The warning, issued jointly by UN agencies and the regional socio-economic bloc SAARC on Wednesday, underscores South Asia’s status as the “global epicentre” of anaemia among adolescent girls and women.
An estimated 259 million already suffer from the condition, which impairs the body’s ability to carry oxygen, contributing to chronic fatigue, poor maternal outcomes, and reduced educational and economic participation.
“This is a clarion call for action,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which together with the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and SAARC prepared the analysis.
“When half of all adolescent girls and women in South Asia are anaemic, it is not only a health issue – it is a signal that systems are failing them.”
A far-reaching but preventable condition
Anaemia doesn’t just affect women and girls – it contributes to 40% of the world’s low birth weight cases and affects child growth and learning, particularly in poorer households.
The economic toll is staggering: anaemia costs South Asia an estimated $32.5 billion annually, perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health.
Yet, the condition is preventable and treatable. Proven solutions include iron and folic acid supplementation, iron- and vitamin-rich diets, better sanitation and infection control, and stronger maternal health services.
Experts stress that multi-sector collaboration is critical for sustained progress.
A nurse speaks to women about nutritious food in western India’s Sabarkantha district, were many women and girls suffer from iron deficiency.
Integrated efforts crucial
In nearly every country, progress hinges on strengthening health systems, expanding nutrition programmes, and reaching adolescent girls and women in marginalised communities.
Sri Lanka, where 18.5 per cent of women of reproductive age are anaemic, is scaling up its national nutrition initiative, focusing on the most affected districts.
India and Pakistan are also seeing encouraging signs. In India, high-burden states are integrating iron supplementation into school and maternal care programmes. Pakistan has piloted community-based nutrition initiatives linked to reproductive health services, enabling early detection and follow-up care.
In Bangladesh, school-based health initiatives are reaching adolescents with fortified meals and health education, coordinated across health, education, and agriculture ministries.
Community-driven action works
The Maldives and Bhutan are prioritising early prevention through childhood nutrition, food fortification, and public awareness campaigns. Though smaller in population, both are investing in anaemia surveillance and inter-ministerial collaboration.
Nepal stands out for its equitable results: since 2016, the country has cut anaemia among women of reproductive age by 7 per cent, with larger declines in poorer areas. Its female community health volunteers are key, providing counselling and referrals in remote regions and linking vulnerable households to public services.
Man Kumari Gurung, a public health nurse in Karnali Province, credits the achievements to a range of community-driven efforts.
“Pregnant women receive eggs, chicken and nutritious food through programmes like Sutkeri Poshan Koseli (Nutrition Gift for New Mothers),” she said. “Cash grants also help with transport to hospitals, supporting safer births and better nutrition.”
A nurse checks a pregnant woman’s weight and vital signs at a clinic in Galigamuwa, Sri Lanka.
Everyone has a role
Ending anaemia requires leadership and teamwork. Governments must lead, but communities, health workers, schools, and families all play a part.
Stronger health systems, better data, and coordinated action across sectors can help girls and women reach their full potential – building healthier communities and stronger economies.
“Young people and mothers are at the heart of South Asia’s development goals. Ensuring that they are healthy, nourished and empowered is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic investment in the future of our societies,” said Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC.
Predatory fish that evolved into the first terrestrial animals on Earth are still revealing insights into the origins of mammals – including new research into the eating habits of lobe-finned fish which inhabited an ancient reef in Australia.
In new research in iScience journal, an international study led by Flinders University reveals new insights into the lives of 380-million-year-old lungfish after a high-tech examination of ‘remarkable’ well-preserved jawbones found in the remote Gogo fossil field in northern Western Australia.
The 3D finite element model (FEM) analysis of the strength and features of fossilised mandible bones was used to evaluate how multiple species co-existed in the tropical prehistoric ecosystem during the Devonian ‘Age of Fishes’.
Dr Alice Clement, corresponding author of the new study, says lungfish are ‘sister taxa’ to the tetrapods – or all four-limbed animals with a backbone, including humans – “which means they are our closest ‘fishy’ relatives”.
“They have an extensive fossil history stretching back over 400 million years and still with living representatives today and their phylogenetic proximity to tetrapods giving insight into our long distant ancestors who first made the move from water to land,” she says.
The exceptional Gogo Formation has so far yielded the greatest diversity of lungfishes known from any time or space – with 11 described showing a remarkable diversity of morphologies, particular relating to skull and jaw shape.
Now for the first time the different biomechanical function has been reconstructed – to highlight the diet and predatory powers of the mysterious fish.
“We’re slowly teasing apart the details of how the bodies and lifestyles of these animals changed, as they moved from being fish that lived in water, to becoming tetrapods that moved about on land,” says Dr Clement.
With Australian and overseas colleagues, the Flinders team included honours palaeontology researcher Joshua Bland, Dr Clement, Professor John Long and biomedical experts in the US including Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou.
“Our comprehensive dataset offers the most detailed quantification of biting performance in any fossil fish thus far, providing biomechanical evidence for diverse feeding adaptations and niche partitioning within Gogo lungfishes,” says Dr Panagiotopoulou, from Touro University California.
Based on CT scans of exceptionally-preserved 3D fossils, seven taxa were examined to quantify shape disparity, with FEM used on five which were preserved with associated crania and lower jaws.
“We were then able to model the stress and strain experienced by these lower jaws during biting,” she says
The 3D virtual models are all available via Morphosource.
Strategic Professor of Palaeontology John Long says the new study features important information about the specialised way ‘gracile’ or ‘robust’ morphology and dentition of their jawbones allowed these fascinating fish to hunt, bite and eat.
“The results were somewhat surprising, with some ‘robust’-looking lower jaws appearing to not be all that well suited to biting stress, and some of the more gracile or slender jaws appeared to be able to with strand stress and strain very well,” says Professor Long, who previously described the slender long-snouted Griphognathus whitei (or ‘duck-billed’ lungfish) from the Gogo Formation area.
“This diversity of biomechanical function seen in the Gogo lungfishes suggest that there was niche partitioning and tropic differentiation among lungfishes, possibly accounting for their incredibly high species diversity at this site.”
Primitive forms of placoderm and other fish were the dominant predators around the world for about 60 million years before becoming extinct. Some fossil samples of lobe-finned fish found 50-100 years ago can now be studied in more detail with new techniques such as FEM, which is often used in engineering research.
Lead author, Flinders Palaeontology Lab researcher Joshua Bland, adds: “The Late Devonian reefs of the Gogo Formation were a truly unique lungfish community with species possessing a whole host of different behaviours and abilities.
“To capture parts of that story, hidden in the bone, was extremely rewarding. It felt like we lifted the veil on some real functions behind the form. It was impressive to see the more complex morphology perform better in our tests,” he says.
The latest research article – ‘Comparison of diverse mandibular mechanics during biting in Devonian lungfishes’ (2025) by Joshua Bland (Flinders University), Hugo Dutel (University of Bristol & Université de Bordeaux), John A Long (Flinders), Matteo Fabbri (Center of Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US), Joseph Bevitt (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, ANSTO), Kate Trinajstic (Curtin University & WA Museum), Olga Panagiotopoulou (Touro University California) and Alice M Clement (Flinders) – has been published in iScience. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112970
This work was funded by the Australian Research Council grant DP 220100825.
Acknowledgements: Researchers thank the Gooniyandi Peoples, the local station managers of Gogo and Mt Pierre Stations, those who facilitated specimen and museum collection access and the facilities and the scientific and technical assistance from multiple organisations and individuals.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
July 08, 2025
Durbin voted against final passage of the bill last week
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed the Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will slash Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, and Medicare coverage for 17 million Americans to provide massive tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. During his speech, Durbin underscored the dangers of this Republican bill, which was signed into law by President Trump on the Fourth of July.
“Americans across this nation overwhelmingly opposed this bill—and for good reason. This bill signed by the President on the Fourth of July was the largest cut to health care and the largest cut to nutrition assistance in history, slashing more than $1 trillion from health care programs like Medicaid and $200 billion from SNAP. Seventeen million Americans will lose their health insurance, health insurance premiums will rise for another 20 million families, and three million people will have food taken off the table, including kids, seniors, and veterans… Why would the government do these things to so many innocent people? In this case, very simply, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and big corporations with the richest Americans seeing $400,000 back in their pockets every year because of this legislation,” said Durbin.
More than 300 rural hospitals may be forced to close because the Republican bill cripples the Medicaid program that keep our rural hospitals and their communities afloat. Illinois hospitals at risk of closing includes HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois, where Medicaid pays for 53 percent of hospitalizations; St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois, where Medicaid pays for 42 percent of hospitalizations; and OSF St. Clare Hospital in Princeton, Illinois, where Medicaid covers 45 percent of hospitalizations.
Durbin continued, “Aside from hospitals, this bill will also have major consequences on American energy… This bill kills solar, wind, and EV tax credits enjoyed by companies and consumers alike, all but ceding the future of electricity to China and risking billions of dollars of investments in renewable energy, ironically mostly in Republican states. And while working families grapple with the consequences of these cuts, they’ll also see their family home expenses increase by $1,000 a year—utility bills are going up because of this bill.”
During his floor speech, Durbin highlighted a constituent, Isaiah Rogers, who will be impacted by the Republican bill. Isaiah is a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As a result of his diagnosis, he has not been able to return to his job trimming trees and has been working small side jobs. Medicaid pays for Isaiah’s doctors’ visits and insulin. A single father without a high school degree, he’s concerned the bill’s cuts and changes to Medicaid will result in him losing his health coverage.
Durbin continued, “And if Isaiah loses Medicaid, he’ll no longer be able to afford his insulin and other medications, and he may face a diabetic complication or even suffer a stroke. What would that mean for his 12-year-old son? It’s unconscionable to think the other party would pull-the-plug on life-saving health coverage and deny food from our most needy children—but that’s exactly what they voted for.”
Durbin then highlighted Democrats’ efforts to push back on the bill. Over the course of 27 hours, Senate Democrats forced votes on a slew of amendments to put Republicans on-notice and show their constituents how they’re betraying them. It was the longest vote-a-rama in Senate history.
“It [the amendments] included Republicans voting against: Nursing home care and home health aides, food assistance for children and veterans, protections for Medicaid, clean energy jobs… and an expansion of the Child Tax Credit… all to give billionaires another tax cut instead. In the end, three sensible Senate Republicans looked at this ugly betrayal of a bill and agreed that they couldn’t be part of the process. I commend them, but sadly, it wasn’t enough. And who swooped in to cast the decisive vote? Vice President Vance… This Vice President cast the deciding vote that will be painful for so many families across America.”
Durbin concluded, “As the effects of this bill take shape and slither their way through our communities, my Republican colleagues will have to look their constituents in the eye and explain their votes. They will have to explain to the farmer who now must drive 50 miles to the nearest hospital why they voted to shut his community’s hospital doors. They will have to explain to the grandmother in a nursing home why her care is being slimmed down because of cuts to Medicaid, and they will have to explain to the young mother who is preparing to have a baby why there is no longer a maternity ward in her county. This bill flies in the face of American values that we celebrate on the Fourth of July. The other party has a lot of explaining to do and the American people are going to face the consequences.”
The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that Senate Republicans’ proposal will cost $4.45 trillion, but despite the price tag, the legislation primarily helps billionaires at the expense of American working families. In fact, this legislation provides a huge, permanent tax cut of nearly $350,000 for multimillionaires and billionaires while people earning $40,000 a year will see a comparatively meager average tax decrease of $442 per year.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available herefor TV Stations.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Donald Trump’s administration to pursue mass government job cuts and the sweeping downsizing of numerous agencies, a decision that could lead to tens of thousands of layoffs while dramatically reshaping the federal bureaucracy.
Tuesday’s ruling stemmed from an executive order Trump issued in February ordering agencies to prepare for mass layoffs. At Trump’s direction, the administration has come up with plans to reduce staff at the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Veterans Affairs and more than a dozen other agencies.
In a brief unsigned order, the court said the Trump administration was “likely to succeed” in its argument that his directives were legally within his power.
The decision is the latest win for Trump’s broader efforts to consolidate power in the executive branch. The Supreme Court has sided with Trump in several cases on an emergency basis since he returned to office in January, including clearing the way for implementation of some of his hardline immigration policies.
The Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday lifted San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Susan Illston’s order in May that temporarily blocked large-scale federal layoffs while the case proceeded.
Illston had ruled that Trump exceeded his authority in ordering the government downsizing without consulting Congress, which created and funded the agencies in question.
“As history demonstrates, the president may broadly restructure federal agencies only when authorized by Congress,” Illston wrote.
While Tuesday’s decision cleared one major legal obstacle for the White House, the court noted that it was not assessing the legality of any specific layoff plans at federal agencies.
Those layoff proposals, some of which were submitted earlier this year, could still face legal challenges on a variety of grounds, including union opposition, statutory restrictions and civil service protections.
The White House said in a statement that the decision is a “definitive victory for the president and his administration” that reinforced Trump’s authority to implement “efficiency across the federal government.”
However, two White House sources familiar with the matter, who asked to remain unidentified, said the ruling did not permit agencies to execute layoffs immediately. One of the sources said additional delays or legal hurdles “could alter the scope and timing of the cuts.”
A group of unions, nonprofits and local governments that sued to block the administration’s mass layoffs said the ruling “dealt a serious blow to our democracy and puts services that the American people rely on in grave jeopardy” and vowed to continue fighting as the case proceeds.
The plaintiffs had warned in court filings that Trump’s plans, if allowed to proceed, would result in hundreds of thousands of layoffs.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll in April found that Americans narrowly favored Trump’s campaign to downsize the federal government, with about 56% saying they supported the effort and 40% opposed. Their views broke down along party lines, with 89% of Republicans but just 26% of Democrats supportive.
Some agencies whose downsizing plans had been put on hold said they would resume advancing those efforts.
“We will continue to move forward with our historic reorganization plan,” the State Department, which has proposed laying off nearly 2,000 employees, said on X.
DOGE CUTS
Upon taking office in January, Trump launched a massive campaign to cut the 2.3-million strong federal civilian workforce, led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk and his mostly young lieutenants immediately moved into key government agencies, fired workers, gained access to government computer systems and virtually shuttered two agencies – the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Trump and Musk said the bloated federal bureaucracy needed to be downsized. Federal workers’ unions and most Democrats say the cuts so far, and the plans for further mass layoffs, have been carried out haphazardly, leading to chaos inside many agencies and threatening important public services such as the processing of Social Security claims.
By late April, about 100 days into the effort, the government overhaul had resulted in the firing, resignations and early retirements of 260,000 civil servants, according to a Reuters tally.
Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole member of the nine-person court to publicly dissent from Tuesday’s decision, criticizing the “court’s demonstrated enthusiasm for greenlighting this president’s legally dubious actions in an emergency posture.”
Tuesday’s decision extended Trump’s winning record at the Supreme Court since taking office. The court has let Trump’s administration resume deporting migrants to countries other than their own without offering them a chance to show the harms they could face and end temporary legal status previously granted on humanitarian grounds to hundreds of thousands of migrants.
In addition, it has allowed Trump to implement his ban on transgender people in the U.S. military, blocked a judge’s order that the administration rehire thousands of fired employees and curbed the power of federal judges to impose nationwide rulings impeding presidential policies.
Most of these decisions have been issued as emergency orders, known colloquially as the shadow docket, that respond to applications for immediate action from the court.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Samantha Chan, Immunology and Allergy Lead, Snow Centre for Immune Health, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
As the number of people with allergies grows worldwide, scientists are trying to work out precisely how and why these conditions – such as asthma and eczema – develop.
One long-standing idea is the “hygiene hypothesis”. This suggests our modern indoor lifestyles are to blame, as they limit our early exposure to germs and allergens which help train the immune system.
But growing evidence suggests having a pet may counter this effect. As any pet owner knows, our furry friends bring a lot of mess, germs and fur into our homes – along with the cuddles.
So, does spending time with animals lower children’s risk of allergies? Here’s what we know.
How allergies develop
During early childhood, our immune systems learn what to attack and what to ignore to stop us getting sick.
Evidence suggests early exposure – to family members, food, germs, dust, dirt, pollen and pet dander (skin flakes) – shapes this immune response.
Allergic conditions develop when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, such as dust, pollen or certain foods. These reactions can affect the skin, airways and gut.
Dogs bring both love and mess – which might be just what a developing immune system needs. Samantha Chan/Author provided, CC BY-NC-ND
However, we still don’t fully understand why some people develop allergies while others don’t.
Scientists have identified genes linked to allergic conditions. But most have subtle effects on the immune system and act as “risk factors” – they increase the chance of disease but don’t cause it outright.
Recent research suggests exposure to bacteria in our environment could be another major factor.
From birth, our bodies are colonised by bacteria, especially in the gut. This community of microorganisms is known as the microbiome.
Ongoing “crosstalk” between the microbiome and immune system is crucial for healthy immune function. When this balance is disturbed, it can contribute to inflammation and disease.
The effect of our early environment
In the last few decades, studies of children raised on farms gave us some of the first clues that early environments can affect allergy risk.
Compared to children raised in cities, children on farms are less likely to have allergic conditions such as eczema and asthma. This is especially true of those in close contact with animals.
Notably, farm-raised children tend to develop a more diverse microbiome than children raised in urban environments. This may help make their immune system more tolerant to foreign substances (such as bacteria and dirt) and less likely to develop allergies.
However, across the world children are increasingly living in urban areas.
This means a pet may be the closest contact they have with animals. So, does this still lower their risk of developing allergies?
Some studies indicate children with pets may be less likely to have allergies.
However this evidence hasn’t always been easy to interpret.
It can be difficult to tell whether lower allergy rates are due to the pets themselves or other factors, such as location, lifestyle or a family history of allergies.
A review of results from 23 studies found children exposed to dogs early in life were significantly less likely to develop eczema.
Another 2025 study analysed genetic data from more than 270,000 people. It found a gene linked to eczema only increased risk of eczema in children who hadn’t been exposed to dogs.
This suggests early dog exposure may help protect children who are genetically more likely to develop eczema.
What about asthma?
When it comes to asthma, the story gets trickier.
One 2001 study followed more than 1,000 children in the United States from birth to age 13. It found those living with dogs indoors were less likely to develop frequent wheezing – a common asthma symptom – but only if they didn’t have a family history of asthma.
A Korean study from 2021 found those who had dogs during childhood were less likely to develop allergies. But they had a slightly higher risk of non-allergic wheeze — a type of breathing difficulty usually caused by airway irritation or infections (not allergens).
This suggests while growing up with a dog may protect against allergic conditions, such as asthma, it may increase the chance of certain non-allergic respiratory symptoms.
What about cats?
It’s challenging to tease apart the specific effects of cats versus dogs, since many early studies grouped all furry pets together.
But in studies that have looked at them separately, living with cats didn’t seem to reduce allergy risk.
One potential reason is cats and dogs carry very different microbes, which may influence how they shape the household environment.
If you’re already thinking about getting a dog, there’s decent evidence early exposure could reduce your child’s risk of eczema, and possibly other allergic conditions too.
It’s not a guarantee, but a potential bonus – alongside companionship, joy and never having to worry about what to do with leftovers.
And if a dog’s not on the cards, don’t worry. Spending time outdoors, encouraging messy play, and avoiding overuse of disinfectants can all help build a more resilient immune response.
Samantha Chan has served on advisory boards for CSL Behring. She is in receipt of funding from the Allergy and Immunology Foundation Australia and Walter & Eliza Hall Institute. She is affiliated with the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. She is a physician for the Snow Centre for Immune Health, funded by the Snow Medical Research Foundation.
In the past five years, Jo Douglass has served on advisory boards, provided advice or undertaken presentations on behalf of Astra-Zeneca P/L, GSK, CSL, Stallergenes, Immunosis P/L , Novartis and Sanofi. She is in receipt of funding from the Medical Research Future Fund for studies in allergic asthma. She is a clinical co-director of the Snow Centre for Immune Health, funded by the Snow Medical Research Foundation.
Hundreds of years ago, it was common for married couples among the European upper classes to have separate bedrooms. Sleeping separately was a symbol of luxury and status historically reserved for royalty and the very wealthy.
Nowadays, it’s common for married couples and other couples in relationships to sleep in the same bed. But sometimes – for reasons from conflicting schedules to snoring to sleep talking – couples might choose to sleep separately in pursuit of a better night’s sleep.
This is known as “sleep divorce”. Though I prefer the term “sleep separation”, as this doesn’t have to be a permanent arrangement – but more on that later.
So why might couples choose to sleep separately? And what does the evidence say about the effects on sleep quality if you sleep alone versus with a partner?
Why do couples opt for a sleep separation?
Couples may choose to sleep apart if one partner’s sleep is disturbing the other’s, or both are disrupting one another. This can happen for a variety of reasons.
These include waking up frequently in the night, mismatched body clocks (for example, one person coming to bed later than the other), conflicting schedules (for example, shift workers), snoring, twitching legs or sleep talking.
Parents with babies and young children may choose to sleep separately to avoid both partners’ sleep being disturbed.
Those with conflicting preferences for sleeping environments, such as one partner liking a cool room with a fan and the other preferring warmth, may also decide to sleep apart.
What are the benefits of sleeping alone?
Many couples say they prefer to sleep – and sleep better – next to their partner.
But when scientists measure sleep objectively, such as via an electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess brain waves, the data actually shows poorer sleep quality when co-sleeping. So sleeping alone may, in fact, mean better quality and longer sleep.
Research also shows when one member of the couple has a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or sleep apnoea (where breathing is frequently interrupted during sleep), these people often inadvertently wake up their partnerwhen they wake in the night. So sleeping alone could be a good idea if your bed partner has a sleep disorder.
Finally, anyone who has struggled with their sleep will know anxiety around sleep is common. Many clients I have seen who experience insomnia report sleeping alone can alleviate some of their anxiety because at least they know they won’t disturb, or be disturbed by, their partner.
Are there any downsides to separate sleeping arrangements?
Some people dislike sleeping alone, reporting comfort, and feelings of safety and protection when sleeping alongside their partner – and loneliness when they don’t.
Sleeping separately also requires two rooms, or at least two beds. Many couples may not have these options available to them in their home.
Sleeping separately is often stigmatised, with some people seeing it as the death of a couple’s sex life. But while sleeping in separate beds may provide fewer opportunities for sex, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of intimacy.
Sleeping apart could mean some couples actually have more sex. We know better sleep is linked to more positive feelings about relationships, so it’s possible the desire to be intimate could increase after a good night’s sleep in separate beds. Sleeping apart may even mean some couples have more energy to be intimate.
Nonetheless, if you choose to sleep separately from your partner, it’s important to have an open discussion and prioritise opportunities for connection and intimacy. One client I worked with referred to “visiting rights” where her partner came into her bed for a short period before sleep or in the morning.
Who should potentially consider a sleep separation?
You may wish to think about a “sleep separation” if you are disturbing each other’s sleep, have young children, or have different preferences in terms of temperature, light and noise, which are causing issues.
Ultimately, if sleeping in the same bed is leading to poor sleep then sleeping apart, if it’s possible, could help.
If you can’t sleep separately there may be other ways to reduce disturbance from a partner such as using an eye mask, white noise or earplugs.
If you decide to try a sleep separation, remember this can be a flexible arrangement or “re-set” and doesn’t have to be permanent, or every night. Some couples find sleeping separately during the working week but sharing a bed on the weekend works well for them.
Lastly, it’s important to talk to your GP about any persistent sleep problems, such as snoring, insomnia, or unusual behaviour during sleep (for example, shouting or walking around), as there may be an underlying sleep disorder which needs treating.
Alix Mellor works for the Monash University Healthy Sleep Clinic at the Turner Clinics as a provisional psychologist.
Reunited twins Esther (left) and ShuangjieBarbara Demick
At the end of a long road trip through rural China in 2009, American journalist Barbara Demick had an encounter that would change the course of her life. In the previous days, she had interviewed several parents whose children had been forcibly removed from them by government officials. Demick suspected there may be a link between the missing children and China’s booming international adoption industry.
She had enough for her story, but some instinct compelled her to follow the next lead to remote Gaofeng Village, high in the mountains of Hunan Province.
Her driver could only take her so far. The dirt road ended at a stream, where she was met by local woman Zanhua Zeng and her daughter Shuangjie. They guided her across a makeshift bridge and into the village where “everything was in the process of falling down or going up”.
Zanhua Zeng and daughter Shuangjie, meeting Barbara Demick in a moment that would change all their lives. Barbara Demick
There, she learnt about two-year-old Fangfang, daughter of Zanhua and twin sister of Shuangjie, violently taken from her aunt’s care in 2002. Government officials had told the family they were in breach of China’s One Child Policy and were not allowed to keep the baby. They had no idea what had happened to their daughter and sister.
Zanhua’s parting words were: “Come back again and next time bring my daughter.”
Review: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, A True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins – Barbara Demick (Text)
Extraordinary consequences
At the time, Demick had no premonition of the significance the Zeng family and their story would play in her life – and those of many others. But in writing a front-page report for the Los Angeles Times about the links between China’s stolen children and international adoptions, including a small piece about the missing twin Fangfang, she started a chain of events with extraordinary consequences.
Fangfang (renamed Esther), in the referral photo supplied by the orphanage.
For Zanhua and Shuangjie, it would eventually lead to a reunion with Fangfang, accompanied by Demick, who helped organise it. She was to develop an enduring connection with the family – and with Fangfang’s adoptive American family, too.
Daughters of the Bamboo Grove does what the best stories do: humanises a big issue. In this case, China’s one child policy and the international adoption industry it created.
Demick’s book is a story of China, and of incomprehensible government control. But as told through this case of the separated twins, it’s also a story of family, identity, loss and resilience.
It’s personal and moving, but also thoroughly researched, strengthened with compelling and confronting statistics and anecdotes.
The twins’ meeting as young women was documented by Barbara Demick for the Los Angeles Times.
Demick outlines the population growth that led to the introduction of the One Child Policy in 1979 and the rise of the State Family Planning Commission, set up to enforce the law limiting most Chinese families to one child.
“Family Planning morphed into a monstrous organization that dwarfed the police and military in manpower,” she writes. “By the 1990s, it was estimated that eighty-three million Chinese worked at least part-time for Family Planning.” (By comparison, China’s combined armed forces were estimated to number roughly three million at the time.)
The organisation was “intrusive in the extreme”, with female workers having to report when they had their periods and, in some cases, show their blood-stained sanitary pads. After giving birth to their first child, women were forced to have an IUD or were sterilised.
People who violated the law received fines of two to six times their annual income. If violators were civil servants, they could lose their jobs. In rural areas, where people were less reliant on government jobs, the policy was implemented with “brute force”.
People were beaten. Sometimes their homes were demolished or set on fire. “If you violate the policy, your family will be destroyed,” read a sign on a wall not far from the Zeng’s home. Family Planning officials regularly checked even the most remote villages, sometimes tipped off by neighbours.
If a woman was discovered to be pregnant after having a child, she would be forced to undergo an abortion. The methods were “crude, often barbaric,” Demick writes. “Doctors would sometimes induce labor and then kill the baby with an injection of formaldehyde into the cranium before the feet emerged.”
Although Chinese people, particularly those from rural communities, often wanted to have bigger families, they had no power to fight the authorities. Those who tried to quietly subvert the system were ruthlessly punished.
These practices were so common, they were generally accepted. But when government officials started to take babies from families who had defied the policy, resistance grew. Other families started reporting cases like what had happened to Fangfang. Family Planning had forcibly removed children, refusing to provide any details about their whereabouts.
Officials miscalculated in 2005 when they dared to take a boy, Demick writes. He lived in a town, attended school and was not as poor as some of the other affected families. The school made a complaint, which was supported by a local politician. The boy was returned to his family after 29 days.
Hearing about this case emboldened other families to mobilise and fight back. These were among the first families Demick met when she travelled to cover the story of the missing children in 2009.
Child trafficking by ‘good Samaritans’
In the meantime, news was starting to emerge about the child trafficking of children through Chinese orphanages, with “good Samaritans” who “rescued” babies being paid increasingly large amounts of money. “The orphanages were competing with one another to procure babies,” Demick writes.
Chinese babies were in high demand for international adoption, and it had become a lucrative business. One Hunan orphanage director later told police they started a service to allow foreigners to adopt babies in 2001; they were charged a US$3,000 cash donation per baby. In some cases, the babies genuinely needed homes and families, Demick writes, but the payment was “in effect a bounty that incentivised a wave of kidnapping of female babies and toddlers”.
Shaoyang Social Welfare Institute, where Esther spent the last six months of her life in China. Barbara Demick
It gradually became clear that many of the children removed by Family Planning officials were among the wave of Chinese babies and toddlers adopted by families from other countries, all of whom paid significant fees to do so, as well as donating to the orphanages. It was later revealed that orphanages routinely fabricated information about how and where the babies had been reportedly left.
By the time Demick’s reports were published in 2009, nearly 100,000 babies had been sent out of China, more than half to the US. The worldwide number would reach 160,000 by 2024, when China ended its international adoption program.
Demick’s story about stolen babies, plus other reports from within China and elsewhere, stunned the international adoption community and parents of Chinese adoptees around the world. Until then, China was perceived to be the most ethical choice for international adoption. For adoptive parents who now feared their adopted children could be taken from them, the revelations were terrifying, Demick says.
Marsha and Esther (background) in their Texas kitchen. Barbara Demick
One of these parents was a Texan women named Marsha. She and her husband Al had adopted two Chinese girls: Victoria in 1999 and Esther in 2002. Through developing connections among families who had adopted from China, Demick came across Marsha – and realised Esther may be Fangfang: the missing twin.
She was correct. However, the story was far from resolved, which explains, in part, why Demick had plenty of material for her book.
Reporter as dogged detective
Daughters of the Bamboo Grove is a testament to dogged reporting. Demick’s skills as a researcher, interviewer – and effectively, a detective – imbue the book with substance and credibility.
She handles difficult subject matter sensitively, portraying the Zeng family in China and adoptive mother Marsha in the US with empathy. She acknowledges the challenges they faced and recognises their devotion to their children.
Her descriptions of the twin sisters, Shuangjie and Esther, are perceptive and gentle. Restraint is a powerful writing tool and Demick uses it here to great effect.
This is the moment where the twins first meet, outside the Zeng family home in China:
When everybody was out of the van, the two of them stood next to each other, side by side, facing the photographer. Nobody embraced. Nobody spoke. I imagined the twins as bride and groom in an arranged marriage, meeting for the first time, willing to pose for the photographer but not yet able to engage in conversation.
Twins Esther (left) and Shaungjie, separated most of their lives, meet for the first time since babyhood. Barbara Demick
Demick came to this story with the perspectives and limitations of an American journalist, but has gone to remarkable lengths to hear and convey the voices of Chinese people impacted by the One Child Policy.
At the same time, she challenges Western paternalistic ideas around adoption, questioning the view expressed by many she encounters that the Chinese children adopted by Westerners were lucky, guaranteed to have better lives elsewhere.
China’s One Child Policy was not formally abolished until 2015. In its 35 years, it did almost unimaginable damage, concludes Demick:
the policy shattered marriages, led to the deaths of countless children and suicides of parents, and left China with a population expected to continue declining into the next century. It was all encompassing, leaving almost everyone a victim or perpetrator or both.
For the hundreds of thousands of children sent out of China during this period, the legacy of One Child endures. As Demick writes, they are
citizens of their adopted countries but tethered by blood to another family and country they struggle to comprehend. Living in this in-between space between worlds.
In dedicating Daughters of the Bamboo Grove to Chinese adoptees around the world, Demick says she hopes in some small way it helps them to understand where they came from, and how they got to where they are today.
Kathryn Shine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 9, 2025.
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Netflix’s Shark Whisperer wants us to think ‘sexy conservation’ is the way to save sharks – does it have a point? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hopkins, Senior Lecturer in Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy), University of the Sunshine Coast Netflix In the new Netflix documentary Shark Whisperer, the great white shark gets an image makeover – from Jaws villain to misunderstood friend and admirer. But the star of the documentary is not
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AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Dodd, Professional Teaching Fellow, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up to lectures, completed assignments and eventually earned a credential. That process did two things: it
Academic slams NZ government over ‘compromised’ foreign policy Asia Pacific Report A prominent academic has criticised the New Zealand coalition government for compromising the country’s traditional commitment to upholding an international rules-based order due to a “desire not to offend” the Trump administration. Professor Robert Patman, an inaugural sesquicentennial distinguished chair and a specialist in international relations at the University of Otago, has
Interest rates are on hold at 3.85%, as the Reserve Bank opts for caution over mortgage relief Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stella Huangfu, Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney Thurtell/Getty Images The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 3.85%, after cutting it in February and May. Those earlier moves were aimed at supporting the economy as growth slowed and inflation eased. This
The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, where he has declared talks to end the war in Gaza are “going along very well”. In turn, Netanyahu revealed he
What makes a good AI prompt? Here are 4 expert tips Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus, Business School, University of Sydney FOTOSPLASH/Shutterstock “And do you work well with AI?” As tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems become part of everyday workflows, more companies are looking for employees who can answer
Saying goodbye is never easy: why we mourn the end of our favourite TV series Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Gerace, Senior Lecturer and Head of Course – Positive Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Netflix Has the ending of Squid Game left you feeling downhearted? The South Korean megahit struck a nerve with audiences worldwide, with millions logging in to Netflix to follow protagonist Seong Gi-hun and fellow
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ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 9, 2025.
Teeth record the hidden history of your childhood climate and diet Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya M. Smith, Professor in the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution & Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University Douglas Sacha / Getty Images The climate we live in affects our lives in profound ways: hot summers, cold winters, dry spells and wet weather
Netflix’s Shark Whisperer wants us to think ‘sexy conservation’ is the way to save sharks – does it have a point? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hopkins, Senior Lecturer in Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy), University of the Sunshine Coast Netflix In the new Netflix documentary Shark Whisperer, the great white shark gets an image makeover – from Jaws villain to misunderstood friend and admirer. But the star of the documentary is not
How do coronial inquests work? Here’s what they can and can’t do Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marc Trabsky, Associate Professor of Law, Monash University Northern Territory Coroner Elizabeth Armitage’s inquest findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker have sparked conversations across Australia. The coroner found the NT police officer who shot Walker, Zachary Rolfe, was “racist”, and she couldn’t exclude the possibility that
Greek and Roman nymphs weren’t just sexy nature spirits. They had other important jobs too Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kitty Smith, PhD Candidate in Classical Greek and Roman History, University of Sydney Acteon, having accidentally seen the goddess Diana and her nymphs bathing, begins to change into a stag. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. George S. Amory, Object Number: 64.208. Could you ever be
American science is in crisis. It’s a great opportunity for Australia to snap up top scientists Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kylie Walker, Visiting Fellow, National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University Stellalevi / Getty Images Science in the United States in in trouble. The National Science Foundation, a key research funding agency, has suffered devastating funding cuts under the current administration. Critics say
Some young people sexually abuse. Here’s how to reduce reoffending by up to 90% Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jesse Cale, Associate Professor of Criminology, Deputy Director Research (Griffith Youth Forensic Service), Griffith University When we think about who’s responsible for sexual abuse in Australia, we usually picture adults. But young people are responsible for a substantial proportion of sexual offences nationwide. Up to a third
XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’ Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland visualspace/Getty Images Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we’re now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID. This new subvariant
Can a pizza box go in the yellow bin – or not? An expert answers this and other messy recycling questions Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pooria Pasbakhsh, Research Fellow in Polymer Upcycling, The University of Melbourne ViDCan/Shutterstock Have you ever gone to toss something into the recycling bin – a jam jar, a pizza box, a takeaway container encrusted with yesterday’s lunch – and wondered if you’re doing it right? Perhaps you
AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Dodd, Professional Teaching Fellow, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up to lectures, completed assignments and eventually earned a credential. That process did two things: it
Academic slams NZ government over ‘compromised’ foreign policy Asia Pacific Report A prominent academic has criticised the New Zealand coalition government for compromising the country’s traditional commitment to upholding an international rules-based order due to a “desire not to offend” the Trump administration. Professor Robert Patman, an inaugural sesquicentennial distinguished chair and a specialist in international relations at the University of Otago, has
Interest rates are on hold at 3.85%, as the Reserve Bank opts for caution over mortgage relief Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stella Huangfu, Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney Thurtell/Getty Images The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 3.85%, after cutting it in February and May. Those earlier moves were aimed at supporting the economy as growth slowed and inflation eased. This
The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, where he has declared talks to end the war in Gaza are “going along very well”. In turn, Netanyahu revealed he
What makes a good AI prompt? Here are 4 expert tips Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus, Business School, University of Sydney FOTOSPLASH/Shutterstock “And do you work well with AI?” As tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems become part of everyday workflows, more companies are looking for employees who can answer
Saying goodbye is never easy: why we mourn the end of our favourite TV series Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Gerace, Senior Lecturer and Head of Course – Positive Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Netflix Has the ending of Squid Game left you feeling downhearted? The South Korean megahit struck a nerve with audiences worldwide, with millions logging in to Netflix to follow protagonist Seong Gi-hun and fellow
Are chemicals to blame for cancer in young people? Here’s what the evidence says Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Diepstraten, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) Cancer is traditionally known as a disease affecting mostly older people. But some worrying trends show cancer rates in younger people aged under 50 are on the
Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we’re now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.
This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed “Stratus”) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a “variant under monitoring” in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.
A “variant under monitoring” signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.
While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.
Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn’t work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.
XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.
The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.
As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.
This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.
According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.
In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia’s national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.
The big questions
When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it’s more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we’re still learning about XFG and we can’t answer these questions with certainty yet.
Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course “hoarseness” or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.
Notably, there’s no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.
Will vaccines still work against XFG?
Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.
Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.
Because of SARS-CoV-2’s continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.
One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.
Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.
Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.
Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator for clinical trials of 8 COVID-19 vaccines. He has previously participated in medical advisory boards for COVID-19 vaccines. Paul Griffin is a director and medical advisory board member of the immunisation coalition.
The “mushroom murder trial”, as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it’s prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed “body language experts” assessing defendant Erin Patterson’s every move.
There’s an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom.
But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has?
On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef Wellington.
She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather’s husband Ian. Erin’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend.
Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either.
Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted.
Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms.
Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant.
The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef Wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister?
Public obsession
These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention.
Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50.
That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began.
This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist.
The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive.
Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend.
The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It’s hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live.
However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth.
One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture.
For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1,244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas.
Then there was Erin Patterson’s unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone.
There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable.
The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance.
The courtroom as a stage
Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty.
The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident.
The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page.
Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold.
There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn’t.
The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial.
It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide.
The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday July 7.
The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier.
Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the “bodies in the barrell” murder case), Kendall in New South Wales (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes.
While the trial is over, there’s much more content still to come, the public’s appetite yet to be satiated.
But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally.
Amid the spectacle, it’s easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve.
Xanthe Mallett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Health Department (MHD)
Earlier, the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health and RTU MIREA signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop and deliver specialized training programs in artificial intelligence applied to healthcare. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a unique, and at the time, the only joint educational program integrating scientific knowledge and practical expertise gained from the Moscow Experiment on computer vision implementation. The program combines the Center’s hands-on experience with the university’s foundational competencies in mathematics and computer science. Additionally, practitioners from Third Opinion Platform, a leading Russian AI healthcare developer, contributed to curriculum development and student training.
On June 10, 2025, the inaugural graduation ceremony was held for the first master’s students of the Intelligent Data Analysis program within the Computer Science and Computer Engineering faculty.
Graduates have already showcased impactful healthcare innovations, including an algorithm for early detection of liver tumors with 85% accuracy and complex medical decision support systems. These projects received recognition at the All-Russian Engineering Competition, where one student emerged as the winner and six others were laureates. These advancements are poised to significantly reduce the interval between oncological disease detection and surgical intervention.
Anton Vladzimirsky, Deputy Director of R&D at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health, emphasized:
“The integration of artificial intelligence into medical practice is becoming a reality through the training of highly qualified specialists. Our graduates possess a unique combination of skills that enable them to develop cutting-edge solutions for digital medicine and drive the advancement of intelligent healthcare technologies.”
Stanislav Kudzh, Rector of RTU MIREA, added:
“The achievements of the first graduates of the AI Data Analysis program demonstrate that deep interdisciplinary training is essential for the successful integration of AI into medical practice. These specialists have not only mastered advanced technologies but have also contributed practically to digital medicine’s development. They are set to become leaders in creating innovative solutions that will enhance healthcare quality and accelerate the adoption of intelligent technologies across Russia. This represents a significant milestone in the evolution of healthcare.”
About RTU MIREA
RTU MIREA (Russian Technological University) is a multidisciplinary state university educating over 30,000 students across various modalities. The university’s Institute of Artificial Intelligence offers 17 specialized programs and annually graduates hundreds of programmers and AI experts. With more than 250 educational programs spanning IT, radio electronics, chemistry, biotechnology, and robotics, RTU MIREA actively integrates industry practices from high-tech companies into its curriculum.
About the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Health Department
The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine is a leading scientific and practical institution within the Moscow Health Department. It oversees the development of diagnostic services, drives digital transformation in healthcare, implements AI technologies in clinical practice, conducts research, and provides medical workforce training. Since 2013, the Center has produced over 800 scientific publications and registered more than 200 intellectual property results. Since 2020, it has been conducting an experiment deploying computer vision technologies, analyzing over 14 million medical images across 40+ clinical areas with high accuracy. By presidential directive, the Center operates MosMedAI, a digital platform offering AI-powered medical image processing and automated radiology analysis, currently adopted by 71 Russian regions.
About Third Opinion Platform
Third Opinion Platform is a Russian developer of AI-powered diagnostic support tools for radiology and laboratory medicine, including a proprietary smart video analytics system. Its algorithms detect over 100 pathological indicators, such as breast cancer, stroke, lung cancer, and aortic aneurysm. The platform is implemented across 58 Russian regions and in private clinics, including the European Medical Center (EMC). To date, its AI solutions have processed over 10 million clinical studies. The company’s flagship products are registered as Class III medical devices by Roszdravnadzor. Since 2020, Third Opinion Platform has partnered strategically with MEDSI Group, one of Russia’s largest private healthcare networks.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025.
“For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,” Mr Seymour says.
“Since then, the culture shift at Pharmac has been positive. It has moved towards a more adaptable and people-centered approach to funding medicines. My expectation is that this will continue.”
Following a consultation period Pharmac has made decisions to:
Improve access to some strengths of budesonide with eformoterol inhalers.
Remove some of the barriers to Mirena and Jaydess intra-uterine devices (IUDs).
“From 1 August 2025 people will be able to get three-months supply of some budesonide with eformoterol inhalers all at once. Pharmac will also fund some budesonide with eformoterol inhalers on a Practitioners Supply Order (PSO), meaning doctors and nurses can keep some in their clinic for emergency use, teaching, and demonstrations,” Mr Seymour says.
“For the over 120,000 Kiwis using this type of inhaler the changes mean less visits to the pharmacy for resupply, better asthma management, and an extra option for supply in emergencies.
“Doctors and nurses will also be able to keep Mirena and Jaydess IUDs in their clinic and will be able to place them in the same appointment. Pharmac will fund these on a PSO to enable this.
“Current settings mean women need to get a prescription from their doctor or nurse, pick their IUD up from a pharmacy, and then bring it back to the clinic to be placed. Pharmac estimates over 21,000 women to benefit from these changes in just the first year of funding.
“People told Pharmac that these changes will make a real difference. They will make it easier for people with asthma to get the inhalers they need and improve access to long-acting contraceptives like Mirena and Jaydess. They make sense for people.
“People should have the opportunity to share what the impact of changes would be for them.
“The Government is doing its part. Last year we allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift to give Pharmac the financial support it needs to carry out its functions – negotiating the best medical deals for New Zealanders.”
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On July 8, the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, the II All-Russian Wedding Festival “Russia. Connecting Hearts” started at the National Center “Russia”. As part of the opening of the festival, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Sergey Kiriyenko and Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova met with married couples in a cozy atmosphere over a cup of tea. The central topics of the conversation were love and family values. The participants discussed measures of state support for young and large families, the secrets of family longevity and raising children, and shared their impressions of the I and II All-Russian Wedding Festivals and proposed making this event an annual event.
In total, 12 different families gathered at one table – young and those who had already celebrated their golden wedding, those with many children and those who had only recently become parents. Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Tatyana Golikova emphasized that the All-Russian Wedding Festival had already become an established tradition.
“Last year, 220 couples from all over the country got married at the Russia exhibition and forum. Many young families already have children. It is very pleasing that Russia is returning to the traditions of large families. If ten years ago only 18% of our citizens expressed a desire to have many children, now it is already 39%. And every second person believes that the ideal family is one with many children. Today we will see another 200 families from 78 regions get married at the Russia National Center. You charge the atmosphere with a special spirit, and this spirit of love, reliability, and strength of bonds permeates all the events of the All-Russian Wedding Festival. I wish that the families that were born at the festival last year and those that will appear this year are strong, that they create a real rear, so that the men who are on the front lines today know that they are loved and waited for at home,” noted Tatyana Golikova.
In turn, Sergei Kiriyenko agreed that in Russia the family has a special meaning, and this is obvious at the state level.
“Last year, our President used the formula ‘Russia is a family of families’, and the more you think about it, the more it sticks. Indeed, the main value of Russia is each individual family. The stronger and happier each family individually, the happier Russia as a whole,” he said.
In the warm atmosphere of tea, couples who will register their marriage at the II All-Russian Wedding Festival shared their impressions of the festival and love stories. Semyon Slepchenko and Oksana Leonova from the Irkutsk Region met each other thanks to the “Movement of the First” – they both work in the regional office. For a long time, the young people were just colleagues, until one day, on New Year’s Eve, a warm conversation began that grew into love. Another New Year’s miracle happened to employees of the Stary Oskol District Children’s Hospital Sergei Ryndin and Natalia Ovsyannikova. Before the New Year, they were preparing a holiday for young patients and at some point realized that they were made for each other. Sergei and Natalia brought to the festival cards that were prepared for all the newlyweds by patients of the children’s hospital.
True patriotism laid the foundation for the creation of two families. Miroslav Skonin and Angelina Denisenko from the DPR, who are members of the Cossack reconnaissance brigade “Terek”, met and fell in love with each other in the combat zone. Kaliningraders Alexander Dyachenko and Valeria Kravchenko are ONF volunteers who help the families of SVO participants. Sevastopol residents Fyodor Bykovsky and Irina Nagibina serve the country, Fyodor is a hereditary military man, Irina is a civil servant.
The example of another couple proves that family is the basis for preserving the traditions of different peoples in a multinational state. Evgeny Fisikov and Olga Semenova, born and raised in Khakassia, honor national traditions, so at the wedding ceremony they will present Khakass culture and national costumes.
Sergey and Irina Shirokih from Kursk Oblast, who have lived together for 51 years, shared their secrets of family longevity with newlyweds. They have preserved their love and respect for each other’s interests.
Families that participated in the 1st All-Russian Wedding Festival are already having children. Elizabet and Timur Badmaev from the Republic of Buryatia are currently raising a six-month-old son, Amir. They suggested making the All-Russian Wedding Festival an annual event and starting a tradition – passing the family hearth “Heart of Russia” from couples of the previous festival to couples of the current one as a symbol of the continuity of traditions and a strong family union.
Other families with children also shared their experiences. The long-awaited son of Natalia and Konstantin Kaynov from the Moscow Region was born thanks to the social project “New Life”. Support measures help large families: parents of five children Dmitry and Ekaterina Bauer became participants in the corporate demographic program “Our Children”, which operates at the Kemerovo enterprise “Azot”. And Irina and Maxim Moiseenko from the Krasnoyarsk Region, representatives of a dynasty of teachers, winners of the All-Russian competition “Family of the Year – 2020”, are raising seven children in a creative atmosphere.
In order to raise children with dignity, it is necessary to preserve and support traditional values. This is what Fabrice and Isabelle Sorlin, who moved from France to Russia with their children 10 years ago, are sure of. This year, all family members became Russian citizens.
Fabrice Sorlin proposed to provide additional preferences to those owners who rent out their property to large families, in particular, land tax benefits. Tatyana Golikova noted that measures to support large families are the most important measures, and thanked for the proposal.
At the meeting, young couples expressed their proposals and initiatives to improve social and family policy. Alexander Dyachenko and Valeria Kravchenko proposed creating a project – a navigator in the world of patriotic education, so that students of universities and colleges would have the opportunity to quickly and easily choose the right direction. Sergey Kiriyenko approved the initiative and asked to provide documents with the concept of the project later. At the end of the meeting, Tatyana Golikova and Sergey Kiriyenko wished the families to carry love throughout their lives.
The II All-Russian Wedding Festival is being implemented with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and will be held at the National Center “Russia” from July 8 to 10, 2025. During these days, more than 200 couples from all regions of the country will register their marriages here. The program for newlyweds includes a yacht ride along the Moscow River, a festive procession surrounded by their guests along the picturesque embankment to the National Center “Russia”, a photo session, marriage registration in a solemn atmosphere and a ceremony of handing over the family hearth.
Along with the ceremonial events, a cultural and educational program has been prepared for the festival participants. Musical concerts are held for the newlyweds and their guests, where popular artists and musical groups perform. Among them are Nansi
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber where he emphasized that the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill will gut healthcare and nutritional assistance for millions of hardworking Americans in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
ARI MELBER: The Democratic Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, joins us now. Good evening, and thanks for joining us at this very busy time.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good evening. Great to be with you.
ARI MELBER: Great to have you. I want to just begin, before we get to any of the Washington politics, with this tragedy down in, of course, Kerr County, Texas. Death toll is over 100. As of tonight, we have the latest reporting, which is 161 people are still missing, including a lot of individuals that, of course, have not been accounted for and the worst is feared in terms of what we’re hearing. What is your response to this ongoing, unfolding tragedy that’s affecting so many? You know, what else can the federal government do?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with all of the families who’ve been impacted by this terrible tragedy, and we’ll continue to stand with them and do everything that we can to try to be there for them as a federal government in terms of the recovery and the rebuilding that will necessarily have to take place. Right now, we’re also appreciative, of course, of the fact that we have first responders who are still engaged in a search and rescue effort to try to hopefully find folks who have not been currently located. I think there will also be a moment where, as a Congress, we need to aggressively ask some questions about what happened? Why did it happen? How do we prevent this type of tragedy from ever happening again? There’s real concern, Ari, with the fact that, you know, the National Weather Service has been decimated by the Trump administration. There’s real concern that Donald Trump and his Homeland Security Secretary have threatened to defund FEMA. And there’s real concern that the Texas State Government may not have necessarily done everything that they could have done in advance of the flooding to protect those communities.
ARI MELBER: Is this, since you mentioned, an area where you think that defunding at the state or federal level could have played a part in an avoidable level of tragedy?
LEADER JEFFRIES: That remains to be seen, but certainly we have to ask those questions, and we’re going to have to get those answers, and we’re prepared as Democrats to aggressively do just that.
ARI MELBER: Yeah. Understood. We showed you speaking on the floor there fighting the budget, I guess you and Cory Booker, I don’t know if you guys trade tips in the hallway about how you go that many hours. And I want to ask you about this, you know. We try to call it straight here and follow the facts, the evidence on all these issues here on this program. And it seems like on this one, Democrats have lost a lot of public skirmishes. It seems like Democrats won the messaging battle, but still didn’t have the votes. So I want to get your response to that, but I’ll put up on the screen the numbers here. Just top line—you have a lot more debt, kicking off over 11 million people from their current health coverage, going after popular programs like Medicaid and, overwhelmingly, as you know, as people learned about this bill, the more they learned, the more they didn’t like it. It’s overwhelmingly opposed. Before I get your answer, I just want to show again. Let’s get out of the coastal national news, let’s get out of the television news of coming out of these, you know, folks who might follow politics every day. We checked the polling. This was going underwater 18 points. And local coverage has actually echoed some of the facts Democrats have mentioned against the bill. Take a look.
VIDEO 1: It’s going to be a big, beautiful challenge for hospitals.
VIDEO 2: Rural hospitals could face a loss of medical care and services. Millions of Americans who have Medicaid face losing their healthcare coverage.
VIDEO 3: They’re anticipating about 500,000 people will be cut, will have their Medicaid benefits cut from the Big Ugly Bill.
VIDEO 4: There is no spinning this as if there’s a positive thing.
ARI MELBER: Did you get your message out effectively? And if so, what do you say to people who are frustrated that the bill still passed?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, the One Big Ugly Bill represents the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down, community-based health clinics will be unable to operate and people are going to die in community after community after community, including in rural America. I think it certainly has been the case that we have successfully communicated across the country the implications of this One Big Ugly Bill. It hurts everyday Americans in order to reward billionaires. And we’re going to continue that effort in state after state after state, in congressional district after congressional district after congressional district. The American people should understandably be frustrated that they clearly have rejected this bill, did not want it to be passed, but Republicans in the House of Representatives have decided to once again be nothing more than a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. All we needed were two additional Republicans to join us, and we could have stopped this bill, that’s out of 220.
ARI MELBER: And what does it mean that Republicans said out loud they oppose the bill, or big parts of it, and still voted for it?
LEADER JEFFRIES: I spent a lot of time on the House floor, going through a lot of the letters that had been written by my Republican colleagues complaining about the Medicaid cuts, complaining about the cuts to the clean energy tax credits, complaining about the cuts to nutritional assistance and the fact that this bill rips food out of the mouths of children and then they turned around and bent the knee to Donald Trump, because that’s what they do. They don’t work for the American people at this particular point in time. They work for Donald Trump. They act like a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump administration. It’s an embarrassment. And now that embarrassment will actually result in the American people being hurt in devastating ways.
ARI MELBER: We also track culture. As you know, sometimes the punchlines give you a sense of where the story is. Here is Jon Stewart.
JON STEWART (VIDEO): Holly s*** you what? You somehow managed to severely cut the safety net and expand the deficit. That’s impressive. That’s one of those. ‘Hey man, how did you gain all that weight?’ ‘Ozempic.’ That’s something that’s hard to do.
ARI MELBER: Does this tag the GOP as the fiscally irresponsible party? And where do we go from here? I mean, you’re a pretty young guy by the standards of Washington. Are we going to hear from them when they’re out of power again in however many years that a Democratic White House is growing the deficit? Does that even make sense given their record right now?
LEADER JEFFRIES:Republicans are complete phonies when it comes to be claiming to be the party of fiscal responsibility. All they have done, administration after administration after administration—they did this during the administration of George W Bush. They did it during Ronald Reagan’s administration. And now, of course, they’re doing it again during Donald Trump’s second administration—is explode the debt and the deficit. Why? In order to provide massive tax cuts for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected and subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless. Now you’ve got a bill where they actually have combined hurting everyday Americans, largest cut to Medicaid in American history, largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, hurting veterans, hurting seniors, hurting children and at the same time, exploding the debt and the deficit. We are going to tattoo this disgusting abomination of a bill to the foreheads of every single Republican who voted for it.
ARI MELBER: Hardball tattoo politics there. All right. I want to ask you about the ongoing abuses of power alleged by Donald Trump. We’ve seen National Guard there in the streets. Democrats have sued over that. We have Marines used on a small basis, but seems like a test case. We have then, related, in the courts, although it might not get as much dramatic attention, certainly not the visuals like you see here. But this report about Trump claiming sweeping powers to literally nullify laws just passed by Congress, supported by Republicans, by the way. Legal experts telling The Times that Trump is claiming this power to immunize private parties to commit otherwise illegal acts and blatantly defying the recent TikTok rule, whether people agree with it or not, and I think you all know there’s some controversy about that TikTok ban. Since when does the President just say, well, we’ll enforce it later, or maybe not at all. And what specifically does your party do about that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Donald Trump has launched an all-out assault on the American way of life, on the rule of law and democracy itself. And this is going to require, of course, a Congress that actually functions as a separate and co-equal branch of government. We will not get that from the modern-day Republican Party, although we are still looking for some folks, just a handful, to show Liz Cheney or John McCain levels of courage to push back against the extremism that is coming from the Trump administration. We haven’t seen it so far, and that’s shameful, but we’ll continue to press them to try to achieve it on behalf of the American people. You know, the courts will need to function as a backstop. And unfortunately, we’ve seen, increasingly, an unwillingness by this Supreme Court to actually push back against Donald Trump and some of his executive overreach. At the end of the day, it was said during the founding of the Republic that when the people fear the government, there is tyranny. But when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
ARI MELBER: Yeah, of course. Yeah.
LEADER JEFFRIES: And at the end of the day, it’s going to be the people rising up, pushing back against this extremism, showing it in community after community after community and then, ultimately, when it’s time to go to the polls, to send a clear message that America is better than this.
ARI MELBER: So, let me take exactly where your answer goes. Someone listening might say, wow, that sounds good. I hope Hakeem Jeffries is right, but what if he’s wrong? What if we’re actually past the point where we can just count on free and fair elections when, as you know, and to be fair—you’ve spoken out about this, of course—the person in the office, he won lawfully, he won the Electoral College in what we know to be a free and fair election. But previously, when he lost, he tried to subvert that. We had a convicted sedition. He then freed the sedition convicts, as everybody knows. And so, there’s great concern about not a repeat of 2020, but a more effective version of it. And you’ve heard this concern. It’s not just random, sort of, activist or the most extreme sort of people worrying about it. James Carville, a longtime, sort of, centrist Democratic figure, said this about rigging the midterms.
JAMES CARVILLE(VIDEO): Actually, your concerns are legitimate. I would never tell anybody that’s worried that no, don’t you worry about that. He’s been trying to do anything that he can possibly to try to extricate himself from what is almost certain to be a humiliating loss in October, November of 2026. So, people should be worried, they should be vigilant, they should watch this.
ARI MELBER: Is this a legitimate concern? And if so, what are you doing about it?
LEADER JEFFRIES:We have to be incredibly vigilant to make sure that there are free and fair elections. I think we have to look at what’s in front of us. And this year, of course, there are off-year elections in New Jersey and in Virginia. We’ve got to make sure that the Democratic nominee, Mikie Sherrill, wins in New Jersey, the Democratic nominee, Abigail Spanberger, wins in Virginia. They’re both tremendous public servants, have served this country in a variety of different ways, including in the Congress. And then, of course, be prepared as it relates to the midterm elections. Now, the good news is—to the extent that there’s a silver lining in our electoral system—is that we don’t have a national election system. It’s state by state by state. And in many of the states where there will be competitive gubernatorial elections, and certainly in the overwhelming majority of the states where the House will be decided, there are Democratic Governors, Democratic Attorney Generals and Democratic Secretaries of State. I’d be far more concerned, honestly, Ari, if we were looking at a situation where the fate of the House would be determined in states where Republicans are in charge.
ARI MELBER: So, you’re saying—to be clear, because it’s a patchwork—you’re saying you’ve studied this, and if there are Republicans trying to play games, they’re not actually overseeing the races that you think would control the House outcome?
LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s absolutely correct. There are seats in New York, seats in New Jersey, seats in Michigan, seats in California, seats in Wisconsin, seats in Pennsylvania, seats in Arizona that, you know, by way of example, that are going to determine in large measure who controls the House in the aftermath of the midterm election. Every single one of those states have Democratic Governors, there are Democratic Attorney Generals, Democratic Secretaries of State. And so, that’s kind of the landscape that we find ourselves in. And I’ve got trust in those leaders to make sure that there are actual free and fair elections.
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Says Projects Range From University At Buffalo AI Research To Rochester’s Laser Lab To Cornell’s New Technology For Upstate Dairy Farmers And FuzeHub’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Initiative; All To Spur New Innovations And Good-Paying Jobs Across Upstate NY
In 2024, Schumer-Supported And Binghamton University-Led Battery Hub Won Inaugural NSF Engines Competition, And Now More NY Projects Compete In Second Year Of CHIPS & Science Law Created Program
Schumer: Upstate NY Projects One Step Closer To Major Fed $$ To Boost American Innovation And Jobs!
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today applauded four New York projects have advanced to the next round of consideration as semifinalists for federal investment through the National Science Foundation’s Regional “Innovation Engines” Competition (NSF Engines), which was created by his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law.
The four proposals include projects ranging from the University of Rochester’s effort to develop cutting-edge laser technology, to the University at Buffalo-led AI for Health Equity, to Cornell University leading sustainable dairy innovation, to FuzeHub strengthening Upstate NY’s microelectronics manufacturing.
Schumer said NSF will now conduct final assessments of these four projects in NY, along with a total of 29 teams across the country, to select finalists that will receive awards of up to $160 million in federal investment from the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law. Nearly 300 letters of intent from across the country were submitted for this second round of NSF Engines funding, a group that has now been narrowed down to the 29 semifinalists, including the four New York proposals. You can read more about this year’s competition here.
“I created the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program in my bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY’s world-renowned universities and innovation ecosystem in mind. I’m proud to see four Upstate NY-based proposals advanced to the semifinalist round of consideration for major federal funding that will boost Upstate NY as the heart of American innovation and job creation,” said Senator Schumer. “From Buffalo pioneering the next generation application of AI for health and Cornell discovering new technology to help our Upstate dairy farmers to Rochester powering the future of laser development and FuzeHub supporting Upstate NY’s buildout of a global semiconductor hub, this investment is establishing Upstate New York as a world leader in developing technology of the future, all while creating good-paying jobs, jobs, jobs. More federal support will translate to more research and development, company investment and expansion, and jobs across Upstate New York, keeping America at the cutting-edge of innovation.”
More details on the four New York-based proposals named semifinalists, all of which Schumer has advocated for the NSF to select, can be found below:
The University of Rochester’s proposal, officially named “STELLAR: Advancing Laser Technologies in the Rochester NY/Finger Lakes Region,” is focused on establishing a diverse coalition of partners in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region to accelerate laser discovery, technological advancement, education, and company creation, drive manufacturing and boost workforce development in order to help recapture U.S. national competitiveness and strengthen our security. The STELLAR Engine will foster laser-oriented workforce development, particularly in underserved communities in Rochester and rural communities in the Finger Lakes, accelerate use-inspired R&D, entrepreneurship, and regional business development that will create jobs, build a laser science and technology talent pipeline, bolster the supply chain, and grow and sustain the region’s economy.
The University at Buffalo’s proposal, officially named “AI for Health Equity,” will work to utilize artificial intelligence to develop cutting-edge health care solutions, further highlighting Western New York’s leadership in building an AI innovation ecosystem, something Schumer has actively pushed for. The project aims to boost new start-up companies and help partners commercialize AI technology centered on health and wellness. This new technology will aid health care providers and serve as personal assistance to community members. Eventually, the project will expand so that its technology can serve communities beyond Western NY and across the country.
Cornell University’s proposal, officially named “Sustainable Utilization of Scalable Technologies & Advanced Innovation for NetZero NY (SUSTAIN Dairy),” aims to reduce waste, create new dairy products, and develop new rural and workforce development opportunities. It is one of five projects in this round that is focused on agriculture and the only project focused on dairy. This proposal aims to develop a holistic, science-based framework for achieving net zero by 2050 from farm to fork through an advanced dairy innovation ecosystem. With dairy manufacturing and family farms scattered throughout rural New York, achieving place-based innovation that builds community wealth is vital for the future success of Upstate New York.
FuzeHub’s proposal, officially named “A Materials Innovation Engine for Manufacturing Sustainability,” will work to mitigate the negative impacts on the environment from manufacturing industries by replacing toxic or scarce components with advanced materials. FuzeHub competed last year for this award as well and was asked to resubmit.
In 2024, Schumer helped the Binghamton University-led Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine win the esteemed competition in its inaugural year, bringing $15 million in federal funding immediately, with up to $160 million total over the life of the program from the NSF to supercharge growth and cutting-edge research in battery development and manufacturing in Upstate NY.
Schumer created the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines Program in his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law as a program that falls under the newly created NSF Directorate of Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. Schumer proposed the creation of this new Directorate originally in his bipartisan Endless Frontier Act, with a focus on delivering investment in research, workforce training, and entrepreneurship in key technology areas like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate-smart research, advanced materials, and more. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program catalyzes and fosters innovation ecosystems across the United States to promote and stimulate economic growth, job creation, and spur regional innovation.
Each NSF Engine can receive up to $160 million over 10 years; actual amounts will be subject to a given NSF Engine’s status and overall progress, as assessed annually. The teams selected in this recent announcement submitted full proposals this past spring and are now eligible for final awards later this year after NSF conducts live, virtual assessments of the semifinalist teams. NSF anticipates announcing the final list of NSF Engines awards in early 2026.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a lower court order that had blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring government agencies to lay off hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
“Because the government is likely to succeed on its argument that the executive order and memorandum are lawful … we grant the application,” the court wrote in its brief order. “We express no view on the legality of any agency RIF (large-scale reductions in force) and reorganization plan produced or approved pursuant to the executive order and memorandum.”
In February, Trump detailed an extensive plan instructing agency heads to prepare for RIFs. Later that month, the administration issued an accompanying memorandum alleging that the federal government is “costly, inefficient and deeply in debt” and blaming that inefficiency on “unproductive and unnecessary programs that benefit radical interest groups.”
The memo required agency heads to submit initial layoff plans to the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management two weeks later.
“The decision, another victory for Trump at the Supreme Court, allows the government to begin taking steps to dramatically overhaul 21 agencies and departments, including the departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, Energy, Treasury and State,” reported ABC News on this subject.
Year-on-year increase in new listings gives renters more choice of healthy homes.
The latest data from realestate.co.nz shows average rental prices are on the decline in the majority of regions across New Zealand. The national average rental price was $636 in June this year, down 2.7% from $653 in June 2024.
Renters in the capital had the greatest respite: Wellington’s average rental price dropped by a hefty 10.9% to $625 per week compared to $701 per week at the same time last year. Those renting property in Hawke’s Bay also experienced a greater than average drop in rental prices, down 6.6% from $677 in June 2024 to $632 this year.
Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says declining rental prices in a tough economic climate is welcome news for renters. “We know that any reduced cost, no matter how big or small, does make a difference for many household budgets.
Southern surge: average weekly rental prices increase in three key regions There’s no such respite for renters in the south. West Coast’s average weekly rental price of $433 is 9.1% higher than the same time last year ($396). The average weekly rental price in Otago has also increased, from $571 in June 2024 to $616 in June 2025, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%.
Southland’s average weekly rent of $489 in June was the region’s highest on record, 6.1% more than June 2024 ($461). It’s a continuing trend for the Southland property market, which also set an all-time asking price high for the second month in a row in the June 2025 New Zealand Property Market (ref. https://news.realestate.co.nz/blog/new-zealand-property-market-2025-june )
Williams says Southland’s performance has been an intriguing one to follow. “The region is certainly bucking the trend, for both home buyers and renters. It will be interesting to see what Southland’s property market does over the coming months as we move into spring.”
Lift in listings: tenants continue to be able to take their pick The positive news continues for renters, with 15.3% more new listings coming onto the market than a year ago. Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington are the top three regions with the greatest year-on-year increase in new listings, reporting 96.0%, 84.9% and 82.2% respectively.
Wellington’s 82.2% increase saw the number of new listings rise from 276 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025; Waikato also saw a significant increase, rising from 479 in June 2024 to 647 in June 2025.
“Greater choice in the market is also keeping prices honest,” says Williams. “And, with the Healthy Homes deadline having now passed, renters should be assured that a new listing should also be Healthy-Homes compliant.”
We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.
Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.
Glossary of terms:
The average weekly rental rate is an indication of current market sentiment. It is calculated by taking the asking rental rate of every residential property listed during that month and dividing it by the total number of rental properties. The average is a truncated mean.
New listings are a record of all the new residential dwellings listed for rent on realestate.co.nz for the relevant calendar month. Listings on the site include rental properties listed by Property Managers and private landlords and provide a representative view of the New Zealand rental property market.
Stock is the total number of residential dwellings that are for rent on realestate.co.nz on the penultimate day of the month.
Year-on-year increase in new listings gives renters more choice of healthy homes.
The latest data from realestate.co.nz shows average rental prices are on the decline in the majority of regions across New Zealand. The national average rental price was $636 in June this year, down 2.7% from $653 in June 2024.
Renters in the capital had the greatest respite: Wellington’s average rental price dropped by a hefty 10.9% to $625 per week compared to $701 per week at the same time last year. Those renting property in Hawke’s Bay also experienced a greater than average drop in rental prices, down 6.6% from $677 in June 2024 to $632 this year.
Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says declining rental prices in a tough economic climate is welcome news for renters. “We know that any reduced cost, no matter how big or small, does make a difference for many household budgets.
Southern surge: average weekly rental prices increase in three key regions There’s no such respite for renters in the south. West Coast’s average weekly rental price of $433 is 9.1% higher than the same time last year ($396). The average weekly rental price in Otago has also increased, from $571 in June 2024 to $616 in June 2025, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%.
Southland’s average weekly rent of $489 in June was the region’s highest on record, 6.1% more than June 2024 ($461). It’s a continuing trend for the Southland property market, which also set an all-time asking price high for the second month in a row in the June 2025 New Zealand Property Market (ref. https://news.realestate.co.nz/blog/new-zealand-property-market-2025-june )
Williams says Southland’s performance has been an intriguing one to follow. “The region is certainly bucking the trend, for both home buyers and renters. It will be interesting to see what Southland’s property market does over the coming months as we move into spring.”
Lift in listings: tenants continue to be able to take their pick The positive news continues for renters, with 15.3% more new listings coming onto the market than a year ago. Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington are the top three regions with the greatest year-on-year increase in new listings, reporting 96.0%, 84.9% and 82.2% respectively.
Wellington’s 82.2% increase saw the number of new listings rise from 276 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025; Waikato also saw a significant increase, rising from 479 in June 2024 to 647 in June 2025.
“Greater choice in the market is also keeping prices honest,” says Williams. “And, with the Healthy Homes deadline having now passed, renters should be assured that a new listing should also be Healthy-Homes compliant.”
We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.
Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.
Glossary of terms:
The average weekly rental rate is an indication of current market sentiment. It is calculated by taking the asking rental rate of every residential property listed during that month and dividing it by the total number of rental properties. The average is a truncated mean.
New listings are a record of all the new residential dwellings listed for rent on realestate.co.nz for the relevant calendar month. Listings on the site include rental properties listed by Property Managers and private landlords and provide a representative view of the New Zealand rental property market.
Stock is the total number of residential dwellings that are for rent on realestate.co.nz on the penultimate day of the month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.
Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.
“Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.
Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.
Trade and energy cooperation
PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.
PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.
Defence, AI and digital linkages
On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”
He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, the PM said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.
Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties
Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, PM Modi noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, the Prime Minister said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.
On global issues
PM Modi said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.
Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” the PM said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”
The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”
Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government takes action to deliver neighbourhood health services
The government hits the ground running on delivering the 10 Year Health Plan by taking the first steps in the roll-out of new neighbourhood services
Ground-breaking neighbourhood health services to be delivered in most deprived areas first where healthy life expectancy is lowest
Government hits ground running on delivering 10 Year Health Plan, beginning in deprived communities with greatest need
Pioneering neighbourhood health teams will focus on patients with multiple long-term conditions and more complex issues
People living in the most deprived communities across the country are set to benefit from new neighbourhood health services as the government takes the first steps in the rollout today (Wednesday 9th July), making care more convenient and reducing health inequalities.
Central to the 10 Year Health Plan, the services will bring NHS care closer to home and provide better support for people with complex conditions, keeping them well and avoiding unnecessary hospital trips.
One example is Team Up Derbyshire – an initiative which links up GPs, social workers, home carers and nurses to support people who need care in their own homes – bringing the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.
The government has hit the ground running on delivering the plan, today writing to health chiefs and local authority chief executives, urging them to team up with local health and care providers, voluntary groups, and members of their communities to accelerate the rollout of the services across the country.
They have been asked to submit applications – outlining examples of joined-up working and innovation in their areas – to join phase one of the neighbourhood health programme.
This will prepare local partnerships to take on responsibility for more neighbourhood services in their area. It will see successful applicants join an intensive national coaching programme over the summer including major workshop days that bring together experts, GPs and their teams, patients, the voluntary sector and local authorities.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
Our 10 Year Health Plan committed to building a Neighbourhood Health Service, and we’re hitting the ground running on delivering it.
If we are to get patients cared for faster, on their doorstep and even in their own home, then we need to shift the focus of the NHS from hospitals to the community.
Today, we are issuing an open invitation to local authorities and health services to become pioneer neighbourhood health services and lead the charge of healthcare reform.
As part of our Plan for Change, we’re beginning the Neighbourhood Health Service in areas of greatest need first, to tackle the unfair health inequalities that blight our country.
From September, the first 42 sites will then immediately start rolling out their neighbourhood health programmes, with clear guidance, support and metrics to report on regularly.
The department and NHS England will work with over 40 places across the country and ensure each region is covered by the programme. The services will be prioritised in working class areas where healthy life expectancy is lowest, targeting communities with the greatest need first.
After years of neglect, areas where people need the NHS most often have the fewest GPs, the worst performing services and the longest waits. People in working-class areas and coastal towns spend more of their lives in ill health, and life expectancy among women with the lowest incomes has fallen in recent years, after decades of progress.
Neighbourhood health services will bring together teams of professionals to focus on patients with multiple long-term conditions and people with complex needs.
A joint taskforce has been set up between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to drive progress, chaired by Sir John Oldham and made up of NHS leaders, local authority bosses, and other key figures from the voluntary sector and health and care organisations.
In addition to the neighbourhood health services that will begin in September, the government is also working to deliver neighbourhood health centres across the country over the course of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to rebuild the NHS.
Pioneering teams – some based entirely under one roof – will be set up in local communities to dramatically improve access to the health service, and will include staff like nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, palliative care staff, and paramedics. Community health workers and volunteers will also play a pivotal role in these teams.
Millions of patients will be treated and cared for by teams of health professionals, and in years to come, local neighbourhood health centres will relieve pressure on overstretched hospitals and provide cutting edge, personalised care.
Eventually these health centres will be open 12 hours a day, 6 days a week within local communities, and will not only bring historically hospital-based services into the community – diagnostics, post-operative care and rehab – but will also offer services like debt advice, employment support and stop smoking or weight management, all of which will help tackle issues which we know affect people’s health.
India on Monday launched the first phase of the BIMSTEC cancer care capacity-building program, an initiative aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against cancer among BIMSTEC nations.
The programme, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), was inaugurated at the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai on July 7.
The capacity-building initiative forms part of the 21-point Action Plan for BIMSTEC cooperation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok.
Dr A.K. Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, formally launched the first phase of the program. A total of 21 participants from BIMSTEC member countries will undergo a comprehensive four-week training in Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiology.
Aligned with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the program is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in the crucial area of cancer care and help address the growing healthcare challenges faced by people across the BIMSTEC region.
What little fuel remains is powering essential operations, but it is running out fast, and there are virtually no additional accessible stocks left, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, citing reports from the UN relief coordination office, OCHA.
“Hospitals are rationing. Ambulances are stalling. Water systems are on the brink. And the deaths this is likely to cause could soon rise sharply unless the Israeli authorities allow new fuel to get in,” said Mr. Dujarric.
“We need fuel urgently and we need it in large quantities to power the most essential parts, notably water desalination, hospitals and telecommunications,” he added, noting fuel has not entered the enclave in the last few months.
Khan Younis displacement
Meanwhile Israeli forces continue to attack civilian infrastructure in Gaza and issue new displacement orders.
On Tuesday, such orders were issued for parts of Khan Younis, specifically ordering those staying in tents to move, Mr. Dujarric reported.
The map published alongside the order indicates that some areas included had not been subject to displacement orders since before the March ceasefire, he said.
“The issuance of a displacement order does not relieve any party from the imperative to spare civilians, including those who are unable or unwilling to move.”
Safeguard hospitals
Mr. Dujarric also reiterated the UN World Health Organization’s (WHO) call to protect the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, warning that the hospital is overwhelmed with trauma injuries at double its capacity.
In a video message sent from the hospital on Monday, Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said the facility is running critically low on trauma supplies, essential medicines, equipment and fuel, and that staff are exhausted.
Humanitarian movements
Meanwhile, OCHA reported that humanitarian movements inside Gaza remain heavily restricted: only four out of 12 attempts on Monday to coordinate movements with the Israeli security authorities were fully facilitated, and just one delivered supplies.
Four more attempts were rejected by Israeli authorities, halting efforts to evacuate patients, retrieve disabled trucks or clear debris.
Although the remaining four were initially approved, ground-level impediments ultimately undermined the ability to carry out the missions.
NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man has been charged for engaging in a scheme to defraud multiple lenders by using the personally identifiable information of a Hudson County man to submit fraudulent loan applications to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars of loans, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Humza Khan, 28, of New York, New York, is charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Khan appeared on July 2, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Around December 2020, Khan submitted loan applications to secure a $150,000 accounts receivable finance loan on behalf of a Florida-based specialty pharmacy in which Khan had a financial interest. Khan used the personal information of an elderly individual who lived in Hudson County, New Jersey—including their name and social security number—in the loan application without permission, in order to conceal that Khan was receiving the loan proceeds. Based on those fraudulent misrepresentations, the victim lenders provided Khan with approximately $150,000.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft count carries an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Brandley of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Zach Intrater, Esq. and Daniela Manzi, Esq.
Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Values Action Team and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, secured an important policy provision for charitable giving in the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed the Senate and was signed into law last week. Lankford led efforts to restore and make permanent a tax deduction for non-itemizers up to $2,000 per couple. This change will enable more Americans to support churches, charities, and nonprofits that serve the most vulnerable.
The provision restoring the non-itemizer deduction has earned strong support from leading charitable, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations nationwide, including the Charitable Giving Coalition, Faith and Giving, Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), the Nonprofit Alliance, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the National Council of Nonprofits, the League of American Orchestras, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Philanthropy Southwest, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), Mental Health Matters (MHM), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), United Philanthropy Forum, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
“Permanently restoring and expanding the charitable deduction is a powerful policy change that will encourage additional giving,” said Brian Flahaven, Chair of the Charitable Giving Coalition. “Continuing to strengthen the charitable deduction in the Senate bill sends a clear message that encouraging private philanthropy is a national priority. The Coalition is immensely grateful to Senators James Lankford, Chris Coons, and our other bipartisan Senate champions for their unwavering commitment to America’s charities and the communities they serve.”
“Faith and Giving is deeply grateful to Senator Lankford, Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo, and their colleagues for including a more robust charitable deduction for non-itemizers in the reconciliation package,” said Brian Walsh, Executive Director of Faith and Giving. “Giving by individuals is the financial lifeblood of many thousands of American faith-based organizations. Yet since 2018 giving to religion has fallen billions of dollars short of keeping pace with inflation. The temporary non-itemizer deduction incentivized substantial additional giving in 2020 and 2021. This larger and permanent non-itemizer charitable deduction will help stimulate even more giving by lower- and middle-income taxpayers to congregations and other faith-based organizations across the country.”
“To honor and incentivize American generosity are among the most consequential investments we can make as a nation. Private giving fuels so much of what makes life good and beautiful in our communities – from education, arts, and the great outdoors to houses of worship that nurture faith, family, relationships and character,” said Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). “Private giving also undergirds virtually every effort to give a hand-up to the hurting – both via financial support and, critically, in building communities of supporters whose hearts and volunteer service follow their giving. This is truly America at her best.”
“The Nonprofit Alliance applauds the strong bipartisan support for the Charitable Act and Senator Lankford’s leadership on this important legislation to establish a permanent charitable deduction of up to $2,000,” said Shannon McCracken, President and CEO of The Nonprofit Alliance. “While giving from itemizers has continued to increase over the last several years, smaller contributions from everyday givers have declined. It is critically important to democratize giving and engage more Americans in the act of giving to support and sustain organizations across diverse cause areas – and the Charitable Act does that.”
“Since the temporary charitable deduction for non-itemizers was allowed to expire in 2022, the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Fundraising Effectiveness Project has reported a sustained decline in gifts from small donors, with a drop of 8.9% in 2024 alone,” said H. Art Taylor, President and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “This trend of continued reliance solely on large-dollar donors is unsustainable for a healthy, resilient, charitable sector. A permanent charitable deduction for non-itemizers will help reverse this decline by empowering and incentivizing everyday Americans to give, ensuring that charitable giving remains broad-based, diverse, and reflective of all communities. On behalf of our more than 26,000 fundraising professional members that raise more than $115 billion annually for charities, we thank Senator Lankford and our other bipartisan Congressional champions for their leadership in championing the original Charitable Act to restore this proven giving incentive.”
“The Association of Art Museum Directors thanks Senator Lankford for his tireless work to restore a meaningful tax incentive for all Americans to be generous,” said Christine Anagnos, Executive Director of the Association of Art Museum Directors. “Donations to art museums make possible free and reduced admissions, educational programs, and a host of community services. The permanent reestablishment of a significant tax deduction for gifts made by people who do not itemize will encourage the participation of donors from every economic and demographic category and ensure that charitable service extends to every sector.”
“Nonprofits are the backbone of this country, providing critical support to improve local communities and save live,” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “These vital organizations are led by our neighbors who step up to fill the gaps unmet by government or the private sector. On behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits’ network of more than 33,000 nonprofit organizations, I applaud Senator Lankford’s leadership in enacting a universal charitable deduction to provide the American people with a new way to support the essential work of nonprofits and their ability to serve local communities.”
“Charitable giving provides essential support for the live performances and educational programming provided by orchestras and nonprofit arts organizations nationwide,” said Simon Woods, President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras. “We are grateful to Senator Lankford for his leadership in advancing the permanent non-itemizer charitable deduction, which will fuel increased generosity by today’s donors and incentivize future generations to invest in the work of the nonprofit sector.”
“We applaud Senator Lankford and his colleagues for including a permanent, non-itemizer charitable deduction in their reconciliation package,” said Michael Kenyon, President and CEO of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. “The deduction would be paid for by a modest floor on the itemized charitable deduction that will ensure all taxpayers are incentivized to give money away. We encourage Congress to ensure this increased and permanent deduction is included in the final version of the bill as we know once a donor starts to support a cause or organization, they are much more likely to continue giving in the future, instilling a habit of philanthropy that will drive more dollars to charity for years to come from a new generation of givers.”
“The charitable deduction for non-itemizers is a vital step toward strengthening philanthropy by providing tax incentives that can help reverse declines in charitable giving and engagement,” said Tony Fundaro, President and CEO of Philanthropy Southwest. “Members of Philanthropy Southwest continue to face unprecedented needs in their communities, and the inclusion of this provision in the tax bill encourages giving at all levels, empowering more Americans to support nonprofits tackling our most pressing challenges. We are grateful to Senator Lankford for championing generosity in our communities, his leadership on the Charitable Act, and his commitment to supporting the charitable sector.”
“I thank Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo for including a non-itemizer charitable deduction in this legislation, and I greatly appreciate the work of leaders like Senator James Lankford and Senator Chris Coons to urge that this common-sense provision be made more robust and permanent,” said Michael Martin, President and CEO of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). “America is well-served by supporting habits of giving among all taxpayers—regardless of whether they itemize on their tax forms or not.”
“I commend the efforts of policymakers who recognize the importance of making the charitable deduction permanent for non-itemizers,” said Dan Cosgrove, President and CEO of Mental Health Matters (MHM).“Encouraging generosity across all taxpayers strengthens our communities and fosters a culture of giving that benefits everyone. This provision ensures that acts of charity are rewarded, regardless of tax filing status, promoting fairness and compassion in our tax system.”
“For more than a century, the charitable deduction has played a vital role in encouraging Americans to support the missions of schools, colleges, universities, and charitable organizations across the nation,” said Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). “Yet, access to this incentive has long been limited to those who itemize their tax returns. The Senate’s proposal in the budget reconciliation bill to make the charitable deduction available to all taxpayers is a transformative step. If enacted, we believe that it would broaden participation in giving and strengthen the capacity of institutions to fund scholarships, support students, advance research, and serve their communities. We commend Senator James Lankford for his leadership and thoughtful engagement in making this a priority in the reconciliation bill, and we thank Senator Chris Coons and the bipartisan coalition of more than 20 Senators and 60 House members who continue to champion charitable giving as a cornerstone of civic life.”
“As a proud partner in advocating for this critical policy, United Philanthropy Forum and our network of nearly 100 philanthropy-serving organizations have long championed modernizing giving incentives,” said Deborah Aubert Thomas, President and CEO of the United Philanthropy Forum. “Making the deduction permanent will create lasting pathways for everyday Americans to invest in the nonprofits that anchor their communities—from food banks to youth programs to places of worship. We thank Senator Lankford and colleagues for their leadership in ensuring that charitable giving remains a cornerstone of American civic life and accessible to all.”
“Southern Baptists generously give to support missions, ministries, and most importantly, the works of their local church in commitment to the Great Commission,” said Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “Recognizing the importance of charitable giving, Southern Baptists have consistently called for the government to implement policies that incentivize charitable giving to fuel these services. The ERLC is grateful for Senator Lankford’s tireless effort to enact a robust universal charitable deduction to encourage all taxpayers, including those that do not itemize their returns, to give generously.”
“The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is deeply grateful to the Senate for including an increase to the universal charitable deduction in the current reconciliation bill,” said the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. “Our faith calls us to give — and our students learn to live generously by seeing that even small gifts can make a lasting difference. A universal charitable deduction doesn’t just support Christian higher education — it fosters a culture of generosity that supports communities. By expanding this deduction and ensuring inclusion in the final bill, the Senate is helping to sustain faith-based higher education for the next generation.”
Background
Lankford remains the leading voice in the Senate working to protect and expand charitable giving. In 2023, he introduced the bipartisan Charitable Act with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) to restore and strengthen the non-itemized deduction for charitable contributions, allowing all taxpayers to deduct donations regardless of whether they itemize.
He also introduced the Safeguarding Charity Act to protect the independence of tax-exempt organizations from burdensome federal regulations. The bill clarifies that tax-exempt status does not constitute federal financial assistance, shielding churches, nonprofits, and private schools from costly and unnecessary government overreach.
Hingham, MA, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MAJC, co-founded by award-winning chef Matt Jennings and tech entrepreneur Andy Coughlin, today announced the official launch of the MAJC Community. This first-of-its-kind digital platform connects and supports hospitality professionals through peer collaboration, expert guidance, and operational tools.
Logo of MAJC overlaying a restaurant
Built for restaurant owners, operators, chefs, and hospitality teams, the platform tackles the industry’s most pressing challenges, including staffing, retention, and operational efficiency. It offers access to a connected community, real-world resources, and practical solutions.
“Hospitality is a team sport,” said MAJC co-founder Andy Coughlin. “But for too long, operators have had to do it all alone. MAJC changes that.”
Built by Operators, for Operators
Inside the MAJC Community, members gain access to:
Live Office Hours with chef Matt Jennings for real-time coaching and problem-solving
Monthly Expert Sessions on topics like HR, finance, marketing, and sustainability
Interactive forums for peer-to-peer learning and shared best practices
Plug-and-play templates for hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and beyond
Confidential advice channels for sensitive operational questions
Whether you’re hiring your first GM or leading a multi-unit group, MAJC provides a scalable support system grounded in real industry experience.
“There’s no manual for success in hospitality,” said Jennings. “That’s why we built MAJC—to give operators access to the kind of tools, conversations, and coaching that actually move the needle.”
Founders Membership Now Available
To celebrate the launch, MAJC is offering a limited number of Founders Memberships: free access to the full suite of platform features, including live sessions, expert resources, and the complete digital library of systems and templates.
Hospitality professionals can join today at majc.ai and start building stronger, more sustainable businesses together.
About MAJC
Run a Stronger, Smarter, Hospitality Business. MAJC gives you the tools, support, and community to build a more sustainable, profitable operation.
Rosen Warns GOP-Passed “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Force Millions Off Health Coverage, Push Hospitals Toward Closure
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is raising alarm following a new report that projects that Nevada hospitals will lose more than $232 million in annual revenue as a result of the recently-passed extreme Republican tax law. The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” includes severe cuts to Medicaid, which will decimate funding for hospitals and kick people off of their health insurance. These funding cuts will devastate rural providers and threaten access to care statewide.
“At a time when Nevada is already facing a dire shortage of doctors, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans will make it even harder for families to access the care they need by cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from hospitals in our state,” said Senator Rosen. “Republicans’ ‘Big Beautiful’ Betrayal will force maternity wards to close, emergency rooms to shutter, and families to have to drive hours for basic care. Hardworking Nevadans won’t forget that Trump made it harder and more expensive to see a doctor just so he could give more tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.”
According to the report, hospitals that can see cuts in funding as a result of Republicans’ extreme law include:
University Medical Center in Las Vegas: $45,408,749
Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno: $32,126,708
Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital in Elko: $3,144,661
Humboldt General Hospital in Winnemucca: $1,774,934
William Bee Ririe Hospital in Ely: $1,088,953
Battle Mountain General Hospital in Battle Mountain: $589,100
The full list of hospitals from this report can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a steadfast champion for Nevada’s hospitals—particularly those serving rural areas—through bipartisan legislation and federal funding wins. Earlier this year, she helped introduce bipartisan legislation to bring more doctors to underserved areas by reauthorizing and expanding the Conrad 30 program. She also introduced the bipartisan REDI Act to address the doctor shortage in rural communities by easing student loan burdens on medical residents and the bipartisan SPARC Act to create a student loan repayment program for specialists practicing in rural areas. Most recently, she secured nearly $34 million in federal funding to support health care and critical infrastructure in Nevada’s rural communities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.
Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.
“Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.
Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.
Trade and energy cooperation
PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.
PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.
Defence, AI and digital linkages
On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”
He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, the PM said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.
Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties
Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, PM Modi noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, the Prime Minister said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.
On global issues
PM Modi said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.
Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” the PM said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”
The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”
Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.
The AI for Good Global Summit 2025 brings together governments, tech leaders, academics, civil society and young people to explore how artificial intelligence can be directed toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and away from growing risks of inequality, disinformation and environmental strain.
“We are the AI generation,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, chief of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – UN’s specialized agency for information and communications technology – in a keynote address.
But being part of this generation means more than just using these technologies.
“It means contributing to this whole-of-society upskilling effort, from early schooling to lifelong learning,” she added.
Warnings on AI risks
Ms. Bogdan-Martin warned of mounting dangers in deploying AI without sufficient public understanding or policy oversight.
“The biggest risk we face is not AI eliminating the human race. It is the race to embed AI everywhere, without sufficient understanding of what that means for people and our planet,” she said.
Her remarks reflected a growing sense of urgency among policymakers and technologists, as new “agentic AI” systems capable of autonomous reasoning and action emerge at unprecedented speed.
With some experts predicting human-level AI within the next three years, concerns about safety, bias, energy consumption and regulatory capacity have intensified.
Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit.
Tech on display
The summit’s agenda reflects these tensions.
Over 20,000 square meters of exhibit space at Geneva’s Palexpo now hosts more than 200 demonstrations, including a flying car, a fish-inspired water quality monitor, brain-computer interfaces and AI-driven disaster response tools.
Workshops throughout the week will tackle topics ranging from AI in healthcare and education to ethics, gender inclusion and global governance.
One highlight will be the AI Governance Day on Thursday, where national regulators and international organizations will address the gap in global oversight. An ITU survey found that 85 per cent of countries lack an AI-specific policy or strategy, raising alarms about uneven development and growing digital divides.
Focus on health
Health is a prominent theme this year.
On Wednesday, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) will lead a session titled “Enabling AI for Health Innovation and Access,” bringing together technologists, regulators, clinicians and humanitarian leaders to address how AI can improve healthcare delivery – especially in low-resource settings.
Real-world applications – from AI-powered triage in emergency care to diagnostic tools for rural clinics – will be spotlighted, alongside a preview of WHO’s forthcoming Technical Brief on AI in Traditional Medicine, set for official launch on the main stage.
Experts will also examine the challenges of interoperability, regulatory harmonisation and intellectual property rights at the intersection of AI and global health. The summit will also feature the AI for Good Awards, recognising groundbreaking projects that harness AI for public benefit, with categories spanning people, planet and prosperity.
Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
Launchpad for action
The health track exemplifies the summit’s core goal: ensuring AI serves the public good, especially in areas of greatest need.
Youth-led robotics teams from underserved communities will present solutions for disaster recovery and waste management, while startups compete in the Innovation Factory to showcase AI tools for education and climate resilience.
Live demonstrations include an autonomous orchard robot, a self-sanitising mobile toilet, and a drone-eDNA system for scalable biodiversity and pest monitoring.
Closing her keynote, Ms. Bogdan-Martin reminded participants that the future of AI is a shared responsibility.
“Let’s never stop putting AI at the service of all people and our planet,” she said.
There are 41 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area, and four mutual aid fires.
10 are classified as out of control, seven are being held and 24 are under control.
There have been three new wildfires since yesterday.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 723 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning more than 662,000 hectares.
More than 1,500 Alberta firefighters, contract firefighters and imported firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the province.
Resources currently being used include heavy equipment, air tankers, helicopters and night vision helicopters.
Alberta has imported firefighters and aircraft from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Australia, Costa Rica and the United States Forest Service.
Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Orders and alerts
Updates on evacuation orders are available on www.alberta.ca/emergency.
On July 7, Saddle Hills County lifted its evacuation alert for the Blueberry Mountain area.
The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council’s evacuation orders for Peerless Lake and Trout Lake remain in effect.
Registration centre at 10451 170 Street, Edmonton.
The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake also remains in effect.
Reception centre at Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais.
The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council’s evacuation alert for the Loon River First Nation (Loon Lake) remains in effect.
The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation alert for Red Earth Creek remains in effect.
Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
People living in Alberta are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
Fire bans
A fire advisory is in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area, due to strong winds.
Under the advisory, fire permits will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Safe campfires are still permitted.
Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.
Fire bans outside the Forest Protection Area are the responsibility of municipalities and counties.
Everyone has a role to play in wildfire prevention. Follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Air quality
Visit Wildfire Smoke Information for air quality monitoring information to make informed decisions about outdoor activities to protect your health. While wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta, the presence of smoke does not necessarily mean there is fire near your community. Find information about the status of active wildfires and wildfire updates at Alberta Wildfire.
Roads and highways
Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is closed due to a wildfire.
511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.
Alberta highways that are affected by the wildfires will open and close frequently depending on safety and weather conditions. Be patient and respect the staff at the closure/detour sites – they are there with your safety in mind.
Health
For information about wildfire resources, including mental health, visit Wildfire Resources | Alberta Health Services.
Child care
One child-care centre is currently closed in response to community evacuations:
o Opportunity Childcare, in Red Earth Creek.
Licensed child-care programs are required to notify Child Care Connect if they close unexpectedly.
Parents and guardians should reach out to their child-care provider for information on closures.
Justice and court services
Court sittings will resume in person at the Red Earth Creek courthouse on July 15.
Visit the Alberta Courts website for the most current information regarding court scheduling.
Related information
Active emergency updates
Alberta Emergency Alerts
Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts app
Download the Alberta Wildfire app
How to prepare for an emergency
Wildfire smoke information
Emergency evacuation payments
Free admission to provincial museums and historic sites
