Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The Albanese Government has launched a Project Noticeboard to assist communities to identify potential projects or locations to be funded from Round 3 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MHNP). The MNHP aims to reduce the risks of service outages and improve restoration times of mobile telecommunications in communities impacted by natural disasters by co-funding projects with carriers and telco companies that aim to deliver resilience upgrades. This can include portable generators, power back-up upgrades and physical mobile tower hardening. Under Round 3, the Government is providing $20 million for projects located in areas impacted by, or at risk of, a natural disaster in regional and remote Australia and – for the first time – in the peri-urban fringe of 19 capital and major regional cities. The peri-urban fringe is where the bush meets the edges of the suburbs, creating risks of natural disasters for those living and working in those areas. The expansion of Round 3 to include peri-urban areas ensures they will also have access to resilient mobile communications services during and after natural disasters. Opening today, the Project Noticeboard allows local councillors and state, territory and federal parliamentarians to identify potential projects or locations suitable for funding under Round 3, with telco industry applicants encouraged to review these submissions when preparing their applications. In total, the Government is investing $2.2 billion in regional communications – the most significant investment in this critical area since the inception of the National Broadband Network. Rounds 1 and 2 of the MNHP are funding approximately 1,386 projects nationwide, with 896 already complete. To view the Project Noticeboard, please visit:https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/mobile-network-hardening-program/mobile-network-hardening-program-round-3-project-noticeboard For more information on the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan, visitinfrastructure.gov.au/bcp For more information on the Mobile Network Hardening Program, visithttp://www.infrastructure.gov.au/mnhp Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP: “Access to reliable communications can be a matter of life and death during times of disaster – which is why our Government is continuing to invest strongly in communications network resilience through the Mobile Network Hardening Program. “Ahead of the next round of applications opening, we want to hear from representatives of local communities in areas at risk of natural disaster to inform how best to target this funding. “Importantly, the program has now expanded to include peri-urban locations, as we know that communities on the urban fringes of our major cities face particular risks when it comes to natural disasters. “I encourage locals to speak with their councillors and federal, state or territory representatives to identify potential projects or locations that would benefit from improved communications resilience, and make their voice heard.”
More than 3,900 students across NSW have already benefitted from the Minns Labor Government’s $120 million investment in tertiary health study subsidies, with all subsidies now awarded for the 2024 calendar year.
The recipients of the subsidies include 1,840 nursing students, 280 midwifery students, 1,020 allied health, 520 medical students and 262 paramedical students.
Students beginning their degrees will receive subsidies of $4,000 per year over three years.
The subsidies, announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget, are also expected to support a further 8,000 healthcare students over the next four years.
Students seeking to receive the subsidy in 2025 can apply from mid-January 2025 and must be willing to make a five-year commitment to the NSW public health system.
The subsidies form part of a series of measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to further strengthen the state’s health workforce, including:
Implementing the Safe Staffing Levels initiative in our emergency departments
Providing permanent funding for 1,112 FTE nurses and midwives on an ongoing basis
Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers
Beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.
The full list of 2025 eligible workforce groups will be available in October 2024 on the NSW Health website.
Quotes attributable to Premier Chris Minns:
“I am so pleased more than 3,900 people across NSW have already benefitted from our health worker study subsidies.
“The subsidies help students with costs such as fees, technology, travel, and helps us keep talented people here in NSW, working in the country’s largest public health system.
“Attracting skilled healthcare workers is a longstanding challenge, and while there is a long way to go rebuilding our healthcare system, we are committed to doing it so that people can access the care they need, when they need it.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“We are shoring up the future of our health workforce in NSW and we’re honouring our election commitment to reducing financial barriers to studying healthcare.
“When we boost our health workforce we improve health outcomes, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s encouraging to see such a strong subscription of these subsidies.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
INDIANAPOLIS, IN—September 29, 2024 – A recent FBI report shows that Indiana seniors lost $37,812,966 to elder fraud schemes in 2023. Indiana ranked 25th on the FBI’s list of 57 scammed states and U.S. territories.
“Elder fraud schemes exploit the trust and goodwill of older Americans, preying on their vulnerabilities. Common scams include lottery scams, romance scams, and phishing schemes that can lead to significant financial losses,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “Fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics so staying informed about the latest scams through events such as this workshop can help protect seniors.”
On October 8, 2024, the Indianapolis FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBIICAAA) will present—AI Isn’t Sci-Fi: Free Fraud Workshop and Luncheon – a community outreach and education event to help curb fraud in Indiana.
“Elder fraud is on the rise, impacting our communities, neighbors, and families. This is one of our organization’s main community outreach priorities for 2024,” said Scott Hainey, FBIICAAA president. “Our goal for this event is to help educate and empower older adults in Central Indiana and their families on how to prevent becoming a victim to a fraud scheme.”
The program’s keynote presenters will be Christopher Knight, forensic accountant with the FBI Indianapolis Field Office, a renowned expert in elder fraud; and Scott Barnhart, director and chief council of consumer protection with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. A panel of experts representing the FBI, Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Secretary of State Office, Medicaid, and the IRS will address audience questions.
Online registration for this free local workshop and luncheon is open until, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, or by phone 317-731-2289. The workshop will be held at Emmanual Church located at 1640 W. Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, Indianapolis, 46143.
AI Isn’t Sci-Fi: Free Fraud Workshop and Luncheon is presented by the FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association; a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI. Workshop partners included Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Alpha Mu Omega Chapter, Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation (INCASE), Emmanuel Church, and Indiana Real Estate Experts.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mark S Tremblay, Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine and Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
A recent study found that only 14 per cent of preschoolers around the world are meeting movement recommendations for physical activity, sleep and screen time.(Shutterstock)
Appropriate levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep (collectively termed movement behaviours) are essential for the healthy growth and development of preschool-aged children.
This was the impetus for creating the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (birth to four years). Likewise, this is why the World Health Organization adopted the Canadian guidelines when creating the global guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under five years of age.
Considering the extensive benefits of movement behaviours, it is very alarming that a recent study found that only 14 per cent of preschoolers around the world are meeting movement behaviour guideline recommendations.
three or more hours of total physical activity (including at least one hour of energetic play or activities that make them slightly out of breath),
one hour or less of screen time, and
10 to 13 hours of good quality sleep
Importantly, preschoolers who meet these guidelines gain health benefits such as reduced risk of obesity, improved social and emotional skills, and proficient motor skills.
Global levels
Preschoolers with healthy movement behaviour habits meeting these guideline recommendations gain health benefits such as reduced risk of obesity, improved social and emotional skills, and proficient motor skills. (Pixabay/Oleksandr Pidvalnyi)
A new global study shows most children around the world don’t meet these guidelines. The study included more than 7,000 preschoolers from 33 different countries, including Canada. The countries represented various World Bank income groups (e.g., high, middle and low income countries); and the geographical regions of Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Southeast Asia and Western Pacific.
When looking at each movement behaviour individually for preschoolers around the world, 49 per cent met the physical activity recommendations, 42 per cent met the screen time recommendation, and 81 per cent met the sleep recommendation.
That most young children are not meeting each of these basic recommendations separately is cause for concern; that 86 per cent are not meeting all guideline recommendations combined is alarming and places preschoolers around the world at risk of sub-standard health and development.
Globally, 81 per cent of preschoolers met sleep recommendations. (Shutterstock)
Seventeen per cent of boys met all the guideline recommendations, compared to 13 per cent of girls. This slight difference was driven by more boys meeting the physical activity recommendation (56 per cent boys, 42 per cent girls), and protected from being even worse by more girls meeting the screen time (45 per cent girls, 38 per cent boys) and sleep (82 per cent girls, 79 per cent boys) recommendations.
Better screen time and sleep habits for girls protected their overall movement behaviour adherence from being even worse, showcasing the various paths to health through different movement behaviour combinations. However, the low number meeting all movement behaviour recommendations demonstrates the need for all preschoolers to routinely be more active, reduce screen time and accumulate good quality sleep in a day.
By income
Screen time in the evening is associated with less sleep and lower sleep quality. (Shutterstock)
Low-income countries had the highest movement behaviour guideline adherence levels (17 per cent), compared to middle-income (12 per cent) and high-income (14 per cent) countries.
While children from high-income countries were more active and had more quality sleep, they also had the worst screen time behaviours compared to low- and middle-income countries. It is a double-edged sword that in higher-income countries, children have more access to physical activity opportunities and quality sleep environments, but also more access to screen time devices.
Likewise, middle-income countries with the lowest movement behaviour adherence rates could symbolize a region’s development transition where infrastructure in the homes and communities cannot yet support more physical activity and good quality sleep, but availability of cell phones, televisions and other screens leads to increased sedentary behaviours.
By region
The African and European regions had the highest movement behaviour adherence (24 per cent), while the Americas region had the lowest (eight per cent). With 17 per cent meeting the screen time recommendations and 68 per cent meeting the physical activity recommendations, the Americas region had the worst screen time and best physical activity.
The physical activity levels of the Americas region preschoolers are higher compared to the 39 per cent of older Canadian children and youth as reported in the ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. But these older Canadian children and youth did have slightly better, albeit still poor, screen time behaviours with 27 per cent meeting the guidelines.
Sixty-eight per cent of preschool-aged children in the Americas were meeting the physical activity recommendations, compared to only 26 per cent of Southeast Asian children. However, it remains a concern that roughly half of all young children around the world are at risk of sub-optimal health and development from lack of physical activity.
Roughly half of all young children around the world are at risk of sub-optimal health and development from lack of physical activity. (Shutterstock)
Guidance for improvements can be drawn from the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, where the goal of a 15 per cent relative reduction in global physical inactivity rates by 2030 relies on capacity-building collaborations within research organizations and alliances to strengthen our global understanding of movement behaviours.
Along with the best movement behaviours overall, the African region had the best screen time levels with 63 per cent meeting the recommendations. This is potentially explained by limited access to screen time devices.
However, to better understand why screen time behaviours are better in Africa, initiatives like the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix project should be used as a model. Within the Global Matrix, region-level differences are an opportunity to learn the strengths of other regions, while addressing regional weaknesses at home.
For instance, Canada could be a model for less active countries, while attempting to model the African region’s reduced screen time lifestyles. Further, projects such as the SUNRISE study — where researchers from more than 70 countries are collaborating to measure preschoolers’ movement behaviours, health and development — are excellent venues for this necessary capacity-building and global learning.
However, health movement behaviour levels in Canada and across the globe are unsatisfactory and forecast further global health challenges, inequalities, and distancing from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It’s time to get our little ones a little more active.
Mark S Tremblay has received research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada for research distally related to this article. He is affiliated with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology who created the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years, under his leadership. He was also on the expert panel for the World Health Organization for the development of the global guidelines cited in the article.
Nicholas Kuzik 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: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Michael Buck Brockway (40, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for using the internet and his cellphone to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Brockway was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release, pay $48,000 in restitution to child victims, and register as a sex offender. Brockway was arrested on July 28, 2023, and has been detained since that date.
According to court documents, on July 17, 2023, an agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), posing as a 13-year-old child, began an undercover investigation designed to identify individuals who were seeking to meet children in person for sexual activity. The undercover agent, acting as the “child,” began an online conversation on a particular social media application (app) with user “Telly_Rider,” who was later identified as Brockway. From that day, continuing through July 28, 2023, Brockway and the “child” engaged in numerous sexually explicit conversations using two different social media apps and text messaging. During these online conversations, Brockway confirmed that the “child” was 13 years old, inquired about the “child’s” sexual experience, and asked if the “child” wanted to meet him in person for sex.
On July 27, 2023, Brockway asked the “child” if “she” was alone for the next few days, and he confirmed that the “child” was living at a particular apartment complex in Jacksonville. Brockway sent the “child” explicit videos of himself that he produced while on duty as a sailor onboard a U.S. Navy ship docked at Naval Station Mayport. The following day, Brockway drove into the apartment complex where the “child” purportedly lived, then over to a nearby restaurant where the “child” agreed to meet him. Brockway exited his car, entered the restaurant to meet the “child,” and was arrested by detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. During a search incident to his arrest, Brockway’s cellphone and three condoms were found in his pockets. A search of Brockway’s car revealed a container of personal lubricant, an unopened bottle of vodka, and a sex toy. A search of Brockway’s cellphone revealed numerous photos and videos that depicted children being sexually abused.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Sedrick Williams, Jr. (25, Jacksonville) to 8 years and 4 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Williams entered a guilty plea on June 25, 2024.
According to court documents, detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) were patrolling the area of Broadway Street and Garfield Street in Jacksonville in reference to an ongoing investigation. The detectives observed Williams driving a vehicle and committing multiple traffic violations, including running a red light. When detectives activated their emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop, Williams led JSO on a high-speed chase that continued along multiple streets. During the chase, Williams drove into oncoming traffic, forcing vehicles and pedestrians off the road. Williams made multiple turns attempting to flee before crashing in a ditch, then attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended after a short distance. Inside Williams’s vehicle, JSO detectives recovered multiple bags of narcotics, including fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. Additionally, detectives found a loaded 9mm handgun. Detectives learned the firearm was reported stolen from Jacksonville in 2022. At the time of the offense, Williams was a convicted felon and, therefore, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
What you need to know: The state is decertifying the City of Norwalk’s housing element following the city’s action breaking state housing law and implementing an illegal shelter ban. The state’s action makes the city ineligible for significant housing and homelessness funding and means the city can no longer deny “builder’s remedy” affordable housing projects.
SACRAMENTO — Today Governor Gavin Newsom announced the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has revoked the city’s compliance with housing element law. The Governor’s announcement follows through on his warning to Norwalk, taking swift action to hold the city accountable for its unlawful ban on homeless shelters and other housing.
Without a compliant housing element, the city can no longer deny certain affordable housing projects and is no longer eligible to receive key state housing and homelessness funds. Governor Newsom has also announced that the state may sue the city if they refuse to change course.
“After the state has provided cities and counties with unprecedented funding to address the homelessness crisis, it’s beyond cruel that Norwalk would ban the building of shelters while people are living on the city’s streets. This crisis is urgent, and we can’t afford to stand by as communities turn their backs on those in need. No more excuses—every city, including Norwalk, must do its part and follow state housing laws.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Norwalk’s failure to build housing
Creating more housing is key to addressing affordability and homelessness in California. All cities are required by state law to develop a housing plan to ensure that they are planning for enough affordable housing for their community. Norwalk has failed to meet its housing goals, and now has violated state law by banning shelter and other housing for those experiencing and at risk of homelessness despite its failure to build enough housing. The city has only issued permits for 175 units during this housing element cycle, a mere 3.5% of its 5,034 assigned Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), or the number of units required to ensure its community has enough housing.
The action by HCD to revoke Norwalk’s housing element compliance will speed up development in the community and incentivize the city to end its unlawful ban on housing so that residents have the housing they need.
“The City of Norwalk’s actions have placed them in violation of state housing law, and therefore their housing element is no longer in compliance,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “Our Housing Accountability Unit provided the city clear guidance—with full transparency on what our next steps would be if they did not repeal this egregious ordinance. Instead of working to correct their missteps, they dug in their heels and are now ineligible for key funding and subject to the builder’s remedy.”
Norwalk’s failure to address homelessness
Norwalk has taken overt actions to block access to homeless support, shelter, and housing – despite having accepted nearly $29 million in state housing and homelessness funds. On August 6, the city adopted a 45-day urgency ordinance imposing a moratorium on emergency shelters, single-room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing.
The state issued a Notice of Violation on September 16. On September 17, the council voted to extend the ordinance another 10 months and 15 days. Even after the state granted the city an extension to respond to its Notice of Violation, Norwalk failed to repeal the ordinance or put into place any action that would set the repeal in motion. Although city council members expressed an intent not to immediately enforce the moratorium, there is no formal stay or anything that would prevent the city from enforcing the moratorium as soon as it wishes, and the city has refused to commit to repealing it in the near future.
The moratorium violates several state planning and fair housing laws, including the Housing Crisis Act, the Anti-Discrimination in Land Use Law, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and the Housing Element Law.
More housing. More accountability.
Since taking office, Governor Newsom has provided local communities with unprecedented funding, investing over $40 billion to boost housing and more than $27 billion to address homelessness. Norwalk issued the ordinance only weeks after Governor Newsom issued an executive order that, among other things, urges local governments to use this funding provided by the state to address unsanitary and dangerous encampments within their communities and provide people experiencing homelessness in the encampments with the care, housing, and supportive services they need.
The notice was issued by HCD’s Housing Accountability Unit, which was launched by Governor Newsom in 2021 to ensure that cities and counties fulfill legal responsibilities to plan for and permit their fair share of housing, and to hold accountable those that fail to do so. This focus on accountability has in part led to a 15-year high in housing starts in California. Since its establishment, the unit has supported the development of more than 7,500 housing units, including more than 2,700 affordable housing units, through enforcement actions and by working with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with housing law. In 2024, the unit was expanded to include a focus on homelessness issues – including compliance with state laws as they relate to homeless housing. The action against Norwalk is its first homelessness accountability action since its expansion.
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ADVISORY – HARRISBURG – Shapiro Administration to Announce Grants to Eliminate Food Waste and Fight Hunger
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley will announce new grant availability for the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grants program, which offer grants up to $50,000 to reimburse the cost of equipment to store food that can be redistributed to fight hunger.
WHAT: DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley Announces New Grant Opportunities to Fight Hunger and Prevent Food Waste
WHEN: Friday, October 4, 2024; 11:00 AM
WHERE: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – Volunteer Center, 1530 Bobali Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17104
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.
PROVIDENCE, RI — Tonight, the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation approved incentive awards to REGENT Craft, Inc. (REGENT) ahead of the development of a new manufacturing facility in North Kingstown’s Quonset Business Park.
The incentive awards include $1M under the First Wave Closing Fund Act to support REGENT’s operational expansion in Rhode Island and $3M under the Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit Act.
REGENT will lease a new 255,000-square-foot facility in Quonset for 25 years to manufacture its innovative seaglider technology.
In addition, REGENT’s previous award under the Qualified Jobs Incentive Act, approved in June of 2022, was amended to reflect a new hiring schedule. REGENT’s job commitment is 300 over 10 years, with a potential of up to 750. The company is expected to meet its first-year job commitment one year earlier than originally expected, on January 1, 2025.
“The expansion of REGENT Craft will strengthen Rhode Island’s position as a leader in innovative and green transportation solutions,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This project will create a significant number of high-quality, good-paying jobs that align with our goal of raising incomes for all Rhode Islanders.”
“Rhode Island is a hub for innovative, cutting-edge marine tech companies, and REGENT Craft’s expansion here helps bolster that,” said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “This partnership is the perfect example of how Rhode Island is fostering economic growth through innovation, and we look forward to the long-term benefits this expansion will bring to our communities.”
“Quonset is pleased that REGENT will continue to grow along with the hundreds of other companies here at the Business Park, enjoying continued success that will create jobs for Rhode Islanders and economic growth for our state,” said Steven J. King, Managing Director of Quonset Development Corporation.
REGENT Craft, Inc. was founded in 2020 and specializes in the design and manufacturing of all-electric, hydrofoiling wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) seaglider vessels. The seagliders provide a unique mode of transportation, offering the speed of an airplane with the operational cost of a boat, thus revolutionizing regional transportation with zero emissions.
“REGENT is growing quickly, creating new well-paying jobs every month, and looking forward to expanding into our new manufacturing facility,” said Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO, REGENT. “Not only will this make Rhode Island the manufacturing capital of seagliders in the U.S.; it will also continue the state’s leadership in composites manufacturing and the Blue Economy.”
To watch a video on REGENT’s key milestones in Rhode Island,click here.
What you need to know: Governor Newsom today announced a new project in San Francisco that will transform a dated Department of Motor Vehicles building into a mixed use building with a modern DMV office paired with 372 new homes, including homes dedicated to low-income families. The site was identified as part of the Governor’s executive order directing agencies to identify state properties that could be used to create affordable housing for Californians.
SAN FRANCISCO – Continuing California’s commitment to build more affordable housing across the state, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the redevelopment of an existing San Francisco DMV Field Office site into a multi-use transit-friendly complex with affordable housing and a new DMV Field Office. The current DMV site was constructed in 1960 and does not comply with updated health and safety code specifications, nor does it meet DMV requirements.
After this transformation, the complex is expected to include approximately 372 homes with a range of affordability levels located in the city center near amenities and transportation.
“We will continue to use all our tools to create more affordable housing throughout California — including by converting underutilized state property into homes. I’m particularly proud of this site for bringing affordable housing to the heart of San Francisco in a diverse and thriving neighborhood.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Located at the DMV’s San Francisco Field Office located on 1377 Fell Street, this project will serve as a model for future conversions across the state.
The state-owned property is centrally located between the Lower Haight, NoPa, Buena Vista, and Alamo Square neighborhoods, and in proximity to a mixture of residential, entertainment, and visitor-serving amenities including the Haight-Ashbury and Divisadero retail districts. The site is in an EPA-designated Highly Walkable area and within half a mile of a Major Transit Stop.
“This first of its kind project, combining housing with a new DMV Field Office, represents a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to reimagine spaces for affordable housing,” said DGS Director Ana M. Lasso. “DGS is pleased to take part in this mixed-use development project that will deliver a modern new DMV office while providing hundreds of affordable housing units to support San Franciscans.”
The Department of General Services (DGS), Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have selected The Related Companies of California and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation to lead redevelopment.
“This is a unique opportunity to transform and modernize a public-facing government facility while adding new, permanent affordable housing in a region with critical need,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “I am hopeful this project can inform similar out-of-the-box thinking for communities statewide on how we can maximize use of public land for the benefit of the people.”
How we got here
In 2019, Governor Newsom issued an executive order calling on HCD and DGS to address the state’s affordable housing crisis by identifying underutilized state-owned sites for the development of affordable housing, taking into account factors such as proximity to job centers, amenities, and public transit.
Creating affordable housing for all Californians
Since taking office, Governor Newsom has invested $40 billion in housing production and enacted dozens of CEQA reforms into law. The state has also invested more than $27 billion to help communities address homelessness.
In July 2024, Governor Newsom issued an executive order to support efforts to transform undeveloped and underutilized infill sites and buildings into housing. This order helps communities build thriving downtown cores and new housing near transportation hubs and job centers — creating more housing options for Californians while further aligning the state’s housing and climate goals.
In addition, Governor Newsom championed the creation of the Housing Accountability Unit at HCD to ensure cities and counties fulfill their legal responsibilities to plan and permit their fair share of housing.
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Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Q: Are you surprised the conflict in the Middle East is escalating?
A: It’s been one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Israel, when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched its brutal assault killing 1,200 people, systematically raping women and taking 250 people hostage, including Americans. Among those taken hostage were elderly people and infants. At least ninety-seven hostages are still believed to be alive in captivity, including two children. Throughout the last year, I’ve worked to keep up the public pressure for their safe return home. Tragically, a month ago, Hamas murdered six Israeli hostages, including an American with dual citizenship. In July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a historic fourth appearance before a joint session of Congress. He spoke about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and underscored the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel, the only democracy and our most trusted ally in the Middle East.
For 12 months, Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza strip, where the terrorist group has embedded itself among the civilian population, urging Gazans not to comply with evacuation warnings, using schools and hospitals as military bases and a United Nations headquarters to provide power to its network of terror tunnels. In response to 11 months of constant missile attacks that have forced 68,000 Israelis to flee their homes, Israel recently launched military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both fronts underscore the danger of appeasement pushed by the Obama and Biden administrations. Iran’s military and financial support for terrorist groups has one goal: to wipe the Jewish people and the State of Israel off the face of the Earth. Israel must be able to defend itself against attacks from Iran and its proxies and I have supported military aid to uphold U.S. leadership for peace in the world.
Earlier this year, I condemned action by the Biden administration to block or restrict the supply of U.S. ammunition and weapons to Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security and long-term prosperity must be upheld. Terrorism has no place at home or abroad. That’s also why I’ve called upon the Biden-Harris administration to secure our southern border. The open border policies of this administration are putting national security at risk. Hamas and Hezbollah fighters could take advantage of the lax enforcement at our southern border to plan an attack on U.S. soil. The number one responsibility of the federal government is national security. Complacency is not an option. Peace through strength works. The United States must not bow to our adversaries, such as approving reckless nuclear agreements with Iran. Most recently, I joined dozens of my Senate colleagues to condemn proposals that would strip Israel’s right to self defense. As we observe the one-year anniversary of the barbaric attacks against Jewish civilians, America and the community of nations must stand shoulder to shoulder to support Israel’s sovereignty and unite against terrorists plotting to destroy the historic homeland of the Jewish people.
Q: How are you working to stop antisemitism surging on college campuses?
A: As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I shined a bright light on the rise of antisemitism in the United States during a congressional hearing convened in September. The hearing examined the rising tide of hate crimes in America. Shortly after the attacks last year, I called upon the Biden administration to enforce anti-discrimination laws and protect Jewish students on our college campuses. Since the Oct. 7 attacks, antisemitic threats have spiked, including violent protests, campus encampments and barricades inside of school buildings. Some schools canceled commencement ceremonies to protect public safety. Reports of antisemitic incidents on U.S. college campuses surged 700 percent in the last year. Enough is enough.
In April, I co-sponsored the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act to help combat antisemitic harassment on college campuses. For decades, I have been a staunch defender of free speech on campus, and our bill would help clarify when lawful speech crosses the line into unlawful harassment in violation of federal law. Before the new school year started, I also co-sponsored legislation that would direct universities and the federal Department of Education to immediately address civil rights complaints if a student experiences violence or harassment on campus because of their heritage. It shouldn’t take an act of Congress for academic leaders to protect students and combat antisemitic hate on their campuses. Our Restoring Civility on Campus Act would hold universities and the U.S. Department of Education accountable to meet their legal obligation to stop discrimination and protect Jewish students on campus. Schools that neglect to address on-campus harassment and violent confrontations towards Jewish students are in violation of federal law. Our bill would strengthen processes for reporting and handling hate-motivated crimes. History shows why the world must have zero tolerance for antisemitism.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) engaged Forest 360 to harvest pines which are creating a seed source of wilding pine at the end of Kashmir Rd. Wilding pines are invasive weeds which threaten to permanently alter our unique New Zealand landscapes.
Forest 360 will remove the pines, allowing native forest to regenerate and will continue to undertake pest plant and animal control in the area for five years after harvesting.
Kelly Hancock, Acting Operations Manager for DOC Manawatu, says closing access is a last resort, but several close calls from people wandering into dangerous situations have left DOC with no other options.
“Initially we kept the road open to the public during weekends, so hunters and trampers could access the local hut and track network.
“Unfortunately there have been multiple incidents, with logging trucks coming across vehicles on the road unexpectedly, hunters popping up next to felling machines while they are operating, and quite a bit of theft and vandalism occurring during weekends.”
Kelly says it is great to see the local community so keen to get into the Ruahine Forest Park and make the most of the opportunities on our doorstep, but it is not safe for people to be driving or walking through an area being actively logged.
“This is really heavy-duty machinery, and an incident could lead to someone being seriously hurt. If people are going to ignore the signs and barriers and venture into the area outside of the agreed access times, we have no choice but to close the area to all public access.
“We must ensure public safety above all else, so it really leaves us with no option but to completely close the road to the public while the pines are being harvested.”
There are several other ways to access the forest park nearby, such as Mill Rd.
Kashmir Rd will reopen to the public for two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period, while Forest 360 staff and contractors take a well-earned break. It will be closed again from 5 January until harvest is completed in May or June 2025.
Without the risk of public venturing into the area over the weekend, forestry operations will be able to move to six days per week so the harvest may be able to be completed sooner.
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Spokesperson Matthew Miller leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on October 3, 2024.
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Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
The legislation would ensure all health insurance plans cover additional breast screenings with no cost-sharing for individuals at greater risk for breast cancer.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bipartisan Find It Early Act to improve health insurance coverage of breast cancer preventative care. This bill would ensure all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic breast imaging, including mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, molecular imaging, and other technologies, with no cost-sharing.
“This bill is a crucial step in ensuring that all women have access to the additional imaging they need for early detection of breast cancer, without the burden of extra costs. I am proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation that improves coverage of necessary follow-up care for women. This is a great first step that has the opportunity to change lives,” Senator Marshall said.
“Early detection is an important step in improving health outcomes for patients,” Senator Klobuchar said. “While I was fortunate to have had a routine screening catch cancer at an early stage, that is not the case for many. This bipartisan legislation will enable more women to access screenings and diagnostic exams, which can make a big difference in treating this disease early.”
U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) will lead companion legislation in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation is supported by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer; Dense Breast-info; American College of Surgeons; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; My Density Matters; Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on all Somali parties to keep up the momentum, strengthen dialogue and unity, and stay committed to resolving differences through dialogue.
In remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia, Dai Bing, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that in recent years, Somalia has made important headway in national reconstruction and peace and security, and both the UN and African Union (AU) missions have entered a critical transition period.
“At this important stage, the support and assistance of the international community cannot relax,” Dai said.
He emphasized three points — maintaining the overall situation of political stability; strengthening the foundation of security transition; and advancing UNSOM (UN Assistance Mission in Somalia) transition in an orderly manner.
Underscoring that the Somali federal government has maintained communication with the governments of federal member states and reached important consensus on the constitution, elections, and political parties, the ambassador said, “We expect all Somali parties to keep up the momentum, strengthen dialogue and unity, and stay committed to resolving differences through dialogue.”
He stressed that China has consistently supported the efforts of the Somali government to safeguard national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and called on the international community to support the country in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and provide guarantees for Somalia to embark on the path of long-term and stable development.
Dai noted that in the next phase, ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) will transition into a new AU mission, and expressed the hope that Somalia, the AU, the UN, and others will strengthen their communication and coordination to reach consensus on new mission arrangements and to ensure the smooth progress of the relevant work.
“Under-funding is an important challenge to AU missions’ mandate performance,” he said, calling on the European Union and other traditional donors to maintain their funding for the new mission and continue to contribute to the security and stability of Somalia. Dai also urged the Security Council to respond to the initiative of the AU and actively study various effective options to provide sustainable and predictable financial support for the new mission.
Noting that the Somali government has repeatedly called for the transition of UNSOM to a UN country team, and has recently submitted a two-year transition proposal to the Security Council, the ambassador called on the council to use this as a base and, in line with Somalia’s national development priorities, adjust and streamline UNSOM’s mandate, with a view to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition.
“China supports the peace and development process in Somalia, as well as the enhancement of Somalia’s capacity for autonomous development, counter-terrorism, and stability. We will continue to provide support to international peacekeeping operations in Somalia,” Dai said.
Fueled by favorable policies, China’s residential real estate market witnessed an uptick in inquiries and viewings over the first three days of the National Day holiday. Experts have predicted a country-wide market revival marked by increased transactions, with first-tier cities leading the trend.
They said recent policy adjustments that eased restrictions on leveraging, along with previous measures such as ensuring the delivery of pre-sale properties and the 300 billion yuan ($42.7 billion) loan to State-owned enterprises for affordable housing projects, are crucial for stabilizing the market. However, further support from the central bank may still be required to sustain the momentum.
“Our phones rang non-stop the day new policies were announced, as they captured the attention of numerous potential homebuyers,” said Wu Libin, sales manager at house-letting agency 5i5j in Beijing, adding that inquiries are still coming in.
Another sales manager in Beijing E-Town told Beijing News on Tuesday that transactions worth 125 million yuan had been completed and more than 100 families had visited the development area since Beijing announced its policies on Monday.
There was a rush of inquiries elsewhere too. In Guangzhou, Guangdong province, a housing sales center in Liwan district extended its office hours and stayed open throughout the night following Guangzhou’s policy announcement on Sunday.
By Monday noon, the number of visitors to the sales center had surged by 200 percent compared to usual levels, according to Jimu News. A staff member surnamed Liu said while some buyers jumped at the chance to buy following the policy announcement, others had opted for a wait-and-watch approach.
Shenzhen in Guangdong province and Shanghai also reported a rise in the number of visitors to various sales offices. Latest data from a research center of realty agency Leyoujia revealed a nearly 40 percent surge in pre-owned home transactions at Leyoujia sales centers on Monday compared to the previous day — the highest since February 2021. New home transactions also hit a two-year high. Xinmin Evening News revealed that multiple sales offices in Shanghai are fully booked for house viewings next week.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said on Sunday that cities, especially first-tier cities, should utilize policies and adjust housing purchase restrictions based on local conditions.
The same day, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen all made significant policy changes. Shanghai streamlined its purchase restrictions, notably reducing the threshold and initial payment costs. Among first-tier cities, Guangzhou was the first to completely remove home purchase restrictions. Shenzhen also lifted such restrictions in several areas.
On Monday, Beijing also announced measures such as further reducing interest rates on existing housing loans and lowering the minimum down payment for personal housing loans.
Yan Yuejin, vice-president of the Shanghai-based E-House China R&D Institute, said the new policies in the four major cities, in conjunction with financial policies from the People’s Bank of China, are timely, precise and comprehensive, playing a positive role in stabilizing the real estate market.
“All of the four first-tier cities have modified their purchase restrictions in response to new market demands, continuously optimizing relevant policies to better support the release of reasonable housing consumption demands. Other cities nationwide are expected to follow suit, indicating a period of comprehensive policy relaxation,” Yan said.
“China’s real estate market is anticipated to witness a wave of transactions in the fourth quarter, potentially seeing a favorable trend of both increased sales volume and prices.”
Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, took a more cautious stance. He said that while the property market had previously experienced an overall decline in sales, the introduction of positive policies could halt this trend in cities particularly with strong demand and population influxes. However, a combined effort of existing policies and potentially further increased loan support from the central bank could be necessary for a nationwide rebound in the realty market in the future.
China’s intensified efforts to build resilient industrial and supply chains and expand international collaboration will further drive global industrial development and unlock a wealth of opportunities for companies worldwide, experts and company executives said.
The comments were made in response to the central authorities’ resolution to this end. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China — a meeting key to the nation’s reforms and modernization progress — said the country will move faster to build industrial and supply chains that are self-supporting and risk-controllable.
Meanwhile, China will further deepen reform and opening-up, and facilitate international cooperation in industrial and supply chains, the meeting said.
“China is both a participant and beneficiary of global industrial and supply chains, as well as a firm defender and builder of these chains,” Zhang Qingwei, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, said during a recent meeting.
He added that the country will integrate more deeply with the global industrial and supply chain system and firmly oppose protectionism and any form of decoupling, while maintaining the desired outcome of global public good.
Zhang Yansheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said that China has witnessed momentum in emerging sectors like new energy in recent years despite headwinds such as decoupling moves initiated by the United States and its relocation strategies.
“The US is leveraging new protectionism, industrial policies and government intervention to undermine the solid foundation of China’s industrial and supply chains. This retrogressive approach is not only unfair to Chinese companies and global consumers, but also a step backward in the global transition toward sustainability.
“What is to the benefit of all is that China will further deepen market-oriented reforms, expand high-standard opening-up, improve the legal system, and enhance the institutional framework for fair competition, green development and the advancement of clean energy domestically.”
Zhang added that if there were no negative spillovers of geopolitical tensions and protectionism, the supply and demand of new energy vehicles, photovoltaics and lithium batteries — areas in which the US unfairly accuses China of overcapacity — would achieve a dynamic balance at the global level.
Recalling that the US and China have both benefited tremendously from more bilateral trade, Neil Bush, chairman of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations, said while addressing a recent event that countries that rely solely on local manufacturing face significant challenges.
“Manufacturing is no longer confined to national borders. Countries that embrace innovation while working together can unlock new potential and drive economic growth by sharing research and best practices in technical advancements,” he said.
As Chinese companies continue to weave themselves into the fabric of global industrial and supply chains, Wang Yang, president of SinoEV (Hefei) Powertrain Technologies, a developer of electric vehicle power systems, said it is challenging for some countries to be independent of China’s new energy industry supply chain in the short term.
“Developing a robust supply chain requires a long time and certain favorable conditions, such as comprehensive policy and a large market scale,” Wang said.
“China’s new energy industry supply chain is competitive on the global stage, thanks to its complete industry chain covering research and development, engineering design, manufacturing management and final assembly integration. It will bring benefits to companies around the world.”
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China is the only country in the world that has all industrial categories listed in the United Nations Industrial Classification, covering almost all traditional and emerging manufacturing sectors.
Zeng Yuqun, founder of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd, a leading EV battery maker, said that countries can actually benefit from the new energy sector by sharing the industry chain.
“CATL has already taken some measures to diversify its overseas market and is willing to share its technology with the world,” he added.
Citing challenges faced by the global industrial and supply chains, Xue Lan, dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University, said China will not isolate itself, but rather integrate more actively into the global innovation system to avoid severe disruptions in the global industrial chain.
“With its position in the global industrial chain key to the world, China must continue to innovate and open up to reinforce this position,” Xue said.
At least 87 people were killed Thursday after a ferry sank on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a report by local authorities seen by Xinhua.
People gather at a port after a ferry sank on Lake Kivu near Goma, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Oct. 3, 2024. At least 87 people were killed Thursday after a ferry sank on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a report by local authorities seen by Xinhua. (Xinhua/Alain Uaykani)
The ferry, coming from the town of Minova in the South Kivu province, capsized near the port of Kituku, on the outskirts of Goma, capital of the North Kivu province.
In the report addressed to the central government in Kinshasa, the provincial government also spoke of 78 people still missing. The 87 bodies recovered were transported to the morgue of the general hospital in Goma and nine other survivors were taken to hospital.
The number of passengers aboard the boat remains unknown. Local sources, however, told Xinhua a “significant overload” of the boat.
The boat failed to withstand a violent wave before it capsized about 700 m away from the port, said staff of the Kituku port.
Till late Thursday, the population still gathered at the port of Kituku with anxiety and the hope of finding the bodies of their loved ones, observed Xinhua.
The roads between Goma and Minova have been cut off for months due to hostilities between armed groups and the DRC military. Cases of boat accidents are frequent on Lake Kivu due to strong winds and overloading.
Group of Seven (G7) leaders on Thursday voiced “deep concern” over the “deteriorating situation” in the Middle East.
The “dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks fuelling uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East, which is in no one’s interest. Therefore, we call on all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint,” said a G7 statement released by 10 Downing Street.
The statement said G7 leaders had discussed “coordinated efforts and actions” to avoid further escalation of conflict in the region, without specifying details.
“We also reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance, and an end to the conflict,” it said.
As to the recent escalating conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, leaders of the seven biggest developed countries urged all actors to protect civilian populations, saying they are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of civilians in Lebanon.
In the statement, they stressed “the importance of the United Nations in resolving armed conflict and mitigating the humanitarian impact in the Middle East,” saying that “we are committed to reinforcing our support to the mission, pursuant to applicable UN resolutions.”
The G7 comprises the United States, Britain, Canada, Italy, France, Germany and Japan.
Also on Thursday, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported that a total of 1,974 people have been killed, including 127 children and 261 women, since the onset of the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict in October last year. The World Health Organization said on the same day that 28 healthcare workers were killed in the past 24 hours in Lebanon amid escalating hostilities.
Death toll exceeded 200 on Thursday in hurricane-stricken southeastern U.S. states, according to NBC News.
At least 204 people are known to have died across six states as a result of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene since it made landfall in Florida a week ago, reported the news outlet, adding that hundreds are still missing and nearly a million customers remain without power.
Helene has become the deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
More than half of the fatalities were confirmed in storm-ravaged North Carolina, with at least 98 deaths. In particular, Buncombe County, which located in western North Carolina, reported 61 deaths.
U.S. President Joe Biden decided Wednesday to immediately deploy “up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food, water and other critical commodities to communities affected by Hurricane Helene.”
The active-duty military personnel are in addition to more than 1,000 North Carolina National Guard soldiers currently deployed, who are surging food, water, supplies and conducting search and rescue operations, according to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
The governor noted on Thursday that “around-the-clock efforts continue to provide resources and assistance” to communities in western part of the state.
Biden toured the Carolinas to survey damage on Wednesday and is scheduled to visit Florida and Georgia on Thursday. The White House said in a news release that Biden will further survey damage caused by Helene and meet with state and local leaders regarding ongoing response efforts.
“The president and his entire administration will continue to do everything in our power to help the people of Florida, Georgia, and every community affected by this storm,” said the White House.
The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said the country would use all offensive forces, including nuclear weapons, if enemies attempt to use armed forces encroaching upon the DPRK sovereignty, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the remarks while inspecting a training base of the special operation units earlier this week.
Kim stressed that the enemies’ threatening rhetoric, action, trick and attempt will not take away the DPRK’s nuclear weapons and the country “has irreversibly secured the absolute strength as a nuclear power and the system and function for using it,” according to the KCNA report.
“To pray for a good luck of survival in a military conflict with the nuclear weapons state would be a foolish thing,” and “if such situation comes, the permanent existence of Seoul and the Republic of Korea would be impossible,” the DPRK leader was quoted by the KCNA as saying.
Noting the necessity for the DPRK military force to keep cultivating its strength, Kim stressed that “strength in our hands is the only guarantee for keeping under control the enemy and defending ourselves,” the KCNA report said.
During the inspection of the training base of the special operation units in the western area on Wednesday, Kim touted the DPRK special operation forces as the “pivotal and core force” in the country’s war deterrence and war-fighting capabilities, while underlining the need of expanding and strengthening the special operation forces into the country’s strongest combat forces, the KCNA said.
NASA’s Psyche mission has sent signal from Mars orbit, marking a critical milestone of the mission, NASA said on Thursday.
The Psyche spacecraft, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in October last year, is the first-ever U.S. mission to study a metal-rich asteroid in the far reaches of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Almost a year since launch, NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications experiment sent a laser signal from Earth to Psyche spacecraft about 460 million kilometers away, according to NASA.
Soon after reaching that milestone on July 29, the technology demonstration concluded the first phase of its operations since launching aboard Psyche.
The milestone is a proof that human could one day relay data to and from Mars with lasers, according to NASA.
By transporting data at rates up to 100 times higher than radio frequencies, lasers can enable the transmission of complex scientific information as well as high-definition imagery and video, which are needed to support humanity’s next giant leap when astronauts travel to Mars and beyond, said NASA.
Psyche spacecraft remains healthy and stable, using ion propulsion to accelerate toward a metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, according to NASA
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Thursday expressed condolences to the families of the victims after a hospital fire killed nine people in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. “We offer our condolences for the loss of lives, and extend our sympathy to their families and all the injured,” said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Speaking to the media earlier, Su Ching-chyuan, the hospital’s honorary dean, said that the fire was caused by the combustion of an air compressor in a machine room, adding that most of the victims were elderly hospitalized patients.
Chinese researchers have discovered a new species of fish, Opsariichthys iridescens, in east China, which features beautiful colors. The research findings describe how the species is distinguished from congeners by morphological features, which have been validated through gene-based phylogenetic analysis. The discovery was published in a recent edition of the international academic journal Zookeys. The research was led by Yang Jinquan, a professor at Shanghai Ocean University, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Forest Resource Monitoring Center and other institutions. The new species can be distinguished from its closely related species with a genetic divergence of over 14 percent, according to the research findings. The new species is found in the Qiantang and Oujiang River systems in Zhejiang Province and the tributaries of the lower Yangtze River adjacent to the Qiantang River. Yang said that the discovery of several new species living in fast-flowing rivers or streams including Opsariichthys iridescens, indicates that the diversity of freshwater fish species in the region is still underestimated. According to Yang, these stream fish species are food resources for waterfowl and other animal, contributing to the nutrient cycling and water purification of rivers. Yang said protecting these fish species is essential to maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems, which helps to maintain biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of ecotourism and fisheries.
Chinese researchers have discovered a new horned toad species, which has been named Boulenophrys pepe, in Lianshan Bijiashan Nature Reserve in south China’s Guangdong Province. The research findings, led by Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering and other institutions, were published in a recent edition of the international academic journal Zootaxa. The new species was discovered in evergreen broadleaf forests at altitudes of 490 to 540 meters, where mountain streams and a layer of leaf litter create diverse microhabitat systems. The toad, notable for its swollen lips, differs significantly from closely related species in the same area, according to Lin Shishi, a member of the research team. Lin noted that Boulenophrys pepe is highly sensitive to changes in the forest ecosystem. The discovery of this new toad species enhances the understanding of biodiversity and shows that China’s conservation efforts to protect mountain forest ecosystems have been very effective, Lin said.
GDP decreases 0.2 percent in the June 2024 quarter – 19 September 2024 – New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.2 percent in the June 2024 quarter, following a 0.1 percent increase in the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Retail trade and accommodation; agriculture, forestry, and fishing; and wholesale trade industries all fell.
“Activity in retail trade and wholesale trade has been in steady decline since 2022,” national accounts industry and production senior manager Ruvani Ratnayake said.
Forestry and logging drove the fall in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry. This is mirrored by a fall in exports of forestry primary products.
Despite the overall fall in GDP, 7 out of the 16 industries increased. The largest rise was in manufacturing.
Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:
Electronic card transactions: August 2024 – 12 September 2024 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.
Key facts All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.
Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.
August 2024 month Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the August 2024 month (compared with July 2024) were:
spending in the retail industries increased 0.2 percent ($10 million)
spending in the core retail industries increased 0.4 percent ($25 million).
Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this information release and to download CSV files:
International travel: July 2024 – 11 September 2024 – International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand.
Key facts Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors Overseas visitor arrivals were 221,800 in the July 2024 month, an increase of 8,000 from the July 2023 month. The biggest changes were in arrivals from:
Australia (up 11,400)
China (up 10,000)
United States (down 13,100).
July 2023 saw a boost in overseas visitor arrivals from the United States, coinciding with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this information release:
Food prices increase 0.4 percent annually – 12 September 2024 – Food prices in New Zealand increased 0.4 percent in the 12 months to August 2024, following a 0.6 percent increase in the 12 months to July 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food and grocery food drove the annual increase in food prices, up 3.6 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.
The price increase in restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food was due to higher prices for lunch/brunch, hamburgers, and takeaway coffees.
The price increase in grocery food was due to higher prices for olive oil, chocolate blocks, and butter.
Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:
Missy Higgins’ recent ARIA number-one album, The Second Act, represents an increasingly rare sighting: an Australian artist at the top of an Australian chart.
My recently published analysis of Australia’s best-selling singles and albums from 2000 to 2023 shows a significant decline in the representation of artists from Australia and non-English-speaking countries.
The findings suggest music streaming in Australia – together with algorithmic recommendation – is creating a monoculture dominated by artists from the United States and United Kingdom. This could spell bad news for our music industry if things don’t change.
Who dominates Australian charts?
In 2023, Australia’s recorded music industry was worth about A$676 million, up 10.9% year on year.
Building a strong local music industry is important, not only to support diverse cultural expression, but also to create jobs and boost Australia’s reputation on a global stage.
When Australian artists succeed, this attracts global investment, which in turn stimulates all aspects of the local music industry. Conversely, a weak music economy can lead to global disinvestment, thereby disadvantaging local companies, artists and consumers.
My research shows how the rise of music streaming – which became the dominant format for Australian recorded music sales in 2017 – has had a noticeable impact on the diversity of artists represented in the ARIA top 100 single and album charts.
In the year 2000, the top 100 singles chart featured hits from 14 different countries. By contrast, only seven countries were represented in 2023.
The percentage of Australian and New Zealand artists in the top 100 single charts declined from an average of 16% in 2000–16 to around 10% in 2017–23, and just 2.5% in 2023.
Album share also declined from an average of 29% in 2000–16 to 18% in 2017–23, and 4% in 2023.
This chart shows changes in diveristy in the ARIA top 100 albums chart over 22 years. Author provided
Similarly, the proportion of artists from outside the Anglo bloc of North America, the UK and Australia/New Zealand declined from an average of 11.1% in 2000–16 to 7.3% in 2017–23 – while album share declined from 5% in 2000–16 to 2.3% in 2017–23.
My study also found representation of Indigenous artists remained low, but stable, over the period studied – and in line with population ratios.
Concetration of power
The findings suggest the decline in Australian and non-Anglo representation in the ARIA top 100 charts is linked.
Some economists and academics have argued easier access to independent music and global distribution via streaming will lead to greater diversity in music. But this hasn’t been the case in Australia, at least as far as chart-topping artists are concerned.
The global recorded music industry has consolidated in recent years. In the early 2000s there were five major music labels. Currently there are just three: Universal, Sony and Warner.
Last year, these three labels were responsible for more than 95% of the Australian top 100 single and album charts. Meanwhile, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube make up an estimated 97% of the Australian streaming market.
These concentrations of power allow a handful of record labels and distributors to have a disproportionate influence over music design, production, distribution and governance – thereby limiting opportunities for diversity.
The need for new policy
My findings align with European research that found markets with a strong cultural differentiator of language are showing increased national diversity with streaming.
However, countries without a distinctive language are being increasingly dominated by global music production. In Australia’s case, we’re becoming reliant on the star-making machinery of the US.
Recently, Australia’s live music crisis came under scrutiny at a federal government inquiry, which highlighted the significant power imbalance between artists and multinational promoters.
As I and manyothers have suggested, targeted cultural policies are necessary to combat our highly concentrated and US-dependent market.
Relying on labels and streaming platforms will do little to preserve and promote our nation’s unique musical and cultural identity.
Previous employment at Sony Music, Universal Music, Inertia Music. ARIA Chart Committee member 2005-2017. Employment at these labels ceased by 2017. No continued professional relationship with any of the companies.
