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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Natural England launches dive survey to monitor kelp forests

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Natural England launches dive survey to monitor kelp forests

    The survey will take place in the waters of the Fal and Helford rivers next week to track changes and inform conservation action.

    Marine senior officer Angela Gall of Natural England surveying kelp. Photo: Ian Saunders, Natural England

    Natural England is returning to the waters of the Fal and Helford rivers next week to carry out a new dive survey of the region’s kelp forests to check on their health and the area they cover.

    Last carried out in 2012, this survey will assess kelp forest communities, which play a vital role in supporting marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems

    Kelp forests are a key feature of this protected marine area, cloaking the shallow reefs that fringe the bay and estuaries. They provide shelter, food and nursery grounds for a wide range of marine species including fish, crustaceans and molluscs. As one of the ocean’s most productive habitats, kelp also helps to store carbon, improves water quality and supports coastal resilience.

    Underwater forests

    Corkwing wrasse in a kelp forest. Photo: Angela Gall, Natural England

    The Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is one of England’s designated Marine Protected Areas, chosen for its rich marine life and unique underwater habitats. Regular monitoring of kelp forests is essential to track changes, inform conservation action and help safeguard the long-term health of these ecosystems which may be threatened by poor water quality, displacement by invasive non-native species, damage through human activities and climate change.

    Lucy May, Natural England’s deputy dive officer, said:

    As part of our national marine monitoring programme, Natural England’s dive team will survey underwater sites to collect data on kelp cover, species diversity and overall habitat condition.

    This evidence will be used to assess the condition of this habitat within the site and guide management of the SAC.

    Other ways you can kelp

    Kelp forests are a key feature of the region’s protected marine area. Photo: Angela Gall, Natural England

    To support public engagement around kelp forests, Natural England has developed a range of outreach resources including a children’s book and a virtual reality experience that brings the hidden world of kelp forests to life.

    Captivating Kelp Forests, by Emma Rosen is a beautifully illustrated story highlighting the role of these ecosystems.

    The virtual reality experience, created by Natural England’s Jasmine Rix, lets you experience immersion within the habitat whilst staying completely dry.

    The book and VR experience are designed to help young people and communities explore the value of healthy seas and learn more about the marine life on their doorstep and have already been used in schools in Cornwall.

    Angela Gall, marine senior officer at Natural England, said:

    Kelp forests are one of our most valuable marine habitats, yet they are often overlooked. Beautiful, three-dimensional and bursting with colourful life, they provide food and shelter for so many of our most loved marine species like seals and brown crabs.

    As a diver, it is a pleasure to explore these underwater forests, to have an opportunity to check in on how these key ecosystems are doing and ensure we are doing all we can to protect them.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Natural England launches dive survey to monitor kelp forests

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Natural England launches dive survey to monitor kelp forests

    The survey will take place in the waters of the Fal and Helford rivers next week to track changes and inform conservation action.

    Marine senior officer Angela Gall of Natural England surveying kelp. Photo: Ian Saunders, Natural England

    Natural England is returning to the waters of the Fal and Helford rivers next week to carry out a new dive survey of the region’s kelp forests to check on their health and the area they cover.

    Last carried out in 2012, this survey will assess kelp forest communities, which play a vital role in supporting marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems

    Kelp forests are a key feature of this protected marine area, cloaking the shallow reefs that fringe the bay and estuaries. They provide shelter, food and nursery grounds for a wide range of marine species including fish, crustaceans and molluscs. As one of the ocean’s most productive habitats, kelp also helps to store carbon, improves water quality and supports coastal resilience.

    Underwater forests

    Corkwing wrasse in a kelp forest. Photo: Angela Gall, Natural England

    The Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is one of England’s designated Marine Protected Areas, chosen for its rich marine life and unique underwater habitats. Regular monitoring of kelp forests is essential to track changes, inform conservation action and help safeguard the long-term health of these ecosystems which may be threatened by poor water quality, displacement by invasive non-native species, damage through human activities and climate change.

    Lucy May, Natural England’s deputy dive officer, said:

    As part of our national marine monitoring programme, Natural England’s dive team will survey underwater sites to collect data on kelp cover, species diversity and overall habitat condition.

    This evidence will be used to assess the condition of this habitat within the site and guide management of the SAC.

    Other ways you can kelp

    Kelp forests are a key feature of the region’s protected marine area. Photo: Angela Gall, Natural England

    To support public engagement around kelp forests, Natural England has developed a range of outreach resources including a children’s book and a virtual reality experience that brings the hidden world of kelp forests to life.

    Captivating Kelp Forests, by Emma Rosen is a beautifully illustrated story highlighting the role of these ecosystems.

    The virtual reality experience, created by Natural England’s Jasmine Rix, lets you experience immersion within the habitat whilst staying completely dry.

    The book and VR experience are designed to help young people and communities explore the value of healthy seas and learn more about the marine life on their doorstep and have already been used in schools in Cornwall.

    Angela Gall, marine senior officer at Natural England, said:

    Kelp forests are one of our most valuable marine habitats, yet they are often overlooked. Beautiful, three-dimensional and bursting with colourful life, they provide food and shelter for so many of our most loved marine species like seals and brown crabs.

    As a diver, it is a pleasure to explore these underwater forests, to have an opportunity to check in on how these key ecosystems are doing and ensure we are doing all we can to protect them.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Innovative programme to support children in Plymouth out of residential care

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A new programme is working to help move children in care in Plymouth from residential placements into family-based settings, including foster care and kinship care.

    Reconnect, a specialist organisation which supports local authorities to achieve successful transitions for children in care, will be working with Plymouth City Council to carry out this work following an executive decision signed on 30 July.

    The initiative comes in response to a growing number of children in care and a national shortage of foster carers, which has led to increased reliance on high-cost residential placements.

    The Council has identified a number of children who, with additional support, are ready to transition to family settings, with the aim of improving their wellbeing.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “This programme is about giving children the opportunity to thrive in a supportive family environment.

    “While in a small number of cases, a residential setting may be appropriate for a child or young person, for most it would be much better for them to be living in a family home within Plymouth, close to their friends, families and schools.

    “We are committed to ensuring every child receives the care they need in the most nurturing setting possible and look forward to working with Reconnect to help make this a reality for more of our children in care.”

    Over a 14-month period, Reconnect will provide experienced practitioners to work alongside Plymouth’s social workers, delivering intensive, trauma-informed support to children and their prospective carers.

    Key elements of the programme include:

    • Assessment, planning and intervention: Therapeutic engagement with the identified children to prepare them for family-based care.
    • Foster carer recruitment: Targeted campaigns to recruit and support foster carers capable of meeting the complex needs of children and young people moving out of residential care.

    The programme is designed to be cost-effective, operating on a payment-by-results model. Plymouth City Council will only pay for services once savings are achieved through successful transitions.

    Foster for Plymouth, the Council’s own fostering service, has developed a package of support for carers who can look after children leaving residential care, known as the ‘Step Forward’ scheme. This includes enhanced financial allowances, starting at £840 per week, and wraparound support from a dedicated team of professionals.

    Find out more about becoming a foster carer in Plymouth at fosterforplymouth.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Innovative programme to support children in Plymouth out of residential care

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A new programme is working to help move children in care in Plymouth from residential placements into family-based settings, including foster care and kinship care.

    Reconnect, a specialist organisation which supports local authorities to achieve successful transitions for children in care, will be working with Plymouth City Council to carry out this work following an executive decision signed on 30 July.

    The initiative comes in response to a growing number of children in care and a national shortage of foster carers, which has led to increased reliance on high-cost residential placements.

    The Council has identified a number of children who, with additional support, are ready to transition to family settings, with the aim of improving their wellbeing.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “This programme is about giving children the opportunity to thrive in a supportive family environment.

    “While in a small number of cases, a residential setting may be appropriate for a child or young person, for most it would be much better for them to be living in a family home within Plymouth, close to their friends, families and schools.

    “We are committed to ensuring every child receives the care they need in the most nurturing setting possible and look forward to working with Reconnect to help make this a reality for more of our children in care.”

    Over a 14-month period, Reconnect will provide experienced practitioners to work alongside Plymouth’s social workers, delivering intensive, trauma-informed support to children and their prospective carers.

    Key elements of the programme include:

    • Assessment, planning and intervention: Therapeutic engagement with the identified children to prepare them for family-based care.
    • Foster carer recruitment: Targeted campaigns to recruit and support foster carers capable of meeting the complex needs of children and young people moving out of residential care.

    The programme is designed to be cost-effective, operating on a payment-by-results model. Plymouth City Council will only pay for services once savings are achieved through successful transitions.

    Foster for Plymouth, the Council’s own fostering service, has developed a package of support for carers who can look after children leaving residential care, known as the ‘Step Forward’ scheme. This includes enhanced financial allowances, starting at £840 per week, and wraparound support from a dedicated team of professionals.

    Find out more about becoming a foster carer in Plymouth at fosterforplymouth.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Attends the Opening Ceremony of O-Bank’s Sydney Representative Office

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    irector General David Cheng-Wei Wu was honoured to attend the opening ceremony of O-Bank’s Sydney Representative Office, alongside distinguished guests including the Hon. Anthony Roberts MP, the Hon. Rod Roberts MLC, Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, President of the Australia-Taiwan Business Council John Toigo, President of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia Peter Huang, as well as leaders from the Taiwanese banking, business, and community sectors.
    O-Bank President Elton Lee envisions the Sydney Representative Office as a pivotal hub in the bank’s roadmap for global expansion. The bank aims not only to upgrade the office to a full branch but also to establish additional locations across Australia. By collaborating with fellow Taiwanese financial institutions in Australia, O-Bank seeks to deepen financial, trade, and cultural ties between Taiwan and Australia.
    Director General Wu began his remarks by thanking the three members of the New South Wales Parliament for their presence, which demonstrated bipartisan support for the Taiwanese community, the Representative Office, and O-Bank. He noted that, as Taiwan’s first native digital bank, O-Bank’s presence marks the ninth Taiwanese bank in Sydney and the twelfth in Australia — a clear indication of growing financial ties between Taiwan and New South Wales. He further emphasized Taiwan’s active pursuit of membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with the support of Australia. Taiwan’s inclusion would strengthen supply chain integration among like-minded democracies and generate concrete economic benefits at both bilateral and multilateral levels. In short, the CPTPP will be stronger with Taiwan on board.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigating serious motorbike crash at Herdsmans Cove

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigating serious motorbike crash at Herdsmans Cove

    Thursday, 31 July 2025 – 11:32 am.

    Police are investigating a motorbike crash in Herdsmans Cove last night where two people sustained serious injuries. 
    About 11pm, two trail bikes were travelling in opposite directions on a walkway near Zena Drive. The area is poorly lit, the bikes did not have headlights, and one of the riders was not wearing a helmet.  
    The bikes collided, and both riders, a 19-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, were transported to hospital in serious but stable conditions.  
    “Police remind all road users, particular motorcyclists, to prioritise their safety,” said Inspector Luke Horne. 
    “Please – if you’re a rider – protect your safety and the safety of others every time you ride.”  
    Anyone with information in relation to the crash is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 131 444.  
    Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Free webinar to help local hospitality and retail businesses beat the power bills

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo is holding a free webinar to provide local hospitality and retail businesses with energy saving advice.

    The Smart Energy Solutions for Hospitality and Retail Businesses webinar will take place from 4 to 5pm on Wednesday August 6 as part of the City’s Beat the Power Bills program.

    City of Greater Bendigo Climate Change and Environment Acting Manager Ian McBurney said the session is tailored specifically for small to medium operators in cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, and service-based retail.

    “It will provide practical advice on understanding energy bills, identifying costly inefficiencies in day-to-day operations, and assessing the value of upgrades like solar, batteries, or switching off gas,” Mr McBurney said.

    “The webinar will be presented by the City’s Zero Emissions Business Officer Tim Drylie and will cut through the jargon and provide hospitality and retail owners with the facts they need to make informed, cost-saving decisions.”

    The webinar is free to attend. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 31, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 31, 2025.

    5 reasons why wind farms are costing more in Australia – and what to do about it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magnus Söderberg, Professor and Director, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University Saeed Khan/Getty Building a solar farm in Australia is getting about 8% cheaper each year as panel prices fall and technology improves, according to an official new report. Battery storage costs are

    Sporty spice: how romance fiction is adding a new dynamic to sports fandom
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University Sports fans might love their teams, cheer or curse each game’s result and admire their favourite athletes, but we rarely associate sports with romance. However, that may be slowly changing thanks to the recent spike in the popularity

    Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lori Leigh, Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images New Zealand’s 2023 census was the first to collect data on gender identity and sexual orientation, showing one in 20 adults identify as LGBTQIA+. But just as reports from this more inclusive census are being

    Big tech says AI could boost Australia’s economy by $115 billion a year. Does the evidence stack up?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Imaginima / Getty Images AI is on the agenda in Canberra. In August, the Productivity Commission will release an interim report on harnessing data and digital technology such as AI “to boost productivity growth, accelerate innovation and

    Progress on Closing the Gap is stagnant or going backwards. Here are 3 things to help fix it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeleine Pugin, Research Fellow, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University The Productivity Commission’s latest data on Closing the Gap progress represents an unsurprisingly grim overview of the socioeconomic inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Closing the Gap is the plan federal and

    More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle H. Lim, Associate Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney Oliver Rossi/Getty Images Loneliness is not a word often associated with young people. We tend to think of our youth as a time spent with family, friends and being engaged with school and work

    How migrant business owners turn their identity into an asset, despite some bumps along the way
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shea X. Fan, Associate Professor, Human Resource Management, Deakin University Odua Images/Shutterstock Too often, it’s anti-immigration sentiment dominating headlines in Australia. But a quieter story is going untold. Migrants are not just fitting into Australian society, they’re actively reshaping it through entrepreneurship. Starting a business is difficult

    The Man from Hong Kong at 50: how the first ever Australian–Hong Kong co-production became a cult classic
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Ferris, Senior Lecturer, Media Arts & Production, University of Technology Sydney LMPC via Getty Images A cinematic firecracker of a film exploded onto international screens 50 years ago this week, blending martial arts mayhem, Bond-esque set pieces, casual racism – and a distinctly Australian swagger. From

    Rules for calculating climate risk in financial reporting by NZ businesses need revisiting – new research
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martien Lubberink, Associate Professor of Accounting and Capital, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Andrew MacDonald/Getty Images The recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on climate action marked a significant step forward in formalising an idea many already accept: climate inaction is not merely

    Climate justice victory at the ICJ – the student journey from USP lectures to The Hague
    By Vahefonua Tupola in Suva The University of the South Pacific (USP) is at the heart of a global legal victory with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering a historic opinion last week affirming that states have binding legal obligations to protect the environment from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The case, hailed as a

    Climate justice victory at the ICJ – the student journey from USP lectures to The Hague
    By Vahefonua Tupola in Suva The University of the South Pacific (USP) is at the heart of a global legal victory with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering a historic opinion last week affirming that states have binding legal obligations to protect the environment from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The case, hailed as a

    Kamchatka earthquake is among top 10 strongest ever recorded. Here’s what they have in common
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Today at about 11:30am local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s far east. Originating at a depth of roughly 20 kilometres, today’s powerful earthquake – among the ten strongest in recorded

    Kamchatka earthquake is among top 10 strongest ever recorded. Here’s what they have in common
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Today at about 11:30am local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s far east. Originating at a depth of roughly 20 kilometres, today’s powerful earthquake – among the ten strongest in recorded

    Tsunami warnings are triggering mass evacuations across the Pacific – even though the waves look small. Here’s why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne Last night, one of the ten largest earthquakes ever recorded struck Kamchatka, the sparsely populated Russian peninsula facing the Pacific. The magnitude 8.8 quake had its epicentre in the sea just

    NAPLAN is just one test. Here’s what to do if your child’s results were in the bottom bands
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sally Larsen, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of New England Rawpixel/ Getty Images The latest round of NAPLAN results are out, along with a string of news reports about “students falling behind” and “failing”, and experts sounding the “alarm” about school progress. In March, all Australian students

    Inflation slows again — but is it enough for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stella Huangfu, Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney Doublelee/Shutterstock Inflation is moving in the right direction, but new figures released today may not be soft enough to trigger a cut in official interest rates in August. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the June quarter

    With the UK and France moving toward recognising Palestine, will Australia now follow suit?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University One of the smallest and most exclusive clubs in the world belongs to states. The US Department of State puts the number of independent recognised states at 197, while others count 200. The United Nations, meanwhile, has 193

    With the UK and France moving toward recognising Palestine, will Australia follow suit?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University One of the smallest and most exclusive clubs in the world belongs to states. The US Department of State puts the number of independent recognised states at 197, while others count 200. The United Nations, meanwhile, has 193

    An underwater observatory keeping the pulse of the Southern Ocean for nearly 30 years yields fresh results
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Traill, PhD Candidate Southern Ocean biogeochemistry, University of Tasmania Elizabeth Shadwick In a world affected by climate change, the Southern Ocean plays an outsized role. It absorbs up to 40% of the human-caused emissions taken up by the oceans while also being home to some of

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Human remains located in Port Lincoln

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, the Officer in Charge of Major Crime provided an update to the media in relation to human remains being located in scrubland near Port Lincoln, believed to be that of Julian Storey.

    Remains located north of Slipway Road and east of Hindmarsh Street where the white box with three stripes is located on the map

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Students get exclusive preview of Salisbury River Park play area

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Students get exclusive preview of Salisbury River Park play area

    The Salisbury River Park project reduces the flood risk to over 350 homes and businesses along the River Avon.

    Children from Sarum St. Paul’s C of E Primary School at the park

    Students from Sarum St. Paul’s C of E Primary School were given an exclusive preview of Salisbury River Park before its official opening, allowing them to see their creative designs incorporated into the new public space and experience the innovative play area first hand. 

    The visit on 23 July 2025 provided the young designers with the exciting opportunity to witness how their contributions have helped shape this transformational project, which will serve as a legacy for future generations whilst protecting over 350 homes and businesses from flooding. 

    As part of the design process, all pupils of Sarum St. Paul’s C of E Primary School were invited to take part in a design competition, with workshops conducted for Year 5 and 6 students to gather input on what they would like to see in the play park design. Several students’ artwork was chosen and incorporated into the final design through engraved images on the play equipment and sculpted animals. 

    Eight pupils and teachers visited the site to discover their designs integrated throughout the play park and test the new play equipment. 

    Lizzie Weaver, Headteacher of Sarum St. Paul’s C of E Primary School, said:  

    We had such a lovely time visiting the new play park. The children were incredibly excited to find their designs that had been carved into the equipment.

    The area is a beautiful space for families to enjoy, and the placement of equipment, benches and artwork has been carefully considered. I look forward to returning soon with my own children!

    Our school has loved being involved with the River Park Project, it has enhanced so many curriculum areas and provided many wider opportunities for our pupils.

    Andy Wallis, Salisbury River Park project lead at the Environment Agency, said:  

    It’s wonderful to see the young people from Sarum St. Paul’s experiencing their designs come to life in this special preview. Their creativity and input have genuinely contributed to making this play area a space that reflects what local children want to see.

    The fact that their artwork is now permanently part of this transformational project shows how community engagement can create lasting benefits for future generations.

    Andy Wallis at Salisbury River Park Ashley Rd Play Park pre-opening event with Cllr Victoria Charleston

    Cllr Victoria Charleston, councillor for the St Paul’s Ward, said:  

    It was very exciting to visit the new playpark and to see the schoolchildren experiencing it for the first time. The children who joined us had won the art competition, and their artwork is now hidden throughout the park.

    They thoroughly enjoyed exploring the new equipment, which will be a huge asset for the city council and the community. 

    We’ve watched this project come together, both as a city and as a family, and we’re excited to see it officially open. Thank you to the Environment Agency for all its dedication and hard work.

    Cllr Chris Taylor, councillor for the St Paul’s Ward, said:  

    The new play area on Ashley Road is an impressive facility with colourful design using natural materials, incorporating accessibility features like flat surfacing, wheelchair access, and equipment designed for all children to enjoy safely.

    I was particularly pleased to see the Environment Agency’s engagement with Sarum St Paul’s School, ensuring pupils who contributed to the park’s graphics were the first to play there.  

    Despite weather delays, I’m assured it will open before the end of school holidays, which will be marvellous for local families.

    The Salisbury River Park project is a collaboration between the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council, and is constructed by Kier. Construction began in summer 2022 and is due to complete this autumn, despite challenges including the exceptionally wet 2023/24 winter – the wettest in the Avon catchment since records began in 1871.  

    Once the grass has fully established, the play park will be opened, and we are committed that this will happen during the school summer holidays. 

    The scheme has created enhanced riverside habitat for wildlife, removed obstructions to allow fish migration upstream, and established high-quality public open space. Over 650 metres of new and improved cycle routes and 1,600 metres of footpaths have been created to improve access and encourage active travel. More than 1,000 new trees have been planted, enhancing habitat for water voles, otters, bats and birds. 

    The park design, created by Green Play Projects, is based on the local ecology, with the central climbing feature mimicking the burrow of a water vole and filled with information and activities reflecting the flora and fauna of the River Avon. The development has been designed in consultation with DIGS Salisbury (Disability Interest Group of Salisbury), ensuring accessibility for all abilities so children can play side by side. 

    The park’s colour palette was created by artist Zac Newham in collaboration with students from South Wilts Grammar School, chosen to reflect natural colours observed within the river whilst maintaining visual accessibility. 

    Background

    • Phase 1 of Salisbury River Park is due to complete autumn 2025. 
    • The project reduced flood risk to over 350 homes and businesses. 
    • The scheme has created new wetland areas, boardwalks, and enhanced biodiversity along the River Avon 
    • Plans for additional phases are in place and will progress as funding becomes available 

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Compassionate Message Regarding Humanitarian Crises Wednesday 30 July 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Media Release

    30 July 2025

    Compassionate Message Regarding Humanitarian Crises

    The States of Alderney endorse the compassionate message from the government of Guernsey in highlighting the humanitarian situation in Gaza alongside the numerous other humanitarian crises in the world, and the commitment to upholding the principles of International Law.

    Ends

    Please contact Gill Trousdale in the President’s Office by email president.alderney@gov.gg or telephone 01481 820001.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City of York Council Welcomes Over £1 Million to Tackle Economic Inactivity

    Source: City of York

    The Get Britain Working Trailblazer programme is aimed at reducing economic inactivity and supporting residents into good jobs, volunteering, and training opportunities.

    The funding, totalling £1,038,250, comes from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) and will support a wide range of local projects targeting groups most affected by long-term unemployment, including young people, disabled residents, unpaid carers, and veterans.

    Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:

    “This funding is a real opportunity to make a difference in the lives of York residents who face barriers to employment due to health or personal circumstances. We’re proud to be delivering a programme that puts people first—offering tailored support, improving wellbeing, and helping individuals find meaningful work. It’s about building a healthier, more inclusive city.”

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy & Culture, added:

    “This investment aligns perfectly with our Economic Strategy and our ambition to create good jobs and a thriving local economy. By working with partners across the city, we’re scaling up what works and piloting new, innovative approaches. It’s a bold step forward in unlocking York’s hidden talent and ensuring no one is left behind.”

    The funding will support 15 York-specific schemes, including mental health hubs, youth mentoring, workplace health checks, and employer engagement initiatives. It also complements wider regional programmes such as wage subsidies and primary care interventions.

    The Council has committed to delivering all projects within the 2025/26 financial year, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and measurable impact. A report detailing the funding will go to a joint councillor decision session on 5 August

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cultural programme announced for Japan Week in Manchester this September

    Source: City of Manchester

    The programme has been announced for a fantastic free cultural festival this September that will see a six-day Japanese culture takeover of Manchester as part of Japan Week 2025.

    The festival is being held in Manchester from 4 – 9 September after the city was chosen by the International Friendship Foundation as host city for the prestigious annual Japan Week event, that takes place each year in a different world city. 
    First held in Florence and after that in other major cities around the globe including Seville, Boston, and Athens, this year’s festival in Manchester promises to be extra special as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the event that first took place in 1975.

    The annual festival showcases traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through arts, music, fashion and sports, and will see a whole host of activities taking place at venues right across the city – all of them free to attend on a first come, first served basis, although some activities will require free-of-charge tickets to be booked in advance.

    Through a diverse range of events, workshops, exhibitions and interactive experiences, hosted at iconic venues across the city, the festival promises a glimpse into the beauty and uniqueness of Japanese arts, traditions and more.

    From traditional tea ceremonies and calligraphy, to music, arts and grass roots cultural exchange, there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy and appreciate.

    The programme includes theatre and stage performances at HOME, traditional tea ceremonies at Manchester Museum, workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations at Aviva Studios and Manchester Central Library, plus a full day of activity with the Hallé showcasing the Hallé Youth Orchestra, Japan Archives, and Japanese instruments.

    The week also includes the first UK performance of BLOOM – a brand-new production that fuses music, fashion and dance in a unique celebration of Greater Manchester’s contemporary creative scene.  It has been created by composer and DJ Afrodeutsche, dance company Company Chameleon, and queer-led fashion brand Belladonis.  The live performance will also feature a string ensemble from the world-renowned Hallé orchestra, including virtuosa violinist Roberto Ruisi.

    Centred on the theme of metamorphosis and change, BLOOM was created as a unique gift from Greater Manchester to Japan, marking a landmark year of cultural exchange between the two regions – with its debut performance taking place at EXPO Osaka back in June, ahead of performances in Manchester during Japan Week.

    Away from central Manchester local community venues in the north and south of the city will also be hosting Japan Week activity with plans currently being finalised for activity to take place at Gorton Hub, Wythenshawe Forum, and Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre.

    Mr Hiroyuki Ishizaki of the International Friendship Federation, Japan said: “It is a great pleasure to bring artists and performers from across Japan to the wonderful city of Manchester for an extra special programme celebrating the 50th anniversary.” 

    Manchester and the wider city region has a longstanding relationship with Japan, dating back to the 1800s and the industrial revolution, with Japan Week 2025 set to showcase this 200-year history and friendship.

    The city’s bid to host Japan Week came off the back of a successful Greater Manchester trade mission to Osaka and Tokyo in December 2023, led by GMCA Mayor Andy Burnham and Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig.

    The city region’s relationship with Japan has continued to go from strength to strength since then, with a further delegation from Greater Manchester having recently undertaken a follow-up trade mission with partners in Tokyo and Osaka.

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester and Japan have historic links, going all the way back to the 1800s, when Japanese students came to Greater Manchester to take home the lessons of industry and our connections have been forged ever since. As a proudly international city, our city has always been shaped by people and businesses who have chosen Manchester to live, to work and to invest in.

    “Culture has an important part to play in this, helping forge a mutual understanding between cities and countries that in turn helps create the right foundations for joint working and for successfully doing business with each other.

    “It is particularly special that Manchester has been chosen to host the landmark 50th celebration of International Japan Week.  

    “The programme of free cultural activity for September will allow people from across the city come and experience these unique events and gain insights into Japanese culture for the week. We are looking forward to hosting an important delegation of Japanese dignitaries, businesses and cultural institutions in our city.”

    The festival is being delivered in partnership with HOME, Aviva Studios, Manchester Central Library, First Street, and Manchester Museum, with activities also taking place at Hallé St Peter’s and esea contemporary in the Northern Quarter.

    Partner quotes:

    Karen O’Neil, CEO of HOME, said: “HOME is honoured to be part of welcoming so many amazing artists from Japan to Manchester for what we are sure will be an exciting week of events and shared experiences. Japan Week clearly shows Manchester’s commitment to being an international city with a thriving cultural sector.”

    John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of Japan Week as the annual celebration of culture comes to Manchester. Having welcomed the great Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama as the very first person to exhibit in Factory International’s new home at Aviva Studios with You, Me and the Balloons in 2023, we look forward to welcoming more great artists from Japan to the city this September and building cultural ties alongside our partners. Visitors to Aviva Studios will have the opportunity to experience exhibitions, food and drink samplings and workshops showcasing Japanese art, innovation, and tradition.”

    Ciaron Wilkinson, Head of External Relations at Manchester Museum said: “Manchester Museum has a long history of celebrating Japanese cultural heritage so we’re excited to continue building on that tradition and the cherished relationships that come with it. Our own mission is to build understanding between cultures and Japan Week has incredible potential to do just that.”

    Thomas Ingham, Director of Place and Marketing, First Street and Ask Real Estate, said: “First Street and Ask Real Estate have a strong track record of supporting and enabling cultural activations in Manchester. And as First Street marks its 10th birthday this year, we look forward to welcoming guests from all around the world for the 50th anniversary of Japan Week.” 

    David Butcher, Chief Executive, The Hallé, said: “Japan Week is such an exciting opportunity to explore and enjoy cultural exchange in Manchester, and the Hallé is thrilled to be joining partners to deliver something special for the city. As Manchester’s cultural ambassador, international engagement is deeply rooted in our work, and we are looking forward to sharing the results of our most recent collaboration, BLOOM, which premiered at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, marking a new city partnership between Manchester and Osaka. Alongside this performance and much more at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats, audiences are in for a treat with such an incredible range of events across the city and we look forward to joining in the celebrations.”

    Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary, said: ” ‘From Tokyo to Manchester: Weekend Festival’ reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful cultural dialogue across geographies. As a proud venue partner for the 50th anniversary of Japan Week—supported by Manchester City Council—we are honoured to contribute to this landmark citywide celebration. Through boundary-pushing music, experimental moving image, and shared creative experience, the festival captures the vitality of Japan’s contemporary arts and culture while resonating with Manchester’s spirit of openness, innovation, and inclusivity. It is a joyful invitation to connect—across disciplines, communities, and generations.” 

    Japan Week in Manchester is proudly sponsored by Calbee, Mizkan, Manchester Airport, KAJI, and First Street and Ask Real Estate who have together made the exciting free programme of cultural events possible. 

    Find out more information about what’s on during Japan Week in Manchester and get tickets  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More transport choices are coming to Mackworth

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby’s final mobility hub is underway, bringing more transport choices to residents in Mackworth.

    Building on the success of similar schemes elsewhere in the city, the new mobility hub will be installed at the Prince Charles Avenue shopping precinct, giving residents and local businesses greater choice when deciding how they travel around their local community.

    Mobility hubs provide greater opportunities to use sustainable and active travel methods – such as walking and cycling – making it easier to access local amenities. It is hoped that they will also draw more people into the area and enhance the local economy.

    Work on site to install the Prince Charles Avenue mobility hub is expected to be completed later this summer and will include:

    • Electric vehicle (EV) charging and dedicated parking for up to three EVs
    • An Enterprise Car Club location (subject to expected demand)
    • An accessible seating area with bike storage, designed in consultation with local businesses, ward councillors and the Police
    • Interactive information totem with live travel updates

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability said:

    This mobility hub will be the final piece of the jigsaw in delivering enhanced, sustainable transport choices to our communities. 

    A welcome addition to our ever-growing transport network, the Mackworth mobility hub will support our work to combat climate change through reduced pollution and congestion in Derby.

    The Mackworth mobility hub will add to the network of hubs already completed or in construction in Six Streets, Chaddesden, Allenton and Normanton/Arboretum. As well as providing alternative transport choices, the hubs help the Council to learn more about the community’s travel needs and preferences, helping to shape future schemes. 

    Mobility hubs are funded by the Department for Transport (DFT)’s Future Transport Zones Fund, which was awarded to Derby City Council to trial new and exciting developments in transport.

    Residents who would like to know more about the mobility hubs can get in touch with the Future Transport Zones team by emailing traffic.management@derby.gov.uk.
    Ends. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Gradual v sudden collapse: what magnets teach us about climate tipping points

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Dearing, Emeritus Professor of Physical Geography, University of Southampton

    Andrey VP / shutterstock

    Some of Earth’s largest climate systems may collapse not with a bang, but with a whimper. Surprisingly, experiments with magnets are helping us understand how.

    We now widely accept that greenhouse gases and the way we use natural resources are putting enormous stress on the world’s climate and ecosystems. It’s also well known that even small increases in stress can push Earth systems, like rainforests, ice sheets or ocean currents, past tipping points, leading to major and often irreversible changes.

    But there’s a lot we still don’t know about tipping points. When might they happen? What will they look like? And what should we do about them?

    Some local tipping points have already been reached. For example, many lakes have abruptly shifted in the past few decades from clear water to slimy, algae-choked pools, usually in response to fertilisers running off nearby farmland.

    Smaller systems, like this pond, can very suddenly shift from one state to another.
    Janet J / shutterstock

    For larger systems, like the entire Amazon forest or the West Antarctic ice sheet, the longer timescales involved mean direct observation – and certainly experiments – are impossible.

    But we can look for clues elsewhere. In fact, we can now learn about tipping points from something much smaller and far more controllable: magnets.

    Magnets have tipping points too

    In our recent research, we used magnetic materials to mimic the behaviour of an ecosystem stressed by global warming. Just like Earth’s climate systems, magnets can tip from one stable state to another – flipping from positive to negative – when pushed hard enough.

    We found that magnets don’t all flip the same way. Some shift abruptly – a characteristic of many hard materials. Others shift smoothly and more easily – as commonly found with soft magnets.

    Whether a magnet collapses abruptly or smoothly is determined by its structure. As a general rule, hard materials are simple structures that absorb stress up to a point and then suddenly flip – much like a small, well-mixed lake that stays clear until one day, when enough fertiliser has leaked in, it turns green and slimy almost overnight.

    Soft magnets, on the other hand, are more complex inside. Different parts respond to stress at different rates. This is similar to a large forest, where some species can handle rising temperatures but others are less resilient.

    The result is a reorganisation. Some species die out, others take over, and the whole system gradually transitions into a different type of forest – or even into a new ecosystem like a grassland.

    Some Earth systems are more prone to abrupt collapse.
    Steve Allen / shutterstock

    The same principles may apply beyond biology. Ocean currents and ice sheets with their many varied and moving parts might also behave like soft magnets, reorganising gradually rather than collapsing in one sudden movement.

    Softer systems are easier to flip back

    Our experiments with magnets uncovered something else with implications for Earth’s climate systems and their tipping points.

    The softer a system is, the easier it is to reverse the change – but only if you act before the stress builds up. If the pressure has built up too much, even soft systems start behaving like hard ones, flipping suddenly and dramatically.

    We also found that what may look like a soft and complex system – a whole rainforest or ice sheet, for instance – can be made up of lots of smaller hard elements. Each of these elements has its own sensitivity to a specific level of stress. Zoom in far enough, and you’ll see many more abrupt tipping points at the level of a single lake or patch of trees.

    This matters because the speed of change is just as important as the amount. In magnets, the faster we applied stress, the more likely they were to tip suddenly. Climate systems seem to behave the same way: the faster we heat the world, the greater the risk of sudden collapse.

    If we see these big complex systems slowly shifting and think there’s still time to act – we may be wrong. Like the proverbial frogs in boiling water, we may not notice we have passed the point of no return until it is too late.

    This is why we must watch closely, especially at the local level, for any warning signs. A patch of wetland drying out or a small tract of forest dying back. These might seem like small changes, but they may signal a much larger decline is already underway.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    John Dearing is a member of the Green Party of England and Wales.

    Roy Thompson and Simon Willcock do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Gradual v sudden collapse: what magnets teach us about climate tipping points – https://theconversation.com/gradual-v-sudden-collapse-what-magnets-teach-us-about-climate-tipping-points-258606

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How the UK’s cold weather payments need to change to help prevent people freezing in winter

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thomas Longden, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    DimaBerlin/Shutterstock

    The UK government recently expanded the warm home discount by removing restrictions that had previously excluded many people who can’t always afford to heat their homes. Now, the payment of £150 will be received by 2.7 million more households than last winter.

    The UK government has also reversed its decision to limit winter fuel payments to only the poorest pensioners. This could benefit up to 9 million people.

    The UK government has two other mechanisms for reducing heating costs over winter. The warm home discount and winter fuel payment are both one-off payments that help people pay their heating bills. The cold weather payment aims to support people during spells of very cold weather.

    Recipients of specific means-tested benefits in England, Wales and Northern Ireland automatically receive £25 after cold weather occurs in their region. Another policy applies in Scotland, where some people get a single winter heating payment.

    While these changes to the winter fuel payment and warm home discount are welcome, the cold weather payment has long been seen as an outdated, old-fashioned scheme in need of change. For example, it is paid after cold weather happens. Our research indicates that it can be improved by changing this.

    The wide use of smart meters means that researchers like us can now produce data-driven studies that improve our understanding of energy use and expenditure during cold weather. Our recent studies of prepayment meter customers’ energy use indicate ways to improve the cold weather payments.

    Analysis of electricity and gas smart-meter data from 11,500 Utilita Energy prepayment customers showed that 63% of households self-disconnected from energy supply at least once a year. In this study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, we found that more homes self-disconnected from gas during cold periods than at other times. There was no evidence to show that the cold weather payment as presently designed reduced this risk.

    Also using smart meter data from energy company Utilita Energy, a recent study published in the journal Energy Economics shows that prepayment gas customers in regions with high fuel poverty tend to struggle at temperatures below −4°C. Below this temperature, prepayment gas customers need to top up more often and with higher amounts. People using prepayment tend to top-up their credit in advance of cold weather.

    Cold weather payments could be sent directly to customers with smart meters.
    Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock

    In colder weather, more people use emergency credit and disconnect from power more often. Emergency credit is provided by the utility as a short-term loan. Self-disconnections occur when the household has no credit left and they have no energy supply.

    The government’s payment is triggered when the average temperature falls below 0°C for seven consecutive days. As this metric is not reported by news media or meteorology services, it’s hard to know when the cold weather payment will be received. The easiest way to find out if a payment will be made, after cold weather, requires people to enter their postcode at a Department for Work and Pensions website.

    If people are unsure if severe weather is forecast, they may not increase their top-up in advance. They may, however, self-ration or limit energy use to save money.

    The cold weather payment is only paid once even when there are multiple periods of cold. This “overlap penalty” severely affects those living in northern England and particularly Yorkshire, which is a colder region where cold weather spells are more common.

    Cause for reform

    The payment should be made in advance of cold weather, and utility companies could pay it directly to customers who have smart meters. Credits could be applied for those using other types of meters. This is likely to reduce self-disconnections and self-rationing during very cold nights.

    Payments should be triggered by the minimum night-time temperature. The temperature measure used at present is confusing and the money is not paid until up to two weeks after extremely cold weather, which is problematic for those on tight budgets.

    To better match the support needed during cold weather, the amount paid should be increased to £10 a day for every day that minimum temperatures are forecast to be below −4°C. This would improve energy security for people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    A policy will only be effective when it is clearly communicated and understood by those it applies to. To prevent self-rationing, people need to know that payment support has arrived, otherwise they may hesitate to turn up the heating on the coldest days of winter, with all the risks that involves.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Thomas Longden has recently received funding from Energy Consumers Australia and Original Power – a community-focused, Aboriginal organisation. He is a member of the ACT Climate Change Council and the NSW branch of the Economic Society of Australia.

    Brenda Boardman is affiliated in the UK with the End Fuel Poverty Coalition and the Labour Party. Her research on pre-payment meter households was co-funded by Utilita Giving.

    Tina Fawcett currently receives funding from UKRI. Her research on pre-payment meter households was co-funded by Utilita Giving.

    – ref. How the UK’s cold weather payments need to change to help prevent people freezing in winter – https://theconversation.com/how-the-uks-cold-weather-payments-need-to-change-to-help-prevent-people-freezing-in-winter-259339

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What’s changing for children on social media from 25 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    What’s changing for children on social media from 25 July 2025

    New laws come into force, protecting under-18s from harmful online content

    From 25 July, the way children experience the internet will fundamentally change, as new laws come into force, protecting under-18s from harmful content they shouldn’t ever be seeing. This includes:

    • pornography
    • self-harm
    • suicide
    • hate speech
    • violence

    Children will have to prove their age to access the most harmful material on social media and other sites, with platforms having to use secure methods like facial scans, photo ID and credit card checks to check the age of their users. This means it will be much harder for under-18s to accidentally or intentionally access harmful content.

    A thousand platforms have confirmed to Ofcom they’ve got these checks in place, including the most visited porn site in the UK, PornHub.

    It comes as Ofcom figures show that children as young as eight have accessed pornography online, and 16% of teenagers report seeing material that stigmatises body types or promotes disordered eating in the last four weeks.

    Children will also see fewer harmful posts and videos in their feeds, with platforms required to make sure their algorithms aren’t feeding children content that promotes harmful behaviours like bullying, hate speech or dangerous online challenges.

    And when harmful content does appear, platforms will need to act quickly to remove it. If children are seeing something harmful or inappropriate, it will be easier to find help and report it.

    Technology secretary Peter Kyle said:

    Our lives are no longer split between the online and offline worlds – they are one and the same. What happens online is real. It shapes our children’s minds, their sense of self, and their future. And the harm done there can be just as devastating as anything they might face in the physical world.

    We’ve drawn a line in the sand. This Government has taken one of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to reclaim the digital space for young people – to lay the foundations for a safer, healthier, more humane place online.

    We cannot – and will not – allow a generation of children to grow up at the mercy of toxic algorithms, pushed to see harmful content they would never be exposed to offline. This is not the internet we want for our children, nor the future we are willing to accept.

    The time for tech platforms to look the other way is over. They must act now to protect our children, follow the law, and play their part in creating a better digital world.

    And let me be clear: if they fail to do so, they will be held to account. I will not hesitate to go further and legislate to ensure that no child is left unprotected.

    Enforcement action from the regulator

    From 25 July these protections will be fully enforceable and services that don’t comply could face serious enforcement action from Ofcom including fines.  

    Enforcement action can be 10% of the companies’ qualifying global annual revenues or £18 million, whichever is greater.

    Action platforms will legally have to take

    Block access to harmful content 

    • Starting from 25 July, platforms that host pornography, or content which encourages self-harm, suicide or eating disorder content will have to put in place robust age-checks. This means: 
      • using highly effective age assurance, like facial age estimation, photo-ID matching, or credit card checks to verify age more reliably; and 
      • stopping children encountering harmful content on the site – either by age restricting parts of the platform or blocking access to the site by under 18s 
      • this will create extra steps when creating a new account or attempting to access content not appropriate for children.
      • in practice, this is like a child not being able to sign up for a credit card, or buy alcohol, and means that children will encounter fewer instances of harmful content and have a more age-appropriate experience online 

    Provide safer feeds and fewer toxic algorithms 

    • The codes set out how platforms can reduce toxic algorithms which we know can recommend harmful content to children without them seeking it out.  
    • This includes ensuring that algorithms do not operate in a way that harms children, such as by pushing content related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography. That means fewer risky rabbit holes and more control over what children see on their feeds. 

    Take faster action on harmful content 

    • Platforms will need more robust content moderation systems to take swift action against content that is harmful to children when they become aware of it. 
    • Search engines should filter out the most harmful content for children, for example by using a ‘safe search’ setting for children, which can’t be turned off.

    User support 

    • Platforms will also be required to ensure they provide clear and easy-to-find information for children, and the adults who care for them.  
    • This will include easy-to-use reporting and complaints processes, as well as tools and support for children to help them stay safe online. 

    Types of ‘harmful content’ the codes apply to

    Platforms which host pornography, or the most harmful content to children and are likely to be accessed by children, must implement highly effective age assurance to prevent children from accessing said content. 

    This content is described as primary priority content and includes: 

    • pornography, and
    • content that encourages, promotes, or provides instructions for:
      • self-harm
      • suicide
      • eating disorders 

    Wider harmful content is known as priority content. The codes instruct platforms to protect children from this content by providing age-appropriate experiences. This category of content includes:

    • bullying
    • abusive or hateful content, and
    • content which encourages:
      • or depicts serious violence or injury
      • dangerous stunts and challenges
      • the ingestion, inhalation or exposure to harmful substances

    ENDS

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Bumrah not ruled out of fifth test, says India captain Shubman Gill

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India captain Shubman Gill has refused to rule pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah out of contention for the fifth test against England starting at the Oval on Thursday.

    Bumrah, who is the joint-leading wicket taker in the series with 14, was expected to miss the decisive clash as India’s medical staff want to manage his workload.

    But Gill said any decision would be left late.

    “We will take a decision (on Bumrah) tomorrow; the wicket looks very green. So we will see how it turns out,” Gill told a press conference at the Oval on Wednesday.

    Bumrah was scheduled to play only three of the five tests and has already featured in the opener at Headingley and the back-to-back tests at Lord’s and Old Trafford.

    India need to win the final test to level the series 2-2.

    “2-2 will be very significant for this team,” Gill said. “Every match we have played, it was difficult to decide the winner after the first four days.”

    Should Bumrah miss out, India would likely select Akash Deep or even hand a debut to Arshdeep Singh.

    “He has been asked to get ready but we will take a call on the playing eleven after looking at the pitch by this evening,” Gill said. “England haven’t gone with a frontline spinner.

    “We have Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who have done such a good job with the ball and the bat. On that front, it’s a no-brainer for us.”

    India are without wicket keeper Rishabh Pant, ruled out by a foot injury in the fourth test which ended in a draw on Sunday. Dhruv Jurel is set to stand in.

    The build-up to the series finale has been overshadowed by a spat on Tuesday between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and the ground staff at the Oval after Gambhir tried to take a close look at the square.

    Gill said the incident was “absolutely unnecessary”.

    “It’s not the first time that we were having a look at the wicket, we have been there for almost two months,” he said.

    “A coach has every right to be able to go close quarters and have a look at the wicket and I didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. I actually don’t know why the curator would not allow us to go have a look at the wicket.

    “All of us have played so much cricket, we have gone to the pitches so many times, including the coaches and captain, I don’t know what the fuss was about.”

    (Reuters)

     

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study estimating the number of lung microplastics people inhale daily in homes and cars

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in PLOS One estimates human exposure to microplastics in homes and cars. 

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “The only thing this paper measured was the concentrations of microplastics in a limited set of environments. The authors tested the air in three apartments and two cars via a total of 12 samples (plus four blanks). This is simply not enough data to make generalisations about the cities in France where the work took place, let alone the rest of the world. The authors did not conduct any testing to determine whether the microplastics they found were associated with or caused any health effects. The results should thus be treated as preliminary at best.

    “But what if there were more samples? What would the results mean?

    “When we talk about air pollution, you often hear the terms PM10 and PM2.5. The PM stands for particulate matter, and the numbers stand for the diameter of the particle in micrometres (microns). PM10 means particulate matter 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) in diameter or smaller, while PM2.5 means particles of matter 2.5 micrometres (0.0025 mm) in diameter or smaller. They usually come from dust and smoke, and we know that very fine particulate matter, no matter the source, can be a health risk; that’s why air quality is regularly tested, and there are guidelines in place for total PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the air in many countries [1].

    “Particles at the top end of the PM10 range generally do not travel further into the lungs than the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). Plastic particles in the PM2.5 range (or smaller) might travel further, but the keyword here is ‘might’; this is a relatively new area of research.

    “However, even if we assume plastic PM2.5 were an issue, their effects are already considered as part of the general impact of PM2.5 pollution, and any effect from plastics would likely be dwarfed by the contribution of PM2.5 particles from burning petrol oil and other fossil fuels, which are present in much greater abundance (while a figure like 2238 particles per cubic meter sounds like a large number, the particles themselves are very small, so the total physical amount of particles is also very small).

    “In short, while particulate pollution is an issue we should pay attention to, you don’t have to worry about breathing plastic air just yet.

    [1] Accredited official statistics, particulate matter (PM10/PM2.5), https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics/concentrations-of-particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25 accessed 30/06/25″

    ‘Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air’ by Nadiia Yakovenko et al. will be published in PLOS One at 19:00 UK time Wednesday 30 July 2025, which is when the embargo will lift.

    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328011

    Declared interests

    Prof Oliver Jones: I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne. I have previously published research on microplastics in the environment. I have no conflicts of interest to declare but I have received funding from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and various Australian Water utilities for research into environmental pollution.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with the Sultan of Oman: 30 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting with the Sultan of Oman: 30 July 2025

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street today.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street today.

    The leaders began by discussing the horrific scenes of hunger and devastation in Gaza and agreed this cannot continue. They reiterated the call for significant volumes of aid to urgently reach the people in Gaza and the Prime Minister confirmed UK support for Jordanian air drops to deliver aid swiftly to Gaza’s most vulnerable.

    The Prime Minister updated His Majesty on his conversations with other leaders in recent days, and both agreed on the need for a longer-term peace plan, which includes a pathway to recognition. They both reiterated the need for Hamas to release all hostages, disarm and sign up to a ceasefire, and accept that they will play no role in the future of Gaza.

    On Iran, the Prime Minister thanked His Majesty for Oman’s continued efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to avoid a return to conflict and ensure peace and security in the region.

    The leaders also discussed the ongoing UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade talks, and the Prime Minister outlined the huge potential for the UK economy and British businesses through this trade deal. They agreed to further collaboration between the UK on Oman in areas such as energy, technology, defence and security.

    They agreed to keep in touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Adjusting Imports of Copper into the United States

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”> BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     
    A PROCLAMATION

    1.  On June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of copper in all forms (copper), including copper ores, copper concentrates, refined copper, copper alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products, on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that copper is being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

    2.  The Secretary found that the present quantities of copper imports and the circumstances of global excess capacity for producing copper are weakening our economy, resulting in the persistent threat of further closures of domestic copper production facilities and the shrinking of our ability to meet national security production requirements.  Because of these risks, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found that the present quantities and circumstances of copper imports threaten to impair the national security as provided in section 232.

    3.  In reaching this conclusion, the Secretary found that copper is essential to the manufacturing foundation on which United States national and economic security depend.  Copper is the second most widely used material by the Department of Defense and is a necessary input in a range of defense systems, including aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition.  Copper also plays a central role in the broader United States industrial base.  The metal’s exceptional electrical conductivity and durability also make it indispensable to critical infrastructure sectors that support the American economy, national security, and public health.  Alternatives to copper are insufficient substitutes for these vital industries and products in many circumstances.

    4.  The Secretary found that the United States was a world leader across the value chain of copper production (mining, refining, semi-finished goods, and finished goods containing copper) for most of the 20th century.  But despite copper being a crucial material in manufacturing and for the national and economic security of the United States, United States copper production has plummeted.  Today, a single foreign country dominates global copper smelting and refining, controlling over 50 percent of global smelting capacity and holding four of the top five largest refining facilities.

    5.  The Secretary found that unfair trade practices abroad, exacerbated by overly burdensome environmental regulations at home, have hollowed out United States copper refining and smelting, caused the United States to be overly reliant on foreign copper imports, and prevent a path forward without strong corrective action.  Foreign competitors leverage state subsidies and overproduction to flood international markets with artificially low-priced copper products, driving United States producers out of business.  The United States is now dangerously dependent on foreign imports of semi-finished copper, intensive copper derivative products, and copper-containing products, and imbalances in the global markets make domestic investment increasingly unviable.

    6.  The Secretary found that United States dependency on foreign sources of copper is a national security vulnerability that could be exploited by foreign countries, weakens United States industrial resilience, exposes the American people to supply chain disruptions, economic instability, and strategic vulnerabilities, and jeopardizes the United States defense industrial base. 

    7.  In light of these findings, the Secretary recommended a range of actions to adjust the imports of copper so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security.  For example, the Secretary recommended an immediate universal 30 percent import duty on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products.  The Secretary also recommended a phased universal tariff on refined copper of 15 percent starting in 2027 and 30 percent starting in 2028.  The Secretary further recommended a domestic sales requirement for copper input materials starting at 25 percent in 2027, a domestic sales requirement of 25 percent for high-quality copper scrap, and export controls for high-quality copper scrap. 

    8.  After considering the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d), 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), and other relevant factors, among other things, I concur with the Secretary’s finding that copper is being imported into the United States in quantities and under circumstances that threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  In my judgment, and in light of the Secretary’s report, the factors in section 232(d), 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), and other relevant factors, among other things, I also determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs, as described below, to adjust imports of copper and its derivatives so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

    9.  To ensure that the tariffs on copper in this proclamation are not circumvented and that the purpose of this action to address the threat to impair the national security of the United States posed by imports of copper is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to set up a process to identify and impose tariffs on certain derivatives of copper, as further described below.

    10.  In my judgment, the action in this proclamation will, among other things, help increase domestic production of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, thereby reducing our Nation’s reliance on foreign sources.  It will ensure that domestic fabricators are able to supply sufficient quantities of copper products essential for infrastructure, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing.  This action will also promote investment, employment, and innovation in the domestic copper fabrication sector, strengthen supply chains, enhance industrial resilience, and generate meaningful economic benefits.  This action will adjust the imports of semi-finished copper products, intensive copper derivative products, and certain other copper derivatives and is necessary and appropriate to address the threat to impair the national security of the United States posed by imports of such articles.

    11.  Section 232 authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security. 

    12.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 2483, authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

    13.  Consistent with the General Terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal (May 8, 2025), the United States intends to coordinate with the United Kingdom to adopt a structured, negotiated approach to addressing the national security threat in the copper sector.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended, 50 U.S.C. 4511; section 301 of title 3, United States Code; and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 2483, do hereby proclaim as follows:
    (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation, shall be subject to a 50 percent tariff.  This tariff shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such action is expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.  This tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, unless stated otherwise below.
    (2)  The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall determine whether any modifications to the HTSUS are necessary to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register if needed.
    (3)  Within 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional derivative copper articles within the scope of the duties of this proclamation, consistent with the processes established pursuant to Proclamation 10895 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States) and Proclamation 10896 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States).
    (4)  The non-copper content of all copper articles subject to this proclamation shall be subject to tariffs pursuant to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), and any other applicable duties, including those imposed by Executive Order 14193 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border), as amended, Executive Order 14194 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Situation at Our Southern Border), as amended, and Executive Order 14195 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China), as amended.  The additional duties described in clauses 1 through 3 of this proclamation shall apply only to the copper content of articles subject to this proclamation.  CBP shall issue authoritative guidance mandating strict compliance with declaration requirements for copper content in imported articles and outlining maximum penalties for noncompliance, including that importers who submit underreported declarations may be subject to severe consequences, such as significant monetary penalties, loss of import privileges, and criminal liability, consistent with United States law.
    (5)  If any product is subject to tariffs under both this proclamation and Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), as amended, the product shall be subject to the duties imposed pursuant to Proclamation 10908, as amended, and not those imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
    (6)  Any product described in clause 1 of this proclamation, except those eligible for admission as “domestic status” as described in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation must be admitted as “privileged foreign” status as described in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading. 
    (7)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of copper and its derivatives.  The Secretary shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of copper and copper derivative imports with respect to national security.  The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  By June 30, 2026, the Secretary shall provide the President with an update on domestic copper markets, including refining capacity and the market for refined copper in the United States, so that the President may determine whether imposing a phased universal import duty on refined copper of 15 percent starting on January 1, 2027, and 30 percent starting on January 1, 2028, as recommended by the June 30, 2025, report, is warranted to ensure that copper imports do not continue to threaten to impair the national security.  The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the duty rate provided for in this proclamation, or any actions modifying this proclamation, is no longer necessary.
    (8)  Separately, I find that copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4511(b).  Pursuant to the authority delegated to the Secretary in Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness), the Secretary shall take all appropriate action to implement the domestic sales requirements that he recommended in the June 30, 2025, report.
    (9)  The Secretary may issue regulations, rules, guidance, and procedures consistent with the purpose of this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.
    (10)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
    (11)  CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer the tariff imposed by this proclamation.
    (12)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.  If any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
     
     
     
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peace operations should be equipped with the tools they need to deliver political solutions: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Peace operations should be equipped with the tools they need to deliver political solutions: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Peace Operations.

    UN peace operations have made a critical contribution towards international peace and security for more than three quarters of a century. 

    However, the nature of conflict is evolving, and we should continue supporting the adaptation of this vital UN tool so it can best support durable peace.  

    I will make three points.  

    Firstly, the effectiveness of UN political operations depends on their having and implementing clear and robust political strategies. 

    Not only do mission mandates need to have politics at their core, but missions should ensure that all elements of their work are grounded in political strategy. 

    This requires improved coordination across the UN system and strong cooperation with key stakeholders, including regional states and organisations, local communities and civil society.  

    Second, peace operations should be equipped with the tools they need to deliver political solutions. 

    This includes enhanced technology, such as early warning systems and improved surveillance, to foresee emerging threats. 

    It also includes strategic communications capabilities to counter the growing misinformation and disinformation campaigns we have regrettably seen targeting UN missions.   

    Thirdly President, to best support political solutions, peace operations need to be tailored and targeted to the contexts in which they operate. 

    This may encompass larger, multi-dimensional peacekeeping operations, but also special political missions, like UNSMIL in Libya, supporting the political process, or expert logistical support such as UNSOS in Somalia.

    UN missions also need to be agile and adaptable, with robust contingency plans so that they can quickly adapt when the situation on the ground changes.

     This is equally true for regionally led peace and security missions, which can have a critical role to play.

    President, the Secretary-General’s review on the future of all forms of United Nations peace operations offers a crucial opportunity to ensure that all UN peace operations are mandated, designed and equipped to deliver political solutions in their host state context. 

    The United Kingdom stands ready to work with others to make it a success.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beta-HPV can directly cause skin cancer in immunocompromised people

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    Wednesday, July 30, 2025

    NIH case study finds virus drives creation of cancer cells in context of defective T cells.
    Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown for the first time that a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) commonly found on the skin can directly cause a form of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) when certain immune cells malfunction. cSCC is one of the most common cancers in the United States and worldwide. Previously, scientists believed HPV merely facilitated the accumulation of DNA mutations caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, usually the primary driver of cSCC. The findings were published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.
    “This discovery could completely change how we think about the development, and consequently the treatment, of cSCC in people who have a health condition that compromises immune function,” said Andrea Lisco, M.D., Ph.D., of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). “It suggests that there may be more people out there with aggressive forms of cSCC who have an underlying immune defect and could benefit from treatments targeting the immune system.”
    There are many different types of HPV, each tending to infect cells in a particular tissue and part of the body. The types of HPV found mostly on the skin—beta-HPV—are considered benign members of the skin microbiome that typically do not integrate into the DNA of skin cells. This contrasts with the alpha types of HPV, known to integrate into the DNA of mucous membrane cells and directly cause cancer of the genitals, anus, head and neck.
    The NIH researchers made their discovery in a 34-year-old woman who came to the NIH Clinical Center for evaluation and treatment of recurrent cSCC on her forehead. She had undergone multiple surgeries and a round of immunotherapy to try to remove or kill the tumor, but it repeatedly grew back. Her local doctors thought this was due to an inherited inability to repair DNA damaged by UV radiation plus an impairment in immune cells called T cells. The tumor was one of many progressively worsening HPV-related diseases the woman was experiencing.
    Through a sophisticated genetic analysis, the NIH researchers discovered that a beta-HPV had integrated into the cellular DNA of the woman’s well-established tumor and was extensively producing viral proteins there. This contradicted the prevailing theory that beta-HPV only facilitates the establishment of cSCC without integrating into cellular DNA and plays no role in maintaining the cancer. Further genetic analysis of the woman’s cells showed they were fully capable of repairing DNA damage from UV radiation, suggesting the virus alone had caused cSCC.
    To understand how beta-HPV could take the unusual steps of integrating into the woman’s skin-cell DNA and multiplying there unchecked, the investigators studied the woman’s inherited immune disorder. They found that her genetic mutations greatly hampered T cells from activating in response to skin-cell infection by beta-HPV. This suggested that the immune disorder itself was responsible for the woman’s worsening HPV-related diseases, including the beta-HPV cSCC on her forehead, and that treating this disorder might cure all of them. 
    Accordingly, NIH investigators developed a personalized plan to give the woman a stem cell transplant to replace her defective T cells with healthy ones. The process required extreme care because she was immunocompromised even before treatment began. The transplant proceeded without complications. Afterward, all her HPV-related diseases including the recurrent, aggressive cSCC resolved and have not recurred during the more than three years since the transplant. This confirms that the woman’s inherited disorder had prevented her T cells from keeping beta-HPV in check, allowing the virus to directly cause and sustain cSCC.
    “This discovery and successful outcome would not have been possible without the combined expertise of virologists, immunologists, oncologists and transplant specialists, all working under the same roof of the NIH Clinical Center,” said Dr. Lisco.
    According to the study authors, their finding suggests that other people with defective T-cell responses may also be susceptible to cancer caused directly by beta-HPV.
    NIAID conducts and supports research—at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide—to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID website.
    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    Institute/Center

    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

    Contact

    NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison
    301-496-5787

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle H. Lim, Associate Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    Oliver Rossi/Getty Images

    Loneliness is not a word often associated with young people. We tend to think of our youth as a time spent with family, friends and being engaged with school and work activities. Loneliness is an experience we may be more likely to associate with older people.

    In a new report looking at loneliness in young Australians, we found 43% of people aged 15 to 25 feel lonely. That’s more than two in five young people.

    While one in four felt lonely when asked, one in seven had felt lonely for at least two years (what we call persistent loneliness).

    There’s more we should be doing in Australia to address loneliness among young people and more broadly.

    What else did we find?

    In this report, we analysed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey from 2022–23. This helped us understand what sort of factors increase the risk of loneliness among young people.

    We found having poor physical health and mental health can double (or more) the likelihood of persistent loneliness among young people.

    Life circumstances, as well as socioeconomic and behavioural factors, also play a role, as shown below.

    Worryingly, young people who report persistent loneliness are over seven times more likely to experience high or very high psychological distress compared to those who aren’t lonely.

    But loneliness in young people should not be seen just as a mental health issue. Research shows it can have consequences for physical health too. For example, a study published in 2024 found loneliness is linked to early signs of vascular dysfunction (functional changes to the arteries) in adults as young as 22.

    Why does loneliness persist?

    As well as analysing data, we also interviewed young people aged 16 to 25 from diverse backgrounds about what helps them make healthy social connections, and what hinders them.

    One of the things they flagged was a need for safe community spaces. A male participant from metro New South Wales, aged between 22 and 25, said:

    After lectures, someone’s hungry, you go to eat together. We used to go to [Name of restaurant] after almost every lecture. Talk or discuss somethings so it gave us that extra opportunity to mingle amongst each other and take that next step towards building a good friendship.

    We found technology could both help and hinder social connections. A female from regional Victoria, aged 22 to 25, who identified as LGBTIQ+, told us:

    If you’re in school or something like that and you don’t really have […] many people within your community to look to, it’s really nice being able to connect with people and make those friends online.

    On the flip side, a female participant from metropolitan Victoria, aged between 16 and 18, said:

    a lot of maybe like mean stuff or like bullying and stuff happens over the Internet […] there’s a big group chat and like everyone’s texting on it or something. And then a lot of the time, people will break off into a smaller chat […] or they’ll break off into one on one and be like, ohh, do you see what she said?

    The high cost of living was also regarded as a hindrance to maintaining social connections. As a male aged 22 to 25 from metro NSW told us:

    you’ll go on [a] drive [with friends] or whatever […] but that is so like incredibly expensive. Having to pay for your own car and like petrol and insurance and maintenance. Sometimes it’s hard to […] even like […] sit down in peace and have a chat. All the cafes will close at 2 and by the time everyone gets out of their jobs, you’re having to go to a restaurant and [you’re] spending 50 dollars.

    So what can we do?

    Loneliness has long been treated as a personal issue but it’s increasingly clear we have to shift our approach to include community-wide and systemic solutions.

    The World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection recently released a report pointing to loneliness as a public health, social, community and economic issue.

    In Australia, the economic burden of loneliness stands at A$2.7 billion each year for associated health-care costs including GP and hospital visits.

    And there are additional costs including lower workforce productivity and educational outcomes that have yet to be accounted for.

    Some countries have already developed and implemented strategies to address loneliness. In 2023, Denmark, for example, commissioned the development of a national loneliness action plan led by a consortium of organisations. This was underpinned by an investment of around 21 million Danish kroner (roughly A$5 million) over 2023–25.

    Australia now stands at a crossroads.

    Australia needs a national loneliness strategy

    A national strategy underpinned by evidence and by lived experience is crucial to effectively address loneliness. This approach would:

    • coordinate efforts across sectors: health, education, social services and business

    • identify effective strategies that should be included in a comprehensive response, and the principles to guide their delivery in communities and other settings

    • highlight sub-groups at risk of persistent loneliness who should be prioritised within population-wide strategies

    • commit to the delivery of a national awareness campaign that can educate the public and reduce stigma around loneliness.

    With the right national strategy, we will be able to increase our capacity to help all Australians, not just young people, connect in meaningful ways.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can learn more about youth loneliness and how to help at Ending Loneliness Together.

    Michelle H. Lim is the CEO and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together. She is also the Vice-Chair of the International Scientific Board of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, and is part of the Technical Advisory Group – Social Connection at the World Health Organization.

    Ben Smith is a member of the Management Committee and Scientific Advisory Board of Ending Loneliness Together. He is also the Conjoint Chair of Public Health with the Western Sydney Local Health District.

    – ref. More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help – https://theconversation.com/more-than-2-in-5-young-australians-are-lonely-our-new-report-shows-this-is-what-could-help-261260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    UK Government unveils its Small Business Plan to support SMEs across the country

    • Government to tackle late payments with the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years – an issue that costs the UK economy £11bn a year and shuts down 38 businesses every day
    • UK set to have the toughest late payments laws in the G7 as part of reforms to back small businesses and unlock growth as part of the Plan for Change
    • New £4bn finance boost including 69,000 Start-Up Loans to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners

    Small businesses across the UK will benefit from the most comprehensive support package in a generation, as the government launches a bold new plan to give small businesses the tools to thrive and drive economic growth as part of its Plan for Change.

    Small and medium sized firms employ 60% of the country’s workforce and generate £2.8 trillion in turnover. However, for too long, the odds have been stacked against small businesses.

    From tradespeople and shopkeepers to start-up founders and family-run firms, too many work hard but don’t get the backing they deserve – held back by late payments and not getting the financial backing they need within a wider system that hasn’t worked in their favour.

    That’s why the Government is taking serious action to back small businesses and give them the tools they need to grow. This builds on the solid foundation of certainty and stability this government has already delivered—through the trade deals we’ve secured, four interest rate cuts, and a long-term industrial and trade strategy that’s helping businesses plan ahead with confidence.

    At the heart of the plan is a the most significant package of reforms in a generation to tackle late payments, with plans to introduce the toughest laws on late payments in the G7.

    Late payments are one of the biggest barriers to small business growth —causing cashflow problems that stop firms from scaling up and investing in their future. Every day, hardworking businesses close their doors because they aren’t paid on time.

    The new laws are set to give stronger powers to the Small Business Commissioner to empower them to wield fines, worth potentially millions of pounds, against the biggest firms who persistently choose to pay their suppliers late.

    The Small Business Commissioner will be given new powers to carry out spot checks and enforce a 30-day invoice verification period to speed up resolutions to disputes. The upcoming legislation will also introduce maximum payment terms of 60 days, reducing to 45 days, giving firms certainty they’ll be paid on time.

    Audit committees, under the proposals, will also be legally required to scrutinise payment practices at board level, placing greater pressure on large firms to show they’re treating small suppliers fairly backed by mandatory interest charges for those who pay late.

    These changes will also save small businesses valuable time, freeing up hours currently spent chasing overdue invoices so they can focus on growing their business instead. Taken together, this will help ensure businesses are paid on time and end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    “From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers—too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses.

    “It’s unfair, it’s exhausting, and it’s holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: it’s time to pay up.

    “Through our Small Business Plan, we’re not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we’re giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their business to thrive, driving growth across the country through our Plan for Change.”

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:   

    “This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world, and we want to unleash their full potential by giving them back time and money to do what they do best – growing our local economies.

    “Our Small Business plan – the first in over a decade –  is slashing unnecessary admin costs, making it easier for businesses to set up shop and giving SMEs the financial backing they need.

    “This is our Plan for Change in action, putting more money in people’s pockets, boosting local communities and ensuring Britain is a great place to do business and thrive.”

    Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:

    “I want the UK to be the best place in the world to start a business, grow and succeed – and that’s why we’ve taken bold steps today. 

    “Too many small firms go under each year because they aren’t paid on time – that is completely unacceptable.

    “I hear all too often about businesses who just don’t have the cash needed to start up or grow. Today, we’ve announced measures as part of our Plan for Change to tackle all of those issues and beyond. This is the government listening to businesses, working with them, and delivering real change.”

    Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said:

    “Making sure businesses are paid on time, that our high streets thrive, and creating conditions in which everyone can start and succeed in business are crucial priorities for small businesses, communities and the economy. It’s very welcome that the Prime Minister has today made them his Government’s priorities.

     “I’m pleased that FSB and the Government have been able to work in lockstep on the bold and ambitious measures needed to tackle the scourge of late payment through legislation, and other pro-growth, pro-small business measures.

    “Today’s plan is an encouraging commitment from the Government to take the side of small businesses in the great growth challenge ahead.”

    Charlie Shaw, owner of Flock and Herd butchers in Peckham said:

    “We’re proud to pay every supplier on time and once we receive an invoice, so it’s fantastic to see the government put the Small Business Plan into place tackling the big issue of late payments.

    “We believe this is a fair and honest way to conduct business. It gives us a clear and current understanding of how our business is performing. Our relationships with our suppliers have been amazing and truly beneficial to all parties.” 

    As part of the plan, the government is also tackling another major barrier for small businesses – access to finance. Despite the UK’s world-leading financial services sector, many small firms struggle to secure the funding they need to invest, expand, or even survive.

    To address this, the Government is launching a new £4 billion wave of financial support aimed at boosting growth and supporting more small businesses to start up and grow. This includes a £1bn boost for new businesses, with 69,000 Start-Up Loans and mentoring support to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    The Government is also going further by delivering a new £3 billion boost to the British Business Bank – raising the total guarantee to £5 billion – to help lenders offer more small business loans through the ‘ENABLE programme’. Under the scheme, the BBB provides a government-backed guarantee to help lenders feel safer when lending to smaller or newer businesses, enabling them to offer better loan terms including with lower interest.

    These measures aim to break down long-standing barriers that have made it harder for small businesses to access the funding they need to get off the ground by making finance and loans more accessible, affordable, and fair.

    Accelerating SME growth by just 1 percentage point per year, could deliver £320bn to the UK economy by 2030. All of these measures announced today back small businesses to the hilt and build on action already taken by this government to create the conditions for businesses to thrive:

    • Slashing of red tape to boost the hospitality and arts sector through hospitality zones and licensing reforms following the Licensing Taskforce co-chaired with Nick Mackenzie, Greene King CEO
    • High Street Rental Auctions to fill vacant high street premises
    • A revamped Board of Trade to get more small firms exporting around the world
    • The new Business Growth Service to ensure SMEs have access to key support
    • We’ve set out that we intend to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for the hard-hit retail, hospitality and leisure sector. 

    Notes to editors

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:

    “I am thrilled to see the Small Business Plan launched today, putting the nation’s smallest businesses at the heart of Government strategy where it should be. These job creators and economy builders will benefit from a huge boost to funding through the British Business Bank, a boost to skills, support for high streets and a long hoped for legislative backing for getting paid on time. We will not see economic growth without small business growth, so I am eager to get on and help the Government deliver on this agenda – and help small businesses regardless of their background start, grow and thrive.”

    Simon Groom, CEO of MagnifyB, said: 

    “MagnifyB welcomes the UK Government’s action to tackle late payments, which will give small businesses the cash flow stability they need to thrive. Alongside this, there is a clear need to provide micro and small businesses with far more than just a repository of information, including a practical digital toolset to strengthen their operations and improve their chances of long-term success. We hope that the new Small Business Commissioner can be instrumental in bringing together ideas and championing the initiatives needed to make this support a reality.”

    Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of Creative Nature, a small business that exports top 14 Allergen Free Baking Mixes and Snacks to 16 countries, said:

    “I’m delighted to see the government’s new SME Strategy recognising the critical role small businesses play both at home and globally. From tackling late payments to simplifying access to growth advice and support, these measures are a lifeline for SMEs like mine who often face disproportionate challenges with limited resources. I’m especially encouraged by the commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25% and improve access to finance both are major barriers to growth for underrepresented founders, including women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The focus on revitalising the high street, digital skills, and exporting support shows that the government is listening to the needs of small businesses.”

    • The full plan will be published later this morning on Gov.uk We have launched a public consultation to seek views on our proposed legislative measures to ensure companies pay their suppliers quickly and on time. Please go to GOV.UK for details of the proposed measures.
    • Today’s announcement builds on the foundation of the government putting the public finances on a sustainable path – providing long-term direction, stability, and confidence for small businesses to thrive. This has paid off – interest rates have been cut four times in the last 12 months and in the first three months of 2025, Britain was the fastest growing economy in the G7.
    • The Government has also extended 40% business rates relief for 250,000 firms until April 2026 protected bills from inflation, and ensured over 700,000 properties pay no rates at all. This is creating a fairer business rates system to protect the high street, support investment, and level the playing field as we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from next year.
    • This has included 865,000 small businesses being protected from the NICs rise because of the Employment Allowance increase to £10500, whilst 700,000 small business properties do not pay business rates at all because of Small Business Rates Relief. Corporation tax has been capped at 25% – the lowest headline rate of Corporate Tax in the G7 – for the duration of parliament.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Woman on assault police charge, dangerous dog seized

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Woman on assault police charge, dangerous dog seized

    Thursday, 31 July 2025 – 9:09 am.

    A 57-year-old woman has been charged with assaulting police, and a dangerous dog seized, after an incident in East Devonport on Wednesday.
    The North-West woman was remanded in custody overnight and is scheduled to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court today.
    She is facing charges of assaulting police, abusing and threatening police, and being the owner of a dog that attacks a person.
    The charges stem from an incident at Melrose Street, East Devonport, on Wednesday afternoon.
    Police had been called to assist Devonport Council and North West Animal Control Services issue a warrant to seize an American pit bull, a dog that had been identified as being dangerous.
    Police will allege the woman refused to surrender the dog and that she threatened and verbally abused officers during the issuing of the warrant.
    Tasmania Police specialist resources were deployed and negotiations with the woman continued for several hours.
    During this time, the unrestrained dog was released by the woman and the animal ran off.
    The woman is then alleged to have assaulted police officers before being arrested without further incident and taken into custody.
    The dog was subsequently located and safely seized by police in collaboration with Animal Control Services. Police drone resources were used to help locate the dog.
    Tasmania Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance in reporting sightings of the dog, which played a key role in its safe recovery.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment

    Source: Scottish Government

    A vision for improving access to support for disabled people.

    Issued on behalf of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment

    A landmark independent review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has called for a simplified and more accessible application process, urging the Scottish Government to protect and improve access to support for disabled people.

    Led by experienced charity leader, Edel Harris OBE, the review highlights that while Adult Disability Payment is significantly more compassionate than the UK benefit it replaced, some people still face barriers, complexity and distress when applying for the benefit.

    While the review notes that there are several welcome changes such as the cessation of DWP-style assessments and recognises the compassionate approach of Social Security Scotland staff, it concludes that there is still more that can be done to deliver a truly human-rights based approach.

    Edel Harris, Chair of the Adult Disability Payment Review, said:

    “Adult Disability Payment has been described by many as a step change – kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. But too often, disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming, and anxiety-inducing.

    “I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal.

    “This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible. The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making Adult Disability Payment work better for everyone who needs it.”

    The review engaged extensively with disabled people and the organisations that support them. It drew on evidence from a public consultation, written submissions, in-person and online events, and the lived experience of an advisory group made up of third sector representatives, disabled people and people with long-term health-conditions.

    Over the course of the review, Edel Harris also met with stakeholder groups, third sector organisations, and officials from the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland to understand a variety of experiences of Adult Disability Payment.

    The review makes over 50 recommendations including:

    • Enhancing the client experience and embedding trauma-informed, stigma-free approaches.
    • Simplifying the application form and improving the decision-making process.
    • Training, guidance, and clearer communication for staff and clients.
    • Reviewing eligibility criteria and improving fairness in decision-making.

    A key recommendation from the review is that eligibility should be based on the real-life experience of clients and not just on a list of activities. It also recommends that the application process should be made easier for those with fluctuating conditions and mental health problems and take into consideration the environment in which the person lives.

    The report also calls for sustainable funding for welfare advice services, more inclusive communication, and automatic entitlement in some circumstances.

    Edel visited Inspire by Community Integrated Care an Aberdeen-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs. The visit offered an insight into the role of social security in promoting independence, inclusion, and dignity.

    Community Integrated Care’s Managing Director for Scotland, Sara Murphy, said:

    “It was a privilege to welcome Edel to our Inspire by Community Integrated Care service and show how financial support like Adult Disability Payment can make a visible difference in people’s lives. As a care provider, we see every day how inclusive, person-centred support enables people to build confidence, develop skills, and live more independently.

    “We welcome the review’s call for a system that truly listens to disabled people and reflects their real-life experiences. We hope it leads to meaningful change that makes accessing support fairer, simpler, and more empowering for those who need it.”

    Background

    The full report is available at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836918912

    The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in February 2024 to examine the first year of Adult Disability Payment delivery, with the aim of identifying improvements to the eligibility framework, decision-making process and client experience.

    Implementation of the recommendations in the review will be assessed against criteria including deliverability, cost, and alignment with human rights principles.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment

    Source: Scottish Government

    A vision for improving access to support for disabled people.

    Issued on behalf of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment

    A landmark independent review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has called for a simplified and more accessible application process, urging the Scottish Government to protect and improve access to support for disabled people.

    Led by experienced charity leader, Edel Harris OBE, the review highlights that while Adult Disability Payment is significantly more compassionate than the UK benefit it replaced, some people still face barriers, complexity and distress when applying for the benefit.

    While the review notes that there are several welcome changes such as the cessation of DWP-style assessments and recognises the compassionate approach of Social Security Scotland staff, it concludes that there is still more that can be done to deliver a truly human-rights based approach.

    Edel Harris, Chair of the Adult Disability Payment Review, said:

    “Adult Disability Payment has been described by many as a step change – kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. But too often, disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming, and anxiety-inducing.

    “I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal.

    “This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible. The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making Adult Disability Payment work better for everyone who needs it.”

    The review engaged extensively with disabled people and the organisations that support them. It drew on evidence from a public consultation, written submissions, in-person and online events, and the lived experience of an advisory group made up of third sector representatives, disabled people and people with long-term health-conditions.

    Over the course of the review, Edel Harris also met with stakeholder groups, third sector organisations, and officials from the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland to understand a variety of experiences of Adult Disability Payment.

    The review makes over 50 recommendations including:

    • Enhancing the client experience and embedding trauma-informed, stigma-free approaches.
    • Simplifying the application form and improving the decision-making process.
    • Training, guidance, and clearer communication for staff and clients.
    • Reviewing eligibility criteria and improving fairness in decision-making.

    A key recommendation from the review is that eligibility should be based on the real-life experience of clients and not just on a list of activities. It also recommends that the application process should be made easier for those with fluctuating conditions and mental health problems and take into consideration the environment in which the person lives.

    The report also calls for sustainable funding for welfare advice services, more inclusive communication, and automatic entitlement in some circumstances.

    Edel visited Inspire by Community Integrated Care an Aberdeen-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs. The visit offered an insight into the role of social security in promoting independence, inclusion, and dignity.

    Community Integrated Care’s Managing Director for Scotland, Sara Murphy, said:

    “It was a privilege to welcome Edel to our Inspire by Community Integrated Care service and show how financial support like Adult Disability Payment can make a visible difference in people’s lives. As a care provider, we see every day how inclusive, person-centred support enables people to build confidence, develop skills, and live more independently.

    “We welcome the review’s call for a system that truly listens to disabled people and reflects their real-life experiences. We hope it leads to meaningful change that makes accessing support fairer, simpler, and more empowering for those who need it.”

    Background

    The full report is available at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836918912

    The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in February 2024 to examine the first year of Adult Disability Payment delivery, with the aim of identifying improvements to the eligibility framework, decision-making process and client experience.

    Implementation of the recommendations in the review will be assessed against criteria including deliverability, cost, and alignment with human rights principles.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Rebels charged over criminal association

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Three alleged Rebels members were arrested for criminal association on Wednesday 30 July.

    It will be alleged that three men were present together at the Adelaide Airport about 11.30am on Wednesday 30 July.

    The Rebels, an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, is a declared criminal organisation and it is an offence for participants of a declared criminal organisation to be in a public place with two or more other persons who are also participants in a declared criminal organisation.

    The three men, a 43-year-old man, 27-year-old man and a 34-year-old man all from Western Australia, were arrested and charged with criminal association.

    They were all refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.

    Crime Gangs Task Force will continue to investigate reports of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members gathering in public places in contravention of this law to ensure the safety of the public.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: OZZY fans say final farewell as thousands line streets to witness cortege

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Birmingham City welcomed thousands of Ozzy Osbourne fans who flocked to watch an emotional cortege wind through the city in honour of the rock legend who died last Tuesday (July 22).

    Ozzy Osbourne’s family including wife Sharon followed a hearse and brass band along the route in memory of the Aston-born star.

    The public show of respect in his hometown has been arranged and funded by the Osbourne family and has been supported by partners, including Birmingham City Council.

    Ozzy and fellow Black Sabbath band members received Freedom of the City for their significant contribution to the musical and cultural identify of Birmingham, during a civic ceremony held at Council House on Saturday, June 28. He was therefore one of the city’s most recent Freeman.

    It was just weeks before Ozzy’s last charity gig on July 5 at Villa Park, a stone’s throw away from where Black Sabbath was originally formed.

    Today, thousands of fans lined the streets to watch as the musician’s hearse passed slowly through the city, along Broad Street, Black Sabbath Bridge, and the Black Sabbath bench, to the beat of a brass band.

    The Osbourne family were able to witness the flowers and tributes along the route laid by fans from all over the world ever since the news was announced last week.

    A book of condolence has been opened for people to sign at Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery’s (BMAG) Round Room and which now contains thousands of signatures. The book will close on Sunday, August 3. Fans can also freely visit the exhibition ‘Ozzy Osbourne (1948 – 2025) Working Class Hero’.

    An online book of Condolence is also available for fans to send messages and can be accessed and signed here Book of condolence and will close on Friday, August 1.

    Birmingham City Council and BMAG will work behind the scenes to ensure that all messages are collected for the family to read, including cards and messages laid with flowers and other memorabilia.

    Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, said: “Once again, Ozzy has put Birmingham firmly on the map. His sad passing has evoked a sense of pain and pride in the city and the world has watched as we have said our final farewell.

    “We have been supporting the family with behind-the-scenes operations, such as ensuring the city is safe and secure for the fans who have made their way here for this sad occasion.

    “It was only right to honour Ozzy as our latest Freeman to the city and my thanks go to the staff at Birmingham City Council who have made this event possible with our partners in such a very short space of time.”

    Deputy Leader, Councillor Sharon Thompson, added: “Never before have I witnessed such passion from the people of Birmingham for a musician. They have lost their ‘Prince of Darkness’.

    “We all know that Ozzy was an exceptional human being who was driven to entertain and ensure his city of Birmingham was never forgotten, along with his passion for charitable causes. ‘Birmingham Forever’ as he would say.”

    The Osbourne family plan to hold a private funeral for the star.

    Birmingham City Council would like to thank all of its partners for their hard work in bringing together a team to ensure the event ran smoothly.

    Thanks in particular to: Opus Events, Brindley Place business community, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, West Side Business Improvement District, West Midlands Combined Authority, the Ambulance Service.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –