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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new British Defence Attaché to strengthens defence relationship with the Guatemalan army [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new British Defence Attaché to strengthens defence relationship with the Guatemalan army [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 5 October 2022.

    Colonel Stewart initiated his new role as the UK’s Defence Attaché to Guatemala. He takes on the role with over 20 years of operational experience in the USA, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

    During this initial visit, Colonel Stewart and the British Ambassador, Nick Whittingham, met with the Guatemalan Minister of Defence, Major General Henry Yovani Reyes Chigua. Colonel Stewart reiterated the UK’s eagerness to work alongside Guatemalan counterparts while enhancing cooperation between armed forces.

    Colonel Stewart also met with the Commander of the Guatemalan Air Force, Colonel Juan Carlos Ponce and visited the Air Force Defence Unit along with Colonel Roderico Stoardo Guzmán Barrera, head of the Unit. Colonel Stewart discussed new opportunities for cooperation, training and exchange programmes between the UK and Guatemala.

    Colonel Stewart also paid a visit to Ms Claudia Herrera, Director of the Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC), an organisation that promotes and coordinates international cooperation and the exchange of information, experiences and technical and scientific advice on disaster prevention, mitigation, care and response.

    The British Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mission is to protect the security, independence and interests of the UK at home and abroad, working closely with allies and partners. Colonel Stewart is also the UK’s observer for the Conference of the Central American Armed Forces (CFAC), he will be residing in Mexico and he will visit Guatemala on a regular basis.

    During his visit to Guatemala Colonel Stewart said:

    Guatemala is a strategically important country for the entire region and I look forward to working closely with the Armed Forces of Guatemala in partnership and friendship. I was very impressed by the military professionalism and innovation I witnessed and I have also taken inspiration from the drive, determination and skill displayed with regard to humanitarian assistance at CEPREDENAC. Guatemala is a stunningly beautiful country with a great culture and I am excited to explore it more.

  • PRESS RELEASE : RMT Marks Ladbroke Grove Rail Disaster [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : RMT Marks Ladbroke Grove Rail Disaster [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the RMT on 5 October 2022.

    TWENTY-THREE YEARS after 31 lives were lost in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, RMT say that Government policy is in danger of dragging the railways closer towards the same cocktail of conditions that lead to tragedy on 5th October 1999.

    Ladbroke Grove was one of a number of disasters under the watch of the privatised Railtrack, ultimately leading to its abolition and creation of the publicly owned company, Network Rail.

    However, RMT is warning that casualisation, a myriad of contractors, long-hours and fatigue – all driven by cuts on the railway – has turned the clock back.

    RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “RMT will never allow those responsible to forget that privatised Railtrack, and the drive to cut corners in the name of profit, led to the disaster at Ladbroke Grove and the wholly preventable loss of life.

    “Privatisation, fragmentation and a complete absence of corporate responsibility were at the heart of the tragedy.

    “The proliferation of private agencies and contractors, often employing casual staff on zero hours contracts is rapidly dragging us back to the edge.

    “The contingency staff utilised by employers during official trade union strike action are often undertrained and inexperienced.”

    On the current national rail dispute which will see RMT strike action on Saturday 8 October, Mr Lynch added:

    “Now, faced with such an aggressive agenda of cuts to jobs, conditions, pay and pensions, RMT has no choice but to defend our members industrially to stop this race to the bottom.

    “The Cullen Inquiry into Ladbroke Grove highlighted the safety critical role of the guard and yet we are still having to fight the battle to stop driver only operations on the railway.

    “We will use every tool at our disposal to both defend our members industrially and keep safety at the top of the agenda while demanding the renationalisation of our railways.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bus Workers to Take Strike Action [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bus Workers to Take Strike Action [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the RMT on 5 October 2022.

    RMT members working on buses in Somerset, and Cornwall will take strike action from October 10, in a fight for better pay and conditions.

    Four days of strike action will take place on the following dates:

    10 October
    21 October
    4 November
    11 November

    Around 400 workers who are planning to take action are furious that many of them are only paid just over £11 and hour and that bosses only offered a small uprate to £12 an hour.

    This is despite the fact First Group paid out £500m to shareholders in 2021/22 and has an operating profit of £226m.

    RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members have no choice but to take strike action following an insulting and paltry pay offer.

    “First Group is swimming in money and could easily pay bus workers a decent rise that goes some way to dealing with the escalating cost of living crisis.

    “The public in Cornwall and Somerset who our members faithfully serve need a service that pays workers properly, so they do not leave the industry, creating chronic bus shortages.

    “We are determined to win for our members, and we urge First Group to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hillsborough – independent forensic pathology review established [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hillsborough – independent forensic pathology review established [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 5 October 2022.

    The review will consider what went wrong with the original pathological report and ensure similar mistakes are not made in the future.

    The review reflects recommendations made in Right Reverend James Jones’ report. The patronising disposition of unaccountable power, a report to ensure the pain and suffering of the Hillsborough families is not repeated, which identified failings in the pathological reporting of the deaths at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989.

    The review will be chaired by forensic science expert Mr Glenn Taylor.

    The review began on 1 July 2022, following the conclusion of the final criminal trials relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

    Mr Taylor is expected to report his findings to the Home Secretary next summer.

    It will consider what went wrong with the original pathological report from the disaster to ensure that similar mistakes will not be made in the future.

    As set out in the Terms of Reference published today, the review will:

    • recognise the failures in pathology following the Hillsborough disaster
    • make an assessment as to whether there is risk of similar failings being made again in the event of a similar mass fatality
    • assess the adequacy of safeguards currently in place in terms of clinical governance and pathology provision in England and Wales
    • look at accountability of practitioners and how it has changed since the original inquests
    • consider if there are lessons learnt from the Hillsborough disaster which can built into the development of Home Office register forensic pathologists and wider provision of pathology services

    Mr Taylor is a retired forensic scientist who was in charge of a local authority laboratory. He has extensive experience in major incident planning and oversight of coronial services on behalf of local authorities.

    The review has been commissioned by the Pathology Delivery Board (PDB) and is overseen by the Home Office. The PDB is responsible for the provision of forensic pathology services to police and coroners for suspicious death and homicide cases in England and Wales.

  • Vicky Ford – 2022 Comments on Ethiopia

    Vicky Ford – 2022 Comments on Ethiopia

    The comments made by Vicky Ford, the Minister of State for Development in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, on Twitter on 5 October 2022.

    Just met with Ambassador Teferi.

    Very disappointed that the Ethiopian Govt has asked me to postpone my visit this week to raise profile of terrible regional drought.

    But encouraged at commitment to peace talks and urge all parties to seize chance to end the conflict.

  • Aaron Bell – 2022 Comments on the Prime Minister’s Conference Speech

    Aaron Bell – 2022 Comments on the Prime Minister’s Conference Speech

    The comments made by Aaron Bell, the Conservative MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Twitter on 5 October 2022.

    Great speech from the PM!

    A global economic crisis is completely the wrong time to be raising taxes on businesses that create wealth. Liz’s growth focused approach will mean British businesses have the freedom to grow and invest – creating jobs and boosting prosperity for all.

  • Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on the “Anti-Growth Coalition”

    Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on the “Anti-Growth Coalition”

    The comments made by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, on Twitter on 5 October 2022.

    Ranting about an imaginary ‘anti growth coalition’ is just an attempt to obscure the hard reality that the biggest brake on UK growth is Brexit – and that’s on the Tories.

  • Gordon Brown – 2022 Comments on the Conservative Party Conference

    Gordon Brown – 2022 Comments on the Conservative Party Conference

    The comments made by Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, on Twitter on 5 October 2022.

    A message from Tory conference:

    Don’t get sick

    Don’t be disabled

    Don’t be on low pay with kids to feed

    Don’t rely on Universal Credit or public services

    If you do, get ready to pay for £43bn in tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest the most.

    Liz Truss and minister after minister have refused to honour Rishi Sunak’s promise to uprate benefits in line with inflation.

    This would leave millions in desperate need and the number of children in poverty hitting 5 million for the first time in a generation.

    As millions of families suffer sleepless nights worrying whether they can pay their bills, Tory Party Chair Jake Berry simply channels Norman Tebbit and tells people to cut consumption or get a new job.

    Even after receiving the maximum help of £1200, people on Universal Credit are nearly £30 a week worse off than last year.

    If the Chancellor abandons the link with inflation, they could end up over £2000 a year worse off, all to help pay for tax cuts and help for the wealthy.

    After a study estimated over 330,000 excess deaths linked to austerity, can the government really allow another, more brutal round of cuts?

    It’s time for another U-turn to help the millions on the breadline not the millionaires in the boardroom.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Olena Zelenska met with Agata Kornhauser-Duda in Poland and spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Olena Zelenska met with Agata Kornhauser-Duda in Poland and spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

    The wife of the President of Ukraine Olena Zelenska paid a visit to the Republic of Poland, during which she held a meeting with the first lady of this country Agata Kornhauser-Duda, spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum and received the Knight of Freedom Award awarded to the Ukrainian people.

    Olena Zelenska began her visit with a meeting with the First Lady of the Republic of Poland.

    The wife of the President of Ukraine thanked her colleague for the unchanging position of Poland – clear messages of support for our country were heard during the speech of President Andrzej Duda at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

    Olena Zelenska noted that supporting Ukraine is an investment in the future for the whole world. She spoke about a new opportunity for such support – Olena Zelenska Foundation, which she recently presented in New York.

    “This is a new way to participate in the recovery of Ukraine through the restoration of education, medicine or humanitarian aid. I will be happy to present all these directions in Poland,” she said.

    The wife of the President of Ukraine thanked Agata Kornhauser-Duda for her personal assistance in the treatment of Ukrainian children in medical institutions in Poland and other countries.

    The first ladies discussed a new format of cooperation between the two countries in the field of medicine – the exchange of experience between Ukrainian and Polish doctors in the field of providing care to patients with severe burn injuries.

    “Such cooperation is extremely urgent, because as a result of the military aggression against Ukraine, we have a large number of victims with explosive and burn injuries,” said Olena Zelenska.

    Together with Agata Kornhauser-Duda, the First Lady of Ukraine visited the Children’s Health Protection Institute in Warsaw, where evacuated Ukrainian children are being treated. It is not only a clinic, but also a research center. More than 7,000 surgeries are conducted here every year. The institute also hosts about a thousand students who are doing internships here. In addition, 400 children’s doctors of various specialties have the opportunity to study and exchange experience at the institution. The hospital also has a simulation training center where special devices teach how to conduct surgeries. Currently, 11 children from Ukraine are being treated at the Institute, the youngest boy is only four years old, but he is fighting cancer like a real hero and patiently follows all the doctors’ instructions.

    Olena Zelenska thanked the employees of the institution and Professor Piotr Czauderna, whose efforts facilitated the creation of the Unicorn Hub in Poland for the evacuation of children from the West Ukrainian Specialized Children’s Medical Center in Lviv.

    “This is an incredible rescue story. Throughout my visit to Poland, I express gratitude. And here I continue to do it. Our countries have incredible relations. And here I see a practical embodiment not only in helping, but also in saving our children. The evacuation process will be included in textbooks. Thank you to everyone involved,” said the First Lady.

    During her visit to Poland, Olena Zelenska also spoke at the annual Warsaw Security Forum (WSF).

    Olena Zelenska thanked Poland for the principled and broad support for Ukraine.

    “I would like to urge everyone present here not to be afraid to take the risk of standing on the right side – as Poland is doing. After all, as I already said, this is a war of values. It is impossible forWe can’t let Russia set a precedent so that aggression becomes the way of solving problems in the world. We can’t make the rockets falling on residential buildings an acceptable argument for everyone. We can’t let nuclear blackmail become our usual life,” she emphasized.

    During the Warsaw Security Forum, the President’s wife received the Knight of Freedom Award awarded to the people of Ukraine. This award is presented by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation to outstanding figures who contributed to the popularization of General Pulaski’s values: freedom, justice and democracy. This year, the organizers awarded the Ukrainian people who are resisting Russian aggression.

    “There is a well-known Polish motto: ‘For our freedom and yours.’ Thank you for being with us. We know that you will be with us until the end. Until our victory and yours,” said Olena Zelenska.

    The First Lady also met with Ukrainian temporary migrants in Poland and representatives of the Ukrainian community in that country.

    “I am glad that you are right here, in Poland, in the country that first opened its doors to us when the Russian attack took place. Because this is a truly fraternal country that shares with us the biggest ordeal during this war,” she emphasized.

  • PRESS RELEASE : President held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : President held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held another meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Wednesday.

    Those present heard information from the intelligence, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the commanders of the operational directions about the situation at the front and the latest actions of the enemy. They also discussed the issue of stabilizing the situation in the newly deoccupied areas. Plans regarding further liberation of Ukrainian territories were also considered.

    Separately, the members of the Staff focused on the issue of countering new types of weapons used by the Russian army.

    The parties also analyzed the urgent needs of the defense forces in material and technical support and the course of preparation of the troops for the winter period.

    The meeting was attended by: Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhny, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov, Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi, Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, heads of law enforcement agencies and security agencies, as well as Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, his deputy Roman Mashovets and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov.

    Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, commander of the Khortytsia joint strategic group of troops Oleksandr Syrsky, Commander of the West Operational Command Forces Serhiy Litvinov, Commander of the South Operational Command Forces Andriy Kovalchuk and commander of the Kherson joint strategic group of forces Oleksandr Tarnavskyi joined the meeting via videoconference.