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15/09/2011
Other News In Brief
Support Announced For Military
A new, free, support service has been launched for veterans, serving personnel and their families. Website, www.bigwhitewall.com, is an online "wellbeing service", staffed by counsellors. The Department of Health and Ministry of Defence have committed £250,000 to fund a one-year pilot of the Big White Wall specifically for serving personnel, veterans and their families. This is supported by a commitment of £100,000 from Help for Heroes for the first year, with additional funding after this. Serving personnel, veterans and their families can access the 24/7 service for free. Amongst other services, Big White Wall users can chat anonymously to others who may have gone through similar experiences, with a team of specially trained counsellors always online to offer support. “We are determined to do what is best for our Armed Forces, their families and veterans,” said Health Minister Simon Burns, “even though the vast majority of Service personnel make the transition to civilian life successfully, a small number suffer problems as a result of their service. We have a duty to look after them and their families."
Government Pledges To Improve National Parks
Local people will have more say in the running of National Parks in their areas, under new Big Society plans announced by Defra today. Anyone who lives in the Lake District and North York Moors will now be eligible to take a parish seat on the National Park Authority. These seats were previously reserved for parish councillors. Pilots will take place in The New Forest and Peak District National Parks for people to vote for members of their Park Authority, through democratic local elections. A proportion of all members will be appointed through this new system. The pilots will last for four years. Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon said: “Our National Parks are our most treasured landscapes enjoyed by millions of people every year and contribute significantly to regional economies. The changes we are making will give the local communities a greater say in how their National Park is managed.” The changes are expected to come into effect from April 2013, following consultation and pending legislative approval.
'Ivory Wave' Legal High To Become Class B
New psychoactive substances found in so-called 'legal high' brand 'Ivory Wave' are to become controlled Class B drugs, the government said today. The psychoactive substance Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP) is to be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class B substance, along with structurally related compounds to ensure that alternatives cannot be developed to avoid the ban. The move follows advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published this week. The ACMD found the health effects of 2-DPMP and its related compounds are similar to those of Class B drugs and have the "potential to cause harm", according to the Home Office. An Order making the substance illegal will be put before Parliament this autumn. The Order will also seek to make phenazepam, also used as a 'legal high', a Class C drug along with other benzodiazepines following ACMD advice in July. Baroness Browning, Minister for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction, said: "The ACMD's advice on 'Ivory Wave' reinforces what we already know - that substances touted as 'legal highs' contain dangerous and potentially illegal substances. Young people in particular may often equate legal with "safe" and are quite simply playing a high risk game of lottery by taking substances without knowing what they contain or their potentially harmful effects."
(DW/GK)
A new, free, support service has been launched for veterans, serving personnel and their families. Website, www.bigwhitewall.com, is an online "wellbeing service", staffed by counsellors. The Department of Health and Ministry of Defence have committed £250,000 to fund a one-year pilot of the Big White Wall specifically for serving personnel, veterans and their families. This is supported by a commitment of £100,000 from Help for Heroes for the first year, with additional funding after this. Serving personnel, veterans and their families can access the 24/7 service for free. Amongst other services, Big White Wall users can chat anonymously to others who may have gone through similar experiences, with a team of specially trained counsellors always online to offer support. “We are determined to do what is best for our Armed Forces, their families and veterans,” said Health Minister Simon Burns, “even though the vast majority of Service personnel make the transition to civilian life successfully, a small number suffer problems as a result of their service. We have a duty to look after them and their families."
Government Pledges To Improve National Parks
Local people will have more say in the running of National Parks in their areas, under new Big Society plans announced by Defra today. Anyone who lives in the Lake District and North York Moors will now be eligible to take a parish seat on the National Park Authority. These seats were previously reserved for parish councillors. Pilots will take place in The New Forest and Peak District National Parks for people to vote for members of their Park Authority, through democratic local elections. A proportion of all members will be appointed through this new system. The pilots will last for four years. Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon said: “Our National Parks are our most treasured landscapes enjoyed by millions of people every year and contribute significantly to regional economies. The changes we are making will give the local communities a greater say in how their National Park is managed.” The changes are expected to come into effect from April 2013, following consultation and pending legislative approval.
'Ivory Wave' Legal High To Become Class B
New psychoactive substances found in so-called 'legal high' brand 'Ivory Wave' are to become controlled Class B drugs, the government said today. The psychoactive substance Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP) is to be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class B substance, along with structurally related compounds to ensure that alternatives cannot be developed to avoid the ban. The move follows advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published this week. The ACMD found the health effects of 2-DPMP and its related compounds are similar to those of Class B drugs and have the "potential to cause harm", according to the Home Office. An Order making the substance illegal will be put before Parliament this autumn. The Order will also seek to make phenazepam, also used as a 'legal high', a Class C drug along with other benzodiazepines following ACMD advice in July. Baroness Browning, Minister for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction, said: "The ACMD's advice on 'Ivory Wave' reinforces what we already know - that substances touted as 'legal highs' contain dangerous and potentially illegal substances. Young people in particular may often equate legal with "safe" and are quite simply playing a high risk game of lottery by taking substances without knowing what they contain or their potentially harmful effects."
(DW/GK)
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National Parks England Signs Deal To Improve Mobile Coverage
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21 March 2006
Diana fountain criticised in MP report
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain has been criticised by a committee of MPs as "ill-conceived". The fountain, which opened in London's Hyde Park in 2004, was plagued by problems.
Diana fountain criticised in MP report
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25 October 2005
Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks dies aged 92
Rosa Parks, the black woman whose famous refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger sparked the US civil rights movement, has died at the age of 92. Mrs Parks died at her home in Detroit, with friends at her side, her lawyer confirmed.
Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks dies aged 92
Rosa Parks, the black woman whose famous refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger sparked the US civil rights movement, has died at the age of 92. Mrs Parks died at her home in Detroit, with friends at her side, her lawyer confirmed.
24 November 2011
'Questions Remain' Despite Murdoch Jnr Resignation
Labour's Media Secretary has said that James Murdoch still had questions to answer despite stepping down from the board of News Group Newspapers. News International, a News Corp.
'Questions Remain' Despite Murdoch Jnr Resignation
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23 October 2015
Yorkshire Dales And Lake District To Be Extended
The Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District are to be extended under a new plan announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire will share the largest area of almost continuous National Park land following the extension two of England's most celebrated National Parks.
Yorkshire Dales And Lake District To Be Extended
The Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District are to be extended under a new plan announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire will share the largest area of almost continuous National Park land following the extension two of England's most celebrated National Parks.
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