To be attributed to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:
A 52-year-old man has appeared in court today, in relation to the murder of three people in Rotorua in September.
Justin Matthew Jeffries appeared in Rotorua High Court today, charged with the murders of Glendon Brent Currin (76), Jessie Florence Currin (78).
Mr and Mrs Currin had been assaulted at their Western Heights home on 23 September and subsequently both passed away in hospital.
Jeffries had previously been charged with the murder of Michelle Nicola Schiller (59), who was found deceased at her Utuhina home on 23 September.
Jeffries is also facing a number of other charges, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, burglary and fraud.
He has been remanded in custody to appear again on 15 November 2024
Police are continuing to support the families of the three victims. This has been an incredibly distressing time for them and they have asked for privacy as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones.
As part of our enquiries into the three homicides, Police would like to hear from anyone who was in contact with Jeffries since the beginning of September.
If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote reference number 240923/0552.
it was wrong, it was illegal, it should never have happened and it should never happen again.
A major finding was some senior public servants were overly responsive to the wishes of ministers, to the detriment of the general public. The report describes an environment that was:
fraught […] characterised by a powerful drive for savings, strongly expressed ministerial policy positions […] and intense pressure experienced by public servants.
Investigating the scheme, which ran under the Morrison government, Commissioner Catherine Holmes was disturbed by “the lengths to which public servants were prepared to go to oblige ministers”, undermining the concept of impartiality and frank and fearless advice.
The release of Rick Morton’s new book Mean Streak brings a renewed focus on the lessons from Robodebt. To learn from such a serious crisis, organisations need to openly confront what happened, discuss and understand what the failure means. What were the systemic causes? What cultural failings did it expose? How can we ensure a similar disaster does not happen again?
Our research found little evidence these questions were being asked by many public service leaders immediately after the royal commission.
In the six months after the royal commission report’s release, almost half of the heads of Australian Public Service (APS) agencies apparently decided they didn’t need to communicate with their staff about Robodebt and explain what it meant for them.
What did department leaders do?
Learning from the failure of Robodebt will take time. In 2024, the public service is investigating and punishing some of those involved and implementing a new integrity plan.
Our research focuses on the six months after the release of the royal commission report: July to December 2023. Research shows the immediate post-crisis period is crucial to effective learning.
But before organisations can respond, they have to interpret and understand the meaning of the failure.
Just as the public turns to political leaders in a crisis, employees look to management. Leaders’ communication, whether by email, an all staff video, or a town hall meeting, is crucial.
These messages set the organisational narrative that explains what happened and why, what the repercussions are, how it can be resolved, and what lessons (if any) should be drawn from the crisis.
Three days after the royal commission report was released, the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Glyn Davis, and Australian Public Service Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer, emailed all public service employees saying:
we are committed to working through the findings in an open and constructive way with you — the APS — and with the Australian public.
Our focus, however, is on how leaders of individual departments and agencies responded. Using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, we asked how leaders communicated with staff in the crucial period straight after the commission reported.
Departments are where policy development occurs and they often work closely with ministers.
But only half of all public servants work for departments. The rest work across the 100 or so agencies.
While most department heads communicated with their staff about Robodebt, only 54% of agencies’ leaders did.
The 50 agencies that did not communicate with their staff about the meaning of Robodebt in the months following the report employ more than 45,000 people, more than 25% of the public service.
Not my problem mentality
Three large departments told us that “no documents were identified” or “the Department does not hold documents […] that meet the terms of the request”. This indicates they did not communicate with staff in the first six months after the Robodebt report was handed down. The departments were:
It is not clear why those secretaries decided not to write to their staff directly about Robodebt, but the absence of communication sends a message.
This was explicit in some responses. For example, in declining our request, we were told that the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority:
[…] is not an outwardly facing organisation and as such does not provide payments to individual recipients. Consequently, it is not required to respond to the Royal Commission and there are no documents that are relevant to your request.
Even when there was some communication, agencies were not necessarily addressing the cultural issues. For example, the Clean Energy Regulator was focused on public perception:
there is a heightened sense of scrutiny on regulators […] please be vigilant if you are approached by anybody working for a media outlet.
In such circumstances, it is unlikely cultural change will occur.
Some positive signs
On the positive side, there were examples of agencies that addressed the serious implications of Robodebt for their work, which is likely to improve their organisational culture.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) identified a number of recommendations “albeit directed at other agencies […] that ASIC should act on”. They noted that “given most of our people come from the private sector”, there was a need to improve training on “our obligations as public servants”.
Similarly, Australian statistician David Gruen emphasised creating a culture where “people feel supported if and when they seek to raise difficult issues with their colleagues or superiors”. Similar discussions were had at AUSTRAC.
Departments are closest to ministers, so we hoped their communications would address problems in the relationships between senior public servants and ministers, a key issue exposed in the Robodebt case.
Unfortunately, only four departments discussed over-responsiveness with their staff or in executive meetings, in the period studied.
The department of industry and science was the most comprehensive. Secretary Meghan Quinn wrote to staff several times, reflecting that the “findings go to the heart of leadership and culture and this should be our focus going forward”. The department’s integrity branch wrote to staff:
public servants [must] […] provide the government with advice that is frank and honest. If you ever feel pressured to do or sign something you are not comfortable with, it’s important you speak with your supervisors […] you have the Executive’s backing not to put your name to anything that is not true or not in the public interest.
However, this was one of the few departments where senior staff confronted these core issues directly in the early months after the royal commission reported. Most departments did not name or discuss the underlying cause of the failures: over-responsiveness to ministers at the expense of protecting the public.
While many of the errors of Robodebt can be solved through new procedures and rules, changing public service culture is a bigger learning project.
It requires a shift in norms and reweighting the competing duties of public servants. They must serve elected ministers, but equally, they must serve the public by ensuring probity, fairness and legality.
Robodebt illustrated the harm that occurs when the balance tips too far towards ministers and away from the public interest.
That this was rarely part of the communication from public service leaders to their staff in the immediate aftermath of the royal commission does not bode well for lessons being learnt from the crisis.
Daniel Casey worked in the Department of Social Services during the period of Robodebt, but did not work on the Robodebt program.
Maria Maley received funding from the Australian Research Council.
Daphne Koller is an AI pioneer, MacArthur fellow, member of the National Academy of sciences and the founder and CEO of drug discovery and development company insitro. She’ll talk about how attitudes surrounding AI have evolved in her multi-decade career and what’s ahead – including how technology is reshaping drug discovery, paving the way for more targeted treatments for the patients who can benefit most. But maximizing AI-powered innovation will depend on better investments in data aggregation, quality and collection and navigating hype cycles that can distract from real impact.
This academic-turned-entrepreneur will also share how founding insitro (and a previous company, Coursera) helped her expand her leadership and management skills, all while driving home the importance of shaping a company culture. At insitro, this focus building a culture that works for unique needs led to a special ‘helix’ inspired-structure that helps discovery biologists, automation engineers and others in the company’s cross-functional teams keep communication flowing, problem solve, and prevent the siloes that can hold true innovation back.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Alaska businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced.
The declaration covers the City and Borough of Juneau as a result of flooding that occurred Aug. 5–6.
“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Alaska’s small businesses and residents impacted by flooding,” said Administrator Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.
As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by affected by the Watch Fire that occurred July 10-17.
“When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”
SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.
Virtual Business Recovery Center Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific Time FOCWAssistance@sba.gov (916) 932-8956 Opens at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659‑2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 3, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 7, 2025.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Strong cooperation between Germany and China is vital for maintaining global economic stability, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions, according to Christian Scharpf, mayor of Ingolstadt in southern Bavaria.
Scharpf made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua at the “10th Bavarian China Day” here on Wednesday. The event, organized by the municipal government and the Chinese Consulate General in Munich, drew more than 120 officials and business leaders from both countries, underscoring the promising prospects for bilateral collaboration.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany, which has delivered significant progress in trade and economic cooperation, said Lin Kai, acting consul general at the Chinese consulate in Munich.
Highlighting the deep ties between China and the German state of Bavaria, Lin said that around 500 Chinese companies have established operations in Bavaria. Meanwhile, over 600 Bavarian enterprises, including Siemens, Audi, BMW, and Allianz, have set up branches and made investments in China.
Tobias Gotthardt, state secretary at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, said that China has been Bavaria’s most important trading partner for years, with bilateral trade volume reaching 53 billion euros (57.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023. Bavaria’s exports to China have remained strong, while imports from China have nearly doubled over the past three years, he added.
Gotthardt stressed the importance of foreign trade for the state and Germany as a whole, noting that the Chinese market is indispensable.
“Cooperation in areas such as mechanical engineering, automotive, and energy and environmental technologies has been built on a foundation of trust over many years,” said Gotthardt.
He expressed optimism that this collaboration will continue to drive economic growth and address global challenges like sustainability. “We must remain focused on cooperation in areas where it is possible.”
Yu Guangsheng, deputy head of the investment promotion at China’s Ministry of Commerce, mentioned that German investments in China reached an all-time high in the first half of this year, while Chinese investments in Germany surged by 42 percent year-on-year in 2023. “Companies from both countries are demonstrating their confidence in bilateral economic relations and partnerships through tangible investments,” he said.
During the event, Ingolstadt and Changchun, a major city in northeast China, announced the establishment of a strategic economic partnership.
Scharpf underscored the longstanding relationship between Ingolstadt, home to Audi’s headquarters, and Changchun, where China’s automotive giant FAW Group is based. He noted that economic and cultural exchanges between the two cities have been active for years, and expressed hope for even deeper cooperation in the future.
The mayor voiced his belief that the two countries still have vast potential for collaboration, particularly in areas like climate protection, sustainable development, as well as education and cultural exchanges.
Regarding the European Union’s (EU) recent tariff policy on electric vehicles from China, experts at the event criticized protectionism, and advocated for the promotion of free trade and mutual development between the EU and China.
Gotthardt warned that the tariffs could escalate trade conflicts and undermine the principles of free trade. “A tariff-free alternative would undoubtedly be a better solution for all parties involved,” he said.
Georg Rosenfeld, an economic official from Ingolstadt, echoed this sentiment, saying that protectionism and trade barriers are detrimental. He called for open and fair competition, as well as mutual trust which is essential to fostering such competition. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar)
Left to right: Professor Melissa O’Donnell, Deputy Director Research; Professor Leah Bromfield, Director and Chair of Child Protection; Amanda Paton, Deputy Director Practice; Lisa McDonald, Centre Manager
Today, the Centre continues to provide leadership and input to national strategies and action plans as well as supporting Commissions and Inquiries nationally.
Current areas of focus include families with multiple and complex needs, preventing infant removals, child sexual abuse, harmful sexual behaviours, out-of-home care and issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Engagement at UniSA, Distinguished Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO, says the ACCP has informed UniSA’s research, focusing on big issues, partnered approaches and developing new solutions that benefit society.
“The Centre’s focus on partnering with the sector to drive new approaches and outcomes in child protection continues to shape Australian policy and practice in this critical field,” she says.
Centre Director Professor Leah Bromfield says that the ACCP’s third decade marks a shift in focus to a transformation agenda.
“We know through our work across the past two decades that our child protection systems are not fit for purpose, and we must reimagine our approach to protecting children. ACCP is driving research and innovation to shape this transformation now and into the future,” she says.
“This new approach has the potential to be an example to the rest of the world.”
To celebrate its 20-year milestone and during Children’s Week, on Thursday 24 October the Australian Centre for Child Protection will present a free one-day virtual symposium, sharing the latest in ACCP’s research, solutions and insights, with more than 20 presentations from Centre staff, students, and partners across a range of priority themes.
Prof Bromfield says the symposium program has been designed to showcase the breadth of expertise and knowledge across the ACCP team.
“It’s our way of continuing to work hand in hand with the sector, driving new knowledge that can be applied, and supporting the sector and its workforce,” she says.
“This is how we can successfully continue to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children.”
Registrations and the full program for the symposium can be found on the ACCP website.
The preliminary work for Watercare’s Midtown Wastewater Upgrades begins next week.
Three midtown sites are being prepared and shafts are being built, ready for a tunnel boring machine to be lowered into the ground in 2025. The machine will reach depths of up to 14.5 metres and tunnel a distance of 585 metres below Queen Street.
These underground wastewater upgrades are a key component of the Auckland Council group’s midtown regeneration. The programme is preparing streets, spaces and infrastructure for the City Rail Link, which will bring many more people into the city centre to live, work, study, visit and do business.
The upgrades will renew the workings of the city centre’s century-old pipes, enable the consenting of a pipeline of commercial and residential apartment developments, and help protect the region’s precious Waitematā Harbour.
Chair of the Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee Councillor Andy Baker explains that this wastewater project is essential for Auckland’s future resilience.
“Midtown will become an even more popular place for people to live beyond 2026 when the City Rail Link’s Te Waihorotiu Station is operational. With these important works complete, we will have increased the capacity of our wastewater system and upgraded the quality of our pipes in midtown.
“It is vitally important for us to futureproof the area ahead of the population growth expected in midtown, and we are taking steps also with this work to reduce the risk of wastewater overflows entering the Waitematā Harbour during heavy rain.
“I want to emphasise that Watercare has sited the shafts away from shops and businesses, synchronised the works with other construction in the area for maximum efficiency, and ensured that traffic in Queen Street continues to operate.
“As the safety fences go up around three localised shafts next week to enable this work, we want to remind everyone that midtown continues to be open for business,” Councillor Baker says.
This wastewater work around Queen Street, delivered by Watercare and supported by Auckland Council, is scheduled to be complete by December 2026.
For all information please visit here.
Q&A
What else is being upgraded?
While stage one of Watercare’s Midtown Wastewater Upgrades will increase wastewater capacity, crews will also take this opportunity to reline the Victoria Street section of the Ōrākei Main Sewer. Doing this work during Stage 1 of the pipeline installation eliminates the need for Watercare to return to Victoria Street to do this critical work later. Stage two is in the design phase and will involve laying new wastewater pipes from Vincent Street to Greys Avenue carpark.
Why is this work essential?
The Midtown Wastewater Upgrades support the Auckland city centre’s planned residential and commercial growth, reduce the risk of future overflows into the Waitematā Harbour and safeguard and increase resilience of midtown’s wastewater network.
What are the problems we’re solving?
Currently, the wastewater and stormwater in the midtown area combine into a single pipe which feeds into a large pipe called an interceptor, which takes flows to Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant for processing.
Combined networks are designed to overflow during rainfall events at designated overflow points rather than back flow up your toilet or sink.
The focus of the Midtown Wastewater Upgrades is to redirect most of the wastewater away from the combined network and channel it through a dedicated 1.2km pipeline.
The project also involves reconfiguring the current wastewater network to better use under-utilised pipes.
After the Midtown Wastewater Upgrades are complete, overflows from the combined network will become less frequent after heavy rainfall events.
How will the tunnel boring process work?
A large portion of the pipeline will be installed using a method called horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The benefit of using this method is that it will get the job done more safely, faster, and with a higher quality result. Horizontal directional drilling is also better for the environment than open trenching as it lessens the impact on surrounding critical assets and reduces fractures and soil disturbance. This method is also less disruptive for the community as there is much less digging up of the street.
Read more about the city centre’s transformation here.
This year, a cutting-edge agritech solution designed to benefit the health of cows took out first place in the Velocity $100k Challenge.
University of Auckland researcher Liz Cunningham, who has lost cows to mastitis, a costly disease that sees udder tissue become inflamed, often due to bacteria, won the University of Auckland Velocity $100k Challenge with her start-up – QuickMas.
The Liggins Institute research technician and her teammates, academic staff from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Faculty of Engineering and the Liggins Institute, say QuickMas is about helping in the fight against antibiotic resistance in dairy cattle.
Cunningham says QuickMas will show whether a cow has mastitis, help identify the pathogen causing it and determine whether the cow has responded to antibiotics.
“QuickMas will also be able to help farmers decide if their cow is safe to put back in the herd or if she may still be harbouring infectious bacteria.
“It will give dairy farmers answers about their cows’ mastitis in as little as 15 minutes and no more than an hour.”
The on-farm diagnostic tool, Cunningham says, is as simple as a Covid test, doesn’t require Wi-Fi, and farmers can self-interpret the results – no need to send them to a vet.
“It’s done using a milk sample, which is processed by our machine for five minutes before it’s added to our test cartridges. Farmers will then be able to identify the source of infection.
“The current testing method on the market sees farmers have to wait at least 24 hours for a result. It also requires Wi-Fi, which a lot of milking sheds don’t have.”
Cunningham and her team are currently testing QuickMas prototypes.
“We worked really hard to develop something quick, reliable and fit for farms. We want QuickMas to add value to farmers’ businesses here and all over the world.
“Winning the Velocity challenge is amazing, and we’re excited to use the support provided to get this to market as quickly as we can to help dairy farmers and their cows.”
Cunningham says the QuickMas team will explore potential partnerships and seek external investment over the next six months, with the plan to have the product on the market in 2025.
“Using QuickMas will help the dairy industry in its fight against antibiotic resistance. Helping farmers understand the correct pathogen will enable them to treat their cows more efficiently. It will also inform treatment duration.
“Farmers will have the information to give each cow individualised and responsive treatment – undertreating or overtreating with antibiotics will be a thing of the past.”
Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz visits Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. in Jiulongpo District of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, April 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday expressed his opposition to tariff conflicts while delivering a statement to the press in Brussels.
Scholz stressed that such conflicts lead nowhere and emphasized the importance of using the World Trade Organization to resolve trade disputes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the European Council meeting, Scholz reiterated his stance against escalating tariff tensions with China, a point he also made in a speech to the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, the previous day.
He noted that major German carmakers, along with 17 EU countries, oppose the imposition of tariffs on China.
While highlighting the need for Germany to boost its competitiveness in the electric vehicle market, Scholz emphasized that this should not be achieved through tariffs.
Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least 28 Palestinians were killed and 160 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people in the Jabalia camp of northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said.
Fires broke out in the tents of the displaced individuals in the schoolyard because of the bombing. Some casualties were transferred to a hospital in northern Gaza, while ambulance teams were unable to reach the people in the targeted school, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the Israeli Air Force conducted a “precise strike” on an operational meeting point for Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in northern Gaza.
The militants were operating inside a command and control center embedded inside a compound that previously served as the Abu Hassan School, the IDF said.
Dozens of militants were present in the compound at the time of the strike, said the IDF, which also published 12 names of those present.
The militants were involved in rocket attacks into the Israeli territory, as well as in planning and committing attacks against IDF troops and Israel in recent days, it claimed.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army is carrying out a “systematic destruction” of the Jabalia camp, using all means, including explosive robots, to empty the camp.
The Israeli army refuses to allow ambulances to reach the area and transport the casualties, while bodies of victims are still under the rubble, Basal said.
Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities warned Thursday in a press statement that newborns in the nursery of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza are facing a humanitarian disaster due to a fuel crisis and a shortage of medicines and medical supplies amid ongoing Israeli siege of northern Gaza.
Also on Thursday, Palestinian paramedics said they recovered the bodies of five people killed in two separate attacks on a house and a gathering north of Gaza City.
Palestinian sources also reported at least 17 deaths on Thursday in other places across Gaza. According to the sources, three people were killed and dozens of others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a tent housing displaced people in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
Medics told Xinhua that eight people were killed and dozens of others injured in an Israeli bombing on a house belonging to the al-Helou family west of Gaza City, while the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza said Thursday in a press statement that its team recovered the bodies of six Palestinians killed in a bombing in the town of al-Fakhari, east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft and artillery intensively bombed the outskirts of the Zeitoun neighborhood in southern Gaza and the Sabra neighborhood in the west, amidst gunfire from Israeli tanks.
According to the IDF, its troops have killed militants and destroyed infrastructure in the area of Rafah in southern Gaza over the past day, dismantled a “terrorist cell” and located a large number of weapons in northern Gaza, and dismantled military infrastructure and killed militants in central Gaza, including in the outskirts of Nuseirat and Al Bureij refugee camps. The IDF did not specify the number of the casualties.
Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 42,438, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Thursday.
This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2024 shows new energy vehicle model SU7 produced by Chinese tech firm Xiaomi displayed during the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]
A comprehensive industrial system for China’s intelligent connected vehicle sector has basically taken shape, covering products and technologies such as basic chips, sensors, computing platforms and chassis control, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong said Thursday.
Jin made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Beijing.
China leads the world in human-machine interaction and is rapidly advancing toward breakthroughs in technologies like steer-by-wire and active suspension technologies, among others, the minister noted.
According to him, the country’s intelligent connected vehicle sector currently boasts nearly 400 “little giant” firms, or novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises that are engaged in manufacturing, specialize in a niche market and hold cutting-edge technologies.
Five Chinese lidar companies have ranked among the global top ten in sales, while nine automotive manufacturers are piloting conditionally automated driving models, Jin said.
To support such rapid industrial development, more than 50 cities in China have designated over 32,000 kilometers of test routes for intelligent connected vehicles and upgraded about 10,000 kilometers of roads with smart technologies.
The 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference, running from Oct. 17 to 19, has attracted over 250 auto firms and institutions from home and abroad. More than 200 new technologies and products are expected to make their debut at the event.
Indonesia on Thursday grandly celebrated the first anniversary of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), a landmark project as Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail.
With a speed of 350 km per hour, the 142.3 km high-speed rail, built in cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, has slashed the journey time between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to just about 40 minutes. Over the past year, the rail, affectionately called “Whoosh” for its remarkable speed, has inspired profound changes in the towns and cities along the line.
As Indonesia marches toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, “Whoosh” has not only made rail transport more efficient and comfortable, but also plays a pivotal role in boosting the local economy, tourism, human resources and people’s livelihood.
This photo taken on April 17, 2024 shows a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway on the platform of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Photo/Xinhua]
Connecting cities
In October 2023 when the railway started operation, Indonesian President Joko Widodo revealed the name of the HSR, “Whoosh,” inspired by the train’s sound and meaning fast, efficient and reliable in the Indonesian language.
With seamless connectivity with other transport networks such as light rail transit and shuttle buses, the sleek red and silver bullet train has made traveling between Indonesia’s key cities an efficient and enjoyable experience.
According to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (PT KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructs and runs the HSR, Whoosh has transported 5.79 million passengers by Oct. 17 this year, including 300,000 international tourists from 159 countries.
An increasing number of Indonesians find this rapid transit option indispensable, as they can now spend more time with family on weekends and travel to economic hubs with ease.
“Previously, I took a conventional train on Saturday morning and returned to Jakarta on Sunday evening,” said Halim Ali Sabhana, a 27-year-old commuter.
“Now, since it only takes 40 minutes by ‘Whoosh,’ I can go back to Bandung on Friday afternoon after work, and arrive at my Jakarta office on Monday morning,” he told Xinhua.
Raden Agung Wijaya, a 43-year-old business owner, said the railway has made his frequent business trips between Jakarta and Bandung much easier.
“Instead of driving my car, I’m taking Whoosh to Bandung. Less time, and less tiring. I can meet clients on time,” he said.
Over the past year, the number of trains per day increased from 14 initially to 52 in the peak period as the railway quickly gained popularity, with the number of passenger seats increasing from over 8,400 to more than 31,000, and the maximum number of passengers per day at 24,132.
Catalyzing growth
The operation of the high-speed train has created more economic opportunities, with new residential areas, markets, and shopping centers emerging around the bustling train stations.
Lion dance performers welcome passengers on the platform at the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway’s Padalarang Station in Padalarang, Indonesia, Feb. 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Small businesses are thriving in the burgeoning community-based economic ecosystem surrounding the train stations, said Bey Machmudin, acting governor of West Java. Local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have filled various kiosks at Padalarang station and Tegalluar station, Machmudin said.
“West Java residents welcome the Whoosh train and it must be utilized as best as possible to improve the community’s economy. (Looking) ahead, we hope the MSMEs can also work with tourism associations to provide tour packages in Bandung,” he said.
At Tegalluar station in the suburbs of Bandung, Tati Heryati, a Sundanese pancake seller, saw a five-fold increase in his daily income.
“Previously, I could only earn 100,000 rupiahs (6.42 U.S. dollars) per day. But since Whoosh started running, I can now earn 500,000 rupiahs (32.09 dollars) a day,” Heryati told Xinhua.
“Many of my neighbors have also become vendors here, selling everything from food and beverages to merchandise, because they can now earn more,” he said.
The ease of travel has also drawn more visitors to destinations in West Java, ranging from Bandung’s bustling city center to previously hard-to-reach areas.
Al Jabbar Mosque, a grand mosque located 5 km away from Tegalluar station, sees crowds of visitors from Jakarta on Sunday afternoon after the Muslim prayer time.
Hendrawan Prasetyo, 38, said he came from Jakarta for a vacation with his wife and two children via Whoosh. “I was amazed by the speed. Whoosh has made vacations even more practical. Now we can visit tourist destinations outside the city center of Bandung,” he told Xinhua.
Arief Syaifudin, head of the Bandung Culture and Tourism Agency, said Whoosh has greatly boosted tourism in West Java. Popular spots like Al Jabbar Mosque and Bandung’s renowned culinary scene have seen a rising influx of visitors. During the holiday season in April, hotel occupancy rates have reached 86.8 percent.
Tourists can hop off the train to explore the surrounding areas of Bandung, Machmudin said, adding that the provincial government is collaborating with small and medium-sized enterprises near Padalarang and Tegalluar stations to introduce more Bandung culinary and tourism packages to visitors.
Cultivating talent
The railway has also boosted talent cultivation with a collaborative platform established to speed up local technological progress. Over the past year, a total of 45,000 local technicians have received training in high-speed rail technology, including engineering, welding, and machinery, with support from the Chinese side.
A Chinese high-speed train driver (C) instructs his Indonesian counterpart (R) inside the driving cab of a high-speed train in Bandung, Indonesia, Sept. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Wawan Setiawan, a student at the Indonesian Railway Polytechnic and one of the first Indonesian high-speed rail drivers, said that becoming a high-speed rail driver fills him with immense pride, serving as a significant source of fulfillment in his life.
Currently, the Chinese operation team is training 600 Indonesians for 23 positions essential to the long-term maintenance and operation of the HSR.
Local drivers have already begun operating the trains at a speed of up to 350 km per hour, marking a significant milestone in building a skilled workforce capable of supporting Indonesia’s growing high-speed rail sector.
“Indonesia has greatly benefited from the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly through transformative infrastructure projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway,” said Veronika Saraswati, director of the Saraswati Institute and a China expert.
“This cooperation has allowed Indonesia to modernize its transportation systems, realizing long-held ambitions of building high-speed rails,” she said.
“The positive results of infrastructure and trade cooperation between the two countries have made the Indonesian government aware that China is an opportunity,” she added.
Vehicles run on Jianguo Road during morning peak hours in Chaoyang District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] In China’s 22 most populous cities, long-distance commuters still face challenges, with more than 8 million people commuting over 50 km each day, according to a report released Thursday. The finding comes from the commuting monitoring report of major cities in China, released by a research institute under the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, in collaboration with the China Academy of Urban Planning & Design. Covering 45 major Chinese cities with rail transit, the report shows that among the 22 cities with a population exceeding 5 million, Beijing has the highest proportion of long-distance commuters, with 12 percent traveling over 50 kilometers, followed by Guangzhou at 10 percent. In terms of one-way commuting time, 28 percent of commuters travel for over 60 minutes in the Chinese capital, while in Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Wuhan and Qingdao, more than 15 percent of commuters fall into this category. One such commuter is a 46-year-old individual surnamed Sun. Every weekday, he leaves his home in Tianjin, a 13.6-million-people municipality neighboring Beijing, around 6 a.m., drives to a parking spot near Tianjin Railway Station, then switches to high-speed rail and subway to reach his workplace in Beijing — an almost two-hour, one-way commute that he has maintained for a decade. “I spend about 12 hours outside each day, but there’s no other choice,” Sun said, adding that he commutes rather than renting an apartment in Beijing mainly because he wants to accompany his child who is attending a junior high school in Tianjin. For many long-distance commuters like Sun in the megacities, rail transit services still need improvement. Although the total area covered by operational rail transit in the 42 surveyed cities with subway services exceeds 10,000 kilometers, only one-fifth of commuters live and work within 800 meters of a station. “Every 430,000 yuan (about $60,376) invested in rail transit construction results in just one additional person gaining access to the 800-meter range,” said Fu Lingfeng, an official of the China Academy of Urban Planning & Design. Guo Jifu, director of the Beijing Transport Institute, explained that larger cities with a higher proportion of the tertiary industry find it increasingly challenging to balance job locations and housing. “While planners envision an ideal scenario, the reality is that job-residence separation remains widespread in urban areas,” Guo said. To improve commuting experiences, Guo proposed measures such as integrating rail transit with urban development, building efficient commuting systems, and encouraging employers to provide housing and adopt flexible work arrangements. According to Yang Zeng, a professor at Shanghai University, the trend of living and working across cities in China is unique and differs from Western experiences and this phenomenon reflects long-term potential. “Strategies like city cluster integration are improving transportation and providing young people with more flexibility, enabling them to work in different cities without having to live in the main city center,” Yang said. For Sun, his hours-long commute is a mix of joy and fatigue. During the journey, he takes short naps, handles work on his phone and occasionally watches short videos. “I can deal with many issues while traveling. It’s a good way to use my time. I’ve gotten used to this lifestyle,” he said.
Since it was founded nearly two decades ago, 23andMe has grown into one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world. Millions of people have used its simple genetic testing service, which involves ordering a saliva test, spitting into a tube, and sending it back to the company for a detailed DNA analysis.
But now the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. This has raised concerns about what will happen to the troves of genetic data it has in its possession.
But what can customers of 23andMe themselves do to make sure their highly personal genetic data is protected? And should we be concerned about other companies that also collect our DNA?
What is 23andMe?
23andMe is one of the largest companies in the crowded marketplace for direct-to-consumer genetic testing. It was founded in 2006 in California, launching its spit test and Personal Genome Service the following year, at an initial cost of US$999. This test won Time magazine’s Invention of the Year in 2008.
Customers eagerly took up the opportunity to order a saliva collection kit online, spit in the tube and mail it back. In a few weeks when the results were ready they could find out about their health, ancestry, and other things like food preferences, fear of public speaking and cheek dimples.
23andMe rode the wave of popular excitement and investor interest in genetics. It wasn’t alone. By 2022 the direct-to-consumer genetic testing market was valued at US$3 billion. The three largest players – 23andMe, AncestryDNA and MyHeritage – together hold the genetic data of almost 50 million people globally.
There are dozens of smaller players too, with some focusing on emerging markets such as MapMyGenome in India and 23mofang and WeGene in China.
What happened to 23andMe?
23andMe has had a rapid downfall after the 2021 high of its public listing.
What this might mean for its vast stores of genetic data is unclear.
When people sign up for a 23andMe test the company assures them: “your privacy comes first”. It promises it will never share people’s DNA data with employers, insurance companies or public databases without consent. It puts choice in the hands of consumers about whether their spit sample is kept by the company, and whether their de-identified genetic and other data is used in research. Four in five people who bought a 23andMe test have agreed to their data being used in research.
In a statement to The Conversation, a 23andMe spokesperson said Wojcicki is “not open to considering third-party takeover proposals”, and that in the event of any future ownership change, the company’s existing data privacy agreements with customers “would remain in place unless and until customers are presented with, and agree to, new terms and statements – and only after receiving appropriate notice of any new terms, under applicable data protection laws”.
Tips for people to protect their genetic data
With 23andMe in the spotlight, people might want to take steps to protect their genetic data (although experts say there’s not really any more risk now than there has always been).
The simplest thing is to delete your account, which opts you out of any future research and discards your saliva sample. But if your data has already been de-identified and used in research, it can’t be retrieved. And even if you delete your account, 23andMe says it will keep hold of information including your genetic data, date of birth and sex, to comply with its own legal obligations.
Buying a DNA test online might feel fun and rewarding and it’s certainly been marketed that way. There are plenty of good news stories about how getting those test results has helped people to connect with lost family or understand more about their health risks. People just need to buy tests with their eyes open about what this might mean.
First, the results might not be all positive. Finding out about health risks without guidance from a health professional can be scary. Learning that the person you thought was your mum or dad actually isn’t, is an outcome for as many as 1 in 20 people who’ve bought a DNA test online.
Second, every company selling DNA tests does so with lots of legal conditions attached. People click through these without a second thought but researchers have shown it is worth taking a closer look. Consider what the company says about what it will do with your data and your sample, how long they will keep it, who else can access it, and how easy it will be to delete later.
There are guidelines from organisations like Australian Genomics that can help. And bear in mind that if a company holding your DNA profile is sold, it might be hard to make sure that data is protected.
So maybe reconsider giving a DNA test as a Christmas gift.
Megan Prictor is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law.
GRAEME DAY, HOST: It’s coming up to a quarter to 10 and on the line is the Minister for the NDIS and Government Services. It’s a very good morning to Bill Shorten, hello.
BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: G’day, Graham. How are you today?
DAY: Not too bad, not too bad. A busy day for you. You’re on the south coast?
SHORTEN: Yeah, it’s fantastic. I was invited to be the special guest at a really moving event last night in Wollongong. The CEO of Greenacres, which is a marvellous disability service, 71 years old. CEO Chris Christodoulou after the last 11 years is finishing up and he’s done a great job there, but it was really moving. A lot of the participants were there, their families, a lot of the good and the great of Wollongong, Ryan Park, Paul Scully, Alison Byrne and Stephen Jones. But most importantly, Chris and his family and the guy has made a difference. And today I’m going to the new Northcott Disability Hub in Dapto, which is going to be great for people with disability in the local region
DAY: It must be good to see government money going into these facilities and make it easier for people?
SHORTEN: Yeah, I’m a believer. I believe that one of the best things the Government can do with very important taxes people pay is make sure that people with profound and severe disability get a better chance. And, you know, really, I know Aussies don’t like paying tax, well most don’t, but when it comes to things like Medicare and making sure that the profoundly and severely impaired have a chance for a more fulfilling life, you know, I think that’s – it’s great. And so I’m very motivated to make sure that the money gets through to the people for whom the Scheme, the NDIS was designed.
DAY: Now, the NDIS, it certainly had its problems. When you took over as the Minister, did you realise the enormity of what had to be fixed? How far it was off the rails?
SHORTEN: I don’t – no, I mean, the short answer is no – I don’t know if you’ve ever ordered anything on eBay and the photos look good, but when you get it, you go, hmm, that’s not what I ordered? No, the truth is a bit better than that. The reality is the NDIS is helping hundreds of thousands of people. There’s now 660,000 people receiving personal budgets and support. There’s over 400,000 people work in the sector. When I sort of campaigned for the idea, like in 2008, 9, 10, if you’d said that we’d have a Scheme helping this many people, I’d have said, you know, what’s that line out of The Castle when they talk about the price of jousting sticks? I’d say tell them they’re dreaming. But the reality is it is doing good. When Labor lost in 2013, there were four trial sites. So, you know, credit to the Libs, they’ve got it up to scale, but their eye was not on the ball when it came to the back office functions, you know, the scrutiny of their payments, looking for quality. I mean, a lot of service providers do a great job, but there are some people who are attracted like flies to the barbecue, seeing government money just lining their own pockets. And I’ve been all about getting rid of the, you know, the snake oil salesmen and the crooks out of the Scheme.
DAY: And you’ve been fairly successful with that too, because when it first started, it seemed like there was an NDIS provider on every corner. But that has reduced somewhat because of the scrutiny that basically the Labor Government’s put on it.
SHORTEN: Yeah, listen, this is a growth industry. You know, I used to be a union rep with the AWU and look after the steel industry. Steel is a big industry in the Illawarra, Port Kembla. There’s about 20,000 people working still, but in the last 15 years, this NDIS sector has gone from none to – it’ll be half a million people working in the next few years, which is good. The need was always there. So, it’s a growth industry, but what we’ve got to do is make sure it’s growing along set lines, that it’s not the Wild West, that people are not selling snake oil and shonky therapies or just manipulating, treating participants and their carers and their families as human ATMs.
DAY: Can I ask you a question on behalf of the public? I think where the problem lies with the interaction of the public with government – people often say to me, with all the technology we have, for all the people that we have that are skilled, why is it with the NDIS, with Centrelink and what have you, why does it take so bloody long? It seems that there’s so much waiting time there with people that need help?
SHORTEN: I have an answer. The reality is that you can’t run human services without humans. And my predecessors had bought the digital revolution and they’re right, it’s much quicker to do things online. But not everyone wants to go online. We get 10 million people a year coming into Centrelink or Service Australia offices. The problem is the staff have been cut to the bone. Ten years ago there was about 37,000 people working. The deal was apparently that we buy all this fancy technology and we wouldn’t need people. What we got instead was Robodebt. What we’ve got – we got down to about 27,000 staff and that’s a disaster. So, now we’re up above 30,000. Call waiting times for both Medicare and social welfare payments have now fallen and in other words, it’s getting less time before you get answered. Would you believe I’ve just introduced a queuing system in Service Australia office where you ring ahead and you can make an appointment. I know that is not rocket science, but you know, this is a major development and with the NDIA, when people knew that we were reforming, we did get a sort of tsunami of extra claims in the last six months. People trying to proverbially, some people, getting in for last drinks before we turned the tap off of some of the scams. But that’s now coming back to more manageable level. I’m sorry people have had bad experiences waiting. I know it is happening, but all I can tell you is that the KPI or the sort of key performance indicator I asked from my senior public servants is tell me waiting times every week on the phone. I just want to know are we getting it done more quickly and are we processing payments more quickly? Now I know for someone who’s still waiting to get their old Age Pension sorted or their DSP, they might say, well, it doesn’t matter what Bill says, I’m still waiting. The fact is, on a lot of indicators, like it’s just evidence, so I’m confident to say it. We have – it is getting better, you know, the number of complaints that we get have been cut in half in terms of Centrelink. The other good thing is in the NDIS, the number of complaints we’re investigating nearly doubled because we’re putting more resources into investigating the rorts.
DAY: You certainly have done a great job. One thing just before you go, because I know you’ve got to go shortly, you’ve decided in the not too distant future to call it a day on your political career? You’ve certainly been high profile. You’ve seen the ups and you’ve seen the downs. When it comes to public life, what, what is the moment where you go, look, I’m going to step down and spend more time for me or my family because we often see it in public life and it comes out of the blue? Was it a long process of you thinking it through or was it just one day walking up the stairs going, you know what, I think I might like to do something else?
SHORTEN: Sort of a mix. I mean, first of all, I should say that for all the crap days – and sometimes you have them – I wouldn’t give up a single day in the last 17 years. Probably the only day I’d give up is the day my mum passed. And other than that, you know, I’m – what’s that Frank Sinatra line? Regrets, I’ve got a few, but then again, too few to mention. I – no one in my family’s ever been a politician, like my family – you know, my grandma was an air raid warden in Britain, and she lived in the northeast in public housing. My mum was the first in the family to ever go to university. No one – I pinch myself, it’s a privilege to serve. When I occasionally hear about pollies lining in their own pockets, it drives me nuts because that’s not what most of them do. I just think it’s a privilege to serve. The hard thing is, when do you call it quits? When do you say, I’ll do something else? Because I’m not retiring. I’m moving into another aspect of public life, helping adults, young people and adults do lifelong learning and universities, and how do we foster a spirit of critical thinking and enquiry in a generation? So, I’m going to a busy job, but it’ll be less partisan, which is fine. I’m happy not to have to trade sledges every day. I mean, at a certain point you get sick of playing in the cricket team of sledging, which is parliament. I’ve mixed feelings. I love my portfolio. Not everyone in my portfolios loves me, but I love them, well nearly everyone. I love my electorate. I live in the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne. I’ve lived there for 35 years, like, I love it. Do you leave when you’re going well, or do you leave when you’re carried out? I had a choice to be a lifer and there’s nothing wrong with that. I never wanted to be, with respect, a corporate door opener. That’s what some politicians do. There’s this myth that we all get pensions. We don’t. We’re very well remunerated, but I’ve always known the day after politics I’ll have to find a job. So, I applied for the this job to run the university under my own steam. It wasn’t a government appointment, so I’ve got mixed feelings. I love what I do and I’m really going to love helping the University of Canberra, but also higher education and TAFE. You know, I’m interested in – we can’t stop learning and I think Australia does best when we’re giving people the skills to equip – the future is changing so quickly. How do we help people? So, I’m going into a new facet of helping people, but I love what I do currently. I mean, when does a good athlete – not that I’m an athlete, but when does a good athlete stop playing footy? When does, you know, when do any of us, you know, you’re a good journalist, when do you decide you want to do something else? It’s not – I would give no advice to anyone else except always pick a job that you love doing.
DAY: Absolutely. Mate, thanks so much. Thanks for the job that you have done and say g’day to Stephen Jones for us as you do the opening today at Northcott.
SHORTEN: Sorry, mate, we broke up then.
DAY: I was just saying thanks for the job that you have done and say g’day to Steve Jones for us when you – both of you are there for the opening of Northcott at Dapto today.
SHORTEN: Yeah, well, that was – I’m going to look forward to Northcott today, but that was [inaudible]
DAY: Okay, mate. Okay, we’ll talk soon.
SHORTEN: All right, good on you. Thank you.
DAY: Okay, great to talk to you. Thanks so much. Bye.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NASHVILLE – A criminal complaint obtained today charges Marquez Davis, 24 of Nashville, with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Thomas J. Jaworski.
According to the complaint, officers of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”) were searching for Davis on October 14, 2024, to arrest him on state charges related to the deadly shooting on Jefferson Street during Tennessee State University’s Homecoming celebration on October 12th. MNPD officers located Davis in a house in North Nashville and prepared to arrest him on outstanding warrants. Footage from law enforcement’s aerial surveillance showed an individual, later identified as Davis, exit the residence’s rooftop, climb to an adjacent rooftop, and discard a firearm. Davis was then arrested by MNPD on criminal homicide charges related to the October 12th shooting on Jefferson Street. Officers recovered a Franklin Armory Inc, Model FAI-15 caliber multi-pistol near where Davis discarded it from the rooftop. According to the criminal complaint, Davis has prior felony convictions for robbery, possession of a controlled substance for resale, and being a felon in possession of a handgun.
“Everyone in our community must be able to gather and celebrate together without fearing random gun violence,” said Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski. “Our office will do whatever it takes to keep firearms out of the hands of felons who may use those firearms to inflict greater damage on our citizens.” Jaworski added: “Our firm commitment is in our continued partnership with Chief Drake and the MNPD to hold offenders accountable, reduce gun violence, and ensure safer communities for everyone.”
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the MNPD and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed A. Safeeullah is prosecuting the case.
A federal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Headline: Mid North Coast Midwifery Group Practice expanded
Published: 18 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Regional Health, Minister for Women
An expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model on the Mid North Coast is providing more women and their families with access to evidence-based midwifery continuity of care.
Mid North Coast Local Health District recently announced the commencement of a new MGP service and Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS) in the Hastings Macleay region.
The MGP service commenced in Port Macquarie in September, supporting increased access to continuity of care with a known midwife.
Under the MGP model, women receive care from a known primary midwife throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and up to six weeks after birth. MGP midwives work as part of a small team to ensure support and minimise potential disruptions to care.
A review of criteria for MGP is also enabling more women with higher-level care needs to access the service where clinically appropriate, or to stay in the program if they develop risk factors during pregnancy.
In May this year, a dedicated team of midwives began providing MAPS care at Kempsey District Hospital and Port Macquarie Base Hospital. The MAPS model offers midwifery continuity in the antenatal and postnatal periods, while birth care is provided by a core hospital birthing team.
These new services are in addition to the existing MGP models in place at Coffs Harbour and Macksville since 2021.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
“We are committed to ensuring women across NSW have access to respectful, evidence-based maternity care. I am proud of the work Mid Morth Coast Local Health District is doing to expand its midwifery continuity of care models.
“These models of care enable women to get to know their midwife throughout their pregnancy, who then provide postnatal care in the home for up to six weeks to support mother-baby bonding and a healthy start to life.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
“Women’s health and wellbeing are a key focus for this government. It’s important we provide women with continuity of care so they feel supported during their pregnancy and after their baby is born.
“With the expansion of the MGP to Mid North Coast, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access to midwifery continuity of care.”
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Port Macquarie Cameron Murphy, MLC:
“I welcome Mid North Coast Local Health District’s commitment to improving maternity services for women in Port Macquarie, so they, their babies and their families can have the best possible experience in our hospitals.”
Quotes attributable to MNCLHD acting Chief Executive Jill Wong:
“We’re thrilled to expand the midwifery continuity of care models across the Mid North Coast region and to build on the successful Coffs Harbour and Macksville models which have been in place since 2021.
“We’re committed to delivering midwifery-led care and offering more choice to pregnant women and their families. I thank the many staff and consumers who have worked to deliver these positive changes.”
Quotes attributable to Courtney Harvey, who had her baby Charlotte through the MAPS service at Kempsey:
“Being a first-time mum, everything can be a little scary, there are so many unknowns about labour and birth. The first few weeks, everything is such a big change but having my own midwife at all my appointments made such a big difference, it was really lovely.
“It was nice having the same point of contact for everything in my pregnancy.
“My postnatal care was amazing. I loved that my midwife did an antenatal home visit prior to me having my baby. It was nice having her come into my space at home during the antenatal period and I could get comfortable having a health professional in my own home.
“If I am blessed to have more children, I would really hope that I can have the same experience as I have had with my pregnancy and birth this time as it has all been so positive, so special, I wouldn’t want to change it. I hope I can have continuity, and birth here, once again.”
Headline: More support available for women in Western NSW experiencing severe menopause symptoms
Published: 18 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Regional Health, Minister for Western New South Wales, Minister for Women
Women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms now have improved access to additional support following the establishment of Western NSW Local Health District’s (WNSWLHD) new menopause referral service.
WNSWLHD’s new Specialised Menopause Referral Service aims to provide assistance and support for women whose symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or those women who face additional complications from other medical conditions.
The new service has been established as part of NSW Health’s menopause network, which has four hubs and multiple referral sites across the state and is networked with the South-Western Sydney LHD hub.
General practitioners, specialists and nurse practitioners are able to refer women to the service for advanced care.
Care Coordinators will assist with triage and navigate care locally, supporting the medically-led, multi-disciplinary hub team of nursing and allied health professionals to provide holistic support.
The WNSWLHD Specialised Menopause Referral Service will deliver care using a hybrid approach, with a largely virtual service coupled with face-to-face consultations when they are required.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
“I’m pleased to announce this service has been launched today on World Menopause Day today, to improve menopause care and support options available for local women.
“This Specialised Menopause Referral Service will promote flexibility and choice in the way women in Western NSW access support to manage severe menopause symptoms, and by improving access locally this service will significantly reduce the need to travel for this important care.
“Up to one in four women endure severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.
“By continuing to break down barriers like geographic isolation through effective use of virtual care technology, this service will help us continue to improve health outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
“Menopause will affect most women at some stage of their life.
“This new menopause referral service will provide much needed support to women in regional areas who experience complex menopausal symptoms and can provide advice about associated health risks of menopause.
“On this World Menopause Day, I also encourage women to speak up – you don’t have to suffer in silence. There is support available from your GP and specialists. The Menopause Toolkit can help you understand a bit more about perimenopause and menopause symptoms, and the care available.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty:
“Every woman is different, and every woman experiences different symptoms of menopause. But many women experiencing severe or complex symptoms will endure in silence which can seriously impact their health and wellbeing.
“That’s why enhancements like this are so important, this service is eye-opening and will be potentially life-changing for many women in Western NSW, which is home to some of our state’s most remote and most vulnerable populations.”
Quotes attributable to WNSWLHD Senior Manager Women’s Health and Violence Prevention Nicolla Giddings:
“Severe symptoms of menopause don’t discriminate, and our new Specialised Menopause Referral Service aims to help local women access the support they need as close to home as possible.
“Being an inclusive service and providing reliable access to advanced care for people living in rural areas of our District is at the forefront of this new service, to also increase the comfort levels of women while they receive care.”
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) today celebrated the opening of its latest facilities, penning a new chapter in the life of one of Australia’s oldest universities – supported by funding from all three levels of government.
The Shed, the last of three new buildings at UTAS’s redeveloped Inveresk campus at Launceston, is set to receive students from semester one next year.
Centrally located opposite City Park, The Shed is the largest of UTAS’s three new facilities, and includes a variety of specialised allied health clinics, science labs and nursing simulation facilities.
The facility will host community health education programs, professional development workshops, sports science testing and wellbeing initiatives, as well as a range of community activities and events.
The $97 million project was delivered as part of the $304 million relocation and redevelopment of UTAS’s main Launceston campus from Newnham to Inveresk – which is expected to increase student numbers to 10,000 by 2032.
This transformation was jointly funded, with $130 million from the Australian Government, $108.6 million from UTAS, $60 million from the Tasmanian Government and $5.4 million from the City of Launceston – as part of the $609.4 million Launceston City Deal.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP:
“Congratulations to the Vice-Chancellor, staff and students on the opening of The Shed right here in the heart of Launceston.
“This new building will help train more nurses and health workers and support more people in Northern Tasmania to get a crack at going to uni.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
“As someone that had to leave home to attend university, I know how important it is to have education opportunities locally, especially in our regions – because postcodes shouldn’t be a barrier for your future.
“Having toured this campus last year, I know its central location and high-quality facilities will boost attendance numbers – with 2,400 students already moving to the Inveresk precinct, and around 4,000 students expected from early next year.”
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Education, Jo Palmer:
“The Shed is an important piece of infrastructure, but it’s what will occur within its walls and upon this new campus that is most important.
“This project provides exciting opportunities for our young people embarking on their journey of lifelong learning and also for the wider community.
“Being able to stay in Tasmania and study new courses such as speech pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy is so important for our young people.”
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz MP:
“The completion of The Shed is a significant milestone in the Northern Transformation Project. This state-of-the-art facility is a testament to what can be achieved when all levels of government, the University of Tasmania, and the local community work in unison for a common goal.
“This transformation project is not just about new buildings, it’s about creating an environment that fosters innovation, learning, and growth, with benefits extending well beyond the university’s walls and into the community.
“It is exciting to see the tangible outcomes of this investment driving significant economic activity across the region—creating jobs, supporting local industries, and delivering long-term benefits to the Tasmanian economy.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Labor Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley:
“We continue to deliver the projects that people in Launceston and across Northern Tasmania deserve – with this transformative campus to ensure people can study in-demand qualifications at home.
“With the expected influx of new students into Launceston in the coming years, our investment in the University’s presence at Inveresk will support new jobs and stimulate our local economy long into the future.”
Quotes attributable to City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood:
“The completion of UTAS’s campus is an amazing milestone for the city and region.
“Launceston’s CBD has been transformed by the relocation of UTAS’s campus to Inveresk into a vibrant and dynamic precinct.
“We have seen how the relocation has given confidence to nearby investments in the city, including our own redevelopment of the iconic Albert Hall.
“Inveresk has now become a really colourful and contemporary part of Launceston, with its links to QVMAG, UTAS Stadium and our CBD.”
More than 300 Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), returned home to San Diego Oct. 16 after completing a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet areas of operation.
The deployment, which began on March 19, marked a milestone as it included the first operational use of the Marine Corps’ new amphibious combat vehicles. The experience and insights gained by the ACV Platoon and Battalion Landing Team 1/5 during this deployment have laid the groundwork for refining tactics, logistics, and maintenance practices for future expeditionary operations.
“Our team aboard Harpers Ferry made lasting contributions in the Indo-Pacific, conducting training while integrated with our allies, in both the Philippines and South Korea,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU. “They accomplished so much during these seven months while taking on the unique responsibility of employing ACVs on their first deployment. The lessons they learned and the procedures they developed with their Navy counterparts will inform future operations for years to come.”
Elements of the 15th MEU aboard Harpers Ferry included Marines and Sailors from the Command Element, BLT 1/5, and Combat Logistics Battalion 15.
During the deployment, 15th MEU forces aboard Harpers Ferry engaged in three major exercises. In the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Marines and Sailors joined other elements of the 15th MEU assigned to the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan 24. This bilateral exercise, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, focused on securing key maritime terrain, conducting simulated long-range precision strikes, and enhancing missile defense capabilities.
During Balikatan, the ACV Platoon conducted a live-fire waterborne gunnery exercise in Oyster Bay, marking the first overseas employment of ACVs. Using their automated remote weapons systems, the ACVs engaged simulated targets afloat and on shore.
After the conclusion of Balikatan, the 15th MEU’s force aboard Harpers Ferry remained in the Philippines to participate in Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC) from May 13-24. ACDC included bilateral training with the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDE) to bolster coastal defense strategies. The 15th MEU and 3MBDE conducted large-scale coastal defense rehearsals and completed the largest military convoy to date on Palawan Island, moving forces rapidly to simulate a coastal defense scenario.
ACDC also featured numerous subject matter expert exchanges between BLT 1/5 and CLB-15 with their Philippine counterparts on various topics, such as weapons employment, unmanned aircraft systems integration, tactical combat casualty care, and motorized operations. These exchanges strengthened U.S.-Philippine bilateral military proficiency and improved mutual understanding of defense tactics in the Philippines.
Following ACDC in the Philippines, the 15th MEU embarked aboard Harpers Ferry and traveled to Okinawa, Japan. On June 24, Alpha Company, BLT 1/5, and the ACV Platoon conducted a ship-to-shore movement, with the ACVs splashing into the waters off White Beach Naval Facility after Alpha Company’s Marines practiced troop egress and transfer procedures. This marked the ACVs’ first time ashore in a foreign country.
In August, the 15th MEU’s forces aboard the USS Harpers Ferry arrived in South Korea to conduct two weeks of unit-level training (ULT) alongside the Republic of Korea Marine Corps’ 7th Brigade. During this period, the Marines demonstrated the off-road mobility and automated crew-served weapons capabilities of the new ACVs in a series of live-fire exercises.
The highlight of their month-long stay was Exercise Ssang Yong 24, where Alpha Company embarked the ACVs for a large-scale amphibious landing at Hwajin-ri Beach near Pohang. Meaning “twin dragons,” Ssang Yong featured the first overseas amphibious assault conducted with ACVs, as U.S. and Korean forces landed together, strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the capability to defend the Korean Peninsula.
“Working with our allies in South Korea one-on-one at the tactical level was extremely rewarding for both our Marines and the ROK Marines,” said Capt. Erik Lindskog, the Alpha Company commander. “Through the combined training, both live fire and information exchanges, we learned a lot from each other. In South Korea and in the Philippines, we arrived as training partners, worked through language barriers, and we left as friends.”
Throughout the deployment, the ACVs demonstrated their versatility, maneuverability, and firepower in various scenarios, ranging from beach assaults to coordinated live-fire defense operations. The data and lessons learned from these exercises will help shape the future use of ACVs in amphibious operations and ensure the Marine Corps continues to refine the tactics and procedures necessary for employing this new platform.
“The work our Marines and Sailors aboard Harpers Ferry have completed over the past seven months, both strengthening alliances and advancing new Marine Corps capabilities, has been simply outstanding,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, the commanding officer of BLT 1/5. “Our ACV Platoon and the rest of Alpha Company have been literally writing the book on employing this platform, albeit with tremendous support from leaders and experts from across our Service. I’m grateful for all the dedication that got us to this deployment, and I’m proud of how this team has done everything they can to help lead the modernization of the assault amphibian community.”
The 15th MEU’s Marines and Sailors aboard Harpers Ferry played a critical role in advancing U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing regional security by strengthening relationships with key allies, and shaping future deployments of the amphibious combat vehicle in expeditionary environments.
MURRAY JONES [HOST]: Well, having lived in the regions for quite a few years, thankfully I had the opportunity to go to university, studied law actually, many, many years ago. But I remember hearing a statistic in recent times; of the people you may walk past, if you’re walking down Circular Quay in Sydney, one in two of the people that you pass, at least one in two, have a university degree or at least some form of tertiary education. You go further out, further out to the regions, the numbers get down to just one in five with a university degree or some form of tertiary education. It may even be even lower in some areas. So, particularly in the regional areas, getting further education facilities and opportunities, life changing for Australians. My special guest this morning, Assistant Minister for Education, also Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He’s got quite the portfolio. Senator Anthony Chisholm joins me from Innisfail. Good morning, Anthony. How are you today?
ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Good, Murray, good to be with you again. And, yeah, a really telling introduction there as well about the challenges that many people in regional Australia face.
JONES: Yes, certainly when it comes to education. Look, you know, when we talk about, you know, obviously with the Queensland election, a lot of issues of crime, a lot of issues with respect to dysfunction that have come up, the better education, the better you are involved in society and doing things regardless of your age, you’re more likely to be staying off the street, not committing crime, and of course, negotiating this world when it comes to misinformation, disinformation, you know, a good education makes such a difference. So, the reason why you’re here and the reason why we’re talking to you, pretty exciting stuff, actually. Cassowary Coast Innisfail, the Cassowary Coast University Centre, has just been opened. The Innisfail facility, part of twelve new regional university study hubs that have been rolled out, Anthony.
CHISHOLM: Yeah, really exciting and real pleasure for me to be here today to help open the hub. It’s already got 30 students who are studying here and for me that’s 30 people who might not have taken on a higher education degree if they didn’t have access to the support that these regional university study hubs provide. So, full credit to the Cassowary Coast Council for having the vision. They’ve got a partner in Vocational Partnerships Group who are working with them to make this hub a reality and I’m expecting that it will achieve outstanding results. And those young people growing up in Innisfail who aspire to a higher education degree, what this hub means is that they don’t have to leave town to achieve it. They can stay in their local community, they can have their support network around them of family and friends. And the exciting thing is that the next nurse or teacher that we desperately need in this part of the world can stay and study locally, which is fantastic.
JONES: Now, it’s not a satellite university as such, I believe it’s not necessarily aligned with any particular university, but at the same time, it’s kind of aligned with all of them I understand.
CHISHOLM: Yeah, that’s correct. So, this is led by council and obviously they’ve got the partnership with the Vocational Partnerships Group as well. But the beauty of these hubs is they’ve been established around the country and there’s more than 40 operating around regional Australia at the moment, is you can walk into them, you can meet students and they’ll be studying at universities all across the country. And what they get from the hub is that support, that mentoring, that help in navigating, and a high percentage of these people studying are first in family. As you know, Murray, universities can quite often be daunting places when you first turn up or you first engage.
JONES: Sure.
CHISHOLM: So, having those people there to support, provide that network to ensure they can navigate and achieve their best results is really important. And that’s what these regional university study hubs are providing around the country. And it’s exciting that that’ll now be an opportunity for students from around the Innisfail area.
JONES: And look, I understand the statistics, more than 20 per cent of the Innisfail population identifying as First Nations people. So, I guess a great opportunity also for First Nations people to get involved in this particular hub.
CHISHOLM: That’s right. And one of the things that these hubs have been really successful at is getting out and attending the local high schools and talking to those younger students to give them that hope and ambition that they can actually study at university. It doesn’t mean you’ve got to move away from home. And I think it just opens those eyes and gives people a real incentive to know that they can do – they can study, they can achieve, but they can do it locally. And that, I think particularly with the cost of living at the moment and the challenge that it would be for someone moving away from home, I think having that opportunity to do that locally is tremendous.
JONES: Yeah, it certainly is. And look, you know, we’ve heard it many times over the years, some of the biggest issues certainly for Australians when it comes to elections, the things that they consider – education opportunities and obviously health, climate change, but particularly education, so important there. And look, you know, from a personal perspective, when it comes to identifying misinformation, disinformation and having an objective view on the world, I think education is just so important. And I’m sure I’ve mentioned to you before, my other half, she’s actually a schoolteacher as well. Can we touch on something? Even though you’re the Federal Assistant Minister for Education, there’s been a lot of talk about school lunches as part of the packages that have been put forward by various political parties. So, there’s been a bit of discussion there. Just in general terms, what do you think, particularly for primary school, for schools to actually be providing school lunches for students?
CHISHOLM: Yeah, it’s interesting, Murray, and I – as you’re aware, I’m Assistant Minister for Education, so I get to regularly engage with the schooling system around the country. My brother is actually a groundsman at a state school closer to Brisbane as well –
JONES: Okay.
CHISHOLM: – so I regularly get updates from him about what he’s up to. But the thing that I’ve noticed is that so many schools around the country are already doing this type of thing, whether it be breakfast programs, whether it be lunch for children. And I think it’s just reflective of the times that we’re in around people doing it tough. Parents are really busy, and there often are schools that are fitting the bridge. So, I can understand why the state thinks that this is a good program to implement across the country and make it more universal and accessible so that all schools have the opportunity to do it. But I think it would be fair to say, and I’m sure you’d get this if you talk to other primary schools, that there’s already something similar being offered across breakfast and lunch for most schools. So, extending that and operating it universally and making sure it’s accessible to everyone, I think is a good announcement by the state government.
JONES: And, you know, I often do hear it from my partner, you know, just basic things of having food for lunch, even having food the night before, having a clean uniform, all the textbooks, all the facilities and bits and pieces. Maybe not textbook these days, but I guess having those education facilities, you know, having them sorted out for kids is just so important so they can take that step and actually be very much involved in education. So, I’m sure when it comes to those lunches, that’s something we’ll be hearing about a lot more. Great to talk to you about this particular one. It’s the Cassowary Coast University Centre in Innisfail. Nice for you to be spending some time in the region and thank you so much for your time this morning, Anthony Chisholm. Cheers.
CHISHOLM: Thanks, Murray. Good to be with you again.
Attributable to Acting Senior Sergeant Warren Sangster, Gisborne Response Manager:
One person has been arrested after allegedley assaulting supermarket staff while attempting to steal gorceries from a Gisborne Supermarket.
Around 4:45pm yesterday, Thursday 17 October, Police responded to the Wainui Road address where an alleged shoplifter had assaulted staff while stealing items.
Thanks to CCTV and information from staff at the supermarket Police located the shoplifter later that night at her home address.
A 44-year-old woman is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court Wednesday 23 October on charges of assault and shoplifting.
It is absolutely unacceptable for staff just trying to go about their daily jobs to be assaulted or verbally abused. We will not tolerate violence in our community.
Police will continue our work to identify locate and apprehend those who put others in harm’s way.
If you witness any unlawful activity please contact Police on 111 if it’s happening now as soon as possible with as much information as possible.
Nick Maling, General Manager National Services, says some of our customers have reported issues with the heaters sparking and the plastic casing being damaged by heat.
“We are asking customers with this model of heater in their home to stop using them.
“We have also informed WorkSafe New Zealand and the product supplier, who has advised the manufacturer. As the regulator, WorkSafe will determine the next steps.
“If customers have not yet heard from us and they have one of these heaters in their home, we ask that they not use the heater until further notice.”
If customers have any questions or concerns, they can call Kāinga Ora on 0800 801 601 and one of the team will be able to help them.
The Goldair Hi-Wall heater (model GCW220) looks like this.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Monetary Authority announced today (October 18) that the countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) ratio for Hong Kong is reduced from 1 per cent to 0.5 per cent with immediate effect.
The Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “While the local economy has continued to recover, the risk of economic overheating is well contained as suggested by the quantitative indicators. Facing changes in the market landscape, certain sectors in the domestic economy, in particular the SMEs, are nevertheless still seeing challenges in their business operations amid uncertainties in the external and local economic environment. It is therefore appropriate to reduce the CCyB moderately to allow banks to be more supportive to Hong Kong’s economy. Together with the other measures already introduced by the HKMA to support SMEs, we expect banks to make use of the additional leeway provided by the lower CCyB to further facilitate the financing needs of local SMEs. A gradual increase in the CCyB for Hong Kong will only be considered in the future when data suggest that there is more broad-based growth in the domestic economy and when the credit and property market conditions suggest a higher CCyB is warranted.”
Further details of the decision may be found in the Announcement of the CCyB to Authorized Institutions on the HKMA website.
Background
In setting the CCyB ratio the Monetary Authority considered a series of quantitative indicators and qualitative information including an “indicative buffer guide” (which is a metric providing a guide for CCyB ratio based on the gap between the ratio of credit to GDP and its long term trend, and between the ratio of residential property prices to rentals and its long term trend). The latest indicative buffer guide calculated based on 2024Q2 data and the Positive Neutral CCyB (Note) according to the revised formula, signals a CCyB of 1 per cent. The projection based on all available data suggests that the indicative buffer guide would likely signal a CCyB of 1 per cent when all relevant 2024Q3 data become available.
The indicative buffer guide, as its name suggests, provides only a “guide” for CCyB decisions, and the determination of the jurisdictional CCyB ratio for Hong Kong is not a mechanical exercise. In addition to the indicative buffer guide, the Monetary Authority also reviewed other relevant information. While the local economy has continued to recover, the risk of economic overheating is well contained as suggested by quantitative indicators. Facing changes in the market landscape, certain sectors in the domestic economy, in particular the SMEs, are nevertheless still seeing challenges in their business operations amid uncertainties in the external and local economic environment. Together with the other measures already introduced by the HKMA to support SMEs, a lower CCyB will provide banks with additional leeway to further facilitate the financing needs of local SMEs.
The CCyB is an integral part of the Basel III regulatory capital framework and is being implemented in parallel by Basel Committee member jurisdictions worldwide. The CCyB has been designed by the Basel Committee to increase the resilience of the banking sector against system-wide risks. The banking sector can then act as a “shock absorber” in times of stress, rather than as an amplifier of risk to the broader economy.
The power to implement the CCyB in Hong Kong is provided by the Banking (Capital) Rules, which enable the Monetary Authority to announce a CCyB ratio for Hong Kong. The specific CCyB requirement applicable to a given Authorized Institution (AI) is expressed as a percentage of its CET1 capital to its total risk-weighted assets (RWA). Each AI’s CCyB requirement may vary depending on the geographic mix of its private sector credit exposures and the CCyB applicable in each jurisdiction where it has such exposures.
Note: Under the Positive Neutral CCyB approach, authorities aim for a positive CCyB when risks are judged to be neither subdued nor elevated. Please refer to http://www.bis.org/publ/bcbs_nl30.htm for more information.
Kindly note the Wellington rally has been moved to North City, Porirua, Top Carpark by Food Court.
On Saturday (tomorrow), New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) nursing students take their struggle to the streets calling on the Government to invest in their futures with paid training.
Students are given no additional financial help during clinical placements which sees them working full time without pay for up to 12 weeks – and often away from their hometown.
Existing student allowances aren’t enough to cover even the most basic necessities.
Rallies take place at nine centres across the country.
Whangārei,10am-12pm, Tarewa Park, 92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Auckland,10am-12pm, Lumsden Green, corner of Broadway and Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket
Hamilton,10am-12pm, The Base intersection of Te Rapa Rd and Kawera Place
Mt. Maunganui,10am-12pm, ‘Te Papa o Ngā manu Porotakataka’ town square
On the occasion of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s visit to Germany, the United States reaffirms its commitment to deepening the close and historic bond between the two nations as Allies and friends. For over 75 years, Germany has been a crucial partner in ensuring the stability, security, and prosperity of the transatlantic alliance. In October 2023, President Biden welcomed President Steinmeier to Washington during German-American Day, underscoring the enduring people-to-people ties between our two countries, including the over 40 million Americans who claim German heritage and strengthen the diverse fabric of the United States. In February 2024, President Biden welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House, where the two leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war of aggression, discussed regional stability in the Middle East, and prepared for the NATO Summit in Washington.
During his visit to Germany, President Biden will underscore our mutual commitment to upholding democracy, combating antisemitism and hatred, and expanding collaboration to promote economic growth and technological innovation. In addition, he will express gratitude to Germany for its role in hosting approximately 39,000 U.S. service members and its vital contributions to the security of NATO and the broader transatlantic community.
The United States and Germany are partners in a wide range of new and continuing initiatives to address the most pressing challenges of our time, some of which are listed below.
# # #
SECURITY AND DEFENSE
The United States and Germany cooperate through several multilateral institutions including NATO, the G7, the OSCE, and the UN, to advance security, democracy, and the rule of law globally.
As host to the largest U.S. troop presence in Europe and second largest globally, Germany continues to play a critical role as a platform for U.S. military force projection, including support for NATO’s eastern flank and training for Ukrainian soldiers.
Germany has been a key provider of military assistance to Ukraine in its defense against the Kremlin’s aggression. Contributions include advanced weaponry such as Leopard 2 tanks, air defense systems (such as IRIS-T), artillery, and ammunition. Germany also supplies medical aid, vehicles, and training for Ukrainian forces, continuously adapting its support to Ukraine’s evolving needs in coordination with NATO allies.
As announced by President Biden and Chancellor Scholz on July 10, 2024, the United States looks forward to beginning the episodic deployments of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these conventional long-range fire capabilities in the future.
Germany plays a key role in the U.S-Italy co-led G7+ Coordination Group for Ukraine Energy Security Support. Germany has been a leading provider of financial assistance and critical components such as transformers and power generators to support the repair and strengthening of Ukraine’s energy sector in response to Russia’s continued brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Germany is a robust partner in the fight against terrorism and terrorism financing, in the Financial Action Task Force, and as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS). On September 30, State Secretary Tobias Lindner joined Secretary Blinken for the D-Isis Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Germany will accede to Operation Olympic Defender, a U.S.-led multinational effort intended to strengthen nations’ abilities to deter hostile acts in space, strengthen deterrence against hostile actors, and reduce the spread of debris orbiting the earth. International partners currently include the UK, Canada, and Australia.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
As the second-largest provider of assistance to Ukraine after the United States, Germany has provided $37.2 billion (€34 billion) in bilateral assistance since February 2022. This includes humanitarian assistance, budgetary support, military equipment and training, and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Germany hosted an international reconstruction conference for Ukraine in Berlin in June 2024 which generated over €60 billion in commitments to Ukraine and emphasized the human dimension of post-war recovery.
At the September 2024 United Nations General Assembly, the United States, in partnership with Germany and other international allies, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic transitions as part of the Democracy Delivers Initiative, launched by USAID. The initiative mobilized over $517 million to provide financial and technical assistance to countries undergoing democratic renewal, including Guatemala, Armenia, and Moldova, with the aim of strengthening global democratic resilience.
Germany has increasingly recognized the importance of supporting Taiwan as a like-minded democratic partner. Education Minister Stark-Watzinger’s visit to Taiwan in 2023 marked the first visit by a German minister to Taiwan in 26 years. Two German warships recently transited the Taiwan Strait, a visible demonstration of Germany’s commitment to upholding international laws and norms and increasing engagement to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Germany was one of the first of twenty-one countries to endorse the U.S. government’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, the U.S. Department of State’s key initiative to galvanize like-minded democracies to respond collectively to the threat posed by disinformation.
ECONOMICS & TRADE
Germany is the United States’ largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching over $324 billion in goods and services in 2023. U.S. direct investment in Germany was $193.2 billion in 2023. In total, German firms employ an estimated 923,600 people in the United States. Germany is the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States and the number one foreign investor in U.S. renewable energy projects. Germany is currently the third-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States, with investments worth more than $660 billion based on 2023 data.
On September 24, 2024, the United States and Germany held the third round of the U.S.-Germany Economic Dialogue, building on the framework established in the 2021 Washington Declaration. The talks focused on strengthening collaboration to increase economic security, including cooperation in sectors such as digital technologies and clean energy supply chains. Both countries committed to enhancing supply chain resilience and advancing sustainability goals.
Germany and the United States partner on several initiatives to advance women’s economic security around the world, including bolstering women’s participation in climate sectors through the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative, closing the gender digital divide through the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative, and supporting women to join the workforce by investing in efforts to close the global childcare gap through the Invest in Childcare Initiative.
COMBATTING ANTISEMITISM:
Germany is a global leader and vital partner in the fight against antisemitism and extremism. Senior officials are unequivocal in condemning antisemitism and federal and state governments have robust strategies for tackling the problem. In July 2024, Germany co-launched the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism in Buenos Aires, an initiative led by U.S. Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt.
Launched in 2021, The U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues, plays an essential role in combatting Holocaust distortion online and promoting accurate Holocaust education and commemoration.
Germany and the United States cooperate on improving resolution to Nazi-confiscated art to ensure just and fair solutions for survivors and heirs, and salute Germany’s new art restitution policy.
EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES
The German-American Fulbright program is one of the largest and most varied of the Fulbright Programs worldwide, sponsoring over 40,000 Germans and Americans since its inception in 1952.
Established in 2016 as a public-private partnership, each year the USA For You program brings youth from underserved German communities to the United States for a two-week homestay and community service experience. The program promotes civic engagement and helps counter extremism and xenophobia by fostering cultural understanding. In 2023, the German government launched a reciprocal Germany for You program, allowing American high school students to visit Germany for a similar exchange, further strengthening transatlantic ties.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), jointly funded by the United States and German governments, supports the transatlantic relationship by fostering year-long academic, homestay, and community service opportunities for 700 American and German youth annually. Since 1983, CBYX has promoted cross-cultural understanding, professional skills, and mutual awareness of each nation’s history, politics, and society. With around 15,000 German and 14,000 American participants to date, the program strengthens ties and deepens the transatlantic partnership between the next generation of leaders.
The German Bundestag-Bundesrat exchange (CBBSX) program is an annual two-way exchange between German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff and U.S. Congressional staff members. It was initiated during the 1983 German-American Tricentennial celebration and first implemented in 1984. Participants focus on the U.S. legislative process and U.S.-German relations; examining U.S. Congress and the U.S. political system. In 2024 the IVLP brought 10 German Bundestag and Bundesrat staff members to the United States. For the first time, CBBSX participants also engaged with state and local government.
SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, SPACE, & TECHNOLOGY
On January 10, 2024, the United States and Germany held a U.S.-Germany Critical and Emerging TechnologyTrack 1.5 Dialogue to share strategic objectives, outlooks, and lessons learned in technological innovation. The two countries agreed to convene the first of an ongoing AI Dialogue to discuss approaches to AI governance, infrastructure and innovation, and applications of AI for good. They intend to hold the first session of this dialogue in early 2025.
Furthering their commitment to monitoring the effects of climate change, the United States and Germany have partnered on space collaboration through NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission, which monitors Earth’s water movement by tracking shifts in gravity. This mission provides critical data for managing water resources, monitoring sea levels, and understanding climate change impacts on a global scale.
The U.S.-Germany scientific partnership was further strengthened throughfunding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) program, which advances cutting-edge research in brain function and computational neuroscience. This initiative supports interdisciplinary approaches to understanding neural systems.
On September 14, 2023, the United States and Germany held the inaugural U.S.-Germany Space Dialogue, advancing collaboration in space exploration, satellite technology, and space security. This dialogue promotes joint efforts in planetary science, climate monitoring, and managing space debris, while advancing international norms for responsible space operations.
CLIMATE & ENERGY
In July 2021, the United States and Germany launched the U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Partnership to deepen collaboration on the policies and sustainable technologies needed to accelerate the global net-zero future. Notable outcomes of the Partnership include the first U.S.-Germany Climate and Energy Summit held in Pittsburgh September 2022, and the U.S.-German Clean Hydrogen Conference held in Berlin October 2023.
Beyond our strong bilateral partnership, the United States and Germany are also intensifying our cooperation to accelerate the clean energy transition and promote clean economic growth in emerging and developing economies. This includes leveraging and scaling-up our collective technical, policy, and financial support to catalyze investments in clean energy manufacturing and industrial decarbonization in developing countries, leveraging key international platforms such as the Climate Club and Clean Technology Fund.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
The United States participated in the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan, hosted by France, Germany, and the European Commission on April 15, 2024, to address the vital need for greater humanitarian assistance for the Sudanese people.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are strengthening their partnership through a Strategic Development Dialogue. This initiative focuses on joint efforts to tackle global challenges in climate change, food security, gender equality, health, and G7 development priorities.
The United States and Germany have worked closely across multiple presidencies of the G7 Food Security Working Group to support efforts to achieve long-term food and nutrition security. As most recently affirmed in the Apulia G7 Leaders’ Communiqué, both countries have committed to promoting and supporting multi-stakeholder programs to build climate resilience in our food systems. These programs include the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, launched by the United States in partnership with the African Union and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Disturbing details emerged this week about AFL men’s football team GWS’ end-of-year event, themed “controversial couples”.
The AFL handed down a range of sanctions to the players involved, including fines and suspensions.
While those defending the players have suggested their actions were lighthearted and in the spirit of the season-end celebration, research has established a connection between rape jokes and sexual assault.
The AFL has a tarnished history when it comes to players perpetrating violence against women.
Despite pledging support for ending gender-based violence in Australia, this incident proves problematic cultural problems persist within AFL clubs.
What happened?
Following an anonymous tip-off to GWS management, it was revealed a number of players engaged in sexist, racist and degrading acts during an end-of-season event.
Hayne was sentenced to four years and nine months prison for raping a woman on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final but was released earlier this year after his convictions were overturned.
Players Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield performed a skit involving slavery, while another pair simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.
It has also been reported a sketch involving Sean “Diddy” Combs — an American rapper currently jailed on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation — was performed.
Scholars and activists are working tirelessly to change public perceptions around violence against women. Jokes and skits themed around violence and sexual assault are harmful because they trivialise the immense harm gendered violence causes women and children.
The AFL’s woman problem
There are many historic examples of AFL players and athletes of other codes acting violently and disrespectfully towards women.
Numerous current and former players, who have faced criminal charges for assaults and sexual violence towards women, have been allowed to continue playing or retain their status as celebrated players.
Current AFL player Jordan De Goey has faced sexual assault allegations, and was briefly stood down by his club in 2021 after being charged with assault in the United States.
Recently, one of the AFL’s greatest former players, Wayne Carey, was set to be inducted as a legend in the New South Wales Football Hall of Fame, despite having a number of charges for assaulting women. However, the AFL did eventually block the move after public outcry.
The AFL, and parts of the media, often distinguish players’ violence against women from their achievements on the field. This allows men to continue playing or repair their public image.
In the case of the GWS players, the AFL’s sanctions indicate the code’s willingness to take a stance on breaches of conduct.
However, that the players believed their costumes and skits were acceptable in the first place indicates deep-seated issues in attitudes towards women.
In each of the costume examples, sexual and racial violence formed key elements of the “joke”, indicating the AFL’s education and training on equity and diversity is not working.
It is often suggested that boys and young men require positive role models and that AFL players fit the bill, although research is not clear on whether the gender of supportive adults is relevant.
At the moment, there is significant concern within the community about the influence of dangerous misogynist influencers on boys’ attitudes and behaviour towards women.
Research suggests that while some young men have the skills to be critical about the messages they receive about violence and sexism, they still experience pressure to live up to restrictive rules on what it means to be a “real man.”
Many Australians highly value AFL players’ skills and abilities on the field. This admiration and respect can also extend to their off-field lives.
But it doesn’t mean AFL players are beyond reproach.
More needs to be done
The impacts of men’s violence on their victims are horrific and myriad.
This year, the AFL partnered with Our Watch – a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children – to provide training to players and clubs and help them understand:
the link between gender inequality and violence against women
the role of sport in promoting gender equality
and what players can do to be active allies including taking action when they see or hear disrespect.
While this is promising, this education must result in changed behaviour, attitudes and accountability.
The Australian government has recently labelled violence against women a “national emergency”. Major sporting codes need to take a leading role in addressing it.
It’s time for the AFL to honestly confront their problems with misogyny and violence against women.
Stephanie Wescott receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)
The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of the masterminds behind the group’s horrific October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel, is no doubt a consequential moment in Israel’s year-long war against Hamas.
But is it a turning point?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s killing – long a major objective of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – would signal the “beginning of the end” of the war. But he made clear the war is not over.
In fact, Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and member of the war cabinet, said the IDF would continue to operate in Gaza “for years to come”.
So, what exactly will be the impact of Sinwar’s death?
Does this change anything?
Sinwar’s death does change at least one aspect of the war. He was an iconic figure, for better or worse, for Palestinians. He was seen as someone who was taking the fight to Israel.
With Sinwar still alive and Hamas hitting back at Israel’s war in Gaza, the group was actually increasing in popularity.
Opinion polling in late May showed support for Hamas among Palestinians in the Occupied Territories had reached 40%, a six-point increase from three months earlier. Support for the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, was about half that.
Sinwar’s demise changes the face of Hamas. It could be a major turning point if Hamas is unable to replace him with a leader as strong as he was.
One of the names being discussed is Khaled Mashal, the former head of Hamas’ political office who still remains influential in the organisation.
This moment offers an opportunity for a new Hamas leader to seek a ceasefire with Israel and an end to the horrific conditions in which Gazans are living. But there’s still the question of whether Sinwar’s death achieves Israel’s war objectives.
What would constitute a victory for Netanyahu?
The main issue is that Netanyahu’s war aims have not yet been achieved:
the elimination of Hamas as a fighting force and a danger to Israel
the freeing of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, as many as half of whom may now be dead
the re-establishment of deterrence with Hezbollah in Lebanon to allow the 60,000 Israelis who have been evacuated from northern Israel to return home.
Although the killing of Sinwar is a major step towards restricting Hamas’ ability to maintain its war against the IDF in Gaza, Israeli soldiers still face some very significant problems there.
Over the past year, Hamas has morphed from an organised fighting force into guerrilla mode, which makes its fighters much more difficult to eliminate completely.
The classic methodology for dealing with a guerrilla force is “clear, hold and build”. This means you clear an area of the enemy, put troops in to hold the area, and then build an environment in which the enemy can’t re-establish itself.
Israel can certainly do the “clearing” and “holding”, but has not been able to build an environment in which Hamas can no longer operate.
Israeli journalists who have been embedded with Israeli forces have made the point that Hamas operatives are returning to areas that were previously cleared by the IDF, in part due to the group’s extensive tunnel network.
Other complications for Netanyahu
Another issue for Netanyahu is that right-wing members of his cabinet have threatened to resign from his governing coalition if he agrees to a ceasefire before Hamas is destroyed as a fighting force. They believe Hamas could use a ceasefire to regroup and re-establish itself as a serious threat to Israel.
At the same time, Netanyahu is also facing increasing pressure over the fate of the hostages. If there isn’t a ceasefire and negotiations to release them, their families and supporters will continue the large demonstrations they have been staging in Israel in recent months. They are desperate to get back any hostages who may still be alive and the remains of those who have died.
Netanyahu is also still weighing Israel’s promised retaliation against Iran for its missile attack against the Jewish state in early October.
If Israel does launch a major strike, what does Iran do in response? Iran’s problem is that it had always relied on a strong Hezbollah in Lebanon to be able to respond to Israel militarily on its behalf. And now it seems to have lost that as Hezbollah has been significantly weakened in recent weeks.
The US sees a potential off-ramp
Another aspect, of course, is where the United States stands on this. The US has made clear it sees Sinwar’s death as being an off-ramp for Israel in Gaza – it can claim a major strategic victory and essentially agree to a ceasefire.
In recent weeks, the US has also given Israel an ultimatum, saying if there isn’t an improvement in the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza by the end of November, it will cut off some military aid to Israel.
The Democrats want the war to end as soon as possible, because while it’s on the front pages of US newspapers, it divides the party and could encourage some voters not to come out and vote in the presidential election.
So it’s very important for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, that there be a ceasefire as soon as possible. She said as much in her remarks today:
Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated. This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza.
The problem, however, is that Netanyahu has shown in the past he is prepared to go against US wishes whenever it suits him. And a ceasefire does not suit his purposes at this point.
Given Republican nominee Donald Trump’s steadfast support for Netanyahu, the Israeli leader would also be more than happy to see him return to the White House.
What’s most likely to happen
Taking all of these factors into account, Netanyahu is likely to prioritise keeping his government together.
As such, he will be more guided by its very right-wing members – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – than by the US or the families of the hostages.
AFter Sinwar’s death, Smotrich said the IDF “must increase intense military pressure in the Strip”, while Ben Gvir called on Israel to “continue with all our strength until absolute victory”.
So at this stage, it seems likely the war will continue until Netanyahu can say Hamas has been destroyed as a fighting force. That is what his cabinet is demanding to achieve the government’s war aims.
Ian Parmeter 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: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Kansas City, KS – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. recently toured Foster Adopt Connect, a nonprofit organization that has provided crucial support and resources to foster and adoptive families across the Kansas City region for over two decades.
The organization’s mission is to ensure that children and youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment can thrive by supporting their foster or adoptive families. Foster Adopt Connect offers services such as training, advocacy, and direct care to make sure children find stability and permanence in loving homes. By offering innovative programs and essential support, Foster Help Connect helps families in Kansas City navigate the challenges of fostering and adoption and ensures every child has a safe, nurturing environment.
“Every child deserves a stable, loving home,” Senator Marshall said. “I am proud of Foster Adopt Connect for the care they provide foster children across Kansas City, and for the support they provide foster parents to ensure every family has the resources they need to thrive.”
