Latest news with #PublicServants
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Teacher killed in Dunblane massacre among Scots to receive Elizabeth Emblem
A primary school teacher who was killed while trying to protect her class in the Dunblane shooting in 1996 has been recognised with a new Mayor is one of eight Scots being honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem, which was introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or a terrorist husband, Rodney Mayor, said her family were "extremely proud and honoured" to receive the award on her behalf. He said: "We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition.""You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care."She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day." On 13 March 1996, Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblane Primary School with four handguns and 743 rounds of opened fire on children who had been skipping round the gym hall, killing 16 pupils as well as Mrs Mayor, before turning the gun on attack took between three and four remains the deadliest firearms atrocity ever committed in the affected spoke of their determination not to be defined by the events in a BBC documentary 20 years Secretary Ian Murray said he was "particularly pleased" to see the honour go to Mrs said: "No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils."I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten." Another recipient of the Elizabeth Emblem is Rod Moore, from Falkirk, who had retired as a paramedic after 40 years with the Scottish Ambulance of a sense of duty and a love for the job, he went back to work during the Covid pandemic at the age of contracted the virus and became seriously ill very quickly. He died in November wife Clare told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that Rod worked very hard, loved his patients and would be "really chuffed" about the award. "He was the funniest man in the world," she said. "He made me laugh every day. He was a great dad to Craig and we both miss him so much."Because of the pandemic, he knew that he had to be there to help."Within a week of testing positive for Covid, Rod was taken into intensive care where he stayed for about four and son Craig could not visit due to restrictions and had not received phone calls from doctors - so Rod, matter of factly, kept them up to date with his condition."He kind of took control," said Clare. "He had phoned me on the Tuesday to say I would need to prepare myself. As naïve as I was then, I thought I had weeks yet."It wasn't until the Friday night that we got the phone call from one of the consultants to say we could go and see him, that he was very sick. "I asked that we would be there at the end, I didn't want him on his own. He died at 01:20. That was the last time I seen him."Clare and Craig are now preparing to receive the award on Rod's behalf."I wish he was here, I'd rather have him here," she added. "I've got all my memories, and I just keep them." Sacrifice remembered Two Scottish police officers and two firefighters killed in the line of duty are among the other Scots being Paul North, who was known by his second name of Richard, of Tayside Police died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August Roderick Nicolson died in December 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth firefighter Ewan Williamson died while responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh in July emblem is also being given to the family of Alastair Soutar, who worked for HM Customs & Excise and was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July Oliver of the Glasgow Salvage Corps died at the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire on 28 March 1960. He was instantly killed alongside 18 others when some casks ruptured causing a massive boiling liquid expanding vapour Minister John Swinney welcomed the award going to the eight Scots, saying: "This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory."
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fresh faces join political veterans in Samoa's 2025 election race
Ballot boxes for the 2021 elections. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Tipi Autagavaia With less than nine weeks left until Samoa's early election, several senior public servants are throwing their hats in the ring. One of the higher profile nominees so far is Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, the director general and chief executive of the Ministry of Health in Samoa. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Health announced Aiono had submitted his resignation effective 30 June in order to contest Samoa's general election on August 29. It comes six months before the end of his three-year contract. He assumed the role in 2022 having previously held the position of Vice Chancellor at the National University of Samoa. The statement said Aiono had intended to serve out his full contract but the early date for the national election, orginally scheduled to take place next year, prompted his premature departure. Aiono, who submitted his four weeks' notice on the 30th of May, said he leaves with a heavy heart but has confidence in the team's capability. He said he will be standing under the FAST banner. Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma (file image) Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tipi Autagavaia "Sometimes you push and push, but certain things don't get done, so I thought that I will throw my hat in the ring and try to push from a different angle," Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said. "And hopefully, when I'm in parliament and I can have the influence to get things done and make things happen and then some of the projects and programs that we're looking at could actually move a little bit faster." Aiono said he chose to run under the banner of the FAST because there is strong support for the party in his electorate. "My electorate as you know its a HRPP electorate for the past two, three, four, five parliament sessions. But I've decided really that there's an incumbent in the HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party) seat and therefore I thought of running for the FAST party," he said. Aiono had faced some criticism online since making his intention to contest in the election public. Some of the critics even questioned his eligibility to contest alleging he had not lived in Samoa for the past three years consecutively which is a requirement under the electoral act . Aiono insists he is eligible. "I am eligible, I've checked all the requirements, I've looked up my passport because I need to have the time in the country which is three years, and they've all checked out." "It's something all candidates will have to do (to prove) I don't know why this Journalist targeted me, but we and I need to remember that when we post something online we still represent the profession." Aiono said. Joining Aiono is High-profile public servant Land and Titles Court Judge Faumuina Leilua Opapo Soani who is awaits a warrant from head of state Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II. Speaking to local media last week he said he was waiting on approval from the head of state. "We are under a special Commission under the Ministry of Justice and we will wait for a warrant from the Head of State to make our resignations official as LTC Judges,." "The deadline for nominees is on July 12, and by that time, the warrant should be issued by the Head of State," said Faumuina who is one of at least two nominees from the judiciary reported to be entering the election race. Under the HRPP (Human Rights Protection Party), Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei, a well-known public figure, who last served as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. He was terminated in 2021 by the Speaker of the House, Papalii Li'o Ta'eu Masipa'u who provided no details of the grounds for his suspension at the time. Tiatia addressed local media at the HRPP headquarters, following an introduction by his village council and supporters. He expressed his desire to seize this opportunity to serve his constituency. "I will make sure to voice the concerns and the needs of these people in parliament," Tiatia said. "These developments include health, education, employment opportunities for youth and better roads." Tiatia is competing for the Vaimauga No.4 seat against caretaker Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster, and former Minister of Justice Faaolasa Katopau Ainu'u. Faaolasa, is intending to contest under the newly established Samoa Labour Party campaigning on economic reform and welfare of families. Party secretary Su'a Tanielu Su'a told local media at a recent launch event 14 individuals are interested in running under the SLP banner. Faaolasa Katopau Ainu'u said they decided to create their own party because they felt the Human Rights Protection Party no longer needed them. "That is the decision from the HRPP executive to pick their candidates, and I don't think we are needed there anymore and believe they will be in a much better boat with someone else." said Faaolesa. A break away faction of the FAST Party led by care taker prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa have also set up a new party called Samoa Uniting Party. Its membership at creation consisted of 14 breakaway FAST MPs and a former HRPP candidate Maulolo Tavita Amosa. Speaking at the SUP party launch Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said out of tragedy something new and important has been born. "Let us talk about now and not remain in the past, but the situation on where we stand and our duties in cabinet remain, it is the door as to why we are here through our constituencies. "The 15 of us, 14 Ministers and 1 Faleomavaega [a former minister] who did the right thing due to an incident and resigned. "The question is why do we want this party? The answer is a no brainer, we want to keep on the work we promised we would do from the dissolution, due to the budget failing of to pass. According to the Samoa Electoral Act in order to be eligible to run as a candidate in the election a person has to be a citizen of Samoa, a registered voter and hold a Matai title registered before lodgement day. They also have to have lived in Samoa for three consecutive years up to lodgement day (this is the day a person lodges their nomination paper). Another unique requirement is the person has to have rendered Monotaga - which is defined as services to a village within the constituency they are intending to run as a candidate for. A person is disqualified from contesting if they do not meet the above requirements. And also if they have been convicted, in Samoa or any other country within the previous eight years, of an offence punishable by death or imprisonment for a term of four years or more. According to the Samoa Electoral Commission Office there are seven political parties registered to contest the 29 August election. In alphabetical order they are: Left to right: FAST Party chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Photo: RNZ Pacific/123RF/Samoa Government/FAST Party The political turmoil in the country began in January, leading Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa to confront two votes of no confidence; the first occurred on February 25, followed by the second on March 6. Last month, she admitted defeat when her government's budget was rejected finally opting to dissolve parliament. The Parliament was officially dissolved on June 3, and as of last week, dates were officially confirmed for the upcoming elections. A pre-polling day for the elections will be on the 27 August, with the elections to follow on 29 August. The electoral roll will close on 4 July, with voter registrations needing to be completed by 3 July. All candidate nominations will close between the 7 and 12 of July.
Malay Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
EAIC finds some JPJ officers failed to declare disposed assets, recommends disciplinary action
PUTRAJAYA, May 30 — An investigation by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) found that there are Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers who failed to update and declare the disposal of assets in the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). In a statement today, EAIC said the investigation was conducted under section 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009 [Act 700] following a complaint against the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Road Transport Department (JPJ KL) involving several vehicle registration numbers. 'Following the investigation, it was found that several vehicles in the names of JPJ KL officers have not yet been declared obsolete through the HRMIS system, even though the vehicles have not been in their possession for a long time. 'This violates regulation 10(2) of the Public Servants (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 (P.U. (A) 395/1993),' it said. In this regard, EAIC decided to refer the results of the investigation to the JPJ Disciplinary Board with the recommendation that a warning letter be issued to the JPJ officers involved. — Bernama
CBS News
28-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland leaders expected to announce actions to support federal workers impacted by layoffs, cuts
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other state leaders are expected to announce updated resources and actions on Friday afternoon to support residents impacted by federal layoffs and funding changes. It comes as the Trump administration moves forward with its efforts to make the government more efficient and reduce federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Efforts to lower federal spending The DOGE task force, led by Elon Musk, was directed to cut programs that do not align with Mr. Trump's policies and to make cuts to the federal workforce. Musk has since called for the elimination of entire government agencies as part of the effort. Recently, the Trump administration has intensified its efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, ordering agencies to lay off almost all probationary employees who don't have civil service protection. The move impacted hundreds of thousands of employees across the nation. Leaders of executive branch agencies have been directed to plan for large-scale firings in the coming weeks. However, the effort has faced some challenges in the form of lawsuits and federal judges. On Thursday, Feb. 27, a federal judge in San Fracisco ruled that the mass firing of probationary employees was likely unlawful. The decision provided temporary relief for the group of unions and organizations that sued over the firings. Maryland's federal workforce impacted In mid-February, Gov. Moore and some county leaders shared resources for residents impacted by the ongoing changes to the federal workforce and funding. Gov. Moore launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website to provide information on unemployment insurance, career support and legal resources for impacted federal workers. Some resources in Howard County were expanded for federal employees, as County Executive Calvin Ball estimated that about 50,000 residents were eligible for a buyout offer from the Trump administration. The governor's office estimated there are about 160,000 federal civilian employees in Maryland, representing about 6% of the jobs in the state. Gov. Moore said thousands in Maryland were impacted by the order to lay off probationary workers. The state has the second highest amount of federal employees behind Washington, D.C. Nearly 225,000 jobs in Maryland were supported by federal funding contracts in 2023, according to the governor's office.
