Latest news with #MichaelWalsh
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
US-SA relations strained as leaks unveil mistrust within governments, warns expert
US President Donald Trump's February executive order in February establishing the program specified that it was for "Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination," referring to an ethnic group descended mostly from Dutch settlers. Image: AFP US foreign policy expert Michael Walsh has warned that the recent 'leaks' between the US and the South African governments were indications of deep mistrust between the two administrations. Reuters reported on Saturday that US embassy Charge d'Affaires in South Africa, David Greene, reached out to Washington asking for clarification whether non-whites such as "coloured" South Africans who speak Afrikaans qualify for the refugee program for South Africans under the contentious US policy. US President Donald Trump's February executive order in February establishing the program specified that it was for "Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination," referring to an ethnic group descended mostly from Dutch settlers. Walsh - a non-resident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, an American think tank based in Pennsylvania - said on Sunday that the US leak suggested that there was unease with the Trump Administration's policy stance on South Africa within the US. Department of State. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Walsh said since reports indicate that the question was asked in an official diplomatic cable from the US Embassy in South Africa, it means there was someone within the US Government who had access to that confidential cable who was willing to violate information handling protocols in order to throw the Trump Administration under the bus. 'No one should take that lightly. Whoever leaked the information in that cable would have known that it would play right into the hands of the Trump Administration's critics in the United States and abroad,' Walsh said. 'In other words, they would have known that it would have led to the characterization of Trump - and by extension the US Government - as racist. That makes it an extraordinary leak. It suggests that there are elements within the US Government who want to undermine the policy platform of the administration.' However, Walsh said what was not clear was whether their underlying motivation was to undercut the refugee program for Afrikaners or the president himself. Either way, he said this leak is likely to elicit a response from the White House and that would be bad news for the US-South Africa relations. This comes as the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs last week passed a bill which seeks to re-evaluate the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa, and identify government leaders who should be subject to sanctions. South Africa is also hoping for the US to extend the 1 August deadline for the implementation of the 30% import tariffs on South African products such as agricultural products, metals and vehicles. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, last week told Parliament that South Africa has signed a key agreement with the US trade representative, days before new import tariffs are set to take effect. South Africa has no representative in Washington to whom the US government can speak after the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and the stymied assumption of office by the Presidential Envoy, Mcebisi Jonas. Democratic Alliance MP Emma Powell recently issued a statement alleging that Jonas had been denied entry to the US and that the country refused to accept his credentials. Walsh said this leak suggested that there was something rotten in the Government of National Unity. He said the DA has made the US Government and other international actors aware of potential threats to Powell, adding that these threats were being taken seriously in Washington. 'When you consider these leaks, I would argue that it becomes clear that there is a latent parallel that can be drawn between what is happening in the United States and South Africa,' Walsh said. 'It revolves around the internal disagreements that are being waged within the governments over the official foreign policy of the country with respect to the other. 'In the US, that battle is being waged between President Trump and his bureaucrats. In South Africa, it is between the ANC and DA. The leaks manifest those conflicts in a particularly visceral way.' BUSINESS REPORT
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Sligo electrician's return to the books at the age of 53 is one he doesn't regret
Michael Walsh is now a Springboard+ graduate and is encouraging others to consider applying for a free or heavily subsidised higher education course through Springboard+ 2025, which is currently open for applications. Springboard+ has made over 800 places available on 27 courses in the Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim region, through a combination of hybrid and fully online learning. The courses cover areas including engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and welfare, and green economy. Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Electric Vehicle Technology from ATU Donegal. He said: 'The education opportunities offered by Springboard+ are fabulous. 'I didn't have the interest or maturity when I was at school to apply myself to study, but aged 53, I completed my first course after hearing about Springboard+ through Sligo ATU. 'I really enjoyed the Bachelor of Science in Electric Vehicle Technology and I'm looking at completing another course this year in Construction Contracts Management, with a view to lecturing or teaching. 'To anyone thinking about a Springboard+ course, I'd say, take the opportunity with both hands and avail of every opportunity to learn. 'School just didn't suit me, but the course delivery for Springboard+ makes studying easy and provides lots of resources so people with other life and family commitments can access them.' Nationwide, Springboard+ has made almost 8,000 free and subsidised places on 249 higher education courses available nationwide for participants wishing to upskill or reskill in areas such as digital and green skills and other areas where job opportunities are growing in Ireland. All courses will commence between 1st July and 31st October 2025.
Medscape
09-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Spironolactone Offers No CV Benefit in Dialysis Patients
VIENNA — Spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), does not reduce the rates of cardiovascular (CV) death or heart failure in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis, according to ACHIEVE trial results. In addition, the relatively high rates of hyperkalemia associated with the drug — despite a run-in period — limit its use, said lead investigator Michael Walsh, MD, PhD, Renal Research Program, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, who presented the results at the 62nd European Renal Association Congress on June 6. He added: 'Cardiovascular mortality remains very high' in these patients, at the 'somewhat astounding' rate of 11% per year in the current trial. The ACHIEVE Trial Previous trials have suggested that MRAs are perhaps the 'most promising therapies' in this space, Walsh noted. He and his colleagues undertook the Aldosterone bloCkade for Health Improvement EValuation in End-stage Renal Disease (ACHIEVE) trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone. The study included patients (age, ≥ 45 y or ≥ 18 y with history of diabetes) with kidney failure receiving maintenance dialysis who were at risk of CV death. All patients underwent an active run-in where they were prescribed open-label spironolactone 25 mg/day for at least 7 weeks with no dosing adjustments followed by a final eligibility assessment to ensure they were ≥ 80% adherent to the medication and that their serum potassium levels did not exceed 6.0 mmol/L. After the run-in period, 2538 of the originally selected 3565 patients were randomized to either spironolactone 25 mg/day or matching placebo. Follow-up was at 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6 months after, assessing for outcomes, safety, drug adherence, and drug resupply. Unlike the run-in period, clinicians could reduce the dose to 25 mg/three times a week if appropriate. The average age of the patients was approximately 62 years, roughly 37% were female, and the median time that the patients had been receiving dialysis was 2 years. The primary cause of kidney failure was diabetes, in just over 40% of patients, followed by hypertension/ischemia in slightly over 25%. The trial was stopped early by the external safety and event monitoring committee for futility, meaning it did not reach the target number events, even after the target had been revised downward due to better-than-expected adherence. Walsh stated that the trial did not reach its primary outcome, with no significant difference in rates of CV death or heart failure hospitalization between the spironolactone and placebo groups at a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.92 ( P = .35). There was also no significant difference between the two treatments when stratifying the patients by sex, previous heart failure, previous coronary artery disease, and the length of time they had been receiving dialysis. Further analysis indicated there was no benefit from spironolactone over placebo when looking at cardiac and vascular deaths separately and when considering first and total heart failure hospitalizations individually. However, spironolactone was associated with an increased risk of hyperkalemia, with 123 events in the spironolactone-treated group vs 80 in the placebo group (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.07-2.22). Walsh noted that, despite the strengths of its large size and the high rates of adherence, the trial is limited by having a low statistical power due to being stopped early, the use of a composite primary outcome, and the challenge in defining the patients most likely to benefit from the intervention. Important Clinical Question Session co-Chair Ronald T. Gansevoort, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and a nephrologist at the Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands, told Medscape Medical News that the study addressed an 'important clinical question,' and it is 'a pity that it didn't work out.' He noted there have been numerous studies of CV disease in patients with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis, but 'there have been so few trials in dialysis patients,' and there consequently remains a lot to learn in this space. As to what the current findings mean for MRAs in general in preventing CV outcomes, Gansevoort said he is 'not sure, because there are drug-specific differences between the first, second, and third generation, and we cannot extrapolate the findings with the first generation to the third.' 'Whether there ever will be a trial with the third generation in dialysis patients, I doubt, because industry will not want to fund it,' he continued, and so it will 'remain an important question.' Christoph Wanner, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and head of the Division of Nephrology, University of Würzburg, Germany, noted that even if the number of patients in the trial were increased to 4000 or 5000 it would still not 'resolve the issue.' 'I think it's the end for MRAs in dialysis,' he told Medscape Medical News , and 'we have to think about what's going wrong in dialysis patients.' 'We started with statins. They didn't work. Hemodialysis/ hemodiafiltration does work, but drugs do not work. Why is this the case? What's going on? Did we design the right trials?' Wanner continued, 'I think this is still a [relevant research] question, but at the moment, with the ACHIEVE trial, the story of MRAs in dialysis is coming to an end.' 'Everyone who deals with dialysis patients realizes there is an excess of mortality, despite advancements in the technology of dialysis over the last 50 years,' noted Walsh at the start of his presentation. He continued that there have been reductions in deaths from atheromatous CV disease among patients receiving dialysis for kidney failure, but 'importantly, the other kinds of reasons, including non-atheromatous cardiovascular disease, remain extremely high,' accounting for approximately 40% of all deaths in these patients. 'Trying to understand why there is such a high risk of cardiovascular death has been challenging,' Walsh added. ACHIEVE was funded by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Canada), the Medical Research Future Fund (Australia), the Health Research Council (New Zealand), the British Heart Foundation (United Kingdom), the Population Health Research Institute (Canada), St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Division of Nephrology (Canada), Accelerating Clinical Trials (Canada), the CanSOLVE CKD Network (Canada), and the Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University (Canada). No relevant financial relationships declared.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dunmore PSP holds annual memorial service
DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop R in Dunmore held its annual memorial service to honor fallen troopers and pay tribute to those who served before them. Wednesday's ceremony wasn't just about remembering the past, it was about honoring legacy, reflecting on sacrifice, and bringing together generations of troopers who share a bond that goes beyond the badge. Since 1905, the PSP has served the commonwealth, and each year, troopers gather to honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty. 'We have and unfortunately will continue to suffer loss. The names of 104 troopers who have been killed in the line of duty, somberly and resoundingly illustrate this reality,' PSP Captain Michael Walsh said. Six of those 104 troopers served under Troop R, which covers Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna Counties. A wreath is placed out front of the barracks to honor their sacrifice. Suspect in 'House of Horrors' murder speaks out 'Today we honor their bravery, their memory, their legacy, we honor these individuals who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,' Captain Walsh explained. The ceremony brought back memories for many retired troopers, who once served alongside those being remembered. 'Everyone they named today, I worked it. It brings sadness to your heart. You know, they were all good men,' retired state trooper Joseph Sarkis said. 'It's important to remember, you know it started in 1905 and that's a lot of years, just to remember the friends, fellow troopers, people you worked with, and just that they died and it's very sad,' Retired State Trooper Ronald Grzybosi told 28/22 News. For current members, the service is also a time to reconnect and reflect. 'It's really nice to see everybody come back and get together, and everybody tells old stories about how things were and what they are now. With law enforcement, it's like a brotherhood or a sisterhood also,' Pennsylvania State Police Community Services Officer Trooper Bob Urban said. Whether they're active or retired, members of PSP say this memorial is a reminder that their brotherhood and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Ya Biladi
16-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Any US terrorist designation of Polisario could lead to trouble for South Africa
Any designation of the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization by the United States would have serious implications for South Africa, especially for advocacy and fundraising groups. This was discussed by South Africa's Mail & Guardian in an article by U.S. foreign policy expert Michael Walsh. In his article, published Thursday, Walsh interviews Zineb Riboua, a Moroccan research fellow with the Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East. Riboua explains that there will likely be serious consequences for South African NGOs and fundraising groups supporting the Polisario if they don't sever ties once the group is flagged as a terrorist organization. She explains that while «some actors — especially mainstream NGOs — [who] would likely step back to avoid legal exposure», others, «motivated by ideology or religious solidarity» may «continue their support covertly». Riboua predicts that if the South African government does not back the enforcement of a future designation «internally», the second group of «fringe actors» could persist, but they will face greater isolation, heightened monitoring, and significant financial risks. Another potential consequence is the negative impact on South Africa's economy. According to Riboua, any such designation could lead to increased international scrutiny of South Africa's banking system. She alleges that «certain individuals or NGOs in South Africa may have engaged in fundraising or advocacy» for the Polisario Front. This heightened international scrutiny would undoubtedly be an unwelcome development for South African banks. Riboua argues that this could result in more financial transactions being «flagged more often by global compliance systems», potentially exposing South African banks to «reputational damage, derisking, and even secondary sanctions». Furthermore, it could even lead to the imposition of targeted sanctions (such as Magnitsky sanctions) and/or the designation of South Africa as a state sponsor of terrorism. These concerns follow U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson's recent announcement of a forthcoming bill to designate the Polisario as a terrorist organization under U.S. law.
