Question for written answer E-001791/2024/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Joachim Streit (Renew)
The latest monitoring report by the Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium reveals that, in the first six months of 2024 alone, there were 756 media freedom violation alerts involving 1 212 media-related persons or entities. Of the alerts in the report, 474 relate to EU Member States, while 282 were recorded in candidate countries. The number of violations in Germany was 72. In Europe, intimidation and online threats targeting members of the press are increasing, and anti-media laws, spoofing, censorship, legal harassment, editorial interference and physical attacks are also on the rise. In many cases, such violations occur at the hands of the government or public officials. This trend is particularly concerning because of its potential to affect national and regional elections in EU Member States and undermine the EU’s democratic principles.
1.Is the Commission – and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in particular – aware of the dangerous situation faced by journalists? What does the Commission make of this situation in the light of the European Media Freedom Act?
2.What new measures does the Commission intend to take to protect editorial independence, journalistic sources and journalists’ physical safety?
3.Does the Commission plan to cut EU funding to Member States and candidate countries where press freedom is particularly under threat, such as Hungary?
Question for written answer E-001932/2024 to the Commission Rule 144 Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR)
In response to the catastrophic flooding in Central Europe, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that countries hit by the disaster would receive EUR 10 billion from the EU Cohesion Fund.
Regulation 2021/1058 specifies that the Cohesion Fund is intended to level the playing field in the common market for the less prosperous Member States. In the 2021-2027 programming period, its beneficiaries are countries whose gross national income per capita is below 90% of the EU average.
Austria, which in principle is not a beneficiary under the current programming framework, is one of the Central European countries impacted by the flooding that will receive financial aid from the Cohesion Fund.
In view of the above, could the Commission answer the following questions:
1.Has allocating cohesion funding to Austria reduced the amounts which the less wealthy countries are entitled to receive from the Cohesion Fund?
2.What will be the mechanism and the scale of the reallocation of funding under the Cohesion Fund in the 2021-2027 programming period?
3.Is the Commission aware that allocating cohesion funding to Austria will mean that changes will need to be made to investments being carried out and planned by eligible Member States?
Women seeking publicly funded fertility treatment in New Zealand must have a body mass index (BMI) under 32, according to clinical priority assessment criteria for access to assisted reproductive technology.
But as our in-depth interviews and a growing body of evidence show, this approach is outdated and unethical.
One of our study participants described the system as “completely rigged if you’re a fat person”. Nina, a 37-year-old dance teacher, was denied public funding support to help her conceive because her BMI was above 32 – even though the cause of infertility was her husband’s sperm count.
Nina is not alone. Paratta, who moved to Aotearoa from Sri Lanka in 2009, was also denied because of her BMI. She raced to lose the required weight in spite of a medical condition, but was then denied again because she had reached 40, the age limit for access to public funding.
Both women’s experiences highlight New Zealand’s obsolete and discriminating BMI limit. The United Kingdom does not include BMI as a criterion for public funding, and international cutoffs are generally between 35 and 45.
We argue New Zealand’s BMI threshold must be scrapped to reflect impactful research and respond ethically to New Zealand’s diverse population.
Our study participants have raised concerns about the BMI limit. International and local studies concur with them. Research shows Polynesians are much leaner than Europeans at significantly higher BMIs, meaning Māori and Pacific women are disadvantaged before they even step into the clinic.
Quick weight loss unlikely to help
In New Zealand, people seeking public support are told that “making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or losing weight” could help them become eligible. They are given a stand-down period wherein they must lose the requisite weight before referrals.
As in Paratta’s case, this can lead to a race to lose weight before the inflexible age limit of 40 is reached. Evidence-based research advises that fertility care should balance the risk of age-related fertility decline with weight-loss advice.
Nina rejected the advice to lose weight. She was concerned that quick weight loss would require unhealthy practices that could affect her success rate during the embryo transfer.
Lifestyle changes made within a short time before conception don’t improve outcomes. Getty Images
At the Australia and New Zealand Fertility Association’s annual conference last month, US obstetrician Kurt Barnhart confirmed that lifestyle interventions made weeks or months before conception are unlikely to improve outcomes. They may even cause harm.
He discussed the FIT—PLESE randomised control study, which compared two groups of infertile women. One underwent a targeted weight-loss program and another exercised but did not lose weight. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the groups’ fertility and live-birth rates. These findings suggest the stand-down period should be revised.
Barnhart also highlighted that weight loss through lifestyle changes can be practically impossible given obesity is often linked to endocrine issues that have nothing to do with choice. He observed signals that the medical community is changing its views on obesity as a “lifestyle” choice – a welcome shift.
BMI, lifestyle and ethics
Social science research has long challenged a colonial and biomedical habit of imposing standards on women whose bodies do not conform to Western ideas of a healthy or ideal body.
Historically, the emphasis on weight as a criterion for reproductive health echoes harmful eugenicist beliefs. As US science historian Arleen Tuchman writes, the discovery of insulin prompted some groups to recommended banning marriages for people with diabetes to prevent the “unfit” from reproducing. New Zealand’s BMI criteria similarly suggest only those who fit specific physical standards deserve access to fertility care.
The high economic burden of obesity has led biomedical experts to recommended obese people should be considered for particular support, given the prohibitive cost of assisted reproductive technologies.
Nina exercises more than eight hours a week and Paratta leads an active lifestyle. For both women, behavioural advice – and the stigma and assumptions it underscores – is offensive.
Weight-loss advice can be particularly culturally offensive for Māori and Pacific peoples, who may be stigmatised in clinic settings for being too “fat” but considered “skinny” in their communities if they lose the required weight.
New Zealand’s assessment criteria for publicly funded fertility treatment have not been updated in 27 years. While infertility and health risks associated with obesity during pregnancy and at birth should not be ignored, research shows these risks can be managed effectively and with empathy through a transdisciplinary approach.
The Australian state of Victoria now offers two free cycles of fertility treatment to any Medicare-holding woman, regardless of BMI, up to the age of 42. The program deliberately reaches out to specific groups whose ethnicity, sexuality and environment limit their access. It has been highly successful and should inspire New Zealand to approach fertility funding with fresh perspectives.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
One concerning trend is the misuse of voice cloning. In seconds, scammers can clone a voice and trick people into thinking a friend or a family member urgently needs money.
News outlets, including CNN, warn these types of scams have the potential to impact millions of people.
As technology makes it easier for criminals to invade our personal spaces, staying cautious about its use is more important than ever.
What is voice cloning?
The rise of AI has created possibilities for image, text, voice generation and machine learning.
While AI offers many benefits, it also provides fraudsters new methods to exploit individuals for money.
You may have heard of “deepfakes,” where AI is used to create fake images, videos and even audio, often involving celebrities or politicians.
Voice cloning, a type of deepfake technology, creates a digital replica of a person’s voice by capturing their speech patterns, accent and breathing from brief audio samples.
Once the speech pattern is captured, an AI voice generator can convert text input into highly realistic speech resembling the targeted person’s voice.
While a simple phrase like “hello, is anyone there?” can lead to a voice cloning scam, a longer conversation helps scammers capture more vocal details. It is therefore best to keep calls brief until you are sure of the caller’s identity.
Voice cloning has valuable applications in entertainment and health care – enabling remote voice work for artists (even posthumously) and assisting people with speech disabilities.
However, it raises serious privacy and security concerns, underscoring the need for safeguards.
How it’s being exploited by criminals
Cybercriminals exploit voice cloning technology to impersonate celebrities, authorities or ordinary people for fraud.
They create urgency, gain the victim’s trust and request money via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
The process begins by collecting audio samples from sources like YouTube and TikTok.
Next, the technology analyses the audio to generate new recordings.
Once the voice is cloned, it can be used in deceptive communications, often accompanied by spoofing Caller ID to appear trustworthy.
Many voice cloning scam cases have made headlines.
For example, criminals cloned the voice of a company director in the United Arab Emirates to orchestrate a $A51 million heist.
A businessman in Mumbai fell victim to a voice cloning scam involving a fake call from the Indian Embassy in Dubai.
In Australia recently, scammers employed a voice clone of Queensland Premier Steven Miles to attempt to trick people to invest in Bitcoin.
Teenagers and children are also targeted. In a kidnapping scam in the United States, a teenager’s voice was cloned and her parents manipulated into complying with demands.
It only takes a few seconds of audio for AI to clone someone’s voice.
How widespread is it?
Recent research shows 28% of adults in the United Kingdom faced voice cloning scams last year, with 46% unaware of the existence of this type of scam.
It highlights a significant knowledge gap, leaving millions at risk of fraud.
In 2022, almost 240,000 Australians reported being victims of voice cloning scams, leading to a financial loss of $A568 million.
How people and organisations can safeguard against it
Public-private collaboration can provide clear information and consent options for voice cloning.
Second, people and organisations should look to use biometric security with liveness detection, which is new technology that can recognise and verify a live voice as opposed to a fake. And organisations using voice recognition should consider adopting multi-factor authentication.
Third, enhancing investigative capability against voice cloning is another crucial measure for law enforcement.
There are also calls for possible intervention strategies that law enforcement could use to combat this problem.
Such efforts should connect with the overall National Plan to Combat Cybercrime, which focuses on proactive, reactive and restorative strategies.
That national plan stipulates a duty of care for service providers, reflected in the Australian government’s new legislation to safeguard the public and small businesses.
The legislation aims for new obligations to prevent, detect, report and disrupt scams.
This will apply to regulated organisations such as telcos, banks and digital platform providers. The goal is to protect customers by preventing, detecting, reporting, and disrupting cyber scams involving deception.
Reducing the risk
As cybercrime costs the Australian economy an estimated A$42 billion, public awareness and strong safeguards are essential.
Countries like Australia are recognising the growing risk. The effectiveness of measures against voice cloning and other frauds depends on their adaptability, cost, feasibility and regulatory compliance.
All stakeholders — government, citizens, and law enforcement — must stay vigilant and raise public awareness to reduce the risk of victimisation.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Queensland has joined Tasmania as the second Australian state or territory to offer a A$500 rebate for buyers of new e‑bikes. The pre-election announcement includes a smaller $200 rebate for e‑scooters.
The Queensland e‑mobility rebate scheme is first come, first served, until its $2 million budget ($1 million was added last week) is used up. The Tasmanian scheme has closed for this reason.
These schemes follow a trend of government incentives to buy e‑bikes in North America and Europe. The Australian schemes differ from most schemes overseas by including e‑scooters too.
It’s a welcome move to promote sustainable transport. These personal transport devices have smaller environmental footprints to produce and operate than electric cars. Owning e‑bikes or e‑scooters can enable people to drive less – reducing congestion and emissions – and avoid high fuel costs.
However, my research and other studies suggest ownership doesn’t guarantee much greater use. Additional measures will be needed to boost use of these sustainable transport modes.
Why own e-bikes or e-scooters when you can share?
The rebate is likely to boost retailers’ sales. More than 860 rebate applications were received within three days of the scheme starting on September 23.
And existing owners now have an incentive to upgrade or replace models. They might then sell their pre-loved e‑bikes or e‑scooters on the second-hand market. This means others could get them more cheaply.
Queensland was the first Australian state to legalise the use of e‑scooters in 2018, when Brisbane introduced shared e‑scooter operations. Regional cities such as Townsville and Cairns launched similar schemes. Dockless e‑bikes later replaced Brisbane’s initial CityCycle bike-sharing scheme.
I recently conducted research to understand why South-East Queensland residents want to own e‑scooters. The study methods were comparable to an earlier e‑bike user survey.
Both sets of owners cite replacing car use as their top reason for ownership. However, their motivations differ.
E‑scooter owners are mainly driven by the lower price and the fun factor of riding. E‑bike owners focus more on fitness and the health benefits of getting some exercise when riding. Australian regulations require e‑bikes to be pedal-assisted.
But does this mean people will ride more?
Since 2022, the Queensland government has offered a rebate of up to $6,000 for buying full-sized electric vehicles (that scheme closed last month). It now appears to have responded to calls to do the same for e‑bikes and e‑scooters.
Buyers certainly won’t mind freebies and rebates, but rebate-induced ownership might not increase overall use by much.
An Australia-wide survey in 2023 found 57% of respondents had access to at least one working bicycle at home and this proportion has been increasing. However, only 15% reported riding in the previous week. Only 36.7% had ridden in the past year.
The same 2023 survey revealed only about 2.1% own e‑bikes. The rebate will likely increase this rate in Queensland.
Some preliminary evidence suggests e‑bike users ride more often and further than those riding non-electric bikes. It also helps older people get into cycling. And it has the potential to replace car use even in rural areas.
Despite e‑bikes offering advantages over traditional bikes, riders of both face obstacles to greater use, such as road safety and poor cycling infrastructure.
What kinds of incentives do other countries offer?
Australian policymakers should consider offering incentives to ensure the new purchases are well used, not sitting idle most of the time.
The United Kingdom has a long-standing cycle-to-work scheme that offers commuters a tax exemption for buying bicycles or e‑bikes.
In the Netherlands, incentive schemes have used smartphone technology to track their mileage. For example, in the B-Riders scheme, riders earn €0.08–0.15 (A$0.13–0.21) per kilometre. There was a 68% increase in e‑bike use by former car commuters after one month and 73% increase after six months of participation.
Schemes in North America tend to be aimed at lower-income households. They are more likely to be involuntarily carless, so e‑bikes can improve their access to jobs, goods and services.
There are alternatives to rebates. North Vancouver, for example, is trialling e‑cargo bike lending to replace car shopping trips, as these bulky bikes are not practical for every household to own.
In France, residents can claim a bike or e‑bike subsidy of up to €2,000 (A$3,210). Second-hand devices sold by approved repairers are covered too, which is likely to help reduce e‑waste. Australian schemes so far only cover new purchases.
What more can be done?
For e‑bike and e‑scooter owners, the main barrier to riding more is the lack of safe and well-connected infrastructure. Numerous studies have connected rates of riding to the quality and quantity of infrastructure. Extensive, high-quality and safe cycling networks can deliver lasting shifts towards sustainable transport.
In Brisbane, despite not being anywhere close to the European level of cycling infrastructure, new “green bridges” and bikeways will be expanded to more areas of the city (and other Queensland venues). It’s part of preparations to host “climate-positive” Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032. This year’s games host, Paris, successfully upgraded infrastructure and boosted cycling rates.
Another benefit of more riders on the streets is that it creates “safety in numbers”. Greater numbers would also help attract more funding for infrastructure that makes cycling and scooting safer and more attractive.
Both e‑bikes and e‑scooters are already worthwhile investments. Using them often would free yourself from car dependence – and that’s good for the planet and your wallet.
Abraham Leung received funding from the Transport Academic Partnership (Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Motor Accident Insurance Commission) and the Transport Innovation and Research Hub (Brisbane City Council, BCC). The data from the Privately Owned Electric Mobility User Survey (POEMUS) used in this article is funded and commissioned by BCC.
His current Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship is funded and/or partnered with TMR, BCC, Townsville City Council, and micromobility operators Neuron and Beam. He is also an active member of PedBikeTrans.
Could this indicate a broader decline in health advancements in English-speaking countries? Our new study compared life expectancy between English-speaking countries and against other high-income countries.
We found Australians born between 1930 and 1969 continue to do exceptionally well for life expectancy. But the picture for those under 50 is not so rosy – life expectancy is stagnating for that younger group.
Why measure life expectancy?
Life expectancy is a valuable and widely used measure to examine health trends and patterns over time and compare different places or population groups.
It estimates the average number of years a person would be expected to live. This is calculated using the mortality – or death rates – across different age groups within a specific period. When death rates fall, life expectancy rises, and vice versa.
Not only does life expectancy tell us about mortality in a population, it is indirectly a measure of overall population health. Most leading causes of death in high-income countries are chronic diseases. These typically affect the health of a person for multiple years before their death.
Stagnations or reversals in life expectancy can be warning signs of both longstanding and emerging health problems.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has also pointed to mortality as a key indicator of economic success and failure. This makes it a powerful tool for researchers and policymakers.
Thanks to a long and largely standardised tradition of collecting mortality statistics across high-income countries, researchers are able to carry out in-depth, comparative studies. This can help uncover how specific causes of death have contributed to the changes in life expectancy.
What we did
In our study, we analysed mortality trends and patterns in a broader group of English-speaking countries and compared them with other high-income countries. English-speaking countries have shown similarities in recent mortality trends and their causes, such as patterns of drug overdose and obesity prevalence.
Our analysis focuses on six high-income English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and US. We compared them with the average in 14 other high-income, low-mortality countries from Western Europe (such as France and Norway), plus Japan. This was the “comparison group”.
For each English-speaking country and the comparison group, we estimated:
life expectancy at birth
partial life expectancy between ages 0 and 50 years
remaining life expectancy at age 50
average length of life.
Looking at average length of life helps to compare the mortality of the birth cohorts (people born in the same calendar year) as they age. This measure is the closest way to estimate how long people in different populations actually live, and can be used to assess the differences in survival between populations.
First we looked at how age and causes of death were contributing to a gap between English-speaking countries and the comparison group. Then we compared the average length of life of different birth cohorts.
What we found
In the pre-COVID period, both men and women in Australia had a higher life expectancy at birth, compared to the non-English speaking comparison group (the average between those 14 countries). This was also true for men in Ireland, New Zealand and Canada. In the UK and US, however, life expectancy at birth was lower for both men and women, compared to the non-English speaking group.
But the most striking finding was the difference in mortality for those under 50 in English-speaking versus non-English speaking countries.
Relatively high death rates for those under 50 dragged the overall life expectancy at birth down for each English-speaking country, including Australia. Suicides and drug or alcohol-related deaths were the main reason for these trends.
But over age 50, Australia performs exceptionally well in life expectancy for both men and women. Australians born in the 1930s-60s are likely to live longer than those in the non-English speaking comparison group and all other English-speaking countries. But Australians born in the 1970s onwards had lower life expectancy than the comparison group.
This means overall, life expectancy at birth in Australia is higher than the average for the non-English group. But when you break it down by age, the results show a clear distinction in life expectancy according to when you were born.
For example, in 2017-19 , male life expectancy between ages 0 and 50 years was 0.3 years lower in Australia compared to the average for the non-English group, while remaining life expectancy at age 50 was 1.45 years higher.
What this means
Our study shows a worrying trend for people born from the 1970s onwards. This is true in all English-speaking countries, even before accounting for the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic in places like the UK and US.
In Australia, the results point to significant generational differences in life expectancy compared to other high-income countries. If the relatively high mortality rates of Australians born from the 1970s onwards continue into the future, then the gains in Australian life expectancy will likely slow. Our status as having one of the highest life expectancies of any country will diminish.
Our research aimed to examine trends and potential causes of stagnating life expectancy, rather than make policy recommendations.
But the results suggest real improvement could come through measures that reduce inequality and structural disadvantages that lead to poor health outcomes, such as improving access to education and security of employment and housing, supporting mental health and drug-related safety, and addressing diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Sergey Timonin receives funding from the Australian Research Council (DP210100401).
Tim Adair receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Beginning November 12, 2024, Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s acclaimed new National Film Board of Canada (NFB) animated short Boat People will be featured in season seven of POV Shorts—a collection of the best and boldest independent short films streaming free of charge on POV.org and on the PBS App.
October 8, 2024 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Beginning November 12, 2024, Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s acclaimed new National Film Boardof Canada (NFB) animated short Boat People will be featured in season seven of POV Shorts—a collection of the best and boldest independent short films streaming free of charge on POV.org and on the PBS App.
POV Shorts will be airing on PBS affiliate stations—check local listings.
Canadians can also continue to enjoy Boat People on the NFB’s free online screening platform, nfb.ca.
About the film
Boat People by Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma (10 min) Produced by Justine Pimlott and Jelena Popović for the NFB Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/boat-people-2
As a little girl in Vietnam, Thao’s mother would rescue ants from bowls of sugar water. The tiny creatures would later return the favour, leading her desperate family through darkness—and pointing the way to safety.
With Boat People, illustrator and author Thao Lam undertakes a creative rescue mission of her own, joining forces with animator Kjell Boersma to recount the experiences of her family, who were among over 1.6 million refugees who fled the chaotic aftermath of the Vietnam War, venturing across the South China Sea in precarious open boats.
Boat People employs a hybrid of traditional 2D animation, stop-motion multiplane, and 3D rendering to capture the unique aesthetic of Lam’s handmade paper textures and patterns. The film speaks across time and culture to anyone who’s ever fought to protect their family or community.
Acclaim for Boat People
Boat People has been selected by more than 30 festivals around the world, including the Ottawa International Animation Festival, DOC NYC, the Stuttgart International Festivalof Animated Film and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.
The film has garnered 10 awards and mentions to date, including the Milos Stehlik Global ImpactAward at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, a Special Mention at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival in Germany, and the Audience Award and Helen Hill Awardfor Animated Short at the New Orleans Film Festival, a short-films qualifying festival for the 97th Academy Awards.
About the filmmakers
Thao Lam is a critically acclaimed Vietnamese-Canadian children’s book author and illustrator who arrived in Canada with her parents at the age of three as a refugee from Vietnam. Her books include the multi-award winning Wallpaper (2018) and Paper Boat (2020).
Kjell Boersma is a writer, director and animator whose projects combine traditional and digital animation techniques in novel ways. He directed the short film Monster Slayer (2015) and was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and TIFF Kids to write and direct DAM! The Story of Kit the Beaver (2017).
About the National Film Board of Canada
Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.
About American Documentary, Inc.
American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia organization dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in mainstream media outlets. AmDoc is a catalyst for public culture, developing collaborative strategic engagement activities around socially relevant content on television, online and in community settings. These activities are designed to trigger action, from dialogue and feedback to educational opportunities and community participation.
Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, the Open Society Foundations, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, Reva & David Logan Foundation, Park Foundation, and Perspective Fund. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Chris and Nancy Plaut, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee, Acton Family Giving, and public television viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirm that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV—including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at http://www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.
About POV
Produced by American Documentary, POV is the longest-running independent documentary showcase on American television. Since 1988, POV has presented films on PBS that capture the full spectrum of the human experience, with a long commitment to centering women and people of color in front of, and behind, the camera. The series is known for introducing generations of viewers to groundbreaking works like Tongues Untied (1989), Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1992), Rabbit in the Room (1999), Of Civil Wrongs & Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story (2001), Made in L.A. (2007), American Promise (2013),Not Going Quietly (2021),While We Watched (2022), A House Made of Splinters (2022) and the mini-series And She Could be Next (2020). Throughout its history POV has featured the work of award-winning, innovative filmmakers including Jonathan Demme, Laura Poitras, Nanfu Wang, Frederick Wiseman, Emiko Omori, Janus Metz Pedersen and Ava DuVernay. In 2018, POV Shorts launched as one of the first PBS series dedicated to bold and timely short-form documentaries. In 2024, Indiewire named seven POV films in its roundup of “The 50 Best Documentaries of the 21st Century”: Faya Dayi (2021), The Mole Agent (2020), Minding The Gap (2018), Cameraperson (2016), The Look of Silence (2015), The Act of Killing (2013) and After Tiller (2013). All POV programs are available for streaming concurrent with broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS App, available on iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO. For more information about PBS Passport, visit the PBS Passport FAQ website.
POV goes “beyond the broadcast” to bring powerful nonfiction storytelling to viewers wherever they are. Free educational resources accompany every film and a community network of thousands of partners nationwide work with POV to spark dialogue around today’s most pressing issues. POV continues to explore the future of documentary through innovative productions with partners such as The New York Times and the National Film Board of Canada and on platforms including Snapchat and Instagram.
POV films and projects have won 48 Emmy Awards, 28 George Foster Peabody Awards, 16 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, three Academy Awards® and the first-ever George Polk Documentary Film Award. Learn more at pbs.org/pov and follow @povdocs on social media.
About POV Shorts
POV Shorts launched in 2018 as one of the first PBS series dedicated to bold and timely short-form documentaries. The series is known for its curation, and for broadcasting award-winning titles, including: Emmy®-nominated Earthrise, Water Warriors, The Changing Same, Emmy® winner The Love Bugs and the Oscar® shortlisted A Broken House and Aguilas. It won Best Short Form Series at the IDA Documentary Awards in 2023, 2022 and 2020.
Strengthening defense cooperation and security in the region are the topics of Polish-Czech consultations09/10/2024Cooperation between defense industries, assistance for fighting Ukraine, cooperation within the EU and NATO to build deterrence and defense capabilities, and further strengthening cooperation within the Visegrad Group are the main topics of the talks between the defense ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic in Prague.
W środę 9 października br. w Pradze, wicepremier Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz spotkał się z Janą Černochová, minister obrony Czech oraz wziął udział w międzyrządowych konsultacjach polsko-czeskich pod przewodnictwem Prezesów Rady Ministrów obu państw.Podczas rozmów poruszono kwestie działań i perspektyw realizacji postanowień szczytu NATO w Waszyngtonie – ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wzmacniania potencjału do obrony flanki wschodniej NATO i UE oraz przeciwdziałania zagrożeniom o charakterze hybrydowym i cybernetycznym.Spotkanie było również okazją do podziękowania stronie czeskiej za pomoc, której udzieliły załogi śmigłowców SZ tego kraju podczas ewakuacji ludności w trakcie ostatniej powodzi, która nawiedziła Polskę. 2 czeskie śmigłowce Mi-17, stacjonujące w Polsce wsparły działania ewakuacyjne oraz brały udział w zabezpieczaniu terenów dotkniętych wspomnianą katastrofą naturalną.>>> GALLERY – Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations***The defence and military cooperation between Poland and the Czech Republic is an example of good mutual political and economic relations between the two countries. The joint operation of the Polish and Czech Armed Forces, among others within the Canadian eFP group in Latvia, not only strengthens the regional potential for deterrence and defence, but also demonstrates the readiness of Warsaw and Prague to further strengthen partnership cooperation, among others in the field of exchange of experience covering technical modernisation of the Armed Forces and participation in joint military exercises.
The 9th Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations were held in Prague. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the head of the Czech government, Petr Fiala. We have many common interests and we look at issues in a similar way, such as the role of Europe, assistance to Ukraine, security and actions related to crisis situations. Polska and Chequia also have a common position on illegal immigration in the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk was accompanied by 14 members of the Council of Ministers. Joint action of Poland and Checo. Cooperation between Warsaw and Prague is very good. This was especially visible during the tragic flood that hit both of our countries in September. “With a rare partner we have relationships so intense, so good and so characterized by mutual understanding,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the opening of Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations. Special thanks go to to the pilots of Checo Mi-17 helicopters, who actively helped in rescue operations on the Polish side of the border. “This is just an illustration of our very good cooperation in the broadly understood field of security. What we are trying to do together – both bilaterally and in Europe – is the best example of how to build security policy in relations between nations and states,” noted the Prime Minister. At the same time, Donald Tusk recalled the Polish initiative to organize a meeting in Wrocław regarding the rapid and flexible aid from the European Union, which will concern flood-affected areas. “The idea is to use European funds as effectively as possible and in some situations also jointly […] so that we can jointly and effectively counteract this type of disasters in the future,” explained the head. Polish government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who was one of the participants of the meeting in Wrocław, thanked the Polish initiative in the EU. “I thanked the Prime Minister for his actions. It was a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Ministers of Central European countries in Wrocław,” emphasized the head of the Czech government. Countries struggling with the effects of the September flood will be able to benefit from aid in the amount of EUR 10 billion for reconstruction from the Cohesion Fund. For our country, it will be half of this amount – 5 million de euros, i.e. approximately PLN 20 billion. Together in the international arena, Poland and the Czech Republic cooperate very well in the European Union forum, as well as in the matter of helping the struggling Ukraine. “I would like to thank the Czech Republic very much for their initiatives regarding Ukraine. We will cooperate even closer. We do it in a responsible, rational and very solidary way – both when it comes to helping refugees from Ukraine and helping to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression,” explained the head of the Polish government. El primer ministro checo, Petr Fiala added that both our countries are perfectly they know that the defense of Ukraine is an issue directly related to our security. “We know from our own experiences that we cannot allow Russia to make any expansion […]. Poland and the Czech Republic also have in common the fact that we have accepted a huge number of Ukrainian refugees in both countries. This shows that for us, words about solidarity are not just platitudes,” noted Petr Fiala. Poland and the Czech Republic, as one of the first countries in the EU, have been helping fighting Ukraine from the very beginning of the war. Poland and Chequia together on the issue of illegal immigration in the EUWarsaw and Prague also has a common position on illegal immigration in the European Union. El primer ministro Donald Tusk explained that during the Polish presidency in 2025, our governments will cooperate on a profound correction of some traditional European policies on illegal migration. “We present a common, firm and rational position, without any obsessions. We are definitely in favor of defending Europe against the wave of illegal migration,” emphasized the Prime Minister. As he explained during the press conference after the consultations, Poland and the Czech Republic must convince other partners in the European Union that the EU’s task is to protect the external border, not to create internal borders and searching in, which only consist in moving groups of illegal immigrants within Europe. “We will cooperate here in all aspects. Poland can count on Chequia and Chequia can count on Poland. We will give examples of this at the next meeting of the European Council,” announced the head of the Polish government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also drew attention to the need for decisive action in the fight against illegal migration. “A change of perspective is necessary on migration. We need to be more active and more assertive towards third countries. I am convinced that both our countries have similar positions and views here,” said the head of the Czech government. As he added, organized pseudo-terrorist groups are particularly active in the matter of illegal migration. Polish-Czech energy cooperation One of the topics of intergovernmental consultations in Prague was energy cooperation .“Cooperation in the field of energy is important to us. We are starting nuclear energy practically from scratch. You already have a very long experience […]. Therefore, I am very glad that we have decided to cooperate closely and exchange information so that our activities in this field are effective and as cheap and effective as possible,” emphasized Donald Tusk. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also drew attention to the aspect of developing energy cooperation. “In both Our countries are preparing to build new nuclear blocks […]. The nuclear alliance is a form of cooperation that makes sense,” said the head of the Czech government. As he added, both countries see the benefits of the development of nuclear energy. By train from Prague to the Polish seaThis year’s tourist season on the Baltic Sea was exceptional – over half a million Czechs visited Poland beaches. “I am an eyewitness to the most friendly and expected invasion of ours, which were tourists from the Czech Republic at our seaside. You broke all Historical Records. We are very proud of it […]. Czech women and men are the most welcomed tourists on Polish soil,” emphasized Donald Tusk. Soon, tourists will have a new opportunity to reach the Baltic Sea. A direct railway connection between Prague and Tricity will be opened. Trains will run 4 times a day. Prime Minister Donald Tusk was accompanied in Prague by 14 members of the Council of Ministers: Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of State Assets Jakub Jaworowski, Minister of EU Affairs Adam Szłapka, Minister de Infraestructura Dariusz Klimczak, Minister de Cultura y National Heritage Hanna WróblewskaMinister of Climate and Environment Paulina Henning-Kloska,Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek,Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak,Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski,Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk,Minister of Industry Marzena Czarnecka,Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna ,Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz,Minister – Member of the Council of Ministers, Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Jan Grabiec.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, completed a successful visit to Germany from 6th to 9th October 2024. The visit, which coincided with the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), underscored India’s commitment to global sustainability and renewable energy, and facilitated key discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
On 7th October, the Minister delivered the keynote address at Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where he highlighted India’s role in global renewable energy and energy transition initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance, which now has the support of over 100 countries. Shri Joshi underscored India’s remarkable progress in renewable energy over the last decade, driven by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership. He emphasized India’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in sectors like green shipping, and called for strengthening international collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by the global energy transition.
As part of the visit, Shri Joshi held numerous bilateral meetings with global leaders. His meeting with Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on India’s growing renewable energy landscape and future collaborations for sustainable development. He also met Ms. Svenja Schulze, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to discuss shared priorities in green energy and sustainability.
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi interacts with Chancellor of Germany Mr. Olaf Scholz
On the sidelines of the HSC, Shri Joshi exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany. Union Minister Joshi also interacted with Mr. Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and discussed bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation. He also met Ms. Roberta Casali, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, and deliberated on renewable energy investments in India. Shri Joshi further engaged with Dr Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, where they discussed global shifts in the energy landscape and avenues to support energy transition.
The Minister also met with Ms. Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s Minister of Development, and they deliberated on scaling up international cooperation for a cleaner, more sustainable future. He also exchanged views with Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the IMF’s role in supporting global sustainability projects, and Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, regarding India’s leadership in the green energy space.
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
In Berlin, Union Minister Shri Joshi was warmly received by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr. Habeck also gave a special guided tour of German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr Habeck acknowledged the stunning growth of India’s Renewable sector in the last 10 years to Union Minister Joshi and was very optimistic on India’s journey towards Mission 500 GW from Renewable energy. Shri Joshi posted on X
“Held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the sidelines of #HSC2024. We had a fruitful discussion on strengthening cooperation in renewable energy. Deliberation on opportunities in green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and recycling of solar waste was also held during the meeting. We were happy to note that India and Germany’s cooperation on energy transition is progressing well. Expressed confidence that in the coming years, India will emerge as a trusted source of green hydrogen for Germany.”
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Indian Diaspora in Berlin, Germany
During his time in Berlin, Shri Joshi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora at an event hosted by the Embassy of India, where he lauded their contributions to Germany’s economy and their role in enhancing India’s global presence.
During the RE-INVEST 2024 held in September, 2024, India and Germany had launched the India-Germany Platform for Investment in Renewable Energies showing the growing bond between the two countries in Renewable Energy. The platform will facilitate to create further business opportunities and new avenues for the increasing demand for capital, support technology transfer and enhance the development of innovative technical solutions in RE.
Shri Pralhad Joshi’s visit to Germany concluded with a commitment to furthering India’s leadership in renewable energy cooperation and energy transition initiatives. The meetings and interactions during the visit have laid a strong foundation for deeper collaboration in energy transition, reinforcing India’s role as a global leader in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
Guten Tag Hamburg, Germany!
Thankful for the warm welcome at the airport, from the officials of the Indian Embassy.
Over the next 2 days will be attending the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. Looking forward to bilateral meetings with Ministers and Senior Officials… pic.twitter.com/Ziet27IvaI
India has over 700 million young people who deserve a sustainable future, just like their peers around the globe.🌍 Building on this, delivered the keynote address at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. Also emphasised that for a developing nation such as ours, with low per… pic.twitter.com/VbznAMqxeW
Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi, India is the only G20 nation to achieve it’s climate target well ahead of schedule.
ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಮೋದಿಯವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತವು ಹವಾಮಾನ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯ ತನ್ನ ಗುರಿಯನ್ನು ನಿಗದಿತ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮುಂಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಸಾಧಿಸಿದ ಏಕೈಕ ಜಿ 20 ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ#HSC2024pic.twitter.com/QfkUrw9ZO4
We remain committed to our pursuit of a sustainable energy future that aligns with our growth ambitions and environmental responsibilities. India stands as a global voice of reason.
ಭಾರತದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಸರದ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸರಿ ಹೊಂದುವ ಸುಸ್ಥಿರ ಇಂಧನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ… pic.twitter.com/q6t0ihOfbJ
Received a gracious welcome by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action at the entrance of Ministry. I Thank him for the gesture.
Interacted with the members of Indian community at the reception hosted by Embassy of India, in Berlin (Germany). India’s rich culture and brilliant minds are enhancing the plurality of Germany while also significantly contributing to it’s economy. Around the globe, our diaspora… pic.twitter.com/5eVOJACDwO
Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi today met with H.E. Ambassador Antonio Bartoli of Italy at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today . The discussions focused on exploring potential areas of cooperation in the agriculture sector between India and Italy.
Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi underscored the strong and friendly relations between India and Italy, highlighting the significant potential for collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as trade, investment and technology in the agriculture and allied sectors. He suggested that this cooperation could be further strengthened by leveraging the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations, particularly through regular Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings. He also pointed out opportunities for Italian companies to invest including in India’s food parks.
Both sides recognized the importance of advancing cooperation across several areas, including technical and legal collaboration on plant variety protection and the seeds sector, agricultural research and education, protection of Geographical Indications, organic and natural farming, the application of innovative technologies in precision agriculture, skill development for Indian migrant workers and fostering industry interaction.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of External Affairs, and senior officials from various divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
NOTICE TO MEMBERS Petition No 1101/2023 by Giorgio Santoriello (Italian), on behalf of the Associazione Cova Contro ETS, on the environmental consequences of the ENI’s Bluewater project in the Basilicata Region, Italy Committee on Petitions
The Council of Ministers adopted the Medium-Term Budgetary and Structural Plan for 2025-202808.10.2024
On October 8, 2024, the Council of Ministers adopted the Medium-Term Budgetary and Structural Plan for 2025-2028. The scale and pace of fiscal consolidation are fully compliant with all requirements set out in EU regulations and European Commission guidelines. The Plan will be implemented by implementing appropriate measures in subsequent budget laws until 2028 and in annual reports on the implementation of the Plan, published by April 30. In connection with the Reform of Economic Governance in the European Union, which entered into force in April this year, the medium-term budgetary and structural plan. The Plan, which is a fiscal strategy for 2025-2028, presents a path for reducing the deficit and debt of the general government sector, while at the same time ensuring that economic growth and public investment are maintained. Contents of the Plan The Plan assumes reducing the nominal deficit below 3% of GDP in 2028 and, as a result, exiting the excessive deficit procedure and introducing the debt onto a path of its gradual reduction (ultimately below 60% of GDP). The most important element of the Plan is the sector expenditure path until 2028, which should ensure compliance of the sector deficit and debt with EU regulations in the medium term. The implementation of this scenario requires the government to take appropriate actions (the Plan presents only a framework consolidation structure). The Plan assumes using the possibility provided for in EU regulations to unevenly distribute the deficit reduction over the period covered by the Plan. As a result, next year it is planned – in line with the draft budget act for 2025 – to reduce the primary structural deficit by 0.25% of GDP. This then means a correspondingly greater effort in the next 3 years of the Plan (on average slightly above 1% of GDP in 2026-28). The sector deficit forecast for 2024-2025 presented in the Plan is consistent with the forecast for the draft budget act for 2025. After increasing to 5.7% of GDP in 2024, the sector deficit will be reduced in subsequent years and is to reach 2.9% of GDP in 2028. EU regulations do not require the presentation in the Plan of all measures leading to deficit reduction. These, depending on the development of the deficit, economic growth and the actual effects of already planned measures, will be implemented in subsequent years and presented in annual reports on the implementation of the Plan. However, the Plan presents the first measures supporting deficit reduction in the Plan period.
Throughout the entire period of the Plan, a significant challenge will be the need to implement high defense expenditures while reducing excessive deficits and ensuring that economic growth and public investment are maintained. Defense expenditures in subsequent years within the Plan horizon will result from the limits specified in the Homeland Defense Act (no less than 3% of GDP) and will be significantly higher than those incurred before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Expanding defense capabilities is also one of the common priorities of the EU. Defense expenditures in the so-called cash approach, used in the Polish budget act, are the largest in OTAN. The projected sector debt-to-GDP ratio for 2025-2028 is consistent with the fiscal adjustment path and compliance with the net expenditure path presented in the Plan. The forecasted sector debt-to-GDP ratio will amount to 54.6% in 2024 and 58.4% in 2025. Then – mainly as a result of high defence expenditure – it will increase to 61.3% in 2027 and in 2028 it will decrease to 61.2%, which is consistent with the Public Finance Sector Debt Management Strategy for 2025-2028. The debt-to-GDP reference value of 60% will be exceeded in 2026. Forecasts and simulations of the development of the sector debt discussed in detail in the budget part of the Plan confirm that after eliminating the excessive deficit and in the absence of further changes in budgetary policy, the debt – even in the case of adverse shocks – will return to a level below 60% of GDP in 2030. The three alternative scenarios presented below assume: a permanent deterioration in the structural primary balance (SPB) by 0.5 percentage points of GDP, a one-year increase in the short and long interest rate by 1 percentage point, a permanent deterioration in the ratio of real economic growth to interest rates by 1 percentage point.
Part of the Plan was prepared by the Ministry of Development and Technology and includes reforms and investments planned for implementation by 2028, which contribute to the implementation of the EU Council recommendations for Poland (so-called CSR) issued annually during the European Structural Funds and to the implementation of the common EU economic priorities: a fair ecological and digital transformation, including climate goals; social and economic resilience, including the European Pillar of Social Rights; energy security. This set does not constitute a comprehensive list of the portfolio of reforms and investments that Poland intends to undertake in the coming years. Assessment of the Plan by EU institutions After adoption by the Council of Ministers, the Plan will be forwarded to the Commission and the EU Council. The Commission will have about 6 weeks to assess the Plan and prepare a draft recommendation of the EU Council establishing the expenditure path. Then, in early 2025, the Ecofin Council will adopt, in parallel with the recommendation establishing the expenditure path, recommendations for Poland regarding the elimination of the excessive deficit. The reformed economic governance framework allows, unlike before 2024, to spread the reduction of the excessive deficit over a longer period, in principle 4 years, and to base the consolidation path on the country’s position presented in the Plan. The implementation of the Plan will be monitored through reports, prepared annually by the end of April. The report will present, among other things, progress in implementing the expenditure path established by the Council and up-to-date information on measures supporting compliance with the path, in particular those contained in the budget law. Informe will also include information on Poland’s implementation of the recommendations of the EU Council and the common priorities of the Union. The report may include new significant policy initiatives, in particular in the area of reforms and investments. The first report will be submitted for adoption by the Council of Ministers in April 2025 and will be published no later than 30 April.
MaterialMedium-term budgetary and structural plan for 2025-2028[presentation]_MTP_MEDIA_final_with_table2.pdf 4.65MB
LIMERICK, Ireland, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — kneat.com, inc. (TSX: KSI) (OTC: KSIOF), a leader in digitizing validation and quality processes, is pleased to announce that a global pharmaceutical company has signed a three-year Master Services Agreement with Kneat to digitize its validation processes.
Headquartered in Germany with over 11,000 employees across more than a dozen facilities, the company is a trusted maker of household consumer health care brands and generic and specialty pharmaceuticals for customers in over 120 countries. The company selected Kneat as their corporate solution after a comprehensive evaluation process. The company’s goal is to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and compliance of complex validation processes across its global operations, starting with Computer System Validation (CSV).
“This announcement further demonstrates Kneat’s leadership position across the full Validation spectrum,” said Eddie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Kneat. “We look forward to supporting this company to achieve harmonization for all their validation processes on a single platform.”
About Kneat
Kneat Solutions provides leading companies in highly regulated industries with unparalleled efficiency in validation and compliance through its digital validation platform Kneat Gx. We lead the industry in customer satisfaction with an unblemished record for implementation, powered by our user-friendly design, expert support, and on-demand training academy. Kneat Gx is an industry-leading digital validation platform that enables highly regulated companies to manage any validation discipline from end-to-end. Kneat Gx is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, fully validated, and 21 CFR Part 11/Annex 11 compliant. Multiple independent customer studies show a 40% or more reduction in validation cycle times, nearly 20% faster speed to market, and 80% reduced changeover time.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the relationship between Kneat and the customer, Kneat’s business development activities, the use and implementation timelines of Kneat’s software within the customer’s validation processes, the ability and intent of the customer to scale the use of Kneat’s software within the customer’s organization and the compliance of Kneat’s platform under regulatory audit and inspection. While such forward-looking statements are expressed by Kneat, as stated in this release, in good faith and believed by Kneat to have a reasonable basis, they are subject to important risks and uncertainties. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, given that they involve risks and uncertainties.
Kneat does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any forward-looking statement, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued forward-looking statement constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on forward-looking statements is at an investor’s own risk.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Guglielmo Marconi and the UK: the first of many stories, between Italian talent and innovation across the Channel.
image of the young Marconi with radio apparatus
In the year in which Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s birth, the British Embassy in Rome hosted a special event – “Guglielmo Marconi and the UK – Stories of Italian Talent and Innovation Across the Channel ’ – to celebrate the close ties that the Italian genius, Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909, had with the UK.
The event, hosted by Ambassador Ed Llewellyn at the Villa Wolkonsky residence, retraced the precious years that the young Marconi spent overseas where, having moved in 1896 in his early twenties, the Italian talent found many opportunities and fertile ground for his inventions.
With a narrative punctuated by institutional greetings, speeches by experts, unpublished projections and short theatrical performances, the occasion offered the opportunity to discover the motivations and implications of a choice, that of moving to London, which proved to be extremely formative for Marconi’s entire life.
After Ambassador Llewellyn’s welcome and the institutional greetings of Giulia Fortunato, President of the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation as well as of the Guglielmo Marconi 150 Committee, the body that oversees the numerous initiatives organised in his honour, Dr Barbara Valotti, Head of the museum activities of the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation, gave a speech that delved into the most significant and lesser known aspects related to Marconi’s years overseas.
Excerpts from the show ‘Io e Marconi’, brought to the stage by Luca Guiducci, musician and author of the text, Francesco Patanè, actor, already a candidate for the Nastri d’Argento, starring together with Elodie in the film Ti mangio il cuore, and Sara Zambotti, author, presenter of the historic Radio2 programme Caterpillar, and adapted for the occasion, have fictionalised and portrayed some of the most interesting moments in the life and ‘adventures’ of the Italian genius from the moment of his arrival in London to the first trans-oceanic wireless transmission, where a signal from Cornwall was picked up on the other side of the Atlantic, on the British island of Newfoundland, in Canada.
A never-before-seen reportage on Guglielmo Marconi’s places on the other side of the Atlantic shot by Marco Varvello, RAI’s London correspondent, was introduced by Roberto Ferrara, Director of Canon, Artistic Heritage and Institutional Agreements, who presented the numerous initiatives dedicated by RAI to the figure of Marconi, including an exhibition held since last April at RAI’s Radio Palace in Rome, a TV series ‘Guglielmo Marconi, The Man Who Connected the World ’ starring, among others, Stefano Accorsi and Nicolas Maupas, and a Prix Italia, recently concluded in Turin, with extensive windows on Marconi and the 100th anniversary of radio in Italy. Much biographical information on Marconi can be found on Wikipedia.
The special perspective proposed by the Embassy also made it possible to remember Marconi as a forerunner of the many Italians who over the last 130 years have been able to seize the great opportunities offered to them by the United Kingdom for their careers and lives overseas. Testifying to Guglielmo Marconi’s incredible legacy are two of the 600,000 or so Italians currently living and working in the UK, Sara Bernardini, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford and the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, and Teresa Castiello, President of Cardiology at the Royal Society of Medicine and founder/CEO MIAL Healthcare, illustrated the latest achievements in the application of wireless communication to two key areas of our times: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health, i.e. Digital Medicine.
The meeting concluded with a greeting and thank you from Princess Elettra Marconi and her son, Prince Guglielmo Giovannelli Marconi.
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
New York, N.Y. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer released the following statement on the removal of the Rochester Embayment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the Great Lakes’ most environmentally degraded areas:
“I was thrilled to lead the charge and secure $9.5 million in federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to finally rebuild the Braddock Bay barrier beach that Hurricane Agnes washed away in 1972 in the Town of Greece,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “In the four years since its reconstruction, Braddock Bay has been transformed from a pollution hotspot into a thriving area with healthy restored habitats for wildlife and improvements that returned tourism, boating, and recreation to the waterfront. The Braddock Bay restoration was the last of 14 major pollution- and ecologically-impaired hotspots along Rochester’s Lake Ontario and Genesee River embayment coastline – from Webster to Parma – that have now been cleaned up and restored thanks to federal GLRI funding. The water is cleaner, birds and fish are more abundant, beach closures are down, and the Rochester coastline can now be removed from the EPA’s list of ‘Areas of Concern.’ I fought to secure a historic $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with moments like this in mind. Investing in the Great Lakes means investing in the future of New York, and I will always fight for funding so our community can enjoy the full natural beauty and economic energy of the wonderful communities along the Great Lakes.”
Schumer has helped deliver nearly $14 million in federal funding through the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to fund eight habitat restoration projects, including $9.5 million for the Braddock Bay restoration project. Thanks to those projects, 275 acres of habitat and 30,000 linear feet of wetland channeling have been restored to improve connectivity and biodiversity in the bay.
Schumer has been a relentless champion for the Great Lakes, including securing a historic $1 billion – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law. Since its inception in 2010, Schumer noted, the GLRI has had a significant impact on Upstate New York. Schumer has long been a champion for the Great Lakes, fighting off budget cuts to the GLRI in 2019 and working to secure a multimillion-dollar increase in authorization levels for the program in 2018.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
All parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy can apply for a certificate formally recognising their loss, the government has announced.
Baby loss certificates extended with no backdate to all parents who have experienced a loss
More than 50,000 people have already received certificates under voluntary scheme
Extension is part of government’s ambition to improve experiences and support for women and their families
All parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy can apply for a certificate formally recognising their loss, the government has announced.
Baby loss certificates were first launched in February 2024 but were only available to those who had experienced a loss since September 2018.
From today, this voluntary service will be extended with no backdate allowing all parents who have suffered an historic pregnancy loss or a future loss to apply. More than 50,000 certificates have been issued so far.
The government is committed to ensuring bereaved parents are supported during this difficult time, and that the impact and importance of their loss is recognised. Certificates are free and remain optional for parents.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
Losing a pregnancy can be deeply distressing – there is so much love and so many dreams for the future wrapped up in a tiny life. That’s why it is important for bereaved parents to have the option to officially recognise the existence of their babies and how much they matter.
I’m pleased we can now ensure all parents are able to apply for these certificates, no matter how long ago they lost their pregnancies. This government will always listen to women and families as we overhaul our health system to ensure everyone gets compassionate, safe and personalised care.
The extension of the service marks Baby Loss Awareness Week which is held every year from the 9th to 15th October.
Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health, said:
I would like to thank all of the women and campaigners for their ongoing work on raising awareness around baby loss – without your bravery, this wouldn’t be possible.
We are committed to ensuring that women are listened to during every stage of pregnancy, as we work to improve maternity and neonatal services across the country.
The government is working to improve women’s health services and improve maternity outcomes. This week, the Department for Health and Social Care announced the launch of a training pilot for staff in maternity units to help avoid brain injury in childbirth.
The government has also pledged to train thousands more midwives and ensure that NHS trusts failing on maternity care are robustly supported into rapid improvement.
Additional stakeholder quotes:
Zoe Clark-Coates MBE BCAh, founder and CEO of the Mariposa International and co-chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review, said:
Ten years ago, I had a dream, and that dream was that any baby who had been lost pre-24 weeks would be officially recognised and acknowledged by the government. Saying Goodbye (Mariposa International) launched the campaign, and Dame Floella Benjamin pledged to work with us to make it happen.
I was then asked to co-chair and author the pregnancy loss review on behalf of the government. Through that, we were able to recommend 73 national recommendations which will change the care and support of millions of bereaved families. The certificate is the first recommendation to come to pass, and I’m thrilled that from today, everyone can now apply whether their loss was yesterday or 80 years ago. I hope that having an official government-issued certificate helps the many families who have longed for their babies to be formally honoured and recognised. I also look forward to seeing my five babies’ names on their certificates in the coming weeks.
Samantha Collinge, Bereavement Lead Midwife, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and co-chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review, said:
The announcement today by the Government of the extension to the pre 24 week baby loss certification scheme for losses prior to September 2018 with no back date is a huge milestone moment not just for Zoe and myself, the co-chairs and co-authors of the ‘Independent Pregnancy Loss Review’ but for the millions of people who have experienced pre-24 weeks baby loss. Since I was appointed as a bereavement midwife in 1998 | have campaigned for a standardised care pathway that ensures that every parent experiencing baby loss (regardless of the gestation or type of loss ) receives the physical and emotional care and support they deserve. Removing the restrictions around the application process will give all bereaved parents of pre 24 week baby loss the official recognition that their babies did exist and that their babies lives, however brief really do matter.
Baroness Floella Benjamin said:
I am delighted that now, the date restriction on the ‘Certificate of Loss’ has been removed. Since 2017, when I joined with the Mariposa Trust, working together through my Private Members Bill in the House of Lords, to campaign for these certificates, my husband and I, along with millions of bereaved parents have been waiting for the opportunity to apply. I am thrilled that from today, our hard work will allow babies lost decades ago to finally be recognised.
We’ve been extremely keen to see the scheme extended to include losses before 2018, so today marks a significant milestone for those who have waited for this recognition. For many, even the earliest of losses can be deeply distressing, both emotionally and physically, but having a formal acknowledgement as a marker of their loss can be a meaningful part of the grieving process. We know from the people that we support how much the certification scheme has helped those who have experienced pregnancy loss, so this is great news that people whose losses were previously not acknowledged now can be.
Louise Bowman, Head of Family Services and Bereavement, Twins Trust said:
Families who’ve experienced baby loss understand how important it is to remember and commemorate the babies’ lives. This welcome news will mean so much to so many people in our community, giving official recognition of the experience of parents who’ve lost one or more of a set of twins and triplets.
Background information:
A certificate is available for any parent to access following a loss before 24 weeks, or 28 weeks for a loss before October 1992. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and live in England.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will put the Bill to overhaul renting before MPs today which will end Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to Parliament today and will be debated for the first time by MPs as greater security and protections for millions of renters comes a step closer.
The Second Reading comes less than a month since the Bill was first introduced and within the first 100 days in office, signalling the government’s determination to get this in the statute book as soon as possible.
The Bill delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to overhaul the experience of renters, banning Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions across new and existing tenancies at the same time, immediately tackling one of the leading causes of homelessness. This will give 11 million private renters immediate security and assurance so they can stay in their homes for longer and build lives in their communities.
It will also clamp down on unfair rent increases and extend the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private sector for the first time, significantly reducing the number of poor-quality privately rented homes and empowering tenants to raise concerns about damp, dangerous and cold homes.
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
I am determined to get this Bill in to law as soon as possible. The thousands of children and families living in unsafe housing or under the cruel threat of a Section 21 eviction notice have been waiting far too long already.
We will deliver on our promise to renters and transform the sector into one where families can put down roots, where children can grow up in healthy homes, and where young people can save for their future.
The Deputy Prime Minister will give a speech in the Commons today, highlighting key parts of the Bill, including:
Tenants will be in a stronger position to challenge unreasonable rent increases supported by a Tribunal and landlords will only be allowed to raise the rent once a year and only to the market rate, which will put an end unfair hikes.
Tenants will get a quicker resolution over disputes, cutting down on the need to go though the courts through a new Ombudsman service.
Local councils will be given stronger powers to crack down on unscrupulous landlords. Maximum fines will be increased to up to £40,000 for serious offenders.
A new database for landlords to share important information on their property standards, showing their compliance with the law and helping councils drive out the minority of criminal landlords.
Tenants will be able request to have a pet and landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse. Unfair decisions can be challenged so renters will not have to make a difficult choice between a beloved pet or a home.
Overhauling the private rented sector is just one part of the government’s ambitious plans made within their first 100 days in office to tackle the housing crisis.
Work is already underway to reform the broken planning system to get Britain building again and deliver 1.5 million homes over this parliament, a crucial part of the government’s mission to boost economic growth.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Young people across the country are being called upon to put their cyber skills to the test in the new UK Cyber Team Competition, offering them the chance to represent the UK on the world stage and kickstart a career in cyber security.
New search opens for 18-to 25-year-olds to represent the UK Cyber Team in global competitions
Young people will get hands-on experience, training, and mentorship to launch careers in cyber security
Competition to focus on developing skills and growing UK talent pipeline
Young people across the country are being called upon to put their cyber skills to the test in the new UK Cyber Team Competition, offering them the chance to represent the UK on the world stage and kickstart a career in cyber security.
The Competition invites 18- to 25-year-olds with a passion for cyber security to test their skills against challenging cyber exercises designed to push their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.
This includes simulations of real-world scenarios in areas like cryptography, digital forensics, web exploitation and network security. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to engage in demanding tasks that mirror the day-to-day challenges faced by professionals in the field.
Top performers will earn a place on the UK Cyber Team and take the next step in their cyber security career, with access to advanced training supported by industry experts, networking opportunities with agencies and leading cyber security firms, and mentorship to help develop their careers.
Together, they will represent the nation in prestigious international cyber competitions, including friendly matches against other national cyber teams, and major events like the International Cybersecurity Championship and the European Cybersecurity Challenge.
Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said:
In an increasingly digital world cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and it’s essential we stay ahead of the curve. The UK Cyber Team Competition is an exciting opportunity for young talent to showcase their skills and play a crucial role in protecting our nation’s digital future.
We’re looking to find the best and brightest minds to represent the UK on the world stage. I encourage all eligible young people with a passion for cyber security and technology to take on the challenge and be part of something truly impactful.
This competition will help the UK plug the cyber skills gap, fill high-demand roles and provide young professionals with valuable skills and career opportunities in this critical field.
It will strengthen national security at a time when the need for skilled cyber professionals has never been greater, and also set young people up for jobs of the future – driving forward the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
Participation from underrepresented groups and all parts of the UK is actively encouraged to support diversity in the cyber talent pipeline.
The competition, delivered in partnership with the SANS Institute, is open to all UK residents aged 18 to 25 with an interest in cyber security. Applications are now open, where participants can register and access preliminary challenges.
The UK’s cyber security industry is valued at £11.9 billion and helps protect growth in the UK. Cyber skills are in huge demand across the economy and the 2024 Cyber security skills in the UK labour market survey found that 44% of UK businesses do not have the fundamental skills to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.
James Lyne, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at SANS said:
SANS Institute is delighted to collaborate with DSIT on the UK Cyber Team Competition, a critical initiative addressing the growing cyber security skills shortage. We are a firm believer in uncapping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in the 18-25 year old bracket.
By immersing young talent in real-world cyber scenarios and providing direct mentorship from industry leaders, we are not only cultivating the next generation of highly skilled professionals but also reinforcing the nation’s cyber defence capabilities. These types of competitions are essential in showcasing the UK’s cybersecurity strength, bolstering national defence, and in the spirit of friendly competition with other nations we in turn build international relationships.
These competitions also drive growth in the cybersecurity sector by providing a platform for talent recruitment and skills development, while ensuring that participants are equipped with the expertise needed to help defend organisations. We also hope that this initiative will contribute to the long-term resilience of the UK’s digital landscape and broader security objectives by fostering a diverse pipeline of well-trained professionals.
Sheridan Ash MBE and Dr Claire Thorne, co-CEOs of Tech She Can said:
This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the wide range of often overlooked roles in cybersecurity throughout the UK, while connecting a wealth of untapped technology talent with real-world industry experiences and job prospects.
The diversity and technology skills gaps are both real and urgent challenges. Through our work in classrooms across the country, we’ve seen how aligning young people’s passions—like gaming and eSports—with technology careers can engage both boys and girls effectively. We’re particularly excited about the doors this will open for young women, who are already playing, and will continue to play, a critical role in safeguarding our future.
Katie Gallagher OBE, co-founder of the North West Cyber Resilience Centre said:
We welcome this excellent initiative from DSIT to inspire young people to explore careers in cyber security. As the recent government survey found 44% of businesses have skills gaps in basic technical areas – and 30% of cyber firms in 2024 have faced a problem with technical skills gaps.
However, with the growth of cyber breaches and hacking, it is vital that we work together as a community to grow the cyber security talent pathway.
Wednesday 9 October 2024 to Wednesday 20 November 2024
Online qualifying rounds
Round 1; 30 November 2024 to Sunday 1 December 2024
Round 2: 13 December 2024 to 17 January 2025
Live in-person final
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January 2025
In partnership with Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will be sending a team of young women to represent the UK at the inaugural Kunoichi Cyber Games taking place at the Code Blue cyber security conference in Tokyo later this year.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper says benefits provided by nature make it vital to national prosperity
The River Lune on a sunny day
Natural England’s State of Natural Capital Report highlights vital link between nature and our health, wealth and security
Report points the way for decision makers to ensure nature and economic growth can work hand-in-hand
A new approach is needed if we are to save nature that is the stark warning to be issued today (Wednesday 9 October) by the Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper, as he launches a major new report on the state of our natural world.
The State of Natural Capital Report, published by Natural England, will provide a unique insight into the vital role that healthy nature plays in underpinning our economic health.
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of our ecosystem assets, such as wetlands and forests, and the important role they play in sustaining us and the risks to society and the economy if the status quo is maintained.
The report makes clear the significant place nature has on the balance sheet with changes being felt in the economy now due to nature depletion, and the consequences already being seen in the reduction in access to nature. For example, pollination represents around £500 million of benefits in the agricultural industry with a decline in insect life threatening food supply. Elsewhere, the degradation of soils globally is causing carbon emissions to rise – equivalent to 36% of the annual global carbon emissions from fossil fuels – while more frequent extreme weather events are causing significant economic damage.
The report comes alongside a new risk register, which investigates the threats nature faces, and how they could impact on a range of policy areas, such as the push for net zero, climate adaptation, food security, water security and health, and setting out the actions that need to be taken to address these risks to nature and the benefits it provides.
Speaking at an event to launch the report, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, will say:
“Nature isn’t different from growth – it’s at the heart of it, you cannot grow the economy if we don’t grow nature. According to recent estimates the current value of the UK’s natural wealth was just over £1.5 trillion.
“Nature is our national wealth service: our natural assets provide a steady stream of essential goods and benefits on which our economy and our population rely.
“It gives us life’s essentials of fresh water, air and food, it provides places to relax, resources to build with and mitigation of our impact on the planet.”
On the state of nature and the case for change, Tony will go onto to say:
“If we look after Nature, Nature will look after us; but the truth is we haven’t been. Nature is in critical decline. Ninety percent of the UK’s wetlands have been lost in the modern era and over 97% of lowland semi-natural grasslands in the last century, taking with them countless birds, butterflies and bumblebees. Nature is being wiped off the face of our supposedly green and pleasant land, but we continue to act is of we are oblivious to the warning signs from a planet that is struggling badly.
“For years now we have taken more from Nature than it can supply sustainably. We are in effect running down our assets as we strip away nature’s ability to provide clean water and carbon storage by degrading soils, which increases water pollution and sends harmful emissions into the atmosphere, affecting human health and adding to consumer bills – be it your weekly shop or household bills.
“It’s time we treasured this national wealth service as much as we do the National Health Service. We must move beyond just seeing the health of our economy and our country in terms of pure GDP, we have to incorporate the health of our natural capital and its ability to sustain our economy into our understanding of the condition of our nation.”
On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:
“Nature provides huge social benefits. Green spaces provide £25.6 billion of ‘welfare value’ every year and a range of studies have found that the presence of green spaces, including parks and trees, improves mental health and can lead to a reduction in crime in urban areas.
“However around 1 in 5 people do not live within 15 minutes of a green space, and they tend to be from more deprived communities. This link between green space, social inequalities and differences in health outcomes remains strong and persistent. This has to change, we to have think differently.”
On a different future and how he thinks we should act differently, he will say:
“What I hope people will understand from this report is that Nature isn’t some rather quaint, distant notion to be inevitably trampled by progress – or to occasionally hold it up. Nature is a dynamic, vigorous, multi-layered force that can provide so many of our essential needs today and into the future, if we take this opportunity to understand it better and treat it with respect.”
“Nature recovery is a long-term investment. This report will offer an important resource for policymakers by making the invisible visible and providing the missing evidence needed, and guide the action needed to achieve sustainable use of our natural assets.“
The State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024 will be published at 10am on Wednesday 9 October. The report is being launched at an event in The Wellcome Collection in London.
The report is being launched at an event in The Wellcome Collection in London, starting at 10 am, which will feature speeches from Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain and Chair Tony Juniper. Registration for the livestream is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1010300675517?aff=oddtdtcreator
A new parliamentary inquiry is shining a light on this mistreatment. It’s investigating if youth detention facilities are complying with children’s human rights conventions, and the need for minimum standards of care.
This inquiry is an opportunity to consider alternatives to youth detention that support and rehabilitate children and adolescents who break the law. This is especially needed for those with disabilities relating to brain function (neurodisability), such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
FASD is a neurodevelopmental disability. It is caused by exposure to alcohol before birth, which injures the brain. We don’t have prevalence data in the general Australian population but we know it affects children from all demographics.
Here’s what we know about the incarceration of children and adolescents with FASD – and what we could do instead.
Imprisoning children from age 10
Children as young as ten years may be incarcerated in Australia.
But prison is not a solution to youth crime. Imprisonment without care can cause harm and entrench disadvantage.
Young people’s brains experience a period of rapid development between ten and 14 and aren’t able to make complex moral decisions.
Children and adolescents with FASD may have cognitive impairment affecting their ability to think, learn, make decisions and remember, or intellectual disability. Their mental age may therefore be significantly lower than their chronological age.
FASD makes it harder to understand
FASD affects children and adolescents’ motivation before committing a crime and their capacity to comprehend the consequences.
Due to their brain injury, children and adolescents with FASD are often impulsive, easily misled and can’t distinguish right from wrong. They may not learn from past experiences.
When they’re in the justice system, they may be suggestible. Poor memory may make it difficult for them to provide reliable witness statements. Due to poor language and communication skills, they may misunderstand court orders, leading to non-compliance.
Rates of FASD are high among young people in the youth justice system. An estimated one in three detainees in Australia has FASD. But many adolescents in contact with the justice system have un-diagnosed FASD and complex needs.
Internationally, young people with FASD are 19 times more likely to be jailed than people without FASD.
It also found diversion programs were significantly cheaper than incarceration. In 2022–2023, the average cost for each adolescent under community-based supervision was A$305 per day, compared to $2,827 per day for adolescents in custody.
In a 2024 report, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds recommended expanding evidence-based youth justice diversion programs:
Tragically, by not addressing their human rights early on, and instead taking a punitive approach to their offending, we are essentially criminalising some of the most vulnerable children in Australia.
So what do these programs look like?
Many countries have moved from a justice system to a welfare system, which is especially appropriate for adolescents with disabilities like FASD.
Ireland ended the imprisonment of children aged under 18 years in 2017. Children under 18 can now be sent to children detention campuses, which have games rooms and bedrooms instead of cells.
Spain has long used an in-patient approach. Adolescents live in a therapeutic environment with compassionate contact with professionally trained staff.
Other countries are replacing child prisons with theraptutic environments and compassionate staff. Shutterstock/SeventyFour
Successful Australian initiatives offer a foundation for a new model of youth justice.
The Yiriman Project, for example, is run by Elders near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, where rates of FASD are high. The project takes Aboriginal young people at risk of offending onto remote country to engage in culturally based activities, such as assisting Indigenous rangers to care for country. A three-year review of the Yiriman project found positive outcomes for Aboriginal youth with FASD.
Research shows it’s crucial that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are involved in the design of any programs that affect their communities.
Early detection to prevent re-offending
Early identification of FASD allows children to receive appropriate intervention and support to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing. This may prevent them from re-offending and improve their life trajectory.
FASD assessments are available nationally. Support services for young people with FASD aim to improve their health and wellbeing, address secondary disability, and reduce exposure to risks such as substance use.
For young people who have offended, intensive community-based support programs improve young people’s access to education, life skills and heath-care access. Therapeutic and diversionary activities can also strengthen family relationships, which are crucial to successful community reintegration.
What needs to happen next?
Governments need to invest in evidence-based diversion programs for children and adolescents who commit serious crimes.
Governments also need to urgently up-skill justice professionals to improve their recognition and assessment of adolescents with FASD and other neurodevelopmental problems.
Early identification and understanding of young people with challenges such as FASD and cognitive impairment will enhance the young person’s health and mental health outcomes, prevent youth crime and benefit society.
Elizabeth Jane Elliott receives funding from the Australian Department of Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, including a Leadership Fellowship. She is a Board Director of NOFASD Australia and Royal Far West and is an Advisor in Child Health to UNICEF Australia.
Fiona Robards is affiliated with the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Child Rights Taskforce and Australian Association for Adolescent Health.
Ensuring patients’ needs are met should be the primary factor in determining how many nurses Te Whatu Ora needs, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
Commissioner Dr Lester Levy this morning revealed Te Whatu Ora is employing 3000 more nurses than it has budgeted for, and blamed recent recruitment. This is still significantly less than the 4800 identified in Te Whatu Ora’s 2023/24 Health Workforce Plan.
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says the Commissioner is confusing the difference between budget and need.
“Budget figures and the behaviour of Te Whatu Ora – such as cutting senior clinical roles – is affecting patient care and whānau wellbeing.
“The increase in nursing is driven by demand. We have a growing and aging population which has more serious and complex health needs. We have an acute shortage of nurses in primary and community care.
“Budget figures are plucked out of the air and are a political choice. Aotearoa faces a chronic nurse shortage.
“New Zealanders are well aware of the long waits for care at our hospital Emergency Departments and the difficulty whānau face when trying to access services such as crucial mental health treatment,” he says.
Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health have never agreed to enforceable safe nurse ratios, something in place in Australia, Ireland, Canada and parts of the United States.
“The voice of patients are missing in this financial crisis manufactured by the Coalition Government. The Government can choose to properly fund the health system. And that includes making sure New Zealanders have the nurses they need,” Paul Goulter says.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Shenzhen airport welcomes over 6,500 foreign visitors during National Day holiday
“China Travel” continues to soar in global popularity. During the National Day holiday, Shenzhen Airport saw an influx of over 6,500 foreign visitors — an 87.3-percent year-on-year increase. Nearly 1,500 of them entered visa-free. Most visitors hail from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. The airport also handled over 103,000 passengers during the holiday, a 56.9-percent rise compared to previous years.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics is announced in Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics went to two scientists, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton, for their foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Tuesday.
This year’s laureates for the prize “used fundamental concepts from statistical physics to design artificial neural networks that function as associative memories and find patterns in large data sets,” said Ellen Moons, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.
Hopfield works at Princeton University and Hinton at the University of Toronto. They used tools from physics to develop methods that are the foundation of today’s powerful machine learning, the academy said in a press release.
Artificial neural networks, now crucial to various fields, have advanced physics research and become integral to daily life, with applications such as facial recognition and language translation, Moons noted.
Moons said the benefits of machine learning are extensive, but the technology’s rapid development has raised concerns about its long-term effects. She stressed that “humans carry the responsibility for using this new technology in a safe and ethical way for the greatest benefit of humankind.”
The 25th Infantry Division and The Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) is set to execute its largest Combat Training Center (CTC) rotation to date, beginning Oct. 7, 2024. JPMRC 25-01 will span from Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands, and over to Palau and is the only CTC that can stress the system that hard.
As the U.S. Army’s premier training center in the Indo-Pacific, JPMRC plays a pivotal role in ensuring military readiness by providing a realistic training environment that mimics the region’s challenging jungle to high-altitude volcanic desert and archipelagic environment.
The 25-01 rotation will bring together U.S. military forces alongside regional Allies and partners to conduct multi-domain, live, virtual, and constructive training in preparation for future operations.
As the primary training audience, the 2nd Light Brigade Combat Team (2LBCT) will work alongside units from the 11th Airborne Division, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, selected units from United States Army Special Operations Command, and multinational partners. Together, these forces will tackle the simulated operational environments, ensuring that they are well-prepared to operate cohesively in real-world situations.
In preparation for the largest JPMRC rotation, operations staffs at echelon are critical. With the essential duties of planning, coordinating, and supervising all operational and training activities within a battalion, the operations staff ensures that units are prepared, synchronized, and effective in both peacetime and combat scenarios.
“In the JPMRC timeline, we execute the operations order brief to the brigade commander,” explains U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Onorato, a S-3 (Operations) officer assigned to 2LBCT, 25th Inf. Div. “It allows all the subordinate units of 2nd brigade to synchronize and work together effectively to ultimately achieve our goal of successful operations for JPMRC.”
This year’s rotation features participation from Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Maldives, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These forces will engage in collaborative exercises that simulate complex, multi-domain challenges.
JPMRC 25-01 will validate 2LBCT’s Transformation in Contact construct in a real-time, high-pressure environment. Aligned with the campaign of learning, 2LBCT will incorporate lessons learned from the 101st Airborne recent rotation at Joint Readiness Training Center. They will further test new technologies and systems designed to improve our warfighting readiness and ability to respond to crisis or conflict.
JPMRC provides a key opportunity for the force to train in austere environments, develop leaders, systems, and processes that will enhance overall military capability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Coming out to the field allows us to do a proof of concept,” explains U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nathan Morgan, a maintenance platoon leader assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, “With the proper planning and training we can execute major mission functions in any environment.”
As the largest JPMRC rotation ever held in Hawaii, 25-01 demonstrates the U.S. Army’s relentless pursuit of excellence, and its commitment to ensuring that U.S. forces, alongside their Allies and Partners, remain prepared for whatever challenges the future may hold in the Indo-Pacific.
An attendee takes photos of a billboard during a pre-expo supply-demand matchmaking meeting for the Intelligent Industry & Information Technology Exhibition Area and Automobile Exhibition Area of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in east China’s Shanghai, Aug. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
With less than 30 days left before the seventh China International Import Expo, due preparations are in place while multinational companies from around the world are looking forward to the annual expo to showcase their new products and technologies.
During a meeting held by the executive committee of the 7th CIIE on Monday, Wang Wentao, minister of Commerce, said that efforts should be made help companies expand the impact of the show. The exhibition should also help to nurture new-quality productive forces and serve the country’s high-quality development, he said.
By aligning with the world’s highest standards and best levels, Shanghai has stepped up its preparation for the 7th CIIE by addressing new issues and optimizing services in all aspects, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said at the Monday meeting.
Various steps have been taken to further facilitate the entry and exit of people and exhibits.
Shanghai has launched measures such as renewing valid visas for multiple entries and residence permits for this year’s CIIE.
Customs clearance instructions and supportive measures have been released. The market supervision department continues to implement supportive policies such as exemption from China Compulsory Certification and temporary licenses for special food exhibitors.
More convenient payment methods have been introduced. Dazhong Transportation (Group) Co Ltd, a taxi-hailing service provider in Shanghai, will complete the installation of 2,000 POS machines accepting foreign bank cards before the CIIE. All restaurants and catering service providers in the exhibition hall have installed POS machines accessible to foreign bank cards.
Sustainability is another highlight of this year’s CIIE. The green construction rate and material recycling rate of the exhibition will achieve 100 percent. Up to 10 million kWh of green power will be used at the show.
The 7th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. According to the exhibition’s organizer CIIE bureau, companies have signed up for over 360,000 square meters of exhibition area. More than 70 countries and international organizations will be present at the country exhibition area, overtaking last year’s scale. Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Burundi and Madagascar will participate in the country exhibition for the first time.
The first inbound exhibit for this year’s show, the three-wheeled concept car made by Japanese manufacturer Yamaha Motor, arrived in Shanghai in September. It will make its debut to the Chinese market via this year’s CIIE.
It is the seventh year in a row for French beauty giant L’Oreal at the CIIE. This year also marks the fifth consecutive time for the company to work as the chairman of the exhibition’s enterprise alliance.
“It is both a testimonial of our belief in China and the fact that we want to continue to invest in China,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oreal.
As Hieronimus further explained, the CIIE is the “only event like this in the world” in which L’Oreal is so involved by introducing new brands, demonstrating the latest innovation results and showcasing technology breakthroughs.
Despite the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence, investors prefer human expertise when it comes to stock market predictions, according to a new study.
The study, which involved 3,600 US participants, examined responses to S&P 500 stock predictions made by human analysts, AI systems and a combination of both.
Researchers Dr Gertjan Verdickt (University of Auckland) and Francesco Stradi (KU Leuven), say the findings challenge the assumption that AI’s data-crunching prowess might automatically earn investor trust.
“We found that investors are more likely to believe human analysts first, followed by a combination of both human and AI,” says Verdickt, a finance lecturer at the University of Auckland Business School.
“AI-generated predictions are viewed with the most scepticism.”
He says this result was somewhat surprising in light of recent developments in AI technology.
“Previous studies have shown that AI can outperform human analysts, but it’s apparent that trust is a major issue.”
The results also showed notable differences between genders, with women showing more openness to AI-driven advice than men.
“Men tend to be overconfident in their financial abilities, which may explain why they are more sceptical of AI,” says Verdickt.
“Also, we have seen in other studies that women, on average, get different and often worse advice from financial advisers, such as recommendations for products with higher fees and less risk.”
The findings also show that investors with a deeper understanding of AI are more likely to trust its predictions.
Meanwhile, people who gave their political affiliation as Democrat, were more likely to trust AI-generated forecasts than Republicans.
To explore whether using more familiar AI tools could boost trust, the researchers also tested whether investors would view the well-known large language model ChatGPT more favourably.
“Contrary to recent research suggesting familiarity enhances trust in technology, our results indicate that replacing ‘AI’ with ‘ChatGPT’ does not improve investor trust. In fact, we find that investors distrust ChatGPT-generated advice, perhaps even more than the generic ‘AI model’ we reference in our study.”
Verdickt says the findings show that technical effectiveness alone can’t gain investor trust.
“We are the first to study investors’ reactions to AI forecasts from a perspective of credibility and beliefs. Our findings show that financial institutions should approach AI integration cautiously and consider tailored communication strategies for different demographics.”
AS Coop Pank has decided the company’s Financial Calendar for the 2025 financial year.
In 2025 Coop Pank plans to disclose information and organize the general meeting of shareholders according to the following schedule:
13.02.2025 Q4 2024 and unaudited full year results 14.02.2025 January results 12.03.2025 February results 19.03.2025 Audited Annual Report for 2024 16.04.2025 General meeting of shareholders 23.04.2025 Q1 interim results 13.05.2025 April results 11.06.2025 May results 18.07.2025 Q2 interim results 12.08.2025 July results 10.09.2025 August results 22.10.2025 Q3 interim results 12.11.2025 October results 10.12.2025 November results
Coop Pank, based on Estonian capital, is one of the five universal banks operating in Estonia. The number of clients using Coop Pank for their daily banking reached 200,000. Coop Pank aims to put the synergy generated by the interaction of retail business and banking to good use and to bring everyday banking services closer to people’s homes. The strategic shareholder of the bank is the domestic retail chain Coop Eesti, comprising of 320 stores.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Film and the creative industries to form key part of government’s mission to grow the economy in all parts of the UK
Independent film productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%
Move will empower UK filmmakers to create more independent films and co-produce with other countries
The next generation of indie films have been handed a major boost by the government with the introduction of a tax relief uplift, which will create jobs and drive growth by making more British hits like Aftersun and Billy Elliot possible.
The Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC), confirmed today by the Chancellor and Culture Secretary as the London Film Festival gets underway, will mean that for the first time productions with a budget up to £15 million will be eligible for a relief of 53% on qualifying expenditure. Films with a budget up to £23.5 million are also eligible for the IFTC and the relief will be tapered.
The creative industries are a key part of the economy, generating £125 billion a year, and form a central part of the Government’s mission to grow the economy. The UK film sector is already worth £1.36 billion and employs more than 195,000 people, with the potential to grow further thanks to these reliefs.
British indie films like Rye Lane, Rocks, Bait and Pride tell award-winning stories about our country, celebrating parts of our culture that often get less exposure. This relief will allow more stories like these to be told, enabling more people to see their lives and experiences reflected on screen.
To support the Government’s commitment on more distinctly home-grown content and talent, for films to meet the criteria for this new relief, they must have a UK writer or director, or be certified as an official UK co-production.
The announcement comes ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit next Monday which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to discuss how we can deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth, including in the creative industries.
The new measures are the latest in a series of interventions from the government to drive growth, which is creating the conditions for confident investment and trusted partnership with business. From major investment in carbon capture to securing billions in investment from Blackstone and Amazon Web Services, this government is committed to working hand in hand with business to drive growth and investment across many sectors.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
The UK’s first-class independent filmmakers have a track record of creating cult classics and surprise hits that are enjoyed by millions. Their films showcase British culture and creativity to the world while also supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK.
These reliefs will pay dividends both culturally and economically, inspire the next generation of talent across the country, deliver more great British content, and sustain a world-leading industry here in the UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
The creative industries are a crucial part of our economy, and this change will help strengthen them further.
By supporting growth in this vibrant sector, we can create jobs and continue to show Britain at its best around the world.
We have a tremendous history of filmmaking and talent in Britain. The indie sector is the main pathway for new and original voices and talent to enter into the industry. It’s imperative that we continue telling and making UK stories for which this enhanced tax relief is vital for our industry.
Amy Jackson, producer of Oscar-nominated Aftersun, The Outfit and The End We Start From, said:
This is a vital intervention for the UK industry, which I wholeheartedly welcome. Making British indie films is tough, but this enhanced tax relief means that as a producer I now have crucial support to explicitly focus on bringing incredible stories by British talent to the big screen while building out exciting co-production opportunities. The IFTC will make UK indie film a more attractive investment prospect for international partners and co-producers facilitating more creative collaboration and bringing much needed backing to the independent sector across the board.
BFI Chair Jay Hunt said:
The speed with which the Government has turned this around shows how vital this intervention is for independent film. It will have a game changing impact across the whole UK screen sector – creatively and economically.
Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said:
This is great news for UK film and is already having a positive impact across our industry. More films can now be made in the UK that audiences at home and internationally will get to enjoy. Independent filmmaking is vital to our cultural expression and creativity, it builds careers for talent in front of and behind the camera, and also showcases UK creative excellence on a world stage. We’re grateful to Government, the DCMS and the industry for working together to establish this transformative tax relief uplift where it is most needed.
Andrew M Smith, Corporate Affairs Director, Pinewood Group, said:
Pinewood is synonymous with great filmmakers of the past and present and independent film has been at our heart since the Studios opened in 1936. This tax relief is fantastic news for the industry as a whole and will bring an injection of support to further nurture the groundbreaking talent of the future and bring a greater diversity and range of stories to our screens.
Elizabeth Karlsen, producer, Living, Carol, Colette and The Crying Game, said:
Based on three decades working in independent film in the UK I can say with absolute confidence that this new support for British independent film will be felt far and wide; it will help us nurture new talent, support established talent, and ensure our global reputation for producing outstanding cinema. The creative and economic benefits will be felt through the industry and beyond.”
Hakan Kousetta, executive producer, Slow Horses, Hijack and The Essex Serpent, said:
Delighted to welcome this vital support for the British independent sector. A thriving independent film sector is a key part of the industry’s ecology. It’s where myself and many others started our careers and is essential if we are to continue to produce some of the world’s best screen talent both behind and in front of the camera.”
While the last few years have been challenging, in part because of the end of the pandemic streaming boom and US writers’ strikes halting productions, in recent decades the UK’s film industry has enjoyed strong growth. Tax incentives for film, first introduced in 2007, helped to bring the production of blockbusters to Britain, but the government is ambitious that it can grow further.
While major film production has flourished, smaller independent films have not received sufficient support. The tax credits uplift announced today will help the independent film sector reach its full potential, creating jobs and contributing to driving economic growth across the country.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Productions qualifying for the relief must have started principal photography on or after 1 April 2024, and only expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2024 can be claimed.
The statutory instruments will be laid on 9 October and will take effect from 30 October, which is the date from which the BFI certification unit can begin accepting applications.
Free bus travel for people seeking asylum is a simple and compassionate step that could make a big difference.
More in Transport
Today’s vote on a Green motion in support of introducing free bus travel for people seeking asylum is a basic question of integrity for our parliament, says the Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP.
Mr Ruskell has urged MSPs from all parties to unite around the call during a Scottish Green debate taking place this afternoon.
The policy, which was dropped by the Scottish Government in August, was originally secured by the Scottish Greens in October 2023 as part of the Bute House Agreement that brought the party into government.
The commitment followed a long cross-party campaign by refugee-rights organisations and a successful pilot programme in Glasgow.
The debate, which will be led by party’s equalities spokesperson Maggie Chapman, and transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, will be the first chance that MSPs have had to vote on the U-turn.
Mr Ruskell said: “Today’s vote is a basic question of integrity for our parliament. This is a promise that the Scottish Government made. Failing to live up to that would be a profound betrayal of some of the most marginalised people in our society.
“The Scotland that I want to build is a caring and inclusive country that extends a hand of friendship, which is exactly what this policy aims to do.
“A lot of us were deeply disappointed when this commitment was dropped. Refugee rights organisations, community groups and those currently in the asylum system had worked in good faith with the Scottish Government and waited patiently for it to deliver on its promises.
“Many of the people who would benefit from the scheme are isolated and banned from working. Free bus travel would be a small, simple and compassionate step that could make a big difference to their lives.
“There has been long standing cross-party support for this policy in the past, and I hope that there will be today. I urge every MSP to support our motion, and to send a message of support and solidarity with people who have often fled from war and persecution.
“Introducing free bus travel would help us to mitigate some of the devastating impacts of a hostile UK asylum system built on racist policies. It is a practical step we can take here and now that would make very difficult lives a bit easier.”