Latest news with #IanMitchell
ABC News
a day ago
- General
- ABC News
Funding to assist SA to deal with algal bloom, but no national disaster declaration
On today's show: The federal government has pledged $14 million to assist South Australia as it continues to deal with a toxic algal bloom outbreak, but has stopped short of declaring it a national disaster. Calls are ramping up to recognise the devastating algal bloom as a national emergency. The bloom is now said to cover an area twice that of the ACT, decimating fisheries and deterring tourists from visiting. Ian Mitchell is a fisherman and the manager of the main fish market in Adelaide. He says South Australians are baulking at buying fish as they are unwilling to eat fish that they think is tainted by the algal bloom. Reporter: Sinead Mangan, Thomas Kelsall There are many reasons people choose to live where they do; work, family, or because it's the town they grew up in. But data shows your postcode has a direct link to life expectancy, with those in very remote parts of Queensland, likely to die six years earlier than people in major cities. So why is there such a great divide, what are the challenges of growing old in the outback? Reporter: Jessica Ross (Sunshine Coast) Several First Nations people say they were forcibly removed from their families in Western Australia after the cut-off date for the state's new redress scheme. Children of Stolen Generations survivors who died waiting for reparations say their suffering must also be acknowledged. Advocates are urging the state government to expand the scheme's eligibility criteria. Reporter: Bridget McArthur (Bunbury)
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
How hard will UK aid cuts hit projects helping women and girls?
The scale of UK cuts to foreign aid means virtually all projects currently being funded in developing countries will be affected. But the cuts are tipped to fall particularly heavily on projects specifically for women and girls. 'The depth of the cuts means that there will definitely be cuts for nearly every programme,' said Ian Mitchell, a senior policy fellow at the Center for Global Development of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's slashing of international aid from 0.5 to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI). More detail will be set out in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s annual report, expected before Parliament goes on its summer recess on 22 July. So what could be at risk? Contraception for 2.6 million women Among the programmes that could be at risk is the UK-funded Women's Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) initiative, which provides sexual and reproductive health services across 12 countries in West and Central Africa. The programme has reached 2.6 million people - mostly women in rural communities with no other options. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, where fewer than 15 per cent of women use contraception, the WISH initiative has introduced access to family planning options and information, for some women for the first time. The programme has averted an estimated 33,000 maternal deaths and prevented 100,000 children from losing their mothers, according to MSI Reproductive Choices, one of the world's biggest providers of contraception and abortion services. 'Giving people control and choice over whether they have a baby now or whether they delay for a year or two can be a real game changer at the time when people are having to deal with a lot of other crises,' said Anna Mackay, senior director of global programmes and philanthropy at pregnancy has been linked to better education for girls and poverty reduction for whole communities. Speaking to the international development committee on Tuesday, chair Sarah Champion said she understood the programme was being cut. Development minister Jenny Chapman responded that she was 'looking at it' and had received 'mixed views', though she added that the work was important and the government would seek to protect some funding for specific sexual reproductive health and rights programmes. Family planning is often not seen as life-saving - certainly by the current US administration - but an unintended pregnancy in a country with high maternal mortality and no access to safe abortion can spell death, and does for tens of thousands each year. The UK has been a significant contributor to sexual and reproductive health services in developing countries via its aid spending and could have stepped up to fill some of the gap left by US cuts. Instead, an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, along with Plan International UK and MSI Reproductive Choices, has projected more than two million additional unintended pregnancies, almost one million more unsafe abortions and nearly 3,000 more maternal deaths are expected as a result of the UK's aid cuts. Programmes tackling domestic violence The UK has been a global leader in funding programmes to tackle gender-based violence in a number of Sub-Saharan African countries. The UK-funded What Works programme has seen domestic violence drop by as much as 50 per cent within three years in communities where it operates. It also generates evidence on which interventions work best to tackle violence. The current programme includes relationship classes and counselling for individuals and couples, education in schools and training the police and health services. The results show that 'violence is preventable,' said Anne Gathumbi who leads the programme and leads to other outcomes like children being better nourished and doing better in school. 'This [UK] funding has been catalytic because it's enabled the growth of this movement,' she said. The prospect of cuts is 'unsettling' she added, coming with the prospect that projects proven to reduce violence won't be made available. In Afghanistan, the UK government has championed programmes to economically empower women and wider Afghan communities, and to help them adapt to climate change. The situation for women in the country has deteriorated over the last three years with at least 70 directives from the Taliban targeting their rights and freedom. '[The UK] had wonderful programs around supporting local women-led organisations,' which were currently facing profound challenges from the Taliban in their ability to operate, said Srikanta Misra, country director at Action Aid, Afghanistan. This included mentorship from larger international NGOs. But this support is now under threat from cuts. The UK has also, 'really pushed the boundary bringing in climate change as an issue which is a very important issue in Afghanistan,' Misra added. The country is the fourth most vulnerable in the world to the effects of climate change according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Misra said the UK had a particular 'moral responsibility' given its role during prolonged conflict and instability within the country. However, he said, some real progress had been made by the UK in certain areas over the last few years. But The Independent understands a key UK government programme to support women farmers and communities to use sustainable agricultural methods, prepare for disasters and improve food security is facing cuts of 60 per cent. 'Shameful proposal' Development minister Jenny Chapman has previously indicated gender and education projects are not top funding priorities, though she has slightly rowed back on this in more recent speeches. Care International UK's head of advocacy and policy, Dorothy Sang said the poverty-fighting charity remained, 'deeply concerned about the government's shameful proposal to cut aid funding for gender equality. 'We urge the prime minister to reverse course, and ensure the UK is not complicit in the global rollback on gender equality: by protecting gender-focused aid and by standing up for women's rights on the global stage.' An FCDO spokesperson said: 'The UK is a leading voice in championing the rights of women and girls. That is why the Foreign Secretary appointed Baroness Harman as Special Envoy to champion the rights of women and girls globally. 'We have supported 191 civil society organisations across 70 countries to reach more than 7.7 million women and girls at risk of violence and have pioneered approaches that show around 50 per cent reductions in gender-based violence. From healthcare and education to economic empowerment, our support is changing lives."
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL News: Bruins Lose Defenseman To Red Wings
The Boston Bruins have had several departures from their roster this off-season, and defenseman Ian Mitchell is another one. After not being tendered a qualifying offer by the Bruins, Mitchell has signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings. It is understandable that the Red Wings are taking a shot on Mitchell. It is not a secret that they need more defensive depth on their right side, and he should be a nice pickup for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, at a minimum. However, he could also be a candidate to be an extra defenseman on their NHL roster if he puts together a strong training cmap. Advertisement Mitchell spent each of the last two seasons with the Bruins organization after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the deal that sent Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Windy City. In 28 games over two seasons with Boston, he posted three assists, eight hits, 36 blocks, and a plus-4 rating. Mitchell spent most of this season in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. In 47 games with the AHL squad, Mitchell posted four goals, 27 points, and a plus-11 rating. He also had one assist and a minus-2 rating in 15 contests for Boston in 2024-25. Bruins Taking Big Risk With Questionable Free-Agent Signing Bruins Taking Big Risk With Questionable Free-Agent Signing The Advertisement Boston Bruins made multiple additions to their roster during the first day of free agency, but they did not get a true top-six winger. Instead, they signed an array of bottom-six forwards, with Tanner Jeannot being the most notable. However, this is due to the big contract that he received. Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
