life Line Screening.

    • The screening service offered by Life Line Screening is affordable.
    • Highly trained technicians perform the screenings.
    • Screenings are painless and noninvasive.
    • Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection; both are a good thing.
    • Screenings are conveniently located in your neighborhood.
    • Life Line Screening is an established company conducting millions of screenings in over 25 years of business.

    Life Line Screening Benefits

    Life Line Screening offers benefits for both mind and body. It can detect serious illness and disease before symptoms arise. Here are some other benefits that come with Life Line Screening.

    • Preventive Health Care:

    Life Line Screening helps identify serious health risks such as stroke and cardiovascular disease. Many serious illnesses don’t have apparent symptoms in the early stages.

    • Enjoy Peace of Mind:

    Screenings provide early detection or peace of mind. Regular screenings are important as your health changes over time.

    • Reduce Potential Costs:

    Finding out if you have a health problem or risk that may lead to serious complications enables you to work with a physician to take action. Being proactive can reduce potential medical costs down the road. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection, both are priceless.

    • Flexible Screening Locations and Dates:

    One of the best things is the convenient screening locations and dates which you can pick from. Life Line Screening has over 14,000 locations across the continental United States, they make it easy for everyone to attend a screening. They also offer affordable screening packages.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    Life Line Screening Pros And Cons

    Just like any screening program, Life Line Screening has both positive and negative points. In this section, we will share the Life Line Screening pros and cons that you must consider before making your appointment.

    Pros:

    • Preventive health screenings provide peace of mind or early detection.
    • Screenings provide early detection of stroke and cardiovascular disease risk.
    • Screening packages are affordable.
    • Highly trained technicians perform the screenings.
    • Life Line Screening has over 14,000 locations across the continental United States.
    • A screening can be performed at a suitable time and location that is convenient for you.

    Cons:

    • Life Line Screening is only available in the USA, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
    • Life Line Screening is not covered by insurance.

    Are Preventive Health Screenings Right For You?

    Life Line Screening is a preventive health screening company. Preventive health screenings can be extremely beneficial when you bring your results to your physician and take action, if necessary.

    The most common package at Life Line Screening includes 4 screenings:

    • Carotid Artery Screening
    • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
    • Atrial Fibrillation Screening
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening

    This screening package is recommended for anyone age 40 or older.

    Is Life Line Screening a Scam?

    When compiling this thorough review, we have gone through plenty of reviews and Life Line Screening scam alerts. Life Line Screening is a legit company that has been screening millions of people since its inception. The company has been in business over 20 years and has a strong positive reputation in the preventive health industry.

    Life Line Screening Real Customer Reviews

    • “I am 60 years old and had a screening in May 2019 and found my right carotid artery was 70% blocked. I had no symptoms. Took the results to my doctor then to a vascular surgeon who ran his own tests. I had surgery 5 weeks ago and it was a success. You can’t put a price on health. Thank you Life Line Screening.” –Kim, Illinois.
    • “Even though I feel fine, I am at risk and wanted to get checked and be proactive about my health.” -D. Whitehead, Georgia.
    • “Life Line Screening is the only reason I’m alive today. They found the abdominal aortic aneurysm which was monitored until it got to the size that required surgery and now it is stronger than before. I recommend everyone over 50 to get checked and this is the least expensive way to get a clean bill of health that will ease your mind and maybe save your life.” –Cliff, Missouri.
    • “The doctor said I was a “walking time bomb”… I know that the screening saved my life…” -A. Bay, Tennessee.

    The testimonials reflect real life stories from Life Line Screening customers. Testimonials that include abnormal findings may not reflect the typical experience since most screening results are normal.

    Life Line Screening Reviews—Final Words

    What sets Life Line Screening apart is the ability to provide accurate preventive health screenings for people age 40 and older in the United States at an affordable price. Every year, the company has been providing high-quality preventive screenings at very affordable rates. That’s part of the reason why you will find many positive Life Line Screening reviews. Also, Life Line Screening makes it very easy to schedule your appointment.

    =>(Special Package Pricing) Get an Appointment on the Site of Life Line Screening

    The FAQs About Life Line Screening

    • Is Life Line Screening a Scam?

    Life Line Screening is not a scam. It is a respected company in the preventive health screening industry. The company has been providing its services since 1993 and continues to screen about 700,000 people each year. The company is legit and conducts over 14,000 screening events across the United States each year. Many satisfied participants share good words and positive reviews about Life Line Screening. As such, if you are skeptical about the company, there is nothing to worry about.

    • How accurate is Life Line Screening?

    Highly trained technicians perform the screenings using state-of-the-art equipment. Most screening results are reviewed by a board-certified physician before they are shared with participants.

    • Is Life Line Screening a good thing to do?

    Screenings are recommended for anyone age 40 and older, and Life Line Screening is a reputable company to use. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection. Millions of Americans have used Life Line Screening.

    • Is Life Line Screening worth the cost?

    Finding out if you have a health problem or risk that may lead to serious complications enables you to work with a physician to take action. Being proactive can reduce potential medical costs down the road. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection, both are priceless.

    • Is Life Line Screening a legitimate business?

    Life Line Screening is undoubtedly a legitimate business.

    • How do I find a Life Line Screening location near me?

    The company provides over 14,000 screening events across the United States each year. Click Here to Get Special Pricing on a Life Line Screening Package!

    • What do you wear to Life Line Screening?

    After receiving a Life Line Screening appointment confirmation, the company sends all the required information on how to prepare for the screening.

    Read More: Life Line Screening Reviews

    About: RobustAlive

    RobustAlive shares e-commerce and sales news, product reviews, and the latest news on various products.

    Media Contact: admin@robustalive.com

    RobustAlive provides this review for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase done from this story is done at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase done from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website that is selling the product. The content on this release does not take any responsibility directly or indirectly.

    Affiliate Disclosure:
    The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission to RobustAlive if you opt to purchase the product recommended at no additional cost to you. This goes towards supporting our research and editorial team and please know we only recommend high-quality products.

    Disclaimer:
    Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

    Product support: info@llsa.com

    Life Line Screening
    Barton Oaks Plaza 2, Suite 130
    901 South Mopac Expressway
    Austin, TX 78746

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ac11881-bee6-4d1f-ad1d-f7e464bd869f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c30970c6-aded-4bac-9d10-1d64aca9ceac

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is marked annually on 24 March, the anniversary of the discovery of the causative mycobacterium by Dr Robert Koch. This year’s theme – “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver” – serves as an important reminder of the need for continued investment and funding in order to end the TB epidemic.* This follows the recent funding cuts to TB programs, particularly from the US, that raise serious concerns about the future of TB control and treatment efforts, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    TB is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease, claiming approximately 1.25 million lives in 2023 alone according to the World Health Organization. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has historically been the largest bilateral donor to TB programs, contributing approximately $250 million annually. This funding has been instrumental in supporting the essential TB services, particularly in high-burden countries. However, sharp reductions in aid have disrupted TB programs worldwide, with Africa and South-East Asia among the hardest-hit regions.

    Abigail Harris, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Funding cuts of this magnitude will directly impact access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, leaving millions vulnerable to disease progression and death. Without urgent intervention, we risk undoing decades of progress in TB elimination.”

    A major concern arising from these funding cuts is the potential for increased drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) cases. Inconsistent treatment due to financial constraints can lead to incomplete therapy, allowing the TB bacterium to develop resistance to standard drugs. DR-TB is significantly more challenging and expensive to treat.

    Harris continues: “If we allow funding gaps to persist, we risk facing an even deadlier TB crisis, where highly resistant strains, which require more prolonged and costly treatment, become more prevalent. The global health community must act swiftly to ensure continued access to treatment and accelerate research into new, effective therapies.”

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged immediate action to close the TB funding gap and meet global TB targets, including expanding diagnostic access, improving treatment regimens, and advancing vaccine development.

    GlobalData’s pipeline products database reveals a promising TB pipeline with 15 prophylactic vaccines in clinical development. However, continued R&D investment is essential for the most promising candidates to reach the market.

    Harris concludes: “Governments, international donors, and private-sector partners must recognize TB as the global health emergency that it is. Without sustained investment, the disease will claim more lives and pose an increasing threat to global health security.”

    *The United Nations High-level Meeting (UNHLM) on the Fight Against Tuberculosis was held in September 2023, where member states adopted a historic political declaration on TB. This contained the most ambitious targets to date in the fight against this disease and would put the world on track to ending TB by 2030 if countries follow through on their commitments.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s special envoy attends inauguration of Namibian president

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    WINDHOEK, March 22 — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Peng Qinghua on Friday attended the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

    Peng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, also met with President Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss bilateral relations.

    During their meeting, Peng conveyed Xi’s warm congratulations on and best wishes for Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration and the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence, which coincided with the inauguration.

    Peng highlighted the profound traditional friendship between China and Namibia, noting that this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    Peng said China is willing to take this opportunity to continue close high-level exchanges with Namibia, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and bolster international coordination, so as to carry forward the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the benefit of the two peoples.

    Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked Xi for sending a special envoy to attend her inauguration and asked Peng to convey her cordial greetings to the Chinese president. She spoke highly of Namibia-China relations, thanked China for its long-standing support and assistance to Namibia, and expressed the hope for the deepening of the friendly cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

    Dignitaries and representatives from nearly 30 countries and international and regional organizations attended the inauguration.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference – Buangor, Victoria

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    CATHERINE KING – MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: […] Well, we’re here in Buangor today, but we’re announcing the Victorian recipients of the Level Crossing Upgrade program. There are 32 projects right the way across the state, the state of Victoria, all of them in regional Victoria, because we know across Australia, there’s over 23,000 level crossings, and it’s where this interacts with trains and cars and trucks together, we know they are the areas where people are at their most vulnerable. Train drivers and passengers are at their most vulnerable, and we want to make those safer. So today, the 32 regional level crossings across Victoria, $54 million a shared commitment between the Allan and Albanese Labor governments. The projects are funded under this program are the sort of lower cost but high priority areas. They’ve been chosen because there is a higher likelihood of an accident occurring, we know we’re seeing more frequency of train services. Thank you very much to the Victorian Government for that.

    Across Ararat and Pyrenees council areas, there are eight sites receiving over $14 million in funding. And as I said, there’s, such as some of them are passive already, and they’ll be receiving boom gates and also signalling approaches as well. And this is a really important program that we’ve been rolling out across the country, and it’s great to be able to do that here today.

    I’m also in Victoria, announcing the recipients of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. This is a program where we’ve increased money to local councils to ensure that they are able to build some of the more costly roads, but really to upgrade those. And there are roads across, again, regional Victoria, from Swan Hill to Leongatha and two projects in Yarriambiack, which is a terrific community, and also one in the greater Shepparton area, as well as two projects that you’ll see in the Budget on budget night across the Princes Highway, both in Lakes Entrance and Beaconsfield. Again, that Safer Local Roads is all part of the Labor Government’s commitment to actually increasing funding for regional roads.

    What we’ve done since we’ve came to office is we’ve increased, doubled Roads to Recovery funding for every single Council, not just select councils using colour coded spreadsheets, every council is receiving double the amount of money. We’ve reversed the cuts to road maintenance funding. It was pretty shocking to me when we came to office that the Liberal Party had cut road maintenance funding for our national highways, and that was a significant cut. We have not only re-indexed the road maintenance funding, but we’ve backdated it to make sure we actually filled the hole that that cut had left. So you’re seeing that work, then you’ve seen the Safer Local Roads program, the Level Crossing Upgrade program, and as well, as I said, The Black Spot Road program. So there’s been significantly more money put into those things. All of that really directed to improving our regional country roads. I’ll hand over to Martha and see if we’ve got any questions.

    MARTHA HAYLETT – VICTORIAN MEMBER FOR RIPON: Perfect. Thank you so much, Minister King, and thank you for being here in Buangor today. To have $14 million just across the Ararat and Pyrenees Shires is huge for our region. So, we know that we’re adding more weekend services on the Ararat line. We’re increasing that frequency of trains, and we need to make sure that the safety of the level crossings and the pedestrian crossings are much safer. So, the fact that we’re going to have boom gates and much higher safety is a win, not just for the people on the trains, but also people driving on our rural and regional roads. So, this is what we also can achieve when we have a genuine partner in Canberra. And it’s fantastic to be working with the Albanese Labor Government on this project. So, this has had some state government funding as well, and we’ve been able to do this together. So, it’s a big, big win for our region, and we’ll just make our roads and our rail even safer.

    JOURNALIST: Catherine, this isn’t the first announcement along here. There’s three projects underway in Beaufort at the moment, so you’re spending a fair bit of money on this particular line.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, again, really important. We know, particularly, you know, we want to get upgrades and improvements to rail and the passenger experience, but particularly, we also want to make sure it’s safer for regional communities. We know that level crossings are the one place where you do have that interaction between, if you’re a truck driver – their workplace, if you’re a train driver – the train driver’s workplace, and we know we see too many regional Australians injured, or lose their lives in level rail crossing accidents. As I said, there’s 23,000 of them across the country. We can’t remove all of them. We just simply can’t. It would be too costly to do that, but what we can do is make all of them safer, and that means better signalling, better opportunities for people to know when a train is coming. And on this particular area, when we’ve seen increase in trains frequency, increase in passenger numbers using rail, we’ve really got to do something, and they’ve been chosen to make sure you know these are the areas where the most accidents likely to happen.

    JOURNALIST: Are all of these dedicated crossings getting boom gates?

    CATHERINE KING: It’ll be a mix. So some, some will have just signalling in the way that you’ve seen in this passive crossing here. Some will have the boom gates put in. But each of them are substantial commitments. Most of them are in the over the $1 million mark. So, there’s quite a substantial amount you can do for that.

    JOURNALIST: Is some of the money for signalling as well?

    CATHERINE KING: Some of it is for what you do, you put on the track. There’s a, I don’t know the name of it, but it says it provides the opportunity for signal to then connect to the light. So it’s actually a box that goes on the train, but the engineers and people who know trains will tell you about what that looks like. It’s called an axel something or other [laughs]

    JOURNALIST: I don’t know either. [all laugh] Is this something the state government’s been wanting to work in partnership for a while?

    CATHERINE KING: Yes, so in particular, here in Victoria, we have a lot of level crossings. It’s been a, you know, his history of our fabulous rail that we have in the state of Victoria means that we’ve got substantial number of level rail crossings. I don’t know if we’ve got more than any other state. I’d have to check that fact. But I certainly think, you know, the history of our state sees that happen. So the Victorian Government has helped us choose the sites they know, obviously the frequency of their passenger and freight services and other roads that are busy as well. So this has been a true partnership between the two of us to really get these crossings improved. So 32 of them. We’ve still got more to do, but that’s a pretty good batch for Ararat and Pyrenees Shires.

    JOURNALIST: And when’s this likely to be rolled out Catherine?

    CATHERINE KING: So the money’s available now. The projects have been identified, so it’ll be rolled out this year.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah, and Martha, you’d be very happy with the new timetables out, with extra trains?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Exactly! And we’ve got some later night services as well. And it’s going to be really, a real benefit for especially those weekend passengers, uh, they’ll be able to go, go down to Melbourne, go see a show, see some of the footy, and then come back to Ararat. So I want to thank everyone locally in our at who contacted me and pushed me on that one, and we’ve been able to get some, some good wins on that.

    JOURNALIST: Was there much public feedback?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: A lot! Yeah, so,

    JOURNALIST: I tried to help…

    MARTHA HAYLETT: And from the Ararat Advocate! So a lot of people contacting me, calling me, emailing me, and they still are. So there’s lots of happy feedback about the fact that we’ve got some later night services on the weekend.

    JOURNALIST: And I think the timetable comes in, you know, about a month’s time, doesn’t it?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Yes, exactly, yeah. So it’ll kick in very soon, mid next month, and be fantastic. So we’ve got two additional services on each day. So really, technically eight, eight extra services on that…

    JOURNALIST: So I can hear a train coming.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT’s new planning system now live

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The system will better fit a growing and sustainable Canberra.

    The ACT’s new planning system is now in effect.

    This milestone comes after extensive research and work with the community and industry to create the new framework for the city.

    The ACT Government has also released an update to the City Plan and a new City Centre Urban Design Guide, which will guide development and design in the City Centre.

    The new, modern planning system will better fit a growing and sustainable Canberra.

    It will support delivery of the 100,000 dwellings required to meet population and demand by 2050.

    The new planning system will allow the Government to plan for this growth in a measured and sustainable way.

    It will mean Canberrans have the services and infrastructure they need now and into the future

    The Government has also released an update of the 2014 City Plan today which provides a clear vision and framework for future development in the City Centre as a place for all Canberrans.

    The City Plan is supported by a new City Centre Urban Design Guide that works alongside the previously announced Housing and Urban Design Guides to improve development outcomes and guide the design and assessment of developments in the City Centre.

    Training programs on the new planning – for both community and industry – have been occurring since September.

    Development applications under the previous system will continue to be assessed.

    More information about the Planning System and the City Plan is available on the ACT Government’s new Planning website.

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


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Killers with severe mental health issues are perceived as monsters – a terrible failure of academics like me

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Crawford, Professor of Health Humanities, University of Nottingham

    According to an investigation by Hundred Families, a charity that supports and advocates for families affected by mental health homicides, each year an average of 65 mentally ill people carry out killings. Between 2018-2023, 390 mental health patients in England committed, or were suspected of, murder or manslaughter.

    The findings come after an independent report exposed a series of NHS failures in the treatment of Valdo Calocane, a man with schizophrenia who killed three people in Nottingham in 2023.

    The cases of killers Calocane and Axel Rudakubana – who stabbed three small girls to death and attempted to kill several others in Southport in 2024 when he was 17 years-old – have sparked fierce debate over the place within wider society of people with severe mental health issues. According to many, it appears they don’t have one.

    Calocane and Rudakubana were labelled “evil”, “sadistic” and “cowardly”, amid renewed calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

    When sentencing Rudakubana to a minimum term of 52 years in January 2025, Mr Justice Goose said: “Many who have heard the evidence might describe what he did as evil, who could dispute it?”

    Public opinion on the likes of Calocane and Rudakubana seems clear: they are monsters, capable only of inflicting misery on others. At best, they don’t deserve to live among right-minded people. At worst, they don’t deserve to live at all.

    It’s now known that both Calocane and Rudakubana had received treatment for severe mental health issues but stopped engaging with health services before committing their crimes. In the eyes of many – including media commentators, politicians and sizeable swaths of the public – suffering severe mental health illness doesn’t affect someone’s responsibility for their actions.

    As a human being, I regard the prevailing narrative around stories such as Calocane’s and Rudakubana’s with a tremendous sense of sadness. As an academic specialising in social and cultural perspectives of mental health, I regard it with a profound sense of frustration – and maybe even failure. Let me try to explain why.

    A question of accountability

    A key reason why those with severe mental health issues are customarily condemned as wicked and irredeemable is that we continue to believe that a person should invariably be held accountable for their own actions. This is a damagingly simplistic view.

    Media coverage of Rudakubana often described him as ‘evil’

    Anyone who has worked in the field of mental health knows there are many cases in which people’s minds, to all intents and purposes, aren’t their own. Those, like Calocane, suffering from an overwhelming condition such as schizophrenia, for example, frequently have no grasp of reality and have hampered moral reasoning.

    It’s reasonable to say some people with severe mental health issues can represent a danger to themselves and others. But this doesn’t mean they should be abandoned or “locked up”. What they need is support from mental health systems that are genuinely integrated, effective and reliable.

    Calocane and Rudakubana’s victims, their families and all those cruelly affected by their crimes were catastrophically let down in this respect. But so were Calocane and Rudakubana. The notion that the pair “stopped engaging” is a poor excuse for the cataclysmic shortcomings of a system that should be rooted in diligence, outreach and persistent follow-ups.

    However uncomfortable the idea, much of the accountability here lies not with the killers – and that, of course, is what they are – but with those who left them unsupported and in a position to devastate others’ lives and their own. Ultimately, it’s the system itself that disengages – sometimes with the most appalling consequences.

    When findings alone aren’t enough

    Numerous studies have shown how those in the grip of psychosis and similar illnesses don’t choose to be “evil”. They don’t choose to experience horrific delusions about the world around them. They don’t choose to endure hallucinations that tell them to carry out terrible acts.

    Yet the broader public seems to have little or no interest in such findings. Alarmingly, the same might be said of many policymakers. Their knowledge and opinions are instead more likely to be shaped by rhetoric and knee-jerk denunciation.

    This goes to the heart of a major challenge for academics in my own field and for the research community as a whole: how best to communicate our work and make it truly accessible. We need to accept that research alone is often woefully insufficient.

    A few years ago, in collaboration with Aardman Animations, the studio behind household names such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, I produced a series of short films highlighting young people’s mental health. In months, these films reached an audience of more than 17 million. More recently, in another effort to spread the word, I wrote The Wonders of Doctor Bent, a novel that explores society’s lingering propensity to treat isolated and tormented people with the utmost contempt.

    None of this is to say research is pointless – yet it’s surely of limited value if the insights it delivers remain largely unacknowledged, especially where matters of the most extraordinary significance are concerned.

    As the unhelpful clamour around mental health and “monsters” drags on, the lesson is both clear and familiar: the best way of having conversations about stigma, responsibility and the cost of abdicating our social obligations to those suffering from severe mental illness is to involve the whole of society. Not just the mental health community, police and the justice system, but the general public as well.

    Paul Crawford receives funding from UK Research and Innovation including Arts and Humanities Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, UKRI Cross Council, The Leverhulme Trust, The British Academy

    – ref. Killers with severe mental health issues are perceived as monsters – a terrible failure of academics like me – https://theconversation.com/killers-with-severe-mental-health-issues-are-perceived-as-monsters-a-terrible-failure-of-academics-like-me-252053

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Connected Beginnings site launch – Wunan Child and Parent Centre Kununurra, Western Australia

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    Can I start by acknowledging the Miriuwung Gajerrong people, the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet. Thank you very much, Auntie, for the beautiful welcome to country and the ceremony. I pay my respects to elders past and present and celebrate the diversity of our First Nations people, their ongoing culture and traditions, their education practices and their connections to land, water and sky.

    I also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of the amazing Connected Beginnings program, which I’ll talk a little bit about today as well.

    The knowledge and wisdom that communities bring to Connected Beginnings is what drives the  success to where we are today. Thank you to the Binarri Binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation for having us today, it’s super duper exciting to have you joining the Connected Beginnings family.

    And I really do want to make special mention of my very, very dear friend and very dear colleague, the amazing Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who was able to make it here with us today. Thanks so much for being here.

    I also want to acknowledge Agnes Armstrong, local Miriuwung elder who is joining us today, providing wisdom and strength to this community, and here today we also have Vanessa [indistinct] from SNAICC, and without the wonderful SNAICC and the wonderful experts like Vanessa, the Connected Beginnings program just wouldn’t be possible, so thanks for everything that you and SNAICC do.

    Also joined by representatives from Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service who have signed on as the health partner for Connected Beginnings here in Kununurra, and I want to extend my respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with us here today.

    What a beautiful site this is, what a beautiful gathering we have this morning to celebrate the opening of the very last 50th Connected Beginnings site right across Australia.

    As a very proud Western Australian, albeit from Perth, it took me seven hours of travelling to get up here – I was determined to make it – it’s so great to be here with you today to make this huge and important announcement.

    We’ve reached our target. We had a target of 50 Connected Beginnings sites right across Australia, and today marks the day, with this site opening, that we’ve reached that target, and can I say, six months before the deadline. Six months before the deadline, and have delivered not just all of them, but on time ahead of schedule as well.

    Now, for those of you who don’t know, this program, the Connected Beginnings program is really quite phenomenal, it really to me harkens back to traditional ways of doing things, traditional ways of raising children. I come from a part of world where the community raises the child. If you can’t breastfeed, you’ve got a wet nurse, your sister can breastfeed, or your sister in law can breast feed, it takes a village to raise a child, everyone goes in and raises that child. That’s how you get children who thrive, when you bring together the expertise, the parenting, health, early childhood education, language, in place and in country and on country. That’s how you get young people and children to thrive.

    As you know, Connected Beginnings is helping to close not just the gap but the gaping chasm in outcomes for our First Nations children by ensuring that health, that education and family support services work together to help children and their families have that successful transition to school, and I don’t have to tell any of you just how important those first five years of a child’s life are.

    By the time a child reaches school, 90 per cent of their brain has already developed, 90 per cent has already developed, which means that if we get those first five years right, before they get to school, we have the opportunity in our hand to change the trajectory of a child’s life, to make a huge difference and a huge impact, not just now, not just for those first five years, but well into school, into adolescence, and into adulthood as well.

    That’s how significant this program is, that’s how significant those first five years are, and that is exactly why we need as a government, working with the community, to ensure that we do everything that we can to give the very best possible start in life for our children in communities here.

    We know that when children are strong in culture and go to early childhood education and care, they have better outcomes, having that connection to their identity, to their culture, to their land, [indistinct], and place. They have better outcomes at school, they have better outcomes through adolescence and throughout adulthood.

    So when we bring together quality early learning with the strong identity grounded in culture and health support it creates a bright future for these children.

    You cannot separate health outcomes from educational outcomes, and you cannot separate educational outcomes on having a strong identity and a strong connection to community, to land, to culture.

    We’re creating this future for our youngest Australians by empowering communities to design and deliver a program in a way that supports the individual needs, and that’s the trick there, that’s the key part of it; is empowering the communities to do that. Local knowledge, local intel, years and years of traditional knowledge passed on from generation to generation to generation.

    That’s why Connected Beginnings is achieving results, because it’s about connecting communities in the beginning years of a child’s life, prioritising local knowledge and culture, ensuring that communities determine, design and implement solutions to support their own children.

    We’ve been delivering this in partnership with SNAICC, the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Connected Beginnings program exemplifies all the great things that can happen, the real outcomes that you can achieve, when you actually give community the lead, not just involve them, but give them the lead, and follow them, not get them to follow you; would be the other way around.

    Now when I – last year I visited one of the new Connected Beginnings sides in Geraldton, and afterwards I was doing a media interview, and the journalist said to me, she said, “Oh, this is a new way, a new way of doing things, isn’t it?” And I said to her, “New? No, it’s thousands and thousands of years old in how you raise children”.

    This is the traditional way in how you raise children. You bring together everyone to wrap around a child, to watch that child grow and thrive. Everyone has a part in that child’s life. This is not new, this is old ways, and this is the ways that have been used and proven for generation upon generation upon generation, and when we listen to communities and when they tell us about these ways and the ways of   and how these ways have fostered and cushioned and grown strong children and strong adults for generations, then we have that opportunity to do that for future generations as well.

    Let me tell you a little bit about the Connected Beginnings program. At the existing Connected Beginnings sites, that’s 49 of them, plus this one, number 50, the average attendance of First Nations children in centre based care has increased by more than 10 per cent. That’s the real difference it’s making.

    The existing sites have also seen an increase in the number of children on track in all five of our Australian early development census domains. So you’re getting more children attending and more children meeting the early development census domains; executive functioning, oral language, all of those things that we know is what creates successful learners in young children, as well as successful adolescents and adults.

    And this new site here in Kununurra is being developed in partnership with Binarri Binyja Yarrawoo, the Aboriginal Corporation. It will support – get this – 600, around 600 local First Nations children. That’s pretty huge. And as the 50th site, the Connected Beginnings program now with the opening of this site now has the potential to support up to 20 per cent of all First Nations children right across Australia in those vital years before school. That’s pretty amazing, pretty amazing the difference that we’ve seen it already make, and the difference that we’re going to see it continue to make as well.

    So a huge thank you from me to all of our partners who are here today and to all of our partners right across Australia who have been fundamental in making this happen, making this reality of opening our 50th site a success, a reality, and well ahead of schedule too, I’ve got to put that in again.

    I really look forward to seeing the outcomes of Connected Beginnings site here in Kununurra, watching the families and the young children thrive under this program, and I look forward to coming back here to beautiful Kununurra in who knows how many, maybe a month, maybe a year’s time, and seeing the difference that you are all going to be making here that builds on the difference you’re already making as a community here.

    Thank you to everyone involved, and congratulations on number 50. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Prevents Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Courts

    Source: The White House

    ADDRESSING ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum to hold attorneys and law firms accountable for unethical conduct when litigating against the Federal government or pursuing baseless partisan attacks. The memorandum instructs the Attorney General to:

    • Prioritize seeking sanctions against attorneys and law firms that engage in frivolous, unreasonable, or vexatious litigation against the United States.
    • Prioritize enforcement of regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline. This directive also applies to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
    • Refer attorneys and law firms for disciplinary action when their conduct in Federal court or before any component of the Federal government appears to violate professional conduct rules.
    • Recommend additional consequences, including reassessing security clearances or terminating federal contracts, for attorneys and law firms that engage in conduct deserving of sanctions or other disciplinary action.
    • Review attorney and law firm conduct over the last eight years in litigation against the Federal government and recommend further actions if misconduct is identified.

    PREVENTING ABUSES OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND FEDERAL COURTS: President Trump believes that lawyers and law firms must be held accountable when they engage in illegal or unethical conduct, especially when their misconduct threatens our national security, homeland security, public safety, or election integrity.

    • Examples of egregious unethical conduct, such as Marc Elias’ direct involvement in creating a false “dossier” to interfere with the 2016 presidential election, are too common in the legal profession.
    • The immigration system is likewise replete with examples of unscrupulous behavior by attorneys and law firms that undermine immigration enforcement.
      • The immigration bar, and powerful Big Law pro bono practices, frequently coach clients to conceal their past or lie about their circumstances when seeking asylum.
      • Fact-checking these fraudulent claims imposes an enormous burden on the Federal government, and in turn undermines the integrity of our immigration laws.
    • Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 prohibits attorneys from engaging in certain unethical conduct, such as filing frivolous claims, presenting arguments not grounded in law, or making factual assertions without evidentiary support. Federal regulations establish similar attorney conduct standards, particularly in connection with immigration proceedings.
    • Frivolous lawsuits, bad-faith legal arguments, and blatant misrepresentations of fact burden the courts and waste taxpayer resources.
    • Lawyers and law firms that engage in unethical conduct often face little to no accountability—this memorandum delivers overdue enforcement.

    A RETURN TO ACCOUNTABILITY: President Trump is delivering on his promise to end the weaponization of government and protect the nation from partisan and bad faith actors who exploit their influence. 

    • This memorandum aligns with President Trump’s priority on refocusing government operations to serve the citizens of the United States.
    • It builds on President Trump’s previous actions, such as signing an Executive Order on his first day in office to end the weaponization of the Federal government and ensure accountability for past misconduct.
    • It follows his revocation of security clearances held by intelligence officials who falsely claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation during the 2020 election.
    • President Trump has also taken action to hold major law firms accountable, including Covington & Burling, Paul Weiss, and Perkins Coie.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

    SUBJECT:      Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court

    Lawyers and law firms that engage in actions that violate the laws of the United States or rules governing attorney conduct must be efficiently and effectively held accountable.  Accountability is especially important when misconduct by lawyers and law firms threatens our national security, homeland security, public safety, or election integrity.

    Recent examples of grossly unethical misconduct are far too common.  For instance, in 2016, Marc Elias, founder and chair of Elias Law Group LLP, was deeply involved in the creation of a false “dossier” by a foreign national designed to provide a fraudulent basis for Federal law enforcement to investigate a Presidential candidate in order to alter the outcome of the Presidential election.  Elias also intentionally sought to conceal the role of his client — failed Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton — in the dossier. 

    The immigration system — where rampant fraud and meritless claims have supplanted the constitutional and lawful bases upon which the President exercises core powers under Article II of the United States Constitution — is likewise replete with examples of unscrupulous behavior by attorneys and law firms.  For instance, the immigration bar, and powerful Big Law pro bono practices, frequently coach clients to conceal their past or lie about their circumstances when asserting their asylum claims, all in an attempt to circumvent immigration policies enacted to protect our national security and deceive the immigration authorities and courts into granting them undeserved relief.  Gathering the necessary information to refute these fraudulent claims imposes an enormous burden on the Federal Government.  And this fraud in turn undermines the integrity of our immigration laws and the legal profession more broadly — to say nothing of the undeniable, tragic consequences of the resulting mass illegal immigration, whether in terms of heinous crimes against innocent victims like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, or Rachel Morin, or the enormous drain on taxpayer resources intended for Americans. 

    Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 prohibits attorneys from engaging in certain unethical conduct in Federal courts.  Attorneys must not present legal filings “for improper purpose[s],” including “to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation.”  FRCP 11(b)(1).  Attorneys must ensure that legal arguments are “warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law.”  FRCP 11(b)(2).  And attorneys must ensure that their statements about facts are “reasonably based” on evidentiary support, or a belief that such evidence actually exists.  FRCP 11(b)(3)-(b)(4).  When these commands are violated, opposing parties are authorized to file a motion for sanctions.  FRCP 11(c).  The text of the rule specifically addresses and provides for sanctions for attorneys and their firms as well as for recalcitrant parties given the solemn obligation that attorneys have to respect the rule of law and uphold our Nation’s legal system with integrity.  Furthermore, Rule 3.1 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides that, “A lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless there is a basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous, which includes a good faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law.”

    Unfortunately, far too many attorneys and law firms have long ignored these requirements when litigating against the Federal Government or in pursuing baseless partisan attacks.  To address these concerns, I hereby direct the Attorney General to seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States or in matters before executive departments and agencies of the United States.

    I further direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize enforcement of their respective regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline.  See, e.g., 8 C.F.R. 292.1 et seq.; 8 C.F.R. 1003.101 et seq.; 8 C.F.R. 1292.19.

    I further direct the Attorney General to take all appropriate action to refer for disciplinary action any attorney whose conduct in Federal court or before any component of the Federal Government appears to violate professional conduct rules, including rules governing meritorious claims and contentions, and particularly in cases that implicate national security, homeland security, public safety, or election integrity.  In complying with this directive, the Attorney General shall consider the ethical duties that law partners have when supervising junior attorneys, including imputing the ethical misconduct of junior attorneys to partners or the law firm when appropriate.

    I further direct that, when the Attorney General determines that conduct by an attorney or law firm in litigation against the Federal Government warrants seeking sanctions or other disciplinary action, the Attorney General shall, in consultation with any relevant senior executive official, recommend to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, additional steps that may be taken, including reassessment of security clearances held by the attorney or termination of any Federal contract for which the relevant attorney or law firm has been hired to perform services.

    I further direct the Attorney General, in consultation with any relevant senior executive official, to review conduct by attorneys or their law firms in litigation against the Federal Government over the last 8 years.  If the Attorney General identifies misconduct that may warrant additional action, such as filing frivolous litigation or engaging in fraudulent practices, the Attorney General is directed to recommend to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, additional steps that may be taken, including reassessment of security clearances held by the attorney, termination of any contract for which the relevant attorney or law firm has been hired to perform services, or any other appropriate actions.

    Law firms and individual attorneys have a great power, and obligation, to serve the rule of law, justice, and order.  The Attorney General, alongside the Counsel to the President, shall report to the President periodically on improvements by firms to capture this hopeful vision.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Learner driver first aid program launched

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The training is designed to assist young drivers if they’re involved in, or come across, a motor vehicle crash.

    The ACT Government has launched a new learner driver first aid program.

    This will provide more flexible options for learner drivers to enhance their skills and credit their mandatory supervised driving hours. 

    From 22 November, Canberrans learning to drive will have an opportunity to obtain basic lifesaving first aid skills and claim five hours credit against their required driving hours. 

    The training is designed to assist people if they’re involved in, or come across, a motor vehicle crash. 

    The program won’t just provide the skills that could save a life, it’s hoped to be a reminder to the next generation of drivers of the serious consequences of car accidents.

    Under the new program new drivers are eligible for the five credit hours if they have held a learner licence for at least three months.

    There will be eight approved courses available from 22 November, delivered either online, face-to-face or a combination of both.

    The time commitment and cost requirements for each course varies depending on the type and depth of content delivered.    

    The new learner driver first aid program builds on existing competency training for learner drivers to make sure people have a better understanding of road safety. 

    This new program joins two other road safety education opportunities available for driving hours credit:
    *    Vulnerable Road User Program offers a 10-hour credit for completing the course
    *    Safer Driver Course provides learner drivers aged under 25 with 20 hours credit towards their required driving hours.

    Together these programs provide learner drivers aged under 25 years with up to 35 hours credit towards the 100 mandatory hours, and provide them with potentially life-saving skills.

    “St John Ambulance ACT commends the government on their initiative to promote driver first aid specially aimed at learner drivers,” 2022 Senior Australian of the Year, ACT Senior Australian of the Year and St John Ambulance volunteer Val Dempsey said.

    “This initiative through St John Ambulance ACT is supporting learner drivers in developing first aid skills, so they may be prepared to step forward with capabilities, competencies, and knowledge, to save a life in the event of an emergency, particularly in road safety.”

    Learner driver first aid courses completed before the program’s commencement date, or with a provider that is not on the approved list, will not be eligible for the logbook credit.

    For more information visit www.act.gov.au/roadsafety.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Pharmacy trial expanded to include some oral contraceptives

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Pharmacist Rebecca Richardson.

    Canberrans who already use an oral contraceptive pill may be able to obtain a re-supply of their contraceptive at one of five participating pharmacies as part of a new trial.

    Under the pharmacy trial, which is being led collaboratively by NSW Health and the University of Newcastle, people aged 18 to 35 may be able to get their next supply of the pill after a consultation with a participating pharmacist if they have been:

    • taking their existing pill for contraceptive purposes; and
    • continuously prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill in the last two years by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

    This initiative expands on the current trial of pharmacists supplying medications to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

    Enabling pharmacists to supply certain low-risk medications when it is safe to do so is one way of providing more timely access to medications and treatments for Canberrans and reducing pressures on primary health care providers and emergency departments.

    The highly trained pharmacists participating in the trial will be able to have a conversation with eligible Canberrans to determine whether they can provide medications, or whether the person needs to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.

    The five pharmacies participating in the trial are:

    • Capital Chemist Charnwood
    • Gold Creek Discount Drug Store
    • The Pharmacy on Petrie (Civic)
    • Erindale Pharmacy
    • Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy

    ACT Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild, Simon Blacker, said this is a step forward for Canberra women.

    “It’s a good example of community pharmacies partnering with GPs and other health professionals to treat common health conditions with increased accessibility, in a safe and efficient way to unclog the health system,” he said.

    “The ACT has now joined NSW, Queensland, and Victoria in the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill to women by community pharmacists. Community pharmacies in the ACT are ready to do more for patient’s health by having community pharmacists working to their full scope of practice, and we look forward to working further with the ACT Government on this.”

    For more information visit on the pharmacy prescribing trial for the oral contraceptive pill or uncomplicated UTIs, visit: www.health.act.gov.au/pharmacy-trial

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Local teacher inspires with story

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Sam Davies shares his story in the Be That Teacher campaign.

    UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra teacher Sam Davies loves being a teacher.

    He is just one of eight teachers across Australia sharing their stories in a new initiative called Be That Teacher.

    The joint Australian, state and territory government campaign aims to showcase the value and importance of teachers while encouraging people to consider a career in teaching.

    Teachers across Australia share why they choose to teach and their inspirational stories about the lasting impact they have had on their students.

    “If life is about creating meaningful moments, you get a meaningful moment every day in this profession,” Sam said.

    “Every day we have the opportunity to make a real and positive difference in the lives of our young people.”

    Ewen McMahon is one student at UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra who has benefitted from Sam’s dedication.

    “I only had him for one semester in Year 11 English, but he inspired me with just how involved he is in the class – how quickly he got to know everyone personally. He will go out of his way, in his own time, to make sure everyone’s okay and understanding the work, to check if anyone has questions and has what they need to get the work done,” Ewen said.

    “He just goes above and beyond. He just really cares and that comes out through in the way he teaches as well as who he is as a person.”

    While there are many excellent teachers like Sam across the country, more are needed.

    The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan was developed to address the national issue of teacher workforce shortages.

    It is hoped both the plan and the Be That Teacher campaign increase the number of people choosing to become teachers and ensure that existing teachers remain in the profession.

    If you are a school leaver, graduate or career switcher thinking about a career in teaching, view the pathways into teaching, scholarships and support available to you.

    “I hope that anyone considering a career in teaching will be touched by these remarkable stories, and that they will see how fulfilling this profession is,” Sam said.

    Read more on the Be That Teacher website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Outdoor dining permits made easier

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Additional outdoor dining opportunities will allow more Canberrans to enjoy the warm weather over summer.

    The ACT Government is making it even easier for businesses to provide outdoor dining by offering a one-day turnaround on simple applications this summer.

    Outdoor dining permits will now allow food businesses to use public space adjacent to their premises, subject to certain conditions being met, while applications for ongoing use are being considered.

    The current process has a turnaround of approximately 10 business days, depending on the complexity of the application.

    The fast-track permits will provide timely and streamlined processes for applicants, making it easier for existing restaurants, cafés, and other food-based businesses to expand their trading spaces outdoors.

    The new scheme forms part of the ACT Government’s broader reform program to improve regulation, making it even easier for businesses to activate public spaces and grow their business.

    In addition, more outdoor dining opportunities will allow more Canberrans to enjoy the warm weather over summer.

    Outdoor dining permit approval will depend upon availability of public unleased land adjacent to the premise.

    Any furniture that is not fixed to the ground will need to be removed outside of operating times.

    Access Canberra’s Event Coordination and Business Assist Team is available to help businesses thrive by assisting them to develop and expand their business opportunities as well as to provide a direct contact point to understand current opportunities and flexibility under ACT legislation.

    It also provides an initial contact point in government to help navigate business and regulatory requirements.

    Businesses or event coordinators can contact the Event Coordination and Business Assist Team directly at ACBusinessTeam@act.gov.au or alternatively by calling 02 6205 4400 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

    Further information and scenarios have been added to the Access Canberra website to inform businesses what is allowed under liquor licensing.

    License holders and food businesses will be contacted about opportunities available this summer.

    For more information about outdoor dining and the Event Coordination and Business Assist Team, please visit www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins on Belconnen Oval Wetland

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program.

    Work on the Belconnen Oval Wetland to improve water quality and catchment health has now commenced.

    The new wetland will help to remove harmful nutrients before they enter Lake Ginninderra and will also provide habitat for native species and provide an excellent place for locals to enjoy.

    There will be new trees and water plants planted around the wetland, which will filter an estimated 30 per cent of harmful nutrients like phosphorous before it enters the lake.

    Temporary fences will surround the area for the community’s safety to restrict access until works are completed. This is expected to happen by mid-2024.

    Belconnen residents were asked to share their thoughts on the project, which shaped an improved final design.

    The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater before it flows into lakes and ponds.

    Through projects like the floating wetlands in Lake Tuggeranong and the re-naturalisation of Tuggeranong Creek, the government hopes to help foster native biodiversity across the city, reduce harmful pollutants, keep water safe, and preserve Canberra’s natural environment.

    For more information about the construction work and other projects helping to protect local waterways, visit tthe ACT Healthy Waterways Program page on the Environment website.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fee-Free TAFE to continue

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Fee-Free TAFE is a jointly funded initiative of Australia’s Commonwealth, state and territory governments, providing tuition-free vocational education and training to eligible ACT students wanting to train, retrain or upskill.

    Fee-Free Tafe – a jointly funded initiative of the Australian and ACT Governments – will continue until 2026.

    This extension will allow Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) to deliver another 3600 places over three years from 2024 onwards.

    This amounts to 600 tuition-free places for Canberrans each semester from 2024 through to the end of 2026.

    There will be a focus on priority learners and areas of skills demand.

    Applications for CIT Fee-Free TAFE places in semester 1, 2024, open Monday, 13 November 2023 and prospective students are encouraged to apply early.

    All are invited to attend CIT Open Day on Friday, 17 November, at the CIT Reid, Bruce and Fyshwick campuses.

    CIT has successfully met its targets in the first year of delivering Fee-Free TAFE, reaching its allocated 2,530 enrolments for 2023.

    More than 1000 of CIT’s Fee-Free TAFE student enrolments have been in the care sector, in skilled areas of demand such as childcare, aged care, disability care and community services.

    CIT has also seen a strong uptake of education and training in cyber security. The Certificate IV Cyber Security has been the most popular of all Fee-Free courses with 264 enrolments.

    “CIT has shown we can successfully deliver the national Fee-Free TAFE program, making education and training more accessible to Canberrans and continuing to drive the ACT’s workforce forward, especially in industry areas of need and to priority learner cohorts,” CIT Interim CEO Christine Robertson said.

    “Vocational education and training can change people’s lives, and Fee-Free TAFE is providing opportunity, especially to priority learners. It’s encouraging to see big enrolments among our youth and job seekers, while Fee-Free TAFE in the ACT has supported 430 women in financial hardship to access education and training.

    “Students have shared how they may not have even considered vocational education and training if not for the opportunity and accessibility that Fee-Free TAFE has provided them.”

    “We look forward to seeing more students graduate of Fee-Free TAFE and becoming the carers, construction workers, hospitality staff and digital experts the ACT needs. We’ve also had many students graduate short course via Fee-Free TAFE, which has set them on the pathway to further education,” she said.

    Highlights of CIT’s Fee-Free TAFE delivery in 2023 include:

    • 268 course completions already, mainly in short courses, which is a great pathway to further study and jobs
    • 1,609 female student enrolments (more than 60 per cent of total). CIT has been enhancing diversity in student cohorts e.g. 25 enrolments for women in building, construction and electronics trades
    • 430 women in financial hardship. Fee-Free tuition has made education and training possible.
    • 1,027 enrolments in care sector related courses, across areas including childcare, aged care, disability care, and community services
    • 936 enrolments for students aged between 17 and 24
    • 774 enrolments for job seekers
    • 215 enrolments for unpaid carers
    • 163 enrolments for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • 124 enrolments for people that identify with a disability
    • 55 enrolments are for Humanitarian visa holders and 161 for other eligible visa holders
    • 30 enrolments for veterans.

    More information on CIT courses eligible for Fee-Free TAFE enrolment in Semester 1, 2024, is available at the CIT Fee-Free TAFE webpage.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: More electric buses start zapping into Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new electric buses will provide clean, quiet, and comfortable services with zero emissions.

    The ACT Government is continuing the transition to a zero-emissions future with the first of four new electric buses to hit the streets of Canberra.

    The battery electric buses will be based at the Belconnen Depot, bolstering the number of zero-emission bus services running out of north Canberra.

    The depot will be upgraded to install the appropriate charging infrastructure, which will use existing grid capacity to supply energy.

    Each bus takes approximately five hours to fully charge and can operate up to 400 kilometres on a full charge, cutting noise pollution and harmful emissions from public transport interchanges and on Canberra streets.

    The new buses will bring Canberra’s total electric bus fleet to 16, with an additional 90 electric buses set to be delivered in the next three years.

    To facilitate the growing fleet of zero emissions buses, the Zero-Emission Transition Plan for Transport Canberra supports the transition for public transport workers, with diesel mechanics trained with the skills they need to work on the new electric fleet, and power a more sustainable future for public transport in the ACT.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Meet the 2024 ACT Australians of the Year

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    2024 ACT Australian of the Year Joanne Farrell

    The four winners of the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year Awards are as diverse as they are inspiring.

    There’s Joanne Farrell, a champion for females working in construction; Ebenezer Banful OAM, a volunteer and multiculturalism advocate; Caitlin Figueiredo, a young political changemaker; and Selina Walker, an emerging Ngunnawal elder and leader.

    The ACT winners will join the other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2024.

    Take a look at the winners and find out more about their work.

    2024 ACT Australian of the Year – Joanne Farrell

    Joanne (Jo) Farrell is a champion for females in the construction industry.

    In 2020, she founded Build Like a Girl, a not-for-profit program that supports girls and women to work in trades.

    Build Like a Girl matches females with pre-apprenticeship and entry-level training, then mentors them to secure work in the construction industry.

    As the general manager of Kane Constructions ACT, Jo has pushed for a better gender balance.

    Jo works closely with government, peak industry bodies, unions, training organisations and building contractors to help them recruit, train and employ women in trade roles.

    She also led construction of Strathnairn Charity House, a project designed and mostly built by women, which was auctioned in March 2023. Proceeds from the sale were distributed to local charities.

    2024 ACT Senior Australian of the Year – Ebenezer Banful OAM

    Ebenezer Banful OAM arrived in Australia over 30 years ago.

    He has since dedicated himself to helping others understand Ghanaian and African values, promoting multiculturalism and helping newly arrived communities integrate into Canberra.

    He helped found the Companion House community organisation that supports survivors of persecution, torture and other war-related trauma.

    Ebenezer has served on numerous committees advocating for multiculturalism. He has volunteered at nearly every National Multicultural Festival and set up Radio Ghana Hour, a community station focused on Ghanaian life and culture, for which he is program coordinator and presenter.

    Respected in his community, Ebenezer’s efforts have helped create harmony and understanding.

    2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year – Caitlin Figueiredo

    Changemaker Caitlin Figueiredo is determined to give young people a say in politics.

    In 2015, she worked to bring young people’s voices into parliament through a national youth advisory council.

    This led to her election to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) board.

    She revitalised and transformed AYAC, which represents 4.5 million young Australians, creating a more diverse board that better represented young people.

    Empowering the next generation of female politicians, she co-founded a political leadership group called Girls Take Over Parliament. It connects with young women from all political parties and enables them to receive support and training from a bipartisan lens.

    Caitlin has also addressed the United Nations about the Sustainable Development Goals; this previous work establishing youth structures on gender equality is ongoing.

    Image courtesy of The Canberra Times

    2024 ACT Local Hero – Selina Walker

    Ngunnawal woman Selina Walker is a respected emerging elder and leader whose integrity has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reconciliation across the ACT.

    Selina continues her grandmother Aunty Agnes Shea’s legacy of influencing and driving change with her unwavering efforts.

    Since 2018, Selina has promoted reconciliation as co-chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council.

    As a founding member of Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation, she helps improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and children, especially those in out-of-home care.

    Selina advocates for Indigenous people within the justice system as a member of the ACT Victims of Crime and Justice Committee and has held roles to improve all children’s educational outcomes in the Catholic school system.

    A kinship carer, Selina was awarded Barnardos’ 2017 ACT Mother of the Year.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski: Trump Brings Serious Focus to Mineral Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    03.21.25

    Anchorage, AK—U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today issued the following statement about President Trump’s latest Executive Order, entitled Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production. Murkowski, who for years has pushed to modernize federal mineral policies to protect our security and strengthen our economy, applauded the order.

    “Our lack of mineral security is our nation’s Achilles’ heel—a vulnerability that leaves us at the mercy of politically unstable and often adversarial nations for the basic building blocks of modern society. We import a wide array of minerals from those nations instead of producing minerals here at home, and we do it despite the potentially catastrophic threats that creates for our security, economy, and competitiveness,” Murkowski said. “China knows this. Russia knows this. But, importantly, so do President Trump and his team. I appreciate their recognition of this major vulnerability and their immediate steps to tackle it. This new order is the most robust effort we have seen in some time—with more agencies directed to make greater use of their authorities to strengthen our domestic mineral security for the long-term.”

    Murkowski, the former Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has brought attention to our nation’s mineral-related vulnerabilities for more than a decade. President Trump signed most of her American Mineral Security Act into law at the end of 2020. She and her team also worked closely with the first Trump administration on mineral-related matters such as the first critical minerals list.

    The United States’ mineral import dependence has risen significantly in recent decades. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. imported at least 50 percent of its supply of at least 46 mineral commodities in 2024, including 100 percent of 15 of them (counting the 17 rare earth elements as one commodity). The U.S. is more than 50 percent reliant on imports for 40 of the 50 federally designated critical minerals and imports 100 percent of its supply of 12 of them, including natural graphite, manganese, and gallium.

    Our mineral security challenges come at a time when global mineral demand is generally projected to skyrocket. For example, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence hasprojected that nearly 400 new lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite mines will be needed around the world by 2035 to produce the raw materials for advanced batteries.

    U.S. policies – particularly for federal lands – have not remotely kept pace. Last year, S&P Global reported the U.S. is the world’s second-slowest country for mine permitting, with it taking “an average of nearly 29 years to build a new mine in the U.S.” S&P found that “on federal lands, permitting is characterized by delays, unpredictability and increasing costs. This is a major constraint because federal lands comprise almost half of the total terrain of the 11 mineral-rich western states – and over 60% of Alaska,” which has deposits of nearly all critical minerals.  

    A fact sheet about President Trump’s executive order is available here, and the full text of the order is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Expanded project to cut emissions and power homes

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Once the project is completed, it is expected the Mugga Lane landfill gas facility will have capacity to power up to 10,800 homes.

    The ACT Government is driving a circular economy by expanding landfill gas capture at the Mugga Lane landfill.

    This will reduce emissions and provide reliable renewable energy that could power up to 10,800 homes each year.

    It is happening through the expansion of a partnership with Australian owned and operated clean energy engineers, LGI Limited (LGI), which will deliver a landfill gas expansion project.

    The project builds upon a successful three-year program. It will further enhance capabilities for capturing harmful methane emissions generated at Mugga Lane landfill and transforming it into reliable renewable energy for the ACT.

    “Emissions from landfills without biogas management systems can be a significant problem and can contribute up to 80 per cent of a local government’s carbon footprint,” LGI Founder and Managing Director Adam Bloomer said.

    The Government’s priority is to reduce and recycle organic food waste to divert it from landfill, minimising harmful waste emissions. Capturing the emissions created by the organic material that does end up in landfill, however, is also key.

    “The ACT Government’s carbon cutting approach of using proven, cost-effective technologies to capture and abate the harmful methane emissions from Mugga Lane and generate reliable, dispatchable (24/7) renewable energy is an example of what progressive governments can achieve by prioritising the environment,” Adam said.

    The expansion project will include the establishment of two additional 1 Megawatt gas to energy generators, an additional 12 Megawatt of battery storage and a 20 Megawatt grid connection with Evoenergy.

    Once the project is completed, it is expected the Mugga Lane landfill gas facility will have capacity to generate 50,000 Megawatt hours of dispatchable energy.

    This is enough energy to power up to 10,800 homes in the ACT each year.

    Adding the battery system will provide storage capacity and rapid dispatch of the renewable energy generated by the engines, at times when the grid needs it most.

    As part of the LGI partnership, the ACT has been able to reduce carbon emissions by 764,000 tonnes, over the past three years.

    More than 80 million3 of biogas has been captured at Mugga Lane, allowing for 96 Gigawatt hours of renewable energy to be generated.

    The Mugga Lane site upgrades will further enhance this.

    The project will see two additional full-time positions employed on the site and significant investment into the local economy through the engagement of local contractors for everything from concreting to catering.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Energy saving advice for renters

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Home energy assessments provide free advice to renters on how they can save money on their gas and electricity bills.

    The ACT Government’s Renters’ Home Energy Program provides free in-home energy assessments tailored to anyone living in a rented home in the ACT.

    The assessment identifies where energy is being used and provides simple solutions to help renters save on their bills.

    The program is a free and easy way to:

    • save on energy bills
    • get tips on the quickest, cheapest and best ways to reduce energy use
    • make rental homes more comfortable without using more gas or electricity
    • find out ways to reduce your impact on the environment.

    Home energy experts involved in the program have vast experience in carrying out home energy assessments in the ACT. Inspectors like Jeff Knowles provide advice to renters about their energy use and simple steps they can take to save money.

    “Canberra is different from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne as our summers are quite hot, our autumns and springs are lovely, then we have intense cold throughout the winter,” Jeff said.

    “With such a range of temperatures, it’s tough to build a building in Canberra that works well all year round.

    “The rising cost of living pressures are pushing people into greater and greater energy efficiency,” said Jeff.

    “The Renters’ Home Energy Program aims to assist people by educating them about the properties they live in and the energy they use. Following some simple steps, renters could save around $200 each quarter off their gas and electricity bills.”

    Energy saving tips:

    • Understand what your home is made from, which direction it faces, and identify where heat or cool air can escape. A free home energy assessment and home energy web tool can help you identify these problems and their solutions.
    • Check your insultation. ACT has introduced a regulation requiring all residential rental properties to meet a new minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation. Find out more about your rights as a renter.
    • Use a thermometer to monitor your fridge temperature. Most rental properties have their fridges running much colder than they need to be, which uses more electricity.
    • Prevent draughts by sealing doors and windows. Door draught stoppers and seal strips are good options.
    • Use a plug-in power meter to monitor how much electricity your home appliances are using. Meters can point out inefficient appliances in your home such as electric element heaters.
    • When operating your washing machine, use cold wash cycles so that you’re not using gas or electricity to heat water.

    The rooms you are heating, the number of hours heaters are on, and the temperature setting all have a big impact on your bills.

    Depending on the season, you may also receive a selection of free energy saving materials to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home.

    With a hot summer approaching, now is an ideal time to think about how to make your home more comfortable without spending more money on energy bills.

    Canberra renters can book a free in-home assessment and find out more about the Renter’s Home Energy Program on the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Seventy-second session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce (GE.2)

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The session is open for participation by all UN Member States. Representatives from relevant international organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector can also participate as observers. This session will be held with simultaneous interpretation into English, French and Russian. Prior registration is required, please register through the registration button.

    An audio channel will be available in English, French, and Russian on the days of the event, at: https://listen-live.unog.ch/en/

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Calls on Bondi, Patel to Restore Security Clearances and Undo Retaliatory Personnel Actions Against Whistleblowers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – As Sunshine Week draws to a close, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting the Department of Justice and FBI take corrective action to restore the security clearances of DOJ and FBI whistleblowers who’ve suffered retaliation.
    “My office has been told that, in many of these cases, the suspension of their security clearances resulted in immediate, indefinite suspensions without pay while the FBI improperly and intentionally delayed the process for these individuals to contest the adverse action,” Grassley wrote. “This tyrannical government conduct caused significant financial hardship. The retaliatory government action also placed them in the impossible situation to either resign their position without completing their legal challenge or continue challenging the suspension or revocation of their clearance while suspended without pay with no prospect of obtaining new employment.”  
    “The Biden administration’s political weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI has caused significant damage to these institutions and its employees, but you’re in the position to right the ship,” Grassley continued. “Accordingly, I request that you personally review the adverse personnel matters for these individuals, which I will send under separate cover, and take all appropriate corrective actions, including restoring their security clearances and employment and firing or otherwise disciplining those who retaliated against them, if warranted.”
    Grassley last year called on the DOJ to reform its security clearance review process, after receiving initial reports the agency had unlawfully used it to retaliate against whistleblowers. Ahead of the Judiciary Committee’s vote to advance Patel’s nomination as FBI Director, Grassley highlighted the cases of various FBI whistleblowers who have been retaliated against, including through the wrongful suspension or revocation of their security clearances. 
    Read Grassley’s full letter HERE.
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Zambia sign economic, technical cooperation agreement

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    LUSAKA, March 21 — China and Zambia signed an agreement on Friday for economic and technical cooperation, marking another step in strengthening the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.

    The agreement was signed by Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Wang Sheng and Zambian Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane.

    The agreement outlines the framework under which new China-aided projects will be implemented in the future.

    In his remarks, Wang said the agreement is another example of the strong cooperation between the two governments.

    He said both governments have identified priority projects, including the construction of three additional milling plants to enhance food security in Zambia, with work set to begin this year. China has already built three such plants in the country.

    Wang also announced that a team of experts would soon arrive in Zambia to conduct a feasibility study on establishing 300 small solar-powered piped water systems to help alleviate water shortages. Moreover, a program for the supply of HIV testing kits and medication would be implemented to support public health services in Zambia.

    “For a long time, China has adhered to an approach that emphasizes sincerity, real results, amity and good faith with Africa. We understand the importance of honoring commitments, and all pledges will be fulfilled,” he said.

    He said negotiations on revitalizing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway line were progressing, with major breakthroughs expected in the coming weeks.

    According to Wang, China has been a steadfast friend to Zambia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, providing support for various infrastructure projects over the years.

    While expressing appreciation for China’s unwavering support and solidarity with Zambia over the years, Musokotwane said the signing of the agreement underscored both countries’ commitment to fostering economic growth and technical advancement.

    MIL OSI China News –